We're Pirates, Ape!

Once in a while we hear about Armenians and their involvement in shady endeavors, no doubt obvious propaganda by the Turkish government. Surely we are incapable of fraud, crime, and dishonesty in general! Other times, we realize it's all too true.

[Software] Piracy was most prevalent in Armenia, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan, where more than 90 percent of PCs had unlicensed software.

Software piracy not only hurts software developers, it also harms local resellers, reduces government tax revenues and increases the risk of computer security problems and crime...

Weighed against the fact that it's free? I think this is one time we are agreed with our evil neighbors to the East.

Source: Orlando Business Journal

A Novell Armenian

This one is for the business and IT people amongst you!

Meet Ronald Hovsepian. Ronald is the current CEO of network software corporation Novell and has held management and executive positions in IBM for 17 years before that.

As you can tell from the image, he made $5,400,000 in 2007, placing him among the top earners in his field. That's more than $20,000 a day for every working day in a year. How's that for inspiration?

Here's some more information on WikiPedia

DIY: Build Your Own Sputnik

If the relevance of this post doesn't blow your mind then its content surely will.

In 1957 the Sputnik 1 satellite was seen as a technological marvel, the result of many years work by some of the Soviet Union's most talented engineers and scientists. But by today's standards, was it really such a big deal? In 2007, how hard would it be to build a fully working Sputnik in the comfort of your own living room?

Armenia spent the greater part of the last century as a part of the mighty Soviet Union, so it's only fitting to pay tribute to Sputnik. I'm certain that many nameless Armenians worked tirelessly to make it a success, so this one's for them!

Here's how to build your own Sputnik

The Top Secret Armenian Google!

This is not a joke! It turns out Google has a version for just about every language and country, including Armenia. See it for yourself: google.am.

"Google Hayastan" is the official name. Neat, eh?

Smart People Earn Very Little

Who do you think earns the least amount of money in Armenia? Street cleaners? Garbage collectors? You'd be surprised:

The lowest wage earners in Armenia are physicists, mathematicians, educators and critics.

...in recent years there has been an increase in jobs, but the role of employment agencies remains small. Jobs are still acquired mainly through friends and acquaintances.

On a personal note, I know quite a few people through people through people in Armenia who are sitting at home with college degrees unable to fill jobs, as there are none.

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Dr. Kevorkian Released from Prison

I realize I'm posting this about 3 weeks too late, but it's news to me!

...he will live with friends and resume the artistic and musical hobbies he missed while in prison. His lawyer and friends have said he plans to live on a small pension and Social Security while doing some writing and make some speeches...

...and euthanize some more people!

Source: The Seattle Times

The Armenian Viper Snake

The Armenian Viper is a venomous snake and is found in Armenia, Turkey, Iran, and Azerbaijan. Here's some more information:

Armenian vipers are rather short, stout venomous snakes with a total length of 60-80 cm, which includes a short tail. Their head is broad and flat, and covered with small scales, except for the large scales above the eyes.

Did you also know that in 2002 the Armenian Viper was honored on Armenian stamps?

You can learn more about the Armenian Viper by clicking on the link below.

Source: Waza

Help Save Teghut's Forest From Mining

It's not often that I ask readers to do something for the greater good, especially since a very small percentage of people would even consider spending a minute or two to help save a forest in their homeland. However, I urge you to do just that.

Armenian Copper Program (ACP), with approval from Armenia’s Ministry of Nature Protection, plans to clear-cut over 1,500 acres of Teghut's forest in order to establish an open pit strip mining operation for copper and molybdenum ore.

In addition, ACP plans to create a "tailing dump" in a nearby pristine gorge, where heavy metals and other toxins from mining waste will leach into the ground and into the river flowing through the gorge, ultimately contaminating the local water supply.

I don't think any of you want to see a forest cut down and the environment polluted. Even if you don't care about the animals, trees, and so on, you almost certainly care about the people there who would have a higher risk of disease, birth defects, and so on.

