Famous Place In Antarctica

10 Most Extreme Places on Earth

Here is a list of the most extreme places on Earth! From the hottest to the coldest place, from the highest to the lowest and many more!

Lut Desert (Iran): hottest place on Earth at 159 °F (71 °C)




 


There is a big discussion about the hottest spot on Earth. Many believe it is in Al Azizyah, Libya, with a recorded temperature of 136 degrees Fahrenheit (57.8 Celsius), and the second hottest place being in Death Valley, California, USA, where it got up to 134 Fahrenheit in 1913. But according to other sites, a NASA satellite recorded surface temperatures as high as 71 °C (159 °F) in the Lut desert of Iran, supposedly the hottest temperature ever recorded on the surface of Earth. This region, which covers an area of about 480 kilometers, is called Gandom Beriyan (the toasted wheat).


Mt. Chimborazo (Ecuador): highest point above Earht's center at 20,703 feet (6,310 m) above sea level

 


Almost everyone knows that Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world. Climbers from everywhere travel to Everest hoping to earn the distinction of climbing the "World's Highest". The peak of Mount Everest is 8,848 meters (29,028 feet) above sea level. This high elevation gives Mount Everest the distinction of being the mountain with the highest altitude.

But not many people know about Mt Chimborazo in Ecuador with an altitude of 6,310 meters (20,703 feet), which is less than Mount Everest; however, Chimborazo has the distinction of being the highest mountain above Earth's center. This is because Earth is not a sphere - it is an oblate spheroid. As an oblate spheroid, Earth is widest at its equator. Chimborazo is just one degree south of Earth's equator and at that location it is 6,384 kilometers from Earth's center or about 2 kilometers farther from Earth's center than Mount Everest.

Ecuadorians find pride in this interesting fact. Nonetheless, Chimborazo cannot compare in difficulty, lack of oxygen, nor in fame, to Mount Everest. (Link | Photo)


Tristan de Cunha (UK): most remote inhabited archipelago on Earth at 2,000 miles from the nearest continent




The most remote inhabited island group in the world, Tristan de Cunha in the southern Atlantic Ocean, is so tiny its main island has no airstrip. Home to 272 people sharing just 8 surnames, inhabitants suffer from hereditary complaints like asthma and glaucoma. Annexed by the United Kingdom in the 1800s, the island's inhabitants have a British postal code and, while they can order things online, it takes a very long time for their orders to arrive. But then, that's the trade off for having your own island settlement some 2,000 miles from the nearest continent. (Link | Photo)


Angels Falls (Venezuela): Earth's highest waterfall with 3230 feet (984 m) in height

 


Angel Falls (Salto Ángel) in Venezuela is the highest waterfall in the world. The falls are 3230 feet in height with an uninterrupted drop of 2647 feet. Angel Falls are located on a tributary of the Rio Caroni. The falls are formed when the tributary stream falls from the top of Auyantepui (a tepui is a flat-topped structure surrounded by cliffs - similar to a mesa).


Oymyakon (Russia): coldest inhabited place on Earth at −96.2 °F (−71.2 °C)

 


Oymyakon is a village in Oymyakonsky Ulus of the Sakha Republic, Russia, located along the Indigirka River, 30 kilometers (20 mi) northwest of Tomtor on the Kolyma Highway. The population is 800 people. Oymyakon is known as one of the candidates for the Northern Pole of Cold, because on January 26, 1926, a temperature of −71.2 °C (−96.2 °F) was recorded there. This is the lowest recorded temperature for any permanently inhabited location on Earth. It is also the lowest temperature recorded in the Northern hemisphere.

The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -129 °F in 1983, at the Russian Base Vostok in Antarctica.


The Dry Valleys (Antarctica): driest place on Earth

 


One interior region of the Antarctic is known as The Dry Valleys. These valleys have not seen rainfall in over two million years. With the exception of one valley, whose lakes are briefly filled with water by inland flowing rivers during the summer, the Dry Valleys contain no moisture (water, ice, or snow). The reasons why the Dry Valleys exist are the 200 mph Katabatic down winds which evaporate all moisture. The dry valleys are strange: except for a few steep rocks they are the only continental part of Antarctica devoid of ice. Located in the Trans-Antarctic Range, they correspond to a mountain area where evaporation (or rather, sublimation) is more important than snowfall, thus all the ice disappears, leaving dry barren land.

Another driest place is the Atacama Desert in Chile, some parts of which have received absolutely zero precipitation in centuries. Parts of the Atacama Desert may actually exceed the dryness of most of Antarctica, though data from the latter is insufficient to tell.


Marianas Trench (Indonesia and Japan): lowest point on Earth at 35,840 feet (10,924 m) below sea level

 


Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench (or Marianas Trench) is the deepest point in Earth's oceans. The bottom there is 10,924 meters (35,840 feet) below sea level. If Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, were placed at this location it would be covered by over one mile of water. The only people to have ever explored this trench were Jacques Piccard and Don Walsh. At the bottom they were seven miles down and all around them eight tons of pressure. They observed fish, shrimp and other creatures living on the bottom of the sea floor. (Link | Photo)


Cherrapunji (India): wettest place on Earth

 

Cherrapunji, North-Eastern India is thought for many years to be the wettest place in the world. Here 10,820mm rain falls on average in a year. Unlike Colombia where the rain falls throughout the whole year, Cherrapunji gets most of its rain during the 'south-west monsoon', or wet season, between June and August. Cherrapunji does hold the record for the wettest month on record, recording 9,296mm in July 1861. Actually, between 1860 and 1862 Cherrapunji was incredibly wet; between August 1st 1860 and July 31st 1861 (which overlaps parts of 2 wet seasons) 26,467mm rain fell. In the calendar year 1861 22,987mm rain fell, of which 22,454 fell between April and September.


Mount Thor (Canada): Earth's greatest vertical drop

 


Mount Thor, in Auyuittuq National Park on Baffin Island, Nunavut, Canada, presents a 4,100 foot pure vertical drop. Mt. Thor is Canada's most famous peak, and it's made of pure granite. It's a favorite of thrill seekers and climbers. Mount Thor was first climbed in 1953 by an Arctic Institute of North America team. There have been a few recent rappel expeditions, with one fatality in 2006. (Link)


Dead Sea (Jordan): Earth's lowest elevation at 1,385 ft (422 mt) below sea level

 


The Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on Earth's surface on dry land, its surface and shores are 422 meters (1,385 ft) below sea level. On the border of Jordan and Israel, the road around the Dead Sea also happens to be the lowest road on Earth. Famous for its salinity (over ten times that of the Mediterranean Sea), the Dead Sea is said to be home of the first health retreat. Because of the extreme salt content, no life can survive in the sea, hence the name. 

McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

September 20, 2011 in Visit Famous Places

The McMurdo Dry Valleys is biggest relatively ice-free area on Antarctic continent, some 48,000 km-sq approximately, located on McMurdo Sound shore due south of the New Zealand. The place is famous for sharp contrast of ecosystem relative to other ecosystems present in the world and it exists under moderate most environmental conditions. The most prominent feature of these valleys is mainly the formation because most of the Antarctic continent is covered with extensive snow and the dry valleys in the midst of so much snow have become the tourist attraction.  These valleys have formed where outward flowing ice from the polar plateau has been diverted from the cluster of valleys due to high inland mountain series. The only ice that exists here is alpine glaciers and permanent ice covers present over the lakes of valley floor.
The ice free area of Antarctic continent is occupied with this driest and coldest McMurdo Dry Valleys and configured by alpine terminals, ephemeral streams, barren grounds and piedmont glaciers. The environment for life is harsh due to its bitter cold temperatures (average temperature is -20ºC) and high winds. Another amazing feature of these valleys is the salinity of its lake waters. The salt ratio of these waters is amazingly high like the Dead Sea. Tourists enjoy the hospitality of local inhabitants and skin ailments through water. The flora and fauna present in the valleys is also famous. There are number of places in the valleys which are restricted by authorities to preserve the flora and fauna.
Facts:

• These valleys were termed as ‘valley of death’ by a discovery expedition in 1903 saying there are no signs of life here but modern extensive research discarded this idea  and proved that this is full of life.
• Whole Antarctic continent is covered with snow but these valleys occupy the only 2% of dry land of the continent which is a natural wonder.

