Aug 28 2008
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Can you even imagine? I quit buying prepared salads after the salmonella scares from a while ago so I don’t plan on running into any extra protein in my salad…but still…
Aug 28 2008
Aug 27 2008
University of Washington computer scientists are hard at work to help hearing-impaired people to be able to use sign language over a mobile phone…similar to in Japan or Sweden.
Hearing-impaired people have obviously already been able to use text messages for communication. But the goal is for them to be able to communicate in their language — American Sign Language (ASL). The next step is to convince a commercial cell phone manufacturer to integrate the new MobileASL software before this service becomes widely available.
Unfortunately, two-way real-time video communication is not really possible yet in the US because of low data transmission rates on U.S. cellular networks. Additionally, limited processing power on mobile devices have prevented real-time video transmission with enough frames per second. Communication rates on US cellular networks allow about one-tenth of the data rates as compared with Europe and Asia.
The solution was to design software to work even with this bandwidth limitation. The team discovered that the most important part of the image to transmit in high resolution is around the face. The team developed a way to transmit the person’s face and hands in high resolution with the background transmitted in lower resolution. Currently they are working on a separate feature that identifies when people are moving their hands so that battery consumption can be conserved.
Aug 27 2008
There are some interesting Mazda deals to be had at Orlando Mazda Truck. For a sneak peak and to check out the latest auto deals for a great looking, dependable Mazda, take a look at this website.
I have always liked Mazdas - we owned a Mazda GLC back in the early 90s (actually two now that I think about it) and while I have no idea what GLC stands for, we always joked that it stood for “Good Little Car.” Because it really was! We had very good luck with both of our Mazdas.
There is a nice selection of a variety of Mazdas at this site…many different models to choose from including the Orlando Mazda 3, Orlando Mazda 5, Orlando Mazda 6, Orlando Mazda cx7, and the Orlando Mazda truck.
Aug 26 2008
Did you know that the Consumer Reports Money Lab was recently studying ways to cut monthly costs and they are reporting that it is possible for consumers to save up to $500 per month — even when gas and food prices are going up?
Savings shown are Consumer Reports estimates based on what a range of consumers really spend and can possibly save. Actual savings will depend on individual circumstances.
Optimize life insurance — $110
Life-insurance premiums have dropped dramatically since the 1990s. It would definitely pay to replace a policy bought years ago with a new one. Don’t cancel an existing policy until a new one is in place.
Shop smart for food — $200
Making different choices at the grocery store and when eating out can net monthly savings from $130 to $255. The average family of four can cut their grocery bill by $190 a month by shifting to a lower-cost mix of foods.
How to do it: Plan menus around sales of fresh chicken, fish, meat, dairy and produce and be sure to use those leftovers. Stop buying expensive prepared meals. Eat more low-priced, high-nutrition foods such as beans and potatoes. Try out the store brands and sign up for store discount cards.
Stop paying bank fees — $25
Banks collected about $39 billion in account fees and penalties last year. That figures out to about $28 per month per household. With planning, it’s possible to pay nothing.
How to do it: Bank at large institutions that high numbers of ATMs in convenient locations. Shop for free checking and carefully adhere to provisions for a minimum balance, direct deposit or other conditions to avoid monthly fees.
Call up phone savings — $35
It’s possible to net savings from $15 a month for budget callers to $55 per month for heavy users.
How to do it: Look at few months’ phone bills to see how many minutes are typically used on landline and wireless calls. Comparison-shop among cellular service providers, the local phone company and the cable TV company. Don’t buy more service than you need.
Pay off credit cards — $65
Most consumers who carry a balance owe $2,200. This means they pay 15.2 percent in annual interest charges. Cut this and save $28 per month. About 15 % of consumers carry balances of $10,000 or more and they could save $125 per month if they paid off their debt.
How to do it: Stop using your cards and pay more than the minimum required each month until it’s paid off. If you’re strapped for cash use your stimulus check, garage sales or get a part time job.
Find cheaper auto insurance — $65
Many people have stayed with the same auto insurer for 15 years or more. Depending on your individual profile and where you live, you might be able to save hundreds a month by shopping around.
Aug 26 2008
Everybody loves tips that save time or money. When you find a tip that can save both time and money it’s something to get excited about.
Here is one of those tips. If you are an investor, instead of spending countless hours researching stocks, find out what the top funds are buying and selling. You will get the
stock advice you need easily and quickly at TheBuyList.
At TheBuyList you will find these three important features that are a little different from other stock research sites and will undoubtedly make your investment research a very streamlined and effective process.
Easily Find:
Aug 25 2008
Tagged by a neat blog! Creating Wealth and Health tagged me…so here goes!
