You may remember the things that seemed impossible when you were a child: talking to somebody on the other side of the world, for free and anytime you like was probably one of them, along with a cure for AIDS, and being invisible. All of these boundaries have been broken, completely or at least in effect. Surely we will be flying, teleporting and living to our two-hundredth birthdays, within the next century! However, sometimes the simplest advances are the most amazing, not least because they are actually here, now. In this article we look at some amazing advancements in technology from 2008, specifically with regard to computer hardware, software, network performance management and information technology infrastructure.
Do you remember the science fiction movies where messages are projected onto walls, or even into the middles of rooms like in Star Wars? Well, the first steps to that technology have been unveiled by Microsoft at the CEO Summit in Washington recently. Microsoft has developed laser technology that can turn any surface into a touchscreen, and allow you to interact with a central computer, even on the internet. This information technology infrastructure means you could be having chat conversations on the kitchen bench while cooking, or reading emails in the shower, before long. We aim higher than even Bill Gates comment that we should "Think about the whiteboard in your office becoming intelligent".
Not likely to be hailed as a genius breakthrough by consumers, but perhaps the savior of the music industry, is a new digital fingerprinting technology being developed primarily by LTU technologies. Long has law enforcement and information technology consultants thrown their hands up in helplessness at the problems of piracy of music and video content, saying there is juts no way to control it. However, digital fingerprinting could save the music and video industries millions of dollars every year. Key identifiers in a file are pattern matched against a central database - if a pattern is copyrighted, it can't be uploaded. This information technology infrastructure also has the potential to do wonders for network performance management, as traffic levels drop.
Sometimes the most amazing advancements are also the ones that you didn't realize weren't yet possible. Ordinary people have heard of wireless technology, and immediately assumed they could be surfing the internet from their laptop while skydiving, travelling the countryside, or out in deep dark forests.
The reality is a lot more sober - however, there has recently been an amazing new development in wireless information technology infrastructure that allows delivery of audio and video content to passengers on the Singapore Flyer, the world's tallest observation deck. It was previously impossible to get data reliably through such a tall, large and dense structure, which was also continuously moving. However, an IT consulting firm has developed solutions which allow just that. Laptops while skydiving are one step closer, at least!
New wireless sensor technology might also help track both computational loads on large mainframes, and the heat distribution of your house. Microsoft has developed very cheap wireless sensors that can be used to collect and transmit data, as well as controlling environments. For about $3 a sensor, in the future you could have an automatically, perfectly climate controlled home. No more chilly hallways and dank corners!
While we aren't teleporting or outliving turtles yet, it seems that it certainly won't be long.
Sabtu, 30 Agustus 2008
Several Popular Technology Related Product Reviews
What do cell phones, mp3 players and "as seen on TV" products all have in common? The answer, they are all products that stay on the cutting edge of technology. The fact that a footwear company and a computer manufacturer would team up together is astonishing. Nike and Apple joined forces together in 2006 to create the Apple+Nike shoe. This shoe fused Nike's design technology with Apple's innovative iPod. A Nano is contained in the shoes sole. With Apple selling over one million iPhones and over 3 billion songs on iTunes, you can see how Apple is leading the pack in developing technologically advance products. This is only a portion of what they have going on in the field of technology.
Blu Ray Technology
The blu-ray was developed by several consumer electronics groups including Apple, Hitachi, HP, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, and Thomson. There has to be a union amongst companies before new products can be made. Each company stands to make money from the various components that often compliment technology products. Blu Ray disk would be useless to produce without a compatible television that could deliver the quality that blu ray offers. Panasonic is now turning out blu ray recorders in addition to its plasma televisions.
Camera Phone Technology
Cameras technology has advanced past a professional level where consumers can produce the same traditional picture quality as photo studios. The Nikon D90 prosumer DSLR camera for instance can create stunning still pictures in addition to High Definition (HD) video. Nokia's N85 Mobile Phone includes games, music, gps and a camera. Samsung's G810 camera phone technology features wifi, gps and TV output settings. The i8510 by Samsung is a prime example of several technologies being incorporated into phones. According to Samsung's Electronics sales and marketing assistant manager Philippe El Nakour, The Samsung Innov8 uses the latest in imaging applications, such as smile shot, blink shot, and face recognition.
Video Game Systems
Out of all of the video game systems on the market, Nintendo's Wii is by far the most compact in size. This compact video game console with its Wi-Fi Connection allows users from around the world to compete against each other. Other features include two slots for memory cards and a 20GB hard drive on basic models. With the introduction of the Xbox 360 to the market, players were introduced to quite a few unique features with this console.
There is a marketplace were games and other entertainment content can be purchased. The technology that drives this generation of gaming systems is the online capabilities. They blend the standard game play with all of the latest computer technology has to offer. Cd and DVD play along with video games and USB 2.0 ports make this system a hot item. Sony's PlayStation 3 incorporates the same blu ray technology mentioned above in its disc formatting. The PS3 was the first console on the market to offer a 2x speed Blu-ray Disc drive. In less than two years on the market, the PS3 has established itself as one of the best selling consoles out.
Whether it is blu ray, camera phones or video game systems, technology driven products are readily available to consumers at low rates. In fact, technology and knowledge are growing so rapidly that the market price quickly drops soon after they are released.
Blu Ray Technology
The blu-ray was developed by several consumer electronics groups including Apple, Hitachi, HP, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, and Thomson. There has to be a union amongst companies before new products can be made. Each company stands to make money from the various components that often compliment technology products. Blu Ray disk would be useless to produce without a compatible television that could deliver the quality that blu ray offers. Panasonic is now turning out blu ray recorders in addition to its plasma televisions.
Camera Phone Technology
Cameras technology has advanced past a professional level where consumers can produce the same traditional picture quality as photo studios. The Nikon D90 prosumer DSLR camera for instance can create stunning still pictures in addition to High Definition (HD) video. Nokia's N85 Mobile Phone includes games, music, gps and a camera. Samsung's G810 camera phone technology features wifi, gps and TV output settings. The i8510 by Samsung is a prime example of several technologies being incorporated into phones. According to Samsung's Electronics sales and marketing assistant manager Philippe El Nakour, The Samsung Innov8 uses the latest in imaging applications, such as smile shot, blink shot, and face recognition.
Video Game Systems
Out of all of the video game systems on the market, Nintendo's Wii is by far the most compact in size. This compact video game console with its Wi-Fi Connection allows users from around the world to compete against each other. Other features include two slots for memory cards and a 20GB hard drive on basic models. With the introduction of the Xbox 360 to the market, players were introduced to quite a few unique features with this console.
There is a marketplace were games and other entertainment content can be purchased. The technology that drives this generation of gaming systems is the online capabilities. They blend the standard game play with all of the latest computer technology has to offer. Cd and DVD play along with video games and USB 2.0 ports make this system a hot item. Sony's PlayStation 3 incorporates the same blu ray technology mentioned above in its disc formatting. The PS3 was the first console on the market to offer a 2x speed Blu-ray Disc drive. In less than two years on the market, the PS3 has established itself as one of the best selling consoles out.
Whether it is blu ray, camera phones or video game systems, technology driven products are readily available to consumers at low rates. In fact, technology and knowledge are growing so rapidly that the market price quickly drops soon after they are released.
Rabu, 27 Agustus 2008
Getting Help Scanning Negatives
Scanning negatives and slides can seem a bit tricky, but it can be done with the right equipment and know how. First of all, negatives and slides can be scanned with a scanner, but you cannot just put a negative on the glass and push the button to scan.
The scanner you use has to be one with built in negative scanning ability. Usually, a scanner designed for paper documents wont have this feature, but some do. A good scanner that is suitable for scanning negatives will produce excellent quality scans quickly, and there are different models to choose from that can allow you to scan numerous negatives and slides at once.
Scanning Negatives: DPI and Resolution
To begin, since the image on a negative is so small, you will want to keep a high resolution so that you can enlarge the picture and still maintain good picture quality. A good rule of thumb is that for every doubling in size for the picture, maintain that same increase for your resolution. For example, to get a 4X6in print from a 4X6in scan, the recommended dpi setting is 300. To get an 8X11 from that same scan, double the dpi to 600, and so on.
Scanning Negatives: Files and Output Type
There are several different file formats for images that computers use. These are TIFF, JPEG, and BMP files, just to name a few. The best files for scanning negatives are TIFF files. TIFFs can be edited and saved easily, and without compression loss. However, TIFFs can be large files that take up much memory. Besides choosing a file format, Output Type is another variable to consider when scanning. The default output type is usually Millions of Colors which is the best for photos with lots of color. Grayscale is for black and white pictures. It is recommended, though, that you maintain the default setting for color output, because this maintains the highest picture quality, and photo enhancement software can easily take the color photo and put it in black and white for you.
A word of caution about storage space: Many people have found that file sizes can mount quickly with scanning, saving, and editing photos. Pay special attention to file sizes and how much space is available on a CD or disk that you are saving the pictures to. Try to see about how much space a picture file uses, multiply that by the number of files you are saving, and make sure you dont run out of space in the middle of creating your masterpieces!
