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Newcomers Section: What you can get from this site


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The POLL pointed out the need for a Newcomers Section.

 

And this is a good place to Introduce Yourself, and tell us what you would like from GEI.

 

In the thread below, I have developed a brief Mission statement, and here it is:

 

MISSION of GEI:

 

To provide a forum for investors (and others) interested in the impact of Peak Oil, global warming, and pollution upon the world economy. There is a particular focus on renewable energy technologies and the companies that will help deliver the energy economy of the future. The website will assist those who are new to the sector, as well as those who may also be new to investing. In the early days of this emerging technology, the website will assist those who want to increase their capital by also highlighting other promising areas of investment.

 

To instill a sense of the larger potential, there will be sections look at innovations, ideas, and future visions. And there will be other sections that help the site users to look back at previous times of change, tipping-points in historical market moves.

 

GEI will aim to attract successful investors, journalists, and writers, who may have unique and valuable insights into technologies, markets, or trading technigues.

 

= = = = = = = = :

 

 

 

Please Introduce yourself, and tell us what you are hoping to gain from this new website.

 

General Questions for GEI people to consider are very WELCOME here too

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OK, let me take a crack at the Mission Statement

 

The purpose of GEI is...

 

To provide a forum for investors (and others) interested in the impact of Peak Oil, global warming, and pollution upon the world economy. There is a particular focus on renewable energy technologies and the companies that will help deliver the energy economy of the future. The website will assist those who are new to the sector, as well as those who may also be new to investing. In the early days of this emerging technology, the website will assist those who want to increase their capital by also highlighting other promising areas of investment.

 

To instill a sense of the larger potential, there will be sections look at innovations, ideas, and future visions. And there will be other sections that help the site users to look back at previous times of change, tipping-points in historical market moves.

 

GEI will aim to attract successful investors, journalists, and writers, who may have unique and valuable insights into technologies, markets, or trading technigues.

 

 

ANY COMMENTS please?

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  • 2 weeks later...

I posted this on HPC:

 

(... I think many people- myself included- are eager to see the emergence of HPC's new strategy, and a good way to start is through a clear mission statement...)

 

Oh, I just wanted to add...

 

There seems to be alot of discussion here and elsewhere about :

 

Debt: Using it well, and Living within one's means

Improving your living standard, without enslaving yourself

 

(or some-such)

 

May be worth an entire section on HPC. This will be of interest to many here, and will give HPC a

purpose which will still be relevant after property prices are on the slide.

 

= =

 

That coping-with-Debt Mission seems more compatible with HPC than here.

Do others agree?

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Afternoon from Devon,

 

It seems that David Cameroon has taken a very brave step in highlighting global warming by visiting Norway and standing on a retreting glacier. Maybe clear policies about carbon tax and using alternate technologies will emerge. Another winter like we have had and more gas and fuel price increases will slowly start to change public perception. Maybe we can highlight to the Conservatives this site?

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Standing on a geyser is a start maybe.

But they need to do more than publicity stunts. Tough choices need to be made, which parties will have the courage to show the leadership needed? I get an impression that Cameron is serious about this, but I will believe it when he is talking about sacrifice, and risking his popularity on an important issue

 

I hope this sitw will attract more than tory voters, since I think the issues we discuss here are important to all parties, and to all voters, for that matter. But most people are simply preoccupied with making their own lives comfortable

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Yes agreed Bubb, this is an issue for all parties, not just the Tories, although i could not see Blair doing what Cameroon has done.

 

I read somewhere that if China reached the same Prosperity as the USA it would need to gobble up the resources of Three Earth's to keep it going.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi all,

 

I am an engineering executive with specialist knowledge of power generation technologies. I also have fair knowledge of global fuels issues (not encyclopaedic you understand, but some general knowledge). At present I work in the gas industry in quite a humble role, having down-shifted some years ago to pursue novel-writing (so far unrewarded by any contract.....:) ). It will be interesting to discuss Peak Oil and alternative technologies on a young site with a UK viewpoint.

 

Note that although the company I work for is energy related, there is zero awareness of Peak Oil amongst any of the managers I have tentatively hinted the issue with. This may be the influence of CERA. Most companies will go to CERA for energy advice, and regard it as the Gold Standard. You can't entirely blame people for being so clueless. I only found out about PO by pure accident when I was researching for a novel. Prior to that, I just assumed we always had 30 years' oil, and when it got down to 25 they went out and found some more. I don't know why this was such a solid assumption, but I expect it is a common one. Note that it may yet be the correct model for a few more years yet, so we should be cautious about calling The End Of Life As We Know It.

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Welcome, Malco.

 

Of course, I am aware of you many excellent posts on HPC.

