http://www.himfr.spruz.com en Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:55:05 GMThttp://www.himfr.spruz.com Crystal pendent lamps
Types
Most tuners contain a microphone and/or an input jack (for electric instruments such as electric guitar), circuitry for detecting the pitch, and some type of display (an analog needle, an LCD simulated image of a needle, LED lights, or a spinning translucent disk illuminated by a strobing backlight). Some tuners have an output, or through-put, so the tuner can be connected 'in-line' from an electric instrument to an amplifier or mixing console. While small tuners are usually battery powered, some tuners also have a jack for an optional AC power supply.
An IntelliTouch clip-on type tuner on a Mandolin headstock.
The waveform generated by a musical instrument is very complex, as it contains a number of harmonic partials, and it is constantly changing. For this reason the regular tuner must average a number of cycles of the note and use this average to drive its display. Any background noise from other musicians or harmonic overtones from the musical instrument can easily "confuse" the electronic tuner's attempt to "lock" onto the input frequency. This is why the needle or display on regular electronic tuners tends to waver when a pitch is played. Small movements of the needle, or LED, usually represent a tuning error of 1 cent of a semitone. The typical accuracy of these types of tuners is around +/- 3 cents for quality needle tuners and +/- 9 cents of a semitone for the most inexpensive LED tuners. Some companies offer one type of tuner (e.g. Behringer, Quick Time and Fender focus on inexpensive pocket-sized tuners), while other companies, such as Boss and Korg, sell a range of standard, pedal, and rack-mountable tuners at varying levels of quality and features.
"Clip-on" tuners clip onto an instrument (commonly at the headstock of a guitar or bridge of a violin or cello) and pick up vibrations, rather than using a microphone or input jack to sense the input frequency. It then displays the pitch of the instrument's vibration on its large LCD display. Clip-on tuners are less likely to be confused by background noise than a microphone-based tuner, because the clip-on tuners pick up the vibrations of the instrument directly from the body of the instrument , pink christmas lights .
The "String Master" tuner consists of a regular LED tuner where the electric instrument plugs into the unit's base with a 1/4" TRS cable, or an acoustic instrument via a microphone cable. The unit has a built-in motor which drives a string winder tool at the top to the unit. The unit is then placed over the tuning button of the machine head of the string to be tuned, and a note on the relevant string is played. The unit detects the input note and robotically corrects the pitch to a desired frequency by mechanically turning the tuner button to the correct position. It monitors the change in frequency until the "in tune" signal is given , hyundai tail lights .
Some electric guitar tuners are fitted to the instrument itself, such as the Sabine AX3000 and the "NTune" device. The NTune consists of a switching potentiometer, a wiring harness, illuminated plastic display disc, a circuit board and a battery holder. The unit installs in place of an electric guitar's existing volume knob control. The unit functions as a regular volume knob when not in tuner mode. To operate the tuner, the player pulls the volume knob up. The tuner disconnects the guitar's output so the tuning process is not amplified. The lights on the illuminated ring, under the volume knob, indicate which note is being tuned. When the note is brought into tune a green "in tune" indicator light is illuminated. After tuning is complete the volume knob is pushed back down, disconnecting the tuner from the circuit and re-connecting the pickups to the output jack , led diodes .
Gibson guitars released a model in 2008 called the "Robot Guitar". It is a customized version of either the Les Paul or SG model. The guitar is fitted with a special tailpiece, looking like a regular unit, with in-built sensors that pick up the frequency of the strings. There is an illuminated control knob with which the player can select different tuning options. The headstock is fitted with custom-built motorized machine heads that automatically tune the guitar. This system can assist the player to intonate the guitar when the unit is put into "intonation" mode, displaying how much adjustment the bridge requires with a system of flashing LEDs on the control knob.
Regular needle, LCD and LED display tuners
A needle, LCD or regular LED type tuner uses a microprocessor to measure the average period of the waveform. It uses this to then drive the needle or array of lights. When the musician plays a single note, the tuner senses the input from the microphone or input jack (from an electric instrument). The tuner then displays the input frequency in relation to the desired pitch and indicates whether the pitch of that note is lower, higher, or approximately equal to the desired pitch. With needle displays, the note is in tune when the needle is in a 90o vertical position, with leftward or rightward deviations indicating that the note is flat or sharp, respectively. Tuners with a needle are often supplied with a backlight, so that the display can be read on a darkened stage.
Sabine LED tuner
For block LED or LCD display tuners, markings on the readout drift left if the note is flat and right if the note is sharp from the desired pitch. If the input frequency is matched to the desired pitch frequency the LEDs are steady in the middle and an 'in tune' reading is given.
Some LCD displays mimic needle tuners with a needle graphic that moves in the same way as a genuine needle tuner. Somewhat misleadingly, many LED displays have a 'strobe mode' that mimics strobe tuners by scrolling the flashing of the LEDs cyclically to simulate the display of a true strobe. However, these are all just display options. The way a regular tuner 'hears' and compares the input note to a desired pitch is exactly the same, with no change in accuracy. For more on how strobe tuners work see the dedicated section.
The least expensive models only detect and display a small number of pitches, often those pitches that are required to tune a given instrument (e.g., E, A, D, G, B, E of standard guitar tuning). While this type of tuner is useful for bands that only use stringed instruments such as guitar and electric bass, it is not that useful for tuning brass or woodwind instruments. Tuners at the next price point offer "chromatic tuning", which means that the device will detect and assess all of the pitches in the chromatic scale (e.g., C, C#, D, D#, etc.). Chromatic tuners can thus be used for Bb and Eb brass instruments such as saxophones and horns.
Many models have circuitry that automatically detects which pitch is being played, and then compares it against the correct pitch. Less expensive models require the musician to specify the target pitch via a switch or slider. Most low- and mid-priced electronic tuners only allow tuning to an equal temperament scale.
Electric guitar and electric bass players who perform concerts may use electronic tuners which are built into an effects pedal often called a "stomp box". These tuners have a rugged metal or heavy-duty plastic housing and a foot-operated switch to toggle between the tuner and a bypass mode. Professional guitarists may use a more expensive version of the LED tuner which is mounted in a rack-mount case, and has a larger range of LEDs, thus allowing a more accurate display of the flatness or sharpness. More expensive models allow the user to select reference pitches other than A440.
Orchestral tuner allowing calibration for a variety of tunings and temperaments.
In some cases, this is used to select a different note, as in the case of bands which detune their guitars to "Eb" or "D" for a lower, more resonant sound. More subtle changes of a quarter tone or less can be made with some models. This enables instrumentalists to tune to a fixed pitch instrument such as an organ or piano that is not tuned to A440. Some Baroque musicians playing period instruments perform at lower reference pitches such as A435. Some higher-priced electronic tuners allow tuning to a range of different temperaments, which is a feature of interest to some guitarists and to harpsichord players.
Some expensive tuners also include an on-board speaker and amplifier which can sound notes, either to facilitate tuning "by ear" or to act as a pitch reference point for intonation practice, while scales or arpeggios are being practiced. Another feature offered on the most expensive tuners is an adjustable "read time", which determines whether the circuitry will attempt to make a quick assessment of the pitch, or make its assessment over a longer period. Due to their combination of all the above mentioned features, very high-quality needle tuners are suitable for tuning the different types of instruments in an orchestra; these are sometimes called "orchestral tuners".
Strobe tuners
A mechanical strobe tuner. Note the rotating red stobe-disc on the right of the unit.
Strobe tuners (the popular term for stroboscopic tuners) are the most accurate type of tuner. There are three types of strobe tuners: The mechanical rotating disk strobe tuner, an LED array strobe in place of the rotating disk, and "virtual strobe" tuners with LCD displays or ones that work on personal computers. A strobe tuner shows the difference between a reference frequency and the musical note. Even the slightest difference between the two will show up as a rotating motion in the strobe display. The accuracy of the tuner is only limited by the internal...

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:55:05 GMT HMS 1&2
Tritium lighting
Radioluminescent keychains
Tritium lighting is made using glass tubes with a phosphor layer in them and tritium (a hydrogen isotope) gas inside the tube. Such a tube is known as a "gaseous tritium light source" (GTLS), or beta light, (since the tritium undergoes beta decay).
Self-luminous microspheres
A patent application was filed by the US Patent Office in 2007 for sand-grain-sized tritium containers or glass or polymer "microspheres" that can be applied in self-powered lighting paint , floating solar lights .
The patent application states that the plurality of individual containment microspheres minimizes the escape of radioactive gas in the event of any physical damage to an assembly of such microspheres. It also states that the radioactive gas has a relatively large contact surface with the phosphor particles, thus causing a relatively efficient light emission from the surface of the particles. No actual paint is known to have been produced yet , super bright white led .
Physics behind the ligh , 7 segment led .
The tritium in a gaseous tritium light source undergoes beta decay, releasing electrons which cause the phosphor layer to fluoresce.
During manufacture, a length of borosilicate glass tube which has had the inside surface coated with a phosphor-containing material is filled with the radioactive tritium. The tube is then fused with a CO2 laser at the desired length. Borosilicate is preferred because it is a type of glass noted for its strength and resistance to breakage. In the tube, the tritium gives off a steady stream of electrons due to beta decay. These particles excite the phosphor, causing it to emit a low, steady glow. One could use any beta particle-emitting substance, but in practice tritium is preferred because it is not very hazardous.
Various preparations of the phosphor compound can be used to produce different colors of light. Some of the colors that have been manufactured in addition to the common phosphorus green are red, blue, yellow, purple, and orange.
The types of GTLS used in watches give off a small amount of lightot enough to be seen in daylight, but enough to be visible in the dark from a distance of several meters[citation needed]. The average such GTLS has a useful life of 1020 years. As the tritium component of the lighting is often more expensive than the rest of the watch itself, manufacturers try to use as little as possible. Being an unstable isotope with a half-life of about 12.36 years, tritium loses half its brightness in that period. The more tritium that is initially placed in the tube, the brighter it is to begin with, and the longer its useful life. Tritium exit signs usually come in three brightness levels guaranteed for 10, 15, or 20 year useful life expectancies[citation needed]. The difference between the signs is how much tritium the manufacturer installs.
Uses of tritium illumination
A "permanent" illumination watch face
These light sources are most often seen as "permanent" illumination for the hands of wristwatches intended for diving, nighttime, or tactical use. They are additionally used in glowing novelty keychains and in self-illuminated exit signs. They are also favored by the military for critical applications where illumination of the glow-in-the-dark sort is desired but a power source may not be available. Some uses of this sort are analog dials in aircraft, in compasses, and sights for weapons.
Tritium lights are also found in many old rotary dial telephones, though due to their age they no longer produce any useful amount of light.
Small arms sights
Tritium is used to make the sights of some small arms illuminate at night. Most night sights are used on semi-automatic handguns. The reticule on the SA80's optical SUSAT sight (Sight Unit Small Arms Trilux) contains a small amount of tritium for the same effect as an example of tritium use on a rifle sight.
Legal issues
Because tritium in particular is an integral part of thermonuclear devices (though in quantities several thousand times larger than that in a keychain), consumer and safety devices containing tritium for use in the United States are subject to certain possession, resale, disposal, and use restrictions. Devices such as self-luminous exit signs, gauges, wrist watches, etc., which contain small amounts of tritium are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and are subject to possession, distribution, import and export regulations found in 10 CFR Parts, 30, 32 and 110. They are also subject to regulations for possession, use and disposal in certain states. They are readily sold and used in the US and are widely available in the U.K. Some countries, Belgium for example, have outlawed them. Tritium lighting is legal in most of Asia and Australia.
Health concerns
For more details on this topic, see Tritium.
While these devices contain a radioactive substance, it is currently believed that self-powered lighting does not pose a significant health concern. However, a 2007 report by the UK government's Health Protection Agency Advisory Group on Ionizing Radiation declared the health risks of Tritium exposure to be double that previously set by Sweden's International Commission on Radiological Protection.
Tritium presents no external radiation threat when encapsulated in non-hydrogen-permeable containers; its only danger is its constitution into the human body from direct contact, which may in turn cause long-term, low-dose radiation damage. This is because beta decay radiation from tritium is not very energetic; it is incapable of penetrating through glass containers or even intact human skin.
Direct, short-term exposure to small amounts of Tritium is relatively harmless. If a tritium tube should break, one should leave the area and allow the gas to diffuse into the air. Tritium exists naturally in the environment, but in very small quantities.
References
^ http://www.freepatentsonline.com/y2007/0200074.html Long life self-luminous microspheres
^ http://www.rexresearch.com/kohnen/kohnen.htm Long life self-luminous microspheres / Litrosphere paint
^ http://www.createthefuturecontest.com/pages/view/entriesdetail.html?entryID=567 Litroenergy - New Light Source Material
^ Verboden gadgets (Dutch)
^ "Healt Protection Agency Advisory Group on Ionizing Radiation". press release on Tritium health risk. http://www.hpa.org.uk/hpa/news/articles/press_releases/2007/071129_radiation_report.htm. Retrieved on 2007-12-02. 
^ "www.ehso.emory.edu". Nuclide Safety Data Sheet Hydrogen-3. http://www.ehso.emory.edu/radiation/Forms/nuclide_data_safety_sheets.pdf. Retrieved on 2006-11-09. 
External links
Cleanup of a broken tritium sign
Radioluminescent items
Forum discussion on Superluminova vs. Tritium
See also
List of light sources
Exit sign
v  d  e
Lamps and lighting
Incandescent
Regular  Halogen  Parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR)  Nernst  Centennial
Fluorescent
Linear/tubular fluorescent  Compact fluorescent (CFL)  Electrodeless electromagnetic induction lamp
High-intensity
discharge (HID)
Mercury-vapor  Hydrargyrum medium-arc iodide (HMI)  Hydrargyrum quartz iodide (HQI)  Metal halide (Ceramic)  Sodium vapor
Gas discharge
Neon  Xenon arc / Xenon flash  Cold cathode  Black light  Tanning lamp  Germicidal  Growth light
Electric arc
Carbon arc  Yablochkov candle
Combustion
Acetylene/Carbide  Argand  Candle  Diya  Natural gas  Kerosene  Lantern  Limelight  Oil  Safety  Rushlight  Tilley  Torch
Other
Sulfur lamp  Light-emitting diode (LED) / LED lamp / Solid-state lighting (SSL)  Deuterium arc  Plasma  Electroluminescent wire  Chemiluminescence  Radioluminescence  Artificial sunlight  Glow stick  LIFI
Categories: Lighting | Nuclear technologyHidden categories: All articles to be merged | Articles to be merged from April 2009 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from September 2008

