Ubuntu Goes Enterprise

Ubuntu is well known in user circles as the cool kids' Linux. It's available preinstalled on PCs and laptops from Dell Inc. and from numerous smaller computer vendors. What Ubuntu hasn't been known as is a Linux distribution that matters to CIOs and IT managers. Things are changing.

Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu's parent company, is finally taking serious action on its long-announced plans to become a serious enterprise Linux player. The Isle of Man-based Linux distributor isn't just targeting data center servers, although that's on its list.

First, Canonical, along with Red Hat Inc. and IBM, announced earlier this month at LinuxWorld that by 2009, they'll offer a preloaded software stack of IBM's OCCS (Open Collaboration Client Solution) to server and desktop manufacturers. With this, enterprise customers can get Lotus Notes, Lotus Symphony and Lotus Sametime, as well as the distributor's Linux. The plan is for value-added resellers and systems integrators to brand the complete package under their own names.

"The slow adoption of Vista among businesses and budget-conscious CIOs, coupled with the proven success of a new type of Microsoft-free PC in every region, provides an extraordinary window of opportunity for Linux," said Kevin Cavanaugh, IBM Lotus Software's vice president. Ubuntu, which may well be the most popular desktop Linux, plans to use this general trend to boost not only its desktop sales but to push into the data center.

Malcolm Yates, Canonical's independent software vendor alliance manager, said in an interview, "A lot of our customers like the Ubuntu desktop and use it for software development. Now, they want to roll it out to the server. We want to make sure that, when they roll out Ubuntu on the server, they find it equally joyous."

By this, Yates explained, "we want to make it as easy to install software on the Ubuntu server as it is to install the Ubuntu desktop. For example, we're getting ready to release DB2 and Informix database management systems that come as DEB packages, which will install and do basic set-up with only a couple of clicks or a single command line instruction."

In addition to databases and the IBM OCCS stack, said Yates, Canonical has partnered with Alfresco Software Inc., an open-source content management system and maker of a Microsoft SharePoint replacement. The beta Alfresco Labs 3, its SharePoint server replacement, is available for download from the Ubuntu Partner repository. "When Alfresco releases Alfresco Enterprise Release 3 later this year, we will make the entire enterprise solution available through the Canonical Store," Yates said.

Canonical will also offer Yahoo Inc.'s Zimbra Desktop Client to the Ubuntu repository this week, Yates said. Then, "When it is released in a few weeks, we will be offering the Zimbra Collaboration Suite 5.5 later this year, which will be a big boon for our corporate users."

Last, but not least, Canonical will also be offering Unison. Unison is a combination desktop and server package that provides a combination of telephone system, e-mail and instant messaging. It's designed to replace small-to-midsized business and department server private branch exchanges as well as Microsoft Exchange. On the desktop side, Unison will run on both Linux and Windows.

Bottom line: Canonical is focusing its attention on delivering not just the traditional Linux edge server, but business software stacks ready to drop into small and midsize businesses and enterprises.

With Novell Inc. and Red Hat Inc. already in the picture, can Canonical and Ubuntu pull this plan off? Jay Lyman, open-source analyst at The 451 Group, thinks it can.

"We see Ubuntu part of a larger trend toward fragmentation of the Linux marke," Lyman said. "Linux itself isn't fragmenting, but we see other companies besides Red Hat and Novell moving up. With Canonical being so hot on the desktop, and pushing hard on the server, we think the desktop will work in their favor."

Still, Lyman continued, "Ubuntu needs a big [reseller] deal to move ahead." Lyman can see that happening before the end of the year or, he suggested, "perhaps Canonical could jump over servers. I could see a cloud vendor approaching Ubuntu."

One way or the other, though, it's clear that Canonical and Ubuntu aren't just for Linux enthusiasts anymore. They're demanding the attention of CIOs now as well.

Story Copyright CXO Media Inc., 2008. All rights reserved.

Team U.S.A face Australia in quarterfinal action

Beijing, China (Sports Network) - The undefeated U.S. men's basketball team takes the court against Australia Wednesday in the quarterfinals of the 2008 Olympics.

