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Dubai (دبي) is one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It is rather like an independent city-state and is the most modern and progressive emirate in the UAE, developing at an unbelievable pace in the tourist and trade sectors especially. Recently Dubai won the bid to host EXPO 2020, a Universal scale Registered Exposition approved by the Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), Paris.
Dubai is the most beautiful city in the United Arab Emirates. Dubai was gaining popularity in recent years until the global economic crash of 2008. Dubai is essentially a desert city well with superb infrastructure, liberal policies (by regional standards), that became popular for its excellent tourist amenities. Just 5 h from Europe and 3 h from most parts of the Middle East, the Near East, and the subcontinent of India, Dubai makes a great short break for shopping, partying, sunbathing, fine dining, sporting events, and even a few sinful pleasures. It is a city of superlatives: for the fastest, biggest, tallest, largest and highest, Dubai is the destination. It has the largest immigrant population in the world. The weekly day off is on Friday. Note that, since September 2006, a harmonised weekend of Friday and Saturday has been adopted for the public sector and schools. Government departments, multinational companies, and most schools and universities are now off on Friday and Saturday (after years of a mixed bag of Friday/Saturday and Thursday/Friday weekends). Some local companies still work half a day on Thursday with a full day on Saturday, but larger companies tend to permit relaxation and time off work for their employees on Friday and Saturday.
Dubai is divided into multiple districts or municipalities:
Dubai has an arid sub-tropical climate with very hot, humid summer weather averaging 42 degrees (108F) in the daytime and 28 (84F) at night. Fall and Spring is still rather hot, with daytime temperatures between 25 and 40 degrees (75-100F) and nights around 20 degrees (65-75F), with less humidity. Winter weather is pleasant and dry, with daytime highs of 25 (75F) and nighttime lows of 10 degrees (55F). Dubai is known for its beaches, with water temperature in summer getting as hot as 37 degrees (99F). The water temperature tends to be around 20-25 degrees (75F) in winter, and 30 (85F) in spring and fall as outside temperatures rise.
December to April generally produces the highest precipitation, which at 10 cm (5 in), still is little. Some years yield no more than a few minutes of shower in Dubai. November 2006 brought record rains up to 50 cm (25 in) of rain, with temperatures at record lows.
Get in[edit]
See Get in section of the UAE page for visa and customs regulations. While Israeli passport holders are not welcome, having Israeli stamps in your passport is not a problem. (Edit: This is NOT always the case. Although somewhat rare, you CAN be refused entry into the UAE for having an Israeli stamp in your passport. Be safe and bring a second passport for traveling to Muslim countries, or travel to Israel after visiting all Muslim countries).
If you are traveling from India and are of a nationality for which an advance visa is required, it might be necessary to get an 'Ok to Board' stamp on your tickets and Visa. This is generally arranged by a travel agent. If this has not been done, consult your airline office once you have a visa and airline ticket in your possession.
By plane[edit]
Dubai's main airport is the Dubai International Airport. You can also enter Dubai by using Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) in the nearby emirate of Sharjah and Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) in nearby Abu Dhabi. Frequent visitors from countries granted automatic visa on entry may wish to purchase an e-gate card to speed up immigration formalities and save passport pages. The e-gate card office is situated in the upstairs foodcourt area of the terminal 1 departures concourse. The card will cost AED 200. Note: If you intend to buy an e-gate card in Dubai, you must have entered UAE via Dubai airport.
Airlines are often having price wars to glamorous destinations like Dubai and this can work to your advantage by careful planning and comparison of the various airlines serving Dubai. Emirates[] is Dubai's official airline carrier which connects Dubai to over 100 destinations while FlyDubai[] is Dubai's low-cost carrier. Etihad[] has shuttle services from their exclusive check in facility in Sheikh Zayed Rd or Central Business District of Dubai to and from Abu Dhabi Int'l Airport, you can also fly with Sharjah's low-cost carrier; Air Arabia[] which flies to over 46 destinations within the Middle East.Now it is possible for indians holding green card or valid us visa and passport validity no less then six months can get visa on arrival fo DM.100/-effective may 1st 2017.
Dubai International Airport[edit]
Dubai International Airport (IATA: DXB) [] is the largest hub in the Middle East and the home base of Dubai's flag carrier Emirates [] and its low-cost wing FlyDubai []. In fact, it has grown at such a furious pace that the present terminals are bursting at the seams, especially during the peak hours around midnight.
The Dubai International Airport has three terminals and another one in the making as of end 2010.
Terminals 1 and 3 are directly connected to each other via the airside (no immigration needed for transfer), while Terminal 2 is located at the other end of the airport. Terminals 1 and 3 are models of modern airport design, but Terminal 2, despite the recent renovations, is still reminiscent of developing world airports, with long check-in lines, queue-jumping and every other passenger checking in 50 kg of luggage. Shuttle buses run between Terminals 1 and 3 every 20-30 min. Terminal 2 is not connected by shuttle so a 30 min taxi ride may be your only option. A low-cost option for traveling to Terminal 2 is to catch the metro to a nearby station, such as the Stadium or Airport Free Zone metro stations, and from there catch a taxi to Terminal 2 (should cost around 15 AED).
The airport is famous for its duty-free shopping []. However, prices in the airport's duty-free stores are equal or higher than what you can find in the many malls of the city. One key exception is cigarettes where a carton of 200 is less than USD$30 for most brands. Alcohol here is very cheap, though. Alcohol is also available at an inbound duty free store situated in the baggage reclaim area and what is worthy of note is the fact that cans are on sale there - so you don't have to lug them from your destination. The amount of alcoholic beverages and beers should not exceed 4 liters of alcohol beverages, or 2 cartons of beer (each consisting of 24 cans, not exceeding 355 ml for each can or its equivalent).
Taxi: Most visitors will opt for public taxis from the airport, which are readily available just outside arrivals, which use the meter and start at Dhs 25. Taxis are on the left when you come out of terminal 1.
Public transport: Terminals 1 and 3 are served by the Dubai Metro. There are also buses just steps from the baggage claim, the most useful for visitors being lines 401 and 402 (Dhs 3), which go to the Al Sabkha and Al Ghubaiba bus terminals respectively.
