Archive for January, 2009


Solar energy

Hmm, what’s quite the most interesting facts about solar energy is how little we use it! Do you know that the sun produce enough energy for everyone in the world? The sun produce enough energy for every single person alive at this very moment! However, less than one-tenth of one percent of our energy usage comes from the sun. Too bad we don’t have that kind of technology yet to harness all of the sun’s energy!

Another interesting fact about solar energy… it is dependent upon nuclear power. It’s own nuclear power solar energy 93 million miles away. The Earth receives more energy from the sun in one hour than the whole world uses in one year. That’s quite a lot of energy there. There’s also the fact that the world is still dependent on oil for heating and transportation needs.

About two billion people in the world have no access to electricity, and unfortunately, they cannot afford to access electricity. Even if the sun is giving us more than we ever need… we’re not there yet to harness the sun.

A 1-kilowatt-hour (kWh) equal the amount of electricity needed to burn a 100 watt light bulb for 10 hours. A 1-kilowatt home solar system installed cost about $9,000 before any rebate programs in the U.S. and because of that, the materials need to make the solar panel is expensive, the solar panels accounts for between 40-50% of the total cost of installing a solar power system.

Once you got the initial installation cost over, the solar system is quite inexpensive. Mostly because you’re now generating free energy coming from the sun. When you do use solar energy to make your home independent., your need of foreign or conventional energy which can cost a lot, have just been lessen. If your solar system produce enough, you really become independent on other energy sources.

Did that spark some interest in solar energy that can provide for you? Want to give a test and build your own solar system or wind power system? Check out this site at http://buildingyourownenergysolution.blogspot.com/ for more instructions on building your own renewable energy system! If you put effort into it, you can make it happen and may become independent from using conventional source and losing that electric bill. Check it out.

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Italy_

The modern city of Rome, as legend goes, was built on seven hills. A city that is accustomed to foreign influences, it is known for it architectural treasures. There is a lot more to Rome than we know. Here are some interesting facts to give you an insight into the Roman culture, its history and treasures.

1. The birth of the Eternal City, Rome, which was founded in 753BC, is celebrated every year by Romans on the 21st of April. Celebrations include fireworks, gladiator shows, traditional Roman banquets and parades.

2. The Pantheon which was built in 27 B.C. by Marcus Agrippa is the only monument belonging to ancient Rome that still remains intact. What is even lesser known, is that it entombs Italy’s king Vittorio Emanuele II, and his successor, Umberto I.

3. A park in Rome is named the "Park of the Monsters." Not because it is a haunted place but because it is full of grotesque figures like a crude Hercules slaying an Amazon and an ogre’s face with a mouth so big that people can even walk through it!

4. The Baths of Caracalla although in a bad state now, were once in their prime days spread across 27 acres and could handle 1,600 bathers at any given time. Built in the 3rd century, they are the largest survivors of Rome’s imperial era.

5. Rome has a museum which is entirely dedicated to pasta. The Pasta Museum is a one of its kind around the world and showcases different pasta-making machines, as well as paintings related to pasta by contemporary artists.

6. St Peter’s Basilica inside Vatican City is the largest church ever constructed.

7. Rome’s Coliseum, a huge amphitheatre which could seat 50,000 people is one among the Seven Wonders of the World.

8. The Monumental Cemetery of the Capuchin Brothers has used the bones of over 4,000 Capuchin monks, some skeletons fully intact, to create symbolic works of art in its series of chapels.

9. The Vatican Museums is a huge museum complex with over 1,000 museums and galleries like the Gallery of Tapestries and Etruscan and Egyptian Museums that are full of masterpieces collected by the successive popes. It is the world’s largest museum complex.

10. St. Peter’s Basilica was a structure that stood for almost 1,000 years until it neared collapse and was rebuilt by 1500s and 1600s. It is an overwhelming structure which displays the work of some of Italy’s greatest artists like Raphael, Michelangelo, and Maderno.

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Sports

We all want to live pass over 100 years of age healthily, but not many people know how to achieve that. In fact, aging is the biological process that is controllable in some degree with healthy diet.

Here are some tips that will help

1. Complex Carbohydrates:
Anti aging diet is high in complex carbohydrates, such as grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Many of them are eaten raw or close to their natural state and none are unnecessarily processed or overcooked. Complex carbohydrate diets are high in fiber and therefore prevents common afflictions associated with aging. Also with complex carbohydrate diets people can avoid weight gain as they age because foods are digested quickly.

2. Green foods:
Green foods are the ultimate blood purifier. They are rich in chlorophyll. With chlorophyll, foods are better absorbed and antioxidants in green foods are able to strengthen the immune system. This in turn slows the process of aging.