Team USA (5-0) defeated Australia, 87-76, in an exhibition contest on August 5 in Shanghai, China, but the Aussies played that game without center Andrew Bogut.

Australia has appeared in a total of 11 Olympic men's basketball competitions, and has three times finished fourth (1988, 1996 and 2000). The United States is 5-0 in Olympic play against Australia, including an 89-79 victory in 2004. The Americans also picked up victories in 1964 (78-45), 1972 (81-55), 1988 (78-49) and 1996 (101-73).

The United States has clearly been the most dominant team in men's action. It has won its five games by an average of more than 32 points.

On Monday, Team USA earned its largest margin of victory in Olympic play with a 106-57 rout of Dirk Nowitzki and Germany at Wukesong Arena. Dwight Howard poured in 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the victory, while LeBron James netted 18 and Kobe Bryant finished with 13 points.

Howard is fresh off his best performance of the Olympics and will try to carry it over against the Aussies.

"They (Australia) execute very well," said Howard. "They play extremely hard. They're a big, physical team. We really got to not give them a chance to run their sets. We need to play our game and do what we've been doing the whole tournament, which is winning, playing great defense and making teams rush."

Team USA has played very well throughout the Games, but is still trying to improve its all-around game.

"We're playing extremely well right now," said Bryant after the win over Germany. "We feel that we can play much better. We feel like we can improve and that's what we're going to try to do."

Australia (3-2) has won its last three games in the Olympics. After losing to Croatia and Argentina, the Aussies racked up wins against Iran, Russia and Lithuania.

The Australian squad will have its hands full with the talented Americans, and said ball control and defense will be the keys to any chance of an upset.

"We can't play into their hands," said Aussie guard Patrick Mills. "If we look after the ball, they can't use their speed. We are both physical teams so we match there. Our strength will be our defense. We will try to get them out of their comfort zone, deny the lanes, limit our turnovers and force them to take jump shots."

Even though Australia is a heavy underdog, it does have a game plan and is confident.

"There is nothing we have that they do not have -- guards, shooters, depth, defense, athleticism," said Australia coach Brian Goorjian. "To win we need a decent shot at the rim late at the clock. We need to play without turning over our shots. At this point in time no one has -- Spain couldn't do it and Greece could not do it."

In other quarterfinal action, Spain (4-1) will face Croatia (3-2), Lithuania (4-1) will take on host China (2-3) and Argentina (4-1) battles Greece (3-2). The winner of the USA/Australia contest will face the victor between Argentina and Greece in the semis.

The winners of Spain/Croatia and Lithuania/China will match up in the other semifinal contest.

Wednesday's winners will play on Friday. The bronze medal game and gold medal game are set for Sunday.

Source: Canada dot com

Dwight Howard Olympics interview

On the morning of August 18 in the final day of the Olympic basketball preliminary round, Team USA destroyed Germany 106-57. Here's what USA center Dwight Howard said after the game:

Question: Talk about the game.

Dwight Howard: I think tonight’s game was very exciting for me. I talked to Coach K earlier today before the game and he really told me to get myself going and get myself back into how I know how to play basketball. I had a lot of fun tonight … got a chance to meet Michael Phelps and got the swimming goggles right here (pointed to goggles on his head) … they kind of helped me out too.

Question: How are you approaching the medal round?

Dwight Howard: I think every time we play from here on out, like Coach says, it’s going to like a Game 7 in the playoffs. We really got to stay focused, stay humble. You know we came here on a mission and that was to win a gold medal. So every game is very important.

Question: What did you learn about Australia in the exhibition game?

Dwight Howard: They execute very well. They play extremely hard. They’re a big physical team. We really got to not give them a chance to run their sets. We need to play our game and do what we’ve been doing the whole tournament, which is winning, playing great defense and making teams rush.

Question: Was Michael Phelps here tonight?

Dwight Howard: Yes, he was actually in the locker room before I came out. I told him I was going to do the 100 meter medley next year.

Question: Do you think the games have been too easy for you so far?

