What does a CEO actually do all day?

Retuers journalist Axel Threlfall follows SAP Co-CEO Jim Snabe around for the day to see what a day in the life is like. Courtesy Reuters.

Bill Gates said information overload is one of the hardest things about the job. Source: News Limited

THEY have the best office in the building and make you nervous in the lift, but do you know what your boss actually does all day?

Here's what those executives with mysterious acronyms in their titles are really responsible for.

Chief Executive Officer - CEO

It goes without saying the CEO is top dog. They take glory when things are good and carry the can when things are bad. But regardless of the industry, being CEO is all about the big picture.

Watermark Search International managing partner Nick Waterworth specialises in head hunting top executives and said although the role varies depending on whether it's a public, private or state-owned company, there are some common threads.

"They're the top executive, ultimately responsible for running the organisation. That means achieving profitability, safety, ensuring good practice and governance, the wellbeing of staff and so on. They're ultimately responsible for developing and working towards the strategy of the organisation and achieving those goals."

How this is done depends on the company, but ultimately the CEO is working on leading and defining the culture of the business.

"Some are required to fix a problem, others to keep growth going, others to double the size of the organisation in the next three years, it's not one size fits all," Mr Waterworth said.

Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer snapped up Tumblr, posed for Vogue and banned working from home as CEO. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

Their personality is also crucial as they have a huge impact on the culture of an organisation and set the tone for how staff dress and act in the office.

Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer made headlines when she posed for Vogue, banned working from home and bought Tumblr as Yahoo! CEO, while Richard Branson's flamboyance is now part of Virgin's company culture.

TED CEO, Ted Devine said working together is a huge part of leadership in his company, where there are no barriers or heirachy in the office.

"Everybody can talk to everybody. Everybody can participate in a decision. We work together, and that's very important in leadership," he said.

Highland Consulting Group CEO, Roxana Hewertson said it's not just about being smart, but being good with people as well.

"None of this is rocket science. It's all about human behaviour," she said. "Those dollar signs are attached to people. How well you manage your people resources [is] going to make all the difference. Everything I do starts with self-awareness as a leader."

Xerox CEO Ursula Burns worked her way up after starting at the company as an intern. Picture: Getty. Source: Supplied

Despite being top of the tree, Certified Practising Accountants CEO Alex Malley said it can be a lonely job.

"When you first become [CEO] it's like your face has changed. People speak to you differently. They speak in more measured ways. I like straight communication. One of the challenges is allowing people to believe you're just a normal person."

Ultimately, he said every day in the job is different and you need the ability to be both a "counsellor" and "clinical" with staff.

"You see a circumstance is humanly difficult and you've got to deal with it. You see an issue with good people not getting good results and you've got to handle it," he said.

Richard Branson has made high profile stunts part of his job description as CEO. Source: Supplied

But it's not all about the CEO. Here's what those other executive roles entail.

Chief Operating Officer - COO

If the CEO is Batman, the COO is Robin. They're the ones that are completely across back office functions, leaving the CEO free to think about the big picture.

"They're the non-sales and marketing side of the organisation. Very process driven, very organised. They often come from a finance background. That's their skill, organisation, efficiency, standardisation of procedures those types of things," Mr Waterworth said.

In most companies a COO is responsible for looking after the supply chain, any production or technology issues, finance and making sure everyone has the right tools to do their jobs.

Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg is perhaps the most famous number two in business, bringing her prodigious experience to bear alongside Mark Zuckerberg.

She has previously worked for Google, as chief of staff under Bill Clinton and topped bestseller lists with her book Lean In, but now uses her vast network of politicians, celebrities and business contacts to advance Facebook.

She's responsible for ad revenues, marketing and day-to-day operations while Zuckerberg looks after product and engineering.

She's so good at the job, 'a Sheryl' has become the hottest commodity in Silicon Valley, with other tech companies seeking to replicate the leadership team Facebook has, CNN reports.