Keeping these tips and other important points in mind will help you decipher the puzzle of scanning negatives. These tips will get you started on your way to turning your tiny negatives into meaningful photographs that you will treasure for years to come.
The scanner you use has to be one with built in negative scanning ability. Usually, a scanner designed for paper documents wont have this feature, but some do. A good scanner that is suitable for scanning negatives will produce excellent quality scans quickly, and there are different models to choose from that can allow you to scan numerous negatives and slides at once.
Scanning Negatives: DPI and Resolution
To begin, since the image on a negative is so small, you will want to keep a high resolution so that you can enlarge the picture and still maintain good picture quality. A good rule of thumb is that for every doubling in size for the picture, maintain that same increase for your resolution. For example, to get a 4X6in print from a 4X6in scan, the recommended dpi setting is 300. To get an 8X11 from that same scan, double the dpi to 600, and so on.
Scanning Negatives: Files and Output Type
There are several different file formats for images that computers use. These are TIFF, JPEG, and BMP files, just to name a few. The best files for scanning negatives are TIFF files. TIFFs can be edited and saved easily, and without compression loss. However, TIFFs can be large files that take up much memory. Besides choosing a file format, Output Type is another variable to consider when scanning. The default output type is usually Millions of Colors which is the best for photos with lots of color. Grayscale is for black and white pictures. It is recommended, though, that you maintain the default setting for color output, because this maintains the highest picture quality, and photo enhancement software can easily take the color photo and put it in black and white for you.
A word of caution about storage space: Many people have found that file sizes can mount quickly with scanning, saving, and editing photos. Pay special attention to file sizes and how much space is available on a CD or disk that you are saving the pictures to. Try to see about how much space a picture file uses, multiply that by the number of files you are saving, and make sure you dont run out of space in the middle of creating your masterpieces!
Keeping these tips and other important points in mind will help you decipher the puzzle of scanning negatives. These tips will get you started on your way to turning your tiny negatives into meaningful photographs that you will treasure for years to come.
Using Photo Preservation to Stop Time
Photo preservation can be a complex process that requires lots of patience, knowledge, and care. When people handle their pictures and negatives, they do many things, unintentionally, that are very harmful to them, and most do not even know they are damaging their photos. Besides sticking fingers all over the pictures, there is more than fingerprints that can slowly destroy your paper memories. Pictures are actually made of gelatin and tiny silver particles. This makes them susceptible to bug infestation, mold, mildew, and humidity.
Unfortunately, many things that are made for use with pictures are the very things that hasten their disintegration. Many picture boards, cardboards, and most glue contain an acid that slowly eats away at the pictures. Even the chemicals that are used to develop the film from negatives are to blame for the eventual demise of these photographs.
Photo Preservation: Safe Handling
The most common problem that causes photographs to be lost is one that is simple to remedy: Lack of Identification. Who in the next generation would keep pictures around full of people and places they know nothing about? The first tip for preserving pictures is when you do write identifiers on them, use India ink or a carbon ink pen. Many other regular pens contain chemicals that will eventually ruin the photo. Dont use oily erasers, and never write on the front of the picture, with the exception of special paints designed to do so. Most people are commonly aware that sunlight will ruin photographs, so be careful where you place your pictures in their frames.
Never use rubber cement to adhere photographs to anything. The acids in rubber cement will ruin the picture quickly, cracking the emulsion and paper backing. Rubber cement contains sulfur, which reacts with the silver that sentences pictures to certain death! Do not use the photo albums that have the self-adhesive pages covered by clear plastic film. The glue, again here too, is acidic. Never display your pictures in vinyl sleeves. The sleeves are made out of a certain type of plastic that will cause both color and black and white photos to fade.
Photo Preservation: Safe Storage:
Art supply stores and photo shops are excellent places to find photo-friendly supplies for your pictures. Many times, pictures that you want to keep in storage are done so by putting them in any old bag or a box. There are boxes specifically designed for storage, but be careful; to keep photographs safe for many years, look for containers that are labeled as safe for archival storage.
Also, keeping them in metal filing cabinets is ok too, or at least better than in a cardboard or wooden box. Once you have specifically-designed boxes for the pictures, be sure to keep them in a cool, relatively dry place. Finally, never keep your photos, no matter what kind of storage box they are in, on floors or in damp basements.
Unfortunately, many things that are made for use with pictures are the very things that hasten their disintegration. Many picture boards, cardboards, and most glue contain an acid that slowly eats away at the pictures. Even the chemicals that are used to develop the film from negatives are to blame for the eventual demise of these photographs.
Photo Preservation: Safe Handling
The most common problem that causes photographs to be lost is one that is simple to remedy: Lack of Identification. Who in the next generation would keep pictures around full of people and places they know nothing about? The first tip for preserving pictures is when you do write identifiers on them, use India ink or a carbon ink pen. Many other regular pens contain chemicals that will eventually ruin the photo. Dont use oily erasers, and never write on the front of the picture, with the exception of special paints designed to do so. Most people are commonly aware that sunlight will ruin photographs, so be careful where you place your pictures in their frames.
Never use rubber cement to adhere photographs to anything. The acids in rubber cement will ruin the picture quickly, cracking the emulsion and paper backing. Rubber cement contains sulfur, which reacts with the silver that sentences pictures to certain death! Do not use the photo albums that have the self-adhesive pages covered by clear plastic film. The glue, again here too, is acidic. Never display your pictures in vinyl sleeves. The sleeves are made out of a certain type of plastic that will cause both color and black and white photos to fade.
Photo Preservation: Safe Storage:
Art supply stores and photo shops are excellent places to find photo-friendly supplies for your pictures. Many times, pictures that you want to keep in storage are done so by putting them in any old bag or a box. There are boxes specifically designed for storage, but be careful; to keep photographs safe for many years, look for containers that are labeled as safe for archival storage.
Also, keeping them in metal filing cabinets is ok too, or at least better than in a cardboard or wooden box. Once you have specifically-designed boxes for the pictures, be sure to keep them in a cool, relatively dry place. Finally, never keep your photos, no matter what kind of storage box they are in, on floors or in damp basements.
Senin, 25 Agustus 2008
Where Did Mobile Telephones Come From?
Nowadays, everybody has a mobile phone. Whether they're on a contract or a pay as you go tariff, the mobile phone has become an essential item for several people. this article will look at the history of the mobile phone - & its future - in order to discover more about the now essential telecommunications device.
The mobile phone began life as the two-way radio, which was also known as mobile rigs. these were put in vehicles such as minicabs, police cars and ambulances, although were not strictly mobile phones because they were not usually connected to the phone network. whilst the very first mobile phones were permanently installed in vehicles, later versions such as the transportables, also known as bag phones, could be carried, too, and could be used as either mobile or as portable two way radios.
The first mobile telephones were named first generation telephones, also referred to as 1g. The 1g era lasted from the late seventies through to the eighties. these devices were the very first real mobile telephones, although they were then named cellular mobile radiophones, and were based on analogue signals. the analogue signal would be the main difference between these first generation mobile telephones and their second generation cousins, which emerged a while later.
Second generation (2-g) mobile phones were first released in the nineties. Unlike 1-g phones that were analog, 2-g phones use digital technology to provide voice services & for text messaging & wap.
A handful of the advantages of 2-g phones are that they use lower radio signals, which require less battery power. This means that phones last much longer between charges, so batteries - & therefore the telephones themselves - can be made tinier. in addition to this, 2-g phones offer more privacy. Indeed, digital telephone calls are a lot harder to eavesdrop on than 1-g phone calls.
The name 2.5G is used to describe the phone technology that is post 2-g, but not quite 3g. However, while the terms 2-g & 3g are officially defined, the term 2.5G is not. in fact, this definition was invented by marketing bosses only.
After 2-g mobile telephones, 3g mobile phone technology arrived. 3-g is the term applied to the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology.
3-g technologies allow network operators for instance 02 and vodafone to offer their clients a larger range of advanced services, comprising of video calls, and broadband internet.
The very earliest 3-g network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in japan in may of 2001. it was launched commercially in japan on 1 october 2001. the very earliest European pre commercial 3g network was launched at the isle of man by Manx Telecom, who are owned by british telecom, in December 2001.
We hope our article has told you more about the mobile phone's history. As you've probably guessed, the mobile telephone has come a hell of a long way & will continue to progress even further.
4g technology will certainly give the mobile phone a new lease of life, potentially offering the live streaming of tv & radio shows plus a whole lot more besides. For the mobile phone, it is clear that the sky's the limit.
The mobile phone began life as the two-way radio, which was also known as mobile rigs. these were put in vehicles such as minicabs, police cars and ambulances, although were not strictly mobile phones because they were not usually connected to the phone network. whilst the very first mobile phones were permanently installed in vehicles, later versions such as the transportables, also known as bag phones, could be carried, too, and could be used as either mobile or as portable two way radios.