Dwight Howard: No. Each game we’ve played is tough. Each game we play presents us with a new challenge. The main thing is staying motivated and knowing we want to accomplish one goal which is to win a gold medal. So, each game we learn something new and we try to get better each night.

Question: They went to you right from the beginning. Is that what you and Coach talked about?

Dwight Howard: I just have to get myself going. Running the floor, trying to get deep post position in the paint so I can go right into a shot. Just being a big presence for my team. I think the first three games, I didn’t play as well as I wanted to, but I think I just got to get myself going every night. Coach K talked to me before the game about doing that.



Source: inside hoops

Misunderstood

Three old ladies were sitting side by side in their retirement home
reminiscing.

The first lady recalled shopping at the green grocers and demonstrated
with her hands, the length and thickness of a cucumber she could buy for
a penny.

The second old lady nodded, adding that onions used to be much bigger
and cheaper also, the demonstrated the size of two big onions she could
buy for a penny a piece.

The third old lady remarked, "I can't hear a word you're saying, but I
remember the guy you're talking about."

Howard carries U.S. men's basketball past Germany

BEIJING — After passing back-to-back tests against the elite teams of Europe, the U.S. men’s basketball team probably could have beaten overmatched Germany wearing lederhosen to close the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament 5-0.

Now things get serious as the Americans enter the knockout round with a quarterfinal game against Australia on Wednesday.

Dwight Howard hit nine of 10 shots for his 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and led five Americans in double figures in the 106-57 win over Germany on Monday that was over almost from the time it started.

“Now that we’re through with the first round, it doesn’t really mean anything,” said LeBron James, who kicked in 18 points. “Now it’s ‘one loss and you’re out,’ so the stakes only get higher. These next three games are why we’re here. There’s only one goal for us and that’s the gold medal.”

Team USA won its five first-round games by an average margin of 32.5 points.

Australia will gain confidence from a whopping 31-point win over Group A’s top team, Lithuania, and from having given the U.S. a battle in Shanghai in the last exhibition game before the Olympics.

“It will be tough,” said Aussie center Andrew Bogut of the matchup. “I have not seen them play with such a chip on their shoulders since the Dream Team of ’92, especially with Kobe (Bryant) running the show.

“They have a different mentality. They are trying to kill teams and they are going to try to knock us out with the first punch. We have to stay calm. We feel that if we play the way we can play, play free, we will do all right.

“What do we have to do to beat them? Shoot 100 percent.”

By FRAN BLINEBURY Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

Aug. 19, 2008, 1:10AM

Hamed Hadadi joining Memphis Grizzlies

TEHRAN -- Iranian iconic basketball player Hamed Hadadi on Monday hit out at NBA legal counsel over its recent remarks that he is not allowed to join American teams.

“It has come to our attention that representatives of Hamed Hadadi, an Iranian basketball player, may be contacting NBA teams to discuss the possibility of signing Mr. Hadadi to an NBA player contract. We have been advised that a federal statute prohibits a person or organization in the United States from engaging in business dealings with Iranian nationals.” Yahoo Sports quoted NBA legal counsel as saying on Sunday.



Hadadi said, “I will undoubtedly join Memphis Grizzlies by the end of next week. I met Memphis’ officials yesterday to discuss joining the team.”

According to NBA rules, foreign players have to legally wait for their work permit and it takes time, he added.

“I received many offers from European teams but just playing in the NBA is my dream. Hopefully, I can join Memphis as soon as possible without any problem.” 7-foot-2 Iranian Olympian Hamed Hadadi said.

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Tropic Thunder cracks into No 1 spot after 4 straight weeks by The Dark Knight

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The action comedy "Tropic Thunder" grabbed the top spot at the box office with $25.8 million, knocking the Batman tale "The Dark Knight" into second-place after four weekends on top.

With a $16.4 million weekend, "The Dark Knight" raised its domestic total to $471.1 million to pass "Star Wars" as No. 2 on the all-time charts behind "Titanic" at $600.8 million.

