Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Atomic Clocks: History and Development

Atomic clocks have been with us for over fifty years now and most people have heard of them and know they are very accurate, but how accurate are they and why do we need such accurate clocks?

Atomic clocks are used by many of us even if we are not aware of it. The time they tell is relayed around the world and picked up by time servers using the protocol NTP to synchronise networks, they are vital for lots of technologies, such as global satellite navigation, and TV signal timings.

Before the development of the atomic clock the most precise timekeeping devices were electronic clocks which would lose a second or two every week. These had largely replaced mechanical clocks which were less accurate still.

Mankind has always had a fascination for keeping track of the time but knowing the precise time has never been too important. A second or even a minute’s difference does not affect our day-to-day lives.

However, as technology has advanced the need for more precise timekeeping has increased. Satellites that have to be navigated and communicate with the Earth from hundred, thousands and even millions of miles away require exact timing. Light and therefore radio waves can travel 300,000 km every second so slight inaccuracies in time can have massive differences.

The first accurate atomic clock was built y Britain’s National Physical Laboratory in 1955 by Dr Louis Essen who based his clock around the oscillation of the caesium -133 atom. The idea was actually first conceived as far back as 1879 when Lord Kelvin proposed that time-keeping based on how atoms behaved would be a better way to count time intervals than anything else.

The first generation of atomic clocks (also known as caesium oscillators) used the frequency of this atom which oscillates 9,192,631,770 times every second. Essen’s model was accurate to a second every 300 years but developments of the caesium oscillator mean they can now achieve accuracies of one second every 80 million years.

Yet as technologies get more advanced, scientists strive to make better and more accurate clocks. Rubidium standard clocks offer no better accuracy than caesium models but are smaller and cost less (caesium oscillators are generally only to be found in large-scale physics laboratories).

Clocks using just a single atom have been developed that offer even more accuracy. A clock based on a single mercury atom has achieved accuracies of one second in 400 million years and it is expected that a new type of strontium clock that uses light will go even better.

The future for atomic clocks is ever increasing accuracy combined with scaling down the size and cost of them. The American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have unveiled a chip-sized atomic clock that boasts millisecond accuracy.

Atomic clocks are now part and parcel of our lives without the time signals they transmit to the world that are picked up by NTP servers modern communication from Internet shopping and GPS and technological advances such as satellite navigation would become impossible.

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

The Future of Television is Directv

I am sure you have heard all about satellite television from your friends. I am sure you have also heard all about TiVo, DVR, and High Definition television. If you have still been fumbling around with a cable set up and a Video Cassette Recorder, you really need to consider the future of television: DirecTV. Everyone knows the usual irritations of cable TV and the usual irritations of a Video Cassette Recorder (popularly known as a VCR).

Cable TV is known for service problems and programming limitations. The good old VCR (and now it is getting old) was always used to record it’s owners favorite television shows. The problem with the VCR was it’s inconsistency in doing it’s job. Typically, a VCR owner would set the timer on the VCR and more often than he or she would have liked it would fail to record the show. On top of this, if the VCR did succeed in recording the show, half the time the show would be recorded on the wrong VCR speed and end up recording only the first half of the owners favorite TV show! How annoying is that? You think you got this weeks episode safe and sound on the video cassette and half way through it clicks and rewinds! Not to mention trying to store all of those video cassettes, most of which you will never ever watch again!

If you are still dealing with cables problems, if are still dealing with the Video Cassette Recorders problems, it is long past due for you to consider the other option. Now a days satellite TV through DirecTV is more affordable than ever, and even offers comparable prices to what your local cable TV provider offers. This way the old excuse of “Satellite TV is just too expensive” is as out dated as the cable box itself! If you do choose to join the satellite TV revolution then you will get to say good bye to the old days of frustration with your VCR unit! DirecTV offers free installation of the TiVo and DVR units which have revolutionized home television recording. No longer will you have to worry about missing your favorite show, or rushing home through rush hour traffic to catch it. Now with TiVo, when you get home, simply rewind LIVE TV and watch your favorite show! If you are already at home when your favorite show comes on, then you will actually be able to pause the show every time you need to use the rest room or grab a snack.