The first mobile telephones were named first generation telephones, also referred to as 1g. The 1g era lasted from the late seventies through to the eighties. these devices were the very first real mobile telephones, although they were then named cellular mobile radiophones, and were based on analogue signals. the analogue signal would be the main difference between these first generation mobile telephones and their second generation cousins, which emerged a while later.
Second generation (2-g) mobile phones were first released in the nineties. Unlike 1-g phones that were analog, 2-g phones use digital technology to provide voice services & for text messaging & wap.
A handful of the advantages of 2-g phones are that they use lower radio signals, which require less battery power. This means that phones last much longer between charges, so batteries - & therefore the telephones themselves - can be made tinier. in addition to this, 2-g phones offer more privacy. Indeed, digital telephone calls are a lot harder to eavesdrop on than 1-g phone calls.
The name 2.5G is used to describe the phone technology that is post 2-g, but not quite 3g. However, while the terms 2-g & 3g are officially defined, the term 2.5G is not. in fact, this definition was invented by marketing bosses only.
After 2-g mobile telephones, 3g mobile phone technology arrived. 3-g is the term applied to the third generation of mobile phone standards and technology.
3-g technologies allow network operators for instance 02 and vodafone to offer their clients a larger range of advanced services, comprising of video calls, and broadband internet.
The very earliest 3-g network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in japan in may of 2001. it was launched commercially in japan on 1 october 2001. the very earliest European pre commercial 3g network was launched at the isle of man by Manx Telecom, who are owned by british telecom, in December 2001.
We hope our article has told you more about the mobile phone's history. As you've probably guessed, the mobile telephone has come a hell of a long way & will continue to progress even further.
4g technology will certainly give the mobile phone a new lease of life, potentially offering the live streaming of tv & radio shows plus a whole lot more besides. For the mobile phone, it is clear that the sky's the limit.
Reverse Cell Phone Numbers, The Easy Way
Are you getting unsolicited calls from an unknown number? You may want to find out who is behind those prank calls. You may have found a unknown phone number on your spouses phone. Whatever the case, there are a few quick and easy solutions online that can help you reverse cell phone numbers. There are many sites out there that claim they offer free reverse cell phone numbers searches, be very wary of these sites. If they ask you for any personal information, move on.
One of the very first things you can do online is to run a Google search on the phone number. Many people who use this strategy find that the number originated from a telemarketer, business, or some other automated service. Surprisingly, there are many people who come online with the same questions and get the same exact phone calls.
Another easy thing you can do is to go to an online phone directory like the Whitepages online. Websites like these are basically the online version of your average phone book. Just like the phone books, you will get results from landline numbers and home phone numbers. This is not particularly useful in finding cell phone numbers.
If you are certain the phone call came from a cell phone number, then you can subscribe to a cell phone directory. You can search the cell phone directory to find the number you want. The problem with these services is the database are not very well updated. Chances are you will have to subscribe to more than one database to get the number you want. This makes it a costly and time consuming alternative.
The best option in my opinion is to run a reverse cell phone numbers search. Reverse searches are a lot quicker and reliable now with the progress of mobile technology. There are many services out there that offer this service. Many also have background check services if you want to take it a step further. You simply type in a phone number and you get an instant report telling you the name, location, and other information that will help you identify the exact identity of the person.
If you have exhausted all those options, you can do it the old fashioned way. You can call the phone number yourself or have someone else you trust call up the phone number. If the phone number originated from a telemarketer, more often than not, one call is enough to stop future calls. Make sure you keep your identity a secret, so that you can flesh out the person behind those phone calls.
One of the very first things you can do online is to run a Google search on the phone number. Many people who use this strategy find that the number originated from a telemarketer, business, or some other automated service. Surprisingly, there are many people who come online with the same questions and get the same exact phone calls.
Another easy thing you can do is to go to an online phone directory like the Whitepages online. Websites like these are basically the online version of your average phone book. Just like the phone books, you will get results from landline numbers and home phone numbers. This is not particularly useful in finding cell phone numbers.
If you are certain the phone call came from a cell phone number, then you can subscribe to a cell phone directory. You can search the cell phone directory to find the number you want. The problem with these services is the database are not very well updated. Chances are you will have to subscribe to more than one database to get the number you want. This makes it a costly and time consuming alternative.
The best option in my opinion is to run a reverse cell phone numbers search. Reverse searches are a lot quicker and reliable now with the progress of mobile technology. There are many services out there that offer this service. Many also have background check services if you want to take it a step further. You simply type in a phone number and you get an instant report telling you the name, location, and other information that will help you identify the exact identity of the person.
If you have exhausted all those options, you can do it the old fashioned way. You can call the phone number yourself or have someone else you trust call up the phone number. If the phone number originated from a telemarketer, more often than not, one call is enough to stop future calls. Make sure you keep your identity a secret, so that you can flesh out the person behind those phone calls.
Selasa, 19 Agustus 2008
Ice Flakers To Ice Skaters - Icy Activities For Fun
There is nothing like a long drink on a hot sunny day to cool down. Fruit juice bursting with health and vitality needs more than a straw and an an umbrella to top it off, for a proper refreshing beverage, heaps of ice are needed, crushed, cubed or flaked. There is more to ice than just popping the stuff in drinks to keep the summer heat at bay. Here are some ideas for icy activities.
The Vodka Luge
Continuing with a drinking theme, the luge is a fun way to enjoy a drink. The difference is that the alcohol is inside the ice and no glasses are needed! A variation of the traditional ice sculptures adorning corporate dinner tables, the luge is a party centrepiece. The vodka luge is a sculpted block of ice that has a channel running through it to pour a drink through for a super chilled alcohol hit. As the drink is poured in one end, the drinker waits at the other, mouth open to consume the icy vodka. To make the process more entertaining, the sculptures are often of body parts or objects that cause great hilarity when they have to be put to the mouth! A basic luge can be created at home, simply by freezing water in a mould as big as you fit in a freezer. A plastic storage tub is ideal. Placing flexible tubing or wooden doweling in the mould forms a basic channel.
The Other Luge and more Icy Sports
If partying like an animal is not on the agenda, the other luge is an option for more sober entertainment. A luge is a sled for up to two people similar to a bobsleigh and luge is the name of sport where the sleds race against each other and the clock. Another equally dangerous sporting pastime is Ice Hockey. Infamous for it's on rink fisty cuffs, the fights during ice hockey matches are all part of the game. When not fighting, there is the ever present danger of getting a puck in the face or another bodily target despite the ten tonnes of padding and a helmet. Ice skating on the other hand is a much more sedate pastime, and twirling away to the bolero in spangled spandex is always an option for a Friday night down the local ice rink.
Ice Sculptures that aren't Luges
Ice sculptures have connotations of being a little passe. Although a vodka luge makes an interesting variation, there are actually ice sculptors out there whose talents blow minds. Intricate sculptures of cameras and cars are cleverly crafted by artists as decor for corporate events and as promotional sculptures for big business. The craft is regarded as an art in it's own right too and competitions happen on a regular basis to crown a person as the most talented ice artist.
The Ice Hotel
However impressing all the crazy ice sculptures may be, nothing can beat the wonder of an ice hotel. There are several hotels of this nature located in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and Quebec. These hotels have to be constructed from scratch every year as they melt during the summer time, and absolutely everything is made from ice. The glasses, plates, chairs, tables, beds are all made from ice. There is the luxury of sleeping on reindeer skin to keep the chills at bay though! The first hotel was in Sweden and happened by accident. Japanese ice artists created an installation, and that evening there were no places to stay, so they bedded down to become the first guests in what became an ice hotel. So get creative with ideas for ice, you may well stumble upon a great new trend!
The Vodka Luge
Continuing with a drinking theme, the luge is a fun way to enjoy a drink. The difference is that the alcohol is inside the ice and no glasses are needed! A variation of the traditional ice sculptures adorning corporate dinner tables, the luge is a party centrepiece. The vodka luge is a sculpted block of ice that has a channel running through it to pour a drink through for a super chilled alcohol hit. As the drink is poured in one end, the drinker waits at the other, mouth open to consume the icy vodka. To make the process more entertaining, the sculptures are often of body parts or objects that cause great hilarity when they have to be put to the mouth! A basic luge can be created at home, simply by freezing water in a mould as big as you fit in a freezer. A plastic storage tub is ideal. Placing flexible tubing or wooden doweling in the mould forms a basic channel.
The Other Luge and more Icy Sports
If partying like an animal is not on the agenda, the other luge is an option for more sober entertainment. A luge is a sled for up to two people similar to a bobsleigh and luge is the name of sport where the sleds race against each other and the clock. Another equally dangerous sporting pastime is Ice Hockey. Infamous for it's on rink fisty cuffs, the fights during ice hockey matches are all part of the game. When not fighting, there is the ever present danger of getting a puck in the face or another bodily target despite the ten tonnes of padding and a helmet. Ice skating on the other hand is a much more sedate pastime, and twirling away to the bolero in spangled spandex is always an option for a Friday night down the local ice rink.