The top 20 movies at U.S. and Canadian theaters Friday through Sunday, followed by distribution studio, gross, number of theater locations, average receipts per location, total gross and number of weeks in release, as compiled Monday by Media By Numbers LLC are:

1. "Tropic Thunder," Paramount, $25,812,796, 3,319 locations, $7,777 average, $36,845,588, one week.

2. "The Dark Knight," Warner Bros., $16,379,293, 3,590 locations, $4,562 average, $471,082,150, five weeks.

3. "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," Warner Bros., $14,611,273, 3,452 locations, $4,233 average, $14,611,273, one week.

4. "Mirrors," Fox, $11,161,074, 2,664 locations, $4,190 average, $11,161,074, one week.

5. "Pineapple Express," Sony, $9,808,295, 3,072 locations, $3,193 average, $62,740,789, two weeks.

6. "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," Universal, $8,205,720, 3,363 locations, $2,440 average, $86,245,775, three weeks.

7. "Mamma Mia!", Universal, $6,096,250, 2,771 locations, $2,200 average, $116,013,715, five weeks.

8. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," Warner Bros., $5,785,250, 2,714 locations, $2,132 average, $32,002,712, two weeks.

9. "Step Brothers," Sony, $4,807,904, 2,648 locations, $1,816 average, $90,695,938, four weeks.

10. "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," MGM, $3,755,575, 692 locations, $5,427 average, $3,755,575, one week.

11. "Journey to the Center of the Earth," Warner Bros., $3,348,341, 1,405 locations, $2,383 average, $88,002,999, six weeks.

12. "Fly Me to the Moon," Summit, $1,900,523, 452 locations, $4,205 average, $1,900,523, one week.

13. "WALL-E," Disney, $1,836,332, 1,403 locations, $1,309 average, $214,129,943, eight weeks.

14. "Hancock," Sony, $1,720,241, 1,277 locations, $1,347 average, $225,022,587, seven weeks.

15. "Swing Vote," Disney, $1,137,385, 1,281 locations, $888 average, $14,687,549, three weeks.

16. "Henry Poole Is Here," Overture Films, $805,219, 527 locations, $1,528 average, $805,219, one week.

17. "Space Chimps," Fox, $775,152, 768 locations, $1,009 average, $27,568,802, five weeks.

18. "Brideshead Revisited," Miramax, $740,030, 501 locations, $1,477 average, $4,650,150, four weeks.

19. "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," Universal, $541,150, 481 locations, $1,125 average, $74,616,780, six weeks.

20. "Bottle Shock," Freestyle Releasing, $392,440, 117 locations, $3,354 average, $837,155, two weeks.

Members of the U.S. men's basketball team came out to support Michael Phelps at almost every step of his incredible, eight-medal haul in Beijing. So once Phelps's busy schedule finally subsided, he and almost 20 members of the U.S. swim team came to watch the Americans thrash Germany, 106-57. Phelps stopped by the locker room after the game to hang out with the players and "chop it up," as Dwyane Wade put it.

Chop it up translates to shaking hands, posing for pictures and sharing some laughs.

Wait 'til you see me in the water, Michael. (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

"I actually wanted to come and see one of the games before I left and this worked out perfectly in our scheduling, so I was able to come down here," Phelps said. "When we're swimming and we look up and see these guys, it's awesome to see them in the stands. We were all so excited it was like we can't lose in front of these guys, we're not losing a single race in front of these guys. These are the guys I'm always watching on TV."

Carmelo Anthony, a native of Baltimore, said the city should plan a parade for both of them when they come back home with gold medals. Anthony added that until Phelps came along, none of the players were swimming fans. Phelps' visit meant a lot to the players.

"That was legendary right there," Wade said. "We had an opportunity to see him do his thing, we're glad he got to see us do ours. USA, all sticking together."

Asked what he thought of the game against Germany, Phelps said, "We destroyed them. It was a fun game to watch."


source: Washington post, GettyImages

Dwight Howard led Team USA against Germany

Dwight Howard, a center for Orlando Magic, led the Team USA in scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds defeating Germany 106-57.