And if you think your voice won't matter, you're wrong: over two years ago, Armenia Tree Project and many other NGOS and international organizations came together to save the Shikahogh Nature Reserve from sure destruction! If it was done before, it can be done again.

I'm starting to sound like a PBS Pledge Drive, so I'll just give you the link: Save Teghut's Forest

Armenia's First 3D Game: Yerevan Drive!

How would you like the chance to drive around on the streets of Yerevan? No joke! The game is called Yerevan Drive - produced by Emergency Soft - and you get to drive and crash around Yerevan. Choose a Niva, 08, CL600, and many other cars and tear up the streets! You see modern and Soviet-era cars driving past you. Don't like them? Crash into them!

The game engine was built from scratch and that in itself is worthy of respect. While it will be a lie to say that this game is on par with American racing games, which have budgets of millions of dollars, it is a great first step and fun, too!

While the game has been out for two or so years, it was completely new to me. Check it out at the links below:

Yerevan Drive Official Site
Download Demo

Russia to Finance New Nuclear Plant

In line with Armenia's ridiculous line of thinking, it seems a major crisis has been averted. Or potentially created.

Russia is ready to fully finance construction of a new Nuclear Power Plant in Armenia.

Russia will be a joint owner of the new Armenian NPP....

...Russia is ready to send specialists for the works to be carried out. The Armenian authorities are planning to build a new NPP, since the republic has no other alternative after the closing of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant.

Long term. Why can't they think long term?

Source: PanArmenian

Armenia & Russia to Seek Uranium

Yes, in Armenia.

...the two sides will set up a joint venture that will explore areas in the southeastern Syunik region which Armenian and Russian geologists believe are rich in uranium. He was confident that they will discover commercially viable reserves of the radioactive metal used in nuclear power generation.

"Armenia will be able to meet its needs and sell [uranium] to others..."

As long as the environmental impact is well understood and managed, the latter being highly unlikely, exporting Uranium can be lucrative for Armenia. Global prices for a pound - that's 450 grams - of Uranium are currently hovering around $75 and a further escalation towards or even past $100/pound is expected.

Source: ArmeniaLiberty

Mer Bak, The Game

Just when I thought the Mer Bak trilogy couldn't get any worse, there comes this. Mind you, I liked the first one and the second one was okay, but that's about it!

In the first Level Hrant should help Dоdо to solve his flat problem where inhabitants of courtyard help him. In the second Level Hrant intends to marry with Ira, trying to win her heart. In the final Level are deciding internal problems which will be solved again by Hrant.

This is most likely the first movie, product placement, and video game tie-in that Armenia has ever seen.

Do you have $10 that you absolutely don't know what to do with? Spend it on a movie ticket and popcorn, because this game seems awful. I hear good things about Hot Fuzz.

Source: Mer Bake, The Game

United States Upgrades Armenia's Nuclear Power Plant

Just another act of unconditional generosity from the purveyors of Democracy and great adult films!

...this new system, developed with $3.5 million in technical and financial support from the U.S. Department of Energy, includes upgraded physical access infrastructure, badges and video monitoring.

Strong nuclear security is particularly important given the current threat environment and the risk that terrorists and others will try to use nuclear material against innocents.

Oh, and because the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant is rapidly reaching the end of its operational lifespan, Armenia is planning a second nuclear plant. Of course, there are many alternatives and the country benefits from its size - or lack thereof - to utilize these untapped sources of energy, but it would rather continue on a path of nuclear power generation than to explore the said alternatives. Rather sad, really.

Here's a brief history of the Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant that has been covered before.

Source: PanArmenian

Free Armenian Fonts!

Ever wanted to type in Armenian? For the 15% of you who can actually read and write in your native language, here are two places where you can download fonts!

You can get them here and here. If you know other good sites with fonts, let me know and I'll add them here.