Ice Sculptures that aren't Luges
Ice sculptures have connotations of being a little passe. Although a vodka luge makes an interesting variation, there are actually ice sculptors out there whose talents blow minds. Intricate sculptures of cameras and cars are cleverly crafted by artists as decor for corporate events and as promotional sculptures for big business. The craft is regarded as an art in it's own right too and competitions happen on a regular basis to crown a person as the most talented ice artist.
The Ice Hotel
However impressing all the crazy ice sculptures may be, nothing can beat the wonder of an ice hotel. There are several hotels of this nature located in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Greenland and Quebec. These hotels have to be constructed from scratch every year as they melt during the summer time, and absolutely everything is made from ice. The glasses, plates, chairs, tables, beds are all made from ice. There is the luxury of sleeping on reindeer skin to keep the chills at bay though! The first hotel was in Sweden and happened by accident. Japanese ice artists created an installation, and that evening there were no places to stay, so they bedded down to become the first guests in what became an ice hotel. So get creative with ideas for ice, you may well stumble upon a great new trend!
Telescope Buying Guide - How To Buy A Telescope?
Are you interested in astronomy? Wouldn't it be great, to really see, what all those shinning points of light are, in the night sky? Well, you can with a telescope, but how to buy a telescope? What do you need to get started in astronomy, and wouldn't it be great to have it all in an easy telescope buying guide, such as this article?
Well, you have it. Here is the article, that can help you get into astronomy. First it is important to consider a few points, when wondering how to buy a telescope. The first and obvious step, is buying a telescope. However, there are some other parts, which go to make your hobby in astronomy, so much more fun.
You need 3 things to get the most out of astronomy, and 1 other item, which I recommend:
1. A telescope (this telescope buying guide, should help with that!)
2. A star atlas
3. A good practical book on astronomy and telescopes
* Optional
4. A notebook
Let us look into these necessary items to get the most out of astronomy. Remember, you can easily get into astronomy, by studying and learning the constellations. Some people in our human history, devoted there lives to constellations, some even to just 1 or 2!
* 1. How To Buy A Telescope?
Your first step before buying a telescope, is to consider what you want it for. Remember, telescopes are scientific instruments. This is an investment, and generally more you pay, more better telescope you get, which can literally last a life time.
If you have been wondering how to buy telescopes, you have come to the right place! Buying a telescope requires buying from either 1 of 3 places. From a specialized telescope shop, though these are not always easily found. The next is through mail order and the third, which is the easiest, is online.
There are 2 main types of telescope, one is reflector telescopes (catoptric), and refracting telescopes (dioptric). One has a big mirror, and the other is longer, and slimmer. They both pretty much do the same objectives. However, many people prefer the reflector for deep space viewing.
* 2 & 3 - A Good Star Atlas And Practical Astronomy And Telescopes Book
Getting the most out of the science of astronomy, is not about buying the biggest telescope or the high price you paid. Instead it is about knowing what is where, and where to look.
Galileo's telescope was so inferior to today's telescopes readily available, that he said that Saturn has ears! However, he still invested a lifetime into the study of these objects.
The key to knowing where to look, is with a good star atlas, and a practical astronomy book, designed for small telescope use. A book called - Turn Left At Orion, seems to be the most popular, and easy to follow.
* 4. A Notebook
Viewing Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, can be fun home scientific tasks, but what happens next? We get bored! The truth is, to get the most out of astronomy, is to treat it as a science. Even if you are the worst painter, you still can record a detailed picture of the Moon's craters over days, and see the differences. This will go a long way in the future, and will allow you to look back, and see what many people will never see, and all because you invested into the science of astronomy.
Well, you have it. Here is the article, that can help you get into astronomy. First it is important to consider a few points, when wondering how to buy a telescope. The first and obvious step, is buying a telescope. However, there are some other parts, which go to make your hobby in astronomy, so much more fun.
You need 3 things to get the most out of astronomy, and 1 other item, which I recommend:
1. A telescope (this telescope buying guide, should help with that!)
2. A star atlas
3. A good practical book on astronomy and telescopes
* Optional
4. A notebook
Let us look into these necessary items to get the most out of astronomy. Remember, you can easily get into astronomy, by studying and learning the constellations. Some people in our human history, devoted there lives to constellations, some even to just 1 or 2!
* 1. How To Buy A Telescope?
Your first step before buying a telescope, is to consider what you want it for. Remember, telescopes are scientific instruments. This is an investment, and generally more you pay, more better telescope you get, which can literally last a life time.
If you have been wondering how to buy telescopes, you have come to the right place! Buying a telescope requires buying from either 1 of 3 places. From a specialized telescope shop, though these are not always easily found. The next is through mail order and the third, which is the easiest, is online.
There are 2 main types of telescope, one is reflector telescopes (catoptric), and refracting telescopes (dioptric). One has a big mirror, and the other is longer, and slimmer. They both pretty much do the same objectives. However, many people prefer the reflector for deep space viewing.
* 2 & 3 - A Good Star Atlas And Practical Astronomy And Telescopes Book
Getting the most out of the science of astronomy, is not about buying the biggest telescope or the high price you paid. Instead it is about knowing what is where, and where to look.
Galileo's telescope was so inferior to today's telescopes readily available, that he said that Saturn has ears! However, he still invested a lifetime into the study of these objects.
The key to knowing where to look, is with a good star atlas, and a practical astronomy book, designed for small telescope use. A book called - Turn Left At Orion, seems to be the most popular, and easy to follow.
* 4. A Notebook
Viewing Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, can be fun home scientific tasks, but what happens next? We get bored! The truth is, to get the most out of astronomy, is to treat it as a science. Even if you are the worst painter, you still can record a detailed picture of the Moon's craters over days, and see the differences. This will go a long way in the future, and will allow you to look back, and see what many people will never see, and all because you invested into the science of astronomy.
Sabtu, 16 Agustus 2008
Can You Believe These Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis?
As you probably know, reverse osmosis is the method most commonly used to treat household drinking water. What this means is the elements in water that exist naturally, such as anything that causes an unpleasant odor or taste are reduced. It is also used to treat water that may have contaminants that would make it unsuitable for drinking.
How the process works
Reverse osmosis is also called ultra filtration because it moves water through a membrane. The membrane has very small openings that cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. The water passes through these openings and large items cannot. Sometimes these systems use an electric shock that helps to keep chemicals from coming through.
This is called rejecting the contaminant. When the rejection rates are not set high enough, they may allow some elements to pass through that are not desirable. The rates need to be high enough to reduce toxins or undesired elements to a safe level. There is not always only one contaminant. Sometimes there may be several. All rates have to be reduced.
Does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink?
Reverse osmosis is used because it has been proven to work on both a commercial level and a residential one. One such method can remove salt from seawater. The household variety of reverse osmosis systems put out anywhere from 2 to 10 gallons of treated water a day. If the correct installation is used, these systems can remove many undesirable elements from drinking water, thus reducing the need to buy water, especially for drinking.
Do not buy a unit to treat your water until after it is tested and you are aware of what type of treatment you need. Different systems treat water for different contaminants and you need to find the right one for your water needs.
What Are the Disadvantages of This System?
When you use reverse osmosis for treating your water, it will only treat anywhere from 5% to 15% of the waster it takes in to the system. The remaining water is expelled as wastewater. When it comes to reverse osmosis for home use, they do an excellent job. However, business units require a completely different approach.
The household model rejects the water that contains waste. When this is discarded, it usually goes out through the household drains. It can put a strain on a septic tank because they normally put out 40 to 90 gallons of wastewater a day. This system wastes a lot more water than it puts back.
If you use well water, it can cause the pump to run constantly, thereby running your power bill up to astronomical rates. This also will cause a very high water bill if you do not have a well and depend on city or town supplied water.
Reverse osmosis can be beneficial to remove contaminants from your water and make it safer to drink. However, this process also has drawbacks. Investigative work should be done on the type of system you need before purchasing one.
How the process works
Reverse osmosis is also called ultra filtration because it moves water through a membrane. The membrane has very small openings that cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. The water passes through these openings and large items cannot. Sometimes these systems use an electric shock that helps to keep chemicals from coming through.
This is called rejecting the contaminant. When the rejection rates are not set high enough, they may allow some elements to pass through that are not desirable. The rates need to be high enough to reduce toxins or undesired elements to a safe level. There is not always only one contaminant. Sometimes there may be several. All rates have to be reduced.
Does reverse osmosis make water safe to drink?
Reverse osmosis is used because it has been proven to work on both a commercial level and a residential one. One such method can remove salt from seawater. The household variety of reverse osmosis systems put out anywhere from 2 to 10 gallons of treated water a day. If the correct installation is used, these systems can remove many undesirable elements from drinking water, thus reducing the need to buy water, especially for drinking.
Do not buy a unit to treat your water until after it is tested and you are aware of what type of treatment you need. Different systems treat water for different contaminants and you need to find the right one for your water needs.
What Are the Disadvantages of This System?
