Month: January 2012

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Facebook IPO – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Far be it from us to comment on the true value of Facebook – it being one of those baffling interweb phenomena that doesn’t actually output any kind of tangible product and will almost certainly be considerably less significant in 5-10 years’ time –  but as its much-anticipated IPO draws near, it seemed an opportune moment to reflect on the big numbers attached to a company that has the world’s investors frothing at the mouth for a piece of the action. Our mild cynicism and detached bemusement aside, a company the size of Facebook apparently having a debt of “Zero” … Continue reading Facebook IPO – an annotated graphic

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Costa Concordia lifeboats – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

As a final reflection on the Costa Concordia disaster, we thought we’d share this graphic about the kind of maritime escape craft to which pleasure-cruising seafarers may unfortunately find themselves obliged to resort. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Costa Concordia lifeboats – an annotated graphic

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Apple posts record sales – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Apple does well selling iPhones an’ that shocker! Looks like the world and his wife still craves a new iPhone, as Apple’s quarter profits from October-December went through the iRoof. E&T has a full facts and figures news story about Apple’s success. In the meantime, here’s a neat graphical digest of the headline stats. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Apple posts record sales – an annotated graphic

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Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #4

E&T magazine

As recovery and investigation continues aboard and surrounding the stricken Costa Concordia cruise ship, we look today at the approach taken by the salvage operation. Dutch salvage experts SMIT plans to use “hot tapping” technology to remove close to 2,500 tonnes of heavy fuel oil from the vessel, along with other oils and lubricants on board. This graphic describes the process. You may also like to read E&T’s news story on a review of cruise line safety, prompted by the Costa Concordia disaster. Click on the graphic for an expanded view.   Continue reading Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #4

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Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #3

E&T magazine

In the wake (no pun intended) of the Costa Concordia sinking, it has transpired that cruise operator Costa Cruises has had something of a chequered history, its corporate safety record leaving something to be desired. Safety, mostly. You may also like to read E&T’s news story on a review of cruise line safety, prompted by the Costa Concordia disaster. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #3

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Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #2

E&T magazine

In the wake of the Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster, the usual questions, facts and reported hearsay have emerged. Apparently, the captain was navigating by eye, not by the ship’s instruments, and was sailing close to the island as a salute to a former colleague. Most importantly, of course, a number of passengers died as a result of the vessel capsizing. This graphic details the timeline from the Concordia departing port to it striking the island of Giglio and capsizing. Total elapsed time: three hours. You may also like to read E&T’s news story on a review of cruise line … Continue reading Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic #2

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Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

The Costa Concordia is the largest vessel of its kind to sink, considerably larger than that most famous of sunken ships, the Titanic. This graphic illustrates quite how large it is, with a nifty comparison to the Statue of Liberty. Now, your correspondent has seen the Statue of Liberty up close and I can tell you that she’s no diminutive icon: she a big lady. The Costa Concordia must have been a whopper. Personally, the concept of cruise ships has never appealed to me much and with this unfortunate business of running aground and capsizing uppermost in our minds at … Continue reading Costa Concordia cruise ship – an annotated graphic

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New BMW 3 Series at the Detroit Motor Show – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

Good news for Beamer fans: the all new sixth-generation version of BMW’s 3 Series was announced at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this week. Having sold 12 million of the things since it was introduced in 1975, and accounting for a third of global sales, BMW are naturally keen to continue this trend with the new model. It will feature technology currently only available in the 5 and 7 series cars. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading New BMW 3 Series at the Detroit Motor Show – an annotated graphic

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Professor Stephen Hawking at 70 – an annotated graphic

E&T magazine

In honour of Professor Stephen Hawking’s 70th birthday, we thought we’d share this graphic detailing the major events in his life – a brief history of Stephen Hawking, if you will. You might also like to read this E&T news story, about how Hawking may lose his iconic computerised voice, due to his worsening medical condition. Click on the graphic for an expanded view. Continue reading Professor Stephen Hawking at 70 – an annotated graphic