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:31 GMT Wooden Crafts / Environmental PC Case
Features
Some of the various models produced by Victorinox.
The Victorinox Cybertool.
Various models of Swiss Army knives exist, with different tool combinations for specific tasks. The simplest model sold includes only a single blade. The most common tools featured are, in addition to the main blade, a smaller second blade, tweezers, toothpick, corkscrew, can opener, bottle opener, slotted/flat-head screwdriver(s), phillips-head screwdriver, nail file, scissors, saw, file, hook, magnifying glass, ballpoint pen, fish scaler, hex wrench w/bits, pliers, and key chain. Recent technological features include USB flash drives, digital clock, digital altimeter, LED light, laser pointer, and MP3 player. The official army model also contains a brass spacer, which allows the knife, with the screwdriver and the reamer extended simultaneously, to be used to assemble the SIG 550 and SIG 510 assault rifles: the knife serves as a restraint to the firing pin during assembly of the lock.
The standard full-size SAK is approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) long and 2 cm (0.75 inches) wide; smaller models are typically about 6 cm (2.25 in) long and 1.5 cm (0.5 in) wide. Thickness varies depending on the number of tools included. Although red celidor SAKs are most common, there are many colors and scales available. Many textures, colors and shapes now appear in the Swiss Army Knife , art table lamp .
As of 2007, the most technologically advanced model includes a laser pointer and a 2GB detachable USB flash drive . Wenger has even manufactured a $1200 Swiss army knife that includes every implement the company has ever made. Victorinox's headquarters and show room arelocated in the Swiss town of Ibach; Wenger's is headquartered in the Swiss town of Delmont , car emergency lights .
The Victorinox Cybertools have many tools of use with computers and electronic equipment. In addition to the usual tools, including pliers and scissors, they have a 4mm hex screwdriver bit holder and bit case with 4 double-ended bits (8 ends) , hid dive lights .
History
Origins
In 1891, Karl Elsener, then owner of a company that made surgical equipment, discovered to his dismay that the pocket knives supplied to the Swiss army were in fact made in Solingen (Germany). In that age of nationalism, Elsener set out to manufacture the knives in Switzerland itself. Elsener began working on what became the predecessor to the modern Swiss Army knife, called the "Soldier's Knife". The original had a wooden handle, as opposed to the plastic and metal seen today, and featured a cutting blade, a screwdriver, a can opener, and a punch. This knife was sold to the Swiss army, but Elsener was not satisfied with its first incarnation. In 1896, after five years of hard work, Elsener managed to put the blades on both sides of the handle using a special spring mechanism, allowing him to use the same spring to hold them in place, an innovation at the time. This allowed Elsener to put twice as many features on the knife; he added a second cutting blade and a corkscrew.
Karl Elsener used the cross and shield to identify his knives, the symbol still used today on Victorinox-branded versions. When his mother died in 1909, Elsener decided to name his company "Victoria" in her memory. In 1921 the company started using stainless steel to make the Swiss Army Knife. Stainless steel is also known as "inox", short for the French term acier inoxydable. "Victoria" and "inox" were then combined to create the company name "Victorinox". The stainless steel alloy used for these knives consists of Carbon 0.52 %, Chrome 15 %, Manganese 0.45 %, Molybdenum 0.5 %, Silicium 0.6 %. The average blade steel hardness is 55-56 HRC, a hardness that is suitable for practical use and resharpening.
The "Swiss Army Knife" gained international fame when U.S. Army Soldiers returning from Europe after service in World War II brought back red multi-tool pocket knives they had taken from German prisoners of war. German army officers were not issued these items from the Wehrmacht but bought these Swiss-made knives privately along with the silver cross on red background. Thus Americans began calling them the "Swiss officer's knife." As tourists began buying these souvenirs from Switzerland the most common purchase became what the Victorinox company now calls the "Spartan." The difference between the Spartan model and what the U.S. Army Soldiers first brought back from Europe is the lack of the folding scissor in the Spartan.
Victorinox and Wenger
Elsener, through his company Victorinox, managed to corner the market until 1893, when the second industrial cutler of Switzerland, Paul Boechat & Cie, headquartered in Delmont in the French-speaking region of Jura, started selling a similar product. This company was later acquired by its then General Manager, Theodore Wenger, and renamed the Wenger Company. In 1908 the Swiss government, wanting to prevent an issue over regional favouritism, but perhaps wanting a bit of competition in hopes of lowering prices, split the contract with Victorinox and Wenger, each getting half of the orders placed. By mutual agreement, Wenger advertises as the Genuine Swiss Army Knife and Victorinox uses the slogan the Original Swiss Army Knife. However, on April 26, 2005, Victorinox acquired Wenger, thus once again becoming the sole supplier of knives to the Swiss Army. However, on the consumer side Victorinox has stated that it intends to keep both brands intact.
Knives with the most tools
In 2006, Wenger produced a knife with 85 devices and 110 functions to commemorate Wenger's 100th anniversary in the Swiss Army knife business. The Giant, as it's called, is a novelty collector's item that is nearly 9 inches thick, and retails for about U.S. $1200 .
At the same year, Victorinox released SwissChamp XAVT, which includes 80 functions, with retail price of US$425.
The Guinness Book of Records recognizes a Swiss Army-style knife with 314 blades as the record holder.
Manufacturers
Main articles: Victorinox and Wenger
The Swiss company Victorinox AG and its wholly owned subsidiary Wenger SA together supply about 50,000 knives to the Swiss army each year. The rest of production is devoted to exports, mostly to the United States. Commercial Victorinox and Wenger SAKs can be immediately distinguished by their logos; the Victorinox cross is surrounded by a shield with bilateral symmetry, while the Wenger cross is surrounded by a slightly rounded square with quadrilateral symmetry. The two models supplied to the Swiss Army instead bear the Swiss Coat of Arms.
Numerous other companies manufacture similar-looking multi-tool folding knives in a wide range of quality and prices. The color red for multi-function knives, the cross-and-shield emblem, and the words SWISS ARMY are registered trademarks of Victorinox AG and its related companies.
Soldier Knife 08
Victorinox Soldatenmesser 08 as issued by the Swiss military.
In 2007, the Swiss Government made a request for more knives for the Swiss army for distribution in late 2008; however, due to size of the order, WTO ruled that it had to open the request for bids from companies around the world, not just the native Victorinox and Wenger.
The evaluation phase of the new soldier knife began in February 2008, when Armasuisse issued an invitation to tender. A total of seven suppliers from Switzerland and other countries were invited to participate in the evaluation process. Functional models submitted by suppliers underwent practical testing by military personnel in July 2008, while laboratory tests were used to assess compliance with technical requirements. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted and the model with the best price/performance ratio was awarded the contract. The order for 75,000 soldier knives plus cases is worth CHF 1.38 million. This equates to a purchase price of CHF 18.40 (EUR 12.16, USD 16.95) per knife plus case.
Victorinox won the contest with a knife based on the One-Hand Trailmaster/Trekker model as issued by the German Bundeswehr and started massproduction of the new Soldatenmesser 08 (Soldier Knife 08) for the Swiss army in December 2008. The Soldier Knife 08 features an 111 mm (4.4 in) long ergonomic handle with two-component polymer grip shells and a double liner locking system, one-hand 86 mm (3.4 in) long locking partly serrated drop point blade, wood saw, can opener with small 3 mm screwdriver, locking bottle opener with large 7 mm screwdriver and wire stripper/bender, reamer, Phillips (PH2) screwdriver and key ring. The overall length opened is 197 mm (7.8 in) and it weighs 126 g (4.44 oz). The Soldier Knife 08 replaces the previous Swiss soldier's knife, which was introduced in 1961. The new Soldier Knives will be issued to troops during the first basic training sessions of 2009.
Gallery
Victorinox Soldier Knife as issued by the German Bundeswehr.
Victorinox Swiss Army knife, closed
The Scouting 2007 Centenary Swiss Army Knife
A SwissChamp, one of the most functional Swiss Army knives. It's also in the Museum of Modern Art.
An example of a "Swiss Navy" imitation Swiss-like multitool
In popular culture
The Swiss Army Knife is a signature of the American TV show MacGyver, wherein MacGyver often improvises tools that are needed to solve problems. He often used his knife to help build mechanisms out of common items, which led to sayings such as "making a rocket out of a matchbox and a paper clip." In fact, this has led to many discussions to attempt to list the variants that were used....

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:29 GMT Solar house number
Origins
Since the spontaneous rise and propagation of Liquid throughout the rave culture sometime during the 1980 and early 1990, the root origins of the dance have ultimately remained a source of contention between both those involved directly with the dance as well as those outside of the immediate culture. In fact, even the time frame is difficult to pinpoint. Sightings of the dance range all the way back to the early and mid 1970. While some argue that the dance evolved spontaneously from combining elements in the rave culture, others still contend that the dance is merely an extension of existing ideas from other art forms. It should be noted that scores of these artists (Funk Stylists, Glowstickers Contact Jugglers, Mimes, & The Unknown) attended raves regularly all throughout the 1980 and 1990. In the wake of the decline of the original rave scene, Liquid has become a standing part of a worldwide club culture and the underground street dancing movement.
B-boys and funk stylists generally contend that liquid dancing is a development of waving, a technique in popping. Liquid dancing covers many of the same fundamentals as popping and it is fully possible (and common) for dancers to combine the styles, further blurring the distinction between the two. The defining difference is liquid dancing concentrating on smooth movements while popping is characterized by pops (hits) and contractions.
Some other liquid dancers uphold that liquiding is a pure B-boy style of dance that was merely inspired by popping and that the liquiding done by ravers is merely a toned down version of the dance meant to compensate for the lack of space and lights within a rave.
Techniques, concepts, and construction
Liquid dancers use a variety of techniques rhythmically strung together to create an illusion of continuous flow that corresponds to the music.
Hand flow
Hand flow is the most commonly used technique in Liquid dancing and simultaneously the easiest to grasp. It consists of curling the fingers of one hand and following them with the straight fingers of the opposite hand. The wrists, elbows, and shoulders may be involved to extend the motion. A Liquid dancer's personal style is defined by his or her individual approach to hand flow, and how it fits into their dance as a whole.
Rails
Rails, often a heavy focus in liquid, are characterized by the moving of the arms along a set path or "rail".
Wave , interior wall lights .
Main article: Waving (dance move , 5 led flashlight .
Waves maintain the illusion that a wave is passing through one's body by the isolation and alternating tensing and relaxing of one part of the body at a time at a steady speed in a constant direction , under cabinet light .
Traces
During a trace, one's hand follows the path of a wave going through one's body. The hand moves at the same speed and in the same direction as the wave.
Contours
This technique entails the hands following exactly the outline of an object, be it real or imaginary. Most commonly the hands follow the outline of one's own body.
Threads
This style maintains the illusion that one is pulling parts of their body through holes created by the positioning of other body parts, typically arms. An example of this would be holding one's shoulder to create a closed loop which the other arm goes through. These are performed at the same speed as the flow of the liquid and waves to maintain an illusion of continuity.
Splits
This technique is characterized by the hands moving independently of each other while maintaining the illusion of a fluid relationship between each other. One way of achieving this illusion is by having one hand in front of the other and each hand reflecting the motion of the other.
Builds
Builds are identified by the manipulation of imaginary objects in a manner similar to pantomime. These moves can be combined with video editing to show the imaginary object being manipulated as the person dances.
Gear
Some liquid practitioners commonly accentuate their dance with light emitting gear. Typically the gear will consist of either glowsticks, very bright LED keychain lights called photons, or white gloves under black light. When a dancer specializes in glowsticks, the dance often ceases to resemble liquid and is then referred to as glowsticking.
External links
Floasis - Current Liquid Dance Community. Forums and tutorial/exhibition videos can be found.
DANCELEMENTS - Teaches mainstream Rave dance styles along with many more tutorials.
Street dance
Breakdancing - Hip hop dance - Krumping - Liquid dancing - Locking - Popping - Robot - Tutting - Uprock
Categories: Popping (dance) | Syllabus-free dance

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:25 GMT LED Light Bulb In Candle Shape
Etymology
'Krishna' refers to 'black' and 'giri' refers to 'hill'. Thus, 'Krishnagiri' refers to 'Black Hill'. This district is gifted with black granite hillocks and named as 'Krishnagiri'. Also, the region came under the rule of Krishna Deva Raya and hence it might also have been named after him.
History
Krishnagiri Fort
Krishnagiri District has a prehistoric importance. Archaeological sources confirm the presence of habitats of man kind during Paleolithic, Neolithic and Mesolithic Ages. Various rock paintings and rock carvings of Indus Valley civilization and Iron Age seen in this district support the historical significance of this district. The heart of Krishnagiri,Kaveripattinam,Hosur and Uthangarai were known as 'Eyil Nadu', 'Murasu Nadu' and 'Kowoor Nadu' respectively. During the Chola period, Krishnagiri region was called 'Nigarili Chola Mandlam' and 'Vidhugadhazhagi Nallur'. Under the Nulamba rule it was popular as 'Nulambadi' according to historical sources. Hero stones were erected for those whose lost their lives in pursuit of adventure. There was a tradition of erecting memorial stones for people who sacrifice their lives for the sake of their kings since Sangam age. These memorial stones were called 'Navagandam'. Plenty of memorial stones available in this district speak volumes about the valour and virtues of the people , buy bape .
Part of Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri and Mysore were together named as Thagadur Nadu in Sangam age. Krishnagiri was once ruled by Adhiyaman and hence also known as Adhiayaman Nadu. Adhiayaman, considered a noble king, offered 'Karunelli' (Goose Berry) to the great Tamil poetess "Avvaiyar", who adorned his court for her long life. This region was ruled by Pallavas, Gangas, Nulambas, Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijaya Nagar Emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Wudayars of Mysore and Nayaks of Madurai. The region of krishnagiri served as gateway of Tamil Nadu and a protective barrier for Southern region defending onslaughts from barriers with motives of imperialism and exploitation. Twelve Forts in this region were popularly known as 'Bara Mahal' Forts. These forts have withstood many attacks by the Mysore and Andhra rulers. Amongst them, Krishnagiri Fort became the first and forth most defensive place. The majestic fort built on the Krishnagiri hill by the Vijayanagar Emperors, stands as testimony even now. Kundani, a place in Krishnagiri District was once the head quarters of the Hoysala King Veera Ramanathan in the 13th Centuty AD. Jagadevarayan, a Hoysala king made 'Jagadevi' (one of the 'Bara Mahal' forts) as his capital , neon rope light .
During the I Mysore War the British troops passed through Krishnagiri to attack Hyder Ali's Forces at Kaveripattinam. The British army was defeated here. In the II Mysore War the entire region of Salem and Karnataka came under Hyder Ali's control. Hyder Ali fought bravely against the English at Krishnagiri. In the II Mysore war, after the Treaty of Srirangapattinam, the entire region of Salem and Bara Mahal were surrendered to the British. In 1792 AD, Captain Alexander Reed became the first District Collector of this region. Under the diplomacy of Robert Clive, the then Governor of Madras Presidency, Krishnagiri became the headquarters of Bara Mahal. A mint was established at krishnagiri in 1794 AD. Gold, silver and copper coins were forged here. Rayakottai, once a strong hold of the British, lost its importance for defense by 1880 AD. Many soldiers from krishnagiri region took part in the World War and lost their lives. Even today a large number of youth from this district are in the services of the Indian army. Krishnagiri district had its fair share of freedom fighters in the Indian freedom struggle. Prominent amongst them was Dr. C. Rajagopalachari, who, from a small village in this district rose to become the first Governor General of independent India and also the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu , xmas light .
Till the year 2004 Krishnagiri was a part of the Dharmapuri district. It was then separated from Dharmapuri district and formed as the 30th district separate district of Tamil Nadu in 2004.
District Administration
District Administration is headed by the District Collector.Present District Collector is Dr.V.K.SHANMUGAM,I.A.S.,
Geography & Climate
Garden at the Krishnagiri dam
Krishnagiri district covers an area of 5143 km. Krishnagiri district is bound by Vellore and Thiruvannamalai districts to the East, State of Karnataka to the west, State of Andhra Pradesh to the North and Dharmapuri District to the south. This district is elevated from 300m to 1400m above the mean sea level. It is located between 11 12'N to 12 49'N Latitude, 77 27'E to 78 38'E Longitude.
Taluk H.Q
Latitude (N)
Longitude (E)
Krishnagiri Taluk
12o 32 44
78o 13 36
Pochampalli Taluk
12o 20
78o 22
Uthangarai Taluk
12o 15
78o 33
Hosur Taluk
12o 48
77o 50 23
Denkanikottai Taluk
12o 02
77o 47
It basically has a mountainous terrain. The flatlands are irrigated by the South Pennar River. The eastern part of the district experiences hot climate and the western part contrastingly has a pleasant climate. The average rainfall is 830 mm per annum. March - June is the summer season. July - November is the Rainy Season and during December - February winter prevails.
Year
Rain fall (in mm)
2001-2002
825.700
2002-2003
521.600
2003-2004
1075.600
2004-2005
230.620
2005-2006
1262.800
Net Cultivated, Irrigated, Double , Multiple Cropped, Cultivable Wasteland, Water land and Forest
Classification
Geo.
Extent (Ha)
Forest
202409
39%
Banner and uncultivable waste
24194
5%
Land put to non agricultural uses
21466
4%
Cultivable waste
6341
1%
Permanent pastures and other grassing lands
7378
1%
Divisions
Krishnagiri district comprises two revenue division krishnagiri and hosur.There are five taluks namely Krishnagiri, Hosur, Pochampalli, Uthangarai and Denkanikotta. There are ten Panchayat Unions as follows: Kelamangalam, Thali, Krishnagiri, Shoolagiri, Vepanapalli, Hosur, Kaveripattinam, Bargur, Mathur and Uthangarai.
Basic Infrastructures
The following major roads pass through Krishnagiri
Highways
roadway
NH
kilometers
Kanniyakumari Kashmir
7
70.185
Krishnagiri Ranipet
46
21.400
Pondichery Krishnagiri
66
58.969
Krishnagiri Kuppam
219
19
Sarjapur Bagalur Hosur
207
19
Railways
Salem, Bangalore Broad gauge line run through Hosur. A railway line between Jolarpet and Hosur (Via) Krishnagiri will pave way for further improvement of industrial growth in Hosur. This will link Chennai city and its port facilities with the growing town of Hosur, which is also a hub for horticulture crops. However this will take some time for realization.
Please arrange to (Via) Samalpatti,there is SIPCOT(Bargur sipcot) connection. (Jolarpet - Samalpatti - Krishnagiri - Hosur - Bangalore)
Irrigation (Canal, Tube Wells, Wells, Tanks) etc
The Public Works Department and Panchayat union tanks, ponds and supply channels plays an important role in the irrigation of Krishnagiri district. But they have to be desilted and strengthened. New Check Dams and flood protection walls have to be constructed for water conservation.
Rural Electrification
Street lighting in rural areas is vested with the Panchayat Administration. The panchayats looks after the erection of new streetlights in the hamlets, payment of current consumption charges from the panchayat funds. Also the Procurement of tube lights, sodium vapor lights and other electrical appliances are done by the connected Panchayats itself. Now solar lights are also being utilized to cut down on consumption cost. Overall, 95% of the hamlets are covered under Rural Electrification.
Power Supply Position
Generally the power supply position in Krishnagiri District is normal. But in some areas low voltage problem is felt, especially in the hamlets in ghat section. To minimize the current consumption charges in the Panchayat, efforts were taken to utilize solar power lights as an alternate and renewable source in Krishnagiri District.
Educational and Vocational Training Institutes etc
There is a Community Polytechnic run by the Government in Krishnagiri District. Also, the TAHDCO (Tamilnadu Adi Dravidar Housng Development Corporation) offers Nursing and Catering Training under Vocational Training courses through private training institutions to people belonging to SC / ST communities. Also skill training is given to scavengers under NSLRS scheme by TAHDCO. The Government as well as private organizations in Krishnagiri District run the following schools and training institutions.
Education centers
no.
Primary Schools
988
Middle schools
107
High schools
113
Hr. Sec. Schools
72
Industrial Training Institutions
5
Music school
1
Teachers Training School
1
Polytechnic
4
Engineering College
3
Arts & Science College
5
Demographics
Aerial view of Hosur
The district has a population of 15,46,700. It has a literacy of 58.11%, one of the lowest in the state. It is only 16.42% urbanised as per Census 2001, while Tamil Nadu state is the most urbanized state in India.
Demographic of Krishnagiri...