When you use reverse osmosis for treating your water, it will only treat anywhere from 5% to 15% of the waster it takes in to the system. The remaining water is expelled as wastewater. When it comes to reverse osmosis for home use, they do an excellent job. However, business units require a completely different approach.
The household model rejects the water that contains waste. When this is discarded, it usually goes out through the household drains. It can put a strain on a septic tank because they normally put out 40 to 90 gallons of wastewater a day. This system wastes a lot more water than it puts back.
If you use well water, it can cause the pump to run constantly, thereby running your power bill up to astronomical rates. This also will cause a very high water bill if you do not have a well and depend on city or town supplied water.
Reverse osmosis can be beneficial to remove contaminants from your water and make it safer to drink. However, this process also has drawbacks. Investigative work should be done on the type of system you need before purchasing one.
How GPS Golf Units Can Help Your Game
GPS golf systems are quickly becoming the norm on golf greens all around the world. They are a great benefit to your game, allowing you to have up to date information on the course and course conditions. This information can include electronic maps with advice on hazards, caddy tips (just like a real caddy), weather reports and some GPS gadgets will even track your ball for you.
This information helps a golfer judge the distance between the tee and the hole, how hard to hit the ball and where to avoid water and sand traps. It can even store stats from the players previous games, allowing them to compare and improve their game.
GPS golf units are becoming more and more common. On many courses around the world, you are able to rent a golf cart with a GPS unit attached and in many cases, individual GPS units are more popular the golf cart itself. The number of golf GPS units is increasing and some of the more popular ones are outlined below.
The most popular GPS golf systems include the Garmin GolfLogix System, SkyGolf SkyCaddie SG2.5 System and the Sonocaddie Caddie Range Finder Pro System N030.
The Garmin GolfLogix System is great for beginners because it is a basic and simple device. The screen is easy to view and the information is uncomplicated. You can view all of the green and locate auto hazards. It can also auto advance to your target, making it easier on you. It is even helpful when playing at in poor light because of the backlight on its screen.
The SkyGolf SkyCaddie SG2.5 System is a great choice if you are ready to take your game a step further. It is easy to carry around the course and allows you to improve your game with the many features it holds. It allows you to measure the full depth and shape of the green, even if you are off the fairway. This unit is water resistant so rain will no longer keep you off the green.
The Sonocaddie Caddie Range Finder Pro System N030 is the most advertised of the three. In fact, it has been called "the most advanced personal system on the market today". It is very compact and fits in your palm, making it easy to carry. It gives you information on precise distances and hazards. But perhaps the most impressive feature is that the golfer has the ability to store information of thousands of golf courses around the country.
A GPS golf system is rapidly becoming a must-have among novice and expert golfers alike. Why let your golfing buddies have that advantage over you? Get your own GPS golf system and improve your game in no time.
This information helps a golfer judge the distance between the tee and the hole, how hard to hit the ball and where to avoid water and sand traps. It can even store stats from the players previous games, allowing them to compare and improve their game.
GPS golf units are becoming more and more common. On many courses around the world, you are able to rent a golf cart with a GPS unit attached and in many cases, individual GPS units are more popular the golf cart itself. The number of golf GPS units is increasing and some of the more popular ones are outlined below.
The most popular GPS golf systems include the Garmin GolfLogix System, SkyGolf SkyCaddie SG2.5 System and the Sonocaddie Caddie Range Finder Pro System N030.
The Garmin GolfLogix System is great for beginners because it is a basic and simple device. The screen is easy to view and the information is uncomplicated. You can view all of the green and locate auto hazards. It can also auto advance to your target, making it easier on you. It is even helpful when playing at in poor light because of the backlight on its screen.
The SkyGolf SkyCaddie SG2.5 System is a great choice if you are ready to take your game a step further. It is easy to carry around the course and allows you to improve your game with the many features it holds. It allows you to measure the full depth and shape of the green, even if you are off the fairway. This unit is water resistant so rain will no longer keep you off the green.
The Sonocaddie Caddie Range Finder Pro System N030 is the most advertised of the three. In fact, it has been called "the most advanced personal system on the market today". It is very compact and fits in your palm, making it easy to carry. It gives you information on precise distances and hazards. But perhaps the most impressive feature is that the golfer has the ability to store information of thousands of golf courses around the country.
A GPS golf system is rapidly becoming a must-have among novice and expert golfers alike. Why let your golfing buddies have that advantage over you? Get your own GPS golf system and improve your game in no time.
Selasa, 12 Agustus 2008
Computerized GPS Telescopes Verses Conventional Telescopes
Astronomy is a great hobby, but how do you start? You likely are not an astrophysicist or scientist, but want a telescope which is easy to use. Today, there are the same old conventional telescopes, and the new type of computerized telescopes that make life much easier. Join me as we look at the positives and negatives of both types of telescope.
A big problem facing most astronomy telescope owners is that of how to find objects in space. It is easy to find the Moon, you can't miss it! But, what about Pleiades or Andromeda?
For centuries, to find anything in space, required a knowledge of the position of the objects that astronomers wanted to find. Though this is easier to find out this data today, it still is not the easiest of things to do, even with the information.
For example, conventional telescopes with a mount such as the equatorial mount works with having the telescope calibrated with the pole star, then using the telescope to maneuver to the coordinates of the object you seek to find.
As you can see, this process can be long, and requires a bit of learning. This can be great, especially if you want to learn how things work, but if you simply want to have the visual enjoyment of viewing objects in the heavens, this can be a bad point to astronomy and using a telescope.
Over the last few years, a new type of telescope has been created, and put to market. That is the computerized GPS telescopes, and they offer something new. Instead of having to figure out coordinates, and positioning a telescope to view something, instead you have a computer on the telescope do it!
Companies such as Meade telescopes and Celestron telescopes manufacture great 'GoTo telescopes'. And they come equipped with a database of 10's of thousands of objects. Needless to say, if you want a telescope simply to view objects in space, a computerized telescope could be your best move.
If you want to find Saturn for example, you type it in, and the computer controls the motor on the telescope, and within a minute, you have the telescope on position to where the object is!
The other benefit with a computerized GPS telescope is that it follows the objects through the sky, so this can be a great feature, especially if you want to use your new telescope for capturing pictures.
The price point of the computerized GPS telescopes is not that much more different than conventional telescopes. This makes them a good idea to buy. Your choice will come down to what you want out of astronomy. If you want to simply view objects, then computerized could be the best way to go. If you want to learn more about astronomy, and how things work, then a conventional telescope may the best option to buy.
A big problem facing most astronomy telescope owners is that of how to find objects in space. It is easy to find the Moon, you can't miss it! But, what about Pleiades or Andromeda?
For centuries, to find anything in space, required a knowledge of the position of the objects that astronomers wanted to find. Though this is easier to find out this data today, it still is not the easiest of things to do, even with the information.
For example, conventional telescopes with a mount such as the equatorial mount works with having the telescope calibrated with the pole star, then using the telescope to maneuver to the coordinates of the object you seek to find.
As you can see, this process can be long, and requires a bit of learning. This can be great, especially if you want to learn how things work, but if you simply want to have the visual enjoyment of viewing objects in the heavens, this can be a bad point to astronomy and using a telescope.
Over the last few years, a new type of telescope has been created, and put to market. That is the computerized GPS telescopes, and they offer something new. Instead of having to figure out coordinates, and positioning a telescope to view something, instead you have a computer on the telescope do it!
Companies such as Meade telescopes and Celestron telescopes manufacture great 'GoTo telescopes'. And they come equipped with a database of 10's of thousands of objects. Needless to say, if you want a telescope simply to view objects in space, a computerized telescope could be your best move.
If you want to find Saturn for example, you type it in, and the computer controls the motor on the telescope, and within a minute, you have the telescope on position to where the object is!
The other benefit with a computerized GPS telescope is that it follows the objects through the sky, so this can be a great feature, especially if you want to use your new telescope for capturing pictures.
The price point of the computerized GPS telescopes is not that much more different than conventional telescopes. This makes them a good idea to buy. Your choice will come down to what you want out of astronomy. If you want to simply view objects, then computerized could be the best way to go. If you want to learn more about astronomy, and how things work, then a conventional telescope may the best option to buy.
All Dna Sequencing Data
DNA sequencing is the process in which scientists find the sequence of the building blocks of a strand of DNA. Those building blocks in each strand are called nucleotides, each of which is assigned a letter; A (Adenine), C (Cytosine), G (Guanine), and T (Thymidine). Each strand of DNA is a double strand and are contained within cells. Each time a cell splits, so does a strand of DNA. Each single side of the strand will then replicate itself. During this replication, another completed double strand of DNA is formed, which is an exact replica of the first.
The DNA sequencing is what pre-determines the genetics of every living thing. Each gene has its own unique strand of DNA sequencing. Scientist are able to determine the exact DNA sequencing of certain genes by taking a tiny strand and putting the sequence into a computer, which can produce a 3D model of the gene. You cannot go out and purchase a DNA sequencing kit like you can buy a bottle of cologne, but through government grants and funding, the scientists who study DNA sequencing are able to use this technology to determine what goes wrong with a gene that causes diseases and deformities.
