The Study of Disease Using the Color of the Iris

Posted by Simon on August 22, 2010 under This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

In 1950, a chiropractor from America named Bernard Jensen began teaching students about the necessity of using natural foods to detoxify the body. He developed a method by which the color of the iris was used to indicate the presence of different toxins. American iridology was born.

Longs Peak Rocky Mountains in Denver Colorado taken by Peggy Summer 2010

However, iridology, or the study of disease using the color of the iris and certain color and thickness of lines across the eyeball originated in Europe, when a physician from Hungary and a Swedish pastor both noticed iris markings in connection with disease.

The physician-Ignatz von Peczely accidentally injured an owl as a child, breaking its leg. While nursing the owl back to health, the young von Peczely noticed that the thick black mark that appeared in the owl’s eye after the injury began to lessen as the owl healed. He never forgot it, and as an adult practicing his profession, he recoded that patients with bone fractures experienced the same black mark across the iris.

The Swedish pastor-Nils Liljequist-was exposed to malaria as a young man and while recieveing the treatment of quinine and iodine noticed that his blue eyes began to grow darker as the drugs built up in his system. He grew up to study homeopathic medicine and recorded similar reactions in clients who came to him for detoxification purposes.

It has been said that the eyes are the mirror to the soul. The famous Greek physician Hippocrates believed that they were also the mirror to the body-specifically for the purpose of determining various ailments. He too recorded the presence of black marks across the iris of fractured bones in his patients, and a change in the color of the eye of patients coming down with diseases.

Unfortunately, iridology cannot be used to determine a specific disease.

Practitioners of iridology use it to help patients as a preventative measure understand basic health problems in order to refer them to specialists if needed. The belief is that if a disease is detected in the very early stages it can be prevented from spreading further. The colored part of the eye-the iris-is studied for these markings and color changes by isolating the iris and taking pictures of it with a very strong lens. The process takes about an hour and is painless. The photos are then blown up and gone over with a magnifying glass by the iridologist and used to determine and identify potential ailments.

Most of these ailments are believed to be hereditary, and the patients predisposition to toxicity and disease is determined not only by the photos but with an extensive interview of family medical history. This holistic concept is well accepted by other disciplines of alternative medicine, as it is a fact that all parts of the body are related, especially when used to warn the body of an impending degenerative disease.

Under this theory, the color changes in the eyes at the very onset of the degenerative disease are used by the body to indicate an upcoming health problem, and to warn the body to seek preventative measures. The concept is not far fetched at all-take the example of chiropractors using the process of correcting the spinal alignment to help internal organs. Even conventional physicians check the eyes for signs of sickness. (Blood vessel size is an indication of the level of cholesterol.)

There is, however, some criticism toward iridology as practitioners (especially in the United States) are often not fully or thoroughly trained, as the courses offered are usually no more than two to three days in length and are put on by marketing companies who offer “certification” as an iridologist to their distributors. The result is the potential for over diagnosis with the distributor pushing their products through their “specialist.”

This tendency toward American consumerism and over marketing has given iridology a black eye (no pun intended) as a reputable form of medicine.

When seeking an iridologist, find one who has been certified by the Institute for Applied Iridology or by the International Iridology Research Association in Solana Beach, CA.

About the Author:
John T Adams has been fortunate in internet marketing and would like you to see how it is done by going to my website now-Click Here

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An Appeal To Everyone! PLEASE: My son Christian T Adams (Born December 5, 1974), a troubled individual, has disappeared and it troubles me deeply. He is also know by the name of Chris Sipp, Christian Sipp and mainly ran in the Kansas Towns of Salina and Junction City but possibly moved on to parts unknown in California. The last contact with him was in the mid 1990′s in Salina Kansas. If you have any idea at all please email me at john.adams@nomisdice.com or you can leave me a comment on this blog if that is easier for you. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

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Let Me Tell You How Cool Streaming Video Is

Posted by Simon on July 4, 2010 under It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

Where in the world are you going to use streaming video? You really wouldn’t set up a screen out on your front porch so it most likely will be for your website; you need to look at all the different ways in which a person can benefit from either viewing or offering streaming video. This is a very popular method of being able to view information and videos on the internet, and there are many reasons for this. While some people offer the ability to download certain materials and video clips from their website, other people are able to offer streaming video from their website in order to help capture the attention of the individuals that are interested in viewing it. First of all, an individual can take up less memory on their website by offering streaming video.

Full Moon June 26, 2010 in Denver Colorado taken by Peggy Summer 2010

Unless you are the ISP for yourself, you could really end up paying a lot of money for the bandwidth required for streaming video and the other things to consider would be that it may cause the site to run slower if many people are downloading all at once. When a site or a video is especially popular, this is a good thing when it comes to the video, but it could be a negative thing when it comes to the website from which the video is available. However, this is not the only way in which an individual is able to benefit and proper from being able to offer streaming video from their website to the viewers of the website. More benefits are in store for these individuals, as well as for the individuals that are able to utilize the website for their viewing pleasure and just how cool streaming video is for this.

Are there time constraints in streaming video or when it comes to playing the material in most instances, so many people prefer it to downloading the material. Streaming video for your website can be played almost immediately, much like an individual can turn on their television and see the channels immediately. There are some times in which an individual will need to wait very momentarily in order to watch the video simply because the media player and the host server need to establish a connection, and then the video needs to be buffered, but then it can be played quite easily. Meanwhile, the process of downloading a video can take a longer amount of time since the individual will not be able to play the video at all until it is completely downloaded and the individual has located the file on their computer. Depending on a person’s connection to the internet, the time of this process will vary greatly.

There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to streaming video but let me tell you how cool streaming video is and when you consider all of those using it for one reason or another, it is really cool and adds to the bag of toys that will enable you to win. He with the most toys wins!
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Hi Everyone, My name is John T Adams and I can tell you that I have been fortunate in internet marketing and I have a blast selling on eBay. With that said I would like to show you how it is done by your going to my website now-Click Here

One last thing I would like to impart on you and that there is more than one way to skin a apple and that is with this great opportunity waiting for you now! – Click Here. Don’t wait, do it now!

An Appeal To Everyone! PLEASE: My son Christian T Adams (Born December 5, 1974), a troubled individual, has disappeared and it troubles me deeply. He is also know by the name of Chris Sipp, Christian Sipp and mainly ran in the Kansas Towns of Salina and Junction City but possibly moved on to parts unknown in California. The last contact with him was in the mid 1990′s in Salina Kansas. If you have any idea at all please email me at john.adams@nomisdice.com or you can leave me a comment on this blog if that is easier for you. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

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Set Your Mind to Getting What You Want: Goals

Posted by Simon on June 20, 2010 under This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Be the First to Comment

The most critical attribute for realizing our dreams is integrity. In a conversation about dreams, integrity is essential and can be summarized this way: Say what you mean and mean what you say. Honor your word and agreements and you will be living with integrity, where dreams really do come true.

Simple, yes, but not always easy. Vastly over-scheduled, often the person it’s most difficult to keep our commitments with, is yourself. As you practice upholding your values, you are given opportunities to show up or to sell out. When you are challenged, do you lose sight of what matters to you? Do you have an internal pulse, a set of conscious principles that you live your life by?

If you are committed to a life of joy and abundance, filled with love, generosity and contribution, integrity is a must. Integrity creates trust and accountability. Surrounded by crowds, you can feel lonely if you’re not true to yourself. Without integrity, you can have great wealth and still feel worthless. And lacking integrity, you won’t trust yourself or have faith in your dreams.

When we leave things unresolved or incomplete, we are out of integrity. You can recognize something as incomplete by how you feel about it. Is the matter settled? Do you worry about it? How is it impacting other areas of your life? When you are complete with something you don’t even think about it. There is no agitation or energy wasted.

It’s up to you to decide if something is incomplete or not, but it’s difficult to focus on future dreams when you are consumed by your past. In-completions can be notorious and contagious as one leads to another. Buried under burdensome annoyances we can feel lost, afraid or confused. Take Jake for instance. He didn’t pay his taxes for two years. The IRS put a lien on his assets, so he was labeled a bad credit risk. He couldn’t buy a house or rent an apartment. Eventually he lost his credit cards. He was caught in a downward spiral that also undermined his confidence and self esteem.

Linda let her parking tickets pile high and never got around to paying them. She became afraid to drive her car because she might get towed. Concerned about driving to work, she eventually lost her job. A small detail led to a bigger concern, which led to an even worse problem.

Carol had a room in her home that she called the “black hole,” filled with incomplete items. Since she and her husband were trying to sell their house, she knew it was time to tackle that project. She came up with a list of over one hundred “items to do.” They included returning things she had borrowed, writing letters, even mailing back an inexpensive bracelet she had stolen from her local drug store when she was a teenager. It took some time and effort, but with each item she handled, Carol felt lighter and freer. Within a few weeks of completing her list, they easily sold their house. Completion creates freedom.

This is a picture taken in the WAAAM museum in Hood River Oregon on 2010-05-14

First Steps

This powerful process of exploring what’s been left unsaid, undone or incomplete in your life is one of the most awesome things you can do to free yourself and have more access to your dreams. If undertaken to the best of your ability, this may be the most profound thing you have ever done.

Look at all these important areas and use this formula as a guide to scrutinize your life. The areas to explore (but are not limited to) include your body, mind, home, work, finance, and people (living and dead).

1. Write down what you feel incomplete about with anyone or anything.

2. List what you need to do to complete it.

3. Complete as many items as possible.

How do you complete something? You may need to write a letter or make a phone call. You may need to forgive someone or just declare “it’s over.” On some items, you might need to create a project plan or you might not even know yet. Just do your best to get rid of anything that is weighing you down.

Removing clutter will give you greater clarity and energy for the things that are important to you. As you complete what you can, feelings of pride, accomplishment, and peace of mind, can motivate you to take on even the tough things. Free to move forward, now you can tap into the flow of life. The more your life is in order, the faster and easier your ability to manifest dreams will become. It’s just that simple.

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John T Adams has gone from dust to dirt and then on into the money with internet marketing and now here it is all laid out for you click here for yours!

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An Appeal To Everyone! PLEASE: My son Christian T Adams (Born December 5, 1974), a troubled individual, has disappeared and it troubles me deeply. He is also know by the name of Chris Sipp, Christian Sipp and mainly ran in the Kansas Towns of Salina and Junction City but possibly moved on to parts unknow in California. The last contact with him was in the mid 1990′s in Salina Kansas. If you have any idea at all please email me at john.adams@nomisdice.com or you can leave me a comment on this blog if that is easier for you. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated!

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The Emission Neubula

Posted by Simon on June 5, 2010 under It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 5 Comments to Read

As you sky gaze and surely it is not for no good reason because you know what you are looking at at when you will see it so when you see The Eagle Nebula, did you know that it is associated with open star cluster M16 of the Milky Way, was named for its dramatic similarity to the appearance of an eagle. Located 7000 light years from Earth, it is a component of the constellation Serpens (for Serpent). It was discovered in 1746 by P.L. de Cheseaux but it was not until twenty years later that the famous astronomer Charles Messier discovered it nebulosity. Not naked to the naked eye, it can be seen under the power of a low-to-moderate power telescope.

The Eagle Nebula is what is categorized as an emission nebula. An emission nebula is created when electrons are stripped away from molecules through the process of ionization and then recombine with protons emitting quanta of light. Usually the photons emitted lie in the red end of the spectrum creating a red-looking nebula. This is largely true for the Eagle Nebula with much of its glory being due to a brilliant display of red colors in addition to blue and white light. The Eagle Nebula is a heavenly wonder.

This is at the WAAAM Museum in Hood River Oregon taken 2010-05-14

The source of the ionization in emission nebula is energetic ultraviolet light created from hot stars shining on a cloud of hydrogen gas. In the case of the Eagle Nebula, the ultraviolet energy comes from the blue and white stars of the M16 cluster. These stars are interesting in that they are only approximately two million years old compared with our own sun’s age of four billion year. However, they are considerably heavier which is responsible for the shortening their lifetime to the order of a few million years.