The beauty of that is that with TiVo if it has been paused long enough, you will actually be able to fast forward all the way back to the point that live TV is at. In other words say good bye to those annoying pesky commercials! What about recording your favorite shows? This is where the DVR unit comes in! DVR allows you to record your favorite programs directly from the TV to your DVR unit. You can hold hours and hours of your favorite programs and access them all at the touch of a button.

These are just some of the benefits of switching to DirecTV. Take a look at DirecTV on the web. You will be amazed at their programming packages and affordability as well!

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Truth About a Cure for Stretch Marks

Stretch mark creams are now everywhere in the market today. Unfortunately, although they tell you that they are a cure for stretch marks, you will find out after spending time and money on them that you have been deceived by elaborate advertisements. Even if you see some of your scars start to diminish, they do not totally make the stretch marks go away and you will only end up feeling disappointed.

Amazing Ingredients

Some stretch mark creams are effective and deliver what they promise, though. The makers of this cream are so confident in its effectiveness that they are offering a money back guarantee if you feel dissatisfied after using it. In addition, they are also giving away freebies as long as you order a number of bottles from them.

Natural Ingredients – If you’re wondering what makes them so confident in their product, one answer will not sum all of it up. This cream is made up of potent yet gentle substances that are from nature. This means that the solution will not harm you and are safe even for sensitive skin.

Some of the main ingredients of this solution are squalene oil, DL-penthenol, aloe vera and grapefruit extracts and vitamins E, D3, and A. If you are concerned that animals might have been harmed for the squalene oil, you don’t have to worry because they are all derived from plants.

Potency – Although it is an all natural product, this product is still potent enough to be a cure for stretch marks because the cream attacks the root of the problem. Unlike other creams that only diminish the appearance of the scars, this solution penetrates deep into the skin and substances like squalene oil will protect the skin from harmful elements in the environment. It will also stimulate the skin to regenerate and help to always keep it soft and healthy.

This cream contains vitamins that help renew the skin and reduces the appearance of stretch marks. With continued use of the product, your stretch marks will fade away and finally disappear. The DL-penthenol and aloe vera are also important because they help heal the torn skin tissues. Likewise, grapefruit seed extracts play a role in the healing of skin damages and encourages regeneration of affected areas. This product also contains other healthy substances like purified water, vegetable emulsifier, potassium sorbate, and so on.

Stretch Mark Prevention – Another wonderful thing about this stretch mark solution is its preventive formula. In the first place, the makers of this cream came up with its name because of its important role of preventing stretch marks from developing in your skin. Because of this, you will no longer have to find a cure for stretch marks because you can already stop it from happening.

Safe – If you are pregnant or thinking of getting pregnant, this product is safe enough for you to use. But if you want to be sure, you can ask your doctor’s advice before purchasing it. So why wait for your stretch marks to show? All you have to do now is to apply this cream on areas like your abdomen, breasts, and thighs. The natural substances will make your skin more elastic and strong so that your tissues will be saved from breaking.

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Praying Mantis Tattoo or Scorpion Tattoo?

I’m thinking about getting both of these tattoos.

A Praying Mantis on my left calf and an emperor scorpion on my right calf.

What do you think?
Preying Mantis.

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Ian Fletcher: The Death of the Postindustrial Dream

Ian Fletcher: The Death of the Postindustrial Dream
Remember postindustrialism? Not long ago, this catchphrase was supposed to define America’s future: no more grubby hard industries, just a clean bright world of services…

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Online Shopping – Experience the Real Fun of Shopping

With technological advancement and the development of the Internet, there are various benefits available to end users. Shopping is no exception to this and the option of internet marketing has been introduced as a platform to reach out to target customers irrespective of geographical location. Companies provide an array of products over the Internet, thereby making the shopping experience for consumers not only comfortable, but also enjoyable.