Armenia & Iran to Connect via Fiber Optics

Fiber optics are tiny, flexible strands of glass or plastic that can carry massive amounts of information in the form of light. Think superfast internet connections, for example.

"A company called "Fiber-Net" has recently been established in Armenia and commissioned to take advantage of the Iranian fiber-optic network, of which Iran’s entire neighbors, save for Pakistan are now benefited.

"Those benefits particularly included getting connected to the fiber-optic networks of Iran’s southern neighbors on the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, that are connected to the international fiber-optic network."

...these networks are able of transforming voice and data inputs...

Now frustrated Armenian teens - and older folks, as well - can have access to quality, erm, artistic material online.

Source: TaliyaNews

Armenia to Invade Silicon Valley

I love that Armenians are working hard to spread their ingenuity to all corners of the globe.

The forum is scheduled to include 1,950 Armenian companies, from Armenia and elsewhere. The main theme: automation and management, semiconductors and nanotechnology, business software, internet and digital communications, military, aerospace and transportation systems, automated systems design.

Armenia can also take business hints from Israel: build weapons, sell them to everyone, get filthy rich. Won't be easy, but think about it.

Oh, and if you're wondering: the above picture is that of Max Zorin, the evil villain who attempted to destroy silicon valley! Thankfully, James Bond was there to save the day. Thanks, James.

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Science is 0.29% of Armenian GDP

Before we go any further, I'd like to dedicate this sentence to that man's academic-looking outfit; reminds me of the Renaissance! But seriously, we've covered the topic of scientific reform in Armenia previously.

It should be noted that the wages of scientists is aimed to increase from AMD 28,000/$79 to AMD 44,000/$123. In 2007, Armenia plans to invest AMD 5.5 Billion/$15.5 million, compared with AMD 5.1 billion/$12.3 million.

These days, young people choose business and other careers over science and part of that certainly has to do with economic possibilities. With this changes and many other ones to come, I am hopeful that Armenia will once again rise to its rightful place among scientifically significant countries.

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Armenicum AIDS Drug Marches Forward

Rememebr Armenicum? There are so many rumors about it that it's hard to know where the truth begins. Basically, it is a supposedly-successful anti-HIV/AIDS treatment that was created in Armenia. You can learn more about it on Armenicum's Web Site.

Armenicum has now been registered in Ukraine and Russia and is pending registration in China.

Recently, Iranian scientists claimed that it was an effective cure against AIDS.

Six years ago, the BBC did an investigative piece on the drug and found that it made things worse, instead. Then again, that was apparently before proper trials were conducted in Armenia.

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Archeology in Armenia Yields Discoveries!

This is superb! While people are worrying about the elections, the neighbors, the censorship, etc., archaeologists in Armenia are making history-changing discoveries!

As a result of excavations in Aratashen, evidence was discovered of a neolithic settlement dating to 5-4 century BC.

Found materials make it possible to make certain adjustments to the historical data on the trends of development, not only of Armenia but other nearby regions, as well.

According to the budget of RA 2007, the Institute allocated 190 million drams, which is about $521,000.

I would love to dig in Armenia. Who knows what you'd find? It would be tremendously great for the public to be made more aware of such findings and other discoveries within Armenia. What better way to inspire the young and further our culture?

Source: Yerevan.ru (translated)

Armenian Hackers Deface Azeri Public TV Website

That's the claim, anyway:

A statement presented as an announcement of the secret services of Armenia was placed on the online site of the Azerbaijan Public TV last weekend. The statement contained threat of physical destruction of the Azerbaijan hacker cracking the Armenian sites, saying "it was the last warning."

The so-called war of hackers between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not a new phenomenon and has been proceeding for 10 years with variable success and is accompanied by campaigns in the mass media of two countries.

So these people - on both sides - have so much time on their hands that they spend their time playing a very complicated form of tag? Imagine if they spent that time on more important pursuits, such as blogging!

Source: Today.az