The resemblance of an eagle is due to the presence of three tall dark pillars of EGG’s, or evaporating gas globules. EGG’s are composed of hydrogen gas and dust and are so dense that their constituents actually condense under the force of gravity to form new stars. These pillars are light years in length. The dust referred to absorbs much of the pillars’ light, giving it a dark appearance. These dust particles are not like ordinary household dust due to being both microscopic and asymmetrical in shape. Very little is known about them, as they have never been viewed first hand. However this interstellar dust makes up a large component of the universe.

Although somewhat complicated, the scientific origin of the Eagle Nebula is both rich and fascinating. The nebula itself is breathtaking, and any chance to view it should be undertaken if at all possible. There are many different types of classifications of nebulas with as many different visible manifestations as the number of identifiable nebulas themselves. Many beautiful images of the Eagle Nebula have been captured by the Hubble telescope, and like all images of nebulas are wonders of nature.

1) Bill Schoening/NOAO/AURA/NSF

About the Author:
John T Adams is your everyday type of internet guy who has made money on the internet. Come learn how you can do it too at my website.

I also blog about the different ways to make money from the internet, you may even find me to be a bit entertaining at times, so take a moment to click here and visit my blog.

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Wasteful Energy – Is That You?

Posted by Simon on June 1, 2010 under It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

With the price of gasoline on the upswing there seems to be little sign that we Americans are at least trying to conserve fuel, though there are pockets of concerned groups that are making their voice heard, mainly against Oil Company price gouging. At the same time the automotive advertising media seems to be pushing the higher gas consumption SUVs’ and cars. Granted, along with trucks, etc., these are the prime fossil fuel guzzlers, but they are by no means the only culprit for our increasing fuel dependency, be it fossil or renewable.

With all due respect to Mr. Edison, inventor of our non-directly fueled commercial lighting system, which was design for practicality and therefore efficiency at the time, had not been entered into the picture. The goal was only to provide a method of supplying the world with inexpensive, widely available commercial lighting. From this gigantic effort, we know, the incandescent light bulb was born. This achievement was, at the time, a monumental gift to the world…, but the future would reveal some flaws.

This virtually unchanged technology is still the top lighting source used today. For decades, the incandescent light bulb had little or no competition. Over this time, it has maintained the lowest cost per light unit of output (brightness) than any other lighting technology. All of this time its shortcomings were not challenged, or at least not so heavily, until a much newer technology, the LED(Light Emitting Diode) made its phenomenal technological advances in recent years…by surpassing it in light output for the power consumed. All that remains for the LED is the cost per lumen of light output to drop to a competitive level. Given the present LED disparity with the incandescent, the total advantages of LED technology far outweighs this because of its longevity of operation, which is over 10 years in constant use (under most conditions), it is virtually unbreakable and because LEDs give off so little heat due to their much greater efficiency and thus lower operating cost, it far outweighs its present day greater price structure.

This is Christine Falls on Mt rainier taken 2010-05-14

As the demand levels for this new breed of basic “tear drop” solid state light source increases, the price will come down some more and it will eventually reach that price competitive barrier. Of course, production quantities alone will not be the only influence determining the final selling price of the LED lamp to the “home lighting” market, for example, but its total monetary value to this particular market.

We would certainly hope that the LED would eventually replace most our present day lighting sources, saving the nation…to begin with untold billions of dollars per year, but even if this were possible today, just a little over 20 % of our energy consumption is used for lighting, so this alone would not solve our total energy problems, but it is certainly a beginning. It will take a national and multi-national effort to even begin to level off the world energy needs through the use of Renewables. It could certainly and quickly reach a point that an all out global effort will be needed to ebb the ongoing crisis and if not curbed quickly at that point, I believe it may reach a point of…irreversibility.

About the Author:
John T Adams is your everyday type of internet guy who has made money on the internet. Come learn how you can do it too at my website.

I also blog about the different ways to make money from the internet, you may even find me to be a bit entertaining at times, so take a moment to click here and visit my blog.

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Video game industry has another bad month (source: Mercury News)

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Apple: Google Phones Not Outselling iPhone (source: Forbes)

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Wi-Fi Gets Faster (source: Forbes)

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Fast Forward: There shouldn’t be just one template for tablet success (source: Washington Post)

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The Defensive Patent License makes patents less evil for open source (source: Internetnews)

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Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 & CentOS 3 end-of-life announced (source: Internetnews)

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The People Who Support Linux (source: Internetnews)

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Opera betas 10.5 for Linux and FreeBSD (source: Internetnews)

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The other Ubuntu Linux distributions (source: Internetnews)

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Apple celebrates big iPad sales but may face anti-trust probe (source: Mercury News)

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Magid: Facebook, U.K. skirmish over cyberbullying (source: Mercury News)

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AMD Unleashes Six-Core Desktop CPU (source: Linux Today)

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Apple’s New Ally: Microsoft (source: Forbes)

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Making Computers Human (source: Forbes)

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Tech review: Zeo is a useful but pricey sleep monitor (source: Mercury News)

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New Nvidia Video Driver for Linux Supports X Server 1.8 (source: Linux Today)

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Windows Malware: The Final Straw That Broke the Penguin’s Back (source: Linux Today)

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Remote Control Your Linux Desktop Using the iPhone (source: Internetnews)

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Lighting Your Videos (source: About)

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Google to introduce more smartphones (source: Mercury News)

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Uncovering Eco-Friendly Apps (source: Forbes)

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Multitouch Trackpad Gestures coming to Linux (source: Linux Today)

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Firefox 3.6.4 Lorentz Goes Beta (source: WinPlanet)

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Half of iPad users have Windows device in home, research finds (source: Network World)

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The viability of open source forking (source: Linux Today)

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Help File: Using an alternate Gmail return address in a smartphone’s mail program (source: Washington Post)

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For now, there’s little to do about a bad Internet provider (source: Washington Post)

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Hands-On with DXG’s 3D Pocket Camcorder (source: ziffdavis.com)

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Google Sees Fake AV Threat (source: Information Week)

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April Patch Tuesday Tackles Five Critical Flaws (source: WinPlanet)

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Ncat: The Network Swiss Army Knife (source: Internetnews)

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FAST FORWARD Rob Pegoraro (source: Washington Post)

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HP Jumps Back Into the Camera Business (source: ziffdavis.com)

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Wolverton: You’ve got iPad questions. I’ve got answers (source: Mercury News)

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HP’s New Energy-Efficient Chip Tech (source: Forbes)

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How To Beat Online Shopping Scams (source: Forbes)

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Enterprises May Snub iPad-Style PCs (source: Information Week)

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Sourcing The Milk You Drink (source: Forbes)

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Best Buy to Start Selling Nook; Google Tablet Update (source: About)

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Sony Swarovski Frame Plus iPad Jailbreak and Airport Screening Update (source: About)

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Understanding the Scientific Method

Posted by Simon on March 7, 2010 under Free eBooks, Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

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Understanding the scientific method and how to follow it is critical to building a good reputation in the technical community. In regards to science fairs, as a student progresses in grade levels the judges are going to demand more and more focus on using the scientific method.

Here is my seven step description of the scientific method.

1. Define the question 2. Gather information and resources 3. Form hypothesis 4. Perform experiment and collect data 5. Analyze data 6. Interpret data and draw conclusions that serve as a starting point for new hypotheses 7. Publish results

In science fair competitions, if you can show that you are following the scientific method, you are well on your way to impressing the judges.

Basically, start out by defining your question and topic. After that, form a hypothesis and perform your experiments. Step 6 is where you use that data to make any new hypotheses or theories about your science topic. If you want, you can take that new hypothesis you just developed and start again from step 3, then move your way back to 6. Follow this cycle as much as you want. The more focused your information and experiments the better.

Would you like an example to clarify how to use the scientific method?

Imagine you are doing your project on “Hot water” and we are going to follow the scientific method steps.

1. Define your question.

How about something silly, like “Will boiling water burn a person’s hand?”

2. Find lots of information about hot water and learn everything you can about it.

3. Now form a hypothesis based on your research. Our hypothesis is, “A person will not suffer any burns due to contact with boiling water.” Hopefully you are smart enough to know this isn’t true, but let’s pretend we aren’t just for the sake of the example.

4. Now we do perform our experiements. In real life we know we will burn ourselves with boiling water, and we should never touch it! But, suppose the experimenter has no idea. They run tests to see if contact with boiling water burns a person. BAD IDEA!

5. Now look at your data. Probably everyone in the experiments burned their skin during the tests. Looks like boiling water does cause burns! DUH!

6. Interpret the data. Hmm…our hypothesis was completely wrong. Our experiments showed that boiling water can cause burns.

7. Publish your results. I certainly hope you never make a project just like this, but here’s your chance to show the world what happens when you touch boiling water!

Keep in mind, don’t change your hypothesis because your final data did not agree with it. You don’t get more credit for having a correct hypothesis. You get credit for following the scientific method and coming to a correct conclusion based on your data.

Don’t forget to include possible reasons for experimental error.

If you follow these steps your project or experiment will make sense to anyone who views it and you have a good chance of succeeding!

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and, Good Day!

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Computer Security – In Today’s Society, Protecting Your Computer Is A Requirement

Posted by Simon on February 28, 2010 under Free eBooks, Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 5 Comments to Read

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Advances in computer technology is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it affords us quick and easy access to numerous conveniences such as bank statements, favorite shopping centers, school and health records, and more. On the other hand, it can also grant the same access to those who aren’t supposed to get it. Although it’s a rare occurrence, hacking has become the biggest criminal nuisance in computer history.

Make no bones about it. There’s nothing innocent or cute about the hacker. Today’s hackers aren’t the pimply-faced teen rebels that you might be thinking of. Instead, this generation of hackers are grown individuals who are more than likely earning a living by stealing the identities of innocent, law abiding individuals and then selling those identities to others who want to slip by the system. And the only protection against these seedy people is prevention.

Computer security couldn’t be more important than it is today and that’s why we’ve taken the time to introduce it to you. You can reduce the probability of experiencing identity theft by making your computer as hacker-proof as possible. All that’s needed is a little software and a lot of common sense.

1. Install an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. Anti-virus/anti-spyware software will stop malicious code from downloading and installing onto your computer while you peruse the Internet. Known as viruses, worms, or spyware, this malicious code can destroy important files and render your computer good for only one thing: sending sensitive data back to the server of an identity thief.

2. Don’t store sensitive data on your computer in the first place. Should your computer get infected with a virus, worm, or piece of spyware, you can thwart the individuals responsible by not storing your personal information on your PC so that when and if your computer does send back data – it won’t be anything valuable. Hackers look for things like full names, social security numbers, phone numbers, home addresses, work-related information, and credit card numbers. If these things aren’t saved onto a computer, there’s nothing critical to worry about other than restoring your computer to a non-virus condition.

3. Don’t open files without scanning them with an anti-virus/anti-spyware program. In the past, the warning was to avoid opening files from people that you don’t know. Today it’s really not safe to open files from anyone (without scanning the files) because that’s how viruses get spread – through files – even by mistake. So even though your co-worker may have emailed a funny video, it’s no more safe to open than a video downloaded from a complete stranger. Be safe and scan each and every file you download from the Internet or receive through email regardless of where it came from.

4. Create a barrier between your computer and prying eyes. Anti-virus/anti-spyware programs are only effective after the effect. But you can prevent identity theft from occurring by installing a firewall. A firewall is software that checks all data entering and exiting a computer and it then blocks that which doesn’t meet specified security criteria (user-defined rules).1

5. Don’t click on website links in spam messages. In an effort to obtain personal information, some spammers will send email that asks you to click on a link. The email messages are often disguised as important messages from well-known online establishments, and they often try to scare their readers into clicking links with threats of closing an account of some sort. Sometimes the links are harmless and attempt to con the reader into volunteering personal information (credit card number), but other times the links attempt to download harmful software onto a computer.

Your best protection against computer crimes is your own knowledge. Hopefully the suggestions above will prompt you into taking appropriate action and into protecting your computer with the suggested tools. In doing so, you’ll not only protect yourself, you’ll prevent the spread of these malicious activities and protect others at the same time.