Best time to visit:
The climate and temperature conditions are harsh and average temperature of this place remains minus 20 degrees most of the year and late spring to early summers is good time to go there.

Location:
The McMurdo Dry Valleys are located at Antarctic Continent. See on map.

Have you traveled here? Share your travel stories!

Read more: http://www.funonthenet.in/articles/extreme-places.html#ixzz1f7XA3zDi

Have you ever wondered why Santa is so mysterious? It is because he lives in a very isolated and almost forgotten place called the South Pole. Let this realization does not prevent you from visiting because even though only a handful of tourists include it in your travel schedule is the only place that really has to be visited and appreciated. It is so impressive that in reality at the South Pole, which is like being on another planet.

A special experience that you get from your South Pole adventure is that you can actually say they have traveled the world, not in eighty days, but after a couple of seconds. All because there is this particular marker is set at the South Pole, where you can walk around and follow the trail. It goes through different time zones as well as the international dateline. Since they are fired and ready to experience an adventure of freezing, not finding the time to get all their equipment packed and has all the heavy clothing and thick. Note that the temperature may actually drop to -89 ° C or 129 ° F.

They say that once you have conquered the South Pole, which have conquered the world from this place is known for strong winds that exceed the power of hurricanes. Scientific track climate change at the South Pole are classified as Gale. The trip is very expensive and memories can last a lifetime. Remember to be safe and get away from accidents as soon as you enjoy your visit to the capital of ice. It may indeed be the greatest adventure of your life!

Famous Place In Ancient Greece

Below is an article submitted to us by a true expert on Greece, from Greece, Maria Athanasopoulou !

Why would somebody want to have vacations in Greece?

To visit the New Acropolis Museum and understand better the universal claim of the people who know and respect history to return The Marbles of Parthenon home.

To visit also Ancient Olympia, the Epidauros Theatre, Delphi, Knossos, Mycenes, Ancient Pella and Vergina and the Temple of Apollo Epicureus at Phygaleia (near Andritsena).


To walk on eternal crossroads of culture and civilization

To see many and interesting museums

To observe the deep blue of the Aegean Sea and bring peace and serenity to his soul.

To swim in fabulus seas, whose water shines under the glorious sunshine.

To taste authentic traditional cooking recipes and realise that the Mediterranean way of nutrition offers health and … much of taste!

To see with his own eyes the Greeks, who have learned to enjoy each day the joy of life.

To enjoy the dew of the Ionian Sea, diving in it’s green water.

To see unique locations, like the Santorini’s Volkano, the Elafonissos of Laconia, the forest of Sigri in Lesvos,.which trees have tumed in to stone, Mani, Nafplio, the extraordinary landscape of Melos, the old city of Rhodes, the famous Kerkira (Corfu) and Paleochora beach at Crete.

To see beautiful places, even if decides not to go to any of the above places, but to explore…

To see mount Olympus, the mountain which was “carrying” the 12 ancient greek Gods.

To know how is for somebody to live at a place where people still look in the eye
and tell “goodmorning”.

To remember, even for a few days, that a human being doesn’t need much to feel happy. A beautiful landscape which you share with people who you love, is able to make you realise the true meaning of life!

Thanks Maria! What a wonderful and refreshing view. Thank you to Katerina Magounaki & Artemis for the beautiful pictures.

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Greece: Best Kept Secrets

at 3:47 PM 3 comments

Due to the rich and lengthy cultural history of Greece, there are bound to be MANY amazing secrets. We filtered through many of them and with the help of some new found Greek friends, we narrowed it down! Check it out!


Folegandros: A small island of Greece located in the south west edge of the Cyclade Islands. This 12 square foot, rugged island is like a dot in the Aegean Sea. Barely populated with 600 people inhabiting the island, this little piece of heaven is the island to be if you are looking for quiet romance, peace and spectacular scenery.

Folegandros used to be a place of exile. It was considered the Aegean Alcatraz. The small missed the tourism boom, but couldn’t be happier. The town is picturesque consisting of the traditional picture we form in our heads when we think of Greece; the tall cliff housing in blue and white. No building is greater than two stories high. The island only contains one taxi and one bus as forms of public transportation. Every sign in the town is hand painted as well! There is something to be said for a quiet society.

It is not easy to get to this little secluded island. Supplies are brought to the island by boat from Athens. One of the only islands that brings passengers to Folegandros is Santorini. There is no real schedule for the ferry headed to Folegandros so don’t expect to follow the schedule or expect the ferry to leave on days it is suppose to leave. At least you know when you get there you truly will be on an exclusive island!

Some activities you must look into are cave exploration by row boat. Snorkeling around the open cave area is beautiful. The best beaches in Foleganros are Agios Nikolaos and Angali. Additionally, the sunrise is something that must not be missed. One Folegandros local said "One thousand sunsets equals one of our sunrises”. You should watch the sunset over the Panaghia Church which is at the highest peak of the island. The local was also quoted as saying, “When you see the sun over Panaghia Church, you will not need to recharge your batteries for the next twenty years."


Corfu: Corfu is also known as Kerkya and is said to be the greenest and most beautiful island in the country of Greece, if not the world. The eastern side of the island has long beaches and bays while the western side of the island is drastically different as it is steep and rocky with deep coves and beaches.

Corfu has a few secluded beaches but can be very touristy during travel season. There are plenty of spots to relax and a lot of night life for those who are looking for entertainment.

The weather is ideal for outdoor water sports and other beach activities. Rocky coves are ideal for great snorkeling and scuba diving. In the summer, the weather is dry, sunny and warm. It can be cool at night so bringing a light sweater is recommended. The weather is very different from other regions of Greece as it tends to be cooler. The winter months are actually rainy and humid; quite mild.

Corfu has a lot of vegetation due to the rainy winter months and its olives growing season lasts much longer than anywhere else is Greece. The Mediterranean island has 3 million olive trees!

Nekromanteion of Acheron

The most famous nekromanteion (or nekyomanteion), or oracle of the dead, of the ancient Greek world lies near the northwest shores of the Acherousian Lake, where Acheron and Kokytos, the rivers of Hades, meet. Ancient literary sources describe the Acherousian Lake as the place where the dead began their descent to Hades, and associate Ephyra, the Epirote city located further north, with the ancient cult of the god of death. The nekromanteion attracted people wishing to meet the souls of the dead, as these were able to foresee the future after having left their body. Homer provides the earliest reference to the nekromanteion of Acheron in his Odyssey, when Circe advises Ulysses to meet Teiresias, the blind seer, in the underworld in order to get an oracle for his return to Ithaka (k, 488, etc). Homer also gives a vivid account of the mortal Odysseus's descent to Hades (l, 24, et.c.). The resemblance between the setting described by Homer and the site of the nekromanteion is astonishing, a fact also noted almost one thousand years later by Pausanias, who argues that Homer had visited this area (1.17.5). Other Greek heroes also attempted the descent into Hades: Orpheus seeking to bring back his beloved Eurydice, Hercules in his search for Cerberus, the tree-headed dog guarding the exit from Hades, whom King Eristheas had asked for, and Theseus with Peirithos in order to seize Persephone.

