X: A symbol (Sept 10th 2010)

Identify X in the quote below.  The picture above is related to X.

"As for the X's famous color, __, it was not an obvious choice. Mr. Starr reports that Ammann favored gray (as used for the __), and others wanted black. While the Navy “preferred a yellow and black striping to facilitate visibility __ through low-lying fog,” the Army Air Corps wanted a red-and-white color scheme more visible from the air. The __ paint was primer, used to protect __ against the elements, and it gradually went from being a default choice to the color of choice.

In an over-the-top burst of purple prose, Mr. Starr observes that __ not only “unified the __ into one compelling statement,” but also summoned memories of “the gold of the __ that had created the __, and the gold of the Golden Horn of the Bosporus first suggested by John Frémont when he named the site in 1846 and by metaphor evoked a color-drenched city of towers, domes, and stepped-back structures rising like Constantinople from blue waters along green hillsides, their red-tiled roofs touching a sun-flooded azure sea.”"

(Michiko Kakutani; New York Times Book Review Aug 23, 2010).

Question for Sep 9, 2010

Identify what is being depicted below (click on the image for a bigger view).

QOTD - 8 Sep 2010 - Hari

The origins of X are uncertain, although western sources suggest that the game is of Sub-continental origin. The official body for X was formed in 1988 and the rules of X were also codified for the first time the same year.


Games similar to X appear all over Asia, e.g., Vindi vindi in Fiji and Szhe szhe in Israel. Other notable variants of X include Novuss, played in the Baltic states, Puckpool in Australia, Tōkyūban in Japan, and Crokinole and Pitchnut  in North America.

Identify X.

Qn. for Sep. 7th.

Sorry for the late post...here is the question:

The puzzle includes 16 letters from 16 different alphabets, many of which — but not all — represent a letter from that alphabet that most closely resembles the English "W".

What am I talking about?

Question for Sep 2 - PS

Connect:

Make-up question for Aug 27, 2010

X is a form of rating system developed in the 1950s, and is the primary method of measurement in the field for which it was designed. Data for the ratings can be gathered either by getting the "consumer" to self-record, or by using a meter that automatically records data, with the added advantage of increased granularity. These ratings are used to decide which "products" are more in demand, and also to appropriately charge for advertising. Calculation of X involves sampling of a subset of people, and is therefore prone to sampling bias. Also, people's behaviour might change due to awareness of being in the sample population. Another criticism is that X does not reflect "total consumption". More recently, newer modes of "consumption" have rendered the old system more inaccurate. A plan has since been announced to revamp the entire methodology.

Identify X. If not the name, atleast identify what is being described.

Question for Sep 1

It is generally believed that the phrase X was coined in 2006. The phrase's origin may be onomatopoeic or derived from a juggling toy of the same name (see visual). In 2010 the phrase became very popular, with X being described as "a radical style that only evolved over the course of four years", arising from _____'s decision in 2006 that  "they weren't physical and tough enough to outmuscle opponents, so instead wanted to concentrate on monopolising the ball."

Identify X.