There are innumerable benefits offered online to the shopping enthusiasts. Some of the major advantages of shopping online are mentioned below:

1. Convenience
With shopping online, there are no hassles of driving to shopping malls, waiting in traffic jams, parking vehicles in crowded parking lots during the festive season or hopping from one store to another, which turns out to be a rather frustrating and tiring experience. Online shopping facilitates the overcoming of all such hassles and provides the availability of a wide range of products by a simple click of the mouse and all that from the comfort of your home. Browse through online stores and offered products while just sitting in your chair or while working simultaneously in your office.

2. Time-saving
As there is no particular destination or shop that you have to flock to, online shopping saves you a lot of time as well. Multitasking is also possible while shopping online.

3. Money-saving
Due to intense competition on the Internet, the online stores provide discounts and attractive offers as opposed to the land-based stores. With the availability of a number of online stores, one can also easily compare prices and easily make a right and affordable selection.

4. Offered products
Irrespective of your requirements, being wedding apparels or domestic items, there is nothing that you will fall short of when shopping online.

5. Quality Assurance
Though the fact fabric and other such things do not have a quality guarantee, as we cannot judge this in person may be counted as a disadvantage of online shopping, the product reviews published at online shopping websites enable an individual to judge the authenticity of a product. The customers’ reviews are based on their personal experiences and thereby give a glimpse of both the positive and negative aspects of the product.

6. Security
All concerns concerning credit cards, like identity theft or hacking can all be put aside as online shopping is absolutely safe. The personal information provided along with credit card details are all encrypted and not revealed to other internet users.

With so many advantages at your fingertips, there is nothing more a shopping enthusiast can ask for. Simply browse through the shopping websites, add products to your shopping cart and get started! Payment can be made using credit card or PayPal and the ordered items will soon be delivered at your doorstep. No doubt, shopping has never been so easy and simple, so make the most of this opportunity instead of moving from one land-based shop to another.

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

4 Steps to Transforming Yourself from a Worrier to a Warrior

Copyright (c) 2009 Karin Marcus

If you look closely, you will notice that there are only four small vowels that differentiate a worrier from a warrior. Similarly, with only a few small shifts in perspective, you can transform yourself from an ineffectual worrywart to a resourceful, decisive individual.

There is a difference between being concerned and being worried. A concern is something that requires your attention, interest, and care; it is something that affects your welfare and happiness. To be concerned engages your awareness toward a desired outcome. Whereas, worry is a repetitive thought pattern that causes anxiety and lacks clarity or perspective. It is corrosive and depleting. Worry is self perpetuating and disempowering, rarely leading to a solution or worthwhile course of action.

A warrior is not a person who seeks unnecessary conflict. A true warrior is a person who is able to respond in difficult or threatening situations, decisively with strength, focus, and determination. A warrior is able to turn fear into positive action. By transforming from a worrier to a warrior, you are able to meet concerns with right and just action. Here are four shifts in attitude and perspective that can help you in your transformation.

1. Worriers live in the past and the future. They recycle the past, reliving hurts, failures and injustices, and project them into the future with, “What if this… and What if that…” Warriors live in the present. Their creed is “What was, was, and what is, is.” A warrior determines, what are the best options for optimum results from this point forward?

2. Worriers are stuck in their head, wasting time and energy battling perceived obstacles and playing out imagined scenarios. Warriors challenge their assumptions and preconceived notions, because they know the acronym for fear is: false evidence appearing real. Each challenge needs to been understood from all perspectives. Warriors utilize each of their six senses to assess the situation. Their mind, body, and heart are unified in knowledge and purpose before they move.

3. Worriers live from the outside in. External circumstances set off automatic reactions. There is no pause between cause and effect. Warriors live from the inside out. Their values and integrity determine how they respond to a situation. They have a strong honor code and a well established core belief system. They embrace the power of choice and their own response-ability.