Three Mycenaean children's graves (fourteenth-thirteenth centuries BC) with a small number of grave gifts are the earliest traces of activity on the hill, where the nekromanteion was established. Pottery sherds and fragments of terracotta figurines from the west foot of the hill dating up to the mid-seventh century BC indicate that a sanctuary dedicated to the Earth goddess was later founded in this area. The remains of the actual nekromanteion date from the Hellenistic period. These comprise the sanctuary's main building, erected in the early Hellenistic period (late fourth-early third century BC), and an annex of the late third century BC, which consisted of a central courtyard surrounded by rooms and warehouses. The sanctuary operated in this form continuously for approximately two centuries, but was burnt down and ceased to function after the Roman conquest of Macedonia in 167 BC. The sanctuary's courtyard was occupied once again in the first century, when Roman settlers arrived in the plain of Acheron. The convent of Agios Ioannis Prodromos and its cemetery were established over the ancient ruins in the early eighteenth century.

Excavated in 1958-1964 and 1976-1977 by the Archaeological Society at Athens, the nekromanteion of Acheron was the first sanctuary and oracle of the gods of the underworld to be brought to light.

The nekromanteion of Acheron was built on a hilltop specially flattened for this purpose. A rectangular enclosure in polygonal masonry, entered from the north, surrounds a square building, the main temple, which two parallel walls divide into a central hall and two side aisles. Underneath the central hall is a rock-hewn subterranean room, the dark palace of Persephone and Hades, whose ceiling was supported by fifteen poros arches. Archaeological evidence dates the temple to the early Hellenistic period (late fourth-third century BC). A group of rooms and warehouses surrounding a central court was added to the original building in the late third century BC, during a second building phase. The new annex was used for lodging priests and visitors.

Architecturaly the building resembles a mausoleum, or grandiose funerary monument, like those built for various monarchs in Asia Minor and the East in the late fifth century BC (e.g. the monument of Mausolus at Alikarnassus). Made of excellent polygonal masonry, it had iron-clad gates and was divided internally into corridors, adapted to the chthonic cults and their rituals. During these rituals, the followers entered a dark hallway and were led by the priest to the appropriate preparation chambers, where they fasted and underwent catharsis, before performing a sacrifice. They then entered a large dark hall, where they met the souls of the dead.

Hundreds of vases containing offerings, lamps, and smaller vases, often decorated in the Athenian West Slope style, were discovered during excavations. Millstones, sea-shells, farming and construction tools, and figurines of Persephone and Cerberus were stored in the warehouses.

Administrative Information




Official Unit:
33th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities

Mesopotamos (Prefecture of Preveza)

Telephone: +30 26840 41.206, 26510-25.490, 35.498, 39.348, 35.371

Famous Place In Amsterdam

Travel Guide to Amsterdam, Netherlands

In Amsterdam there are not that many places of interest, which are well known all over the world. But actually the city itself is a great place of interest: its atmosphere, its international spirit, the spirit of tolerance and, of course, its channels make Amsterdam an outstanding city. If you are going to do sight-seeing there, we strongly advise to include into your program some boating.

Cultural sights in Amsterdam
While speaking about cultural attractions of Amsterdam, it is surely worth noting numerous medieval architectural monuments. Munttoren medieval tower is, definitely, one of the most notable sights of... Read further

What can Amsterdam offer to its visitors? In this city you can find not only a wide range of historical and cultural places of interest, such as, for example, The Royal Palace or the Rijksmuseum, but also such funny places, as Hash-Marijuana-Hemp Museum. In general, Amsterdam is mostly famous for
its museums, which attract millions of tourists every year. There is hardly any person in the world, who has never heard about Van Gogh Museum or The House of Anne Frank, and it's not the end. There are more than 50 different museums in Amsterdam, not saying about a great number of art galleries.

The Royal Palace. The Royal Palace and adjacent Dam Square are situated right in the centre of the city, they may be called the heart of Amsterdam. Nearby there is Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. The Royal Palace used to be a city hall, and only after Napoleon raised to the Dutch throne his brother Louie, it was turned into The Royal Palace. Nowadays everybody has an opportunity look at the inside of the palace and to have a walk along its corridors, surely under the stipulation that at this time it is not used by the royal family.

Amsterdam attractions & nightlife
Cycling around the city remains one of the main entertainments, which is very popular among tourists. Virtually every part of the city has a special bicycle area, so you can easily rent this... Read further

Oude Kerk. Many tourists get quite surprised, when they learn that Oude Kerk is situated in the centre of Red Light District. Surrounded by prostitutes, which sell themselves in red-lighted windows, Oude Kerk managed to save its medieval look, the road beside is cobbled, and it's quite easy to slip on it when it's raining. The decoration of the church was removed in the times of Reformation. There is a legend of the 13th century:'Once upon a time there lived a man. One day he got very ill and actually was very close to death. Since that moment a host, that was given him at Eucharist, started appearing in his house. The man even tried to burn it, but nothing worked. After the man died the host was kept in one of the chapels, which after some time burnt down, but the host got through this fire too'. Since then, people pilgrimage to Oude Kerk in memory of this miracle. On the 15th of March annual ceremonial procession is organized, and it has an end at Oude Kerk.

Red Light District. It's no sense in visiting Amsterdam without visiting notorious Red Light District. Not only at night, but also at daytime a very special atmosphere reigns there. In Red Light District sex for money is absolutely openly offered to everyone, in red-lighted windows one can see women of all ages and nationalities. But beware of pickpockets, especially on weekends, when Red Light District is crowded with tourists.

Cuisine of Amsterdam for gourmet
Restaurants and coffee houses of Amsterdam usually strike tourists by their diversity. This city will be surely appreciated by admirers of gastronomic tourism. Café Pacifico Restaurant serves the... Read further

Amsterdam Channels. The amount of water in Amsterdam can amaze almost everyone. Because of great number of channels (the exact number is 165) some people call the city North Venice. The main channels are Singel, Heren-, Keizer- and Prinzengracht, which flow through the centre of Amsterdam. Not far from the station and Damrak firms, that organize boat excursions across the channels, are located. The only thing that differs them from each other is the length of queues.

Amsterdam Arena. Amsterdam Arena is worth visiting not only for football fans: in summer at this place such well-known bands as Rolling Stones or U2 make their performances. You also can enjoy the manner of play of famous football club 'Ajax', of course if only you are not so unlucky to arrive to Amsterdam during their summer or winter pause. By the way for real fans of 'Ajax' there is a big shop, where one can buy various goods with the emblem of the favorite club.

Habits and lifestyle of Amsterdam inhabitants
Residents of Amsterdam have always been famous for honesty and sincerity, as well as thrift (this concerns many issues, for example, respect to environment). A rich man here will never show his high... Read further

Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum is located in an enormous building in the centre of Amsterdam. The museum has four stores; one of them is completely devoted to the history of Amsterdam. Visitors are greeted by skillfully wax-made figures of numerous European celebrities, sportsmen, culture workers and members of royal family. There is a hall with double-people of Hollywood stars and another one with figures of history-making persons, such as Gandhi or Einstein. If you want to have a chance to stand really close to your idol, this place is what you need! And don't forget to take a photo camera with you, funny photos are guaranteed to be made.

The station building. The station building in Amsterdam was built in 1889 and at first it was used as station for transportations of goods. It was projected by a well-known at those times architect Kaupers, who also planned the building of the Rijksmuseum. The foundation consists of 8 687 wooden posts, because the building is located in a very damp place. The original construction of building was constantly changed because of endlessly growing quantity of transport. Not long ago the front of the station building was restored and today everyone can enjoy its beauty and magnificence.

