Archive for August, 2007
August 17, 2007
By Anna Woodward
Pagers have come a long way in recent years. With those old-school versions, all you could do was receive numbers. You would get a page, and it would just give you a series of numbers to call back.
Like everything else in our high-tech world, these tools are improving every year. Now, you can get news headlines, text messages and tons of features like voice mail with a simple, inexpensive model.
Why Alpha-Numeric Pagers Are Different
“Alpha-numeric” means that you get the alphabet along with your numbers. Now you have the entire alphabet soup to work with. It’’s a standard feature these days that most pagers can do text messaging.
So, how long of a message do you want to write? You”ll want to think about this when you are shopping around. There are 1-way and 2-way styles. With a two way, you can send as well as receive messages.
Different services offer different word limits. For example, the simplest plans start at 240 characters. This means letters, not words. It’’s not a whole lot, but it’’s enough to say “meet me at such-and-such a place at such-and-such a time.”
You can”t get one big enough to write the Great American Novel on, but you can get those that allow you more characters if you need them. Still, there are some that allow you to write up to 500 characters or more in a message.
Most of these sophisticated two way models have a small keyboard attached. You won”t be able to touch-type on it unless you have tiny fingers, but it”ll get the job done. Manufacturers are always working on new ways to make entering text easier.
Who Can Use An Alpha-Numeric Pager?
An alpha-numeric pager can come in handy for anyone. Lots of people find them more convenient to use (and cheaper!) than a cell phone. Numeric versions just give you the phone number, and then you have to go and call the person. But, with their text options, they allow you to communicate immediately and directly.
These advanced tools are a great way for businesspeople to communicate with clients when they are away from the desk. If you absolutely need to be reachable at all times, an alpha numeric pager can be essential.
What Services Are Available?
The latest models come with lots of features; it’’s just a matter of what you want to do with them. You can go as simple or as complex as you want to.
Storage - All alpha numeric pagers have storage options. You can get expanded memory, where you can save all your messages, as well as phone numbers and other contact information. You can use it as your tiny pocket rolodex.
Range - Most services will allow you to choose how far you would like your range to extend. For example, you can choose nationwide paging and keep in touch anywhere in the country. Unlike cell-phone roaming charges, nationwide service is usually not much more than local service.
Internet - The latest models have Internet capabilities. Right now, these services are fairly limited, but new models with expanded features are coming out every year. With some new styles, you can access your e-mail anywhere with your own tiny pocket computer.
Alpha numeric pagers can be useful for anyone, from family members who want to keep in touch, to small business owners who find the communication tool indispensable. And, there is always something new coming out every year!
About The Author
If you are interested in the sophisticated alpha-numeric pagers available, visit All Page of Houston at http://www.allpage.com - All Page features the fastest and most reliable communications network in North America.
August 16, 2007
By Tara Soonthornnont
Battery technology seems to have taken a leaping step recently, allowing electric RC models to go places where once only nitrous model could go. Leading this innovation are the Li-Po or Lithium Polymer batteries which has become the standard power source for electric powered helicopters, planes, cars, boats, and almost every other type of model. However, these batteries are not exactly cheap, and improper operations will have detrimental effects. Here are seven tips to maximize your battery performance.
1. Break In New Batteries
Although not as big a deal with newer Li-Po packs as it was when NiMh and NiCad batteries were kings, it is still recommended that you fully charge the battery before first use. Fully discharging and charging batteries a few times before first flight or will also give your battery a little bit extra lifetime and power.
2. Keep the pack clean
This is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of battery operations. It is a good idea to keep the battery pack clean, and this is especially important for the dean connectors. If the dean connectors are dirty, the connection may be obstructed and could result in a mid-flight power failure. The easiest way to clean dirty contacts is simply with alcohol and cotton swaps.
3. Keep up the battery’’s health by constant exercise
Leaving the battery inactive for a long period of time shorten its life and decrease its total potential. You should use your battery pack at least once every one to two weeks. Fully discharging then charging the pack will also quell this problem.
4. Take breaks between flights
A fully charged li-po pack has enough power for a 10-minute flight. However, to fly for ten minutes straight on one pack is not recommended. If you have two packs, it’’s best to fly a 5 minute flight, switch to a fresh pack, fly for another 5 minute, and then switch back to the old pack. Doing this will greatly increase the life-span on the battery.