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:23 GMT Helpan - HURRICANE Packing Machine bik or Rubiks may refer to:
People
Alfrds Rubiks, Latvian politician
Anja Rubik, Polish fashion model
Ern Rubik, Hungarian professor and inventor of Rubik's Cube and other mechanical puzzle , blinking led lights .
Piotr Rubik, Polish compose , batteryless flashlight .
Othe , crystal iron chandelier .
Rubik, Albania, mining town
Rubik (band), Finnish pop/rock band
This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article.
Categories: Disambiguation pagesHidden categories: All disambiguation pages | All article disambiguation pages

]]>Wed, 17 Mar 2010 02:53:21 GMT
Abuse
Nia was subject to extensive physical abuse for weeks, possibly even months, before being admitted to hospital and dying of brain injuries on 3 August 2007. The court concluded she had been kicked, beaten, slapped, jumped on, held over a burning fire, had wrestling moves copied from a computer game practised on her, placed into a clothes dryer spinning at top heat for up to 30 minutes, folded into a sofa and sat on, shoved into piles of rubbish, dragged through a sandpit half-naked, flung against a wall, dropped from a height onto the floor, and whirled rapidly on an outdoor rotary clothes line until thrown off.
At the time her mother, 34 year-old Lisa Michelle Kuka, told the hospital her injuries were the result of her falling off her partner's (then 17 year-old Wiremu Te Aroha Te Whanau Curtis) shoulders. It later emerged that her central North Island family, which was celebrating a 21st birthday, waited 36 hours after the toddler lapsed into a coma on the floor before taking her to the hospital. Even then Lisa continued to go out clubbing while her daughter lay dying in the hospital. During the trial, a doctor told the court that if the little girl had been taken to hospital as soon as she was unconscious, she would have likely survived.
Trial
After a four week long trial ending in November 2008 Nia's mother, Lisa Kuka, 35, was found guilty of two counts of manslaughter: one for failing to obtain medical treatment for the toddler before her death in August last year, and one for failing to protect her. Lisa's partner Wiremu Curtis, 19, and his brother Michael, 22, were found guilty of murder and face sentences of life in prison. Nia's cousin Michael Pearson, 20, and Michael Curtis's partner Oriwa Kemp, 18, were found not guilty on manslaughter charges but were convicted of child cruelty. Presiding Judge Judith Potter openly wept as she delivered the sentences and after thanking equally affected shaken jurors for coping with the case went so far as to offer them counselling.
William Curtis, the father of the Curtis brothers, and the first cousin of Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis, also faces charges for the alleged abuse of Nia concerning an earlier alleged incident but as of November 2008 no trial date has been set for him.
Aftermat , folding clothes dryer .
Nia's abuse became the subject of various campaigns against violence and cruelty to children in New Zealand. Prime Minister Helen Clark said she could not believe that a child could suffer like that without anybody knowing about it and encouraged New Zealanders to report child abuse. In fact many in the community blame the culture of "not wanting to nark" or inform the police of domestic violence matters as one of the prime contributors to Nia's death. For example, one of the prosecution witnesses Rawhiti Simiona, a neighbour to the house where Nia suffered, told New Zealand television he regretted not calling the police when he saw the toddler being swung on the clothes line , medical equipment supplier .
Reference , hotel hair dryer .
^ a b Cook, Stephen (2007-07-29). "Tot's injuries due to a fall, says mother". New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10454501. Retrieved on 2008-11-21. 
^ "BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Child murder case shocks NZ court". http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7734932.stm. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ http://www.stuff.co.nz/4145108a10.html
^ "Brothers guilty of murdering New Zealand toddler Nia Glassie | The Australian". http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24669230-2703,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ a b c d "Nia Glassie case: 'We've got to learn to nark'". New Zealand Herald. 19 November 2008. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10543816. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ "Abused 3-year-old dies in hospital - 03 Aug 2007 - Assault & homicide news - NZ Herald". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/assault-and-homicide/news/article.cfm?c_id=124&objectid=10455664. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ "Toddler Nia Glassie put in dryer before she died | The Daily Telegraph". http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,24530009-5006003,00.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ "Packed court for toddler abuse hearing - 30 Jul 2007 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10454608. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
^ "Questions of why Nia Glassie suffered asked after guilty verdicts - 18 Nov 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news". http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10543756&ref=rss. Retrieved on 2008-11-22. 
Categories: Child abuse | New Zealand murdered childrenHidden categories: Orphaned articles from February 2009 | All orphaned articles

]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:45:33 GMT ironing board clothes horse
A clotheshorse (often written as two words, i.e. clothes horse), or "clothes rack", a winterdyke, a clothes maiden, a drying rack, or an airer, refers to a frame (usually wooden, metal or plastic) upon which clothes are hung after washing to enable them to dry.
There are many types of drying racks, including large, stationary outdoor racks, smaller, folding portable racks, and wall mounted drying racks. A drying rack is similar in usage and function to a clothes line. The name clothes horse was in use by 1800.
Clothes Horse may also refer to a person excessively or obsessively interested in clothes, often to a humorous extent .
References
^ Scots Word of the Week Archive - Page , clothes hanging racks .
^ The LINGUIST List Eastern Michigan University LISTSERV 14. , wooden children's hangers .
See als , wholesale racks .
Clothes dryer
Clothes line
Drying cabinet
Laundry
Sheila Maid
Categories: Home | Laundry

]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:45:29 GMT Ceramic Watches Vm125tza
History
A simple demonstration using a charged rod to attract scraps of paper. From the 1878 book Opfindelsernes Bog (Book of inventions), by Andr Ltken.
Main article: History of electromagnetism
The natural phenomenon of static electricity was known at least as early as the 6th century BC, as attested by Thales of Miletus. Scientific research into the subject began when machines were built to create it artificially, such as the friction generator developed by Otto von Guericke in the 17th century. The connection between static electricity and storm clouds was famously demonstrated by Benjamin Franklin in 1750 . In 1832, Michael Faraday published the results of his experiment on the identity of electricities, which proved that the electricity induced using a magnet, voltaic electricity produced by a battery, and static electricity were all the same. Since Faraday's result, the history of static electricity merged with the study of electricity in general.
Causes of static electricit , infinity hair dryer .
The materials we observe and interact with from day to day are formed from atoms and molecules that are electrically neutral, having an equal number of positive charges (protons, in the nucleus) and negative charges (electrons, in shells surrounding the nucleus). The phenomenon of static electricity requires a separation of positive and negative charges , auto air conditioning parts .
Contact-induced charge separatio , kiln dryer .
Main article: Triboelectric effect
Electrons can be exchanged between materials on contact; materials with weakly bound electrons tend to lose them, while materials with sparsely filled outer shells tend to gain them. This is known as the triboelectric effect and results in one material becoming positively charged and the other negatively charged. The polarity and strength of the charge on a material once they are separated depends on their relative positions in the triboelectric series. The triboelectric effect is the main cause of static electricity as observed in everyday life, and in common high-school science demonstrations involving rubbing different materials together (e.g. fur and an acrylic rod). Contact-induced charge separation causes your hair to stand up and causes static cling (a balloon rubbing on your hair becomes statically charged and becomes negative, and when it is near a wall it attracts to the positively charged particles in the wall).
Pressure-induced charge separation
Main article: Piezoelectric effect
Applied mechanical stress generates a separation of charge in certain types of crystals and ceramics molecules.
Heat-induced charge separation
Main article: Pyroelectric effect
Heating generates a separation of charge in the atoms or molecules of certain materials. All pyroelectric materials are also piezoelectric. The atomic or molecular properties of heat and pressure response are closely related.
Charge-induced charge separation
Main article: Electrostatic induction
A charged object brought into the vicinity of an electrically neutral object will cause a separation of charge within the conductor. Charges of the same polarity are repelled and charges of the opposite polarity are attracted. As the force due to the interaction of electric charges falls off rapidly with increasing distance, the effect of the closer (opposite polarity) charges is greater and the two objects feel a force of attraction. The effect is most pronounced when the neutral object is an electrical conductor as the charges are more free to move around.
Careful grounding of part of an object with a charge-induced charge separation can permanently add or remove electrons,leaving the object with a global,permanent charge. This process is integral to the workings of the Van de Graaf Generator, a device commonly used to demonstrate the effects of static electricity.
Removal and prevention of static electricity
Main articles: Antistatic agent and Antistatic device
Removing or preventing a buildup of static charge can be as simple as opening a window or using a humidifier to increase the moisture content of the air, making the atmosphere more conductive. Air ionizers can perform the same task.
Items that are particularly sensitive to static discharge may be treated with the application of an antistatic agent, which adds a conducting surface layer that ensures any excess charge is evenly distributed. Fabric softeners and dryer sheets used in washing machines and clothes dryers are an example of an antistatic agent used to prevent and remove static cling.
Many semiconductor devices used in electronics are particularly sensitive to static discharge. Conductive antistatic bags are commonly used to protect such components, while people working on circuits containing them will often ground themselves using a conductive antistatic strap.
In the industrial settings such as paint or flour plants as well as in hospitals, antistatic safety boots are sometimes used to prevent a buildup of static charge due to contact with the floor. These shoes have soles with good conductivity. Anti-static shoes should not be confused with insulating shoes, which provide exactly the opposite benefit some protection against serious electric shocks from the mains voltage.
A network card inside an antistatic bag.
An antistatic wrist strap with crocodile clip.
Static discharge
Main articles: Electrostatic discharge and Corona discharge
The spark associated with static electricity is caused by electrostatic discharge, or simply static discharge, as excess charge is neutralized by a flow of charges from or to the surroundings.
The feeling of a static electric shock is caused by the stimulation of nerves as the neutralizing current flows through the human body. Due to the ubiquitous presence of water in places inhabited by people, the accumulated charge is generally not enough to cause high current.
Despite the apparently innocuous nature of static electricity as we generally experience it, there can be significant risks associated with it in circumstances where large charges may accumulate in the presence of sensitive materials or devices.
Lightning
Natural static discharge
Main article: Lightning
Lightning is a dramatic natural example of static discharge. While the details are unclear and remain a subject of debate, the initial charge separation is thought to be associated with contact between ice particles within storm clouds. In general, significant charge accumulations can only persist in regions of low electrical conductivity (very few charges free to move in the surroundings), hence the flow of neutralizing charges often results from neutral atoms and molecules in the air being torn apart to form separate positive and negative charges which then travel in opposite directions as an electric current, neutralizing the original accumulation of charge. The static charge in air typically breaks down in this way at around 30,000 volts-per-centimetre (30 kV/cm) depending on humidity. The discharge superheats the surrounding air causing the bright flash, and produces a shockwave causing the clicking sound. The lightning bolt is simply a scaled up version of the sparks seen in more domestic occurrences of static discharge. The flash occurs because the air in the discharge channel is heated to such a high temperature that it emits light by incandescence. The clap of thunder is the result of the shock wave created as the superheated air expands explosively.
Electronic components
Many semiconductor devices used in electronics are extremely sensitive to the presence of static electricity and can be damaged by a static discharge.
Static build-up in flowing flammable and ignitable materials
Discharge of static electricity can create severe hazards in those industries dealing with flammable substances, where a small electrical spark may ignite explosive mixtures.
The flowing movement of finely powdered substances or low conductivity fluids in pipes or through mechanical agitation can build up static electricity. Dust clouds of finely powdered substances can become combustible or explosive. When there is a static discharge in a dust or vapor cloud, explosions have occurred. Among the major industrial incidents that have occurred are: a grain silo in southwest France, a paint plant in Thailand, a factory making fiberglass mouldings in Canada, a storage tank explosion in Glenpool, Oklahoma in 2003, and a portable tank filling operation and a tank farm in Des Moines, Iowa and Valley Center, Kansas in 2007.
The ability of a fluid to retain an electrostatic charge depends on its electrical conductivity. When low conductivity fluids flow through pipelines or are mechanically agitated, contact-induced charge separation called flow electrification occurs. Fluids that have low electrical conductivity (below 50 pico siemens/m), are called accumulators. Fluids having conductivities above 50 pico siemens/m are called non-accumulators. In non-accumulators, charges recombine as fast as they are separated and hence electrostatic charge accumulation is not significant. In the petrochemical industry, 50 pico siemens/m is the recommended minimum value of electrical conductivity for adequate removal of charge from a fluid.
Kerosines may have conductivity ranging from <1 pico siemens/m to 20 pico siemens/m. For comparison, deionized water has a conductivity of about 10,000,000 pico siemens/m.
An important concept for insulating fluids is the static relaxation time. This is similar to the time constant...