3. Garlic and Onion:
Garlic and onion contain sulphur compounds that helps in antiaging and strengthens the immune system.

4. Water and Juice:
Pure water is an essential part of a good diet. Not enough intake would dehydrate the brain, causing symptoms of aging, and of course it is also the main cause of the forming of kidney stones. Fresh and rich juices should be a regular part of the diet.

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23r2zk0

Many vacationers look forward to traveling during the summer months to the Caribbean, Florida and vacation resorts along the Gulf of Mexico.

While the late spring and summer offer tremendous travel bargains, these months also correspond with the start of the hurricane season. Recently there has been an increase of travel in the “off peak” months of July and August, when many families have the opportunity to get away on vacation. This year in particular, many potential vacationers have been unsure whether to plan a vacation in the areas mentioned above.

The people of the Caribbean sum up hurricane season with the following saying: June – Too Soon; July –

Stand By; August – Look Out You Must; September – Remember; October – All Over.

What you need to understand about the nature of the current hurricane patterns

The experts agree the rise in the number of hurricanes in the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico are likely to

continue. Most of the experts in this field believe global warming is responsible for the fuel that turned

Katrina from a slow moving tropical storm into one of the most deadly hurricanes in U.S. history. The water temperature in the Gulf was higher than normal, and whether you believe in global warming or not, the facts are the Caribbean and Gulf regions will be dealing with more active hurricanes for at least the next 15 years.

First of all, we usually think of hurricanes as highly destructive wind storms, but it is the water that

kills people, animals and vegetation. It’s the storm surge that produces flooding, such as what happened

in New Orleans, and storm surges produced the deadly mudslides in the Caribbean island of Haiti last

summer.

Currently the Caribbean/Atlantic hurricane season starts officially on June 1 and ends on November 30.

Hurricanes are uncommon in June, early July and November, and the peak months are August, September and October. But changes in the world’s climate indicate that hurricane season could be extended to include May and December. In the coming years, July and November could be seen as peak months. The good news is that tropical storms that develop at either end of the season are usually weak.

Can you find a “storm free” vacation during the summer months?

Most hurricanes form over the North Atlantic, coming off the coast of Africa. They then head in a westerly direction towards the Caribbean, then usually turn north towards the U.S. coast. Some of the storms may turn northwards in the open waters of the Atlantic before reaching the islands of the Caribbean.

The islands of Trinidad and Tobago are located beyond the southern end of the Windward Island chain, and these two islands experience much less storms than in the islands that lie further north. Barbados has also been lucky in that the island has not experienced a direct hit in over 20 years. The ABC islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, are also located outside of the usual hurricane belt, along with Margarita Island, which is located just off the coast of Venezuela. The Seychelle islands in the Indian Ocean have escaped tropical storms by the close proximity to the Equator.

While the islands listed above have not seen recent hurricane damage, there is no guarantee these islands will always be completely safe during hurricane season. However the chance of running into a hurricane is actually very small – millions of people travel to these areas and enjoy a wonderful tropical vacation.

Since 1995, the Atlantic hurricane season has been above normal, which means more storm activity. From 1970 to 1994, the activity was below normal, and these cycles come in 20 + year spans. So we will be dealing with more active hurricane seasons for quite a few years.

What to do if you are caught in a hurricane Hurricanes do not come up suddenly, and there is at

least a 3 day warning on a specific, direct hit. Most vacationers immediately leave their vacation spot when threatened with a hurricane, however some will choose to ride it out, or fail to realize there will be no flights to get them out at the last minute if they finally decide to leave.

When a hurricane approaches the first thing you need to do is move far away from beach areas to avoid the storm surge. Hurricanes season is nothing new to Caribbean islanders, and many have dealt with plenty of hurricanes before. The only advice that can be given is to follow the directions of local officials,

and evacuate to the nearest storm shelter or designated facility.

The most damaging winds of the hurricane are found within a 50-100 mile radius of the storms eye.

Normally an island in the path of a hurricane will experience a day or two of normal activity – depending

on the intensity of the storm.

Tropical storms in other regions of the world Tropical storms always occur in oceanic basins inside

the tropics. The only difference is we call these storms by different names.

In the Atlantic/Caribbean, Pacific cost of Mexico we call these storms hurricanes. In the north-west

Pacific region around Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines, these storms are called typhoons, and

cyclones are the name given around Australia and in the Indian Ocean. No matter what you call these storms around the world, they are in essence the same thing.

No one can be promised a “storm free” vacation during hurricane season.

Here’s a few important things we advise travelers to think about . . .

(1) Travelers booking vacations on their own need to be better informed about hurricane season, and the particular locations safety policies and procedures.