Amsterdam is famous for its 42 beautiful museums, which preserve the culture and history of the city. The wide array of museums includes traditional, modern art and architecture, scientific, sociological and special museums for children. These museums reflect the city’s historical as well as cultural importance.
As a city surrounded by a number of canals, Amsterdam has been honored with the title ‘The Venice of the North’. These beautiful waterways serve a number of important purposes. The main advantage of these canals is that they link the city with other inland regions and also helps in transport of goods to such places through boats, ferries etc. the hundreds of beautiful bridges across these canals add to the beauty of the city. During winters, when the canals freeze, people find time to skate through it. Also, the city has numerous markets that sell anything and everything under the sun. A visit to the city is thus a fantastic experience as it offers lot to the people to see, experience and enjoy.
Many a times people enjoy traveling as a family, but sometimes going solo seems to be the best option. If you plan for the latter, then you are probably exploring places that are company enough to keep you occupied and entertained. If that be the case, Netherlands may be just the place you are looking for.

Amsterdam Canal By by Pear Biter

I’ve been reading many posts on how this country located on the Western Europe is famous for its vibrant culture. Talk about Netherlands and one will not miss to mention the canals that this country is famous for. The canals form beautiful patterns not just throughout the city, but also on our minds as they move us away from our pensive moods and transport us into a whole new world.
Amsterdam is the most famous among all the places in Netherlands. It is known for its variety in museums. Places like Rijksmuseum and Tedelijk museum are the tourist hubs to say the least. Also one can look out for lovely parks that will treat you with an ambience that will tempt you to carry that piece of the world along with you where ever you go. Vondelpark is the most popular park in Netherlands and nearly millions of visitors flock this place every year to enjoy its beauty.
Amsterdam is also known as the “Venice of the North”. This is because of its abundant canals. Boat cruises are a must when you visit this place. A silent ride though the waters will gift you the perfect recipe for contentment and contemplation. The four main canals in this region are Prinsengracht, Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Singel. Other than these there are innumerable small canals that will captivate you with its beauty.
You may be traveling alone, but your nights can never be boring in Netherlands. Especially in Amsterdam which is famous for its night life, there is no space for a dull moment around you. Rembrandtplein in Amsterdam is famous for the pubs, restaurants, hotels and cafes that can keep you entertained all night long. Listening to the Dutch songs and the experience of enjoying a drink at the terrace are experiences that can have no parallel to it.
Another favorite in the lists of places is the Artis Zoo at Netherlands. The botanical garden, geological and zoological museum and the planetarium will be worth a visit. This is usually one of the best places for the kids, but even elders find this place extremely informative.
For a lone traveler, Netherlands is one of the best places to visit due to the varied kinds of places it has to offer. But Netherlands is one of the places where prostitution is legalized and hence you will find many red alert areas. If you are traveling alone, it would be best to have your routes well planned. There are many travel guides and many good hotels in Amsterdam. It would be very easy to take their help in planning your time to be spent in this lovely country.

Famous Place In Algeria

The tourism sector is a contributor to the gross domestic product of Algeria. The country receives approximately 200,000 tourists every year. To make your stay in the country more memorable, it is best to see the top 10 tourist spots in Algeria.
Monument des Martyrs
Situated at Algiers, Monument des Martyrs is a monument created to commemorate the Algerian war for Independence. The monument features palm leaves and the Eternal Flame shelter. There are statues of soldiers on top of the leaves, which symbolize the struggles of Algerians during the war.



M’Zab Valley
Listed one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Algeria, the M’Zab Valley is found at the Ghardaia wilaya. The valley features traditional settlements such as the ksour of Bou Noura. Tourists can also visit nearby attractions like the walled villages, ancient mosques and a watchtower.
Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country is the Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad in the southeast part of Algiers. It is a historic spot because the place is Hammadid empire’s first capital. One of the notable places to see at the site is a large mosque.
Djemila
If you want to know more about then history of the place, it is best to visit the mountain village of Djemila in the northern part of Algiers. The structures that can be seen in the village include basilicas, arches, temples and a theater. Notable people born at the village include Britannia Governor Lucius Alfenus Senecio.
Tipaza
Tipaza is the Tipaza province’s capital, which is known for Roman ruins and a sandy beach. The nice sightseeing views at the place include the Christian church vestiges and the Corne d’or Tourist Complex. To learn more about the history of the place, it is best to visit the Tipaza Museum.
Santa Cruz Castle
The Santa Cruz Castle in Algiers features the Spanish and French culture. Near the castle is an ancient church protected by Algerian soldiers. The castle also offers a refreshing sightseeing view of Santa Cruz mountains.
Belzma National Park
One of the most famous and interesting national parks in the country, the Belzma National Park is found at the province of Batna. The park has a length of 262.5 kilometers. The site plays home to 447 flora species as well as 309 fauna species.
Tebessa
Tebessa is an industrialized city in the province of Tebessa. The place has a historic value because it is the first town where Numidians settled. At the city, tourists can find numerous attractive sites such as the remains of Saint Crispinus Basilica and the Gate of Caracalla.
Timgad
Included in the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Timgad is a colonial town of Romans situated near Batna. Tourists can find historic structures and buildings at the town including the Capitoline Temple and the Trajan’s Arch. Other structures at the town are the basilica, a library and thermae.
Great Mosque of Tlemcen
The mosque was constructed in 1082. The building depicts the Almoravid architecture. Inside the mosque, people can find a special area with minaret. Tourists can see Muslims praying and worshipping when they visit the mosque.
By visiting the top 10 tourist spots in Algeria, travelers will increase their knowledge on Algerian culture. In addition, these places are also important not just to the history of Algeria but also to the world history.
Related Destinations:

1. Tipaza – Algeria Tipaza in Algiers is an archaeological site that is known for its religious temples and ruins. Apart from basilicas, other notable remains have been excavated. The Tipaza in Algiers also...
2. Mzab Valley in Ghardaia Wilaya – Algeria The Mzab Valley in Ghardaia Wilaya is one of the best examples of human habitation adapted to a unique environment. The place is known for its rich history and architecture....
3. Monument des Martyrs in Algiers – Algeria The Monument des Martyrs is a structure symbolizing the gallantry of the Algerians as they fought for independence. The structure is over 90 meters high and filled with symbolism. Visit...
4. Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad in Algiers – Algeria The Al Qal’a of Beni Hammad is one of the most important archaeological sites in all of Algeria. Built in the 11th century, it has a rich and complex history....
5. Tourist Spots in Pakistan Pakistan is a South Asian country that has a rich heritage. To know more about the place’s culture and history, it is essential to see the top 10 tourist spots...

Famous Place In Algeria

Microsoft sloppy on Duqu workaround

The latest Windows malware, Duqu is getting a lot of attention.
Duqu exploits a previously unknown TrueType font parsing bug in the Windows kernel. The bug exists in all the supported versions of Windows: XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003 and Server 2008. It's a big-time bug too, as it lets bad guys do pretty much anything they want to do on the victims' computer.
While it works on a fix, Microsoft has offered a workaround that prevents access to the buggy component, file t2embed.dll. But Microsoft seems to have been particularly sloppy in explaining their workaround.

Michael Horowitz on Duqu

• Microsoft sloppy on Duqu workaround
• Why Duqu is more dangerous than most people think
• A simple test insures the Duqu workaround is working

I am referring to Microsoft Security Advisory (2639658) Vulnerability in TrueType Font Parsing Could Allow Elevation of Privilege.


To begin with, the Suggested Actions section of the advisory offers commands that a Windows user can issue to deny access to T2EMBED.DLL.
Someone running a 64-bit version of Windows XP or Windows Server 2003, is instructed to "enter the following command" after which there are two commands. Likewise, anyone running a 32 bit version of Windows Vista, 7 or Server 2008 is also instructed to "enter the following command" and then given two commands to run.
Should you issue just the first one as instructed, or, assume the instructions are wrong and issue both commands?

