Obama for Canadian Prime Minister? Ancestry.ca Shows Support

Photo Credit: Jag Gundu, CNW Group/Ancestry.ca

The major federal elections in Canada is a job that effectively only four candidates representing individual parties can seek. Given a system where our prime minister is installed as the leader of the party winning the most seats in Parliament, we are never really granted the choice of our choice person to lead the government. In a wild fake election, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper has been measured by some unique contenders by voters.

Fighting for a second term in the White House, US president Barack Obama is focused on a 2012 election. However, in a recent poll conducted by on-line family tracking database Ancestry.ca, the current United States president would have a fighting chance to claim the high office in Canada. Through a survey performed in a mock poll in downtown Toronto, people were offered the choice of the 44th US president Barack Obama, the 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney, current Canadian prime minister or other political leaders in Canada. Obama captured an impressive 42 percent of the popular vote in the entertainment-oriented poll. In second place with 25 percent of the vote, Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper placed favourably among potential voters for the next federal election. Placing in 3rd with eight percent approval was Mitt Romney. Recent days, presidential candidate Romney does think a lot of Canada (in particularly the Alberta oil sands production that has him promising speedy approval of the XL pipeline if elected).

There were also a few write-in choices in the mock ballot that rises some eyebrows. Having just announced his intention to enter the federal Liberal party's leadership race, Justin Trudeau was one who received several bodes of support in the Ancestry.ca survey. There was also one write-in vote for the current Toronto mayor Rob Ford for the prime minister job.

The Ancestry.ca poll also measured the popularity of Stephen Harper alongside previous prime ministers and concluded that Pierre Trudeau's legacy remains strong almost 30 years after the Liberal party reigned. Taking 35 percent of the vote in the former leader category, Trudeau's next nearest rival was Lester B. Pearson who recorded a more modest 15 percent. Behind third place Sir John A. MacDonald who took 12 percent of the vote, Harper received 11 percent support ahead of Jean Chretien and Sir Wilfred Laurier who each won 6 percent of voters.

The unusual poll created by Ancestry.ca was in effort to promote the site's added inclusion of Canada Voters Lists.

Hammacher Schlemmer Spotlight: Memory Card to DVD Converter

Photo source: Hammacher Schlemmer

Flash memory cards are a normal and plentiful resource with the prevalence of portable technology. Now inexpensive for even high capacity SD cards, we can now take more images and high quality video at this day in age than ever. A way to capture large amounts of treasured or important pictures, it is undesirable to keep digital data on flash memory over a long period of time over concerns contents will be lost. It would also be a thrill to be able to share, copy or archive photos through a means everyone can enjoy it.  Hammacher Schlemmer has a solution for storing and sharing images with little fuss.

The size of a slice of bread, The Memory Card to DVD Photo Converter is a disc recorder device that is set-up for quick and easy transfer from a digital camera or camcorder. Using either a blank CD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW disc, images can be written onto a new media in minutes. Burning at up to 24X speed for CDs and 8X for larger DVDs, The Memory Card to DVD Photo Converter is operated through interaction with a small LCD screen revealing settings as well as writing progress. Since many times the quantity of photos on a digital camera will far out-weigh the capacity of discs, The Memory Card to DVD Photo Converter is configured to automatically divide images across multiple discs.

Operating separate from a computer or other larger electronic device, The Memory Card to DVD Photo Converter portability is an asset to amateur and even professional photographers. The Memory Card To DVD Photo Converter device can easily fit in a purse, briefcase or duffel bag requiring the user to only needs to find a power source.

The Memory Card to DVD Photo Converter is selling for $199.95 through Hammacher Schlemmer.

US Rental Retailers Halted from Spying on Computers

With the price of certain household and personal goods beyond the affordability of many people in a tough economy, rent-to-own stores have provided a savior to individuals as well as families. In many cases requiring just basic information, rent-to-own locations offer customers an item or items under a rental agreement that after a predetermined term payments allow the consumer to claim ownership of the property. While that part of the rent-to-own process has been mostly transparent to customers, many of those in possession of a computer were reportedly the recipients of products that granted secret and invasive access to private, personal information according to the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC). On Tuesday, September 25th, a settlement brokered between a software firm and several rent-to-own clients has put to rest a story of corporate cyber spying.