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and, Good Day!

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What is Criminology?

Posted by Simon on February 13, 2010 under It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

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When people look into criminology, they may initially be surprised by how expansive the field is. Anyone that is at all associated with the scientific study of crime, the relationship between the criminal and his or her environment, and society’s reaction to crime would have some sort of placement within the scene of Criminology. In some instances, criminologists are researchers that are trying to find the common links between deviant behavior and the environment, in order to try to pinpoint what it is that causes or perpetuates crime.

There are currently a number of different theories that attempt to explain, through the process of science, what it is that causes a crime to take place. These theories began to emerge in earnest in the middle of the 1800’s. Over the course of the next 200 or so years, new theories began to spring up and eventually they began to involve genetics, hormones and biological makeup. Previously, theories of criminology rested heavily on society and the environment’s effect on the individual as a source to either push an individual into crime or away from crime.

There are three distinct schools of thought when it comes to criminology. One of the first schools of thought, the Classical school believes that utilitarian philosophy is the supporting notion of criminology. They argue that individuals have free will and can decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. The hedonistic, or self-indulgent, side of the body must be balanced against the rational of the individual. When the hedonistic side wins, crime may ensue. Rational is the side of the individual that would consider the penalty of the crime and, if the punishment is severe enough, is believed to be the piece of the individual that would keep them from crime by looking at the costs. Positivists are those who believe that the factors that contribute to the criminal’s propensity to go against the law do not rest within their own control. Rather, elements such as society or the person’s chemical makeup do.

These are things that are considered to be outside the control of the individual, but are still things that may play what Positivists claim as the biggest part of the responsibility when a criminal has committed a crime. In the Chicago school of thought, individuals believe that criminals are a result of the disorganized environments from which they come. Later, this definition was extended to include the belief that older generations taught younger generations about the role of crime. It is then fair to say that these individuals believe that crime is a social occurrence only where the social makeup of the area is broken down and unequal.

Crime is often considered to be a blemish when it comes to the society of an area. It causes people to fear when they should not have to. Criminologists are, in their own way, attempting to determine what causes a crime or instigates that type of behavior in a person in order to limit the amount of crime that takes place.

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and, Good Day!

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The Fourth Law (of Robotics)

Posted by Simon on February 7, 2010 under Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

The movie “I, Robot” is a muddled affair. It relies on shoddy pseudo-science and a general sense of unease that artificial (non-carbon based) intelligent life forms seem to provoke in us. But it goes no deeper than a comic book treatment of the important themes that it broaches. I, Robot is just another – and relatively inferior – entry is a long line of far better movies, such as “Blade Runner” and “Artificial Intelligence”.

Sigmund Freud said that we have an uncanny reaction to the inanimate. This is probably because we know that – pretensions and layers of philosophizing aside – we are nothing but recursive, self aware, introspective, conscious machines. Special machines, no doubt, but machines all the same.

Consider the James bond movies. They constitute a decades-spanning gallery of human paranoia. Villains change: communists, neo-Nazis, media moguls. But one kind of villain is a fixture in this psychodrama, in this parade of human phobias: the machine. James Bond always finds himself confronted with hideous, vicious, malicious machines and automata.

It was precisely to counter this wave of unease, even terror, irrational but all-pervasive, that Isaac Asimov, the late Sci-fi writer (and scientist) invented the Three Laws of Robotics:

A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.
Many have noticed the lack of consistency and, therefore, the inapplicability of these laws when considered together.

First, they are not derived from any coherent worldview or background. To be properly implemented and to avoid their interpretation in a potentially dangerous manner, the robots in which they are embedded must be equipped with reasonably comprehensive models of the physical universe and of human society.

Without such contexts, these laws soon lead to intractable paradoxes (experienced as a nervous breakdown by one of Asimov’s robots). Conflicts are ruinous in automata based on recursive functions (Turing machines), as all robots are. Godel pointed at one such self destructive paradox in the “Principia Mathematica”, ostensibly a comprehensive and self consistent logical system. It was enough to discredit the whole magnificent edifice constructed by Russel and Whitehead over a decade.

Some argue against this and say that robots need not be automata in the classical, Church-Turing, sense. That they could act according to heuristic, probabilistic rules of decision making. There are many other types of functions (non-recursive) that can be incorporated in a robot, they remind us.

True, but then, how can one guarantee that the robot’s behavior is fully predictable ? How can one be certain that robots will fully and always implement the three laws? Only recursive systems are predictable in principle, though, at times, their complexity makes it impossible.

This article deals with some commonsense, basic problems raised by the Laws. The next article in this series analyses the Laws from a few vantage points: philosophy, artificial intelligence and some systems theories.

An immediate question springs to mind: HOW will a robot identify a human being? Surely, in a future of perfect androids, constructed of organic materials, no superficial, outer scanning will suffice. Structure and composition will not be sufficient differentiating factors.

There are two ways to settle this very practical issue: one is to endow the robot with the ability to conduct a Converse Turing Test (to separate humans from other life forms) – the other is to somehow “barcode” all the robots by implanting some remotely readable signaling device inside them (such as a RFID – Radio Frequency ID chip). Both present additional difficulties.

The second solution will prevent the robot from positively identifying humans. He will be able identify with any certainty robots and only robots (or humans with such implants). This is ignoring, for discussion’s sake, defects in manufacturing or loss of the implanted identification tags. And what if a robot were to get rid of its tag? Will this also be classified as a “defect in manufacturing”?

In any case, robots will be forced to make a binary choice. They will be compelled to classify one type of physical entities as robots – and all the others as “non-robots”. Will non-robots include monkeys and parrots? Yes, unless the manufacturers equip the robots with digital or optical or molecular representations of the human figure (masculine and feminine) in varying positions (standing, sitting, lying down). Or unless all humans are somehow tagged from birth.

These are cumbersome and repulsive solutions and not very effective ones. No dictionary of human forms and positions is likely to be complete. There will always be the odd physical posture which the robot would find impossible to match to its library. A human disk thrower or swimmer may easily be classified as “non-human” by a robot – and so might amputated invalids.

What about administering a converse Turing Test?

This is even more seriously flawed. It is possible to design a test, which robots will apply to distinguish artificial life forms from humans. But it will have to be non-intrusive and not involve overt and prolonged communication. The alternative is a protracted teletype session, with the human concealed behind a curtain, after which the robot will issue its verdict: the respondent is a human or a robot. This is unthinkable.

Moreover, the application of such a test will “humanize” the robot in many important respects. Human identify other humans because they are human, too. This is called empathy. A robot will have to be somewhat human to recognize another human being, it takes one to know one, the saying (rightly) goes.

Let us assume that by some miraculous way the problem is overcome and robots unfailingly identify humans. The next question pertains to the notion of “injury” (still in the First Law). Is it limited only to physical injury (the elimination of the physical continuity of human tissues or of the normal functioning of the human body)?

Should “injury” in the First Law encompass the no less serious mental, verbal and social injuries (after all, they are all known to have physical side effects which are, at times, no less severe than direct physical “injuries”)? Is an insult an “injury”? What about being grossly impolite, or psychologically abusive? Or offending religious sensitivities, being politically incorrect – are these injuries? The bulk of human (and, therefore, inhuman) actions actually offend one human being or another, have the potential to do so, or seem to be doing so.

Consider surgery, driving a car, or investing money in the stock exchange. These “innocuous” acts may end in a coma, an accident, or ruinous financial losses, respectively. Should a robot refuse to obey human instructions which may result in injury to the instruction-givers?

Consider a mountain climber – should a robot refuse to hand him his equipment lest he falls off a cliff in an unsuccessful bid to reach the peak? Should a robot refuse to obey human commands pertaining to the crossing of busy roads or to driving (dangerous) sports cars?

Which level of risk should trigger robotic refusal and even prophylactic intervention? At which stage of the interactive man-machine collaboration should it be activated? Should a robot refuse to fetch a ladder or a rope to someone who intends to commit suicide by hanging himself (that’s an easy one)?

Should he ignore an instruction to push his master off a cliff (definitely), help him climb the cliff (less assuredly so), drive him to the cliff (maybe so), help him get into his car in order to drive him to the cliff… Where do the responsibility and obeisance bucks stop?

Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: such a robot must be equipped with more than a rudimentary sense of judgment, with the ability to appraise and analyse complex situations, to predict the future and to base his decisions on very fuzzy algorithms (no programmer can foresee all possible circumstances). To me, such a “robot” sounds much more dangerous (and humanoid) than any recursive automaton which does NOT include the famous Three Laws.

Moreover, what, exactly, constitutes “inaction”? How can we set apart inaction from failed action or, worse, from an action which failed by design, intentionally? If a human is in danger and the robot tries to save him and fails – how could we determine to what extent it exerted itself and did everything it could?

How much of the responsibility for a robot’s inaction or partial action or failed action should be imputed to the manufacturer – and how much to the robot itself? When a robot decides finally to ignore its own programming – how are we to gain information regarding this momentous event? Outside appearances can hardly be expected to help us distinguish a rebellious robot from a lackadaisical one.

The situation gets much more complicated when we consider states of conflict.

Imagine that a robot is obliged to harm one human in order to prevent him from hurting another. The Laws are absolutely inadequate in this case. The robot should either establish an empirical hierarchy of injuries – or an empirical hierarchy of humans. Should we, as humans, rely on robots or on their manufacturers (however wise, moral and compassionate) to make this selection for us? Should we abide by their judgment which injury is the more serious and warrants an intervention?

A summary of the Asimov Laws would give us the following “truth table”:

A robot must obey human commands except if:

Obeying them is likely to cause injury to a human, or
Obeying them will let a human be injured.
A robot must protect its own existence with three exceptions:

That such self-protection is injurious to a human;
That such self-protection entails inaction in the face of potential injury to a human;
That such self-protection results in robot insubordination (failing to obey human instructions).
Trying to create a truth table based on these conditions is the best way to demonstrate the problematic nature of Asimov’s idealized yet highly impractical world.

Here is an exercise:

Imagine a situation (consider the example below or one you make up) and then create a truth table based on the above five conditions. In such a truth table, “T” would stand for “compliance” and “F” for non-compliance.

Example:

A radioactivity monitoring robot malfunctions. If it self-destructs, its human operator might be injured. If it does not, its malfunction will equally seriously injure a patient dependent on his performance.

One of the possible solutions is, of course, to introduce gradations, a probability calculus, or a utility calculus. As they are phrased by Asimov, the rules and conditions are of a threshold, yes or no, take it or leave it nature. But if robots were to be instructed to maximize overall utility, many borderline cases would be resolved.

Still, even the introduction of heuristics, probability, and utility does not help us resolve the dilemma in the example above. Life is about inventing new rules on the fly, as we go, and as we encounter new challenges in a kaleidoscopically metamorphosing world. Robots with rigid instruction sets are ill suited to cope with that.

Note – Godel’s Theorems

The work of an important, though eccentric, Czech-Austrian mathematical logician, Kurt Gödel (1906-1978) dealt with the completeness and consistency of logical systems. A passing acquaintance with his two theorems would have saved the architect a lot of time.

Gödel’s First Incompleteness Theorem states that every consistent axiomatic logical system, sufficient to express arithmetic, contains true but unprovable (“not decidable”) sentences. In certain cases (when the system is omega-consistent), both said sentences and their negation are unprovable. The system is consistent and true – but not “complete” because not all its sentences can be decided as true or false by either being proved or by being refuted.

The Second Incompleteness Theorem is even more earth-shattering. It says that no consistent formal logical system can prove its own consistency. The system may be complete – but then we are unable to show, using its axioms and inference laws, that it is consistent

In other words, a computational system can either be complete and inconsistent – or consistent and incomplete. By trying to construct a system both complete and consistent, a robotics engineer would run afoul of Gödel’s theorem.

Note – Turing Machines

In 1936 an American (Alonzo Church) and a Briton (Alan M. Turing) published independently (as is often the case in science) the basics of a new branch in Mathematics (and logic): computability or recursive functions (later to be developed into Automata Theory).

