Stocks, 3D Maps, & Elections

Stocks
So I've finally found a brokerage with decent fees and no minimum purchase. I'll share which one after I can get credit for recommending someone. I'd get $50 if you signed up, but I have to wait 30 days before I can recommend anyone. I will, however, share my stock picks. I can't yet purchase because my ACH is still processing. Two companies that are relatively new and cheap to buy (penny stocks, folks) but I really like the companies' ideas.

One is APWL - Advanced Power Line. They are building high-speed internet connections through the electrical lines. It's still a work in progress, but I see that taking off -- high speed internet anywhere there are power lines in your home/office/etc. If that could be combined with a Vonage-type connection (Vonage has a portable VOIP telephone service that will follow you wherever you plug into high speed interent) to do charges, the portability would be nice. Some might argue that wireless is the way of the future, but lots of people still get DSL and cable internet. This would replace those types of connections.

The other stock pick is ITPD. ITPD is a company that is investing in medical-care facilities in Wal-Marts. The goal is to have a low-cost clinic in every Wal-Mart. Each facility would be staffed by nurses and groups of clinics would be managed by a doctor. Only two clinics have been opened so far.

Disclaimer: These are companies that I will be investing in... I make no guarantees on how they will do. Investing involves risk and should be a carefully managed part of your portfolio. I do not advocate "day-trading" or other get-rich-quick schemes.

3D Maps
We've all come to know and love Google Earth and the satellite images of Earth (and yes, they have Google Mars, too). Microsoft, not wanting to be left behind, also started its version with "bird's eye views" that had a closer image for certain cities. But it has now announced its three dimensional views of a few cities. It will be adding more in the future. It appears to be a composite of its earlier views, but combined it with a three dimensional frame and wrapped the photos onto the frame. I can't get any good views yet, but I think that's due to my current connection.

Will someone try and check it out for me? Thanks.

Elections Tomorrow
The 2006 Mid-Term Elections are tomorrow. I am not voting this year (yes, shame on me) because I failed to register in time -- the elections snuck up on me. It will be interesting to watch the results -- not the returns (the tally of who won) but how the country changes and in which direction it goes. These next two years are really pivotal for us.

As a side note, I prefer a divided government (control of Congress by one party and the presidency by the other). I think that best preserves the interests of our country. Only when the two sides work together is anything done and the excesses are limited (but not eliminated).

Until next time...