Private Aviation: Dubai is one of the busiest private jet hubs in the world, with business jets flying to/from London, Moscow, and the United States on a daily basis. There are a total of 18 FBO/Handlers [70] to accommodate luxury and executive travelers, with companies such as PrivateFly [71] and Dubai Private Jet Charter [72] offering private charter aircraft from luxury Gulfstream's down to economical piston twins and helicopters for small groups and individuals.
XNB ETIHAD BUS TRANSFER FROM AUH[edit]
XNB refers to the end point of the Etihad bus transfer from Abu Dhabi. The current location @September 2016 is on SHEIKH ZAYED ROAD near the NOOR BANK metro station, gps: 25.1544206, 55.2260164 at the Travel Mall The metro starts running at around 06:00 except on friday - between 10:30 and 11:00. You can take a bus from around 06:00 BUT you need to find a kiosk that sells the bus tickets, located at bus terminals and seemingly random places. but not at the Travel Mall.. hope this helps some one.
Al Maktoum International Airport (Dubai World Central, DWC)[edit]
Al Maktoum International Airport, better known internationally as Dubai World Central (IATA: DWC) [] opened for passenger transportation in October 2013. Dubai plans to develop the airport into the world's largest passenger and cargo hub. Right now though only a handful of flights land and depart there every day (for example low cost flights with Wizzair).
Public Transport is limited right now to bus F55 and bus F55a (night bus) that connect to Ibn Battuta metro station. F55 runs between 06:00 and 22:00 on every full hour. The journey takes 43 minutes. F55a runs all the way to the Satwa Bus Station via Ibn Battuta that is located near Bur Dubai. F55a runs between 23:00 and 06:00 hourly on the hour. The journey from DWC to Satwa takes around 90 minutes.
Sharjah International Airport[edit]
Sharjah International Airport (IATA: SHJ) [ located in the emirate of Sharjah. It is only 30 min by road from Dubai and takes an increasing number of international flights as Dubai airport struggles to keep up with demand. Be aware that during morning rush hour from Sharjah and afternoon rush hour into Sharjah, travel times to cross the border between the two emirates normally run more than one hour and can run over two hours. Traffic can be bad between Sharjah and Dubai 24 hours per day, so plan accordingly. The principal carrier here is Air Arabia [], a low-cost carrier serving the Middle East and South Asia. The airport is fairly basic but is being expanded. A taxi ride to Dubai will typically cost Dhs 50. A Bus service by Air Arabia also runs from the Airport to the Rashidiya Metro Station in Dubai. Rashidiya metro station is located close to the Dubai International Airport.
By car[edit]
Dubai's only international road border is with Oman at Al Wajajah. Expatriate residents of Oman will require an official permit to exit Oman by road. Visitors do not require the permit. There is an OMR 3.000 charge per vehicle to exit Oman and, if returning, retain the charge receipt as it will be required to renter. Ensure that insurance is valid for the UAE (preferably before commencing the journey). Temporary UAE insurance can be purchased at the border for a premium price. GCC Nationals (and others?) can cross at the UAE-Saudi border in the South West of the country, check in advance as this a long way to have to drive back to Riyadh or Abu Dhabi if you don't get in.
There are also road borders between the neighbouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Oman at the Al Buraimi Oasis which divides the sister cites of Al Ain and Al Buraimi, Oman.
By bus[edit]
The Government of Dubai operates a network of buses linking Dubai city with the capitals of the other six emirates of the UAE. The buses run under the name Emirates Express and operate from various bus terminals in Dubai.
For timetables see the website [].
By boat[edit]
Dubai is a trading hub for dhows from around the Indian Ocean. Travellers wanting to arrive in the city this way will probably need to make their own arrangements with the captain of the vessel.
Dubai has an international cruise terminal [] at Port Rashid. During wintertime Costa Cruises has based one of its cruise ships (Costa Luminosa) at Dubai.
A boat service by Valfajre Shipping Company [] leaves Bandar Lengeh on Sundays and Tuesdays at 6:00pm, docking at Port Rashid in Dubai. Crossing the Persian Gulf takes roughly 6 hours, and a two way first class ticket costs as of February 2010 US$145 (IR 1,450,000) and also two way economy class ticket costs US$122 (IR 1,220,000).
Get around[edit]
Especially after the launch of the metro, Dubai's public transport system is probably the best in the Middle East, but it's still a very car-oriented city and most visitors end up taking taxis quite often. The Wojhati [73] journey planner can suggest the best way to travel.
A daily pass valid for unlimited rides on the metro and buses for all zones costs Dh22 (Red Ticket Dh2 + Day Pass Dh20, as of Feb 2018), while the Nol Silver stored-value card costs Dh25 (including Dh19 worth of balance) and gives a 10% discount on both metro and bus fares. Both are available at metro stations and major bus stations. The Silver card is useful for public transport users who are planning on taking more than 6 trips on any of the services during their stay. After 6 trips, one starts saving money compared to the Red ticket due to the 10% discount.
By metro[edit]
Dubai's 52-km long Red Line, opened in September 2009, is the third metro in the Arab world after Cairo and Algiers. As of May 15, 2010, 21 stations are open and the rest are scheduled to open by the end of the year. While the line does not serve the old city center, it's handy for zipping along Dubai's Sheikh Zayed Road and includes stops at the airport, Burj Khalifa and the Mall of the Emirates. The Green Line, which burrows through the city core, has been open as of September 9, 2011. A further two stops, Al Jadaf and Creek, are complete but will open at a later date pending development. Transfers are possible at Union Square and Khalid Bin Al Waleed. There are also Blue and Purple lines under construction with opening dates in the next few years.
Single tickets range from Dh2-8.50, or double that for use of the "Gold" first class carriage. Train run every 3-5 minutes from 5:50 AM to Midnight every day except Thursday and Friday, when services are extended to 5:50 AM to 1 AM and limited to 1 PM to Midnight, respectively. All stations are air-conditioned and there's a large network of feeder buses. Trains run every 2 minutes during morning and evening rush hour.
By monorail[edit]
In addition, a 5 km monorail system shuttles passengers across the Palm Jumeirah to the Atlantis hotel, but it's not yet connected to the metro network and is thus of very limited utility.
By tram[edit]
The Dubai Tram opened on the 12th of November 2014, and links Dubai Marina with the Burj Al Arab and JBR. The tram interchanges with Jumeirah Lakes Towers Station and Dubai Marina Station of the Dubai Metro's Red Line, and two more metro station are expected to connect with the tram in the future.