Almost everything that is alike has the same DNA sequencing except for a few small genes that determines their minor differences. Humans, for example, will have the same genetic makeup as their ancestors, apart from the small genes that give them a different hair color or shape of their ears. This is why we tend to look like our parents and grandparents, because we have mostly the same DNA sequencing as they do. This is also how DNA sequencing is used to determine paternity.
DNA sequencing is done by scientists in a very precise manner. First the DNA must be extracted from the chromosome that houses it, and then broken up into smaller strands. Each small strand is used to make a set of fragments, each one base (two opposing nucleotides in a strand) shorter than the one before it. The fragments are separated by a gel and then a fluorescent dye is used to identify each individual type of nucleotide. A computer program then generates the sequences of the nucleotides into units of about 500 bases that exactly replicate the strand that the DNA was taken from. These units are then replicated to make a very long strand of DNA sequencing. The resulting DNA sequencing is then shared with other scientists in computer databases.
The DNA sequencing is what pre-determines the genetics of every living thing. Each gene has its own unique strand of DNA sequencing. Scientist are able to determine the exact DNA sequencing of certain genes by taking a tiny strand and putting the sequence into a computer, which can produce a 3D model of the gene. You cannot go out and purchase a DNA sequencing kit like you can buy a bottle of cologne, but through government grants and funding, the scientists who study DNA sequencing are able to use this technology to determine what goes wrong with a gene that causes diseases and deformities.
Almost everything that is alike has the same DNA sequencing except for a few small genes that determines their minor differences. Humans, for example, will have the same genetic makeup as their ancestors, apart from the small genes that give them a different hair color or shape of their ears. This is why we tend to look like our parents and grandparents, because we have mostly the same DNA sequencing as they do. This is also how DNA sequencing is used to determine paternity.
DNA sequencing is done by scientists in a very precise manner. First the DNA must be extracted from the chromosome that houses it, and then broken up into smaller strands. Each small strand is used to make a set of fragments, each one base (two opposing nucleotides in a strand) shorter than the one before it. The fragments are separated by a gel and then a fluorescent dye is used to identify each individual type of nucleotide. A computer program then generates the sequences of the nucleotides into units of about 500 bases that exactly replicate the strand that the DNA was taken from. These units are then replicated to make a very long strand of DNA sequencing. The resulting DNA sequencing is then shared with other scientists in computer databases.
Sabtu, 09 Agustus 2008
How To Choose Where You Buy A HDTV Set From
There are many places that sell HDTV sets. It can be a problem trying to find the best deals. After all, a HDTV set is not the cheapest purchase you will make, it is not like buying a coffee, hence it is likely to cost as much as $1,000 or more. In this article, you will discover some tips on where to buy a high definition television set.
There are many benefits to acquiring a HD TV set locally. It meets our involves today because immediate gratification. You can literally go to the store, and leave with a new TV. You don't have to wait, and you get a TV straight away in most cases.
Tonight you could be watching TV on your new HDTV. There is nothing like being able to do that. But is this the best option? It is a known fact that buying a HD TV set locally could cost more than if you searched online.
There is an alternative from buying from a retail store, and that is online. More and more people are choosing to buy HD television sets, and other electronic equipment online. It can even be cheaper, and sometimes much cheaper.
Some stores are even making products online cheaper than in there retail stores. This is an added bonus, and is one of the reasons online makes sense. The lower costs means that you get even better prices for the same products.
Big retail stores are also jumping on the net bandwagon. You will often find that prices on the stores website are better than buying from the store. For the company, being able to deliver direct from a warehouse or even direct from manufacturer, saves a lot of valuable retail space. Not to mention it being better for the environment, with less need to keep shipping a product.
* How To Choose Where You Buy A HDTV Set From
When considering where to buy an HDTV set, we can easily think, online is the best option. However, this is not always the best option. It comes down to your needs. And they are important to look at.
There are some things to consider before deciding to buy from a particular store:
- Do they offer the best prices?
- Do you get a warranty?
- How will you get the TV to your home?
For online:
- Do you need help with terminology, technology, etc?
- Is there an easy way to get help?
- Do they reply to your queries quickly?
- Is there a phone number and address - just in case if things go wrong?
- Do they ship to your location, and at what cost?
Research is always the key to getting a great deal. It may seem like a lot of work, however, it can benefit you in big ways. Imagine buying a HDTV set that retails for $1,500. You may be able to save approximately $100 to $300 by doing research that may take an hour or two. Unless you earn hundreds of dollars an hour, the investment in research can go a long way.
There are many benefits to acquiring a HD TV set locally. It meets our involves today because immediate gratification. You can literally go to the store, and leave with a new TV. You don't have to wait, and you get a TV straight away in most cases.
Tonight you could be watching TV on your new HDTV. There is nothing like being able to do that. But is this the best option? It is a known fact that buying a HD TV set locally could cost more than if you searched online.
There is an alternative from buying from a retail store, and that is online. More and more people are choosing to buy HD television sets, and other electronic equipment online. It can even be cheaper, and sometimes much cheaper.
Some stores are even making products online cheaper than in there retail stores. This is an added bonus, and is one of the reasons online makes sense. The lower costs means that you get even better prices for the same products.
Big retail stores are also jumping on the net bandwagon. You will often find that prices on the stores website are better than buying from the store. For the company, being able to deliver direct from a warehouse or even direct from manufacturer, saves a lot of valuable retail space. Not to mention it being better for the environment, with less need to keep shipping a product.
* How To Choose Where You Buy A HDTV Set From
When considering where to buy an HDTV set, we can easily think, online is the best option. However, this is not always the best option. It comes down to your needs. And they are important to look at.
There are some things to consider before deciding to buy from a particular store:
- Do they offer the best prices?
- Do you get a warranty?
- How will you get the TV to your home?
For online:
- Do you need help with terminology, technology, etc?
- Is there an easy way to get help?
- Do they reply to your queries quickly?
- Is there a phone number and address - just in case if things go wrong?
- Do they ship to your location, and at what cost?
Research is always the key to getting a great deal. It may seem like a lot of work, however, it can benefit you in big ways. Imagine buying a HDTV set that retails for $1,500. You may be able to save approximately $100 to $300 by doing research that may take an hour or two. Unless you earn hundreds of dollars an hour, the investment in research can go a long way.
The Is No Shortage Of Wireless Ringtones
In today's fast paced world, people rely on their cell phones to keep in touch and just about everywhere you look it is easy to spot people who have their cellular phones nearby and at the ready. With such an abundance of mobile phones out there and being carried by everyone from grade schoolers to grandmothers, wireless ringtones are something we have all become accustomed to hearing.
But, because of the popularity of cell phones and the fact that they are ever-present and even ubiquitous in modern life, there is also a great need for people to make their phones somewhat personalized and make a statement about who they are. Unique ringtones are one of the ways that people make their phone, and themselves, stand out from the cellular crowd.
In addition to helping to customize a phone to an individual's tastes, there is an even more practical reason why people seek out new downloadable ringtones. In a crowded room, personalized wireless ringtones simply help people to quickly figure out if it is their phone that is ringing or another.
Who hasn't either seen or been part of a scene when a cell phone suddenly starts ringing and the whole conversation comes to a grinding halt while people reach for their phones to see if they are getting the call. With the vast array of free mobile ringtones that are available these days, this type of scene is not happening as often because people are using more unique ringtones.
Ringtones are available in a number of ways these days. First, your wireless phone usually comes with a number of ringtones already installed. But in many cases, people are dissatisfied with the choice of caller ringtones because they tend to be very generic and there is not much of a choice. After activating the cell phone there are usually some additional cellular ringtones that you will be able to download, either from the cell phone service provider's website, or directly on your phone, depending on the type of cell phone service you have.
However, in most cases the cellular phone ringtone selection offered by the providers is often still very limited and the users quickly discover that they just don't have much in the way of choices to really reflect their personality. Sometimes, the cellular customer discovers that they have to pay for the best downloadable ringtones, such as popular real music ringtones that are becoming more and more in vogue.
The good news is that there is no shortage of available wireless ringtones that you can download and add to your phone. Some of the websites that enjoy the most internet traffic everyday are the ones that let people access free downloadable ringtones. Regardless of what you are looking for in a cellular phone ringtone, with a little searching on the net you will most likely be able to find something that you love.
But, because of the popularity of cell phones and the fact that they are ever-present and even ubiquitous in modern life, there is also a great need for people to make their phones somewhat personalized and make a statement about who they are. Unique ringtones are one of the ways that people make their phone, and themselves, stand out from the cellular crowd.
In addition to helping to customize a phone to an individual's tastes, there is an even more practical reason why people seek out new downloadable ringtones. In a crowded room, personalized wireless ringtones simply help people to quickly figure out if it is their phone that is ringing or another.