]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:45:27 GMT
Comparison
Advantages of a clothes line
Saves money
Zero greenhouse gas emissions per load (2 kg of greenhouse gas emissions from the average mechanical clothes dryer per load)
Laundry smells "clothesline fresh" without using chemical , mounted hair dryer .
Less fabric wear and tea , professional nail dryer .
Laundry items do not shrink (hot air from a mechanical clothes dryer may shrink items , wooden dryer .
No static cling
Laundry items stay softer (mechanical clothes dryers tend to remove short, soft, fine fibers)
Laundry items may be less wrinkled (items left in a mechanical clothes dryer tend to get wrinkled)
Laundry items may dry more quickly on dry or windy days (summer or winter)
No risk of fire (mechanical clothes dryers can potentially catch on fire)
No risk of toxic fumes (gas-powered mechanical clothes dryers can potentially leak gas)
Avoids the potential of airborne lint and reduced air quality
Eliminates heating up the inside of a house by a mechanical clothes dryer
Eliminates the noise from a mechanical clothes dryer
Provides a source of exercise and beneficial sunshine
Helps protect habitat (the loss of natural habit potential from a mechanical clothes dryer is estimated to be 1.5 square metres per load of laundry based on Primary production correlations)
When drying clothes indoors, evaporating moisture will remove heat from the air which could save on space cooling costs.
More revenue for those who sell or install clothes lines, clothes pins, drying racks, etc.
Disadvantages of using a clothes line
Laundry items need to be hung indoors during rainy weather
Neighbours may find it aesthetically unpleasant
Laundry items may be more stiff (at least initially) - with or without the fabric softener that can be used with a mechanical dryer
Wind, temperature, and humidity can vary the drying time
Environmental contaminants such as soil, dust, smoke, and animal droppings can come in contact with clothing.
Less revenue for those associated with the production and distribution of electricity/gas
Less revenue for those who sell or service mechanical dryers
When drying clothes indoors, evaporating moisture will remove heat from the air which may require additional space heating to maintain room temperature
Drying laundry indoors
Laundry may be dried indoors for a variety of reasons including:
inclement weather
physical disability
lack of space for a line
legal restrictions
to raise the humidity level indoors
to lower the air temperature indoors
convenience
to preserve privacy
Several types of devices are available for indoor drying. A drying rack or clotheshorse can help save space in an apartment or clothes line can be strung in the basement during the winter. Small loads can simply be draped over furniture or a shower curtain pole. The drying time indoors will typically be longer than outdoor drying because of the lack of direct solar radiation and the convective assistance of the wind.
The evaporation of the moisture from the clothes will cool the indoor air and increase the humidity level, which may or may not be desirable. An average-sized wash load will convert approximately 3000 BTU of ambient heat into latent heat stored in the evaporated water. To determine how much heat is being removed by a load of laundry, weigh the clothes when they are wet and then again after they have dried. The difference is the weight of the evaporated water. Multiply that weight in pounds by 1050 get the BTU, or multiply by .3074 to get kilowatt-hours. (Note: If the moisture later condenses inside the house, the heat will again be released back into the room.)
Drying launrdy in freezing conditions
Laundry may be dried outdoors when the temperature is well below the freezing point. First, the moisture in the launrdy items will freeze and the clothing will become stiff. Then the frost on the clothes will slowly (how long?) sublimate into the air leaving the items moisture-free.[citation needed]
Legality
In the United States, Florida, Colorado, and Utah have passed laws forbidding bans on clothes lines.
In Canada, the Province of Ontario lifted bans on clothes lines in 2008.
Images
Clothes pins (or pegs) on a clothes line
Pegs on a clothes line
Washing line in Iceland
T clothes line
Clothes lines in New York City, from a 1904 postcard
Across-street line in Armley, Leeds, showing pulley operated at street level, 2004.
See also
Clotheshorse or drying rack for drying clothes inside.
Clothes dryer
Drying cabinet
Penman equation
Project Laundry List, New-Hampshire, US, organisation to encourage outdoor drying
Sheila Maid
References
^ a b c d e Rosenthal, Elisabeth (April 17), "A Line in the Yard: The Battle Over the Right to Dry Outside", New York Times, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/17/world/americas/17clothesline.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=clothesline&st=nyt&oref=slogin 
^ a b c d Aun, Leslie M. (August 17), "Nature's Dryer Revisited", Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/16/AR2006081600394.html 
^ a b c a clothes dryer and a clothes line, ecofx, January 10, 2008, http://ecofx.org/wiki/index.php?title=clothes_dryer 
^ Brand, Downy (April 4), Fabric Softener Facts, http://www.downy.com/en_US/articles/fabric_softener_facts.jsp 
^ P&G, Global Operations (June 17) ([dead link]), http://media.tide.com/en_US/messageboard/readthread.jsp?connectionID=74108 
^ Products, Landor (April 17), Case History, http://www.landor.com/index.cfm?do=ourwork.casehistory&cn=5233&bhcp=1 
^ American Sanitary, Supply (September 5), clothesline fresh, http://www.americansanitarysupply.com/index_files/catalog08_files/Page1309.htm 
^ a b c Diamond, Sheldon R. (1970). Fundamental Concepts of Modern Physics. USA: AMSCO School Publications, Inc. pp. 205. "During evaporation... The surroundings thereby become the ultimate source of the energy required to change the phase of [water] from liquid to gas."
^ a b c Enthalpy of vaporization. (2009, March 29). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 20:18, April 4, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Enthalpy_of_vaporization&oldid=280526588
^ "Second Law of Thermodynamics", Second Law of Thermodynamics 
^ "Grashof number", Grashof number 
^ "Clausius-Clapeyron relation", Clausius-Clapeyron relation 
^ http://www.realestatejournal.com/homegarden/20070919-chaker.html
^ Chaker, Anne Marie, "The Right to Dry", The Wall Street Journal, September 18, 2007
^ Colorado Governor's Energy Office HOA Bill - HB 1270
^ Ontario premier lifts outdoor-clothesline ban
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Clothes lines
Article about washing lines and clothes pegs
Project Laundry List
"Instructables" article on minimizing the work involved in using a clothesline
Wiki site detailing the different types of clotheslines, drying racks, hoists etc. and where to buy them
Clothes Line History in Australia
Categories: Laundry | Domestic lifeHidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from May 2009 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from July 2009

]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:45:25 GMT Ceramic Watches Vm125tza
Family background
Schlafly's great-grandfather Stewart, a Presbyterian, came from Scotland to New York, in 1851, and moved westward through Canada before settling in Michigan. Her grandfather, Andrew F. Stewart, was a successful master mechanic with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. Schlafly's father, John Bruce Stewart, was a machinist and salesman of industrial equipment, principally for Westinghouse. He became unemployed in 1932 during the Great Depression and could not find permanent work until World War II. He was granted a patent in 1944 for a rotary engine.
Schlafly's mother, Odile Dodge, was the daughter of the moderately successful attorney Ernest C. Dodge. Odile attended college through graduate school and, before her marriage, worked as a teacher at Hosmer Hall, a private school for girls in St. Louis. With her father legal business suffering during the Great Depression and her husband out of work, Odile worked as a librarian and a school teacher to support both families.
John Fred Schlafly, Jr., came from a well-to-do St. Louis family. His grandfather, August, immigrated in 1854 from Switzerland as a child. Shortly after August arrival, his father died and the family resettled in Carlyle, Illinois. There August and two brothers worked as clerks in a local grocery store. In 1876, August older brother married Catharine Hubert, the daughter of a successful local businessman. Shortly thereafter, the three brothers founded the firm of Schlafly Bros., which dealt in groceries, Queensware (dishes made by Wedgwood), hardware, and agricultural implements. They later sold that business and concentrated on banking and other businesses that made them wealthy.
Early lif , wholesale oakley .
Schlafly was christened Phyllis McAlpin Stewart and brought up as a Roman Catholic in St. Louis. According to one report, during the Depression, Schlafly's father went into long-term unemployment, and her mother entered the labor market. Mrs. Stewart was able to keep the family afloat and maintained Phyllis in a Catholic girls' school. In one of her books, Strike From Space (1965), Schlafly notes that she was at one time, "a ballistics gunner and technician at the largest ammunition plant in the world. , rack dryer .
She began college early and worked as a model for a time. She earned her A.B. Phi Beta Kappa from Washington University, in St. Louis, in 1944, at age 19. She received a Master of Arts degree, in Government, from Radcliffe College, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1945. In 1978, she earned a J.D. from Washington University Law School in St. Louis , brush dryer .
In 1952, Schlafly ran unsuccessfully for Congress as a Republican in a Democratic district. It was another decade, however, before she came to national attention with A Choice, Not an Echo, millions of copies of which were distributed in support of Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign. In it, Schlafly denounced the Rockefeller Republicans in the Northeast, accusing them of corruption and globalism. Critics called the book a conspiracy theory about "secret kingmakers" controlling the Republican Party. Schlafly attended the 1960 Republican National Convention, and helped lead a revolt of moral conservatives against Richard Nixon's stance on a change to a civil rights plank.
In 1967, Schlafly lost her bid for the presidency of the National Federation of Republican Women after a vigorous campaign against the more moderate candidate Gladys O'Donnell of California. Outgoing NFRW president and future United States Treasurer Dorothy Elston of Delaware worked against Schlafly in the campaign.
She joined the John Birch Society, but quit because she thought that the main Communist threats to the nation were external, rather than internal. In 1970, Schlafly again ran unsuccessfully for a House of Representatives seat in Illinois, losing to Democratic incumbent George E. Shipley.
Activism
"Stop ERA"
Schlafly became the most visible and effective opponent of the Equal Rights Amendment during the 1970s as the organizer of the "Stop the ERA" movement, widely credited with stopping it from achieving ratification by its legislative deadline. "STOP" is also an acronym for "Stop Taking our Privileges", because Schlafly argues the amendment, if passed and ratified, would take away privileges enjoyed by American women, including "dependent wife" benefits under Social Security and exemption from Selective Service registration.
By the time Schlafly began campaigning in 1972, the amendment had already been ratified by 30 of the necessary 38 states. However, Schlafly was successful in organizing a grassroots campaign to oppose further states' ratifications. Five more states ratified ERA after Schlafly launched her opposition campaign, though an additional five state legislatures voted to rescind their ratifications. The last state to ratify was Indiana, where then State Senator Wayne Townsend, a Democrat, cast the tie-breaking vote for ratification in January 1977. In opposing ERA, Schlafly argued that "the ERA would lead to women being drafted by the military and to public unisex bathrooms." Her views were opposed by Pro-ERA groups, led by the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the ERAmerica coalition. The amendment was narrowly defeated, despite having achieved ratification in 35 states.
Supporters of Schlafly argue that some of her claims have been confirmed by later state court rulings. Her arguments against the ERA included her opposition to including women in the military draft. In 1981, a highly publicized lawsuit attempted to end the all-male selective service system, claiming it encouraged gender discrimination. In the absence of the ERA, the Supreme Court held by a 6-3 margin that Congress could register only men for military service. (Rostker v. Goldberg, 453 U.S. 57, 1981). Another case often cited by Schlafly supporters is the Harris v. McRae decision of 1980, in which, by a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court held that Congress could provide funding for childbirth but not for abortion (Harris v. McRae, 448 U.S. 297, 1980).
Critics of Schlafly have emphasized an apparent contradiction between her advocacy against the ERA and her role as a working professional. Feminist activist Gloria Steinem and author Pia de Solenni, among others, have noted what they consider irony in Schlafly's role as an advocate for the full-time mother and wife, while being herself a lawyer, editor of a monthly newsletter, regular speaker at anti-liberal rallies, and political activist. In her review of Schlafly's Feminist Fantasies, de Solenni writes that "Schlafly's discussion reveals a paradox. She was able to have it all: family and career. And she did it by fighting those who said they were trying to get it all for her... Happiness resulted from being a wife and mother and working with her husband to reach their goals." Schlafly has also been accused of racism, due to her opposition of racial integration in the 1960s and for a contempt of Jewish people.
On August 27, 1974, activist attorney Florynce Kennedy appeared on CBS radio in Miami to promote ratification of the stalled Equal Rights Amendment. During the conversation Kennedy denounced Schlafly as a "pigocrat. . . I just don't see why some people don't hit Phyllis Schlafly in the mouth. I don't think she would be damaged seriously, but I don't think it would hurt if somebody slapped her. We're arguing with people like Schlafly who obviously aren't speaking from a rational perspective. Instead of so much argument, people should slap." Similarly, author Harlan Ellison, another ERA booster, said that if Schlafly walked into the headlights of his car, he would "knock her into the next time zone." Ellison proclaimed Schlafly a "mischievous woman who does terrible things."
To counter Schlafly's Stop ERA campaign and the homemakers against ERA, the organization Homemakers' Equal Rights Association was formed.[citation needed]
According to an article in the March 28, 2007 edition of the Washington Post, "New Drive Afoot to Pass Equal Rights Amendment," Schlafly is working towards the defeat of a new version of the Equal Rights Amendment: "Today, she warns lawmakers that its passage would compel courts to approve same-sex marriages and deny Social Security benefits for housewives and widows."
Recent Activities
Schlafly has been an outspoken critic of activist judges, particularly on the Supreme Court. In 2005, Schlafly made headlines at a conference for the Judeo-Christian Council for Constitutional Restoration by suggesting that "Congress ought to talk about impeachment" of Justice Anthony Kennedy, citing as specific grounds Justice Kennedy's deciding vote to abolish the death penalty for minors.
In late 2006, Schlafly collaborated with Jerome Corsi and Howard Phillips to create a website in opposition to the idea of a "North American Union", under which the United States, Mexico, and Canada would share a currency and be integrated in a structure similar to the European Union.
Viewpoints
Opposition to the UN, WTO, and arms control
As a college student in 1945, Schlafly applauded the establishment of the United Nations. Over the years, however, she has long repudiated the UN. On the 50th anniversary of the group in 1995, Schlafly referred to "a cause for mourning, not celebration. It is a monument to foolish hopes, embarrassing compromises, betrayal of our servicemen, and a steady stream of insults to our nation. It is a Trojan Horse that carries the enemy into our midst and lures Americans to ride under alien insignia to fight and die in faraway lands." Accordingly, she opposed U.S. President Bill Clinton's decision in 1996 to...