Services operate every six minutes from 06:30 to 01:38. On Fridays, the service starts at 09:00. The tram has a fixed fare of AED 3 per ride regardless of the distance travelled. A Nol Card can be used by passengers to check-in and check-out of the tram by scanning the card at the platform screen doors.
By bus[edit]
Dubai has an extensive public bus network [74], which is a cheaper means of travelling within the several districts in Dubai. A map of the bus system can be found online [75], as well as detailed route maps and timetables [76]. Public buses are clean and cheap, but unfortunately not very comprehensive and (on some routes) quite infrequent. The bus system is most useful for getting between different areas of central Dubai, or between the various suburbs, rather than general transport. Taxis or a fair amount of walking will also be required if you wish to visit Dubai without a car of your own.
You will require a Nol card or ticket for fare payment. Cards could be purchased from most bus stations, metro stations, and sometimes from the bus driver.
The main bus stations are Gold Souq Market (in Deira) and Al Ghubaiba bus station (in Bur Dubai). The flat fare is 2 AED, but might be higher for hour-long rides to distant suburbs. Clear route maps and time-tables are placed inside a few bus stands. Ramadan timings differ. The front seats are reserved for women.
Probably the single most useful service for the casual tourist is Line 8, which starts at the Gold Souq, takes the tunnel under the Creek to Heritage Village, and then sets off down Jumeirah Rd (just behind the beach) and all its hotels and malls, up to Burj al-Arab and Wild Wadi. Line 8 terminates near the Internet City, while its 8A variant goes down a little further and also serves the Mall of the Emirates.
For a good, hop on - hop off, type tour try the Big Bus Company. It runs two routes; the blue route through Jumeirah and the recently constructed areas, and the red route centering on the older parts of Dubai. The hub for both routes is Wafi City mall, and an 175 AED ticket covers 24 hours of riding.
By taxi[edit]
Taxis ply the streets of Dubai and are relatively easy to spot. The easiest place to find them is at the taxi queue at one of the malls or outside a hotel. Waving down a taxi on the road is possible, but can be difficult during rush hours. At peak times (7-9AM & 4-7PM workdays, and Friday evenings) demand far exceeds supply, and not only are taxis hard to find, but those who deign to pick you up may demand crazy off-meter fares or refuse short rides in congested areas entirely. The standard of driving in Dubai ranges from poor to wild - taxis are some of the worst on the roads. Taxi drivers are pretty good at knowing where the main shopping malls and hotels are, however less well known places will mean the driver calling his brother-in-law to get directions, whilst he drives around in circles on your time - hence it is a good idea to have a rough idea of where you are heading or what a nearby landmark is. It also helps to know exactly what place you are going to rather than to ask for the nearest whatever-it-is (hotel, Metro stop, etc.), as they might drive farther in order to charge you a higher fare.
Taxis[77] are metered at 1.75 dhs/km, so no haggling is necessary. The rates of all taxi companies — Dubai Transport, National, Cars, Metro, and Arabian — are identical, so just take the first one that comes along. From the airport, there is a standing charge of 25 dhs; all other street pickups attract a standing charge of 5.00 dhs during the day, 5.50 at night (10 PM-6AM), but a minimum fare of 10 dhs applies, and there is a surcharge of 20 dhs for going to Sharjah. Taxis are not exempt from the Salik road toll charges which costs an additional 4 Dh (since January 1st 2013). Beware of unmarked hotel taxis and limousines though: while some of these are metered, they are not tied to the official rates, and can be much more expensive. [78] One way to spot whether a taxi is official or not is to look for a meter: no meter, don't get in.
If you can't find one otherwise, you can attempt to call a taxi at 04-2080808, there's a surcharge of 3 dhs to book. The booking system was notorious for its unreliability but with a significantly increased taxi fleet, many taxis now deliberately wait in unofficial holding areas waiting for bookings. As a result, on a good day it can be possible to book a taxi and have it arrive within less than five minutes. If you absolutely have to get somewhere at a certain time (say, the airport or a meeting), it's still best to book a hotel taxi in advance, and get their estimate of how bad the traffic will be.
Solo women are advised to travel in the back of the taxi as some drivers see it as a sexual invitation if you get in the front.
By car[edit]
There are a countless number of Rent-A-Cars that will provide a mode of transportation for very cheap rates and very little paperwork. An International Driving Permit is not necessarily required, but hire companies may not rent a car without one (is not required only for major European and gulf countries, however strictly required for other countries like Russia etc., according to RTA).
Some agencies will hire out cars complete with drivers. Visitors taking advantage of this option will need to make certain that their driver knows his way around as many do not.
When driving on the main roads, such as Sheikh Zayed road, the junction numbers are not in logical order. Junction 13 is just after Junction 18 and are rarely as shown on the maps. Road names can also be very confusing with slight differences in spelling (due to different transliterations from Arabic) being very important. The construction work that is taking place throughout and around Dubai can make finding your destination a challenge. Temporary road layouts change with alarming regularity and temporary signs can be misleading or non existent. As GPS maps are not up to date (and usually not anyway available to rent with hire cars), you will be very well off with a printed map (you can get an excellent one in Virgin stores, for example. There is a Virgin Megastore on the top floor of City Center).
Driving during morning and afternoon peak hours is not recommended, as traffic slows to a standstill and even a simple trip across a bridge can take up to 45 minutes. There is also a scarcity of parking spaces in many parts of the city.
With such a mixture of nationalities residing in the city, driving styles are mixed to say the least. Both dangerous and experienced driving will be witnessed or experienced frequently, and bear in mind that Dubai has one of the highest per capita road death rates in the world. There is zero tolerance for alcohol and driving with stiff penalties meted out including jail and deportation.
See Salik.ae [79] for information about toll to pay on certain routes in Dubai. If you rent a car, usually a Salik tag will be provided by the car hire company and you will be charged separately when returning the car.
Note on Navigation systems: In case you are renting a car, you definitely want a navigation system. Even people living there need GPS. For this, you have 2 options: You can rent a GPS or get a car with navigation system. Or you can get data service with your smart phone and use google map or other navigation systems on smart phones.