Who hasn't either seen or been part of a scene when a cell phone suddenly starts ringing and the whole conversation comes to a grinding halt while people reach for their phones to see if they are getting the call. With the vast array of free mobile ringtones that are available these days, this type of scene is not happening as often because people are using more unique ringtones.
Ringtones are available in a number of ways these days. First, your wireless phone usually comes with a number of ringtones already installed. But in many cases, people are dissatisfied with the choice of caller ringtones because they tend to be very generic and there is not much of a choice. After activating the cell phone there are usually some additional cellular ringtones that you will be able to download, either from the cell phone service provider's website, or directly on your phone, depending on the type of cell phone service you have.
However, in most cases the cellular phone ringtone selection offered by the providers is often still very limited and the users quickly discover that they just don't have much in the way of choices to really reflect their personality. Sometimes, the cellular customer discovers that they have to pay for the best downloadable ringtones, such as popular real music ringtones that are becoming more and more in vogue.
The good news is that there is no shortage of available wireless ringtones that you can download and add to your phone. Some of the websites that enjoy the most internet traffic everyday are the ones that let people access free downloadable ringtones. Regardless of what you are looking for in a cellular phone ringtone, with a little searching on the net you will most likely be able to find something that you love.
Rabu, 06 Agustus 2008
Find Out What Notebook Is Right For You
The Netbook has sprung onto the market with force thanks to the new Intel Atom processor that allows you to stay connected for longer. So which of the 10-inch models is the best for you? We take a look at three of the contenders in the field.
MSI Wind notebook
Following hot on the heels of the Eee PC the MSI Wind, yet another white plastic netbook. Pull open the lid and you will be presented a 10-inch Super-TFT panel and an almost full size keyboard. Operating systems are either Windows XP or Linux.
As for that chip, the Intel Atom N270 runs at 1.6GHz but as the core of the chip is based on older technology, so you won't see much of a performance boost over the Celeron chips found in the Asus. However, as it runs at a lower voltage, it impacts less on battery life. The new chip improves usability but not performance making the MSI Wind a winner in our book. It's taken everything Asus learnt from its first generation Eee PC and improved on it.
Advent 4211 notebook
It is impossible to review the Advent 4211 without referring to the MSI Wind, but perhaps there is no need because the Advent 4211 is identical. The difference lies in the price, the colour schemes and bundled software. The Advent comes in a black outer shell, with silver interior.
The Advent 4211 is home to the same Intel Atom N270 chip as used in the Wind and this gives you 1.6GHz processing power. The display is a crisp 10in LCD (1024 x 600) LCD, which stands up fairly well in a range of light conditions, both indoors and out.
The keyboard is obviously small, but fills the width of the frame so maximal space is given over to the keys. As there is no optical drive, you'll either have to download the software you want, or install from a USB stick or SD card. The Advent 4211 is a great little computer and runs very well.
Asus Eee PC 1000 notebook
It is seems that every time a company announces a rival to Asuss Eee PC crown, the Taiwanese company sees this as a direct challenge and announces another model in the Eee PC range.
So, hot on the heels of the 901 comes the 1000. It takes the same styling as the 8.9-inch model, but features a 10-inch screen. This larger screen does mean the overall design is bigger and heavier. Sure, 1.5kg is still ultraportable but when you think back to the 701 and its sub-1kg size it is easy to see that the idea of true portability is slipping away.
The only problem with have with the Eee PC 1000 is the size of it. The largest Eee PC to-date, the 1000 may be suffering from size creep but it is still a fantastic machine to use. The battery life is impressive and the build quality is still as high as ever.
The only problem is, you need ask yourself, at this price, would you be better off opting for a standard notebook? Looking at the evidence the answer is no.
MSI Wind notebook
Following hot on the heels of the Eee PC the MSI Wind, yet another white plastic netbook. Pull open the lid and you will be presented a 10-inch Super-TFT panel and an almost full size keyboard. Operating systems are either Windows XP or Linux.
As for that chip, the Intel Atom N270 runs at 1.6GHz but as the core of the chip is based on older technology, so you won't see much of a performance boost over the Celeron chips found in the Asus. However, as it runs at a lower voltage, it impacts less on battery life. The new chip improves usability but not performance making the MSI Wind a winner in our book. It's taken everything Asus learnt from its first generation Eee PC and improved on it.
Advent 4211 notebook
It is impossible to review the Advent 4211 without referring to the MSI Wind, but perhaps there is no need because the Advent 4211 is identical. The difference lies in the price, the colour schemes and bundled software. The Advent comes in a black outer shell, with silver interior.
The Advent 4211 is home to the same Intel Atom N270 chip as used in the Wind and this gives you 1.6GHz processing power. The display is a crisp 10in LCD (1024 x 600) LCD, which stands up fairly well in a range of light conditions, both indoors and out.
The keyboard is obviously small, but fills the width of the frame so maximal space is given over to the keys. As there is no optical drive, you'll either have to download the software you want, or install from a USB stick or SD card. The Advent 4211 is a great little computer and runs very well.
Asus Eee PC 1000 notebook
It is seems that every time a company announces a rival to Asuss Eee PC crown, the Taiwanese company sees this as a direct challenge and announces another model in the Eee PC range.
So, hot on the heels of the 901 comes the 1000. It takes the same styling as the 8.9-inch model, but features a 10-inch screen. This larger screen does mean the overall design is bigger and heavier. Sure, 1.5kg is still ultraportable but when you think back to the 701 and its sub-1kg size it is easy to see that the idea of true portability is slipping away.
The only problem with have with the Eee PC 1000 is the size of it. The largest Eee PC to-date, the 1000 may be suffering from size creep but it is still a fantastic machine to use. The battery life is impressive and the build quality is still as high as ever.
The only problem is, you need ask yourself, at this price, would you be better off opting for a standard notebook? Looking at the evidence the answer is no.
Home Cinema: A Nail In The Coffin Of The Talkies?
Since the Lumiere brothers screened their first cinematograph images in 1895 the world has been involved in a steamy love affair with moving images. It has survived world wars and oppressive regimes, and it has been used for educating and indoctrinating alike. Coinciding with the development of the railways the moving image was always representative of modernity and it is one of the only industries to keep developing its technology constantly through a process of creative problem solving.
It is a unique blend of art and commercialism, with the global industry worth tens of billions worldwide however certain industry professionals still manage to maintain their creative stamp on the films they create within this stringent commercial framework. As the film industry has developed so has many associated industries. As the capture of film became better quality so did the screening processes and it was not long before this was made accessible to the average household.
Starting with 8mm cameras and projection systems home cinema was born in the 1950s and 1960s. This was followed by super 8mm film in the 1970s and then the infamous Laserdiscs and Betamax in the 1980s. These domestic appliances brought the moving images of the cinema into the home and many industry commentators predicted the demise of the cinema or the talkies as they were dubbed post-sound.
Luckily for all home cinema enthusiasts the home cinema industry has developed significantly throughout the last two decades, moving from VHS, super VHS to DVD and pay per view delivering pre-DVD released movies directly into the home at the click of a remote. So how has this affected the film industrys box office takings? The answer is not a great deal.
When scrutinising the British Film Institute figures for cinematic admissions over the last 70 years you can see that in 1946 the attendance peaked with 1,635 million people going to the cinema, however ten years later they had dropped to 1,100.80 million. Then over the next three years the attendances plummeted 581 million, a total decrease of over 1000 million from its peak. When weighing this up against the development of home cinema technology it does not match up.
What it does fit with nicely is the rise of television. BBC 1 first broadcast in 1936 when domestic televisions were not commonplace however by the launch of ITV in 1955 the British economy was recovering and more people had TV sets. Partner this with fact that the majority of the attendances during UK wartime were there to watch news reels which were now being made available through TV then you have a plausible explanation for the drop in cinema attendances.
When examining the more recent cinematic attendances we can see a trough in 1984 at a measly 54 million during the VHS generation of home cinema which was first introduced in 1976. From then on the number of cinema attendances has been on the rise despite massive technological advances in home cinema. Now with DVD, HD, plasma screen and surround sound surely people would have everything they need at home?
The answer is again no. As we see from the Cinema Exhibitors Association, attendances between 2000-2007 have maintained a constant figure of around the 160 million region, a massive increase from the economically turbulent late 80s and early 90s. The fact is that the cinema is so embedded in UK culture and around the globe that it can never be replaced by any affordable home cinema. The psychology of the collective spectator, the confectionary and pure sensory magnitude of the experience will see cinema attendances stretching into the next millennium and beyond.
It is a unique blend of art and commercialism, with the global industry worth tens of billions worldwide however certain industry professionals still manage to maintain their creative stamp on the films they create within this stringent commercial framework. As the film industry has developed so has many associated industries. As the capture of film became better quality so did the screening processes and it was not long before this was made accessible to the average household.
Starting with 8mm cameras and projection systems home cinema was born in the 1950s and 1960s. This was followed by super 8mm film in the 1970s and then the infamous Laserdiscs and Betamax in the 1980s. These domestic appliances brought the moving images of the cinema into the home and many industry commentators predicted the demise of the cinema or the talkies as they were dubbed post-sound.