The authors confined themselves to dealing with computations which involved “effective” or “mechanical” methods for finding results (which could also be expressed as solutions (values) to formulae). These methods were so called because they could, in principle, be performed by simple machines (or human-computers or human-calculators, to use Turing’s unfortunate phrases). The emphasis was on finiteness: a finite number of instructions, a finite number of symbols in each instruction, a finite number of steps to the result. This is why these methods were usable by humans without the aid of an apparatus (with the exception of pencil and paper as memory aids). Moreover: no insight or ingenuity were allowed to “interfere” or to be part of the solution seeking process.

What Church and Turing did was to construct a set of all the functions whose values could be obtained by applying effective or mechanical calculation methods. Turing went further down Church’s road and designed the “Turing Machine” – a machine which can calculate the values of all the functions whose values can be found using effective or mechanical methods. Thus, the program running the TM (=Turing Machine in the rest of this text) was really an effective or mechanical method. For the initiated readers: Church solved the decision-problem for propositional calculus and Turing proved that there is no solution to the decision problem relating to the predicate calculus. Put more simply, it is possible to “prove” the truth value (or the theorem status) of an expression in the propositional calculus – but not in the predicate calculus. Later it was shown that many functions (even in number theory itself) were not recursive, meaning that they could not be solved by a Turing Machine.

No one succeeded to prove that a function must be recursive in order to be effectively calculable. This is (as Post noted) a “working hypothesis” supported by overwhelming evidence. We don’t know of any effectively calculable function which is not recursive, by designing new TMs from existing ones we can obtain new effectively calculable functions from existing ones and TM computability stars in every attempt to understand effective calculability (or these attempts are reducible or equivalent to TM computable functions).

The Turing Machine itself, though abstract, has many “real world” features. It is a blueprint for a computing device with one “ideal” exception: its unbounded memory (the tape is infinite). Despite its hardware appearance (a read/write head which scans a two-dimensional tape inscribed with ones and zeroes, etc.) – it is really a software application, in today’s terminology. It carries out instructions, reads and writes, counts and so on. It is an automaton designed to implement an effective or mechanical method of solving functions (determining the truth value of propositions). If the transition from input to output is deterministic we have a classical automaton – if it is determined by a table of probabilities – we have a probabilistic automaton.

With time and hype, the limitations of TMs were forgotten. No one can say that the Mind is a TM because no one can prove that it is engaged in solving only recursive functions. We can say that TMs can do whatever digital computers are doing – but not that digital computers are TMs by definition. Maybe they are – maybe they are not. We do not know enough about them and about their future.

Moreover, the demand that recursive functions be computable by an UNAIDED human seems to restrict possible equivalents. Inasmuch as computers emulate human computation (Turing did believe so when he helped construct the ACE, at the time the fastest computer in the world) – they are TMs. Functions whose values are calculated by AIDED humans with the contribution of a computer are still recursive. It is when humans are aided by other kinds of instruments that we have a problem. If we use measuring devices to determine the values of a function it does not seem to conform to the definition of a recursive function. So, we can generalize and say that functions whose values are calculated by an AIDED human could be recursive, depending on the apparatus used and on the lack of ingenuity or insight (the latter being, anyhow, a weak, non-rigorous requirement which cannot be formalized).

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and,
Good Day!

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The Aurora Lights

Posted by Simon on February 6, 2010 under Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

Lights in the sky have fascinated us for thousands of years. The lights in the far north and south of our planet are some of the more famous ones.

What was in that Soup?

Travel to Antarctica or the Arctic and you’ll start thinking you are having hallucinations. During the evenings, the sky will literally glow.

In the Northern Hemisphere these lights are known as the aurora borealis. They are part of a larger light phenomenon known as aurora. In the Southern Hemisphere, these lights are known as the aurora australis or southern lights. In certain countries such as Russia, the northern lights are known as the white nights. Regardless of the hemisphere, the aurora has a uniform cause.

The aurora is the result of streams of electrons reacting to the magnetic field of the Earth. At far northern latitudes, the magnetic field is very close to the surface of the planet. Where the field penetrates the atmosphere, electrons react with gases such as oxygen and produce the effect known as the northern lights.

The aurora is undeniably beautiful. The lights appear in a variety of forms, but often combine a glow and curtain like roll. The light literally appears to slowly flow across the sky much like a sheet in the wind. The lights, however, can also appear in a curve similar to a rainbow or long lines. The specific shape is entirely dependent on how the magnetic field is interacting with the atmosphere.

On rare occasions, auroras may appear closer to the equator. This rare event is associated with massive solar events. When our sun kicks out a massive solar flare, the resulting solar radiation batters our magnetic field. This battering will actually push the field back into the atmosphere of the planet. When this happens, people around the world are given a chance to see the aurora without traveling the far north or south.

The aurora is truly an amazing thing to see. If you are compelled to experience it, Alaska and Norway are considered the best viewing locations.

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and,
Good Day!

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How to Make Gel Candles

Posted by Simon on January 29, 2010 under Free eBooks, It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

Gel candles are a great item to make. Not only are they beautiful, but very easy to light. They also burn slowly, giving your candles a long life for you to treasure. Gel candles are very easy to make as well as inexpensive. You can add your favorite scents to them as well. The supplies you need to get started include gel, zinc wicks, fragrance oils if you desire, and dye to add color. Some people love the look of a clear gel candle and prefer not to use any dye. It is important that you only use zinc wicks for gel candles because cotton wicks absorb the gel, causing them not to light or burn well. You can purchase these supplies from a craft store or online.

Gel candles can be made in a variety of holders. Using those made of glass will give you the best results. However, as long as the container is non-flammable you will be fine. To add uniqueness to gel candles, some makers choose to make them in fancy glasses, wine glasses, and vases. To add color and themes to candles, consider using embeds. This can be glitter, marbles, colorful rocks, sea shells, crystals, or anything else that won’t burn.

You will need a hot glue gun to stick the wick to the bottom of the holder you plan to use. Hold firmly in place until the wick sticks. To make centering easier, mark the bottom of the holder with a red or black marker right in the center. The wick should then be placed on top of the mark. Leave the wick long enough to reach outside of the holder. You will trim it later. To melt the gel, cut it into small strips. For best results melt it in a double boiler at medium heat. The gel should be heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. A quality thermometer is a great investment as the gel won’t set properly if you don’t get it hot enough and it will lose the glossy color if you get the temperature too high.

If you desire to add color to your gel candles, add it in slowly. The colors show more vibrantly in gel candles than wax candles so you will need a lot less than what you use if you make wax candles. Stir the color into the melted wax slowly. If you aren’t happy with the color you can slowly add more. If you plan to use embedded objects in the candle, it is suggested you keep the gel candle color very light. Next, add fragrance if you desire. 1/3 teaspoon is all you need for each glass of melted gel.

For best results, heat your container in the microwave for about one minute. This will eliminate those unsightly bubbles that can form on gel candles. Immediately after removing the holder from the microwave, start adding your embeds. You will want to dip them in the hot gel to get them to stick in the holder. You can arrange embeds any way you desire. For best results push them towards the edges of the holder so that they can easily be scene. You can create embed patterns or add them loosely.

It is important not to keep the gel very hot while completing the embed process. Once you have that done, pour the gel into the holder. If you allow the gel to cool before pouring it in the holder you will end up with clumps of gel throughout the candle. Make sure the wick is hanging over the top of the holder before pouring in the gel. Once the gel has set, trim it to the size you desire.

Making gel candles is easy, fun, and inexpensive. It is a great way to make your own beautiful candles for using, giving as gifts, or selling. There are wonderful books with plenty of pictures of gel candle designs you can try, or simply create your own.

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and,
Good Day!

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Cheap and Fast Software – An Introduction to Shareware

Posted by Simon on January 25, 2010 under Free eBooks, Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 3 Comments to Read

Visit any computer store today and you’ll find what seems like miles and miles of software on sale. Certainly enticing buys, there are a few problems with buying software off the shelves. On the shelf, software – otherwise known as “commercial software” – can be expensive, and incompatible, and outdated when compared to what’s available online. Fortunately, there’s an alternative to commercial software and although it isn’t new, it’s one of the most under-exploited opportunities in the computer industry.

We’re talking about shareware – software that you can try before buying.

Shareware has a long history and was rather popular in the days where BBS (bulletin board systems) reigned the online industry. It hasn’t gone anywhere, but its competition with commercial software is fierce – so fierce that it tends to fall on the back burner among new computer users. This is unfortunate because shareware has so many advantages over commercial software.

One of those advantages is its cost. On the whole, shareware is generally cheaper than commercial software. But don’t misinterpret the cost. With shareware, cheap does not equal low-quality and there are plenty of examples that prove shareware often outperforms the quality of commercial software time and time again. How much savings are we talking about? You could purchase a quality word processor, spreadsheet, database program, or system utility anywhere from a mere $15 to under a hundred. This is almost unheard of in stores like Best Buy, Circuit City, or Egghead, yet the shareware programs offered within this price range rival even Microsoft’s Office suite.

Another advantage that shareware has over commercial software is its compatibility. We’re not saying that shareware is compatible with all operating systems. What we’re saying is that since we can try shareware before paying for it, we can determine if the software is completely compatible with our systems first. In other words, we can discover whether the software performs the way we want them to and should anyone try to do the same with commercial software, they’ll be in for a big disappointment.

Commercial software policy doesn’t even allow for returns, let alone “borrowing” them to try them.

The last advantage that shareware has over commercial software (but certainly not the least) is its applicability. Plain and simple, shareware is the best bet when you want to keep on top of the latest release of a particular program. Sure, computer stores do their best to keep their inventory up to date, but when you can download version 5.6042 of a shareware program as opposed to buying a commercial 3.0 version from the local computer shop, there’s just no comparison.

Which brings up our next point. Just where does one get shareware? Shareware is all over the Internet and it’s really hard not to bump into it. The most popular places to find shareware is within thousands of download libraries, however the companies (and even independent programmers behind shareware) are increasingly offering shareware from their own websites. A simple Google or Yahoo search for a particular type of program will yield all sorts of results that point you toward items that you can try before you buy.

Be aware however, that because shareware is not commercial software, you may not experience a full program the way you would if you bought the software out of a box. Shareware may or may not be limited – meaning that some functions may not be available to you until the program is paid for. These limitations are often small and don’t interfere with the way its full version operations. They’re really just implemented as a way to prompt payment. Remember that shareware is not freeware. You shouldn’t try to use shareware as commercial software without paying for it.

About the only thing that’s similar between shareware and commercial software is the way in which they may be bought. With a credit card, you can be the new owner of your own software within minutes.

About the Author:
My name is Simon and I am a Blogger. As the title of this blog it is as expected: A Tech Blog. I find so many things fascinating that I just have to write about them sharing my fascination with that particular item or technical bit of information. I ask that If you do read an article, that you would take a moment and comment saying good job, alright! or that it just sucked. Let me know, for it is important. Most of all, if you do enjoy my articles, please subscribe to my articles through the RSS feed by clicking on the RSS button on the blog page. Thank You for visiting and,
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What’s Up With Wii? – A Guide of What’s Available for Nintendo’s Wii System

Posted by Simon on January 24, 2010 under Kindle eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., What could be more fun? | Be the First to Comment

If you haven’t heard of Nintendo’s Wii system, we have just one question for you. Where have you been?! This hot new gaming system made its debut right at the time when Microsoft’s new Xbox hit the market. But what makes this system so popular is that it’s the first system that incorporates virtual reality in the living room. That, in addition to Nintendo’s dedication to producing gaming material for that entire family as opposed to the complex games that we have on the market (for other systems) today.

This article describes some of the accessories and games available that everyone can enjoy.

The Wii System. Welcome back to family fun with this console. For only $249, the entire family can enjoy time’s treasured games and physically interact with them using Nintendo’s unique wrist-strapped controller. Anyone at any skill level can get in on the fun with this new machine and it comes with a free Wii Sports game cartridge.