By boat[edit]
An easier way of crossing the Dubai Creek is by abra, essentially a small ferry. Abra stations are located along the Creek on both the Bur Dubai and Deira sides, and the system of filling the boats is remarkably efficient. The cross-river trip costs 1 Dirham (AED 1) per passenger, payable to the driver after the boat has left the station, and affords a very picturesque view of the city (not to be missed). Abras set off very regularly, and the service is available round-the-clock.
Abras can also be hired for a private tour. This is quite a popular activity at sunset on a clear day, particularly if the driver is able to enliven the tour with stories about the structures on either side of the Creek.
The RTA(Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai) Abra is another option for tourists who want to go by boat but avoid the abra crowd (or the heat). It is a part of Dubai's public transport system, Nol card and online payment methods are being introduced for the journey. Can be purchased at the RTA Marine stations along the Creek at Baniyas,Al Sabkha, Deira Old Souq, Al Seef, Al Fahidi, Dubai Old Souq, Bur Dubai and Al Ghubaiba Stations.
The Dubai Ferry also features a 'touristic routes' - a round trip or a point to point journey along the coastal attractions of Dubai- it is convenient, smooth and safe. The tickets for a 1 hour 40 minutes trip costs only AED 50 (Silver class) and AED 75 (Gold Class) for an adult. Also the Dubai canal has Water Bus and Abra services at only AED 2 per stop! An economical way to see the man made canal!!
The Creek is also the home of many boats offering more comfortable (and correspondingly more expensive) tours, often in boats designed to resemble dhows. Along with creek, Dubai marina also has their own Luxury Dinner boats and modern dhow cruises. Prices tend to be higher, particularly for dinner cruises with on-board entertainment.
See[edit][add listing]
Old Dubai[edit]
Modern Dubai[edit]
Don't miss Dubai's overwhelming shopping malls, listed under Buy.
Shows are every 30 minutes from 6pm to 10pm on weekdays and from 6pm to 11pm on weekends. It's the world's largest dancing fountain with classical, Arabic and world music. About 1.5 million lumens of projected light and the spray heights of up to 150m/500 ft (22,000 gallons of airborne water).
Sightseeing Pass[edit]
The Dubai City Pass is an all-inclusive pass that grants free entry to Dubai's most popular sights, museums and attractions such as the Burj Khalifa with fast track entry and a desert safari with BBQ. It even includes bus, boat and desert tours and a shuttle to Abu Dhabi. The practical sightseeing pass is available for periods of 1, 2, 3 or 7 days.
Do[edit][add listing]
Aquapark in Atlantis hotel, Jumeirah The Palm, is one of a kind. You can visit it without being an hotel guest. It will cost you around 80 eur per day, and 50 eur more if you want full access. Thake notice they are closing at 6 PM.
There are large numbers of companies offering fishing boats like Dubai Dhow. The advanced and modern fishing boats are the most upgraded luxury vessels that have accommodation rooms along with the required things to make the stay comfortable and convenient in the ship. Modern and latest infrastructure with innovative fishing equipments doubles the adventure of fishing from the bottom of the sea.
Dubai is actually a place for water freaks and the people who like to explore the nature from the lap of the sea. Bottom fishing and trolling both options can be availed for preying the fish. Bottom fishing is about to attract a variety of fish by using bait like squids by stopping the boat in the middle of the sea. Trolling is done to catch big fish by using trolling lures or plastic fish as bait.
Many yacht charters companies allow you to get facilitated from chartering experience. One can choose from multiple options like luxury yachts, speed racing yachts and many more. Each yacht differs from others with different features. The yachts are available in various sizes and capacities according to needs of people. For water sport activities, yacht charters are equipped with all needed modern technology and safety measures. Professional skippers and crew members accompany you throughout all chartering experience for instructions and guidance.
Dubai has set up a free-zone Knowledge Village [94] to house institutes and universities, providing both on-line and in-class training. The city also has the American University in Dubai [95].
While Dubai tries to promote itself as the business and entertainment capital of the world, the government has a complex and at times frustrating work permit procedure that one should not attempt on their own unless they have prior experience. Therefore, it is best to go through official channels when looking for work in Dubai as spot inspections are frequent and if found working illegally, both the employee and the employer will be subject to fines and even deportation.
All the necessary forms and documents are written and processed in Arabic and is best left to a professional or a "P.R.O" to handle your paperwork.
There are rules about changing jobs and its frequency. This rules are equally applicable for all nationalities. They have to complete their contract period, which is 2 years. If the employee breaks his/her contract before the completion of 2 years, the new employer has to offer them salary above 5000 AED in-order to avoid ban. Otherwise the employee has to wait until the completion of the left over months of his cancelled contract.If the employer breaks the contracts, then the employee can join another employer immediately irrespective of nationality, religion, cast or creed.
With the price of rentals ever soaring in Dubai and neighbouring Emirates, it is a good idea to discuss a housing allowance when negotiating a pay package.
Despite all this, there are a few upsides, Dubai companies are generous with holidays averaging almost 39 days a year of paid vacation (including public holidays), a round trip ticket home once a year (depending on your contract) and most importantly all your earnings are 100% tax free. This includes Western teachers working for one of many English-language academies.
Recruitment fraud is quite pervasive in this part of the world. Read your employment contract carefully before signing and do not pay any fees to recruitment agencies, as they are usually paid by the companies. Your passport is your personal property and cannot be withheld by the employer unless you are in a position of trust or are handling large sums of money.
Dubai has been accused by numerous organizations of effectively enslaving workers from Southeast Asia by allowing companies to take their passports without returning them and allowing salaries to go unpaid. Foreign workers, Western and otherwise, have no rights that will be upheld by the courts, and so they have no recourse should they feel their rights violated. Potential workers should be aware of this when considering work in Dubai.
Buy[edit][add listing]
Dubai is practically synonymous with shopping. The huge amounts of cargo passing through its port and the low tariffs ensure that practically anything is available at fairly competitive rates, although the appreciation of the Dirham, and the plentiful supply of shoppers means that Dubai is no longer a bargain basement shopping city. You'll also find products in western chain stores, still with the original tags quoting euro or sterling prices, being sold with a 20-30% mark-up once converted to Dirhams.
The best things to buy in Dubai are textiles, electronics and gold, electronics is believed to be much cheaper while textiles and gold offer a wide range of selection.