Working with a travel professional can definitely be an advantage if you need to change travel plans, or be advised of safety information prior to your trip. If you decide to book at one of the online travel sites,

you cannot expect to get much assistance in an emergency.

 

(2) Take a look at travel insurance policies. There are many policies to fit any vacationers needs, and we

suggest you read the fine print to make sure what is covered, and what is not. If you cannot afford to lose the money you invested in your trip, you need to purchase travel insurance.

The purchase of travel insurance policies have doubled over the past few years, and the major cancellation reasons are illness, death and weather related. Most policies are over 10 pages, and you can ask for a policy interpretation if you do not fully understand what the policy covers.

(3) Take advantage of Last Minute Vacation Packages. Not only can you save a bundle, there will be no

chance of getting caught in a tropical storm or hurricane activity since there is plenty of advance

warning. Last minute vacations are available within 14 days of travel.

(4) Always use a credit card for travel purchases. You can always file a claim with your credit card company for services or goods that you have not received.Using debit cards can be tricky since the actual funds have already been taken from your account. With a credit card, a hold is often put on your account before the actual charge appears. This same hold can turn up on your bank account. In other words, a charge can show up twice on your bank account. A hold can stay on your account for up to a week in some cases.

Once the “hold” falls off, you will have access to that money, however in the meantime, you may find

yourself without available funds.

Linda Thompkins is owner, and travel consultant of Travel 2 the Caribbean online agency. Linda has traveled the islands of the Caribbean extensively, and has been doing business online for over seven years. Visit the site: http://www.travel2thecaribbean.com

Article Source http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Thompkins

 

 

 

 

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bluetooth_

The advances in technology in the past century have been extraordinary. From simple local communication abilities, to global, the world has been taking great strides in making technology a part of your daily life. The last few years have brought forth some truly unique technology, with the amount of wireless capabilities and products.

Bluetooth technology is by far at the front of the technological train. Bluetooth has changed the way we talk to people on phones from where we work. Some new products from Bluetooth have proved unique in that there are few like them.

Cell phones with bluetooth technology are completely wireless and compatible with your computer, PDA, Mp3 player, and now navigational system in your car. You no longer have to hold a phone and drive; the Bluetooth has allowed the phone to stay in your pocket as the car kit and phone become voice activated. If you would like to call someone you can simply speak the name and the phone will dial. You have the option of an earpiece and microphone or a system routed through your vehicles radio system. Whichever you choose this technology is sure to make talking on the phone much safer if you are driving.

Another interesting new technology with Bluetooth technology is the digital pen. The digital pen works with digital paper, writing just as you would with normal pens. You can simply write in your own handwriting on the digital paper and then place the pen in its home by your computer. The computer will upload the images from the pen right on to your computer. These pens may prove very handy for artists who would like to preserve some of the ideas they have without having to mess with a copier and scanner. The digital pen will also be useful for signature pages, you will not have to print and sign anymore, and you can sign the digital paper and upload on your computer with a touch of a button.

For navigational purposes there is nothing like the new product TomTom. This product has Bluetooth technology to give the most accurate directions available. With satellite navigation, it is currently in use in both Europe and North America. You can speak to the navigational system asking for directions to wherever you are going and TomTom will guide the way. No more time spent driving around lost or skipping the scenic route due to the chances of becoming lost. TomTom is so simple to use even a small child can operate it and get directions.

When you are in the market for new unique technological products Bluetooth has many to choose from. The advancement of wireless services is making life easier and more products accessible to people around the world.

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as a car and truck accessories at
www.5starshine.com

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humananatomy21

The problem is most of us are not curiosity seekers when it comes to the human body, particularly the skeletal system. Probably the total knowledge of what the average persons knows about this system, could be written in one paragraph.

Now switching over to another topic just for a moment, let me talk about curiosity. We are nosy creatures by habit, and thrive on learning interesting things. It doesn’t matter on what topic for the most part, if has something to do with us either direct or indirectly, then we want to here it. Only however if it simple to understand.

Now back to the skeletal system. This is definitely all about us, in fact it is us. Its not up to someone else to look after what belongs to us. The human anatomy is really not nearly as complex as we make it out to be. That statement only holds true for those that are not doing an in-depth study of the body. In those cases, yes it is complex, but not beyond understanding. Its just a matter of how much knowledge is necessary for the purpose we need it for. So in the case of the individual that wants to go into the medical profession, he needs a lot more knowledge than the average person who just want to take care of what he owns. Namely our body.

So not only are we going to talk about some interesting facts about your bones, we are going to learn some things that are important to our everyday living. Do you know that you have been losing things from your skeletal system over the years?