]]>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 03:45:23 GMT Solar Powered Flashing LCD Keychain
Cast creation and influences
Full motion video depictions of Laguna (left) and Squall, two of the main protagonists
Scenario writer Kazushige Nojima stresses the dynamic of players' relationships with the main character in Final Fantasy games; thus, he puts significant thought into how that relationship will develop. With Final Fantasy VII, protagonist Cloud Strife's reserved nature led Nojima to include scenarios in which the player can select Cloud's responses to certain situations and dialogue. With Final Fantasy VIII, which also features a reserved lead protagonist in Squall, Nojima wanted to give players actual insight into what the protagonist is thinking, even while other characters remain uninformed. This approach led to the inclusion of numerous instances of internal monologue, giving insight into what Squall thinks of other characters and recent developments.
Character designer Tetsuya Nomura, while exchanging e-mails with director Yoshinori Kitase during the period between the development of Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII, suggested that the game should have a "school days" feel. Because Nojima already had a story in mind in which the main characters were the same age, the idea worked. Thus, they created the concept of military academies, called "Gardens", in which students would train to become "SeeD" mercenaries. Nojima also planned for the two playable parties featured in the gamequall's present day group and Laguna Loire's group of twenty years in the pasto highly contrast with one another. Laguna's group consists of characters in their late twenties and have a lot of combat experience. They are also close friends who have fought together for a long time and trust one another. Opposite, Squall's party is young and inexperienced, and Squall himself does not initially understand the value of friendship.
Kitase expressed a desire to give the game a foreign atmosphere ("foreign" being in relation to Japan); his objective with the environment was to create a largely European setting. The first character Nomura designed specifically for use in Final Fantasy VIII was Squall, initially giving him longer hair and a more feminine appearance. However, Yoshinori Kitase did not feel that this design worked and asked Nomura to shorten his hair and make him look more masculine, which led to the design seen in-game. When designing Cloud Strife, Nomura gave him distinctly spiky, bright blonde hair to emphasize his role as that game's protagonist. With Squall, Nomura wanted to try a unique angle to establish his role, giving him the characteristic gunblade scar across the bridge of his nose. A complete history was not yet conceived, so Nomura left the explanation for Squall's scar to Nojima. Squall's design was flourished by a fur lining along the collar of his jacket, included for the purpose of challenging the game's full motion video designers. This is but one example of the demands he has consistently extended to the programmers of the Final Fantasy series as technology has advanced , charm key chain .
In a Famitsu Weekly interview with Kitase, Nomura, and Yuusuke Naoi, the team agreed that Final Fantasy VIII reflects Nomura's preferred technique, as opposed to Final Fantasy VII, which featured characters that "weren't really his style". The team also decided to use realistically proportioned characters. The higher level of full motion video technology would have otherwise created an inconsistency between the in-game graphics and the higher definition full motion video graphics. Additionally, Kitase explained that the main logo of the gamequall and Rinoa embracingas inspired by the team's efforts to express emotion through body language , bmw keychain .
Playable character , mini camera keychain .
Squall
Main article: Squall Leonhart
Squall Leonhart (, Sukru Reonhto?) is the primary protagonist and a young student at Balamb Garden, identifiable by the scar on his face that a fellow student, Seifer, inflicted. He rarely speaks and has the reputation of being a lone wolf. As Squall's story unfolds, he becomes fascinated with and falls in love with Rinoa, despite never outwardly expressing such until the ending. Squall is characterized by forlorn memories of standing out in the rain at the orphanage where he grew up, wondering where "Sis" went. Squall's weapon is a gunblade, a sword that uses components of a revolver to send vibrations through the blade when triggered. His Limit Break is a series of sword strikes called Renzokuken.
Rinoa
Rinoa Heartilly (, Rinoa Htir?) is the primary female protagonist. She is the seventeen-year-old daughter of General Caraway, a high-ranking officer in the Galbadian army, and Julia Heartilly, a successful pianist and singer. Rinoa is a member of the Forest Owls, a resistance faction seeking to liberate the small nation of Timber from Galbadian occupation. When the party helps the resistance movement fight Galbadia, Rinoa decides to stay with them. She falls in love with Squall, despite never physically displaying so until the final cutscene. In battle, she uses a weapon called a "Blaster Edge", which consists of an arm holster and a projectile that returns like a boomerang. In her Combine Limit Break, she attacks in unison with her dog, Angelo. When Rinoa gains Sorceress powers, she acquires a second Limit Break, Angel Wing, which increases her spell-casting ability.
When designing Rinoa, Tetsuya Nomura emphasized that he tried to avoid letting the possibilities presented by the recent advancements in full motion video technology become the entire focus, believing that these innovations might tempt developers to make their female characters "too beautiful" and focus more on physical appearance than personality. With this concern in mind, Nomura set out with the intention to avoid making Rinoa gorgeous, and to simply make her "cute" instead. To further emphasise this, he wrote a list of vocabulary traits and physical habits for Rinoa's character that he felt conveyed this idea of "cute, not gorgeous", and sent them to Nojima along with the character's design.
Although Squall and Rinoa clearly develop a relationship, it is never explicit until the final cutscene. IGN criticized this, stating that "considering that the love story is so integral to everything that happensot to mention forming the central image of the box artt's incomprehensible why no one says 'I love you' to anyone, ever". Game Revolution, however, stated "Frankly, you don't even have to play the game to know that love will win out in some way... very 'Hollywood.' But it is the way in which they tell the story that sets it apart from being just some teen-angst drama". In terms of Rinoa herself, when the Game Revolution reviewer cited the wish that the game had voice acting, he specifically mentioned Rinoa, stating "there is something sorely missing when I can't hear Rinoa talk". She is also the subject of numerous fansites, as well as an 8.0 rating on WomenGamers.com.
Laguna
Laguna Loire (, Raguna Rewru?) is a man whose past and relation to the main characters are revealed slowly throughout the game. Most of the sequences involving Laguna appear in the form of "dreams" experienced by the protagonists. Squall always experiences these dreams from Laguna's point of view, although he does not think too highly of Laguna. Laguna attacks with a machine gun and his Limit Break, Desperado, which involves a swinging rope, a grenade, and a lot of bullets. During the dream segments, he is a twenty-seven-year-old soldier in the Galbadian army who travels with his companions, Kiros Seagill and Ward Zabac. He is also an aspiring journalist whose real weapon of choice is writing.
During the first two dream segments, he and his team are shown getting lost and visiting the hotel where singer Julia Heartilly, Laguna's romantic interest, performs. After a scouting mission at Centra, the three soldiers are separated and Laguna is injured. A young woman named Raine takes him to Winhill where he is nursed back to health. He falls in love with and marries her. However, he is drawn away from his new home when a young girl in their care, Ellone, is kidnapped. Laguna tracks her down in Esthar, where he helps liberate the nation from the despotic rule of Sorceress Adel. The people of Esthar elect Laguna as their president and Ellone is sent back to Winhill without him. After Raine dies, her child (whom Ward and Kiros imply to be Squall in a conversation aboard the Ragnarok) and Ellone are sent to an orphanage. Laguna is unable to leave his post to visit her and remains president of Esthar to present day. Ellone and Laguna are reunited in space, and Laguna helps the party prepare for their fight against Ultimecia.
The concept of two main characters was planned since the beginning of the game's development. Nomura tried to create a contrast between Laguna's and Squall's occupations; thus, Laguna became a soldier and Squall became a mercenary student. The designers intended Laguna to be more similar to the previous protagonists in the series to complement Squall, who is different from previous main characters. He is ranked seventh in Electronic Gaming Monthly's list of the top ten video game politicians.
Seifer
Seifer Almasy (, Saif Arumash?) is a classmate and rival of Squall, who can only be controlled by the player during the Dollet sequence. He reappears as a boss later in the game. He acts as a foil to Squall in many respects, having dated Rinoa before she met Squall, and assuming a leadership position among his friends. Like Squall, Seifer wields a gunblade which he calls "Hyperion". His Limit Break, Fire Cross, allows him to use an...

]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:26 GMT Mobile Phone Solar Battery Charger
Types of battery chargers
Simple
A simple charger works by supplying a constant DC power source to a battery being charged. The simple charger does not alter its output based on time or the charge on the battery. This simplicity means that a simple charger is inexpensive, but there is a tradeoff in quality. Typically, a simple charger takes longer to charge a battery to prevent severe over-charging. Even so, a battery left in a simple charger for too long will be weakened or destroyed due to over-charging. These chargers can supply either a constant voltage or a constant current to the battery.
Trickle
Main article: trickle chargin , ac travel charger .
A trickle charger is a kind of simple charger that charges the battery slowly, at the self-discharge rate. A trickle charger is the slowest kind of battery charger. A battery can be left in a trickle charger indefinitely. Leaving a battery in a trickle charger keeps the battery "topped up" but never over-charges , laptop car battery charger .
Timer-base , lead acid battery charger .
The output of a timer charger is terminated after a pre-determined time. Timer chargers were the most common type for high-capacity Ni-Cd cells in the late 1990s for example (low-capacity consumer Ni-Cd cells were typically charged with a simple charger).
Often a timer charger and set of batteries could be bought as a bundle and the charger time was set to suit those batteries. If batteries of lower capacity were charged then they would be overcharged, and if batteries of higher capacity were charged they would be only partly charged. With the trend for battery technology to increase capacity year on year, an old timer charger would only partly charge the newer batteries.
Timer based chargers also had the drawback that charging batteries that were not fully discharged, even if those batteries were of the correct capacity for the particular timed charger, would result in over-charging.
Intelligent
Output current depends upon the battery's state. An intelligent charger may monitor the battery's voltage, temperature and/or time under charge to determine the optimum charge current at that instant. Charging is terminated when a combination of the voltage, temperature and/or time indicates that the battery is fully charged.
For Ni-Cd and NiMH batteries, the voltage across the battery increases slowly during the charging process, until the battery is fully charged. After that, the voltage decreases, which indicates to an intelligent charger that the battery is fully charged. Such chargers are often labeled as a V, or "delta-V," charger, indicating that they monitor the voltage change.
The problem is, the magnitude of "delta-V" can become very small or even non-existent if (very) high capacity rechargeable batteries are recharged. This can cause even an intelligent battery charger to not sense that the batteries are actually already fully charged, and continue charging. Overcharging of the batteries will result in some cases. However, many so called intelligent chargers employ a combination of cut off systems, which should prevent overcharging in the vast majority of cases.
A typical intelligent charger fast-charges a battery up to about 85% of its maximum capacity in less than an hour, then switches to trickle charging, which takes several hours to top off the battery to its full capacity.
Fast
Fast chargers make use of control circuitry in the batteries being charged to rapidly charge the batteries without damaging the cells' elements. Most such chargers have a cooling fan to help keep the temperature of the cells under control. Most are also capable of acting as a standard overnight charger if used with standard NiMH cells that do not have the special control circuitry. Some fast chargers, such as those made by Energizer, can fast-charge any NiMH battery even if it does not have the control circuit.
Pulse
Some chargers use pulse technology in which a pulse is fed to the battery. This DC pulse has a strictly controlled rise time, pulse width, pulse repetition rate (frequency) and amplitude. This technology is said to work with any size, voltage, capacity or chemistry of batteries, including automotive and valve-regulated batteries. With pulse charging, high instantaneous voltages can be applied without overheating the battery. In a Lead-acid battery, this breaks down stubborn lead-sulfate crystals, thus greatly extending the battery service life.
Several kinds of pulse charging are patented. Others are open source hardware.
Some chargers use pulses to check the current battery state when the charger is first connected, then use constant current charging during fast charging, then use pulse charging as a kind of trickle charging to maintain the charge.
Some chargers use "negative pulse charging", also called "reflex charging" or "burp charging". Such chargers use both positive and brief negative current pulses. Such chargers don't work any better than pulse chargers that only use positive pulses.
Inductive
Main article: Inductive charging
Inductive battery chargers use electromagnetic induction to charge batteries. A charging station sends electromagnetic energy through inductive coupling to an electrical device, which stores the energy in the batteries. This is achieved without the need for metal contacts between the charger and the battery. It is commonly used in electric toothbrushes and other devices used in bathrooms. Because there are no open electrical contacts, there is no risk of electrocution.
USB-based
Pay-per-charge kiosk, illustrating the variety of mobile phone charger connectors.
Since the Universal Serial Bus specification provides for a five-volt power supply, it's possible to use a USB cable as a power source for recharging batteries. Products based on this approach include chargers for cellular phones and portable digital audio players.
Solar chargers
Further information: Solar charger and energy harvesting
Solar chargers employ solar energy. They are generally portable.
Most portable chargers can obtain energy from the sun only. Portable wind turbines are also sold. Some, including the Kinesis K3, can work either way.
Charge rate
This is often denoted as C and signifies a charge or discharge rate equal to the capacity of a battery divided by 1 hour. For example C for a 1600 mAh battery would be 1600 mA (or 1.6 amps).
Applications
Since a battery charger is intended to be connected to a battery, it may not have voltage regulation or filtering of the DC voltage output. Battery chargers equipped with both voltage regulation and filtering may be identified as battery eliminators.
Mobile phone charger
Micro USB mobile phone charger
Most mobile phone chargers are not really chargers, only adapters that provide a power source for the charging circuitry which is almost always contained within the mobile phone. Mobile phones can usually accept relatively wide range of voltages[citation needed], as long as it is sufficiently above the phone battery's voltage. However, if the voltage is too high, it can damage the phone. Mostly, the voltage is 5 volts or slightly higher, but it can sometimes vary up to 12 volts when the power source is not loaded.
Battery chargers for mobile phones and other devices are notable in that they come in a wide variety of DC connector-styles and voltages, most of which are not compatible with other manufactuers' phones or even different models of phones from a single manufacturer.
Users of publicly accessible charging kiosks must be able to cross-reference connectors with device brands/models and individual charge parameters and thus ensure delivery of the correct charge for their mobile device. A database-driven system is one solution, and is being incorporated into some of the latest designs of charging kiosks.
The Ionhub charger can simultaneously charge several electronic devices: iPod Nano, Razr, Nintendo DS Lite, BlackBerry, portable DVD player, and electric shaver.
There are also human-powered chargers sold on the market, which typically consists of a dynamo powered by a hand crank and extension cords. There are also solar chargers.
China and other countries are making a national standard on mobile phone chargers using the USB standard.
Starting in 2010, Apple, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung and RIM will begin making handsets with a standard phone charger based on the micro-USB connector.
Battery charger for vehicles
Further information: Charging station
There are two main types of charges for vehicles:
To recharge a fuel vehicle's starter battery, where a modular charger is used.
To recharge an electric vehicle (EV) battery pack.
Battery electric vehicle
These vehicles include a battery pack, so generally use series charger.
A 10 Ampere-hour battery could take 15 hours to reach a fully charged state from a fully discharged condition with a 1 Ampere charger as it would require roughly 1.5 times the battery's capacity.
Public EV charging heads (aka: stations) provide 6kW (host power of 208 to 240 VAC off a 40 amp circuit). 6kW will recharge an EV roughly 6 times faster than 1kW overnight charging.
Rapid charging results in even faster recharge times and is only limited by available AC power and the type of charging system .
On board EV chargers (change AC power to DC power to recharge the EV's pack) can be:
Isolated: they make no physical connection between the A/C electrical mains and the batteries...