James added 18 points. Williams posted nine points and five assists in 19 minutes and Boozer had six points and six rebounds in nine minutes, mostly at the end of the game.
The Jazz teammates would have enjoyed an Olympic reunion with Andrei Kirilenko, but Australia knocked out Russia in a critical game Saturday, one of three straight wins for the Aussies to complete pool play. So Bogut gets another shot at the Americans, after playing respectably against them in the preliminaries in 2004.
Between his freshman and sophomore seasons at the University of Utah, he posted 11 points and eight rebounds in an 89-79 loss in Athens. "Hopefully," he said then, "with one or two more years under my belt, I can really make a difference in games like this."
He's a three-year NBA veteran now, but this is also a much different U.S. team. Australia coach Brian Goorjian described the quarterfinal pairing as a chance to "take a swipe at the big dog," but the Americans are biting everybody.
When they break the huddle after timeouts, they yell, "Dominate!" The result to date is an average margin of 31 points, which may or may not change in single-elimination play.
"Wait 'til you see what comes next," Boozer said

Ancestral Lines

On a train from London to Manchester, an American was telling off the
Englishman sitting across from him in the compartment.

"You English are too stuffy. You set yourselves apart too much. Look at
me... in me, I have Italian blood, French blood, a little Indian blood,
and some Swedish blood. What do you say to that?"

The Englishman said, "Very sporting of your mother."

DWIGHT HOWARD QUOTES

Coming out of high school, I think it was good for me instead of going to college because college and the NBA are two different things. You can dominate on the college level, but the NBA is a whole different story. The dudes that do the best are the ones who work hard.

DWIGHT HOWARD, interview, Jan. 26, 2005

The NBA is not for everybody. And looking from the outside in like I did last year, it seems so easy from just watching, but on the court it is a whole different level.

DWIGHT HOWARD, interview, Jan. 26, 2005

I'm just going to keep working. Spend more days in the gym, as possible. Just trying to get my game up, and just keep playing. And if it's in God's will for me to win, then I'll get it.

DWIGHT HOWARD, interview, Dec. 12, 2004

I'm trying to earn everything given to me. I play hard and I want guys to remember that when they play the Magic they have to face Dwight Howard. And when you face him you have to get after it.

DWIGHT HOWARD, Florida Today, Dec. 8, 2005

I want to be the greatest player ever in my era.

DWIGHT HOWARD, interview, Jan. 26, 2005

Stack Magazine - Dwight Howard Interview

Dwight Howard is best known for the raw physical power he brings to the court, but it's his internal fortitude and follow-through that have fueled the young phenom's rise to the top of the NBA. In seventh grade, Dwight made a list of some life goals. Working diligently to achieve them, he's been checking them off, one goal at a time.

Since joining the Orlando Magic in 2004, the 6’11” young star has steadily improved all aspects of his game. After his rookie season, Dwight added 20 pounds of muscle, enabling him to make the jump from forward to center. In his second season, he became the youngest player in history to lead the NBA in rebounds with 1,022. His development and talent were best highlighted on an April evening in 2006, when he scored 28 and pulled down 26 boards, coming ever so close to a historic 30-30 performance.

After putting on a freakish display in the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, representing the Eastern Conference in the All-Star Game and leading the Magic to the postseason, ‘Da Kid’ is headed in the right direction to accomplishing his final goal.

STACK: How would you describe your childhood, and when did basketball become an important part of your life?
Dwight Howard: My childhood was always centered around playing a lot of different sports—basketball, baseball, football, tennis and table tennis. It was about playing every sport and staying active. Then, when I was about 10, I became really serious about basketball. I told my dad that I wanted to make it to the NBA, and he said he would do everything on his end to help me get there.

STACK: What are some life lessons you learned from your parents or other role models?
DH: I was taught to always respect other people, whether they are young or old. Just treat them with the same respect you want somebody to treat you or your parents. That laid a great foundation for me. No matter who the person is, I treat them with great respect.