Luckily for all home cinema enthusiasts the home cinema industry has developed significantly throughout the last two decades, moving from VHS, super VHS to DVD and pay per view delivering pre-DVD released movies directly into the home at the click of a remote. So how has this affected the film industrys box office takings? The answer is not a great deal.
When scrutinising the British Film Institute figures for cinematic admissions over the last 70 years you can see that in 1946 the attendance peaked with 1,635 million people going to the cinema, however ten years later they had dropped to 1,100.80 million. Then over the next three years the attendances plummeted 581 million, a total decrease of over 1000 million from its peak. When weighing this up against the development of home cinema technology it does not match up.
What it does fit with nicely is the rise of television. BBC 1 first broadcast in 1936 when domestic televisions were not commonplace however by the launch of ITV in 1955 the British economy was recovering and more people had TV sets. Partner this with fact that the majority of the attendances during UK wartime were there to watch news reels which were now being made available through TV then you have a plausible explanation for the drop in cinema attendances.
When examining the more recent cinematic attendances we can see a trough in 1984 at a measly 54 million during the VHS generation of home cinema which was first introduced in 1976. From then on the number of cinema attendances has been on the rise despite massive technological advances in home cinema. Now with DVD, HD, plasma screen and surround sound surely people would have everything they need at home?
The answer is again no. As we see from the Cinema Exhibitors Association, attendances between 2000-2007 have maintained a constant figure of around the 160 million region, a massive increase from the economically turbulent late 80s and early 90s. The fact is that the cinema is so embedded in UK culture and around the globe that it can never be replaced by any affordable home cinema. The psychology of the collective spectator, the confectionary and pure sensory magnitude of the experience will see cinema attendances stretching into the next millennium and beyond.
Jumat, 01 Agustus 2008
Radar Detector Protection For Those Speed Traps
Oh, no. Too fast. You're motioned to pull over. You pull over and watch as people slow down to watch, probably thinking they're glad it wasn't them. After receiving your ticket, you swear you're going to buy one of those gadgets that sound an alarm that there is one in use up ahead.
This is where it gets tricky. You're going to need a real modern one if you want to avoid this happening again and one you can afford. Times have changed since the old ones used radio waves as a means of detection. Today's laser guns are much more efficient and harder to detect. Today there seems to be a vast selection of popular detectors to buy. Listen, you can always send this baby back for a new updates, but the even buying a brand new one, it's probably the same components as the first one which is still just as effective.
Now most people are usually upstanding citizens and follow the letter of the law, but I don't know too many people who haven't been stopped for speeding, including me, so the easiest thing to do is pay attention to how you're driving. It's easier said than done, so the best thing to do if you're not as attentive, is to purchase a radar detector just to be on the safe side. Then you don't risk being pulled over and get that ticket.
Safety on the road should be the prime concern of every driver and the laws of driving and speed limits are in place for good reasons, so always be prepared for speed changes and don't be heavy with your foot, but keep in mind that we all have been guilty of not concentrating and a radar detector can come in handy, especially when traveling on an unfamiliar road.
Even though many of the speed cams are popping up on the freeways in the city there are still many speed traps which we find ourselves going a little to fast.
If you want to avoid that citation and avoid paying the fine that this entails, plus save yourself some embarrassment, safeguard yourself in all areas, so this would include utilizing a radar detector and some of the best are can be tracked down online, and for heaven's sake, don't wait until after you receive a speeding ticket. It just might be one of your better investments for your car. Just friendly words of advice.
This is where it gets tricky. You're going to need a real modern one if you want to avoid this happening again and one you can afford. Times have changed since the old ones used radio waves as a means of detection. Today's laser guns are much more efficient and harder to detect. Today there seems to be a vast selection of popular detectors to buy. Listen, you can always send this baby back for a new updates, but the even buying a brand new one, it's probably the same components as the first one which is still just as effective.
Now most people are usually upstanding citizens and follow the letter of the law, but I don't know too many people who haven't been stopped for speeding, including me, so the easiest thing to do is pay attention to how you're driving. It's easier said than done, so the best thing to do if you're not as attentive, is to purchase a radar detector just to be on the safe side. Then you don't risk being pulled over and get that ticket.
Safety on the road should be the prime concern of every driver and the laws of driving and speed limits are in place for good reasons, so always be prepared for speed changes and don't be heavy with your foot, but keep in mind that we all have been guilty of not concentrating and a radar detector can come in handy, especially when traveling on an unfamiliar road.
Even though many of the speed cams are popping up on the freeways in the city there are still many speed traps which we find ourselves going a little to fast.
If you want to avoid that citation and avoid paying the fine that this entails, plus save yourself some embarrassment, safeguard yourself in all areas, so this would include utilizing a radar detector and some of the best are can be tracked down online, and for heaven's sake, don't wait until after you receive a speeding ticket. It just might be one of your better investments for your car. Just friendly words of advice.
How Telecommunication Have Advanced Over The Years
When someone mentions the word telecommunications equipment, the first image that springs into the mind of a layperson is a telephone. While this is somewhat accurate in most parts, it is the process of transmitting data over a distance using signals for the purpose of communication or exchanging data information. A telephone is one method of transmitting this information, though this is the most common way of communicating with someone else by vocally exchanging information.
Telecommunications equipment comes in various different forms and not just as a telephone handset. The following are a form of telecommunications equipment, radio, television, internet, computer networks and mobile telephones. These provide data and information in very different ways from each other. Some are designed for visual information, such as the television or computer devices. Televisions are common in practically every home, making it the main form of quick entertainment and fast communicator for vital pieces of information.
Everyone are familiar with a computer and are aware of how this is a more accurate way of receiving messages, obtaining important information and communicating with people over longer distances. Often this can be a more reliable source for trying to reach people, whereby a telephone may not receive and transfer signals well. In the past, making long distance phone calls required much more time to connect, as well as more concentration on trying to listen to each other speak.
The internet is a great source for providing effective communication using voice over internet protocols, such as Skype, MSN Messenger, Vonage, BT and PlusTalk. These are just some of the biggest internet telephony providers, which allow users to connect to and contact other internet telephony users provided they have an account set up and have exchanged profile information with the other party. The difference is there is not always a telephone provided for most of the software (Skype had introduced Skype Phones for users wanting to call landlines) and the connection is via a broadband internet connection.
Telecommunications equipment have taken a step further into allowing people who are deaf or hard of hearing to contact other people using video telephoning, which most telephone company providers offer with their prices. This is ideal especially for people looking to make social calls and can use their sign language skill for effective communication. These come at no further charge and calls are at the same price as normal landline calls.
Some telephones have a specific operating system, which allows you to text, or communicate with an operator through typing. These are ideal for those who cannot afford video telephoning. Text messages on mobile phones and using the internet is another useful tool for people with hearing disabilities to communicate with other people. Instead of perceiving them as expensive objects, they are now an important of our daily living, which means they need to be quicker at transmitting information and accessible to everyone.
These kinds of telecommunication equipment have seen changes from improved audio quality to clear picture quality that allows people to see each other in real time. This is a far cry from the days of sending smoke signals and sending hand-written letters.
Telecommunications equipment comes in various different forms and not just as a telephone handset. The following are a form of telecommunications equipment, radio, television, internet, computer networks and mobile telephones. These provide data and information in very different ways from each other. Some are designed for visual information, such as the television or computer devices. Televisions are common in practically every home, making it the main form of quick entertainment and fast communicator for vital pieces of information.
Everyone are familiar with a computer and are aware of how this is a more accurate way of receiving messages, obtaining important information and communicating with people over longer distances. Often this can be a more reliable source for trying to reach people, whereby a telephone may not receive and transfer signals well. In the past, making long distance phone calls required much more time to connect, as well as more concentration on trying to listen to each other speak.
The internet is a great source for providing effective communication using voice over internet protocols, such as Skype, MSN Messenger, Vonage, BT and PlusTalk. These are just some of the biggest internet telephony providers, which allow users to connect to and contact other internet telephony users provided they have an account set up and have exchanged profile information with the other party. The difference is there is not always a telephone provided for most of the software (Skype had introduced Skype Phones for users wanting to call landlines) and the connection is via a broadband internet connection.
Telecommunications equipment have taken a step further into allowing people who are deaf or hard of hearing to contact other people using video telephoning, which most telephone company providers offer with their prices. This is ideal especially for people looking to make social calls and can use their sign language skill for effective communication. These come at no further charge and calls are at the same price as normal landline calls.
Some telephones have a specific operating system, which allows you to text, or communicate with an operator through typing. These are ideal for those who cannot afford video telephoning. Text messages on mobile phones and using the internet is another useful tool for people with hearing disabilities to communicate with other people. Instead of perceiving them as expensive objects, they are now an important of our daily living, which means they need to be quicker at transmitting information and accessible to everyone.
These kinds of telecommunication equipment have seen changes from improved audio quality to clear picture quality that allows people to see each other in real time. This is a far cry from the days of sending smoke signals and sending hand-written letters.
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