Facebook's COO Sheryl Sandberg wrote a book called Lean In and has been ranked the 6th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. Pic: AP. Source: AP

Chief Financial Officer - CFO

Once called Finance Directors, CFOs look after the financial health of a business, including producing annual reports, forecasts and keeping the budget in check. They technically come under the CEO, however the crucial nature of their role also means they often have a direct line to the board.

"It's very important this person has an open dialogue with the chair. They are certainly in the top two or three executives in companies," Mr Waterworth said.

IBM CFO Mark Loughridge is regarded as one of the best CFOs in business, according to the Wall Street Journal , renowned for his mix of strategy and financial savvy.

"When Mark took over, IBM had made a lot of hard decisions. What investors didn't understand was what the new IBM would look like. He took [the opportunity to define that] and ran with it," Barclays Capital stock analyst Ben Reitzes told the Journal.

But it's not all about growth either. Home Depot CFO Carol Tomé pulled back the pace at which her company was opening stores to focus on investing in technology and training staff. The move saw stock prices surge 45 per cent in five years, the Wall Street Journal reports.

You've probably never heard of him, but Palantir Technologies CEO is one of the most powerful in Silicon Valley. Picture: Getty. Source: Supplied

Chief Information Officer - CIO

While CIOs may once have run a department with a few computers, they can now preside over vast software systems for hundreds or thousands of workers.

They're charged with keeping the company abreast of new technology, making sure things are working efficiently, sorting out IT issues and ensuring the company is not being eclipsed by their competitors.

Coca Cola Amatil CIO Warwick Hutton looks after Australian operations for the world's biggest drink company, which employs more than 15,000 people and has access to a market of over 270 million consumers, according to a recent interview.

He said his role is to invest in new technology to help the company run better, which can range from the number of servers available to staff email systems and ways to keep the drinks cold. Read more about his role here.

David Gonski has chaired the ASX and will act as chairman of ANZ bank in 2014. Picture: AAP. Source: Supplied

Chairperson of the board and board members

In publicly listed companies, the board's role is to protect the rights of shareholders and make sure the executives are acting ethically, Mr Waterworth said.

They're led by a chairperson who is ultimately responsible for hiring and firing the CEO and holds the casting vote in debates where the board is deadlocked.

The chair will also help drive long-term decisions for the company and can be a high-profile person who may front the media and bring wider industry expertise to bear on a situation.

"Shareholders own the company and executives own shareholders. The board ensures that executives are doing the right things, complying where they must comply, ensuring governance is adhered to and the company is approaching things in an ethical and honest way. That's the board role and the chairman is head of the board," Mr Waterworth said.

David Gonski is perhaps one of Australia's best known and most sought after board members, having served as Chairman of Investec, the Future Fund, Coca-Cola Amatil and Chancellor of the University of New South Wales.

This year he will become Chairman of the Board at ANZ Bank, while also having previously been a director at Singapore Airlines, the Westfield Group, Chairman of the ASX and authoring the Gonski report on education funding.

Want to know more about being the top dog?

• Ten tips from CEOs to help you get ahead

• Intern to CEO: Four people who started at the bottom and worked their way up

• Is Palantir CEO Alex Karp the most bizarre in Silicon Valley?

• Meet the women CEOs of Fortune 500 companies

• 14 executives share the best advice they ever got

Still confused about what they do all day? Continue the conversation on Twitter @newscomauHQ

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Meth-fuelled woman takes joy ride in cop car

Watch as Tara Elizabeth Axmaker, steals a cop car in Oregon and takes it on a meth-fuelled joy ride.

Tara Elizabeth Axmaker. Source: Supplied

AN AMERICAN woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for stabbing a man in the back, and later going on a meth-fuelled joy ride in a police car.

Tara Elizabeth Axmaker, of Mulino, Oregon, stabbed a man in the back in the early hours March 15 last year, reports The Oregonian.

When police arrived at the scene, they found the victim but no sign of Ms Axmaker.

As authorities scoured the crime scene, Ms Axmaker got behind the wheel of a responding police car and drove off, leading police on a 'Dukes of Hazzard-style pursuit down back alleys and tight curves'.