5. Do not charge when hot
Never charge the battery pack while it is still hot. Battery pack becomes very hot right after a flight; you must wait until it cools down before charging it again. Charging a still-hot pack is one of the most successful ways to shorten a battery’’s life.
6. Store them well
To store the battery for a prolonged period (a month or more), the best way to store them is in a clean, dry, cool place away from metal and heat. Remember also that battery packs loose charge over time even without usage.
7. Avoid hard impact
Individual cells within a battery pack can be damaged upon heavy impact which could cause circuit leaks and can be dangerously unstable. There is also no way to repair a damaged cell. Try your best not to crash, but of course, we all already do.
About The Author
Radio-controlled aviation is a fascinating hobby. Learn all about its newest and fastest growing sector, electric RC helicopters at http://www.electric-rc-helicopter.com/.
August 16, 2007
By Christine Harrell
It’’s no wonder that the popularity of personalized ringtones exploded; cell phone ringtones are a way for us to express our personalities that we can take with us anywhere. But whenever there is rapid growth in a demanding market, there are always plenty of companies that come out of the woodwork to make a buck but that provide little in the way of product or service.
With so many places to buy ringtones online, how do you know which company has the best offer? Jamster and PlayPhone have emerged as the leading competitors in the ringtone industry, but which offers the better deal when on the surface, both seem so equally matched? In this article, we”ll compare these two leading ringtone company’’s from a consumer’’s perspective.
Compare Ringtone Companies: Features
The nice thing about Jamster is that they provide a prominent toll-free number and live chat so that you can contact a real person with questions. With so many different types of phone models and wireless carriers, you can be certain that there are issues with downloading purchased ringtones.
This may not matter to you until you find that you are one of the people that pays for a ringtone but never receives it. Suddenly, that customer service number or chat line will seem a lot more important.
Selection
Neither company publishes the number of ringtones and games that are available in its inventory. However, Jamster offers a variety of ways to find interesting new ringtones by dividing their inventory into 24 ringtone categories. PlayPhone offers intuitive ways to search for ringtones, but not as many options for searching. This can be important when you”re looking to discover a new and unique ringtone.
Games
Both PlayPhone and Jamster offer downloadable games. One nice feature that PlayPhone incorporates into its website is customer ratings for games. With so many games for cell phones, there are plenty of duds out there. By giving users the option to rate downloadable games, you can be better informed before you make a purchase.
Which is the right choice for you?
Before choosing any ringtone company, you”ll want to first check to see if your phone is supported by the ringtone provider. If both companies support your phone type then your experience will likely be similar with either company. When almost all other things are equal, customer service becomes an important bargaining chip. If you do find that you”re having choosing the company with the more accessible customer service may be the better option.
About The Author
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on best buys and consumer reviews, please visit http://www.BestBuys.com
August 15, 2007
By Christine Harrell
Standard Windows security tools just aren”t enough with all the viruses online today. Most of us need more powerful computer security software than that which comes standard on our computers. The two main contenders for best computer security software are Norton 360 and McAfee Total Protection 2007. But which offers the greater protection at the best value? In this article, we”ll compare security software industry leaders from a consumer’’s point of view.
Features
Symantec’’s new Norton 360 security suite was created from the ground up to form a nice looking, simple-to-use product. Best of all, it is light on system resources while including a wide range of features. However, it is missing a wireless security feature which is a critical omission.
On the flipside, McAfee’’s Total Protection seems to be a patchy combination of bits of McAfee’’s other products, creating a crude assembly that clumsily fumbles through the computer. McAfee’’s Total Protection comes with all of the same features as Norton 360 and then some; most notably, a full set of wireless security features. However, with so many features in the application, it can be difficult to find and use them all.
Performance
Unlike Symantec products of the past that have been resource hogs, Symantec’’s new Norton 360 is surprisingly light on resources. We found Norton 360 running only 3 processes with less effect on system performance than McAfee. Norton is substantially faster than McAfee in several areas including Sorensen Squeeze 4 deep scanning and boot speeds, but slower in iTunes 6 deep scanning. The two computer security software systems function with nearly the same performance in single file scanning.
In terms of protection, McAfee out-performed Norton on CheckVir certification, although both performed quite well. Both of these computer security software systems have been awarded with advanced certification on AV Comparatives.