Even in the mega-malls, Dubai shops have no storeroom and no stocks in reserve - and for clothes shopping this may mean that you may struggle to find the style you want in the size you want. Shops open as early as 9AM and stay open to 10PM and on weekends to 12AM and some stay to 1AM.
Remember to haggle in the souks, as discounts are almost always available and even in situations where the item will not become much cheaper, the customer is always expected to "play the game" of haggling. A simple question of "what's your best price?" will often result in a shop-keeper going to extraordinary lengths to sell his stock.
Prices in the malls and other Western shops tend not to be negotiable. Far from being a bad thing, this allows the canny visitor to work out comparative prices for common souvenirs - an invaluable aid when a shop-keeper in a souk is asking for a higher price.
Dubai Shopping Festival [96] has been the biggest shopping event in the middle east since 1996. Almost every shop has a sale, starting in January and ending February. Dubai Shopping Festival is not just about shopping. The festival is itself a complete family entertainer and holds grand events having live concerts and performances performed by international celebrities. [97] There's also a very similar Dubai Summer Surprises [98] trying to pull in punters during the summer low season.
TIP: Several malls have a large Carrefour, or similar, hypermarket where you'll find the lowest cost electronics, and groceries for self-catering. A Carrefour is also located near the Shindagha waterfront in Bur Dubai.
Eat[edit][add listing]
Shawarma is the most available food item on almost all streets (and cheap!) in Dubai. It is the Arabic equivalent of the Burger. It is meat that has been cooked on a skewer and then cut into thin strips and placed into a kuhbus (pita) bread with vegetables and dressing. It costs about AED 6 ($1.9) for either the plain-jane variety or the more exotic Lebanese and Iranian varieties. The Shawarma sold by Indian restaurants are arguably the cheapest.
Another local snacks is Fala-Fil (Felafel, Falafel) also available at about the same costs as the shawarma.
Most of the American fast food chains have set up shop in Dubai, including KFC, Chillis, TGI Fridays, Starbucks and McDonalds. The beauty of the food in Dubai is that you will probably find cuisine for every taste.
For Indians (and vegetarians) Dubai has a big selection of budget Indian vegetarian food. Dosa, vada, idlee, samosa, chapaati/roti, with generous servings of sabji (cooked vegetable stew) are available at throwaway prices, typically less than 10Dhs ($2.5) per course. The more expensive stuff costs up to USD 5.00. Bur Dubai (particularly Meena Bazaar area) and Karama are the places that abound in these restaurants. Most of them are open from 7AM till 10PM or 11PM throughout the week.
As mentioned earlier, Dubai is a melting pot for various cultures who have bought their local cuisines over with them. For those who are open to trying new and different foods , Frying Pan Adventures [108] offers food tours that allows visitors to try various regional foods while at the same time exploring less known parts of Dubai.
The top hotels in the city all have at least one restaurant serving (most commonly) some form of international cuisine - Italian, Japanese, Indian and so on. Quality tends to be high, along with price, but non-guests are able to reserve tables as well, thus allowing the rest of us to experience a bit of these hotels.
If you feel like having a meal fit for a king, but don't want to venture outside, Room Service [109] can deliver meals from upscale restaurants to your residence for a price.
Drink[edit][add listing]
As Dubai has grown from a small town into a bustling city, so has the nightlife scene. Most 3 to 5 star hotels have bars and nightclubs for those interested in the nightlife. World-class DJs frequent Dubai's nightclubs, and many A-list musical celebrities are adding Dubai to their list of tour dates.
However, Dubai has several laws regarding alcohol which tourists should be aware of before visiting:
Sleep[edit][add listing]
Earlier the demand for hotel rooms badly outstripped supply, resulting in some of the most expensive rooms in the world: it was difficult to find anything decent for under Dhs 600 (US$200) especially during the September-May high season. However, now, as July 2009, there are several five star hotels offering rooms for less than $140 (€100) for off-season.
Business Bay. ☎ +971 4 434 1555 . Rooms from US $41. http://dubaistay.net/
Stay safe[edit]
Dubai has its share of problems. Dubai is governed by a strict interpretation of Islamic law which must be respected by all travelers. Do not publicly criticize or distribute material against Islam. Eating in public during the holy month of Ramadan is prohibited from sunrise until sunset and visitors should consume meals in the confines of their hotel or residence; some restaurants stay open with a curtain over their door at this time. Many shopping malls offer this service. If you ask at an information desk someone will direct you.
In conversations about politics and world affairs, avoid criticizing the ruling family of any of the seven Emirates or prominent business families. The United Arab Emirates does not have any formal relations with Israel, and the government publicly supports any cause that involves the Palestinian people or Palestinian statehood.
While petty crime is hardly reported or mentioned in the news, keep an eye on your wallet or purse when in crowded areas like Naser Square or Deira in general. If withdrawing large amounts of cash from ATM's or banking institutions, either conceal the notes or ask the institution's security to escort you to your vehicle. Cases have occurred where people have been robbed of large amounts of cash when in crowded places just because they were not careful.
Conmen are ever present in Dubai, especially scammers. Do not arrange meetings or entertain their requests or give any personal details. Should they not comply, individuals who will be happy to listen to their business propositions are the police.
Thanks to Dubai's new property boom, real estate fraudsters are also popping up, so exercise caution if you are there to shop around for a new home.
Public display of affection are frowned upon and public sexual acts can lead to jail time followed by deportation. In 2008, a British couple was arrested and faced jail sentences because they had sexual contact on a beach in Dubai. If all tourists remain respectful and decent at all times and ensure that they do not upset the local people in any way whatsoever, there should hopefully be no problems.
The United Arab Emirates might seem to have more relaxed laws than their other Arab counterparts, but the laws are still very different from most Western countries, and their laws are strictly enforced. A simple kiss in a public place, having an alcoholic drink in the wrong place or even losing your temper could land you a month or more in jail. Please exercise caution and common sense when visiting and make sure you are aware of all their laws, or expect severe consequences that could seriously ruin your vacation and/or life.
LGBT Visitors[edit]
Adultery is punished with up to death.
Women should dress sensibly and avoid wearing revealing outfits when in busy areas. This is especially true when traveling to districts like Karama, Deira and Bur-Dubai,where the streets are packed with men, especially on evenings and weekends. While swimsuits and bikinis are a common sight on Dubai beaches, avoid sunbathing topless or wearing microbikinis--even in the private beach of a hotel. Rape and sexual violence are taken seriously by authorities, If you ever fell a victim of sexual violence do not hesitate to contact the police as well as notify the embassy.