Wii Accessories. If you’re still “old school” and you prefer to use the classic Nintendo style controller, no need to fret. They’re still available and they cost no more than $19.99. But if you can’t wait to try out the Wii Remote, get one or two or three at only $40 each. The Wii Nunchuck Controller will run you about $19.99, however both the Nunchuck and Remote controller will give you hours of fun as you swing your way through your favorite games.

Of course, all that gaming could warrant the purchase of the Wii Air cooler ($14.99) or the Wii Charge Station ($29.99). And you certainly don’t want to quit a game without saving your place! You can buy a 1GB SD Memory card ($39.99) or 2 GB SD memory card ($59.99) made by SanDisk, and pick up the fun where you left off at a later time.

To make sure your Wii console fits snuggly into the back of your television, you can buy a pack of Wii Component cables for $29.99.

Wii Games. Looking for games? We’ve separated this part of our guide into two sections: one for children and one for adults. Use caution when purchasing Wii games for players under 18 years of age.

FOR CHILDREN:

Excite Truck………………………………………….$49.99
Wario Ware: Smooth Moves……………………$49.99
Super Paper Mario…………………………………$19.99
Bionicle………………………………………………..$49.99
Sonic and the Secret Rings…………………….$49.99
Cooking Mama: Cook Off……………………….$49.99
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07…………………….. $49.99

NOTE: Bionicle may not look children friendly at first, but it really is a fun and innocent game that battles and controls a line of toy action figures. It’s based on Lego’s Bionicle universe. Cooking Mama is rather new to the Nintendo game suite and it challenges young players to prepare more than 300 real recipes from 10 different countries.

FOR ADULTS:

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess……$49.99
Medal of Honor Vangaurd………………………$49.99
The Godfather: Blackhand Edition…………..$49.99

COMING SOON:
Mario Party 8
Legend of the Dragon
Mortal Combat Armageddon
Scarface: The World is Yours

NOTE: Legend of the Dragon and Zelda is rated T for Teen. The Godfather, Scarface, and Mortal Combat is rated M for Mature. Both The Godfather and Scarface emulate scenes from their movies and the violence follows with them.. Mortal Combat was designed to appeal to an audience that’s, “eager for violence.”
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Pros and Cons of Residential Solar Energy System

Posted by Simon on January 17, 2010 under Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Kindle eBooks, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | 2 Comments to Read

Harnessing the power of the sun’s ray to create energy to power our house is very appealing. But the question is, “Is everything about solar energy good?”

Looking at the current price of fossil fuel-based electricity, it is quite impractical to convert into solar energy system. However, with the growing concern on the state of the earth, there is really a need to find other means of energy aside from what power plants are using right now. Where do you place yourself?

Whether you are an advocate of clean energy or simply care about where your finances go, looking at the pros and cons of residential solar energy system will help you decide on whether to convert or not.

Pros

Solar energy is free. Did you know that the earth absorbs 174 pettawatts of solar radiation? This means that we have more than enough source of free energy to power every house in the world. Unfortunately, most of our energy is still drawn from oil, gas and coal. But in recent years, there is a steady increase of demand for alternative and renewable energy like solar power. It is estimated that the demand for alternative sources of energy will increase by 53% between 1999 and 2020.

Solar energy is clean, renewable and sustainable. Because the energy created from the sun’s rays does not produce byproducts like those from fossil fuel power plants (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, mercury or carbon dioxide), it does not contribute to pollution. Accordingly, the increase in the use of solar energy and other alternative forms of energy will decrease the demand for greenhouse gases-producing power plants.

The price of photovoltaic cells is steadily decreasing. The demand for solar panels has risen by 57% in the United States in 2007 and is steadily increasing on a monthly basis. The increase in demand results to the improvement of solar technology as a whole. The prices of photovoltaic cells have declined on the average of 4% every year over the past 15 years.

Solar panels can be installed on most rooftops, eliminating the problem of finding a suitable place for installation. Solar panels require little or no maintenance. The original photovoltaic cells technology is used for most satellites orbiting our earth today which are not maintained at all. Many solar panel manufacturers give 25 to 40 years warranty on their products.

Because most areas of the country receive a substantial amount of sunlight throughout the year, solar panels can be installed anywhere.

Many states in the country give tax credits and rebates to households who want to install solar energy system. Check with your state government the cost of these incentives.

Cons

While the prices of PV cells are in constant decline, the cost of installation is substantially high compared to the current electric cost. But the good thing is, after your initial cash out, you don’t have to pay every month on electric bills for the rest of your life.

On areas cities and areas with heavy pollution problem, solar energy may not work as fine. Weather can also affect the efficiency of solar energy. If it is raining, overcast weather or if there is a hurricane, the solar panels’ efficiency is decreased.

You are only producing energy during day time.

These are general pros and cons you might encounter when considering the conversion to solar energy system. It would be best if your decision is based on location, cost, budget, rebates, tax credits and practicality.
About The Author:
We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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Incorporate a disaster recovery plan

Posted by Simon on under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, Kindle eBooks, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You Should Be Afraid, You should Try this | Read the First Comment

Nordural ehf’s backup system needed to incorporate a Disaster Recovery plan that would reduce the backup window from ten hours to two-three hours.
A Disaster Recovery Plan is a coordinated activity to enable the recovery of IT/business systems due to a disruption. Disaster Recovery can be achieved by restoring IT/business operations at an alternate location, recovering IT/business operations using alternate equipment, and/or performing some or all of the affected business processes using manual methods.
It was essential that Nordural’s backup system incorporate a trustworthy Disaster Recovery plan that would reduce its backup window from ten hours to two-three hours. In addition to this, Nordural wanted a Disaster Recovery plan that restored the company’s most critical servers to bare metal restore in less than two hours.

Nordural’s decision to select the SecurStore Remote Backup Service highlights the strength and flexibility of managed services.
Remote backup (sometimes also referred to as online backup) is a service that provides users with an online system for backing up and storing computer files. Remote backup service providers are companies that provide a software program and space on a server that their client’s data is stored on. The software program will run on a client’s computer and (typically) once a day; compress, encrypt and then send the client’s data to the remote backup service providers’ servers to be stored
With SecurStore, Nordural had the assurance that all their requirements would be met – from a fast critical restore, to remote backup at multiple locations, to a simple and effective interface for the
IT people at Nordural.
“We chose the SecurStore Remote Backup Service because it gives us all round backup and recovery services for our needs, with 24x7x365 support” said Emil Hilmarsson, IT Manager Nordural. SecurStore also provided Nordural with the option of assigning which data is ‘critical; and which is ‘important’ data by using Long Term Storage with the use of Backup Lifecycle Management system that manages data during all backing up and archiving processes.
Backup Lifecycle Management differentiates data into varying levels of protected data: current critical data, which is stored on-line for fast recovery; and archivable data that may be needed at a later time but is not likely to be accessed in the near future.
Alexander Eiríksson, President of SecurStore, confirmed, “The agentless architecture of SecurStore Remote Backup Service allows us to implement the service with minimal interference to Nordural’s existing computer systems. Moreover, because the service is pivoted around providing backup and recovery for geographically dispersed locations, it perfectly compliments Nordural’s multi-site locations, remote or otherwise. This provisioning enables Nordural to remotely back up laptops even when workers are away.”
At each customer site, a single client discovers all servers, desktops and laptops connected to the local network, and automates the backup of all local data assets.
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We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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USB Flash Drive

Posted by Simon on January 14, 2010 under Free eBooks, Kindle eBooks, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 3 Comments to Read

USB flash drive or any other flash memory drive is basically an EEPROM that means “Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory”.

USB flash memory sticks are nothing but an assembly of EEPROM, a controller with a RISC microprocessor, RAM and ROM. All of this interacts with a computer using a USB controller and connector.

Because USB sticks are EEPROM these can hold data for as long as 10 years. As these memory modules are shock proof and as these don’t have a volatile memory are good enough to sustain shock and humidity to some extend that is casual abuse that includes run through a washing machine, or even dropped in coffee.

UBS thumb drives normally don’t require drivers but with few old operating systems like Windows 98 and Windows 95 you need drivers that are provided by the manufacturer. Latest OS consider USB drives as USB Mass storage devices and have built in support for these drives that means you don’t need any drivers just plug in the drive and start using it.

Some Linux versions might recognize it but won’t let you use it until you manually mount the drive. To mount to drive manually use the command

“mount -vfat (drive to mount) (directory to mount at)”
Eg. “mount -vfat /dev/sda1 /mnt/usbdrive”

Manufacturers are also coming up with systems that have bios support for USB that means you can boot from the small USB drive. There are different versions of operating systems coming up that can be installed on a ROM and are so small to fit a USB drive as well. Most of these OS versions are Linux based for example Damm Small Linux.

USB drives are mainly used to carry personnel data. But you need to be very careful with your personnel data now days. You can have anything in your personnel data collection that you have forgotten for example bank account details or anything. Try using some encryption engine to secure your data. You can use encrypted file system over the USB drive but then you will be able to access your drive only at few computers not all. Or you can have a encryption application that can run without installation from your USB. The best would be to use biometric USB drives.

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We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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Why Is Computer Software Soft?

Posted by Simon on January 12, 2010 under Free eBooks, I am Reall Poor!, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

Have you ever wondered (I’m sure you have at least about other similar words) where a word like software comes from. I mean were floppy disks soft and malleable at one time. Or were the protective sleeves for the old hard diskettes made of some velvety material that made them “soft”ware. Well I love this sort of thing and would like to explore with you in the following several paragraphs the origin of this word and why it is so commonplace in our computer software age.

In order to understand the derivation of the term software, as in computer software, you must first understand that there is hardware as well. The meaning of hardware probably has a lot of levels of meaning and most were probably serendipitous over a lunch or other social gathering.

Hardware refers to the “guts of the computer machine, the actual physical reality of a disk drive and a hard disk and a monitor and the like. These are actual physical entities that make them “hard.” You can hold them, carry them, etc. Software on the other hand is more theoretical than physical. Sure the code is “hard” composed of 1’s and 0’s for bits and bytes but it is not hard in the sense that you can actually touch the ones and zeros with your hand, chew on them, and anything else that you might be able to do with hardware.

Software is the program that does things in more of a virtual or abstract level. It will save information as something that is unseen but totally retrievable and capable of with the help of hardware, produce an image that can be seen with the eyes.

There are two points to be made here. First the sensation of site does not make something hard or soft. Never has. It is touch that determines this description and this is a useful way to determine the hardness or softness of computer software and hardware.

A good example of this test is the phrase hard copy or soft copy of a document. The hard copy is on the document in actual paper page form and the softcopy is all of the ones and zeros that make up in a theoretical sense (more representative than actual) the writing on the page. Thinking about it this way may help you to sort out what is computer software and what is computer hardware.
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We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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Passing The Cisco CCNA Exam: An Illustrated Guide To Router Modes

Posted by Simon on January 11, 2010 under Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Kindle eBooks, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 5 Comments to Read

When you’re getting started on your CCNA studies, learning the different router modes is key to passing your Intro and ICND exams. But keeping those modes straight can be very difficult. (At least it was for me!) Let’s take a look at the various router modes you’ll need to know about to pass your CCNA, and use IOS Help to illustrate the different uses of each mode.

The first mode you’ll see on a router (if the person before you logged off as they should have) is user exec mode. This is also the default mode a user is placed into when using Telnet to connect to a router. The prompt will look like this:

R1>

You can’t write or add to a configuration in this mode, but you can run quite a few show commands. This is a good mode to have users in who need to see the configuration, but shouldn’t be allowed to change it.

To get to the next level, type enable at the user exec prompt:

R1>enable

R1#

Notice that the prompt changed. This mode has two names, the official one being privileged exec mode. It’s more commonly referred to as enable mode, since “enable” is what you type to get into this mode.

This mode gives you more options for show and other commands, but you still can’t configure anything. To configure global commands, use “configure terminal”, or “conf t”, to enter global configuration mode.

R1#conf t

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

R1(config)#

The prompt has changed again, and now global configuration commands such as hostname and no ip domain-lookup can be entered.