STACK: When you were in seventh grade, you wrote down seven goals you wanted to achieve in life. Can you list a few of them?
DH: Yes. One of them was to win the state championship at least once, and I was able to do that. One was to be the first person taken in the NBA draft, and I did that too. Another was to be one of the greatest players and greatest people. Another one was to get the cross on the NBA logo. I had a dream about that one, and I always want my dreams to come true. It’s not just about the physical aspect of the cross being on there; it’s more about the spiritual aspect. Setting goals is something I still do. Every year, I set goals before the season starts. I use them to help me stay focused and in line.

STACK: Did you have any basketball idols you styled your game after?
DH: A big one was Kevin Garnett. I would go out and try to play like he did. Another one was Michael Jordan, and I always tried to dunk like Shaq.

STACK: What are your best weapons as an athlete, and, more specifically, as a basketball player?
DH: My quickness. Me being able to move quickly—especially being as big as I am—is a big weapon. I’m also a good learner, because I love to listen. I want to gain as much knowledge as I can.

STACK: You had an impressive high school career. What are some of your fondest memories?
Howard: Man, high school was very fun. I miss that dearly. I wish I could go back and do it all again. It’s something I’ll never forget, especially coming from the school I did. I was exposed to a lot of different things early in life—a lot of media and different coaches came to my school. Coach K’s visit was a big day, because everyone was so excited to see a coach they’d been watching on TV for years. The whole high school atmosphere and traveling around the country playing the AAU circuit was just great.

STACK: Has having fun on the court always been important to you?
Howard: Yes. When I’m out on there, I’m always smiling and having fun. You’ve got to enjoy it, because once you stop, it’s time to do something else.

STACK: Before you decided to go straight to the NBA, what was your college recruiting process like?
Howard: The college process was crazy. I was getting tons of mail every day from schools across the nation, which was weird for me, because I’d never experienced anything like it. It was strange to think that a university wanted me to come and play basketball there. It seemed like they would do anything, as far as writing letters, to make sure I was OK every day.

STACK: How has it been adjusting to the NBA and adulthood in general?
DH: It’s a process; I’m still learning. I went from a rookie not knowing anything to where I am now. I’ve matured a lot since my first year—physically, mentally and spiritually—which has made me a better person.

STACK: After your rookie season, you added a lot of muscle to your frame. Were you focused on doing that?
DH: I think it was part of my natural growth, but I tried to get in the weight room and get as strong as I could. I didn’t want to get pushed around, and that [growth] really helped me. I’ve always known the importance of training, but it was especially important when I got to the NBA.

STACK: What are some goals you have set for your body and game for the next few years?
DH: I am working hard this off-season to get my vert up three more inches. Right now it’s at 39, and I want to get three more inches above that. I’m also trying to get my body stronger and in better shape.

STACK: When things aren’t going well, or you’re facing a particularly difficult workout, what is your motivation to get through it?
DH: My inspiration is simple—just wanting to be the best and get to the top. Every time I push a weight up or do a sprint, I think about all the guys who are ahead of me and how they got there. That keeps me going. Also, the kids around the nation who believe in me, my friends, family and school, and all the people in Orlando really push me to become a better athlete and person.

STACK: Describe your mentality when you’re fighting for a rebound.
DH: Just like in life, if you want to do something good, you need to want it more than the next person. I take that approach to basketball, rebounding and anything I do. If I want it, I need to really go for it. That’s the best thing to think about when rebounding. You need to want the ball more and go get it.

STACK: What’s the best thing about being a young NBA star?
DH: Being able to touch the lives of kids and teenagers across the nation. Some are about the same age as me, so we can relate to each other. I can have a positive effect on them.

STACK: How do you want people to remember you when it’s all said and done?
DH: I want to be remembered as one of the greatest centers. I want to leave a legacy behind of helping other people. The only way we can become good people is to believe in ourselves and others.

STACK: What advice can you offer a high school athlete based on your experiences?
DH: Always remember your priorities in life. Make sure that you are disciplined enough to follow through with everything that you want to accomplish. The biggest thing my high school coach taught me is discipline. That has carried me a long way.

Dwight Howard interview after winning 2008 Slam Dunk contest championship

2008 NBA All-Star Weekend is ongoing and last night, Orlando Magic star Dwight Howard put on the show of shows in winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Here's what Howard said to the media after being declared Slam Dunk champion.