Drug use and distribution are serious criminal offences, even when in the company of the person consuming the material, and can lead to a prison sentence of several years or even to be in front of the firing squad. Passenger baggage is screened quite thoroughly when entering Dubai. Even prescription drugs (without original prescription note) or ones that you bought over the counter in your country can lead to a prison sentence.[127][128]
Driving and pedestrian safety has also been an issue given the different nationalities that share the road. Do not jaywalk or cross where there are no clear pedestrian markings. Speeding is common here, and the odds of you being knocked over are quite high unless you follow the rules. Avoid driving on the extreme left lane of highways to avoid being "flashed" and being forced to move a lane over. Road rage is also starting to become an issue given the increase in traffic jams and poor driving courtesy.
Rude hand gestures (the "finger", etc.) and profanity can lead to fines and jail times if reported, so keep your cool if you are cut off or are behind an erratic driver. In general, you will find those gestures and actions that some may find only slightly offensive in your home country--or perhaps not offensive at all--can at times be extremely offensive to the Dubai locals. Therefore, use a degree of common sense of what is right and wrong to help you stay out of trouble.
Please be aware of the travel scammers in Dubai. Normally their "representatives" are found in or around shopping malls, sitting in fancy stalls where they will tell if you answer their question, you will win a gift, and they will even help you answering the question by giving you clear hints.
Next they will congratulate you on answering the question and winning a "surprise" gift. They will have your contact details written on a piece of paper and will invite you to join their "party" the next day, where you would receive your "free" gift. There are also their reps in the shopping malls who will collect from you your contact details and will say they will contact you if you win in the "lucky draw" that night.
And then you will start receiving calls from their company the next day seeking your confirmation to attend.
If you go to their well-decorated office the next day, one of their reps will have a meeting with you for at least one and a half hours, doing nothing but wasting your time and forcing you to buy one of their travel packages (staying for 36 nights or so in five star hotels around the world during coming five years on "discounted" rates etc.). You will find it a bit difficult to get rid of them once you join them. Never ever give them any money or your financial details: simply avoid their reps in the shopping malls etc.
The international code for UAE is +971, for Dubai, add a 4 afterwards for land lines.
Local mobile phone numbers will start +971 50 xxx yyyy or +971 56 xxx yyyy (newly introduced as of second half of 2008) for the GSM provider etisalat [129] and +971 55 xxx yyyy and +971 52 xxx yyyy for the GSM provider du [130].
GSM— Those with GSM phones can expect auto roaming from their home countries. As roaming fees are quite high (easily 3 USD per minute and often more for a call to Europe) and incoming calls are also charged, consider to buy a local prepaid GSM SIM card, designed especially for tourists, from one of the two cellular providers of the U.A.E.:
Using these products, calls to Europe will be charged at maximum of about 0.55 USD per minute. Incoming calls are free of charge.
Phone Booths— Phone booths are located on most streets. Phone cards can be purchased from hotels and tourist shops.
Internet — Internet cafés can be hard to find. The usual rate per hour is 3-4 AED. There are a number of cafés on Al Musalla Rd./Al Mankhool Rd. in Bur Dubai, including one at 38 Al Musalla Rd. and one at Computer Plaza next to the Ramada Hotel. A number of Internet cafes are found in Satwa too. In Satwa there is the French Connection in the Al Wafa Tower on Sheikh Zayed road (opposite side of road from the Dusit Hotel), which has wi-fi access and nice cakes/pastries. In Al Qusais, there is an internet café a five-minute walk northwest from the Dubai Youth Hostel. Turn right out of the gates and walk to LuLu's Hypermarket. The café is located inside the food court and currently charges AED 4.00 per hour. Note that the Skype website has recently been unblocked by the two major service providers, Du and Etisalat (which are also the only service providers and are both owned by the government). You may wish to consider using a proxy or VPN to bypass the blocked websites in the UAE, but this is considered illegal in the eyes of local officials, and can lead to penalties or jail time.
Surprisingly, the malls do not have internet cafés, but most have wi-fi, mostly free. Most hotel business centres are equipped with internet cafés, but are expensive ones.
Etisalat [133], UAE's telecom operator, offers a roaming, post paid wi-fi internet connection known as iZone [134]. Most coffee shops and malls across Dubai provide this service. Prices are available on the website.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has free wi-fi in the terminal. Bring your laptop with you for using free wi-fi at some hotels.
Newspapers & Radio: Thanks to the large influx of expatriates, Dubai has a wide selection of English Language Newspapers and Radio Channels.
International Newspapers are also available in most hotels and airport terminals. Carrefour and Borders bookstores sell British and American newspapers. Todaily [148], a local printing house, can furnish newspapers and periodicals from around the world daily.
Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding [149], is a non-profit community service organization that has been set up to bring down barriers between people of different nationalities, and to help understand the traditions, customs and religion of the UAE. The SMCCU, under the banner, Open Doors Open Minds organizes educational and social events, that allows its clients to exchange ideas, pursue learning and share ways to reach understanding for their companies, their families, their countries and the world. Some of the activities that are offered at the center include:
If you are walking through the streets, you will most probably come across people wanting to sell you pirated movies or anything else that can be replicated or faked. They will tend to lead you off the streets into a alley and into a building. This can seem to be very dangerous but you will find that 90 percent of the time it will be what they actually claim it to be. This is done because they have to hide from the police. Also, don't take very much money with you, otherwise they will ask for all the money you have. A typical pirated DVD should cost about 10-15 dirhams, although purchasing pirated DVDs should be avoided as, not only is it illegal and with most crimes in Dubai they are very punishable, the DVD will probably be of very poor quality.
Religious services and Pork[edit]
Dubai gives freedom of religion to its residents and citizens, Pork is consumed here mostly by Filipinos and Europeans. Pork sections exclusive for Non-Muslims are found in Spinneys (have numerous branches, they have one in Jumeirah and another in Dubai Marina and many others), Al Maya Lal's (generally caters to Filipinos, they have a branch in Satwa) New Westzone Supermarket (have a branch in Satwa, it's bigger than nearby rival Al Maya Lal's). St. Mary's Catholic Church is a Roman Catholic church located in Oud Metha opposite the Indian High School, it has masses celebrated in Tagalog and other Indian languages as well as in Arabic aside from English. While Holy Trinity Church is a Protestant Church is located too in Oud Metha.