She then drove onto a main Oregon highway without her headlights on, driving at almost 200km/h.

The chase was captured on the police car's video cameras, and on police radio.

The video was released this week by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office in response to a public records request submitted by The Oregonian.

Ms Axmaker can be heard singing and swearing throughout the 11-minute ride: "We're on a high-speed chase (expletive)," she said as the chase began.

Ms Axmaker pleaded guilty on October 15 to charges of first-degree assault, aggravated theft and attempting to allude police.

This isn't Ms Axmaker's first conviction. In a bizarrely similar 2010 incident, she stabbed a man in the back while high on meth.

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Murder charge over killer punch

Shaun McNeil allegedly king hit Daniel Christie on New Year's Eve. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

A MURDER charge has been laid against the man accused of fatally punching teenager Daniel Christie in Sydney's Kings Cross.

Shaun McNeil, 25, was arrested at the scene after allegedly punching Mr Christie on New Year's Eve, leaving him in a critical condition in St Vincent's Hospital.

On Saturday, after 11 days in hospital, Mr Christie's life support was turned off.

Daniel Christie died in hospital on Saturday. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

Police on Monday charged McNeil with murder.

The labourer and self-proclaimed martial arts fighter has also been charged with maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and other assault-related offences.

He was refused bail and is due before Central Local Court on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the father of fatal one-punch victim Thomas Kelly has delivered to the NSW government a petition with 132,000 signatures calling for tougher sentencing laws for alcohol-related violence.

Daniel Christie was punched in almost the same location where Thomas Kelly was struck in July 2012.

Thomas's father Ralph Kelly has been a staunch advocate of harsher penalties for drunk offenders who throw fatal punches. Mr Kelly launched a petition on change.org demanding minimum sentencing laws for manslaughter.

Following the alleged assault of Mr Christie, the petition was updated to call for alcohol and drug intoxication to be identified as a "mandatory aggravating factor" in sentencing.

The petition also demands the victims' youth and inability to defend themselves be taken into account in sentencing.

Mr Kelly on Monday presented the petition to staff in the offices of the NSW premier and attorney-general.

Change.org says it is the second-largest petition it has hosted. Alongside friends and relatives of Mr Kelly, others impacted by drunken violence left comments on the petition detailing their experiences.

Annie Sutton, a former teacher of Mr Christie, described the Sydney teen as a "lovely, personable and gentle young man".

"How many more young people are to be damaged before we change our culture and our laws?" she wrote.

More to come

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Sam slams through in straight sets

Australian Casey Dellacqua has cruised through to the second round of the Australian Open with a convincing straight sets victory over Russian Vera Zvonareva.

Ashleigh Barty believes she can get a result when she takes on the World number one Serena Williams, after the teenager was drawn against the American in the opening round of the Australian open.

Samantha Stosur in action against Klara Zakapalova. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Limited

LOCAL star Sam Stosur has recovered from a case of the wobbles in the second set to beat Klara Zakopalova 6-3, 6-4 at the Australian Open.

Stosur raced to a one-set lead but struggled in the second, needing to break serve twice to recover and win her first-round match on Rod Laver Arena.

Earlier, an impressive Casey Dellacqua has secured the first local win in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The Perth girl took full advantage of an error-strewn performance by Russian veteran Vera Zvonareva to win 6-2 6-2. She will play Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in the next round.

Elsewhere, Jarmila Gajdosova failed to break her Australian Open duck, losing to Angelique Kerber despite a stirring fightback.

Jarmila Gajdosova has become the first local hope to fall at the Australian Open, suffering a three-set defeat to Germany's Angelique Kerber.

The Slovakian-born Melburnian was a set down when she went over on her left ankle at the start of the second set. After lengthy treatment she stormed back into the match, winning the set 6-0.

However, the German found her form in the decider and too many unforced errors from Gajdosova condemned her to a ninth straight first-round exit at Melbourne Park.

Other Aussies in action today include Samantha Stosur, Jordan Thompson, Sam Groth and of course 17-year-old Ashleigh Barty in tonight's blockbuster against Serena Williams.