First, the rules:
1. List these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog.
3. Tell 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
5. Link the person who tagged you.
6. Leave a comment for each blogger.
Seven Facts About Me:
1. I’m 41.
2. I have 1 great husband, 8 kids, 1 son-in-law, 1 granddaughter, and am about 5 weeks away from having 1 grandson!
3. I have lived in the midwest USA for most of my life.
4. I have brown hair and brown eyes and fair skin
5. I have an extreme fear of heights
6. I love to read and write
7. I’m a morning person
Six Quirks About Me
1. I love to sleep but I don’t do much of it
2. I hate having any dirt on my feet
3. I’m a perfectionist
4. I’m happiest when I’m reorganizing something
5. Sewing relaxes me
6. I love photography
I am tagging:
1. Robinswoods
4. Reenashwina
Aug 25 2008
Calling globally is a need more than ever these days. Do you call friends, family, or business contacts globally? If you do any traveling, then calling globally from your cell is definitely a need. You may be interested in some of the quality features and extras you will receive when you use
Tabrio Mobile (Beta). Tabrio Mobile includes many features like affordable global text messaging, global contact management, and affordable long distance.
They have made it so easy to get started with Tabrio. Simply text “JOIN” to a Tabrio Service Number to start making international calls from any cell phone. Tabrio SMS Text users can simply text the word JOIN to a local number in the US using shortcode: 88202. After a series of replies you will then be set-up to begin calling internationally.
Aug 23 2008
Hope you’re kicking back a bit to start your weekend! Enjoy this GOOD news and have a great one!
The Search for Renewable Energy Takes Researchers to Some Unexpected Sources
Scientists have been scouring the Earth for new sources of clean, renewable energy. In their efforts, they have explored some unusual nooks and crannies. Kites, waves, tides, ocean currents, geysers, garbage, cow manure, old utility poles, algae and bacteria are all being utilized in the effort to lower the world’s reliance on coal and oil.
WAVES:
The power of waves is amazing. Now there are efforts to try to harness some of that energy to generate electricity.
A “wave swing” hanging below the sea’s surface generates electricity from the rising and falling pressure of waves as they pass by overhead. The up-and-down or back-and-forth motion of these experimental devices produces energy to drive electrical generators as long as they can be scaled up to work at a high volume and a reasonable cost.
TIDES:
Even more dependable than waves (but more scarce) are the tides.
There is an ambitious plan being developed at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. The goal is to anchor a fleet of turbines to the seafloor under the Gulf Stream approximately 13 to 15 miles off the east coast of Florida.
The power of the Gulf Stream would spin the turbines as it flows north at a steady 5 mph. Underwater cables would carry electricity to shore.
WIND:
A California company (Makani Power) has received a $10 million grant from Google to construct a system of extremely high-flying kites to take advantage of the fact that winds are much stronger and steadier thousands of feet above the ground. Earthbound wind turbines only reach about 300 feet.
ARTIFICIAL PHOTOSYNTHESIS:
Solar power’s major drawback is the problem of how to store the sun’s energy at night or on cloudy days.
Daniel Nocera, a chemist at MIT, has found to way to imitate the sun. He is using plants to turn sunlight into water and carbohydrates, and then this can be turned into energy. The invention uses solar power to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The chemicals are stored in fuel cells, which generate electricity when necessary.
Researchers Say That Living With Humans Has Taught Dogs Morals
Dogs are becoming more intelligent and researchers claim that they are even learning morals from human contact.
One observation being made is that dogs’ play rarely escalates into a fight. This is said to show that the animals abide by social rules.
One study involved dogs holding up a paw. Those that did were rewarded with a food treat. When one dog was asked to raise its paw but then received no treat, the researchers found that it begged for the treat it felt it had earned for up to 30 minutes.
When they tested two dogs together and rewarded only one, the dog that was not rewarded stopped playing the game.
Dogs have shown a strong aversion to inequity.
Mexico has announced that it will invest 163 million pesos ($16 million) to save a highly endangered species of porpoise that lives in the upper Gulf of California. It is asking fishermen to adopt safer methods or give up their trade entirely.
Scientists say the population of the vaquita marina (Spanish for “little sea cow”) has decreased to 150 or fewer from more than 500 just ten years ago.
Plans are to pay fishermen to either avoid the porpoise’s habitat or to give up drag nets that drown dozens of the porpoises each year. Some fishermen will even be paid to stop fishing entirely.
Approximately US$13 million of the funds will go directly to families along the upper gulf. Working fishermen will be paid US$4,500 each to stay out of the nature preserve that covers most of the porpoise’s habitat.
Aug 22 2008
If you are looking for a web hosting service, I have a suggestion for you today.
Go check out Web Hosting Rating and get yourself up to speed about what is out there before you make any decisions about a web host. They have an easy-to-use host rating system that is based on:
I also found some very interesting articles. In fact, I got so immersed in reading that I totally lost track of time. For instance, their article: What You Need With Cheap Hosting was full of extremely useful information that anyone who is shopping for a web host really should read.
This site really is a must-read for anyone shopping for a web hosting service.