Acting on complaints, FTC investigated that the rental companies would give tabs on rented computers in the hands of consumers by using a multitude of secretive and deceptive manners. Capturing screenshots of personal information, keylogging (process of recording keyboard strokes) and even turning on the webcam on some devices remotely unannounced to the user were some of the complaints levied as part of a software array called "Detective Mode". The DesignerWare sourced software also included tracking that allowed a device's location to be pinpointed. A final charge also alleged users were lured to register software through bogus registration screens meant to collect personal information.

The secretly embedded software distributed by DesignerWare to several major rent-to-own chains such as ColorTyme, Aspen Way Enterprises, J.A.G. Rents and Showplace Rent-to-Own as well as computers sold through Aaron's locations. The DesignerWare software program installed on rent-to-own computers were also equipped with a so-called "kill switch" that would render the device disabled if found to be stolen or even if a renter failed to make payments. All together, the bundle of secretive DesignerWare software amounted to data collection and tracking. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan stated, "There is no justification for spying on customers. These tactics are offensive invasions of personal privacy."

Through a proposed settlement, DesignerWare and seven rent-to-own franchises will be prohibited from using tracking software without the consent from the customer. The rent-to-own established will also be barred from using the already gathered for the proposes of debt collection. Chairman of the FTC Jon Leibowitz said, "An agreement to rent a computer doesn't give a company license to access consumer's private emails, bank account information, and medical records, or, even worse, webcam photos of people in the privacy of their own home. Leibowitz declared that with the settlement, "The FTC orders today will put an end to their cyber spying."

Sam "the Record Man" Sniderman Passes Away at 92

Known as a driven personality in the Canadian business community, Sam Sniderman push into the marketplace of providing music has made a legend out of the Toronto-born man. Passing away on Sunday at age 92, Sniderman's life is one where he was always in tune with Canada's recording industry.

With his brother Sidney, Sam Sniderman established a radio sales and service store on Toronto's College street in 1929. It would be 1937 when Sam realized the relatively new business of selling record albums. Some reports indicated the entrance into the record business was an attempt to draw the heart of a woman named Eleanor Koldofsky (who later became his wife).

Moving into a new business location on Yonge Street in 1959, that former furniture store would become the flagship for the Sam the Record Man by 1961. As youth-oriented music brought a impressionable group of teenagers to record stores, Sam the Record Man thrived competing heavily the nearby A&A Records store until the mid-1970s. The Yonge street and Gould location for Sam the Record Man would be identified by a giant neon sign featuring two lit discs or records. Behind the spectacle, Sam Sniderman was completely hands-on with his business to the point he personally handled customer complaints. Operating on a business tip presented by his mother, Sniderman maintained fairness and honesty when dealing with the public.

Officially franchising the Sam the Record Man banner in 1969, Sam Sniderman slowly became a part of national Canadian culture as a chain of locations blossomed across the country. By the 1980s, another generation of Canadian young people would frequent not only the Toronto flagship location but others found in stores and malls of other major cities.

Not only a successful Canadian entrepreneur that became a cultural icon for generations of audio connoisseurs, Sam Sniderman was also an activist and supporter of home grown music. His position as the most popular record store in Canada's largest city gave Sniderman considerable leverage to promote the cause of Canadian recording artists. Part of the Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee, a director for the CARAS (Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the Mariposa Advisory committee among many other organizations, Sam Sniderman's flair as well as personality helped pave the way for many Canadian musicians to become hit artists (many with albums selling popularly out of Sam the Record Man locations. The result has been a professional and personal relationship with Canadian music. When the CRTC requirements for Canadian music content increased on the radio in 1971, Sniderman noted sales in his iconic store climbing by 25 percent for national performers. One of Sam Sniderman's favourite performers was Anne Murray. Joni Mitchell has spoken praise for Sniderman's contribution to the fight for CanCom regulations that fostered Canadian music for decades following.

