BABY PHOTO CONTEST IN INDIA

Forward-thinking companies regard their employees as the company's greatest resource (or so we often hear). With Flickr, that philosophy is not only followed, but wallowed in. Case in point: this employee amusement center, located out West. This vast, well-equipped facility was located in an area that has consistently good weather. The warmth and sunshine enable Flickr to operate this facility 365 days a year. After intense weeks of service calls, replacing burned-out fuses, or chewing on pencils, Flickr's employees need a bit of rest and relaxation.

Employees enjoy themselves on all manner of amusement rides and arcade games ("Crush the Competition" is a favorite). Whether you enjoy water slides, spook houses, roller coasters, tossing rings onto soda pop bottles, or just having a picnic by the river, the park will satisfy you---assuming, of course, that you are an employee, approved vendor, or valid guest. Shown here is the latest facility improvement: Wild West Ranch Village.

Reliable sources have revealed (in February 2009) that this facility is high on the list of institutions to receive "exceptional" support through the economic stimulus package being worked on in Washington, D.C. Injecting a wad of money into this park is not considered pork, but a wise investment in the future.

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Service is what sells these days and Flickr prides itself on the level of service provided to subscribers. To get technicians to where the "challenges" (not "problems"!) are, a large fleet of stock and customized vehicles is available at all hours of the day. Reaching subscribers in the wide-open spaces of the West is especially challenging.

This mock-up (located at a Flickr Developmental Laboratory in Northwestern Utah, reveals at least two clever applications of low-tech systems and equipment. The first one is a new, simplified, style of air-conditioning: the placement of air ports (colorful circles) in a random pattern on the side and roof panels. It is vital to keep service personnel and sensitive equipment cool in the blazing heat of the desert. The second example of forward thinking is a modest but functional bed to be used by tired employees who must take a short nap to recuperate from the stress of 24-hour service activity.

The tailgate will see double duty: a working surface (mini-workbench) and party area (even nerds must unwind on occasion). The front end is still in the planning stage.

The two posts are part of a laser-powered alignnment system.