Striving4Zen

In Israel, privately owned start-up Conceptic has already installed e-Menu technology in sushi bars, pubs and family restaurants. The system is based on touch-screens already used in self-service canteens or for ticketing in airports and cinemas.

"It's about impulse-buying," said Adi Chitayat, Conceptic's chief executive. "If a person starts looking at pictures of chocolate cake, the chances are he'll order it."

Frame, a trendy sushi restaurant in Tel Aviv which has installed the system, said sales on tables with the e-Menu have increased by about 11 percent. Customers often call ahead to reserve spots equipped with the screens, manager Natalie Edry told Reuters.

At one of the e-Menu tables, information technology worker Gil Uriel and his young family were enthusiastic as they checked out pictures of the dishes on offer and squabbled over desserts.

"It's more visual," said Uriel, as his children clicked away furiously on a games function between courses. "We can still choose, we can still argue -- but it's much easier when you can all see it."

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Labels: innovative, Israel, new product, restaurants

The Top 10 facts you need to know.

(Click on the facts below for a more detailed explanation of each.)

1.
In the summer of 2000, Israel offered the Palestinian Arabs 97% of the land they claim to be fighting for, making Israel the first and only country ever to offer the Palestinian Arabs a homeland. This offer was rejected with no counter-offer from the Palestinians.
2.
Like the United States, Israel is a democracy. Israel's Parliament includes men, women, Jews, and Arabs.
3.
Israel ensures complete equality of all individuals irrespective of religion, race or sex. These civil rights are granted in Israel's Declaration of Independence and Declaration of Establishment.
4.
The West Bank and Gaza Strip are disputed territories, claimed by Israel and the Palestinian Arabs. (UN Resolution 242)
5.
Israel gained control of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza (sometimes referred to as the "disputed territories") in 1967 after defeating Egypt, Syria and Jordan in a pre-emptive strike after those countries surrounded Israel with troops, launched repeated terrorist attacks, and threatened to "put an end to Israel."
6.
Three major attempts to destroy Israel have been carried out by the Arab World: in 1947, 1967, and 1973. Although many neighboring Arab countries today still wish to destroy Israel, Israel still seeks peace. Israel has forged peace agreements with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994), and has lived in peace with these countries ever since.
7.
The West Bank (Judea and Samaria) and Gaza were never controlled by any Palestinian government or organization until 1993, when Israel agreed to give the Palestinian Authority certain controls under the Oslo Peace accords.
8.
Israeli Settlements in the West Bank and Gaza are not illegal under any international law.
9.
There have been roughly as many Jews displaced from Arab Nations as Arabs displaced from Israeli territory. Israel has absorbed the Jewish refugees, yet the Arab world refuses to accept the Palestinian Arabs into their countries.
10.
The combined land size of Arab countries is 650 times the size of Israel -- i.e., Israel is the size of New Jersey, and the Arab countries are the size of the United States, all of Central America, and Mexico combined.

Labels: Arab-Israeli Conflict, Fuel For Truth, Israel, the facts

May 31, 2007 -- JERUSALEM - Shimon Peres said yesterday he will ask parliament to elect him Israel's head of state, taking over a mostly ceremonial role that has been overshadowed by a rape inquiry into the outgoing president.
"I have decided to answer the calls to be a candidate for the presidency," the former prime minister said.
Polls show most Israelis want Peres as president. The vote will take place June 13.

Labels: Israel, President, Shimon Peres