After seven decades worth of providing the best of recorded music produced by Canadian and world talents, Sniderman's Sam the Record Man chain stores would diminish as the digital, online music became the new norm for audiophiles. The sign to the Sam the Record Man Yonge and Gould flagship location's ironic sign was lit for the final time on October 4th 2008. Currently, the location is being adapted to a new Student Learning Centre for Ryerson University. Sam Sniderman had received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson in 1997. Attempts were made since the Sam the Record Man Yonge street store's closure to somehow preserve the site and the famous neon sign. Ironically, one of the channels used to protect the building's advertising facade was Facebook (a method modern Canadian artists use to communicate with fans). Extraordinary steps were taken by the city of Toronto to have the sign declared historically protected. Effective in allowing the sign to be preserved initially, recent activity by Ryerson University has left little understanding for how the neon dual discs will return to Yonge street when the new building is completed in 2014. Aside from the dual discs, a Belleville, Ontario Sam the Record Man-brand store in the Quinte Mall remains as symbols of a once-strong Canadian music retailer. 

Beyond the business of music, Sam Sniderman contributed time and resources to the preservation of audio recordings with the University of Toronto. In 1963, along with his then-wife Eleanor Koldofsky, Sniderman donated several recordings to what would turn into a 175,000 item archive for the Faculty of Music Library. Sniderman also served the city of Toronto by being on the attractions committee for the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition). In his little spare time, Sniderman would enjoy Tennis.

Accolades for Sam Sniderman included the Order of Canada in 1976, a 1997 Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Fame induction, and the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award at the 1989 Juno awards. Personally, Sam fathered two sons, Bobby and Jason.

Starting from only dreams, Sam Sniderman developed not only his aspirations but the desires of others. After-all a feat many of us desire in life, Sniderman was many positive things to so many people. With what is certain to be several personal tributes, the character of Sam Sniderman survives the brick and mortars of a Yonge street building. Like the music he helped to proliferate and preserve, his legend will live on!



Holmes, Gillian K., Davidson, Evelyn Who's Who in Canadian Business 2001, pg. 773

Ray, Randy, Kearney, Mark. I Know that Name! pg. 254-255 

The Canadian Encyclopedia, Sam Sniderman http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/emc/sam-sniderman

Hammacher Schlemmer Spotlight: The Full Phrase Talking Translator

Photo Source: Hammacher Schlemmer

A desirable companion for the world traveller is possessing the ability to communicate effectively with the residents of way-off lands. While some of us have acquired the skills to master multiple languages to make negotiating exotic locales, hundreds of millions of other tourists and traveling businesspeople could use some help. While translation dictionary and electronic translators have existed for long time, retailer Hammacher Schlemmer has secured a device that is slated to be a cut-above others.

The Phrase Talking Translator is a pocket-sized electronic that can instantly assist in deciphering 30 different languages. With the capacity of 1.8 million words, The Phrase Talking Translator is also equipped with 210,000 common phrases and sentences. Three times more phrases than the previous generation device, this product would enable easier maneuvering through most common travelling scenarios.

The size of a smartphone or most other pocket devices, The Phrase Talking Translator opens up to a 3.75-inch backlit LCD screen and a QWERTY keyboard for easy interaction by the user. Through integrated speakers, the correct pronunciation of words and phrases will prove helpful in navigating unique regions of the world. Beyond the language translation software, a currency converter, world clock, basic and scientific calculator, a voice recorder as well as six games are loaded in the device.

Priced at $249.95, The Phrase Talking Translator could be the ideal device for future globe-trotters in 2013.

Hammacher Schlemmer Spotlight: The Mind Controlled Movie Director

Photo Credit:

A company with origins dating back to 1848, Hammacher Schlemmer was founded as a provider of high quality products that can not be easily found in other stores. One of the first 271 subscribers to Bell Telephone of New York City, the first home delivery parcel service and one of the earlier adopters to on-line shopping in 1986, Hammacher Schlemmer endures despite the influx of large department store chains as well as discount stores that cater to the vast United States consumer population. Hammacher Schlemmer survives and prospers by a continued commitment to bring unusual, obscure yet intriguing products to niche interests. Electric cars, a real-life working replica of the Tron: Legacy Light Cycle and other outlandish items are sold under the Hammacher Schlemmer banner. In recognition of the company's involvement in supplying the marketplace with fun and unique products, I'll happily feature some of the more eye-catching Hammacher Schlemmer items on this blog starting with the Mind Controlled Movie Director.