Stay with us for live news and score updates throughout the day and have your say on what's happening,

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR LIVE COVERAGE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

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Serious concern for dad and daughter

Police have released this image of Greg Hutchings and his daughter. Source: Supplied

A FATHER and his four-year-old daughter have gone missing on the state's north coast.

Due to meet family members at lunchtime, Greg Hutchings, 35, and his daughter Eeva Dorendahl never arrived.

The pair were last seen on Pottsville Rd about 12.30pm on Saturday.

Investigators conducted an "extensive search" of the area but the two were not located.

It is understood Mr Hutchings does not have access to a car.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said officers hold serious concerns for their welfare and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Eeva Dorendahl. Source: Supplied

Greg is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall, with short brown curly hair and of a thin build. He was last seen wearing a black long-sleeve shirt, grey trousers and carrying a black back pack.

Eeva is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with long blonde hair, blue eyes and of a thin build. She was last seen wearing an oversized blue and white-coloured shirt and multicoloured board shorts.

Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Homes ablaze, others damaged in Hills fire

What started as a scrub fire in Jolimont came dangerously close to homes.

Water bomber reloads with water battling the Parkerville blaze. Picture: Kristy Goodchild/Facebook Source: Supplied

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

THERE have been reports of three homes being destroyed and others damaged by an out of control blaze east of Perth.

Flames are 20m high in the unpredictable and fast-moving blaze in Parkerville, which was reported at 11am.

There are reports homes on Schoch Rd, Tarylen Rd and Stoneville Rd are on fire. Nine News reporter Kelly Williams said she believes three homes have been gutted by the fire.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Homes on Traylen Road, Conradi Road and neighbouring streets in Stoneville are under threat.

People in Mount Helena who live east of Alice Rd and Sawyers Rd are safe to leave.

The fire started between Jonhston Road and Granite Road, it has crossed Stoneville Road near Riley Road and is now burning towards Mount Helena and Chidlow.

People in Mount Helena who live west of Alice Rd and Sawyers Rd are not safe to leave.

It is safe to leave in the northern part of Mundaring and Mt Helena.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

There are 70 career and volunteer firefighters from 17 brigades battling the inferno, with aerial support provided to crews on the ground.

Texts and voice messages have been issued to residents in Parkerville, Stoneville and Mount Helena. The cause of the fire is unknown.

It's also believed the wind is picking up in the area. It has also been reported that waterbombers have been used to save a number of properties.

DFES says the bushfire is moving fast in an easterly direction, with burning embers likely to be blown around homes. Spot fires are starting up to 150m ahead of the fire.

Where to go:

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Mundaring Recreation Ground on Mundaring Weir Road.

The recreation centre is now at capacity, people are asked to go to Brown Park in Swan View on the corner of Amherst and Salisbury Roads.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: News Limited

Mundaring Shire president Helen Dullard told PerthNow she was on her way to the evacuation centre to help, but had heard reports of about 20 people arriving at the centre so far.

"I don't know how many homes are on fire or to what extent and I don't know how many people have chosen to stay and defend, but what I do know is that this is a very serious fire and the wind is changing and swirling all over the place and making things very difficult," she said.

Firefighters are battling a blaze in the Perth Hills, which is believed to have gutted at least three homes.

Ms Dullard said there was bound to be devastated and heartbroken residents as a result of this fire, but noted that firefighters were prepared for this kind of emergency and had extensive back-up from other brigades. She said information was being broadcast on a constant basis, which was a huge help.

A number of roads have been closed in the area, including Stoneville Rd from Jarrah Rd to Grenville Rd.

A Perth woman has tweeted her in-laws in Mt Helena were packing as the fire spreads, while other relatives have already been evacuated from Mundaring.

Reports of suspicious behaviour can be reported to CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.

What to do:

If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.

Do not wait and see, leaving at the last minute is deadly.

There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If you leave, flag you have gone with a green bag weighted down at thefront of your driveway.

Firefighters are battling a blaze in the Perth Hills, which is believed to have gutted at least three homes.