Get out[edit]


text:
Groveling for daily gruel, Oliver Twist-style, is not generally a cat's prerogative, which makes this grey, huge-eyed specimen very special. Not to mention polite! When my cat is hungry, she just pokes me in the face, then goes "Fuck you" and skulks away to wreak havoc on whatever seasonal chotchkes are sitting on my desk at the time. (The small gourds and pumpkins adorning it right now are not long for this world.)
[via Buzzfeed]

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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100 Series hasp and staple with concealed hinge pin and concealed screw heads, corrosion protected.
Only the carded versions include fixings.
100/80 and 100/100 have hardened steel staples.
Where to use it: Designed for doors closing flush, i.e. door leaf and door frame are level DG versions: with double joint designed for doors not closing flush, i.e. door leaf and door frame are not level, and corner solutions.
Availability: In stock
© 2019 Wonkee Donkee Tools
Developed by GloverSure Ltd.


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"We call it capital punishment, rather than what it is. State killing. Legal homicide."
Day VI of the tour took the Mystery Machine (that would be our rented mini van with the bad windshield wiper, which is never a good thing when traveling through western PA at this time of year) to Pittsburgh. We absorbed a full day in my college town (Pitt, 1995) with a press conference, a visit to a local Catholic high school, and an event with the Pitt chapter of the ACLU.
Day VI was capped by the annual meeting of the Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of ACLU-PA. More than 150 civil libertarians came out to hear Harold's story and to hear keynote speaker Mike Farrell, actor and activist and president of Death Penalty Focus, California's abolition group. Mike told us:
I am not a person who hates. But I have come to hate the death system. I hate what it is. I hate what it does. I hate the way it corrupts those who touch it...
We call it capital punishment rather than what it is. State killing. Legal homicide...
By supporting state killing, we are stooping to the level of the least among us at their worst moments.
Mike connected America's continued use of the death penalty with torture at Guantanamo Bay and Abu Ghraib and noted the death penalty's "ruinous impact on our standards as a society," calling America's use of torture "the poisonous legacy of mindless authoritarians."
As he closed, Mike gave us our charge:
We have work to do, ladies and gentlemen. It is good work. It is necessary work. Some say it is holy work. I believe it is all of those things.
Andy in Harrisburg
Labels: death penalty, Harold Wilson, Mike Farrell, Voices of Hope Agents of Change


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MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) -- Authorities say a central Ohio woman has died from injuries suffered in a house fire earlier this month.
Thirty-eight-year-old Jennifer Fuller died on Monday at a Columbus hospital. She was injured in a house fire in Marysville, northwest of Columbus, on Jan. 17.
The Columbus Dispatch (http://bit.ly/1b7jTIG ) reports that Fuller called 911 that day to report her two-story home was burning. Arriving firefighters found her unconscious. The home was destroyed.
Investigators are still trying to figure out how the fire started, but they've ruled out accidental causes.
An autopsy expected this week will determine Fuller's cause of death.
Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com


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Review and Giveaway: Fancy Fortune Cookies
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
First of all - let me say OH MY GOSH!
Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies!!!!
Have you ever SEEN a fortune cookie so BIG in real life?!
FancyFortuneCookies.com offers a wide variety of fancy fortune cookies. From chocolate covered to blueberry, they have it all!
These fortune cookies make great wedding favors, corporate gifts, as well as anniversary favors!
Why Should You Choose Fancy Fortune Cookies?
The Fortune Cookies are baked fresh in THEIR bakery, Fancy Fortune Cookies are members of the Better Business Bureau, and you can get the sayings inside the cookies Personalized!
Need more reasons?! Fancy Fortune Cookies has been in business for 20 years and they are a family company! This means they can take their daughter (pictured above with the owners) to work with them! Oh... I'm jealous!
Check out their Bestsellers:
Chocoholic's Delight
Original Vanilla Flavor
Old Fashioned Bubblegum
Very Berry Raspberry™
Cool Cappuccino™
Luscious Lemon™
And more!!!
Our thoughts:
(YES! I shared with the kids!)
Fancy Fortune Cookies sent us an assortment of the cookies to try:
Chocolate Covered
My favorites were the Chocolate Covered (of course!) and the Blueberry! I'm a sucker for anything chocolate and blueberry comes in close second!
These were so good and the sayings inside truly amused us!
Win it!
FancyFortuneCookies.com has graciously donated a $75 Gift Certificate for one lucky winner!
Required entry:
Go to FancyFortuneCookies.com and tell me which kind you would most love to try!
Then, come back here and fill out the form to enter. (Extra entries are available and are outlined in the form.)
*You will also get THREE extra entries if you complete my Demographics Survey*
This giveaway is open US and Canada and it will end on 7/22/09 at midnight EST. I will announce the winner in a blog post here at A Simple Kinda Life on the 23rd. The winner will also be emailed.
The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email or I will have to choose another winner.
Thanks for entering and Good luck!


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We'll Bring the World His Truth
Music for Choirs, Submitted Music
1. We have been born, as Nephi of old,
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.
2. We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
"Let each who's worthy go forth and share."
3. We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord's missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
Text: Janice Kapp Perry
Music: Janice Kapp Perry
Arranged By: Rachel M. Goates


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Sure, it's fairly cheap and easy to make yourself a Portal-themed mirror with some paint and a quick trip to IKEA. But what really makes a portal fun isn't just its blue or orange halo but rather, that trippy infinity effect.
For that, you need two mirrors. And some LEDs. Or if you're not particularly good with putting things together, you just need this Etsy seller to do it for you.
The downside is, they're not nearly as effective in the broad daylight. But at night, or in a darkened room? Not going to lie: it's kind of tempting to try to leap through them.
Portal Mirrors [Etsy]


text:
Possible Duplicate:
"There are so many" vs. "There is so many"
I was talking with a friend recently, and to entice him to come to an event with cookies.
Which way is correct?
"There's cookies" versus "There are cookies"? The former is the equivalent of saying "There is cookies", which is not correct, but I am under the impression the way I said it is still grammatically valid.
Is it okay to say "There's cookies"?


