The Super Bowl is Almost Here!

Alright fans, the Super Bowl is only two days away, and this year's game promises to be a great match-up between two even opponents that won't disappoint! So today we want to know: who do you think will win the Super Bowl this year?

Who Do You Hope Wins Super Bowl XLVIII?

Denver Broncos

Seattle Seahawks

I'm just rooting for a good game

I could care less, really

It's all about the commercials!

Football is the devil

What's football

make a poll

Apple's Macintosh Computer Turns 30 Today

30 years ago today, Apple released the Macintosh computer to the public, changing technology (and society) forever in the process. Now in today's world of advanced technology, where we deal with iPhones, iPads, Bluetooth, and other electronic devices on a regular basis, the Macintosh seems like an ancient relic. But one can't underestimate what a watershed moment its release was, even being hailed as a "masterpiece" at the time of its debut. So we want to know: did you ever own a Macintosh? And what electronic device could you not live without today?

On This Date in History: The Corvette is Unleashed Onto the World

The legend goes that Harley Earl, General Motors' chief designer, had the idea for a true American sports car after going to the races at Watkins Glen, N.Y., and seeing a field full of European iron. An advertising assistant, Myron Scott, had the masterstroke of giving the convertible concept a name that "reflected the excitement of a fast World War II war ship named Corvette." When it was introduced on this date in 1953 at the GM Motorama show in New York, the Corvette concept was a hit; yet by the end of 1954, GM would be on the verge of killing the car, after a botched launch with underpowered models left sales far below targets. It was up to a young GM engineer, one Zora Arkus-Duntov, to show GM what the Corvette needed to stand for. His letter saved the Vette, and remains the best understanding of why it survives today:


TO: Mesars. E. N. Cole and M. Olley
FROM: Mr. Z. Arkus-Duntov
SUBJECT: Corvette

In this note, I am speaking out of turn. I am giving options and suggestions without knowing all the factors. I realize this but still am offering my thoughts for what they are. In order to make the content clear and short, I will not use the polite apologetic phrasing and say, "it is" instead of "it possibly might be" - and I apologize for this now.

By the looks of it, the Corvette is on its way out.

I would like to say the following: Dropping the car now will have adverse effect internally and externally.

It is admission of failure. Failure of aggressive thinking in the eyes of the organization, failure to develop a saleable product in the eyes of the outside world.

Above-said can be dismissed as sentimentality. Let's see if it can hurt the cash register. I think it can.

Ford enters the field with the Thunderbird, a car of the same class as the Corvette.

If Ford makes success where we failed, it may hurt.

With aggressiveness of Ford publicity, they may turn the fact to their advantage. I don't mean in terms of Thunderbird sales, but in terms of promotion of theirs and depreciation of our general lines.

We will leave an opening in which they can hit at will. "Ford out-engineered, outsold, or ran Chevrolet's pride and joy off the market". Maybe the idea is far-fetched. I can only gauge in terms of my own reactions or actions. In the bare-fisted fight we are in now, I would hit at any opening I could find and the situation where Ford enters and where Chevrolet retreats, it is not an opening, it is a hole!

Now if they can hurt us, then we can hurt them! We are one year ahead and we possibly learned some lessons which Ford has yet to learn.

Is the effort worthwhile? This, I am in no position to say. Obviously, in terms of direct sales a car for the discriminating low volume market is hardly an efficient investment of efforts. The value must be gauged by effects it may have on an overall picture.

The Corvette failed because it did not meet G.M. standards of a product. It did not have the value for the money.

If the value of a car consists of practical values and emotional appeal, the sports car has very little of the first and consequently has to have an exaggerated amount of the second. If a passenger car must have an appeal, nothing short of a mating call will extract $4,000 for a small two-seater. The Corvette as it was offered had curtailed practical value being a poor performer. With a 6-cylinder engine, it was no better than the medium priced family car.

Timing was also unfortunate. When the novelty appeal was the highest, we hadn't had the cars to sell. When the cars became available, hypnotized by the initial overwhelming response, no promotional effort was made.

The little promotion which was made was designed to depreciate the car rather than enhance it. Hundreds or possibly thousands of dollars contained in the price of a sports or luxury car are paid for exclusivity. What did our promotion say on the radio and advertised in magazines? "Now everybody can have it! Come and get it". What virtues did advertising extoll? Only X inches high, only X inches long, etc. In the country, in which bigger is synonymous with better, and we really know it, we were trying to sell a car, because it is small! Crosley is smaller........

Were there no virtues to talk about? Quite some, but a condensation of best reports which appeared in motoring press previously had more glow and enthusiasm than our advertising.