When you were born you had about 350 brand new bones. Now if you could peek inside yourself you’d count around 206 or so. That’s 90 less then what you started with. You know darn well you haven’t had any surgery that removed 90 of your bones, and you also know that you were born perfectly healthy. This truly is a mystery, and now you’re curious. Well actually it really isn’t all that much of a mystery. Many of our bones simply fuse together throughout out lifespan. Part of the reason this happens is so those bones fusing together, can perform the functions we need as adults, which we didn’t require as children.

Here is another point that may be of interest. Most of us reach our peak bone density or strength around the age of 20. So the adage that its “all down hill after 40″ is misleading. Now don’t let this thought depress you, and lead you to think that now that you’re past twenty that you are past the prime of you life. It simply means that you need to ensure you are taking care of your body. particularly your skeletal system right from that age on. Not waiting till you reach 40 before you start thinking about what’s good for your bones.

Lets cover one more interesting fact. There are so many to choose from its hard to decide which to share with you. How about those starvation diets that many of us have tried at some point in our life. We figure whatever damage they could cause is temporary right? Not so. you are damaging your bones because they are not being nourished properly. Who knows what lasting effects this could have.

So a little bit of basic knowledge about the body can mean a lot of good health through the years. You have to admit that some of the facts we covered here were quite interesting and did raise your curiosity.

James Ross is the founder of
HumanAnatomyCourse.com

HumanAnatomyCourse is the awarding winning human anatomy and physiology home study course

Discover the easiest way to learn about the human body with over 3000 pages of detailed content and intricate diagrams and illustrations.

Visit the official site now to download for free: the human anatomy 3D software now!

Usually only sold to medical professionals, this course contains hundreds of medical topics covering every region & system in the body.

It is the complete home study course with key Facts, revision tests and quiz at the end of each lesson. It can’t get any easier than this!

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Travel insurance doesn’t just cover lost luggage and cancelled flights. When accidents happen, it’s a financial lifeline. Forgetting your travel insurance, or going for the cheapest option, might end up costing you thousands – so how can you get the peace of mind of knowing you’re properly protected?

Get cover for the unexpected.

When Caroline Brown fell off a banana boat on a Greek island, she was concussed and lost her memory for 9 hours – but fortunately she hadn’t forgotten her travel insurance. After 3 visits from the doctor, Caroline was back on her feet. And thanks to her insurance she claimed back all the medical expenses.

If you fancy trying something new on holiday such as horse riding or bungee jumping, make sure your activities are covered. And even if you’re not planning anything quite so adventurous, it’s still vital to have the right travel insurance.

Avoid a financial headache.

Accidents and sudden illnesses affect thousands of travellers every year, and the costs of medical treatment or flying a loved one home can run into thousands. Inadequate travel insurance could mean the added worry of a huge financial burden.

When something goes wrong on holiday, the right travel insurance really shows its worth. Cheaper policies may pay partial costs – but exclusions and excesses can leave a shortfall that you or your family will have to bear the brunt of. So when choosing your travel insurance, check that the policy really covers you for what you need.

Know what your luggage is worth.

When you add it all up – outfits, shoes, digital camera, MP3 player, phone, jewellery, designer sunglasses – there could be thousands of pounds in a single suitcase. And if you’re into golf, scuba diving or skiing, that figure could rise even higher.

We all know that sinking feeling when you reach for your phone or camera and find it missing. But if you’re not insured, you’ll have to foot the bill yourself, and that’s enough to ruin your holiday. Work out what your luggage is really worth, and check you’re fully covered.

Buy cheap travel insurance from Post Office®; single trip and annual multi trip travel health insurance offering you comprehensive cover with a range of additional options.
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apple_iphone_3g_270x202

Though the addition of DRM-free music is grabbing the most iTunes headlines, there was more music news at the Macworld 2009 keynote on Tuesday.

Apple Vice President of Worldwide Product Marketing Phil Schiller also announced that beginning Tuesday iPhone users will be able sample and wirelessly download iTunes tracks over AT&T’s 3G network or EDGE. Previously, iTunes song downloads, unlike apps, were available only over a Wi-Fi connection.

The process works relatively well, though we encountered a couple of hiccups. It appears that you must use Wi-Fi or a wired connection to your computer to download songs over 10MB. When we tried downloading a longer song, we received a warning message advising as such. We’re checking with Apple to verify that it’s not a problem on our end. Also, during our first download, our connection was interrupted once. We were able to reconnect and continue the download

We tried downloading a 6.4MB song over 3G. It took about one minute and 15 seconds, which is about the same as a Wi-Fi download. We then downloaded a 7.2MB over EDGE. As expected, it was painfully slow–after all, EDGE basically is dial-up speed. It took about 20 minutes to get our song, which is too long to bother in our opinion.

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