From here, you’ve got a lot of options, but we’ll look at three you need to know for your CCNA exams. To apply configuration commands to an interface, enter interface configuration mode, as shown here:

R1(config)#interface serial0

R1(config-if)#

You must be in global config mode to get into interface config mode you cannot go from enable mode straight to interface configuration mode.

R1#interface serial0

^
% Invalid input detected at ‘^’ marker.

Interface configuration mode allows you to apply an IP address to the interface, as well as many other commands related to frame relay, ISDN, and dynamic routing protocols.

For the CCNA, you need to know about two other configuration modes. To configure console commands (such as password protection), enter line configuration mode as shown here:

R1#conf t

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

R1(config)#line console 0

R1(config-line)#password cisco

R1(config-line)#login

The prompt “(config-line)” indicates that you’re in line configuration mode. Your console line is not the only line you’ll be configuring for the CCNA, though your vty lines are used for incoming telnet connections and must be configured in a similar fashion.

R1#conf t

Enter configuration commands, one per line. End with CNTL/Z.

R1(config)#line console 0

R1(config-line)#password cisco

R1(config-line)#login

R1(config-line)#line vty 0 4

R1(config-line)#password cisco

R1(config-line)#login

Notice that you do not have to exit one interface mode to go to another one. Let’s say that you’ve configured your vty lines and now want to put an IP address on your Ethernet interface. You don’t have to go out with ctrl-z and then start again you can go straight to interface config mode from line config mode. Just make sure you see the prompt change!

R1(config-line)#line vty 0 4

R1(config-line)#password cisco

R1(config-line)#login

R1(config-line)#interface ethernet0

R1(config-if)#ip address 15.1.1.1 255.255.255.0

When you’re preparing for CCNA exam success, there’s a lot to absorb. Just take it one piece at a time, get some hands-on experience to go with your theory, and before you know it you’re moving around in the different Cisco router configuration modes without giving it a second thought. Keep studying and your CCNA exam success is assured!
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We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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Software Piracy – It’s Best To Avoid It At All Costs

Posted by Simon on January 10, 2010 under Free eBooks, Kindle eBooks, Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

Like electronic identity theft, computer viruses, and the spread of other computer crimes, software piracy is on the rise. The problem with software piracy is that software costs make this illegal activity appealing to the end user. After all, who is it going to hurt? Rich software companies?? This article investigates software piracy as a whole and the impact that it has on the computer using industry.
The most vulnerable victims of software piracy are software businesses or independent programmers who create and distribute commercial software or shareware. We described shareware in another article, but because both commercial software and shareware require payment, they’re the target of pirates who seek to make these kinds of programs free to use.
Depending on their binding legal agreements, licensing typically allows the use of a single program on a single computer. This set up is usually fine for a user who uses software at home on one computer. But in an environment where there are five, ten, twenty or more computers, buying a license for each computer can be down-right costly. So costly that the temptation to pirate a little software here and there can be pretty tempting.
Co-workers are familiar with this temptation and they’re often the ones who “share” purchased software among those who need it. However the same temptation also prompts others to knowingly or unknowingly buy bootleg copies of commercial software or registered shareware.
As tempting as it is, it’s still illegal and the punishments/fines for sharing commercial or registered software is too much for one to bear. In recent news, “Yahoo China loses music piracy case (AP via Yahoo! News) A court has ordered Yahoo Inc.’s China subsidiary to pay $27,000 for aiding music piracy, the company and a music industry group said Tuesday.“ Additionally, “EU lawmakers approve prison terms, fines for major commercial piracy (International Herald Tribune) EU lawmakers voted Wednesday for legislation that would set prison sentences and fines for large-scale commercial piracy, but exempt patents and copying carried out for personal use.”
Fortunately, there are alternatives. Schools can research student versions of commercial software or ask for a school discount. Just because school rates aren’t advertised, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t available. Freeware or open source software (also described in another one of our articles) is another alternative to pirating commercial-ware, as well as shareware. And using older versions of programs could additionally reduce the costs associated with commercial versions.
Up until recently, public opinion held little faith in freeware or open source software – often regarding it as low-quality knock-off’s of better known commercial products. But if you take a good look at what’s being offered at no cost, you may be in for a big surprise. The quality of today’s freeware and open source software created a strong rift among the commercial community and it’s literally driving the competition bananas! So much so, that even some well known software development corporations have joined the cause and built a few freeware open source products of their own!
If you can remember that there are hoards of alternatives to costly commercial software (and you make the effort to get it), you’ll discover that you can keep up with the rest of the computer industry at a significantly cheaper cost than if you attempted to pay your way down the software aisle. Software piracy just isn’t the answer.
About The Author:
We would like to think the Author is of his right mind but following what he writes about and the passion in his blogging. The determination as to his sanity is likely best left up to you. In the event you do enjoy his writing be sure to subscribe via the RSS button on the top of the page, to TWEET each Article and SHARE on FACEBOOK, all of the linking facilities are with the article. If there may be something you do not like, we won’t give up on you for eventually something will popup that you will like and want to tell everyone about.
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Offsite Backup Advantages

Posted by Simon on December 13, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Kindle eBooks, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Be the First to Comment

Creating backups of your data and files is a very important way of staying on top of disaster and missing data. Both small and large businesses, including individuals, always look towards a backup of information to keep them going in the face of disaster. Even though backups are a great way to keep your data safe and protected, there are some flaws with the traditional methods.

When you create backups of your data, you must store them somewhere where they can’t be damaged or someone else can access them. For businesses, offsite backup is a well known and popular way to backup files. It offers you several different advantages when compared to other ways, such as CD, DVD, external hard drives, and even servers. One of the biggest advantages to offsite backup is the fact that the backups aren’t stored in your office or business.

Offsite backup companies store your data in state of the art safes, to protect them against fire, flood, and even prying eyes. This can be extremely beneficial if unexpected things have a habit of occurring around your office.

Another great thing about offsite backups are the fact that they can be used as stores for your data. You won’t need to rely on online space, as you can easily go to the company who is storing your data and go through it anytime you wish. You can also use online space with most companies as well. You simply upload your data to their online storage area, then go back anytime you wish and view it. This is a very handy feature, similar to a hosting company.

Another benefit of offsite backup is the fact that your data will always be protected, and you won’t have to use CD or DVDs to do it. CD and DVD storage is great for individuals, although there will be quite a bit of them for most businesses. This can get somewhat costly, but more importantly, it will use a lot of space to store the backup files. They can also become damaged or lost, unlike offsite backup storage.

Offsite storage is also great if your business is in a bad area. If Mother Nature has a habit of bashing your area with floods, fires, or hurricanes, you should look into offsite backup storage immediately. They have ways to protect your information from harm, including anything Mother Nature can dish out. There is no need to worry about natural disasters, system failures, hard drive crashes, or data failure with offsite backup storage.

Even though you may not realize it, the data will be available anytime you need it. Online backup services are available anytime, day or night, and can be accessed anywhere you are. Most are easy to set up, and offers you very impressive security measures. They are also fast and very efficient, which is great for those who need to access their files immediately.

When it comes to offsite backup, you can store virtually any file you need to, such as text files, e-books, contact record, pictures, music, and anything else you can think of. The storage for online backups are virtually endless, capable of storing everything you need.

All in all, offsite backup storage is ideal for any business or corporation. You can store your data with an online offsite backup, or choose to do it physically in an offsite safe. The choice is entirely up to you. No matter which method of offsite backup you choose – your data will always be protected, and best of all – it will always be there anytime you need it.
AOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Buying a Computer – What To Do And Why

Posted by Simon on December 6, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, I am Reall Poor!, Kindle eBooks, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., What could be more fun? | 2 Comments to Read

It isn’t fair, but buying a computer is just plain easier for some than it is for others. Those who’ve purchased and used a computer in the past already have an idea of what they need in a new computer. But those who are new to the computer world could get lost in the myriad of choices available.

The short answer to “What should I buy?” is “The best.” Of course that answer is extremely subjective because “the best” to one person is certainly different to another. Our definition of “the best” is the fastest and the biggest, but even that leaves the computer newbie confused. Here’s a quick rundown of what the computer novice should do and why.

1. Buy a computer that includes basic peripherals. Every computer can be broken down into four major components: CPU unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. For the novice, it’s best to buy a computer that has all of these components included so that when it’s taken home, assembling the computer is a simple matter of plugging things in where they belong. Save the individual purchases of these components for those who have more experience.

2. Decide what you’ll use the computer for. If you want to use your computer for cruising the web, sending email, or performing simple word-processing or spreadsheet tasks, a computer with the basic components that we just described should suffice. If you want to use a computer to help with a career in multimedia however, you’re going to need to accessorize your system with a scanner, printer, digital camera, tablet, or digicam for example. If you want a computer to help with a career in music, you will need a quality microphone and set of speakers.

3. Create a budget and stick to it. How much can you afford to spend on a new computer? Although the prices of computers are decreasing, they can still create a hefty expense especially if you need additional peripherals described above. In addition, you’ll need to figure in costs for maintenance, servicing, and insuring.

4. Start comparison shopping and look for the “fastest and biggest.” By “fastest and biggest,” we mean the computer with the fastest processor, the fastest modem, the biggest memory, and the biggest hard drive capacity. Even if you think that you’ll never need the amount of speed or space available on the market today, it’s important to have in the event that you truly do need that much in the future. Having such a large reserve will cut down on costs when the time comes to upgrade for more than what you may settle for in a computer that offers less.

5. Stick with the better-known brands. Venturing off the beaten path with lessor-known brands is again, an adventure for those who have more experience with computers. Although those better-known brands may be a tad bit more expensive, the computer novice will appreciate the comfort in purchasing a computer from a business that has a long record of building quality products, and that has the funds available for fulfilling returns, trades, servicing, and warranties.

6. Select a store. Having an idea of what you want in a computer and what kind of computer that you want, your only task left is to select the place in which you want to buy it. There are a number of places available including computer store outlets, online stores, auction sites, used computer stores, or your friendly neighborhood yard sale. For the computer novice, we recommend buying a computer from a physical store. In a physical store, you have the opportunity to see the computer of interest in person and ask questions. New computer buyers also have access to store warranties, returns, trades, and services.

These suggestions should give the computer newbie a great start in selecting a quality computer for the first time and they apply to either Windows computers or Apple Macintosh computers. After making these decisions and finally selecting one that fits your needs, you can then venture into the fascinating world of software – a world that is just as grand as the world of hardware!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Solar Energy Collecting as an Alternative Energy Source

Posted by Simon on November 29, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | 15 Comments to Read

Photovoltaic cells— those black squares an array of which comprises a solar panel—are getting more efficient, and gradually less expensive, all the time, thanks to ever-better designs which all them to focus the gathered sunlight on a more and more concentrated point. The size of the cells is decreasing as their efficiency rises, meaning that each cell becomes cheaper to produce and at once more productive. As far as the aforementioned cost, the price of producing solar-generated energy per watt hour has come down to $4.00 at the time of this writing. Just 17 years ago, it was nearly double that cost.

Solar powered electricity generation is certainly good for the environment, as this alternative form of producing energy gives off absolutely zero emissions into the atmosphere and is merely utilizing one of the most naturally occurring of all things as its driver. Solar collection cells are becoming slowly but surely ever more practical for placing upon the rooftops of people’s homes, and they are not a difficult system to use for heating one’s home, creating hot water, or producing electricity. In the case of using the photovoltaic cells for hot water generation, the system works by having the water encased in the cells, where it is heated and then sent through your pipes.

Photovoltaic cells are becoming increasingly better at collecting sufficient radiation from the sun even on overcast or stormy days. One company in particular, Uni-Solar, has developed solar collection arrays for the home that work well on inclement days, by way of a technologically more advanced system that stores more energy at one time during sunlit days than previous or other arrays.

There is actually another solar power system available for use called the PV System. The PV System is connected to the nearest electrical grid; whenever there is an excess of solar energy being collected at a particular home, it is transferred to the grid for shared use and as a means of lowering the grid’s dependence on the hydroelectrically-driven electricity production. Being connected to the PV System can keep your costs down as compared to full-fledged solar energy, while at once reducing pollution and taking pressure off the grid system. Some areas are designing centralized solar collection arrays for small towns or suburban communities.