A device certain to spawn thoughts of science fiction, The Mind Controlled Movie Director actually operates on individual's brainwaves to control pre-programmed interactive movies and games. Through a headset the incorporates electroencephalogram technology, a person's electrical brain signals are translated into control over situation with The Mind Controlled Movie Director. Concentration, relaxation and verbal emotions can affect the outcome of various horror, sports and crime stories. Plot lines and endings are shaped by the signals received from the user's headset.

Used in association with a Mac or PC computer, The Mind Controlled Movie Director also comes with Apps. A pair of arcade games, a brainwave visualizer and meditation journal are included in the $129.95 US device.

Starbucks' Verismo Brings Premium Taste to Single Serve Brewing Machines

Photo Credit: CNW Group/Starbucks Coffee Company

In 1971, Starbucks has become the world's leading coffee chain as it forever turned a simple pick-me-up into a premium buying experience each morning. While a trip to one of their almost 20,000 cafes is a routine for many at some point in a given day, Starbucks has also been setting itself up as a brand as close as a kitchen or pantry cupboard. Selling blends of beans for conventional coffeemakers, the instant coffee market was also filled by the Starbucks VIA brand in recent years. Aside from loose ground coffee and instant blends, the fast-growing single serve market has become the focus of the Starbucks branding. Experts in turning quality coffee into a widely desired consumer good, Starbucks wants to redefine the single serve brewing machine market with the Verismo System by Starbucks.

Derived from Italian for realism, Verismo is the new identity Starbucks wants home or office brewing systems to deliver their blends of coffee from one of two machines. Available right now for $199 in four different colours on the Starbucks on-line store, the 590 (pictured deep down in this article) is designed to introduce customers to a premium coffee drinking experience from a variety of specialized pods. A more expensive $399 V585 machine (pictured above in this article) will also be sold at a later date.

  Described by Starbucks as a "breakthrough" in single serve brewing, the Verismo System is most unique from existing processes for the fact it incorporates high-pressure technology. Using the Swiss-engineered pressurization, the Verismo System brewing machines can produce a high quality cup of latte or espresso coffee.

At first, Starbucks was associated with the Kraft-owned Tassimo single serve coffee system. Starbucks brand coffee was sold in Tassimo discs until early 2011 and soon jumped ship to the leading rival Keurig. Sold since late last year in Keurig K-Cups, Starbucks introduction of their own brewing system is expected to complement the popular single serve choice as well as their VIA instant coffee for consumers. Starbucks president, Channel Development Jeff Hansberry gave proof to the importance of the single serve coffee maker market saying that "Sales of single cup brewers was up 168 percent* this year over last,". Entering a market already ruled by three major players along, Hansberry described the entrance of Verismo System as a winning solution when it comes to quality and technology. "Starbucks is passionate about coffee and passionate about innovation," said Hanberry.

Photo Credit: CNW Group/Starbucks Coffee Company

As before-mentioned, the Verismo System by Starbucks brewing machines will accommodate various pods. Brewed Verismo pods includes Starbucks Roast Spectrum of Blonde, Medium and Dark variety while the signature Espresso Roast will be part of the launch of the new coffeemaker. Milk pods will also be available separately to help coffee drinkers in obtaining the ideal flavour of java-based beverage. In coming months, Starbucks has plans to release seasonal varieties of coffee in the Verismo pods such as Christmas Blend for limited periods.

The Verismo pods are available for purchase on the Starbucks store website and will be sold in Canada through Williams Sonoma retailers in September as well as in Home Outfitters stores early in October. Verismo System by Starbucks pods are being sold in packs that will serve 8-12 beverages depending on the type. Coffee pods ranging between $11.95 to $12.95 in Canadian funds, the Verismo compatible pods will also be present in the Starbucks locations by the middle of October.