And, someone running a 64 bit version of Vista, 7 or Server 2008 is given four commands to enter after the instructions to "enter the following command".
And, it goes without saying that before making sytem modifications, you should always make a restore point. I mean this literally, Microsoft omits this important Defensive Computing step from their instructions. All their "Fix it" solutions make a restore point before changing anything, so it should be in the manual instructions too.
Also missing are instructions for determining if a given copy of Windows is 32 or 64 bit. My favorite method is the free and portable SecurAble utility from Steve Gibson.
More importantly, the advisory appears to conflict with itself.
In the Mitigating Factors section it says "The vulnerability cannot be exploited automatically through e-mail. For an attack to be successful, a user must open an attachment that is sent in an e-mail message."
In the FAQ section it says "There are multiple means that could allow an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, including ... convincing users to visit a Web page that embeds TrueType."
Many, if not most, email messages are formatted with HTML, the underlying language of web pages. So, can viewing an HTML formatted email message result in an infection? I would think so.
Or, is the point about web pages wrong? I've read my share of articles on Duqu in the technical press and none of them mentioned that infection was possible by viewing a web page. 
And, if web pages are a means of infection, Microsoft should say if this is true for all web browsers or only theirs.
I asked Microsoft for clarification, we'll see if I get an answer.
Microsoft has also failed to provide a tester, that is, something that a Windows user can do to verify that the workaround is, in fact, working.
If Word is the only means of infection, they should offer a test Word document. If you can get infected via a web page, Microsoft should create a page with an embedded TrueType font that does something trivial, like running the calculator, on a vulnerable machine. 

They also don't say if running as limited/restricted/standard user offers any protection. My guess is that it does not, but considering this is a common defensive tactic against malware, it should be mentioned in the advisory.
Finally, Microsoft is virtually silent on the issue of what breaks when you install the workaround, be it manually with commands or with their dedicated Fix it tool. 
A person commenting on a ZDNet story said the workaround "kills the ability to export to PDF in Office 2010". Another person, commenting on the same story, said that Windows Update on Windows XP gets confused by the workaround and tries to install a pair of old patches. I can't vouch for either observation. 
 
EMAIL ATTACHMENT DEFENSE
Taking a step back, its worth noting that infected email attachments are a tried and true attack vector. And, it's a shame, because there is much that Windows users can do to protect against this, for free, that rarely gets discussed.
My first defensive computing tact for email attachments is to open them with unpopular software. For example, use Writer in LibreOffice rather than Word or SumatraPDF rather than the Adobe Reader.
An excellent second line of defense can be provided by running the unpopular software in a Sandboxie sandbox.
Finally, all email attachments need to be treated as dangerous. Just because they appear to come from someone you know means nothing.

Why Duqu is more dangerous than most people think

I don't care who wrote the Duqu virus/trojan.
I don't care if it's related to Stuxnet or not.
I don't care who or what the target of Duqu was.
As a Windows user, what I care most about, is that Duqu exploited a previously unknown bug in Windows regarding TrueType font parsing.
Microsoft says the threat from Duqu is limited. To me, that's too narrow a scope. To me, the issue is not Duqu itself but the TrueType font parsing bug in Windows that it exploited.
The people behind Duqu could exploit this as-yet-unpatched bug again with different software. And the people who wrote Duqu may not be the only humans on the planet who found this new bug in Windows.
Although the bug is not yet fixed, there is a workaround from Microsoft that prevents access to the buggy
code. Although I griped about the workaround last time, it's very important that Windows users install it.

Michael Horowitz on Duqu

• Microsoft sloppy on Duqu workaround
• Why Duqu is more dangerous than most people think
• A simple test insures the Duqu workaround is working

Very important.
All the articles I read about Duqu referred to a malicious Word document. But the bug is not in Word, it's in Windows. Version 1.2 of Microsoft's advisory (dated November 4th) clearly stated in the FAQ section that a malicious web page could also be used to exploit the bug.
One of my gripes was that the Mitigating Factors section of the advisory only referred to Word documents. This was an oversight by Microsoft. As of November 8th (version 1.3), the Mitigating Factors section has been revised to include the fact that Windows users are "vulnerable to exploitation of this vulnerability through the Web-based attack scenario."
In simpler words, all that's needed to get infected is viewing a malicious web page with an embedded TrueType font. No email. No Word. No attachments.
That's why installing the workaround from Microsoft, available in Fix It form, is a really good idea.

Web pages are formatted using HTML and, so too, are most email messages. This raises another question: can Windows users get infected viewing a malicious HTML formatted email message that contains an embedded TrueType font?
Regarding their own email software, Microsoft says in the advisory

By default, all supported versions of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Windows Mail open HTML e-mail messages in the Restricted sites zone, which disables font download by default.

I know people using Outlook 2003. Is that still considered supported? Does my email program, Thunderbird, support embedded TrueType fonts? Are web based email systems vulnerable?
Even in the best case, when using safe email software (that is, software that does not support embedded TrueType fonts), a Windows user can still be infected by clicking a link in an email message that opens a malicious web page.
That, in turn, raises the question of which browsers support embedded TrueType fonts.
I don't want to go there and you probably don't want to either. After all, it's likely that software other than Word, email and browsers support embedded TrueType fonts. Very likely PDFs do. 
Install the workaround. It's the Defensive Computing thing to do.

---

Update November 12, 2011:  My next blog posting describes a simple test that insures the Duqu workaround is, in fact, working. 

A simple test ensures the Duqu workaround is working

As I've written about in my previous two postings, the Duqu malware/trojan exploits a bug in Windows TrueType font rendering to install itself. A very serious bug too, one that gives malicious software free rein to do anything it wants.
Microsoft is working on a fix, and in the meantime has offered a workaround that blocks access to the buggy software (the T2embed.dll file). All Windows users should install the workaround either by issuing commands from a DOS prompt or by downloading and running a Fix It program from Microsoft.
But how do you know that the workaround is doing its job?
I recently griped about some sloppiness in the Microsoft Security advisory (2639658). Since then, the advisory has been updated twice, the most change being yesterday, November 11th. 

Michael Horowitz on Duqu

• Microsoft sloppy on Duqu workaround
• Why Duqu is more dangerous than most people think
• A simple test insures the Duqu workaround is working

However, neither update to the advisory addressed the issue of insuring or testing that the workaround is working.
I'm glad to report that there is a simple test.
Jerry Bryant, group manager of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing branch suggests viewing this font embedding demo web page using Internet Explorer.

The page starts off by displaying an envelope as shown below.

The important issue is the font used on the address.
Below is a closer image of the address displayed by Internet Explorer 8 on a vulnerable Windows XP SP3 system.
If you see a font like this, your Windows computer is rendering embedded TrueType fonts and thus is vulnerable to infection by any software knowledgeable and malicious enough to exploit the bug.

After installing the temporary workaround using Microsoft's Fix It tool, the font looks very different as shown below.

If this is how Internet Explorer displays the font on your computer, you are safe. That is, it shows that access to the font parsing routine, T2embed.dll, was blocked.
I verified this twice, on a 32 bit Windows XP system running as an admin user and on a 64 bit Windows 7 system running as a restricted user.
Bryant also pointed out* that "Any browser that relies on the kernel to parse embedded TrueType fonts may be affected by this issue."
Since kernel rendering of TrueType fonts is not something browser vendors frequently discuss, I also tested Firefox 8 and Chrome 15 on vunlerable instances of Windows 7 and XP.
Neither browser rendered the embedded True Type font.

To be clear, this simply means that the system can not be infected viewing a malicious web page in Firefox or Chrome. However, a Windows computer without the workaround, can still be infected by other software, such as a malicous Word document or Powerpoint presentation.
So, please install the workaround and nag your friends too also. 

---

*I did not speak with Bryant directly. Microsoft's PR firm forwarded emails between us. 

Debugging a broken Internet connection

I was sitting in my living room, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I couldn't access a website. Then another and another. What to do?
Many years have taught me that the hardest part of debugging a computer problem is understanding it. With that in mind, the first thing to do is to narrow down the problem, to find the specific link in the chain that broke. The following steps should help you do just that.
1. Try a different web browser
Any computer that has only one web browser is, in my opinion, mis-configured,  if for no other reason than all things break and having a second (or third) browser available is like a spare tire in the trunk.