And I am sure you have contributions to make here too. It is interesting to hear about your background.

 

Have you looked at Oil Shale in the US?

I am about to launch a thread under the Alt-Technologies section

 

I am also very interested on your thoughts on Wind power, and electricity storage,

which are two areas that really interest me

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Hi,

 

I came across this board today when looking for some sort of contrarian investments for less than wealthy people like myself. I havent had much time to look around yet, but what I have read so far looks very interesting. I will be sure to check in regularly, and though I won't know enough to add much to what is already being posted, I should be able to come up with some interesting questions.

 

When looking for investments I guess I was looking for some sort of ready packaged contrarian fund which would include alternative energy, commodities, etc., but I guess like most things it is worth trying to put in the research required to manage the investment myself. I have been sure for a few years that investing in the right alternative energy could be a very good move. When I looked around before though a lot of the companies I looked more like they were looking for donations than investments.

 

I think peak oil is going to hit within the next 2-3 years, if we have not already hit the peak. Lately I get the impression that an expensive marketing campaign has been started to try and get people used to the idea of nuclear power again. It may be that nuclear power is part of life beyond oil, but there seem to be so many articles saying it is not so bad that it looks organised. If there is a behind the scenes campaign going on it's probably motivated by keeping the existing big energy companies in power, rather than on what is best for the world.

 

Anyway, thats why I'm here, thanks for the site.

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Welcome, M.

 

"When looking for investments I guess I was looking for some sort of ready packaged contrarian fund which would include alternative energy, commodities, etc.,"

 

Such things exist. But I have not been impressed with the performance of such products.

I think you will benefit long term from learning to manage your money yourself. One thing that many do when they start out, is to put the bulk of their money into fund(s) and then try to manage a portion themselves. This way, you can see who does better. When I have tried this, I usually find the self-managed money does better. But then, maybe I am better at picking individual imvestments than I am at picking funds. There are many on the Site, that can give you ideas about funds. Off the top of my head, and assuming you are Uk-based, you might look at Merrill Lynch New Energy (MNE.L) for Alt-Energy, and for Gold and mining investment, one of the following:

 

Merrill Lynch World Mining / MLW.L:

..

Golden Prospect / GOL.L :

..

RAB Special Sits. / RSS.L :

..

Resources Inv.Trust / REI.L :

..

Starvest / SVE.L :

 

If you invest in a mining investment trust, as above, I would suggest you pay attention to the size of the discount to NAV when you buy. It is bst to buy when the price dips, and the discount is wide.

 

I shall start a thread on this topic in the Uk investment section

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Hello all,

I’ve wandered over from HPC which recently saved me from making the mistake of buying a house by giving my some insight into how the economy works, and what the media neglects to tell you. I’ve just started in my career as an electronics engineer with a small company that designs inverters for hybrid vehicles and for connecting renewable energy sources to the utility grid.

 

I think the main reason I’ve started reading the posts on this site is to try and learn how to invest (which is totally new to me) in an attempt to protect my savings against inflation while learning some of the skills required, and perhaps make some extra money for a deposit to buy a house when they (eventually) fall to a reasonable price.

 

I was wondering if it would be possible to make a glossary of financial terms used, similar to those on HPC, so us newbies can get to grips with things?

Anyway, the site has made for interesting reading so far so thanks to everyone for your ideas.

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The Glossary is a good idea. I will find some links, and post them in the Links thread

 

= =

 

ABOUT GENEROUSITY- this came up on another thread...

 

"I have to admit I have often wondered about Bubb"

 

Ever heard of Karma?

The amazing thing about random generousity, is that you get things back sometimes in surprising ways.

And such an attitude tends to attract positive people, and others who think the same way.

The really stingy ones stay away, because they are too sceptical

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  • 2 weeks later...
The POLL pointed out the need for a Newcomers Section.

 

And this is a good place to Introduce Yourself, and tell us what you would like from GEI.

 

I am attempting to write a brief Mission statement, and here it is:

 

MISSION of GEI:

?? Coming ??

 

= =

Please Introduce yourself, and tell us what you are hoping to gain from this new website.

 

General Questions for GEI people to consider are very WELCOME here too

 

 

Hello

Im new to this site. I'm new to investing - Money..

 

I have spent a long time out of the UK. Returned recently after deciding to invest in property full time once back in the UK.

 

I have been following threads on SP, of which i am aware Dr. B is a member and positive contributor to.

 

I see there is room for investment in property. though, I'm not convinced Buy to Rent is a good option right now. I have been wondering as I read the threads of SingingPig, whether it has become a manic chasing after property, any property, because "that's where the money is", or, is it informed investing.