]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:23 GMT USB MP3 Charger
Methods
Shattered glass marks the spot where a parked vehicle was stolen
Some methods used to steal motor vehicles are as follows:
Theft of an unattended vehicle without key(s): The removal of a parked vehicle either by breaking and entry, followed by hotwiring or other tampering methods to start the vehicle, or else towing.
Theft with access to keys: Known in some places as "Taken Without Owner's Consent (TWOC)". The unauthorized use of a vehicle in which the owner has allowed the driver to have possession of or easy access to the keys. Often, this is the adolescent or grown child or employee of the vehicle's owner, who, at other times, may be authorized to use the vehicle. May be treated differently, depending on the jurisdiction's laws, and in some cases, the owner may choose not to press charges , car phone charger .
Opportunistic theft: The removal of a vehicle that the owner or operator has left unattended with the keys visibly present, sometimes idlin , 9v battery charger .
Carjacking: Refers to the taking of a vehicle by force or threat of force from its owner or operator. In most places, this is the most serious form of theft, since assault also occurs. In some carjackings, the operators and passengers are forced from the vehicle while the thief drives it away him/herself, while in other incidents, the operator and/or passenger(s) are forced to remain in the vehicle as hostages. Some less common carjackings result in the operator being forced to drive the assailant in accordance with the assailant's demands. This method is most often used when the assailant does not know how to operate the vehicle of choice (e.g. a helicopter or airliner). In the United States, carjacking is a federal offense, subject to 15 years imprisonment , computer battery charger .
Fraudulent theft: Illegal acquisition of a vehicle from a seller through fraudulent transfer of funds that the seller will ultimately not receive (such as by identity theft or the use of a counterfeit cashier's check). Many vehicles stolen in this manner are resold quickly thereafter.
Common Tools Used
Slide Hammer Puller to break into the door locks and the cylinder lock.
Multimeters or a test light to find the source of the battery
Spare wires and/or a screwdriver to connect the battery source to the ignition and starter wires
A generic rod and hook toolkit to slip between your car window and car frame and to open the lock behind the window. A common one is called the "Slim Jim".
Many keyless ignition/lock cars have weak or no[citation needed] cryptographic protection of the unlock signal. Using a RFID microreader and a laptop, university students have managed to remotely unlock, start, and drive away in top-of-the-line luxury cars, not without returning the cars to their rightful owners of course and with their consent to "steal" it in the first place.[citation needed]
Vehicles most frequently stolen
The makes and models of vehicles most frequently stolen vary by several factors, including region and ease of theft.
In a 2008 report, in the United States, the most frequently stolen vehicles include the Cadillac Escalade, Ford F-250 SuperCrew, Dodge Charger, Hummer H2, Dodge Magnum, Honda S2000 convertible, and the Dodge Durango.. In Thailand, the most frequently stolen vehicles are Toyota cars, Isuzu pickup trucks, Honda cars, and Honda motorcycles (2007 data).
Prevention
There are various methods of prevention to reduce the likelihood of a vehicle getting stolen. These include physical barriers, which make the effort of stealing the vehicle more difficult. Some of these include:
Devices used to lock a part of the vehicle necessary in its operation, such as the steering wheel or brake pedal. A popular steering wheel lock is The Club.
Immobilisers, allowing the vehicle to start only if a key containing the correct chip is present in the ignition.
Chances of theft can also be reduced with various deterrents, which give the impression to the thief that s/he is more likely to get caught if the vehicle is stolen. These include:
Car alarm systems that are triggered if a breaking and entry into the vehicle occurs
microdot identification tags which allow individual parts of a vehicle to be identified
Killswitch circuits are designed to frustrate or slow down the efforts of a determined car thief. Killswitches are often located between crucial parts of the starting system, between the battery source and the coil, or the fuel pump. A car cannot start without first flipping these killswitches to closed position. Smart car owners hide these killswitches in obscured areas, under the dashboard, beneath the seat, behind a chair, etc.
Signage on windows warning of the presence of other deterrents, sometimes in absence of the actual deterrants.
VIN etching
Recovery of stolen vehicles
Recovery rates for stolen vehicles vary, depending on the effort a jurisdiction's police department puts into recovery, and devices a vehicle has installed to assist in the process.
Police departments use various methods of recovering stolen vehicles, such as random checks of vehicles that come in front of a patrol unit, checks of all vehicles parked along a street or within a parking lot, or keeping a watchlist of all the vehicles reported stolen by their owners. Police departments also receive tips on the location of stolen vehicles through StolenCar.com or TWOC.co.uk in the UK, Taken WithOut Consent?
Vehicle tracking systems, such as LoJack or Automatic vehicle location, may enable the location of the vehicle to be tracked by local law enforcement or a private company. Other security devices such as DotGuard microdots allow individual parts of a vehicle to also be identified and potentially returned.
See also
Vehicle Theft Protection Program
National Insurance Crime Bureau
External links
Auto theft information and statistics
List of theft prevention devices
Taken WithOut Consent? UK FREE database of stolen vehicles
References
^ FindLaw for Legal Professionals - Case Law, Federal and State Resources, Forms, and Code
^ How To Steal Cars A Practical Attack on KeeLoq, presented at Eurocrypt 2008
^ America Most Stolen Cars, www.AutoInsuranceTips.com
^ 2 (-) - document from Deves Insurance (Thailand) (Thai)
v  d  e
Automotive design
Part of the Automobile series
Body
Framework
Automobile platform  Body-on-frame  Bumper  Cabrio coach  Chassis  Continental tire  Crumple zone  Dagmar bumpers  Decklid  Fender  Fender skirts  Grille  Hood  Hood scoop  Monocoque construction  Overhang  Pillar  Pontoon fenders  Quarter panel  Shaker scoop  Spoiler  Subframe  Tonneau
Compartments
Trunk/Boot/Dickie  Hood/Bonnet
Doors
Butterfly doors  Gull-wing door  Scissor doors  Suicide door  Sliding doors  Canopy door
Glass
Greenhouse  Sunroof  Power window  Quarter glass  Windshield/Windscreen  Windshield/Windscreen wiper
Other
Curb feeler  Bumper sticker  Hood ornament  Japan Black paint  Monsoonshield  Nerf bar  Tire/Tyre  Tow hitch  Truck accessory
Exterior
Equipment
Lighting
Daytime running lamp  Headlamp  Hidden headlamps  High-intensity discharge lamp  Retroreflector  Sealed beam  Trafficators
Legal and other
Vehicle Identification Number  Vehicle registration plate  Vanity plate  Parktronic  Motor vehicle theft  Windshield/Windscreen washer fluid  Wing mirror
Interior
equipment
Instruments
Backup camera  Boost gauge  Buzzer  Carputer  Electronic instrument cluster  Fuel gauge  Global Positioning System and Automotive navigation system  Head-up display  Idiot light  Malfunction Indicator Lamp  Night vision  Odometer  Radar detector  LIDAR detector  Speedometer  Tachometer  Trip computer
Controls
Bowden cable  Cruise control (speed control)  Electronic throttle control  Gear stick  Hand brake  Manettino dial  Steering wheel  Throttle
Theft deterrence
Key  Car alarm  Immobiliser  Klaxon  Automatic vehicle location  VIN etching
Safety & seating
Airbag  Armrest  Automatic seat belt  Bench seat  Bucket seat  Child safety lock  Rumble seat  Seat belt
Other
Air conditioning  Ancillary power  Car audio  Car phone  Center console  Dashboard  Flat tire  Glove compartment  Motorola connector  Power steering  Rear-view mirror  Sun visor
Portal  Category
Categories: Car theft | CrimesHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from May 2009 | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2009

]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:21 GMT Waterproof Building Materials
Benefits of cool roofs
Most of the roofs in the world (including over 90% of the roofs in the United States) are dark-colored. In the heat of the full sun, the surface of a black roof can increase in temperature as much as 50C (90F), reaching temperatures of 66 to 88C (150-190F). This heat increase can contribute to:
Increased cooling energy use and higher utility bills;
Higher peak electricity demand(the maximum energy load, in megawatts, an electric utility experiences to supply customers instantaneously, generally experienced in summer late afternoons as businesses and residences turn up their air conditioners), raised electricity production costs, and a potentially overburdened power grid;
Reduced indoor comfort , plastic corrugated roofing .
Increased air pollution due to the intensification of the "heat island effect"; an , concrete roofing .
Accelerated deterioration of roofing materials, increased roof maintenance costs, and high levels of roofing waste sent to landfills , wool waterproof .
A large commercial, industrial or multifamily residential building with a dark colored roof will consume more energy for air conditioning than a ooler building a strain on both operating costs and the electric power grid. Cool roofs offer both immediate and long-term savings in building energy costs. White reflective membranes, coated roofs and planted or green roofs can:
Reduce building heat-gain, as a white reflective roof typically increases only 5-14C (1025F) above ambient temperature during the day
Create savings on summertime air conditioning expenditures.
Enhance the life expectancy of both the roof membrane and the building cooling equipment
Improve thermal efficiency of the roof insulation; this is because as temperature increases, the thermal conductivity of the roof insulation also increases
Reduce the demand for electric power by as much as 10 percent
Reduce resulting air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
Provide energy savings, even in northern climates
Energy calculators
Calculating cost savings resulting from the use of cool roofs can be done using several tools developed by federal agencies.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Cool Roof Calculator
This tool developed by DOE's Oak Ridge National Laboratory estimates cooling and heating savings for low slope roof applications with non-black surfaces.
ENERGY STAR Roofing Comparison Calculator
This tool developed by the U.S. EPA calculates the net savings accruing from installing an ENERGY STAR labeled roof product on an air conditioned building. In addition to cooling savings, the program considers any resulting differences in heating costs.
Cool roofs in cool climates
No matter where cool roofs are installed, they cut down on the urban heat island effect, and usually lower a building carbon footprint. Even in climates where there are more heating days than cooling days, white reflective roofs may be a worthwhile investment for many reasons. The cooling benefits of a highly reflective roof surface far outweigh the potential winter month heating benefits of a less reflective, or black, roof surface. Energy calculators generally show a yearly net savings. This is true because the sun is lower to the horizon in winter and not hitting the roof as directly or as intensely as it would in summer, it shines fewer hours and there are more cloudy days, and snow cover reflects the sun energy. Another reason: because cool roofs cut peak use during the summer when rates are the highest, they can help reduce the demand charge that a building pays all year on the basis of its greatest energy use.
Additionally, higher R values for insulating materials required by many sustainable design guidelines negate the incidental heat gain during winter months resulting from the use of dark roof materials. Snow on roofs also provides insulation; for a medium density of snow the resistance per 25 mm is about 0.110 (m2-C)/W, 300 mm of snow cover can provide an equivalent of 50 mm of good insulating material. Cool roofs contribute to the retention of snow on roofs in moderate snow fall areas; thereby improving insulation factor of the assembly to a greater extent than the benefit of solar gain during winter months. There can be a 26C differential in membrane temperature between areas having 300 mm of snow cover compared to areas having no snow.
Research and practical experience with the degradation of roofing membranes over a number of years have shown that heat from the sun is one of the most potent factors that affects durability. High temperatures and large variations; seasonally or daily, at the roofing level are detrimental to the longevity of roof membranes. Reducing the extremes of temperature change will reduce the incidence of damage to membrane systems. Covering membranes with materials that reflect ultraviolet and infrared information will reduce damage caused by u/v and heat degradation. White surfaces reflect more than half of the radiation that reaches them, while black surfaces absorb almost all. White or white coated roofing membranes, or white gravel cover would appear to be the best approach to control these problems where membranes must be left exposed to solar radiation.
There are some studies that have shown that reflective roofs are not always best in cool climates. Benchmark Inc. did a study in five different cities and used the energy star calculator and the DOE calculator to find the annual savings. Because the DOE calculator includes differences in heating losses, there were significant differences between the savings in all of the cities. However, in Chicago, the annual savings became slightly negative in one of the models because of heating costs. The following graph shows the results:
Miller-McCune published a blog article by Robert Reale expressing an opinion that areas where heating is more of a concern than cooling would not benefit, and so cool roofs are only appropriate in climate zones 1-3. No detailed analysis or case studies were provided to support this opinion. An article in ecobroker.com also does not recommend reflective roofs in cooler climates. This site is designed to aid real estate agents in finding their clients green homes.
Reflective roofs are not always the best option in cooler climates. Green roofs are a very good alternative for those in cooler climates interested in retrofitting their home. Because they insulate a building instead of simply reflecting the Sun energy, green roofs will reduce both heating and cooling costs.
Types of cool roofs
Cool roofs for commercial and industrial buildings fall into one of three categories: roofs made from inherently cool roofing materials, roofs made of materials that have been coated, or green planted roofs.
Inherently cool roofs
White vinyl roofs, which are inherently reflective, achieve some of the highest reflectance and emittance measurements of which roofing materials are capable. A roof made of thermoplastic white vinyl, for example, can reflect 80 percent or more of the sun rays and emit at least 70% of the solar radiation that the building absorbs. An asphalt roof only reflects between 6 and 26% of solar radiation, resulting in greater heat transfer to the building interior and greater demand for air conditioning a strain on both operating costs and the electric power grid.
Coated roofs
To make a roof reflective, present technology is best obtained with white paint, but U.S. ENERGY STAR awards may soon be available for "cool colors" in addition to white painted roofs. Cool roof coatings function across a broader spectrum of solar radiation than white paint. Highly emissive and reflective cool roof painting systems are available in Australia for a material cost, epoxy primer and highbuild coolroof, so this alternative solution should not be ignored in tropical northern Australia.
The recent boom in "green" construction products has led to several new cool roof coatings and systems. Two such coatings are a white paint based products called, "Hyperglass Rubber Roof Coating" and "Hyperglass Rubber Roof Finishing Top Coat", both products were created by noted, retired inventor Col.Ronald Savin and are marketed by Hyperseal, Inc.
The innovation of these cool roof coatings is the addition of a substantial amount of "hollow glass microspheres" to the formulation. The addition of glass to paint is not new and has been known to increase its insulating and reflective properties as well as its scrubability. It has previously been marketed separately as an additive to normal white paint . Hyperglass is the first coating on the market to claim the glass will stay in solution, rather than traditional methods of adding glass which require immediate application and constant stirring to keep the glass from separating out of the paint Insuladd. This formulation is patented and has been nominated for a "2008 Precision Craft Green Log Home and Lifestyle" award.
Green roofs
A green roof typically consist of an insulation layer; a waterproof membrane; a drainage layer, usually made of lightweight gravel, clay, or plastic; a geotextile or filter mat that allows water to soak through but prevents erosion of fine soil particles; a growing medium; plants; and, sometimes, a wind blanket. Green roofs are classified as either intensive or extensive; some green roof designs incorporate both intensive and extensive elements.
Intensive green roofs require at least one foot of soil and appear as a traditional garden with trees, shrubs and other attractive landscapes. They are...