Summarizing, the promotion was uninspired and half hearted attempt with no evidence of thought or enthusiasm.

Where do we stand now?

The Corvette still has the best and raciest look of all the sports cars, the Thunderbird included. Performance is far superior to all the passenger cars and to 99% of the sports cars used on the road. It has flow in respect to passenger protection. Water leaks and cumbersome top and side window. With these minor flaws removed, we have a sports car with as much practical value as the sports care can have.

The borderline between the value and lack of same is not the absolute performance but comparative one. "My car can go X miles per hour" does not mean as much as "My car can trim anything on wheels". The '55 Corvette will have this pride attached to its ownership. To be a success, it will need more emotional appeal which can be provided by promotion which will fit the product and inflame the type of customers which can buy the car.

As I see it and put it down, the Corvette is a product different from a passenger automobile having in every phase of operation problems of its own. With sales potential between 3 and at the most 10,000 cars a year, it is bound to be a hindering step-child in an organization which acts and thinks in terms of 1,500,000 units. A subdivision, section, department or what not, but an organization no matter how small but which is directly responsible for the successes of operation is necessary.

An organization which will eat and sleep Corvette as our divisions are eating and sleeping their particular cars.

I am convinced that a group with concentrated objective will not only stand a chance to achieve the desired result, but devise ways and means to make the operation profitable in a direct business sense.

(courtesy of Yahoo!)

Five Simple Tips to Make You a Better Driver

Driving is a skill and it requires practice to become comfortable behind the wheel. Men and women drivers of all ages do many things wrong when they take the driver’s seat and there are many different things that they can do to improve their driving. These five simple tips are designed to make you a better driver in any conditions:

1. Be Alert It seems like every time the television or radio is on, there is a new commercial about not texting and driving or not driving drunk. The idea of being alert behind the wheel is the best tip to be a better driver. This includes more than just texting and drinking. Being alert involves watching the road. It is difficult to do this while putting on make-up or attending to children in the back seat. It is difficult to be alert if you are tired or if you are looking around at the sights on the road. Being alert also means you should not talk on the phone, even using Bluetooth because the act of talking on the phone is what is so distracting. It also means that you should not work on your playlist on your iPod, too.

2. Know Where You are Going
If you do not know where you are going, you will have problems getting there. There is nothing more irritating to other drivers than having a driver who stops and starts in the road from not knowing where to go. This creates unsafe conditions for you and your passengers, as well as the other drivers on the road. Find out where you are going before you leave your home. Set up your GPS and look at the final destination before you get in the car. Plan your route and be sure that you have enough gas or have an idea about where to stop along the way when you need a refill.

3. Drive for the Conditions
If you live in an area that has sunny weather all of the time, consider yourself lucky. Driving in extreme weather is truly a challenge. The best way to drive well in the weather is to adjust for the weather. If you live in a part of the world that gets snow, slow down on snowy days. Just because you have a vehicle with four-wheel drive, those four wheels can slide off of icy roads just as quickly as a car with front-wheel or rear-wheel drive. It is also a good idea to clean off your car so you can see out of your windows and so drivers can see your tail lights. The best drivers are respectful of Mother Nature’s ability to make driving more difficult.

In rainy weather, slow down for the conditions. Greasy roads and hot roads can become very slippery during a rain storm. If you have roads that are prone to floods, avoid them when it rains because cars are not designed to swim or float! When you drive in the fog, leave plenty of space to stop because the person in front of you cannot see either. If you have fog lights, use them. If you do not, just turn on your lights.

4. Watch Out for Other Drivers
You might be the safest driver in the world, but there are thousands of other drivers who are not. Watch for the other drivers who might be prone to causing accidents. Be aware of the drivers in front of you, as well as the drivers who are behind you. When you are at intersections, be aware of the drivers coming through the cross streets to be sure they stop. Because you never know what is going on inside of other cars, you need to be vigilant and aware. Not every driver uses turn signals or has working brake lights, so if you get stuck behind one, you have to be alert as to when to slow or to stop. It is often best to just assume that all of the other drivers on the road are BAD; this way you will stay aware and be a better driver.

5. Be Considerate to Others on the Road and in Your Car
When you are considerate to others, you become a much safer driver. Being considerate means relaxing and not worrying when you are in conditions that you cannot control. Not panicking will keep your passengers relaxed and comfortable. When you are considerate, you use turn signals, leave space between your car and the car in front of you, and you do not drive slowly in the left lane on the highway. Considerate drivers do not ride their brakes or drive too fast in rough weather. They also get away from drivers who are showing excessive aggressiveness and dangerous driving. Considerate drivers allow other drivers to merge in congested conditions. Being kind and considerate, will keep you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road relaxed and happy.