Some big-name corporations have made it clear that they are also getting into the act of using solar power (a further indication that solar generated energy is becoming an economically viable alternative energy source). Google is putting in a 1.6 megawatt solar power generation plant on the roof of its corporate headquarters, while Wal Mart wants to put in an enormous 100 megawatt system of its own.

Nations such as Japan, Germany, the United States, and Switzerland have been furthering the cause of solar energy production by providing government subsidies or by giving tax breaks to companies and individuals who agree to utilize solar power for generating their heat or electrical power. As technology advances and a greater storage of solar collection materials is made available, more and more private investors will see the value of investing in this “green” technology and further its implementation much more.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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CHOSSING YOUR PC PERIPHERALS

Posted by simon on November 8, 2009 under It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Read the First Comment

When buying a computer you must consider not only the quality of the internal components, but also the external ones that make the entire multimedia experience possible.

Computer peripherals, from printers to web cams, are an important part of our lives and activities, if not the most important one, depending on our needs and habits. When you are faced with the situation in which you have to choose peripheries, consider a few aspects before making your move: utility, price/quality combination and purposes they should serve.

Relying on these criteria, when we buy a printer we must think of why we are buying it. For example if it is meant to be an office printer and it will be mostly used to print out contracts and objectives, then the best choice is an all-in-one printer that can print, scan and have the functions of a fax machine at the same time. If however we want a home printer mostly to get copies of our digital photos then
considering a color printer is a must and maybe we should think about making it a laser one.

The keyboard and the mouse come first in computer-user relationship and they also add a touch of personality to your personal computer. Browse for complete sets that can include even a mouse pad and try to assort them with the color and shape of your computer case. Nowadays the optical and wireless mice are the best choice, so buying a wireless multimedia keyboard can be of use also.

Communication with loved ones is done through the internet often. Then why not making it perfect by buying a web cam to assure a real time conference between us? Also, we will need a microphone to be able to hear and see at the same time the loved one and then we can talk as if he or she was in the room with us.

There are many types of computer peripherals out there: external hard drives, sound speakers form tiny to extremely large, real 5.1 systems, scanners, card readers for our digital camera and many more. All we have to do is to make of list of the uses we need our PC to have and then go shop for the according peripherals for every purpose. Whenever they can be combined you must diffidently do that to avoid taking up a lot of space.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Cisco-EMC-VMware in data centre alliance (source: Australian IT)

Posted by it / applications news stories aggregated by FeedZilla.com on November 3, 2009 under Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Comments are off for this article

Chinese satellites to help spy on bush (source: Australian IT)

Posted by it / applications news stories aggregated by FeedZilla.com on under Really interesting!, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Comments are off for this article

Artificial Bright Light

Posted by simon on October 25, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Be the First to Comment

If you currently work in an office where light is limited, getting light during the day may be challenging for you. If you feel really drowsy and tired during the first hours of work in the office, chances are your body temperature isn’t rising fast enough, most likely because you haven’t been exposed to enough light, or haven’t had enough activity!

If you work in an office, or at home, a good idea is to get a “bright light box.” Bright light boxes are machines that artificially produce light at high intensities, from 5,000 luxes to up to 10,000 luxes. They’re a bit pricy, but a great investment if you or your employer values your energy level while you’re at work. If you work in a place where your employer depends on your ability to function properly and with full energy, you could give them this book and convince them to invest in a few of them.

They range from $150 to $300 in price, here’s a company I would personally recommend to order these from. Please click here for more information.

Bright light therapy also has a connection with our emotions and daytime mood; it has known to cure depression and other mental disorders. Lack of light in the winter is one of the main causes of winter depression, and why people generally sleep longer in the winter.

Again! I could go on forever about how important light is in our lives, but let’s move on.

Importance of Bright Light

If your office is dark and gloomy due to lack of light, getting light during the day may be a big challenge for you. After the first few hours at office, if drowsiness creeps in, it is because that your body temperature is not rising at the rate that it normally should, because you have not had enough physical activity or you have not been exposed to enough light.

Be it at office or at home, bright light is an essential commodity to the human body as it is to plants. If any of these places are dark or gloomy, a good ides is to invest in “Bright Light Box”. These are artificial light emanating devices that produce high intensity light at approximately 5,000 to 10,000 luxes. These a trifle expensive, but still a good investment for employers who want their employees to work at full energy levels for proper functioning of physical and mental abilities. This article would be an eye-opener to them and convince them to invest in one.

The price range of these Bright Light Boxes is $150 to $300.

Bright light therapy is a very important element which controls us emotionally and sets our mood. This therapy is a known cure for many mental disorders and depression. Winter depression as all of us know makes us sleep more in winter due to lack of natural bright light.

This discussion could go on and on, but let’s move on.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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How Do Auto Navigation Systems Work?

Posted by Simon on October 18, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, Kindle eBooks, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Be the First to Comment

Have you ever given serious thought to the incredible benefits that having an auto navigation system will bring to your life and your travels? The truth of the matter is that the more sophisticated systems on the market today provide much more than simple directions from point A to point B. Today’s auto navigation systems are your one stop travel shop when it comes to finding points of interest, restaurants, fueling stops, and places to sleep along the way.

If you’ve never given it much thought, perhaps learning a little more about how an auto navigation system really works will give you something to think about when you get around to considering the impact that a device such as this can make in your life and the lives of your family members. The thing to remember is that not all GPS or auto navigation systems are equal. There are different manners of creation along with different manners of functionality and design. However, they all work on very similar principles.

GPS systems use satellites that orbit the earth in order to send signals that are received by the GPS device. The system has software that interprets the signal and uses that data in order to form conclusions about the current location based on the time it took to receive the signal from the satellite, and the exact location of the satellite that sent the data. By combining that information a conclusion can be drawn by the GPS or auto navigation system as to the exact position of the GPS device. Three satellites are used in order to determine the point of intersection and a fourth satellite insures the accuracy of the data.

Auto navigation systems are more sophisticated and much more functional than the original military GPS devices that were used. You can not only get directions to guide you on your trip, to make up for detours, and get you back on track after wrong turns, but you can also get information about local destinations, restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and a few other points of interest along the way. Many auto navigation systems have upgrade packages that allow you to purchase a subscription, which will provide you with up to the minute information about traffic, weather, and construction along your route. The subscription costs for these services may be a deterrent for the casual driver but will prove invaluable to those who rely on correct directions and being on time while traveling extensively through work.

Be sure that whenever you purchase a GPS or auto navigation system that the system you purchase is not only full upgradeable but also easily upgraded. It does no good to have a system that is capable of being upgraded if you can’t figure out how to upgrade it. Many of these systems can be upgraded by using a something as simple as a CD or DVD in order to deliver the information and upgrades. If you can’t upgrade your system it will become obsolete in time as new roads are constantly being made and old roads are often closed for construction and upgrades. If you do not have the latest data on roads you are essentially driving just as blindly as you would be without an auto navigation system.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Making A Safe Room

Posted by Simon on October 11, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Be the First to Comment

The safe room, which is also known as a panic room, is a secure location within a home or building that is designed to provide safety for families during terrorist attacks, nature, burglaries, or other types of threats. A safe room is an ideal investment for any home owner, although the more fortified rooms with heavy security are normally found in the homes of rich people. Those that have a lot of money really have no budget – therefore they can easily spend thousands on making their safe room the best place to go in the event of an emergency.

For most of us, a safe room is a location that family members can run to and hide, or call for help in an emergency situation. You don’t really need to go all out and put steel walls and a steel door in the room, although you do need a fortified door that opens outward with fortified walls. You can have a door constructed of wood or other material, although the key should be a material that is very hard to break through. No matter what type of door you choose, the doorjamb should be steel, to prevent the door from being kicked in.

It’s almost important that your safe room doesn’t contain any windows. Windows can provide entry for burglars, which is something you obviously don’t want. You should also make sure that you keep a phone in the room, along with water, first aid kits, food, and any type of defensive weapons that you can get. It’s also a good idea to keep medical supplies in the safe room as well, just in case you need them.

No matter how hard you may try, it’s impossible to predict how long you will be locked in your safe room when an emergency happens. Therefore, you should always think about ventilation, lighting, and even hygiene. Being locked in a room for several days or possibly even weeks can affect your hygiene, which is why you should keep proper hygiene supplies in your room at all times.

The reason why most people invest in a safe room is burglars, as they present a real threat. No matter where you live, or how nice the neighborhood may be, a burglary can happen at any given time. When a burglary happens, the last thing you want to try to do is to reason with the burglars, or attempt to cooperate with them.

When you have a safe room, you can take your family there. You should always make sure that everyone in your family knows where the safe room is located and how to use it. If you have children, you should teach them about the room and how important it is. The room should never be used for recreation purposes or for children to play in. Instead, it should only be used in case of an emergency or a place for you and your family to hide.

If you have a safe room or just interested in one, you should always make sure that you keep the proper supplies on hand, just in case. When you finally do use the safe room, you should always make sure that you keep the keys to open the room inside, so no one else can get in. While you are in the room you can call the local authorities, then wait inside your safe room until they get to your house and the problem is solved. Never, under any circumstances should you come out of your safe room before the police arrive. If a burglary is taking place, you will only make the situation worse.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Video iPod`s accessories

Posted by Simon on October 4, 2009 under eBook Readers, Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Kindle eBooks, Really interesting!, Sony eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., What could be more fun?, You should Try this | 3 Comments to Read

Different accessories are compatible with iPod video, fact that increases the importance and great success of the new video device. There are cases for all tastes, requirements and preferences. You may not worry about the age or special preferences of the persons you may bring as a gift the iPod and the case for it.

Other accessories are the chargers, the earphones, headphones of different models. There is also a speaker especially created for the new iPod video. You may also find different types of skins, sticker decals, carrying cases, pouches, remote control, iPlug 3.5 splitter, backpack w/ speakers and, of course, various connection cables and adapter very useful for the new iPod video.

There are also different available adapters – iPod video cassette adapter for 3.5 mm devices, iPod video 3.5 mm to RCA audio cable adapter, iPod video car charger cigarette lighter adapter for Apple iPod, iPod video USB black car charger cigarette lighter adapter, iPod video USB travel/home charger adapter, iPod video car charger adapter, iPod video wall-car charger 12V-AC adapter. You may also find different transmitters for the iPod video and this is the case of the iPod video tune-free audio FM transmitter and the iPod video WALL-II audio FM transmitter.

Various cables are also of great use and are needed while having the iPod video – iPod video firewire 1394 data dync dable for Apple iPod & iPod mini, iPod video retractable USB 2.0 data sync cable for Apple iPod, iPod video USB 2.0 extension cable, iPod video USB 2.0 data sync cable for Apple iPod. You may also need iPod video USB data transfer key fob, extended battery pack w/ carrying case for the iPod video, walet carrying cases, metal cases of different colors, protector shields of various colors.

There are also some other useful accessories for the new iPod video and you may choose from different types of cases – Kroo G5 belt clip leather cases, Kroo Melrose belt clip carrying cases, iPod video Optimum Armband carrying cases.

You may also buy an iPod video Cellet universal PDA holder and a special holder for the iPod especially designed for the car. Other accessories are also useful and have an interesting design – iPod video Cellet Rhinestones 100, iPod Cellet Rhinestones assorted.

Some other accessories point out the new generation style technology – iPod video creative CB2530 bluetooth digital wireless headphones, iPod video Naztech boom station N20 speaker and docking station, iPod video fold-up amplified portable speakers for MP3 and music players. Other accessories are iPod video desktop dock cradle, iPod video idock desktop dock cradle for Apple iPod w/ USB and FireWire.

All these accessories denote the fact that a simple portable audio device is of a great importance taking into account all different designs for the carrying cases and skins. The iPod video has many accessories, some of them are designed for suiting the lifestyle, the preferences and the tastes of the customers. Others are needed for transferring the information, for adapting or other useful activities in the technologic domain.

