On est pas les seuls jambons

informationweek.com: Social Security Data Center Approaching Collapse

Via: slashdot.org: Social Security Information Systems Near Collapse

J’aurais pu ecrire qu’on etait aussi jambon que les autres, mais il me semble que notre perception est qu’au Quebec et/ou Canada, les couts de developpements informatiques sont astronomiques, pour ne pas dire ridicules/insenses/criminels/demoralisants/etc.

Mais on peut se consoler en regardant ailleurs, a defaut de se prendre en main et de regler les problemes! Bonne nouvelle, non? 😉

One of the biggest problems is the agency’s transition to a new data center, according to the report. The IG has characterized the replacement of the SSA’s National Computer Center (NCC) — built in 1979 — as the SSA’s “primary IT investment” in the next few years.

The agency has received more than $500 million so far to replace the outdated center, which is now so severely strained by an expanded workload over its time of operation that it may not be able to function by 2012, according to the report.

Mais bon, avec notre registre des armes a feu de 2G$, et le fait qu’on est 10 fois moins, ils ont encore des croutes a manger ces americains pour nous battre!

P.S. Mon estimation est que mon ordi a la maison pourrait gerer le registre des armes a feu sans probleme, mais aller dire ca aux compagnies qui ont empoche les 2G$….

A New Year’s Resolution for the Rich

The Huffington Post: Sam Harris: A New Year’s Resolution for the Rich

Une excellente lecture suggeree par Mr. Tibirna: Numbers and common sense.

Un fait interessant que j’ignorais:

It is worth noting, however, that throughout the 1950’s–a decade for which American conservatives pretend to feel a harrowing sense of nostalgia–the marginal tax rate for the wealthy was over 90 percent. In fact, prior to the 1980’s it never dipped below 70 percent. Since 1982, however, it has come down by half.

Mortgage Rate History: Fixed Rates vs. Variable Rates Mortgages

Via: Mortgage Rate History: Canadian Prime Rate | Fixed Rate Mortgage | Variable Rate Mortgages

Notable Canadian Interest Rate Observations for the Last 10 Years

Average Prime Rate in Canada: 4.52%
Highest Prime Rate observed: 7.5% on Wednesday, December 13th 2000.
Lowest Prime Rate observed: 2.25% on Wednesday, April 22nd 2009.

Average 1-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate in Canada: 5.36%
Highest 1-Year Rate observed: 7.7% on Wednesday, December 13th 2000.
Lowest 1-Year Rate observed: 3.20% on Wednesday, October 20th 2010.

Average 3-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate in Canada: 5.98%
Highest 3-Year Rate observed: 7.8% on Wednesday, December 13th 2000.
Lowest 3-Year Rate observed: 4.00% on Wednesday, October 20th 2010.

Average 5-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate in Canada: 6.53%
Highest 5-Year Rate observed: 7.95% on Wednesday, December 13th 2000.
Lowest 5-Year Rate observed: 5.19% on Wednesday, November 17th 2010.

Toujours interessant d’avoir des chiffres pour confirmer ce que l’on sait deja. Ca permet de convaincre plus facilement ceux qui sont septiques. Bien que ce ne soit que pour une periode limitee a 2000-2010, et bien qu’il est parfois necessaire de se prevenir de hausses brutales a court terme, il est en general preferable d’avoir un taux variable pour son hypotheque.

Fed-up family returns to foreclosed home

Via: zerohedge.com:
Meet Danielle And Jim Plus 9 Part 2 – This Time Squatting On The Ratigan Show

Imaginez payer une grosse somme d’argent a votre banque pour finalement voir le capital augmenter sur le releve de votre hypotheque le mois suivant….?!?!?! Je ne sais pas si le probleme est generalise. Mais une chose est certaine, ca ne va pas bien dans l’immobilier aux States, et les revelations faites dans le video (vraies ou fausses) laissent notre imagination extrapoler un peu trop facilement. 😉

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Further Evidence Of Quote Stuffing Manipulation By HFT

zerohedge.com: “It’s Not A Market, It’s An HFT ‘Crop Circle’ Crime Scene” – Further Evidence Of Quote Stuffing Manipulation By HFT

Well take a look at the millions in fake, and thus illegal, bids demonstrated below and tell us just how any of this manipulation is “providing liquidity” – the second the patterns break, the algos responsible for the churn pattern disappear, thus eliminating numerous levels of so called bid liquidity below the NBBO: break enough patterns and you have another flash crash as the market once again goes bidless.

Allez voir les algos a l’action. Pas mal les petits graphes. En voici un exemple:

07-29-10
BATS “Flag Repeater”. 15,000 quotes in 11 seconds, dropping the ASK price 1 penny each quote from $9.36 to $8.58 and back up again.

On est quand meme un peu loin du principe d’acheter des parts d’une compagnie pour en devenir actionnaire 😉

Wal-Mart Gets Retail Banking Approval in Canada

The Male Storm: Wal-Mart Gets Retail Banking Approval in Canada

This week Wal-Mart received final approval to offer retail banking services in Canada. Their official launch is on June 15, and they’ve been tight lipped about it so far. I’m hoping that we will see something like the convenient online access provided by Ally along with savings rates to match. Maybe this will finally light a fire under the likes of ING Direct and PC Financial whose rates have been very sadly lacking of late.

Une autre chose a surveiller sera de savoir si ca sera disponible pour les residents du Quebec. Plusieurs banques ne sont pas enregistrees au Quebec a cause des regles differentes imposees par l’AMF.

Via: canadiancapitalist.com: This and That: Don’t Buy Stuff You Can’t Afford and more…

Why fund managers are embracing ETFs

globeadvisor.com: Why fund managers are embracing ETFs

Morningstar Canada’s direct ownership data reveal that the number of Canadian ETFs held by mutual funds has been growing recently, analyst Esko Mickels said. “By far the most popular Canadian ETF among mutual funds is iShares S&P/TSX 60 ETF.”

Autrement dit, chargeons des frais demesures sur des produits de competiteurs avec des frais minimes. Cut the middle man!!! >:-)