2. Try websites by IP address
The name of a website is just a convenience for humans. In reality, computers pass data using numbers (IP addresses) rather than names. The problem might be in the system used to translate names to numbers (DNS and/or hosts file).
Testing the translation system is easy, if you prepare for it ahead of time by bookmarking the IP address of a few websites.
An excellent IP address to bookmark is the OpenDNS system status page at 
http://208.69.38.170
Its a great test because OpenDNS has published their IP address and thus (sort of) promised not to change it.
It's rare for any organization to publish their IP address as it may change over time. For example, a website hosted in Florida that moves to Utah, will get a new IP address. But since the name won't change, no one should care.

Thus, it's a good idea to bookmark a handful of IP addresses because some are bound to change over time. The TCP/IP ping command, available in all desktop operating systems, can be used to find the current IP address of any website.
Here are a few randomly chosen examples:
 
 yahoo.com      http://98.137.149.56
 boston.com     http://66.151.183.41
 microsoft.com  http://207.46.197.32
 reuters.com     http://206.132.6.134
  
If websites are visible by IP address, but not by name, you have greatly narrowed down the problem.   
  
3. Try to access your router 
Routers are normally accessed by their IP address. On home networks, the address is most likely 192.168.x.x where the Xs are numbers between zero and 255.
Windows users can learn the IP address of their router with the ipconfig command, look for the default gateway. The concept of a default gateway applies to all computing devices using TCP/IP, which is pretty much all computing devices.
No matter what your operating system is, the default gateway is a basic networking concept and should be displayed in the properties of your network connection. When you learn the IP address of your router, bookmark it. It also can't hurt to tape it to the router.
If all goes well, accessing the router should produce a prompt to enter a userid and password. If, however, the page fails to load, that tells you the problem is inside the LAN, not outside.
4. Re-establish a WiFi connection
If the home page of the router fails to load and you are using a wireless network, try to disconnect from the network and then re-connect. In my case, this fixed my problem.
5. Look at your LAN
There are few parts to this. The most obvious is to reboot the problematic computer. Then, if possible, try another computing device (computer, tablet or smartphone). Also, if WiFi is not working, try Ethernet and vice versa.
 
6. Reboot modem and router
If you can access the router but nothing in the outside world, reboot the device(s) that give you access to the outside world. There are often two devices, a router and a modem, but some ISPs provide a single box that does both functions.
If you have two devices, reboot the modem first, then the router. By reboot, I mean unplug the device from electricity, wait a minute, plug it back in and then wait another minute for it to restart. 
Afterwards, it's also a good idea to reboot the computers connected to the router. It may not be needed, but it can't hurt.

You should be prepared to do all these steps now; it's good Defensive Computing.
For extra credit, make a note of the normal state of all the lights on your modem and/or router. Which ones are on, what color they are, whether they blink or not, etc. Write it on a piece of paper and tape it to the device.
If the problem is outside your home/office, the state of these lights can be helpful to your ISP.  

Why Windows 7 SP1 may go missing

Back in March, I wrote that there was no rush to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1). But that was eight months ago, and it's certainly advisable now. And even back then, I felt that installing it on a new computer was the right approach.
So, imagine my surprise when a new Windows 7 computer refused to acknowledge that Service Pack 1 existed. There were over 70 available Windows patches (the computer was a bit dated), but none were SP1.
Back when Service Pack 1 was released, I recall reading that there were some patches that were highly advisable to install before installing SP1*. Rather than re-research this, I installed about 20 patches and hoped SP1 would show up. Then another 20, then another. Eventually, I installed everything Windows Update offered, except for Internet Explorer 9. Still no Service Pack. 

A trip to search engine land turned up Microsoft's KB2498452  (You do not have the option of downloading Windows 7 SP1 when you use Windows Update to check for updates), where the fourth suggestion, "Check whether you have Intel integrated graphics driver Igdkmd32.sys or Igdkmd64.sys", seemed on target. The computer was an Acer 3820T laptop with Intel integrated graphics running a 64 bit edition of Windows 7.

But the situation was not a perfect match.
The laptop had a video driver whose version number was in the suspect range, but the name of the driver was different. Microsoft said the incompatibility problem was with Igdkmd64.sys but the main video driver on the computer was identified as igdumb64.dll.
Figuring that it couldn't hurt to update the video driver, I tried the pre-installed Acer Updater application. Sadly, it returned no updates to any Acer software, something keep in mind if you're considering buying an Acer computer.
Fortunately, Intel has their own software updater application, which I wrote about back in September 2009.
The Intel utility reported that the installed video driver was old, but it didn't have an update because Acer had modified the driver. No wonder Macs sell so well.
The Intel utility did, however, offer a link to Acers website where I was able to download a zip file with the new video driver.
Despite the file name mis-match, with the updated video driver, Windows Update was now offering to install Service Pack 1. Problem solved.
But this brings up an interesting issue - how the Service Pack installer deals with new files. Many of the just-installed patches were issued well after Service Pack 1 was released and I wondered if installing the eight month old Service Pack might restore some known vulnerabilities.
It did not.
But, as is often the case with Microsoft, the Service Pack seems to have installed software with known vulnerabilities. Specifically, the previously fully-patched system now needed three new patches to the .NET Framework: KB2518869 from June 2011, KB2539635 from August 2011 and KB2572077 from October 2011.

I am so ready for a post-PC world.

Asus Transformer Prime: Does quad-core really matter?

This week's announcement of the Asus Transformer Prime marks the start of a new era for Android tablets. Aside from the Prime's sleek design and PC-like transformation potential, the product will be the first tablet to run on a quad-core processor -- specifically, the new Tegra 3 chip made by Nvidia.
Let's face it, though: For most folks, things like processor cores ultimately boil down to a bunch of gobbledygook geek speak. So what does having a quad-core tablet really mean from a user perspective, and will it make a significant difference in your day-to-day life?

Transformer Prime and the Quad-Core Advantage

The short answer is that having a quad-core processor lets your tablet do more stuff simultaneously and more efficiently. Nvidia cites its new Tegra 3 processor as delivering up to five times the performance of its dual-core predecessor, the Tegra 2 -- the chip in many current high-end Android tablets, including the Motorola Xoom, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and original Asus Transformer. The Tegra 3's graphics processing unit is also said to be three times as fast as the previous model's.
More geek speak -- I know. So let's put this into real-world terms. Some things you'll notice when using a tablet with a quad-core processor:

• Web pages will load faster. The browser can execute JavaScript code more quickly and handle multiple tabs better with the addition of the extra cores; some benchmarks suggest Web browsing performance is as much as 50 percent faster on a quad-core system vs. a dual-core device.

• Multitasking will be smoother and more responsive. The extra cores in a chip like Nvidia's Tegra 3 let Android figure out which tasks need the most resources and assign computing power accordingly. With more cores to spread out the work, the system can keep up with high amounts of activity without stuttering or slowing down.

• Resource-intensive apps will have better performance. Something like Words with Friends runs fine on any ol' system, more or less, but when you start getting into apps that handle tasks like photo and video editing and graphical gaming, a quad-core chip will allow for a higher level of performance. It'll also enable developers to create new kinds of resource-intensive games that simply wouldn't be able to run (or run well, anyway) on a less powerful processor.

Quad-Core Tablets In Action
That's all fine and dandy to discuss, but how 'bout an actual example? The video below, produced by Nvidia, shows side-by-side performance of a tablet running the new Tegra 3 chip compared to various dual-core systems. Nvidia's Tegra team tells me they used devices with comparable specs (aside from the chip, of course) to eliminate as many variables as possible. The devices on the left side of the screen are running either Tegra 2 chips or Qualcomm 1.5GHz dual-core chips; the devices on the right are running the new Tegra 3 quad-core processors.