Another important aspect to mention is the fact that all the accessories are especially designed for the thinner models of the iPod video with a larger screen and smaller dimensions. The cases, skins and sticker decals have the role of pointing out the beauty, simplicity or vivid colors. On the other hand, they have a protective role and a decorative one, pointing out the personality, the lifestyle of the user. These aspects are extremely important for the younger users of the iPod video – the teenagers.

The other accessories are more or less needed taking into account how much into the fever of the iPods the user is and how much he uses all the other activities related with the iPod video. Anyway, in a world in continuous movement, almost all the accessories and special devices may be of great need for a modern person with a modern lifestyle.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Shooting Stars

Posted by Simon on September 27, 2009 under Free eBooks, It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | 2 Comments to Read

If you are a serious astronomy fanatic like a lot of us are, you can probably remember that one event in childhood that started you along this exciting hobby. It might have been that first time you looked through a telescope. But for many of us, it was that first time we saw a rain of fire from the sky that we eventually came to know as a meteoroid shower.

At the time when you see the first one, it’s easy to remember the movie “war of the worlds” or some other fantastic image of aliens entering our atmosphere in droves to take over the planet. But with some guidance and explanation of what was going on, we eventually learned that these showers were not at all threatening or any kind of invasion. For the most part meteoroid showers are harmless, part of nature and very fun to watch.

So what are these strange lights in the sky? Are they aliens invading from Mars? Are the comets coming to start the next ice age? Or perhaps asteroids burning up as they enter the earths atmosphere. The answer to the above questions is no to the first and “yes and no” to the other two.

A meteoroid is actually a small piece of space rubble, usually dust or small rocks that come from either a comet or the break up of an asteroid in space and that eventually plummets toward the earth. We say “toward the earth” because the lights you see are the friction of the atmosphere burning up those small space tidbits and creating a spectacular show for all of us as they do so. A particularly exciting moment to witness is when a meteoroid breaks up or explodes on entry. A meteoroid that explodes is called bolides.

There are some interesting details about the life of a meteoroid that make the viewing of shooting stars even more fun. To be seen, a meteoroid only needs to weigh as little as a millionth of a gram. But the thing that makes them so spectacular to see is the tremendous speeds they reach as they enter the atmosphere. Before burning up, a meteoroid will reach between 11 and 74 kilometers per second which is 100 times faster than a speeding bullet.

We tend to think of t seeing a shooting star as a freak event and we associate it with superstition (hence, wish on a lucky star). But there are actually thousands of them every year so it really isn’t that rare to see one. In fact, scientists tell us that over 200,000 tons of space matter enters the atmosphere each year and burns up on entry.

Comets are a big source of meteoroids because of the nature of those long tails. A large amount of dust, ice and other space debris gets caught up in a comet’s tail as it moves toward the sun. Then as the comet moves away from the sun in its orbit, tons of this matter is thrown off into space to disperse. As the Earth moves in its routine orbit around the sun, it often crosses through clouds of this discarded matter which becomes one of those “meteor showers” that are so popular for viewing.

These showers of shooting stars are pretty easy for astronomers to predict so you can get into position to see the excitement at just the right time of night and be looking at the right area of the night sky. Usually the astronomy magazine or site will give you a general time and location to be ready to look when the meteoroids start to fall.

Now keep in mind, this is a phenomenon of nature, so it may not observe the time table exactly. Also note that there is a notation system for where the meteoroid shower will occur based on what constellation is its backdrop. The section of the sky to focus on for the show is called the “radiant” because that is where the entering meteoroids begin to glow or radiate. The radiant is named for the constellation it is nearest too. So if the meteor shower is going to occur in the constellation of Leo, then its radiant will be called Leonid. This will help you decipher the listing of asteroid showers in the publications.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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Become Your Own PC Repairer

Posted by Simon on September 20, 2009 under Free eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You should Try this | Be the First to Comment

If you are like me, you have probably owned quite a few personal computers. You are sure to have had the occasional problem, and rushed the machine off to the repair shop. At the time, the cost of repairs may have seemed a bit high in proportion to the original cost of the machine, and you might not have been quite sure what was actually done.
You can learn to do your own diagnosis and repair work. It is worth while knowing what is going on inside the box, even if you do not do the work yourself. With a good understanding of the likely causes of the hardware problems, you can be a lot more confident that the repairs carried out were reasonable and necessary.
To begin with, a good source of technical information is necessary. You can always ask at your local electronics shop, but if you really don’t know what you are talking about, the embarrassment can be a big turn off. There is an excellent book available called ‘Upgrading and Repairing PCs’ written by Scott Mueller. This is the most complete and most readable ‘how-to’ book I have found, and if you only buy one book on the subject, Scott’s is the one to get you hands on.
The next step is to choose a few projects to get familiar with the hardware. The best way to begin building up your skills is to pull a computer completely apart, and then put it back together. If it still works after that, then you have made a pretty good start. At this stage, you may be thinking ‘hang on a minute, I paid a lot of money for my system – No way am I going to risk messing with that baby’.
No, as a beginner, you definitely should not. You can get hold of some old computers to tear apart and rebuild. Old computers are seen as worthless, and you will find Pentium 1 and 2 machines being discarded as rubbish, even though they are still in good working order. Even a Pentium 3 can be bought very cheaply, and most of these are pretty good performers. A word of warning – be careful how widely you spread the news of you new interest in old computers. You will be surprised how many 486s and older are sitting in cartons in garages and basements; your friends and family will really be delighted to give you an amazing collection of electronic junk.
Get familiar with the various parts, and how they fit together. Learn to identify the different styles of processor chip, RAM, disk drives and other components.
As always, safety is paramount. The computer components themselves operate at low voltages, but you still have the mains strength voltage coming into the back of the computer. Always power off and unplug when you are working on the computer, and be suspicious of any signs of overheating or of burning smells. Enjoy your tinkering.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Simon is typically a normal laid back guy who just can’t sit still and has a curiosity that runs wild. His mind is constantly churning, thinking of material to write and what would be the best subject. Be certain, if nothing else to subscribe to the RSS feed from the blog page or to be certain you do not miss nothing new subscribe to his weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.. It is a known fact that there is nothing so well researched or diverse than what you read here in this blog so certainly be sure to stay tuned for much more. Good Day!

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The Extraterrestrials Will Not Call

Posted by simon on September 13, 2009 under Free eBooks, I am Reall Poor!, It Is Believable, This Really Makes You Think . . ., You Should Be Afraid | 3 Comments to Read

The Earth is unique within our solar system. It is the only planet with intelligent life and it has features which suggest that planetary situations similar to ours are quite rare.
Earth falls within what is usually called the life corridor of our sun, which lies within distances ranging from about the orbit of Venus to about the orbit of Mars. Mercury is too hot ever to support life, and the gravity and coldness of the gas giants (Jupiter, Saturn Uranus and Neptune) preclude life from arising on them.
Neither Mars nor Venus has produced intelligent life. Mars appears to be too small to hold an atmosphere, and Venus, while about the right size, suffers from a runaway greenhouse effect totally inimical to life.
The gas giants mentioned above do seem to protect the Earth from excessive impact from comets, stray asteroids and the like. Remember Schumacher-Levy 9, the String-of-Pearls comet that impacted Jupiter in 1994? Have no doubt had it impacted the Earth none of us would be here today.
Earth has other special qualities. Firstly, it wobbles. The gentle rocking motion of the Earth during its orbit around the sun gives us our seasons. Secondly, our Moon is the largest satellite in proportion to the size of its planet in our solar system. Large, and relatively close by, the moon gives us our generous tides.
The regular tidal and seasonal rhythms are in my view most likely to give the kind of selection pressures and opportunities to promote the arrival of the earliest life forms capable of emerging from the seas, the first amphibians. If life does not make it to land, then there will be no communicative intelligent life.
As we all know, the Earth has vast oceans of liquid water. Liquid water does function to sustain life, and arguably to allow life to originate in the first place, but it does serve another purpose. Much has been written lately about the problems associated with the greenhouse effect, caused by atmospheric gases absorbing radiation in the infrared band, and causing the Earth to warm unacceptably. We do, however, need some of this effect. With no greenhouse effect at all we would freeze. Water vapour in the atmosphere supplies that necessary level of greenhouse gas to keep the Earth’s surface temperatures liveable. We not only need liquid water, but plenty of it.
Time scales are another problem. We have no information on the survival time for civilisations such as our own, except that we seem to be doing our best to provide some statistical data on that point.
We do know we have had some forms of life here for more than 3 billion years, but we have been here less than a quarter of a million years, and about 100 years with radio communications. We and other intelligent life forms may arrive, flourish and die with no opportunity to contact one another.
We will not be chatting with the Extraterrestrials.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Simon Lalonde is a fanatic blogger who has been in internet marketing for over 5 years and yet is constantly learnig more and more of which he shares in his blogging and news letters. If you want to subscribe to Simons weekly newsletter CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE or if you just want to sent Simon a note then Email Simon.
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XM versus SIRIUS

Posted by Simon on September 6, 2009 under Free eBooks, It Is Believable, Kindle eBooks, This Really Makes You Think . . . | Read the First Comment

The idea of America’s biggest two satellite-radio joining forces has been up in the air for almost four years. Although XM had a year’s start, Sirius came back on the market, eventually with both companies sharing the market in half. So, what’s to choose? XM or Sirius?
First thing’s first. XM and Sirius are based on the same principle, each of them providing music, news, sports, etc. on their channels, but, every service has its ups and downs so we will try to discuss it in this present article. A careful analysis shows that XM Satellite Radio provides a total of 136 streams, where two are premium channels (Playboy and High Voltage), twenty-one are traffic and weather based channels and nine are sport-dedicated ones. On the other hand, Sirius offers a total of 119 streams, the premium streams not being available. Let’s take a closer look now on two – music and news – of the categories that the two major satellites are battling.
Music streams comparison
The number of music streams that both services offer is pretty much the same: 65 on Sirius and 68 on XM Satellite Radio but the difference is not in the number, but in the music genres that the radios offer.
Music – Decades
XM is the absolute champion in providing the music by decades because you can listen to the 40’s music, service not available on Sirius. Still, you can listen to the 90’s hits together with the current hits on Sirius Satellite Radio, which is an interesting feature.
Music – Country
“Ride’ em cowboy!”. Even if you’re not a cowboy, you can listen to country-related songs on both Satellites. Classic country or country hits are to be heard as well as alternative country or country mixes, the last two features being available only on Sirius Satellite Radio. Regarding the number of streams that both Satellites offer, XM offers a total of five streams and Sirius offers four, the champion in this category being XM due to the quality and the quantity of music being played.
Music – Rock
If you are looking for sex, drogs, and rock and roll, Sirius and XM Satellite Radios can only offer you rock and roll, on a number of 14 streams on XM and 15 streams on Sirius. The rock subgenres are to be found in a large number on the stations, overall each service being very strong in this category.
Music – Dance and Latin
If you want to boogie, you can do that on both Satellites, listening to one of the six streams provided by Sirius or four streams provided by XM. Be careful though, because you can become a clubber maniac! And if you’re strong enough, the Latin pop stream, Mexicana and tropical music streams can really drive you crazy. XM Satellite Radio as well as Sirius Satellite Radio offer three streams.
Music – Other genres
Regarding other genres, both satellites really look up to their prestige, offering hours of hours of music, from Classical to Jazz, even Urban (Sirius feature). Both stations offer high quality tunes, making it worth all the money.
News Streams Comparison
Let’s skip to another interesting topic, news. CNN, FOX, CNBC, Bloomberg, MSNBC and many more news stations are being offered for listening in different languages. The number of streams is again near-by, XM offering a number of 11 news streams, not like Sirius, which offers 13.
Bottom line
It’s pretty hard to say which station is better, XM and Sirius being tied musically but in news and sports, Sirius holding the edge. To make a little joke, if you are a fan of Stern go with Sirius, if you like Q&A go XM. Anyway, it’s hard to say which one is better, but, what can I say is that both Satellites are worth paying for.
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