If your plan is to stay and actively defend, do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

If you cannot leave, you need to get ready to shelter in your home and actively defend it.

If you are not at home, it is too dangerous now to return.

Safest place:

Your safest option may be to visit family or friends who live away from the area.

The Department for Child Protection and Family Support has also set up a temporary evacuation centre at Mundaring Recreation Ground on Mundaring Weir Road.

A fire is burning in the Perth Hills which has caused evacuations and loss of property Source: News Limited

Road closures:

Avoid the area and be aware of fire and other emergency services personnel working on site.

A number of roads have been closed including:

- Stoneville Road from Jarrah Road to Grenville Road

For further details contact Main Roads WA on 138 138 or visit www.mainroads.wa.gov.au

BALDIVIS FIRE

A BUSHFIRE watch and act has been issues for people in Baldivis in the City of Rockingham.

The fire is burning in bushland between Safety Bay Rd, Nairn Dr and Eighty Rd.

There is a possible threat to lives and homes as a fire is approaching the area and conditions are changing.

The bushfire is moving fast in a north easterly direction at two kilometres per hour. It is out of control and unpredictable.

Homes in Nairn Drive, Tamworth Rd, Baldivis ad and Safety Bay Rd may be threatened by the fire.

Nairn Dr between Safety Bay Rd and Eighty Rd has been closed.

Firefighters are protecting houses from ember attack in Nairn Dr, Tamworth Rd, Baldivis Rd and Safety Bay Rd.

What to do:

If you are not prepared or you plan to leave, leave now if the way is clear.

There is ember attack ahead of the fire, so close all doors and windows, and turn off evaporative air conditioners, but keep water running through the system if possible.

If you are well prepared and plan to actively defend your home, make final preparations now.

Do not rely on mains water pressure as it may be affected. If you have access to a water tank and plan to defend your home, start patrolling with your hose and put out spot fires.

If you are not at home, do not try to return as conditions in the area could be very dangerous

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The world's 5 weirdest cocktails

Some cocktails can be deceiving, others can just be really good. Picture: Flickr: ambernambrose Source: NewsComAu

WEIRD and wacky can be fun, if you're brave enough to get in on the game. Here, a toast to the weirdest and wackiest cocktails around the world.

1) Sourtoe Cocktail

Guess what the key component in the Sourtoe Cocktail is? A sour toe ... seriously. It's a preserved, amputated toe. The gross (it is gross, there's no tiptoeing around it) 'garnish' is dropped into a glass of Champagne or beer, and then there is only one rule - you need to make sure your lips touch the toe, otherwise you may have not as well drunk it. The unusual drink is available at the appropriately named Sourtoe Cocktail Club, Downtown Hotel, Dawson City, Yukon. No-one knows the exact origins of the drink, but what we do know is that it was 'invented' in 1973 and about 60,000 brave people have reportedly tried it to date. Apparently the hotel has gone through about 12 toes since its inception and those who do accidentally swallow it (it's happened a few times) have to pay a $500 fine - apparently toes are not easy to come by.

Where? Sourtoe Cocktail Club, Downtown Hotel, Dawson City, Yukon.

Why? We have no idea.

A real amputated toe goes in this cocktail. Eeek! Picture: atlasobscura Source: NewsComAu

2) Duck Fart

The Duck Fart is made by pouring different liquors on layer by layer and not mixing them together. It's usually made with Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream and Crown Royal, and can be drunk like a shot or on the rocks if you prefer. You're not allowed to add ice cubes as they can muddle up the layers. Its history can be traced back to around 1980 and it's growing in popularity in Alaska at a steady rate.

Where? Alaska

Why? Umm ... there are no amputated toes in it?

You can't mix the layers when it comes to the Duck Fat. Picture: Flickr: Capnrat Source: NewsComAu

3 ) The Crapper

The good thing about this cocktail is that it's tasty - think a chocolate-based Piña Colada garnished with a Snickers bar. The bad thing? It comes in a toilet bowl - which takes away any level of classiness. There is another good thing though (if you like toilet bowls) - if you finish the whole cocktail you can keep the 'glass' it came in, which considering how many kilojoules you'd consume drinking it might come in good use later.