And as for the quad-core gaming potential? This next video shows some of the advancements being made by developers to take advantage of the added cores:

Quad-Core Tablets: What About Battery Life?
The first thing most people ask when they hear about quad-core tablets is how all that added processing power will affect their device's battery life. In what seems to be a paradoxical twist, a quad-core processor actually runs at a lower frequency and tends to use less power than a dual-core equivalent.

The reason? All those cores aren't just lighting up willy-nilly; instead, the system spreads out the workload and uses only the minimum amount of processing power needed at any given time. The Tegra 3 chip actually has five cores (confusing, I know), one of which is dedicated to handling low-frequency tasks like keeping the tablet humming in active-standby mode, playing music in the background, or playing a video. The four main cores, then, handle the heavier stuff, switching on and off automatically as they're needed.
Case in point: With the Transformer Prime, Asus is promising 12 hours of battery life -- and that's based on tests where the tablet was continuously playing 720p-quality video with its display turned up to a high brightness level.
Quad-Core Tablets: The Bottom Line
Look, at this point, a quad-core tablet is a top-of-the-line luxury item. If you're a casual user who wants a tablet mainly for surfing the Web, checking email, and playing some basic games, a dual-core device will probably be fine for your needs. Pretty much every quality tablet on the market right now is dual-core; most of them have excellent performance for typical everyday use.
If you're a power user, though -- someone who does a lot of multitasking, heavy-duty gaming, or high-intensity application usage -- a quad-core unit might be something worth your while. You'll pay a premium for it, no doubt, but if technology is a passion and you like having the latest and greatest stuff, the benefits could be well worth the cost.

The Asus Transformer Prime is scheduled to come out sometime next month; we'll likely see other quad-core tablets (and then phones) shortly thereafter. I'll be reviewing the Prime in much greater detail once Asus makes review units available, so I'll be able to give you more personal hands-on impressions of the performance then.
In the meantime, for more on the Transformer Prime and its features, see my previous analysis:

Ice Cream Sandwich and Galaxy Nexus: Is this the week?

We're almost halfway through November, the month Google's Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS and its accompanying Galaxy Nexus phone are scheduled to arrive. So where are these tasty treats already?
According to an increasing number of reports, both ICS and the new Nexus could launch within the week.
UPDATE: Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus: My in-depth reviews
The most compelling new evidence comes from tablet maker Notion Ink. The company's CEO posted a blog over the weekend, noticed by the crew over at Android Central, that casually references the 17th as the date to watch for the drop of Google's Ice Cream Sandwich source code.
The significance? Once the source code is out, that means the inaugural version of Ice Cream Sandwich is officially finalized -- and both manufacturers and third-party ROM developers can get to work getting the software ready to run on all sorts of devices.

(My evolving list of which Android devices will and won't get the official upgrade will be available soon.)
I know, I know -- more rumors, right? Essentially, yes. Google has yet to confirm the date or say anything on the record about when ICS will launch, other than "sometime in November." But the Notion Ink CEO has a pretty good track record with his notes on Android release timing. Last year, the guy posted a blog mentioning a December 6 launch date for the Android Gingerbread release. He was spot-on then, so it's entirely possible he knows what he's talking about now.
[Android Ice Cream Sandwich: 10 reasons to be excited]

Google and the Galaxy Nexus News
So what about the Galaxy Nexus itself? If U.K. carriers are to be believed, the flagship ICS phone could also launch this Thursday, November 17. A representative from O2 mentioned the 17th as a sale date in a remark on Google+ late last week. Three U.K. has an "earliest delivery" date of November 18th listed on its Galaxy Nexus purchase page. And U.K. retailer Phones 4u is encouraging buyers to "pre-order today and be the first to get your hands on it on launch date," with a scheduled delivery of 11/17.
The big question, then -- for those of us in the U.S., at least -- is what's going on with Verizon. Big Red has confirmed it'll carry the phone, but thus far, it's kept quiet about any kind of definite launch date.
The rumors have been all over the map. We've seen leaks suggesting a Verizon Galaxy Nexus launch of November 17, November 21, and somewhere around Black Friday (i.e. Thanksgiving weekend). A rumor making the rounds this morning -- which is pretty unsubstantiated at the moment -- predicts Verizon's release being pushed back to early December. Until Verizon comes forward with official info, it's impossible to know which window will end up being right.
Even Samsung is dodging the question. When a Samsung exec appeared on Fox Business to show off the new Nexus last week, he said the phone would be available in the U.S. "just a little bit later this year." When pressed for more specifics about pricing, he simply said: "Hopefully Verizon will let us know very soon."

Blog reports, meanwhile, suggest internal training has begun at Verizon to prepare employees for the phone's launch. Signs of Verizon-branded Galaxy Nexus accessories have also started popping up around the Web.

And one final tidbit to keep in mind: Google has announced an Android-related event for this Wednesday, November 16. The most common theory is that the event will revolve around the next phase of Google's Google Music service -- a notion reinforced by some music store screenshots leaked over the weekend -- but given the timing, it's always possible the Android team could use the spotlight to deliver some official ICS and Nexus news, too.
[Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs. HTC Rezound and Droid RAZR]
All considered, we're almost certainly at the final stretch; Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus should be in our hands soon. Between that and the quad-core power of the upcoming Transformer Prime, we should have no shortage of new toys to lust after this winter.

Android Ice Cream Sandwich source code released

Here we go, gang: Google has just released the source code for the Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS.
Android engineer Jean-Baptiste M. Queru posted the news in the "Android Building" area of Google Groups moments ago. From Queru's post:

Over at our Android Open-Source Project git servers, the source code for Android version 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) is now available. ...
This is actually the source code for version 4.0.1 of Android, which is the specific version that will ship on the Galaxy Nexus, the first Android 4.0 device. ... Build configurations for other devices will come later.

Queru goes on to note that the release is a large file and may take some time to become available to everyone.

Now, the release of the Ice Cream Sandwich source code isn't directly significant from a typical user's perspective; this is raw code, after all, and not something you could just install onto your phone as-is. The real significance is two-fold:
First, this means the Ice Cream Sandwich software is now considered complete. That's obviously huge.
Second, this means manufacturers and third-party ROM developers can start working on prepping Ice Cream Sandwich to run on all sorts of Android phones and tablets. The source code was the one piece of puzzle they were missing up till now.

The next big question is when Google's ICS flagship Galaxy Nexus phone will arrive. With the Ice Cream Sandwich OS officially out in the wild, one would imagine its launch is right around the corner; numerous leaks and rumors, in fact, suggest the phone could appear as early as this Thursday. Google has an Android-related event scheduled for Wednesday, so it's possible we could learn more then.
UPDATE: Android 4.0 and the Galaxy Nexus: My in-depth reviews
I'll be launching a list of which devices will and won't be getting the official Android 4.0 upgrade very soon, so stay tuned. In the meantime, for more about ICS and its many new features, click over to my full Android Ice Cream Sandwich FAQ.
It's on, baby -- it's on!

Watch Google's Android event live

Google's got some more big Android news up its sleeve -- and it's only a matter of hours until we get all the gooey details.

Google has an Android event scheduled in Los Angeles for this afternoon (Wednesday, November 16). The event, entitled "These Go To Eleven," appears to be related to the next phase of Google's Google Music service; numerous reports suggest the G-Team will unveil a full-fledged music-purchasing store that's integrated into the Android Market. But there may be another surprise on the way as well.
Remember, Google released the source code to its new Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS earlier this week -- but oddly, we haven't heard any firm details about the launch of its flagship ICS phone, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus. A flagship Nexus device would typically ship around the same time as the new OS, and plenty of unofficial leaks point to the Galaxy Nexus landing this week.