Q. Last year it didn't go the way you thought it would go, what did you do this year, and how much planning did you put into it, and how does it feel to finally take that ball home?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, I think what I did was I fasted. Like two weeks before the Dunk Contest, I took away some things that I enjoyed doing: Eating candy, and listening to music, and I think that really got me focused for the Dunk Contest. Just, thank God, you know, for winning. It feels good.

Q. Can you take us through the three dunks. The first one, obviously from behind the backboard, Superman, and then that self alley-oop.

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, the first one I've been working on it for about two years. And I could never really get it done. I saw Iguodala did it, and I was working on it after that, coming up with my own little thing. I had my legs under me tonight and I got that one down. And the second one, the Superman dunk, I really wanted to get the crowd into it and try to show a little bit of my personality. You know, putting the cape on, and Superman. I thought everybody liked it. I enjoyed it. And then to make the dunk to finish it, it was unbelievable. And the third dunk, the self alley, I didn't think I was going to do that dunk tonight in the Dunk Contest. But I was getting a lot of calls and text messages from my friends. And they said I've got to do that dunk, I've got to let the world see it, and I had to do it.

Q. I thought you were going to bust out with the telephone booth. Was that part of the plan? Or you just kind of invented that, the cape?

DWIGHT HOWARD: The telephone booth? Oh, I didn't have time to get the telephone booth and all that. But I think the cape and the Superman, and the outfit, I think it worked.

Q. What was your first thought after winning the Dunk Contest?

DWIGHT HOWARD: It was just like, thank God, just for the opportunity to be in the Dunk Contest. And I really wanted to win it for all of the big men and all the people in general. Because everybody said I couldn't do it, and I believe in myself, and I believe I could do it. That's all I was saying in my head. I'm going to win the Dunk Contest, I'm going to win it. And it happened.

Q. Did Gerald force you at any time to change the order of your dunks? Because he came up with some pretty good stuff early as well.

DWIGHT HOWARD: Oh, no. I had my dunks down last week, and I wasn't going to change them for nothing, because I knew if I made them, it was going to work.

Q. To be the first center to do this and the biggest guy ever, what does that mean?

DWIGHT HOWARD: It means a lot. It's really for the big men, like I said. Everybody always says big men can't jump, and big men don't look good dunking. And I just tried to add a little bit of my personality. With me being so tall, I knew it was going to be tough. But I just tried to play to the crowd and have fun.

Q. You had said that yesterday you would come back, is this something that you want to keep doing? Like we had talked about stars don't compete in this event.

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, as you guys know I love dunking. 90% of my shots are dunks. So will I come back? I don't know. I'm getting old. I might have to retire from dunking and the Dunk Contest.

Q. Did you talk to Iguodala at all about the dunk that he inspired you? Did you ever talk to him about it?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Oh, no. I didn't. It was just one day I was at home, and I was like, man, let me try this dunk. I got to the gym and I tried to perfect it. I think it looked pretty good tonight.

Q. That's the behind the basket?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Yes, windmill.

Q. Have you ever tried to dunk in your socks? And if so, how hard is that?

DWIGHT HOWARD: I wouldn't try to dunk in my socks. My feet are too valuable. So, no, I'll stick with the shoes. That was an amazing dunk. He did it so fast, I didn't get a chance to see it. But to dunk in your socks and not hurt yourself, he's a good man.

Q. One more on Gerald, how impressed were you with the cupcake?

DWIGHT HOWARD: I kind of figured he had something like that planned. We were in the back working on dunks. And I saw him doing one dunk over and over. And I was like okay, he's got something up his sleeve. I think it was very impressive. At first I thought he was going to take the cupcake, eat it and then dunk it. I thought he would have won with that.

Q. Did you think about trying to put that mini basket up 12 feet and try to dunk on that?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, the first time I did the mini basket idea, I put it probably about 11 1/2 feet, but I couldn't do the same dunk that I did tonight. So I had to lower it and try to do something that everybody would like.

Q. You have a name for the Superman one, but do you have a name for the other three that you did, the Iguodala inspired one or the other two?