Where? Rock and Rita's, Circus Circus Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Why? A Snickers makes for good garnish.

The Crapper comes in a toilet bowl. Not this one though ... we hope. Picture: Flickr: Newtown Graffiti Source: NewsComAu

4) Wakey, Wakey, Mary, Eggs and Bacey

This is more like a meal, initially designed to help hung-over folks in Nevada. The Bloody Mary is just the base (not just a normal Bloody Mary though, this one has horseradish-infused vodka), then hot sauce, Irish stout, a garnish of pickled vegetables, quail eggs, bacon ... oh and a grilled cheese sandwich too! It's an over-the-top play on breakfast, combined with the hair of the dog, says Duncan Mitchell, owner of Chapel Tavern.

Where? Chapel Tavern, 1099 S Virginia St Reno, Nevada

Why? Perhaps you're really, really hung-over ... and in Nevada ... and maybe you like quail eggs.

I'd love a sandwich in my Bloody Mary. Picture: Flickr Rambo1 Source: NewsComAu

5) Gunpowder Plot

We're not really sure what 'gunpowder flavours' means, but that's what these guys infuse their gin with. Then they shake the gin with fernet branca (a traditional herbal digestive) and egg white. By doing this they create a thick layer of froth on the top. When the cloche is closed and smoke is added the froth is infused with a smoky, wooden flavour giving the drink a completely new edge. This smoking technique takes the drink to a whole other level. It comes served in a smoking cloche amid a pile of twigs and oak-scented fog.

Where? Zeta Bar, Hilton, 488 George Street, Sydney.

Why? Because James Bond would approve.

The Gunpowder plot looks like a science experiment. Picture: Supplied Source: NewsComAu

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Tourist town razed in 10-hour inferno

A 10-hour inferno has razed an ancient Tibetan town in China's southwest Yunnan province that's popular with tourists.

There is no immediate report of casualties, and the cause of the fire is unclear.

The Deqen prefecture government said the fire broke out in the early hours of the morning in the town of Dukezong in the tourist area of Shangri-la.

More than 2000 firefighters, soldiers, police, local officials and volunteers responded to the blaze and brought it under control some 10 hours after it broke out, the Shangri-La county government said.

The official Xinhua News Agency says more than 100 houses were destroyed.

Photos and video footage show the town engulfed in flames that turned the night sky red.

This image of the massive blaze was taken on a mobile phone and posted on news.cn. Source: Supplied

The Dukezong means "the town of moon" in Tibetan. The town dates back 1300 years ago, when it was an important stop on the South Silk Road, according to Xinhua.

It is now one of the most renowned resorts in Shangri-la, known for its well-preserved ancient streets, Tibetan dwellings and traditional culture.

The state-run China Central Television says most structures in Dukezong are made of wood and the fire spread easily because of dry weather.

The Dekezong township mainly consists of wooden homes. Picture: yunnanadventure.com Source: Supplied

Formerly Zhongdian, the county officially changed its name to Shangri-la in 2001, and claims to be the inspiration behind the fictional place of Shangri-La in James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon - though several other locations across the region also claim to be the "real" Shangri-la.

The book was turned into a movie, also called Lost Horizon, in 1937.

Since changing its name, the county has benefited from tourism revenue.

See more pictures at Xinhua.

- with staff writers

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Jelly - the next big thing in Tech?

Jelly is the new app created by Biz Stone. Stone, a Twitter co-founder. Picture: AP Source: AP

TWITTER'S co-founder has launched a smartphone app that invites people to tap into their online social networks for answers about things they see.

Jelly, available free on both Apple and Android, lets people reach out virtually to friends, or friends of friends, when interested in finding out more about where they are or what is happening around them at a given moment.

"Say you're walking along and you spot something unusual,'' said a blog post at the Jelly website.

"You want to know what it is, so you launch Jelly, take a picture, circle it with your finger, and type 'What's this?'''

