Google Gears

It had to happen: Google is starting to deliver software that allows online applications to work offline, and then synchronize with the online data when you reconnect. More details here and here. Now, when a developer claims a new release is rough around the edges, I’m not about to dive in and start testing. I’ll wait for a more refined offering. But this is big news. Ultimately, it means that Google Docs will work offline, and perhaps similar Ajax products from Zoho will as well. Can anyone not believe that Microsoft is doomed?

What Next?

A Dutch TV station says it will go ahead with a programme in which a terminally ill woman selects one of three patients to receive her kidneys.

This brings grim possibilities for new flavors of “Survivor” to mind. “Survivor: Intensive Care Ward”. Brrrr. Read a good discussion of this bizarre news. Believe it or not, it concerns economics.

Go Away in May

A widely known investing proverb says to get out of the market in May. Anyone who relies on such folklore needs their head examined, but, by golly, I’m making a bigtime retreat from market exposure today. I’m not going away entirely, but I don’t see a lot of upside for the next little while. It’s always fun to take the money and run. Why this sudden change in heart? Well, there’s a lot of data to look at and I just now got around to looking at some that makes me a little queasy. Confronted with new information, I change my opinion. What do you do?

Some Things Never Change

You might want to read some amusing comments about inflation and the cost of living from 1957.

Memorial Day

Blogging is light this weekend, but here’s a Memorial Day message worth reading.

Weekend Investment Thoughts

As usual, I’m more concerned with selling than buying. Next week I’m reducing exposure to domestic financial, transportation, and basic materials sectors. Internationally, I’m reducing exposure to developed markets, except for Japan, where I plan on continuing to add modestly. I’m also eliminating Hong Kong and Australia from my portfolio.

My buying plan is unusual because I plan on starting some aggressive short positions against the Dow and NASDAQ. This is buying because I use “short” Exchange Traded Funds. I don’t seriously expect to make money even if the trade is good. This is a classic hedge. I have long positions that I don’t wish to close because I hope someday to take long term gains. On the other hand, I don’t want to suffer a drawdown should the market take a hit. My shorts will make me closer to neutral toward the market. No, you can’t make short term money that way, but it does prepare me take advantage of a major market turn should one develop and, if not, it makes future long term gains more likely.

Otherwise, I’m increasing my leveraged position in Japan and starting a small position in Allied Capital, a “public private equity” firm. What’s that? That tale will have to wait for another time, but in the meantime, you might want to check out ticker symbol ALD.

Zoho Notebook Rocks!

The folks at Zoho have a new product in beta testing - Zoho Notebook. I wrote about it earlier, but now I’m pulling my comments and my published test notebook. Why? Well, I didn’t understand the product or its potential. I was thinking of it as an alternative to Google Notebook, but it is so much more. Zoho Notebook is a tremendous organizational tool and ideal for numerous projects. The more I explore it, the more impressed I become. So I’ll be back too this topic again, but with a whole new outlook. In the meantime, you might want to explore one of the best Web Goodies ever.

Real Bones?

I like the TV show Bones. It feature an attractive, intelligent, and unusual woman as the protagonist in CSI-like plots concerning decomposing bodies, dismembered corpses, and the like. The clever banter and the juxtaposition of gross and neat is, well, neat. But is there a real “Bones”? Well, Dr Helen looks promising. And even if not, her blog is interesting, well crafted, and worth a look.

Nap Time

Early to bed and early to rise, with naps in between. I can vouch for this. Most of us fall into sleeping habits for no particular reason. But all habits can be changed and people that sleep as described seem to get a lot more done. I know I do.

The Malaria Elephant

I stumbled upon an interesting and heated discussion about the good and evil of DDT and malaria. I am reminded of the story of the blind men and the elephant. Everyone sees part of the issue, but no one seems to have a comprehensive view. Such discussions are interesting and may lead to enlightenment, but the distressing part is how quickly the various participants impugn the motives and question the morality of anyone with a different point of view. Seeing the world as “greedy corporations” and “smug environmentalists” both acting in wanton disregard for humanity surely leads to the worst kind of cynicism. Could it be that uncertainty and unintended consequences are a natural part of life?