DWIGHT HOWARD: No, I don't have any names, but maybe you guys can come up with some good names for it.

Q. How much does YouTube offer creativity, and how much does that allow you freedom to get inspiration from other sources outside just from what's happened in previous dunk competitions?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, me and my teammates came up with all the ideas for the dunks. But YouTube is a great way find out about dunks. I think Jamario's first dunk came from a guy on YouTube. So it's a good way to find out about dunking. I like to dance, so I'm always on YouTube looking at dance videos.

Q. A lot of talk tonight about how this is exciting again, a lot of energy back in the building with the Dunk Contest, which has not been there before. Your thoughts going forward in terms of it being dead or an event that's now been revived?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, before the Dunk Contest we all decided that we're going to try to add as much flair and glare and personality as we could into the Dunk Contest this year. We first got out there and the fans were kind of iffy, they didn't really cheer. We just tried to do something to hype them up and loosen them up. I think the Dunk Contest is back.

Q. Creativity is the biggest aspect of the dunking contest. Now you guys add props, candles, ladders, tape, capes, what do you think that added to the whole contest?

DWIGHT HOWARD: Well, I think people like to see that. It's a big show. I don't think people want to see the same old dunks. They want to see something else, see some spice. And all the dunkers this year were trying to bring some spice to the Dunk Contest.

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FASTEST

Fastest

Three boys are at school bragging of how great their fathers are.

The first one says, "Well, my father runs the fastest. He can fire an
arrow, and start to run. I tell you, he gets there before the arrow."

The second one says, "Ha! You think that's fast! My father is a hunter.
He can shoot his gun and be there before the bullet."

The third one listens to the other two and shakes his head. He then
says, "You two know nothing about fast. My father works for the city. He
stops working at 4:30 and he is home by 3:45!"

Mixed Up

A young husband comes home one night, and his wife throws her arms
around his neck: "Darling, I have great news: I'm a month overdue. I
think we're going to have a baby! The doctor gave me a test today, but
we until we find out for sure, we can't tell anybody."

The next day, a guy from the electric company rings the doorbell,
because the young couple haven't paid their last bill: "Are you Mrs.
Smith? You're a month overdue, you know!"

"How do YOU know?" stammers the young woman.

"Well, ma'am, it's in our files!" says the man from the electric
company.

"What are you saying? It's in your files?????"

"Absolutely."

"Well, let me talk to my husband about this tonight."

That night, she tells her husband about the visit, and he, mad as a
bull, rushes to the electric company offices the first thing the next
morning.

"What's going on here? You have it on file that my wife is a month
overdue? What business is that of yours?" the husband shouts.

"Just calm down," says the clerk, "it's nothing serious. All you have
to do is pay us."

"PAY you? And if I refuse?"

"Well, in that case, sir, we'd have no option but to cut you off."

"And what would my wife do then?" the husband asks.

"I don't know. I guess she'd have to use a candle."

Rifle Shopping

Rifle Shopping

A woman goes into a sporting goods store to buy a rifle.

"It's for my husband," she tells the clerk.

"Did he tell you what gauge to get?" asked the clerk.

"Are you kidding?" she says. "He doesn't even know that I'm going to
shoot him!"

Sex Obsession

Sex Obsession

A man goes to a Psychologist and says, "Doc I got a real problem, I
can't stop thinking about sex."

The Psychologist says, "Well let's see what we can find out", and pulls
out his ink blots. "What is this a picture of?" he asks.

The man turns the picture upside down then turns it around and states,
"That's a man and a woman on a bed making love."

The Psychologist says, "very interesting," and shows the next ink blot
picture. "And what is this a picture of?"

The man looks and turns it in different directions and says, "That's a
man and a woman on a bed making love."

The Psychologists tries again with the third ink blot, and asks the
same question, "What is this a picture of?"

The patient again turns it in all directions and replies, "That's a man
and a woman on a bed making love."

The Psychologist states, "Well, yes, you do seem to be obsessed with
sex."

"Me!?" demands the patient. "You're the one who keeps showing me the
dirty pictures!"