A new app to feed your curiosity has arrived ... and it's called Jelly. Source: Supplied

Jelly queries are submitted to friends who also have the application and notifications pop up when answers are provided.

Jelly meshes with people's existing social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter.

San Francisco-based Jelly was co-founded by Stone, one of the creators behind globally popular one-to-many text messaging service Twitter, which made a blockbuster stock market debut last year.

Stone announced the Jelly launch at his biz Twitter account.

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Murdered by the devil they knew

87 Clovelly Road where Anthony Waterlow stabbed to death his sister and father in a psychotic frenzy. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

THEY tried to warn doctors of the terrible danger they were in.

That the madness, the death threats and the festering hatred was spiralling out of control.

But in the end, Nick Waterlow and his daughter Chloe couldn't stop the son and brother they loved from killing them.

On a warm Spring evening in 2009, an enraged Anthony Waterlow turned down a tree-lined street in Sydney's eastern suburbs and burst through the door of 87 Clovelly Road, Randwick and stabbed them to death in a psychotic and bloodied frenzy.

Nick Waterlow and daughter Chloe. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

As 68-year-old Nick Waterlow cried out his last words - "I love you" - his son plunged a kitchen knife into his father then turned on his younger sister.

Then he took off, leaving a trail of bloodied footprints, two bodies and a child's screams disturbing the otherwise tranquil neighbourhood.

A bloodied footprint leading away from the front door of 87 Clovelly Road, Randwick. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

In the aftermath, as police hunted the deranged 42-year-old, questions were asked as to why hospitals had refused pleas from Waterlow's father to commit his son - a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic - to permanent psychiatric care.

Today the NSW Deputy State Coroner recommended changes be made to the NSW Mental Health Act regarding the scheduling of mentally-ill patients to consider "the protection of others from serious emotional harm".

World-renowned art curator Nick Waterlow with an exhibition in 2001. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

"In determining whether to schedule a mentally-ill patient the term 'for the person's own protection from serious harm', should be understood to include the harm caused by the mental illness itself," ruled Magistrate P.A. MacMahon.

The first signs of trouble with Anthony Waterlow emerged around 1999, after the death of his mother and when he was in his early 30s.

Anthony and Chloe Waterlow and younger brother, Luke, had enjoyed a privileged childhood on Sydney's North Shore, attending exclusive private schools funded by their father's career as a world renowned art curator.

Anthony Waterlow as a schoolboy at Aloysius College in 1981. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

The children were good-looking and, like their father, artistic.

Anthony was a friendly and engaging teenager, a keen school debater and on the tennis team.

His sister, who was five years younger, worked for ABC Radio where former colleagues remember her as "bubbly, funny and warm".

She co-authored cookbooks and married businessman Ben Heuston and they had three children.

Neighbours of the Clovelly Road house where they lived described Chloe as "a lovely soul'' who doted on her children.

Anthony had gone on to study as a Bachelor of Film, Video and Intermedia student at Sydney's College of Fine Arts, where fellow students remember him as confident and friendly.

But as the years rolled by, friends noticed a shadow falling over Anthony.

Before his illness shrouded his mind, Anthony Waterlow was engaging and friendly. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

By 2003 schizophrenic delusions were beginning to fester in his mind.

A female friend later said she had watched him deteriorate, seeing "a definite change in him about eight years" before the killings.

"[He was] a lot more withdrawn," she said, "like he'd lost that confidence he had years ago."

Anthony began seeing psychiatrists, and threatening people.

His paranoia and his hatred centred on his father and sister.

He told a former landlord, Gaye Bell, he was being "photographed through the pinholes of his venetian blinds'' and hearing Chloe's voice telling him she would "never forgive'' him.

"Throughout the time I have known Anthony, his hatred to blame for what was happening to him focused on Nick and Chloe,'' Ms Bell said in a subsequent court statement.

Anthony believed his family were responsible for a "worldwide'' game where people tried to control him.

Between 2004 and 2007, Anthony agreed to his family's requests to be psychiatrically assessed.

He told one psychiatrist he believed his relatives wanted him to kill himself.