]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:19 GMT Glass Mat For Roofing
Sod roof history
Sod roofs on farmhouses in Gudbrandsdal, Norway Photo: Roede
Roofs in Scandinavia have probably been covered with birch bark and sod since prehistory. During the Viking and Middle Ages most houses had sod roofs. Churches and other buildings with steeper roofs were covered with boards, wood shingles, or lead.
In rural areas sod roofs were almost universal until the beginning of the 18th century. Tile roofs, which appeared much earlier in towns and on rural manors, gradually superseded sod roofs except in remote inland areas during the 19th century. Corrugated iron and other industrial materials also became a threat to ancient traditions. But just before extinction, the national romantics proclaimed a revival of vernacular traditions, including sod roofs. A new market was opened by the demand for mountain lodges and holiday homes. At the same time, open air museums and the preservation movement created a reservation for ancient building traditions.
From these reservations, sod roofs have begun to reappear as an alternative to modern materials. The more recent idea of the green roof is developed independently from the traditional sod roof, but could benefit from the experience gathered during hundreds of years in Scandinavia , ceramic membranes .
Birch bar , plastic corrugated roofing .
Birch bark is eminently suitable as a roof covering because it is strong, water-resistant and soil-resistant enough to last for generations, although 30 years was considered the normal lifespan of a sod roof in most places. Birch is common everywhere in Northern Europe, and its bark is easily stripped from the trunk in spring or early summer, while the sap is running. One incision with a knife lengthwise down the trunk between two branches will produce a correspondingly wide sheet, its length equal to the circumference. The outer, flaky (white) bark is pried loose from the inner (green or brown) layer, the phloem. Removing the phloem will cause the tree to die, but removing the outer bark will not harm the tree, although the scar will remain for many years. A new, coarser bark will replace the stripped bark , led flashlight waterproof .
The sheets of bark must be stored flat under pressure to prevent curling. Left alone, a sheet will curl up into a tight roll, in the opposite direction of the natural curve of the trunk.
The bark is laid inside up directly onto the roof boards without any nails or other means of fastening. On roughly hewn or sawn roof boards, the friction alone will hold the layers of birch bark in place. But they have to be weighted down with a heavier material to prevent them from curling or blowing away. Planks of split logs have been used, but sod has an additional advantage because it is an insulator.
Bark sheets were laid from the eaves upward, overlapping like shingles, and straddling the ridge. 6 layers of birch bark were considered adequate, but up to 16 layers have been recorded in roofs of high quality. The first layers project about 8 cm along the eaves, where they will curve down around the edge of the outer board to form a throating. Extra long sheets will straddle the roof ridge.
Sod
Section of a traditional sod roof with a "turf log" held by wooden hooks and an additional "sacrificial" log behind. Drawing by Roede
Section of a Gudbrandsdal type sod roof with elaborate "turf log". Drawing by Roede
Sod or turf for roofing was cut from good pasture land, preferably with sandy soil. A naturally grown grass with a deep root system was desirable. The turf was cut into portable pieces, each about one foot (30 cm) square and about 3 inches (7.5 cm) thick, half the thickness of the finished covering. It was hoisted or carried up on the roof, or on a scaffolding.
Pieces of sod must be laid out immediately after the birch bark, to keep it in place. For this reason, the process of must be carefully coordinated. Two workers will usually cooperate on the same strip of the roof, wide enough to be comfortably within reach. One will lay out the bark, the other will put sod on top.
The first layer of sod was traditionally placed with the grass down, as the wilted grass would protect the bark from acid humus and act as a drain. The grass of the second layer faced upwards to establish a solid surface. Grass roots would eventually permeate the bottom layer to create one solid structure. The finished roof would in time look just like a flower-studded meadow.
A total thickness of about 15 cm is enough to make the sod survive a dry summer. More than 20 cm is superfluous, and the weight would be excessive. If the sod is too shallow, a severe drought will kill the vegetation, causing erosion and soil creep. Most of Scandinavia has enough precipitation to let an established root system survive an occasional dry spell. In very dry areas, it was customary to cultivate certain drought resistant plants - notably Sedum rosaeum, Allium fistolosum and sempervivum tectorum.
Sod support along the eaves and verges
To stay in place the sod must be supported by strong beams along the eaves. These logs or beams (Norwegian: torvvol) come in a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the quality and status of the building, and on local tradition. An equivalent English term would be turf log.
The most common turf log is an undressed fir log 5 to 6 inches across. Also fairly common are squared timbers of similar size. In some districts planks raised on edge were used. Other traditions called for a more elaborate cross section with the appearance of a fascia, approaching "real" architecture.
The turf log was fastened to the roof boards and underlying rafters with naturally grown wooden hooks, preferably from durable juniper. The hooks were fastened with wooden pegs and covered by additional sheets of birch bark. Turf logs are also known to have been held in place by rafters hewn from logs with one root branch left to form a bracket. This method made for extremely cumbersome maintenance. When the brackets disintegrated, one would have to tear up the whole roof to renew all the rafters. A more refined fastening device was the kolv, an elaborately shaped stick of wood, around 60 cm long, pegged to the roof and extended through a hole in the turf log. Its wider protruding head would hold the log in place.
Erosion at the verges was in some districts prevented by means of similar logs, sometimes joined crosswise at the gable top. More common was a row of rocks gathered from the fields. Verge boards were not a feature of ancient log buildings with sod roofs, but were introduced during the 17th and 18th centuries through influence from urban architecture with tile roofs.
Modern Turf Roofs
In modern turf roof construction bitumen roofing felt combined with dimpled plastic drainage membranes are usually used in place of birch bark. Bitumen roofing felt is nailed to the sarking and a dimpled cavity drainage membrane is laid over the top (dimples face down) to form a drainage layer. The turf is then laid over this drainage layer.
Literature
Berg, Arne: Norske tmmerhus fr mellomalderen. Landbruksforlaget, Oslo 1989, Volume I, pp. 70-73. ISBN 82-529-1300-8
Byggforskserien, Byggdetaljer 544.803. Norges byggforskningsinstitutt, Oslo 1996.
Drange, Tore; Hans Olaf Aanensen og Jon Brnne: Gamle Trehus - Historikk, reparasjon og vedlikehold. Universitetsforlaget, Oslo 1992, p. 93-99. ISBN 82-00-21389-7
Gjone, Erling: Utdrag av forelesninger i Byggekunst V. Arkitektavdelingen NTH, Trondheim c. 1960
Hjelmeland, Britt-Alise: Husbygging langs kyst og fjord 1850-1950. Magistergradsavhandling i etnologi, UiO, Oslo 1993, pp. 100-113, 159.
Melheim, Anders: Um floraen p hustak i Hornindal. Hovedoppgave i botanikk, UiO, Oslo 1933.
Meyer, Johan: Fortids kunst i norske bygder. Kunstindustrimuseet i Oslo, Forum forlag 1987.
Nicolaysen, Nicolay: Kunst og Haandverk fra Norges Fortid, Foreningen til norske Fortidsmindesmrkers Bevaring, Kristiania 1881-1890. 1. Rkke.
Nordhagen, Rolf: Taklauk og fjellkaur. In: Olsen, Magnus (Ed.) Maal og minne - norske studier. Bymaals-lagets forlag, Oslo 1934, pp. 101-127.
Paulsrud, Geir: Fjos i Fron fr omkring 1750 og fram til 1980-ra. Magistergradsavhandling i etnologi, UiO, Oslo 1984, p. 112.
Uppstad, Torjus: Taktekkjing med never og torv. Valle Laftebygg, Valle i Setesdal 1990.
Vreim, Halvor: Laftehus - tmring og torvtekking. Noregs Boklag, Oslo 1966, pp. 64-75.
References
^ Drange 1992:96
^ Hjelmeland 1993
^ Berg 1989:71
^ a b Uppstad 1990
^ a b Vreim 1966:64-65
^ Berg 1989:73
^ Vreim 1966:65-66
^ Vreim 1966:66
^ Nordhagen 1934:101-127
^ Melheim 1933
^ Vreim 1966:70-73
^ Gjone 1960:K 14
^ Vreim 1966:74
Categories: Roofs

]]>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:51:17 GMT Grizzly Vibrating Feeder
Specifications
Drive train
The Tipo F133F 6.0 L (5999 cc) V12 engine produces a maximum 620 PS (456 kW; 612 hp), making it the most powerful series production Ferrari road car. Its 608 Nm (448 ftlbf) of torque will also be a high for Ferrari's GT cars. Most of the modifications to the engine were done to allow it to fit in the Fiorano's engine bay (the original Enzo version could be taller as it would not block forward vision due to its mid-mounted position). The company claims a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (205 mph), 0100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds, and 11.0 seconds to 200 km/h (124 mph).
Engine Installation
Typ , honda oem wheels .
Mak , raybestos brake pads .
Bore/Strok , brother printer parts .
Compression Ratio
Valve Gear
Power
Torque
Red Line
Power to Weight Ratio
Front Longitudinal
V12, 5999 cc, petrol
Aluminium Head and Block
92.0/75.2 mm
11.2:1
4 per cylinder
611 bhp (456 kW) @ 7600 rpm
448 lbft (607 Nm) @ 5600 rpm
8400 rpm
362 bhp (270 kW) per tonne
A traditional 6-speed manual transmission as well as Ferrari's 6-speed sequential manual gearbox called "F1 SuperFast" is offered. Reviewers of the car have mentioned that the MagneRide suspension gives the 599 a very comfortable ride but allows it to handle well at the same time.[citation needed]
The Fiorano also sees the debut of Ferrari's new traction control system, F1-Trac.
Acceleration
Acceleration claimed by Ferrari (mph / seconds)
030
040
050
060
070
080
090
0100
0110
0120
0130
0140
0150
0160
1.8
2.3
2.9
3.7
4.4
5.4
6.3
7.4
8.8
10.2
11.8
14.0
16.3
19.0
Fuel economy
City
Highway
Combined
11 mpg-US (21 L/100 km; 13 mpg-imp) United States Environmental Protection Agency
15 mpg-US (16 L/100 km; 18 mpg-imp) EPA
21.3 L/100 km (11.0 mpg-US; 13.3 mpg-imp)
Handling GT Evoluzione package
Ferrari 599 HGTE
It is an upgrade that improves the car's handling.
The package (also called HGTE or Handling GTE) includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magneto-rheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier settings. The ride height has also been lowered, which also lowers the car's centre of gravity. The package also includes optimised tyres featuring a compound that offers improved grip.
The car's electronics have also changed. The gearbox's shifts are faster in high-performance settings, while a new engine software improved accelerator response.
The exhaust silencer was modified to produce more marked and thrilling sound under hard usage whilst still delivering just the right comfort levels at cruising speed.
The exterior and interior were upgraded with more carbon fibre components.
It also includes new 20-inch wheels.
599XX
The 599XX is a car designed for track use, based on 599 GTB. Engine's maximum speed is increased to 9000rpm with engine rated 700 PS (690 hp/515 kW)@9000rpm. Weight is reduced by cutting the weight of the engine unit components, and use of composites and carbon-fibre body parts, carbon-fibre brake pads. A new gearbox shift strategy is introduced to cut overall gear change time to 60 ms. Aerodynamics were retuned to give more downforce (280 kg @ 200 km/h, 630 kg @ 300 km/h). The car also includes 29/67 R19 front and 31/71 R19 rear tires with 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.
The car was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.
Hybrid
Motor Authority reported that Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was working on the development of a Ferrari that will use alternative energy sources and which will be based on what Ferrari is doing in Formula 1, which uses Kinetic Energy Recycling System. The KERS was tested using a prototype 599.
Awards
Evo magazine named the 599 GTB as the Car of the Year for 2006.
Top Gear Magazine also named the 599 GTB as the Supercar of the Year 2006.
Notes
^ a b c "Technical specifications". ferrariworld.com. http://www.ferrariworld.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. 
^ "2006 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano". Supercars.net. http://www.supercars.net/cars/3347.html. Retrieved on 2007-11-20. 
^ Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano official site FerrariWorld.Com Accessed February 28, 2006
^ a b "2007 FERRARI 599 GTB FIORANO". motortrend.com. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/exotic/112_0701_2007_ferrari_599_gtb_fiorano/specs.html. Retrieved on 2008-02-08. 
^ a b Joseph, Noah (2009-03-03). "Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599XX is our kind of menace to society". Autoblog.com. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-ferrari-599xx-is-our-kind-of-menace-to-society/. Retrieved on 2009-04-18. 
^ "Ferrari confirms 599 hybrid prototype in testing". Motorauthority.com. http://www.motorauthority.com/ferrari-boss-confirms-hybrid-program.html. Retrieved on 2009-04-18. 
References
"Maranello Masterpiece". AutoWeek. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060108/FREE/60108007/1024/LATESTNEWS. Retrieved on January 9, 2006. 
"Maranello's New True GT". AutoWeek. http://autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060117/FREE/301170001/1024/LATESTNEWS. Retrieved on January 17, 2006. 
Evo magazine issue 99 (Car of the Year 2006)
"Winner: Supercar". Top Gear. http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2006/12/stories/08/1.html. 
"Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on test". Evo. http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/205671/ferrari_599_gtb.html. 
"First Test: 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano". Motor Trend. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/exotic/112_0701_2007_ferrari_599_gtb_fiorano/specs.html. 
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ferrari 599 GTB
The Ferrari website
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on Edmunds.com
Review & Pictures from Road & Track
v  d  e
previous Ferrari road car timeline, 1960sresent
Type
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
FR/FMR
GT
250
275
365 GTB/4 Daytona
550
575M
599
America
330
365
2+2
250GT
330GT
365GT
GTC/4
GT4
400
400i
412
456
456 M
612
V8
California
RMR
V6/V8
Dino 206
Dino 246 GT
308GTB
308i
308 QV
328
348
360
458
246 GTS
308 GTS
208
208 Turbo
GTB/GTS Turbo
F355
F430
2+2
Dino GT4
Mondial 8
Mondial QV
3.2 Mondial
Mondial t
flat-12
365BB
512 BB
512i BB
Testarossa
512TR
F512M
Halo model
250 GTO
250 LM
288 GTO
F40
F50
Enzo Ferrari
P4/5
FXX Evolution
F50 GT
FXX
Categories: Ferrari vehicles | Grand tourers | 2000s automobiles | Rear wheel drive vehicles | Vehicles introduced in 2006Hidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from February 2007