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NSF Grant to Support University-Business Partnership
Nano-porous silicon membranes developed at the University of Rochester's Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences will soon be used to manufacture portable devices that can analyze DNA in remote settings.
A $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation will fund a partnership among Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering James McGrath, SiMPore, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Integrated Nanotechnologies (INT) to fabricate the devices.
A key component will be filters made of the super-thin silicon membranes. The filters being used today are sponge-like and about 1,000 times thicker than the nanomembranes.
"The thicker the membrane, the less efficiently they work as a filter," said McGrath, who helped invent the super-thin membranes. "Our membranes are one-molecule thick with tiny holes capable of quickly separating particles close in size."
The super-thin filters are manufactured by SiMPore, a University-based start-up company founded by McGrath and colleagues. McGrath's team is working to integrate the filters into INT's components to create the highly portable, chip-based devices.
At present, pathogen-testing is done by machines that are about the size of an office printer, but the collaborators hope to create microchip-sized versions of the device as part of the grant effort. Such a tiny device could be inexpensive and taken into the field for military use and for third world medicine.
McGrath sees the University/industry grant as part of a growing trend. "The National Science Foundation and other federal funding groups want to support public-private partnerships that can energize the economy and create jobs," he said.
Integrated Nano-Technologies is a high-tech firm in the Rochester area that develops systems for detecting and identifying small quantities of biological materials.


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President Obama's National Broadband Plan, four years old this month, set out a far-reaching strategy for expanding Internet access in the U.S. to improve jobs and public safety and make it easier for average citizens to access information on everything from personal health care records to home energy use.
One thing the voluminous plan didn't include was an effort to protect data privacy, a topic now top of mind for policymakers in Washington after the Edward Snowden revelations about surveillance of phone records by the National Security Agency.
"A big thing we were not able to do [in the Broadband Plan] was about data security and privacy," said Blair Levin, one of the strategists and authors of the Broadband Plan. Levin oversaw its development when he was on the staff at the Federal Communications Commission and is now a fellow at the Aspen Institute, a policy studies group in Washington.
"The whole area of personal privacy is huge," Levin said. "If the plan were redone, it would focus a lot more on that. Even Singapore is way ahead of us on a lot of that."
While data privacy was discussed in the 2010 plan, it deserved its own separate chapter, Levin said in an interview after joining a panel discussion on Wednesday that included other authors of the plan. The event was held at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) in Washington.
But big technology changes don't come overnight, Levin said, and he quoted a passage in the plan that said, "this plan is in beta and always will be."
Levin also said he believes the Broadband Plan should be updated, probably in advance of the next presidential election in 2016, so that whomever is elected can install a transition team to consider the updated plan's contents.
Other panelists involved in the effort while at the FCC noted the plan's role in boosting broadband connections to homes and how it has affected Internet use in homes, schools and industry, including the efficiency of the nation's massive electric grid.
Home broadband connections have increased from 65% in 2009 to 72% recently, according to John Horrigan, one of the plan's authors who now is an independent technology policy consultant. When smartphones are added to the number of broadband-connected homes, about 80% of homes have what he called an advanced broadband connection.
Rather than focus on the increase in broadband connections, Horrigan said, "the lesson there is that we have a lot to do with the expansion of non-broadband users." Many homeowners say that banks and insurance companies, among other businesses, are counting on customers to conduct business with them via the Internet, which implies that businesses should be willing to help pay for broadband expansion as government incentives dry up, he said.
"We have between 25% to 30% of the country not online with broadband at home," Horrigan said. "When banks and insurance companies expect people to have broadband at home when they are delivering services, they need to understand that the true last mile is making sure everybody is online. These institutions need to be part of the equation for funding broadband."
The National Broadband Plan of 2010 recommended a universal broadband connection goal of at least 4Mbps for downloads and 1Mbps for uploads for all homes, libraries, schools and businesses -- speeds that now seem slow. The plan also called for 100Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps upload speeds for 100 million U.S. homes.
Several on the panel said reaching broadband speeds of 20Mbps or faster for downloads should be less important to policymakers at the FCC and elsewhere than connecting more homes, schools and businesses to the 4Mbps speed.
"Speed is tremendously important, but only one part of what's needed," said Nick Sinai, who authored a portion of the original plan and now is Deputy Chief Technology Officer for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. "The average school has about the same speed as a home, but 200 times as many users, and few teachers feel it meets their instructional needs. So it's more than speed; reliability and resiliency and interoperability are important as raw speeds."
Sinai's comment brought a question from the audience about why medical records of U.S. military veterans can't be shared online with the Veterans Administration. Members of the panel said the problem of moving veterans' records through the online system is less about technology than about policy.
Sinai said the Obama Administration is "working hard" at making the connection happen seamlessly, but added, "frankly, we need to do a better job."
Chapter 12 of the Broadband Plan, written by Sinai, discussed ways to improve the nation's smart electric grid. With 3,000 different electric utilities in the U.S., there are various legacy infrastructures and different ways to generate and deliver power. "No one size first all, so IP networking for public and private utilities is tremendously important," Sinai said.
In 2010, there were 10 million smart electric meters in use in the U.S.; that number now has risen to 50 million, and should exceed 65 million in two years, helping improve electric utility efficiency, Sinai said.
The Broadband Plan also called for customers to get access to their own energy usage data, and "Obama partnered with electric utilities to allow 100 million American access to their own electric utility usage data," Sinai said. Having the data online has helped homeowners do online energy audits through private-sector management services.
"Software is taking over a very manual process," he said, referring to the paper records that previously were used.
In healthcare, Sinai said that 150 million Americans now get access to some form of their health records. Also, Internal Revenue Service tax record data is now going online for easy access.
"We're not at the point where we can centralize [all data], but we are working across agencies for Americans to get access to their own information in...easy-to-read formats," Sinai said.
When Sinai concluded his remarks on the theme of centralizing data for all Americans, panel moderator Robert Atkinson quipped, "Our centralization is the NSA -- I couldn't help myself." There was laughter in the room.
Atkinson is the president of the ITIF.
Matt Hamblen covers mobile and wireless, smartphones and other handhelds, and wireless networking for Computerworld. Follow Matt on Twitter at @matthamblen or subscribe to Matt's RSS feed. His email address is firstname.lastname@example.com.
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