4. Worriers expect the worse and see only limitations. Warriors see a myriad of possibilities and have a deep sense of faith and trust. They maintain a long term perspective, knowing you may lose a battle but still win the war. Warriors are able to let go of the uncontrollable and focus their attention on the areas where they can be effectual.

The next time you find yourself fretting over a situation, no matter how serious and real the issue may be, review the above list and select one shift in attitude or perception that you can make to gain greater clarity. This will not be an exercise that you try once and victory is achieved. It will take practice, practice, practice. But the awareness that you have choice and that your life need not be dictated by repetitive, autonomic emotions can be a huge and dramatic shift. This is the path of the Inner Samurai.

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

what’s the difference between 2006 and 2007 maclaren techno xt stroller?

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

5 Tips To Higher E-Bay Clothing Sales!

If you have decided to sell clothing on Ebay, there are a number of important tips that can help you increase your sales without substantially increasing your inventory costs. Most of these tips have to do with proper garment display and measurements, in order to make YOUR garment & clothing more attractive to an e-bay shopper.

 

5 TIPS TO HIGHER CLOTHING SALES ON EBAY!

 

1. Tip #1 Invest in a Garment Form

 A garment form is a display to put your garments on. The difference between a properly displayed garment a a garment displayed on a cheap hanger are astounding. Garment forms are relatively inexpensive, and many e-bay sellers have all types, from plastic one-sided cheaper forms, to full-size mannequins. The difference between a garment displayed on a hangar and a garment on a garment form is remarkable. Garment forms can be purchased for as little as 15 dollars. It’s a wise investment, and you will recover the cost of the garment form right away. Trust me on this one.

 

2. Tip #2 Learns some basic HTML.

A little bit of HTML goes a long way. I won’t go into a detailed description here, but e-bay has some great basic HTML guides that can help you may your listings pop a little bit. Sometimes a little pizazz goes a long way to making your listing look a little better than your competitor. But be careful! Don’t go overboard! Remember, some people still use regular dial-up, and memory-hogging animated pages or other bothersome additions may really slow down your particular from loading on a buyer’s computer. Animated pages drive me crazy! Be cautious when adding these elements to your pages. A balance of nice images with quick page loading is important to please your buyer.

 

3. Tip #3 Great Pictures Can Sell Mediocre Items, but Mediocre Pictures WON’T sell Great Items.

 It’s sad, but true– invest in a moderately good digital camera with some editing software. Kodak Easyshare is what I use personally, and their software comes bundled with their camera. I spent 99 dollars on it, and it was a great investment. Good pictures can sell your item in a flash, but fuzzy photos or bad pictures can prevent a GREAT item from selling at all. I always cringe when I see jewelry sellers with horrible, fuzzy photos. As a buyer, how can I tell what the item will look like if all I can see is a blurry image?

 

4. Tip #4 Learn How to Measure Clothing- here is a “quickie” guide to measuring clothing.

 

INSEAM: To measure an inseam, lay the pants or shorts flat. Using measuring tape, measure from just below the crotch to the bottom of the ankle/pant leg. Record the length in inches; this is the inseam.

 HIP: to Measure hip measurement on pants, measure just above the crotch of the pants from side to side.

 BUST: Measure just below the armpit, from side to side

 WAIST: Measure the waist of the garment– if elastic, stretch to fullest point, but DO NOT OVERSTRETCH TO MEASURE

 SLEEVE: To measure sleeve, measure from the seam that actually attaches the sleeve to the garment, to the end of the sleeve.

 

 

 

 

TIP #5 Watch your FEEDBACK

 

I cannot stress this enough. Good feedback means good sales, and negative feedback means that buyers will not want to buy from you. Watch your feedback, and consider waiting to give positive feedback until YOU receive positive feedback first. So watch your feedback, and watch your sales grow, too.

 

 

Posted on July 27, 2010 - by blogtheking

Serres Cup Teams & Judge 2009

World Championship Pointing Dogs, Serres, Ellada, Greece Teams: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech. Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Spain, Greece www.vom-laconiental.net Equipment: Panasonic HDC-SD300, Panasonic Lumix TZ5