 

What I'm looking for from web sites, is informed opinions I'm not saying i dont get that from a variety of SP members as some contibutors are very solid, experienced investors with a wealth of knowledge to offer. What i find uncomfortable is the uninformed, judgmental assumptions and putdowns, which are made by members never met.

 

So if your asking me ""what you are hoping to gain from this new website?"" i have to say 'informed opinions, minus judjements and undermining.

I am not pretending to be experienced when it comes to investments. I '' dabbled'' a little in Singapore. Made some money but lost some in the 90's crash of Asia. However, I got a taste for investing. I'm curious and see no reason why I shouldnt educate myself more in this area.

 

Hence my registration on this web site. Which turns out to be Green.

 

Regards Marie

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Welcome, Marie.

 

We can certainly use a few more women as posters here, since the female point of view may be unrepresented. Your experience of having lived overseas will also be a plus, as I expect to be posting more about happenings and opportunities in Hong Kong, China, etc. in the Future. You may want to have a look at the "Dr.B's SHanghai Diary" thread, if this interests you.

 

As far as BTL goes, I think you are right. It is passing through the mania phase. In 2004-5 etc., people were investing because they were hearing "property is the place to be", not because the actual yields and potential returns were compelling. This type of investment approach is often the final sateg before the market rolls over. And I think we shall see the rollover within this year, and maybe alot sooner than soem think.

 

No problem with being "green" here. That is fine. There are sections here - which I hope to grow- which will help people in their education as investors.

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Thank you for the welcome.

 

Not sure i will be of any help when i comes to Hong Kong and China. Apart from 'dare i say it?' Property in Shanghai. The Chinese market is producing better quality lap-tops these days, which Singaoreans are trying out.

 

Singaporeans have quite a chunk of disposable income, so change their lap-tops every year, their phones every 6 months.

I will certainly have a look at Dr. B's Shanghai Diary.

 

Any shares connected with IT & related industries.

 

As Singapore is an Island and buys its water from Malaysia, water purification technology is being developed and promoted in a big way.

 

regards marie

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Interesting, marie.

 

Water is going to be a big investment area in the future, and it is great if we can have an international perspective on what works

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Any shares connected with IT & related industries.

 

In time, I think it would be an idea to have a seperate section within the Markets Forum for other sectors, like IT. I don't think it would take anything away from the identity that GEI is trying to create for itself and it might attract traders/investors and others who have interests away from metals or green energy. After all, many of us who come here regularly probably invest/trade in other sectors anyway, so it would be a place to discuss that.

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Ok.

You ask, I listen. I will add a section on IT, Games, and other Technology.

There seems to be interest in those areas. This will be a "global thread",

looking at opportunities in London, the US, and everywhere

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Ok.

You ask, I listen. I will add a section on IT, Games, and other Technology.

There seems to be interest in those areas. This will be a "global thread",

looking at opportunities in London, the US, and everywhere

 

Now to that I might be able to contribute something sensible! I've worked in the games industry for the last 7 years and have had plenty of contact with most of the large (and many of the small) games companies in Europe and North America. I'm a technophile, and a mathematician by training.

It also turns out that I'm pretty good at saving my income (HDTV and other gadgets notwithstanding) which is why I have an interest, though little expertise, in investments. I've researched and tried many areas: spreadbetting, blackjack, betfair, funds, stocks, premium bonds... though I've not yet gone short on equities. I'm happy with high risk, unhappy with high charges.

 

I'm also on the green side of the fence. Funny though Jeremy Clarkson is, I don't share his views. My interest in this site, therefore, is the (sometimes paradoxical) intersection between 'green' and 'investment'. I'm more likely to post questions than answers, especially on the latter, but I have no qualms about doing so.

 

What else do you want to know? My top ranked artist on Last.FM is David Bowie. :)

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Good to have you onboard, Nijo.

 

Have you visited the Video Games section yet?

 

I have begun to follow some companies in the sector,

and welcome comments from those who knwo the products better than I do

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  • 2 weeks later...

"I want to find and share ideas on how to grow and protect my capital, to become more financially independant, and I believe there are many more like me out there."

 

Comment from Bob M., on the Why arent more posting thread.

 

To help others " to become more financially independent" is a good thing to add to the Mission statement

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  • 2 months later...

Hi,

 

Joined today as well.

 

I've worked in renewables for quite a few years, mostly for UK & Irish government agencies - Mostly IT stuff, particularly internet based systems.

 

Here to find out more about the international renewables scene, and hopefully contribute to UK related stuff.

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Welcome aboard!!

 

How did you find GEI?

Just curious. Maybe we should do more of whatever it was that led you here

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