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MIT Semantic Screen Scraper : Spiffy Election 2008 Candidates Chart

One of the webscrapers created at MIT's semantic web program, SIMILE (Semantic Interoperability of Metadata and Information in unLike Environments). SIMILE is focused on developing robust, open source tools that empower users to access, manage, visualize, and reuse digital assets. More webscrapers are available at SIMILE's wiki, under the section titled, "Piggy Bank Screen Scrapers." Along with ready-made screen scrapers (for Amazon, Flickr, Orkut, NCBI PubMed, LinkedIn, and so on), the Piggy Bank application is an open source tool for creating your own scrapers (and other semantic data projects). Check it out! In the meantime, this 2008 Presidential Candidates on the Issues chart is worth a gander, although it's dated, simplistic, and better utilized as a model (or case study) for screen scraper design.

Corruption in Healthcare...Transparency Needed Now!

Ever wonder why the healthcare industry is so prone to corruption? Want to know why and how it's corrupt? Check this out. Well-written. Highly readable. Not dry or boring. A real eye-opener!

Bata Drumming Notations and Learning Resources

Afrocuban bata drumming notations, transcriptions, and learning resources, compiled into one fabulous document!

Freelancing | Freelancers | FAQ
Web resources to learn about freelance work, including getting started as a freelancer, finding freelance jobs, handling benefits and pay, keeping track of projects, paying taxes, and finding help and support.

Game Theory May Resolve Candidates' Conundrums with Democratic Delegates
Election 2008 Strategy
Both Obama and Clinton will undoubtedly be shy of necessary delegates at the Democratic convention; a new book on "game theory" could supply strategies to overcome this paralyzing situation.

Spending Your Savings in Retirement || What's Left After 10 Years of Withdrawals?
Scatterplot showing how 10 years of withdrawals (between 1997-2007) from very large mutual funds will affect your bottom line. At 5% a year, you'll have 100-161% of your original $100,000 left. At 8% a year, you'll have 50-100% left.

With $50 and a plane ticket to Haiti, you can buy a slave. Right now. Today.

"In 1850, a slave would cost roughly $30,000 to $40,000 -- in other words it was like investing in a Mercedes. Today you can go to Haiti and buy a 9-year-old girl to use as a sexual and domestic slave for $50. The devaluation of human life is incredibly pronounced," says author Skinner, who met with slaves and traffickers in 12 different countries. There are more slaves on the planet today than at any time in human history. We all need to know this from our gut, heart, mind, and soul. Read *A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face with Modern-Day Slavery* for a dramatic picture of this inhuman horror.