Anthony believed his father and sister Chloe (above) were conspiring to have him die. Picture: Supplied Source: NewsLocal

He refused to take the medication prescribed for his paranoid schizophrenia.

A year before his son completely unravelled, Nick Waterlow tried to get him permanently committed to a psychiatric institution.

Gaye Bell also tried to have him scheduled after he accused her of conspiring with his family.

He threatened to kill her, saying, "You think you're so wonderful ... I'm going to snap your neck. I'm going to film you, keep you here and film you confessing everything you have done to me".

A referring doctor wrote Anthony Waterlow was "likely to be psychotic and a danger to himself and others''.

But health services refused to take him: Anthony didn't meet the criteria for involuntary hospitalisation under the Mental Health Act.

Anthony Waterlow was suffering serious psychiatric delusions by 2003. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

Besieged by violent thoughts and voices in his head, he was taking drugs and alternatively aggressive and withdrawn.

Nick Waterlow did not discuss his son's illness, but in 2006 he backed an exhibition "For Matthew And Others: Journeys With Schizophrenia" to highlight the plight of sufferers.

By late 2009, Anthony was living in a decrepit, rubbish-filled room in a run-down boarding house.

The voices in his head had intensified.

"He felt his family had devised a game of harassment that would eventually lead to his death and everyone could play to try to make him commit suicide,'' a psychiatrist's report later said.

In the weeks before the killings, a barmaid remembers Anthony regularly visiting to drink alone and play the Lord of The Rings pinball machine.

At 4.45pm Anthony Waterlow left this squalid bedsit (above) to kill his father and sister. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

Another bartender described a "fragile" man who kept to himself and played the poker machines, at one point saying it didn't matter if he lost money because "he was used to people hurting him".

At 4.45pm on Monday, November 4, 2009, Waterlow left his squalid bedsit for his sister's house.

Inside 87 Clovelly Road, Nick Waterlow was visiting his daughter while Chloe's husband was in Britain on a work trip.

Anthony stormed into the house brandishing a 34cm kitchen knife. Nick and Chloe Waterlow rushed at Anthony to stop him. Anthony lunged forward, stabbing his father.

He then turned the knife to his sister, Chloe, who pleaded, "No, don't - stop''. Soaked in blood, Anthony ran from the house.

A friend of Chloe Waterlow prays outside the murder house, still a crime scene, shortly after her employer's death. Picture: News Limited Source: News Limited

Neighbours heard his footsteps pounding down Clovelly Road.

In the UK, Chloe's husband was informed his father-in-law and wife had been slashed to death.

As he prepared for the trip home, police were studying CCTV images of a dishevelled, wild-looking man on the run.

CCTV footage of Anthony Waterlow on the run. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

The art world was in mourning for the "gentle ... supportive" man and "genius", Nick Waterlow.

Eighteen months later, a sombre Anthony Waterlow faced Justice Peter Hidden in a judge-only trial in the NSW Supreme Court.

As he enter pleas of not guilty due to mental illness, sobs came from the public gallery, which was filled with his extended family and friends, including actress Rachel Griffiths.

Calm and in control from taking anti-psychotic medication while in Long Bay prison forensic hospital, he expressed his remorse.

Anthony Waterlow in custody after his arrest. Picture: News Limited. Source: News Limited

"I wanted to say that since I have been treated with the right medication, symptoms of schizophrenia have slowly gone away,'' he said.

"This is a good thing, but it is also a terrible thing because it makes me aware of the awful reality of what I have actually done.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would kill Chloe and Dad, but I did, it was me and that is what I have got to live with.

The late Nick Waterlow, a 'gentle genius' whose last words to his psychotic son were 'I love you. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

"If I could give my life to bring them back I would.

"I miss my family incredibly and I am totally shattered by what I have done. I am so, so sorry and I will be for the rest of my life.''

In April 2011, Justice Hidden found Anthony Waterlow not guilty of murdering his sister and father on the grounds of mental illness. Anthony continues to be detained in a NSW forensic hospital.

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