]]>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 02:01:24 GMT Chris-Craft CHRIS CRAFT 251 boat
Special features
The Mach Five's steering wheel hub.
The car has seven mechanisms triggered by buttons labeled from A to G on the steering wheel hub. Their functions (and names, taken from the Japanese production) are:
Button A, Auto Jack (, to Jakki?, Auto Jack): Releases four jacks to boost the car up so that it can be repaired . Although designed for this function, the auto jacks are more often used to jump the car short distances, as a wedge to keep the car from toppling over a waterfall, or as an alternative braking system. The spring-like sound the jacks make is distinctive to the show.
Button B, Belt Tires (, Beruto Taiya?, Belt Tire): Sprouts special grip tires for traction over any kind of terrain (firm, icy, or unsteady ground; ocean floor; vertical mountainsides). At the same time, 5,000 horsepower (3,700 kW) is distributed evenly to all four wheels.(1,250hp/932.13kW , rear independent suspension .
Button C, Cutter Blades (, Katt?, Cutter): Powerful rotary saws protrude from the front of the Mach Five to remove obstacles in its way such as trees. Mostly used for racing in forest areas(especially when Speed gets forced off the road , plastic motorcycle parts .
Button D, Deflector (, Difens?, Defensor): Releases a powerful deflector which seals the cockpit in a bullet-proof and crash-proof, and either an air-tight or water-tight chamber depending on the environment around the car. Inside it, the car driver is completely invulnerable , led vehicle light .
Button E, Evening or Illuminating Eye or Special Illumination (, Ibuningu Ai?, Evening Eye): The control for special illumination which can be traversed singly or in tandem, and which enables to see much farther and more clearly than with ordinary headlights. When used with the ight shades attached to Speed helmet, his vision is enhanced with infrared light. Button E was later modified to activate mini-wings (Pops got the idea from the Car Acrobatic Team) that would slide out from under the car to assist Speed in long jumps.
Button F, Frogger Mode (, Furogg?, Frogger): Used when the Mach Five is under water. First, the cockpit is supplied with oxygen. Then, a periscope is raised to scan the surface of the water. Everything that is seen is relayed down to the driver's seat by television. The 100 pound (45 kg) auxiliary supply of oxygen is enough to last for thirty minutes. This is despite the fact that enough diatomic oxygen gas to weigh 100 poundshat is to say, 1417 molesould occupy over thirty thousand liters at standard temperature and pressure and thereby support many people for many hours. However, unless the Mach 5 was equipped with an electric drive mechanism, which is never mentioned, the Mach 5's engine (rated at 5,000 HP) could consume this supply in a few minutes, assuming it had the ability to operate on a pure O2 supply.
Button G, Go Homing Robot (, Gizumo-g?, Gizmo): Releases a homing robot bird from the front of the car. The homing robot bird can fly and can carry pictures or tape recorded messages, handwritten messages, X-ray film, rope, and small Egyptian statues, and it has been used as a last resort as a makeshift weapon for means of defense. The bird-like device is operated by a built-in remote control within the cockpit.
Button H, Homing Device (, Hmingu?, Homing): This button is, unlike the other buttons, not located on the steering wheel; instead is located on a console between the seats. Button H is part of the Go Homing Robot's controls, and it simply sends the robot "home to a pre-programmed location, usually Speed's house.
The Mach Five also has a small trunk, which is unusual in a race car but was featured in many episodes, often as a hiding place for main characters Spritle (Kurio Mifune) and Chim-Chim (Senpei).
While the original manga features many of the above functions seen in the anime, and while there are buttons on the steering wheel, it does not "codify" the functions in any way, making the letter designations exclusive to the anime.
Speed Racer X
In Speed Racer X (not to be confused with the 1993 Fred Wolf remake), the buttons had name changes, and sometimes function changes:
Button A, Aero Jack (, Aerojakki?): Similar to the Auto-Jacks, but uses compressed air and rocket thrusters to propel the car into the air, rather than actual metal jacks (making "Aero Jack" a bit of a misnomer).  Unlike the original series, this can only be used to make the car jump. This function actually appears in the original manga replacing the original Auto Jacks.
Button B, Balloon Tire (, Barn Taiya?): Inflates the tires like balloons, giving them better traction (similar to monster truck tires), as well as allowing the Mach 5 to float on water.
Button C, Cutter Blade (, Katt Burdo?): Instead of saws, this button activates laser "blades" to cut through obstacles.
Button D, Defense Shield (, Difensu Shrudo?): Closes the cockpit in a bulletproof protective dome, like the original series.
Button E, Emergency Wire (, Emjensh Waiy?): Completely different from the original series, this shoots out a rope and grappling hook to snag objects, either to keep the Mach 5 from falling into dangerous situations, or to hoist itself out of them.
Button F, Fish Diver (, Fisshu Daib?): Functionally identical to Frogger Mode, but causes a M.A.S.K.-like physical transformation in the car, the wheels folding in and maneuverability fins sprouting.
Button G, The Gallant (, Gyaranto-g?): Again, identical to the Gizmo Rocket, but with a new name..
The New Adventures of Speed Racer
The steering wheel of the Mach Five in this series had eight unmarked rectangular buttons, arranged in two columns of four on either side of the steering wheel's center. The car appeared to have the same functions as the Mach Five in the original series, but the buttons Speed pressed to activate them seemed more or less random, with the same button activating different abilities (or different buttons activating the same ability) in different episodes.
The "Real" Mach Five
In 2000, a prototype Mach Five with actual cutting blades was produced as a concept car. 100 production models were planned to be made in 2002 as a street legal vehicle. Built on a 2001 Corvette Chassis, the body was to be extensively modified to look like the Mach Five. It was to have 345 horsepower, and cost between $75,000 and $125,000 each.
Portrayal in film
Main article: Speed Racer (film)
The Mach Five appears in the live-action film adaptation Speed Racer, directed by the Wachowski brothers, produced by Joel Silver, and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. The Mach Five is an actual vehicle and used in the major race of the film. Instead of being driven on pavement, it was hung from a crane and had its effects computer-generated.
Along with the Mach Five, the movie features the "Mach 4" and the "Mach 6", two different single-seater cars created specifically for stunt races. The designs of the Mach 4 and Mach 6 are vaguely reminiscent of the Mach Five's (as in the original American comics), although the only functions the Mach 6 features are the jump jacks, which are standard equipment in race cars in the movie. Little about the Mach 4 is known, as it appears only briefly in the film and is portrayed as a red-colored companion to the 6.
In the film, the Mach Five is Speed's alternate car for off-track races such as the Casa Cristo 5000, as well as everyday driving like a normal car. The Mach Five originally belonged to Speed's older brother Rex, who relinquished ownership of it to Speed before he left the Racer home. Speed's main car for races on the WRL track (Thunderhead, etc.) is the Mach 6. The Mach 6 was destroyed in a fixed race, but was later rebuilt for the film's final race.
The steering wheel hub is still present on this version of the Mach Five. Although most of the original functions of the car are still intact, some are activated by different buttons. The underwater functions are abandoned completely and replaced with new functions exclusive to racing combat. Instead of being built with these features from the beginning, the special functions were added to the Mach Five in order to enter it in the Casa Cristo 5000. The features that are still kept in this incarnation are:
Auto Jacks
Grip Tires (Not as belt tires but as crampon tire spikes.)
Deflector
Rotary Saws
Homing Robot
The functions abandoned in this version of the Mach Five are:
Frogger Mode
Evening Eye
The functions on this Mach Five are: (*)New functions are represented with Bold Italics.
Control A = Jump Jacks (Originally called the Auto Jacks)
When pressed, the car releases and immediately retracts long automated car jacks that make the car jump over any hazardous obstacle. The car no longer releases these jacks to boost it for any repairs and adjustments. It is considered a standard racing gadget in the film. The jacks can be activated in pairs to perform various kinds of flips, and at specific intensities to control jump height.
Control B = Bullet-proof polymer deflector (D in the original, B activated the Grip Tires in the original) When pressed, the car sprouts a bullet- and impact-proof shield that encloses the cockpit.
Control C = Tire Shields (C activated the rotary saws in the original, replaced Frogger Mode)
When pressed, the car sprouts shields from its tires to prevent tire damage from secret weapons of other racing competitors. Speed can control the motion of the shields by remote control inside the cockpit.
Control D = Hexodyne emergency spare...

]]>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 02:01:22 GMT Toshiba Tecra M2 Laptop
Overview
In 1925, following a Defence Committee initiative undertaken the previous year, the formation of an RAF command concerning the Air Defence of Great Britain led to the provision of a Raid Reporting System, itself delegated to a sub-committee consisting of representatives from the Air Ministry, Home Office and the General Post Office. This Raid Reporting System was to provide for the visual detection, identification, tracking and reporting of aircraft over Great Britain, and was eventually to become known as the Observer Corps. The Observer Corps was subsequently awarded the title Royal by His Majesty King George VI in April 1941, in recognition of service carried out by Observer Corps personnel during the Battle of Britain.
Throughout the remainder of World War II, the ROC continued to complement and at times replace the Chain Home defensive radar system by undertaking an inland aircraft tracking and reporting function, while Chain Home provided a predominantly coastal, long-range tracking and reporting system. With the advent of the Cold War, the ROC continued in its primary role of aircraft recognition and reporting, and in 1955 was allocated the additional task of detecting and reporting nuclear explosions and associated fall-out. By 1965, thanks to advances in (radar) technology, most roles and responsibilities relating to aircraft had been withdrawn and the ROC assumed the role of fieldforce for the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation, (UKWMO); a role which the ROC continued until the early 1990s and the cessation of the Cold War.
By the late 1980s the ROC comprised 69 professional full-time officers, approximately 10,500 civilian spare-time volunteers, and over 100 Ministry of Defence (MoD) civilian support staff. At HQROC, (RAF Bentley Priory), over a dozen full-time secretarial, clerical and other administrative staff were present. Each of the five Area HQs were staffed by a clerical officer and a typist, and each of the 25 Group HQs were staffed by a clerical officer, typist and handyperson. (Many MoD civilian support staff were also civilian spare-time volunteers).
Following the UK Government's Options for Change defence spending review in 1990, the vast majority of the civilian spare-time volunteers were stood down on 30 September 1991, with the remainder being stood down on 31 December 1995. The closure of HQROC on 31 March 1996 and redeployment of those few remaining HQROC staff marked the disbandment of the ROC after over 70 years of service , duracell 9v battery .
World War , d size batteries .
The ROC can trace its roots to World War I and the requirement for a warning system to bolster UK defences against bombing raids by Zeppelin airships. A system of observation posts and observers was organised, with a network of approximately 200 posts established in strategic areas. Initially these posts were manned by Army personnel, who were in turn replaced by Special (Police) Constables, and posts were coordinated on an area basis with telephone communications provided between themselves and their associated anti-aircraft defences , replacement rechargeable battery .
The Gotha G.V. A heavy bomber of the Luftstreitkrfte.
Throughout 1917 Germany began to deploy increasing numbers of fixed-wing bombers, with the result that the number of airship raids decreased rapidly in favour of raids by such aircraft. In response to this new threat, Major General Edward Bailey Ashmore, a Royal Flying Corps pilot who later commanded an artillery division in Belgium, was appointed to devise an improved system of detection, communication and control. The system, called the Metropolitan Observation Service, encompassed the London Air Defence Area and later would extended eastwards towards the Kentish and Essex coasts. The Metropolitan Observation Service met with some success and although not fully operational until the late summer of 1918, (the last German bombing raid taking place on 19 May 1918), the lessons learned were to prove invaluable for future developments in this field. Major General Ashmore is often considered to have been the founder of what would eventually become the Royal Observer Corps.
Air Raids
    Aeroplanes    
    Airships    
    Deaths    
   1914   
3
0
0
1915
4
42
186
1916
28
126
302
1917
341
30
650
1918
59
10
178
Total
435
208
1316
Between the wars
Air Cdre E A D Masterman CB CMG CBE AFC RAF (Rtd), first Commandant of the Observer Corps. (Pictured wearing Observer Corps tie and lapel badge)
Following the Armistice in 1918, it had been intended that the knowledge, experience and skills gained by the Metropolitan Observation Service during World War I would be maintained for the future security of the nation. However, by the end of 1920, the observation post networks and their associated anti-aircraft hardware had been decommissioned, and in 1922 the responsibility for air defence was transferred from the War Office, (responsible for the Army), to the Air Ministry.
Following this transfer of responsibility, Major General Ashmore, who had been responsible for air defence during World War I, reported to a new Air Raid Precautions (ARP) committee, established in January 1924. In areas surrounding Romney Marsh and the Weald a series of trials were undertaken to develop a Raid Reporting System which would employ an optimum arrangement of observation posts and associated control centres. During 1925 these trials were further extended to cover parts of Essex and Hampshire, and by October a proven modus operandi had been developed for a new organisation to be known as the Observer Corps, which was established on 29 October 1925.
Within a year four Groups operated in South East England, covering much of Kent, Sussex, Hampshire and Essex, with the intention that the whole of Great Britain would be covered by a total of 18 groups. Cooperation and participation was thus required between the RAF, the Army, the British police forces and the General Post Office (GPO). (The GPO being responsible at that time for the national telecommunications system). In January 1926 observers were recruited as Special Constables by county Police Constabularies, and each observation post was manned by a Sergeant and six Special Constables. Recruits were spare-time volunteers who received neither pay, uniform, nor allowancess, with the only distinguishing insignia, in the form of Observer Corps lapel badges, being purchased by individual volunteers at their own expense.
In 1929 the control of the Observer Corps passed from the county Police forces to the Air Ministry, although Chief Constables retained responsibility for personnel and recruitment matters. On 1 March 1929 the new Headquarters of the Observer Corps was established at Hillingdon House, RAF Uxbridge, and Air Commodore Edward A D Masterman CB CMG CBE AFC RAF (Rtd) was appointed as the first Commandant of the Observer Corps. Air Cdre Masterman held this appointment until his retirement on 1 March 1936, and was succeeded by Air Commodore Alfred Warrington-Morris CG CMG OBE AFC RAF (Rtd), who was destined to lead the Observer Corps through the critical period during World War II which saw the RAF emerge bruised but victorious following the Battle of Britain.
During the 1930s the number of groups increased until by 1936, England had a full coverage of observation posts south east of a line between Flamborough Head and Poole Harbour. (In 1936 the Headquarters of the Observer Corps relocated from RAF Uxbridge to RAF Bentley Priory). By 1939, practically the whole of Great Britain was covered with observation posts, with the western parts of Wales and Scotland together with England's West Country being included during 1940. The final group, Portree in the Western Isles, was formed in 1941.
World War II
Preparation
The signatories to the Munich Agreement.
At the end of September 1938 the political crisis which culminated in the Munich Agreement had led to the Observer Corps being mobilised for a period of one week. This single act proved to be invaluable as it highlighted a number of organisational and technical shortcomings, and provided the impetus for the development of solutions to resolve these. A series of exercises held throughout 1939 provided opportunities for the fine tuning of improvements made to command and control functions. Operational procedures would continue to evolve throughout the war, a process facilitated by the enthusiasm, dedication and professionalism which volunteer members, coming from every walk of life, brought with them to the Observer Corps.
At this time the only uniform items issued to Observer Corps personnel were steel helmets bearing the stenciled letters 'O C', together with armbands bearing the same. Both items of equipment were similar in style to those issued to members of the civil defence emergency services, including the Auxiliary Fire Service ('AFS') and Air Raid Precautions ('ARP'). With their status having previously been that of Special Constable, it was ironic that the initial batch of helmets issued to Observer Corps members were the same as those issued to Police forces; black in colour with the word 'POLICE' stencilled in white. (This led some Observer Corps members to simply scratch off the stencilled letters P, L, I, and E, to leave letters O and C remaining). High quality Royal Navy-issue binoculars were...

]]>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 02:01:18 GMT Plush Toy Teddy Bear ngerbobs
Genre
Live-action/puppet TV series
Created by
Joanne Cole
Michael Cole
Presented by
Rick Jones
Theme music composer
Michael Jessett
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Language(s)
English
No. of seasons
1
No. of episodes
1 , soft plush toy .
Productio , toys farm animals .
Producer(s , mini plush .
Q3 London
Running time
15 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel
BBC1
Picture format
4:3
Audio format
Monaural sound
Original run
14 February 1972 15 May 1972
Chronology
Related shows
Fingermouse
Fingerbobs was a British children's television programme made by the BBC in 1972. The first episode was broadcast on 14 February 1972 on BBC1 as part of Watch with Mother. The show was created by Joanne and Michael Cole, who also created Bod. Only thirteen episodes were ever made.
Presented by mime artist "Yoffy" (played by Canadian actor Rick Jones), each ten-minute episode told a story centred around a paper finger puppet animal, and usually involved collecting various items (such as pebbles or feathers) to make up another object at the end. The finger puppets, each of whom had their own song, included:
Fingermouse - a mouse, consisting of a grey paper cone head with paper ears and whiskers with a grey glove for the body ("Fingermouse, Fingermouse/I am a sort of wondermouse"). Fingermouse later got his own show, with a new puppeteer, called "The Music Man". The Music Man would tell stories involving Fingermouse, using musical instruments.
Gulliver - a seagull made from a white ping-pong ball (head) placed over a thumb and white gloves forming the body with outstretched fingers as the wings. ("I spread my wings.")
Scampi - several scampi were made using purple gloves with red heads on each finger
Flash - a tortoise, with a paper shell. ("Slowly, steadily, I move at my own pace/They call me Flash though I won't dash")
Fingermouse gained his own series in 1985. In this series, the focus was more on musical instruments. One series was made of thirteen programmes.
The memorable theme tune went "Yoffy lifts a finger, and a mouse is there/Puts his hands together, and a seagull takes the air/Yoffy lifts a finger, and a scampi darts about/Yoffy bends another, and a tortoise head peeps out/These hands were made for making, and making they must do."
At the end of the series Jones was so sick of making the show that he destroyed the finger puppets while the camera was still rolling.[citation needed]
Fingerbobs was referenced in the video of 'A Town Called Hypocrisy" by Lostprophets
External links
Fingerbobs
Fingerbobs at the Internet Movie Database
 
Categories: BBC children's television programmes | Television programs featuring puppetry | BBC television programme stubsHidden categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements from June 2008

]]>Tue, 9 Mar 2010 02:01:17 GMT