Then there's the fact that today's Android event appears to involve T-Mobile. Google's original invitation shows a building with the T-Mobile logo printed on its side; T-Mobile later followed up with an invitation of its own touting an after-party that'll let everyone "experience the world of T-Mobile and Google." T-Mobile, as you know, has partnered with Google on Nexus device launches in the past.

So what's it all mean? That's up to interpretation right now, but putting the various clues together, it certainly seems plausible that we could hear some specifics about the Galaxy Nexus release and perhaps an additional carrier on which it might be available. (Thus far, Verizon is the only U.S. carrier that's publicly committed to carrying the phone.)
**************************************************************************************
UPDATE: Alas, no Nexus launch news yet; T-Mobile's presence was apparently just related to the Google Music stuff, which was the sole focus of this event. For more on what's new with Google Music, see Google's official blog detailing the announcement.
**************************************************************************************

Whatever the news is, it won't be long till we find out for sure. Google's Android event starts at 2 p.m. PT today; that's 5 p.m. Eastern, 4 p.m. Central. You can see exactly when the Android event starts for you by plugging in your city into the "convert to" box on this time zone converter.
Once you've got your local start time figured out, just bookmark youtube.com/android. That's where Google will provide a live stream of the event once it gets underway.

Until then, you can learn much more about Ice Cream Sandwich in my massive Android Ice Cream Sandwich FAQ. And if you still need a reason to get pumped up about the release, check out my 10 reasons to be excited about ICS, too.
Whatever you do, keep your eyes and ears open. Big things are happening in the world of Android right now, and this afternoon's event may unleash the fuel that'll really get things rolling.
JR Raphael writes about smartphones and other tasty technology. You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, or Google+.

Hands on: Google's Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich

Google officially unleashed its Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS on Monday, and now, the flagship ICS phone is finally making its debut. The Samsung Galaxy Nexus went on sale in the U.K. Thursday morning and is expected to launch on Verizon Wireless within a matter of days.
I've been spending some hands-on time with the Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich this week. I'll be putting together in-depth reviews of the phone and the operating system soon, but I wanted to share some of my early impressions with you now.
Getting to Know the Galaxy Nexus and Android Ice Cream Sandwich
First, I should point out that the Galaxy Nexus unit I have is not the Verizon LTE edition; it's an HSPA+ version of the phone that'll be sold globally. The phone, provided to me on loan from Google, is connected to T-Mobile's network. It could also work with AT&T or any other compatible HSPA+ carrier anywhere in the world.

To be clear, Google says the LTE edition of the phone is the one that'll be available at launch here in the States (the official timing estimate is still "sometime in November"). As of now, no U.S. carriers other than Verizon have announced plans to offer the device, though that could obviously change in the future -- and there's no reason you couldn't buy an unlocked HSPA+ model and use it on another carrier, too, if you're willing to pay the unsubsidized price.

Got it? Good. Now let's move on to some thoughts based on the hands-on time I've had with the Galaxy Nexus and Ice Cream Sandwich so far.
Galaxy Nexus: The Body
Make no mistake about it: The Galaxy Nexus is one slick-looking device. The phone's form reminds me somewhat of the Samsung Galaxy S II, particularly the Sprint model. It's not identical, mind you, but the two devices definitely look related. The Galaxy Nexus has more rounded edges and a nicely contoured display. It's also larger than the GSII, given its supersized 4.65-inch screen.
Here's what's interesting, though: For as large as that screen size sounds, the Galaxy Nexus is surprisingly not bulky. I was initially skeptical as to whether a 4.65-inch display would make the device seem too big to hold and lug around in my pocket all day. As soon as I actually had the device in my hand, those worries went away.
For some perspective, the Galaxy Nexus is actually about equal in width and thickness to the Sprint Galaxy S II and just 0.2 inches longer in length. The Galaxy Nexus is 2.7 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches; the Sprint GSII is 2.7 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches.
Galaxy Nexus: The Display
Speaking of displays, a lot of folks have been wondering how the Galaxy Nexus would stack up next to other Android phones when it comes to screen quality. The Galaxy Nexus uses Samsung's new HD Super AMOLED technology, which is a change from the Super AMOLED Plus seen in the Galaxy S II line of devices.
Let me put your fears to rest: The screen on this thing looks mighty fine. The display is crisp and bright, with brilliant colors that really pop. I haven't noticed any jagged edges or pixelation in my usage so far. With a resolution of 1280 by 720 -- compared to 800 by 480 in the Galaxy S II -- this phone more than holds its own.
Ice Cream Sandwich: First Impressions
The Galaxy Nexus hardware is one thing, but the even bigger story is the phone's software -- you know, that little ol' thing called Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich. We've been hearing about Ice Cream Sandwich for ages now, so what's it actually like to use it?
Based on my initial impressions, it's pretty damn impressive. Using ICS feels like using a prettier, more polished, and more powerful version of Android; it's close enough to what we know to be familiar, but evolved enough to be exciting.
ICS gives you five home screens with a customizable favorites tray that stays in place when you swipe between panels. The favorites tray features four icons -- which can be set to any app shortcuts or folders you want -- along with a centered icon that takes you to your phone's full app drawer.
The app drawer is also now your one-stop shop for home screen customization. It contains all the apps and widgets installed on your phone, and all you do is long-press any item there to drag and drop it onto any of your home screens. This takes a little bit of getting used to, I found, but having played with it for a while, it really strikes me as a far more simple and intuitive approach.

Ice Cream Sandwich: The Buttons (or Lack Thereof)
As you've probably heard, Google is moving away from physical navigation buttons with Ice Cream Sandwich; instead, you get on-screen buttons that appear as needed and rotate automatically to match your phone's orientation (like what we've seen on tablets running the Android Honeycomb OS). After years of using Android phones with four permanent physical buttons, I expected this to be a major adjustment -- but it's actually been pretty painless. Since the new on-screen buttons appear when you need them and where you need them, it's really a natural transition and doesn't feel the least bit odd.
(With phones that do have physical buttons, by the way, the buttons will continue to work as they always have; see my Ice Cream Sandwich FAQ for details.)
One thing I wondered with this new setup is how search and particularly Voice Actions would work. I've grown accustomed to being able to long-press my phone's search button, after all, and then speak a command or search term. The answer is that Ice Cream Sandwich places a search box at the top of the home screen that -- like the favorites tray on the bottom -- stays in place as you swipe from one panel to another. You just tap the main part of the box to launch a standard text search (which covers the Web as well as all sorts of content on your phone) or tap a microphone icon at the right of the box to launch a Voice Actions prompt.

Ice Cream Sandwich: Everything Else
It's going to take some time to fully explore all the improvements and added features Ice Cream Sandwich delivers. You've got everything from a completely revamped settings menu (long story short: massively improved) to the new facial recognition system for unlocking your phone (very cool, even if not 100 percent perfect). The OS is filled with loads of subtle new flourishes, too, ranging from a reimagined folder system to a bevy of nice-looking new animations and transitions.

There's also stuff like a brand new browser with instant Chrome bookmark syncing, a souped-up Camera app with panoramic capabilities and zero shutter lag, and fresh-looking new versions of apps like Calendar, Gmail, and Google+. Ice Cream Sandwich introduces whole new interfaces for notifications and multitasking, too, as well as an expanded "People" tool (formerly known as contacts) and a bunch of new scrollable, resizable widgets for your home screens.
All this, and I'm still barely scratching the surface. I'll be diving into Ice Cream Sandwich and the Galaxy Nexus in much greater detail in the days and weeks to come. Stay tuned for my full in-depth review and plenty of other bite-sized tidbits I'll be sharing along the way (follow one of my social media accounts, linked below, if you want to catch it all).
This is the beginning of a new era for Android, my friends -- and believe me, our journey is just getting started.