Support
Support is an area where both companies fall short. Though each has improved their customer support, both Symantec and McAfee have a way to go before being able to claim top notch customer service. Neither company offers tutorials, a feature that would be very helpful considering the application.
Though Norton has a downloadable manual, it’’s quite slim and McAfee is lacking one altogether. For support and questions, both security software companies direct customers to the web. We found that both products offer adequate online knowledge bases and that both offer free email and chat support for questions that can”t be solved online. While phone support is an option, it is fee-based with both companies.
About The Author
Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on best buys and consumer reviews, please visit http://www.BestBuys.com
August 14, 2007
By Jim Brown
Voice Over Internet Protocol is what VOIP means to some who are unfamiliar with this technology. This is not a new technology. In fact, a concept of VOIP is used by most people without even knowing it. It’’s the computer to computer VOIP. It has been pre-installed to an OS widely used by computer users around the world. This software is used primarily for text chat but it has capabilities of sending digital voice through the internet.
VOIP bypasses the widely used voice telephony and converts its analog voice signals to digital signals so that computers can encode and send them through the internet network. Since the charging for using VOIP itself is free, all the user needs to have is a high speed internet connection or at least a DSL connection which is not new to internet users worldwide. The technology is said to change the way we communicate in the near future and a possible replacement to the current telephone system.
There are three types of VOIP system that are currently used. The most common and widely used is the computer to computer VOIP, the IP Phone, the Analog Telephone Adapter or ATA. Since there are three types of VOIP systems, the user is not restricted to only one choice but can have all three or can pair up to any three connections without hassle. The definitions of each type of VOIP are as follows:
Computer to Computer
This is the most common type of VOIP system since this technology comes with the widely used messenger softwares such as yahoo messenger or msn messenger. Since these applications can be downloaded or pre-installed with some other software for free, many users prefer to use this.
IP Phone
Another VOIP system used is the IP Phone. This computer peripheral shares the internet connection with the computer to connect with other VOIP users. This component looks like an ordinary phone and cradle but has wires connecting to the computer or directly to the modem or router. This can be a stand alone device to connect to the internet even without the aide of a computer.
Analog Telephone Adapter or ATA
This VOIP system converts analog signals converted by the ordinary telephone and sends it through the DSL or cable connection as digital signals which can be interpreted by computers as data. The hardware of this system looks like twice the size of a dial up modem and has LCD screens that let the user view the dialed number through the telephone keypad.
The technology has been constantly developed and studied by computer and telephony experts alike. Its system is already close to perfection and is widely used all over the world for business and leisure.
About The Author
James Brown writes about http://www.phonesunwired.com
August 13, 2007
By Corbin Newlyn
In today’’s society there is very high growth in cell phone usage; old and young alike are owning cell phones. In the majority of high schools in America almost every teen has their own cell phone that has the capabilities of taking pictures, accessing the internet, downloading their favorite songs, as well as making movies.
Readily available access to electronic technology has made cellphones less expensive and popular. The larger cellular phone companies such as Cingular, Sprint, and T-Mobile among others have dominated the consumer market but there are newer companies competing for their share of the still expanding niche including Verizon and Virgin Mobile.
Cellular phone companies are discovering that in order to stay ahead of the game they must continually offer additional technologically advanced phones, more convenient plans as well as options to keep their customers on top of the technological hill.
Some of these phone companies such as these have discovered that the phones that they supply are more than just a method of communication but are fads. Some individuals pick their phones for how they look just as they would if they were to choose some type of fashion accessory.
What to Search For
When picking a cellular phone company it is critical to decide on just what you need. Do you need a phone just to handle emergencies? Is your phone going to assist your family and helping keep up with where everyone is going to after work and after school? Does your work or business place need you to use your cell phone on the job? Do you really require any camera on your phone or need the ability to go online with your phone?
Simple questions such as these will assist in helping you make a decision firstly for what type of phone you require and help you to start checking out the huge amounts of phones that are available. The next step to consider is the cell phone plan.
Would you prefer to spend money on a monthly plan for a fixed amount of minutes? Or is it your intention to just use your phone in a minimal way for emergencies only for things that may just come up? If that is a situation you probably do not require a plan from a cellular phone company but just a basic phone and you spend money for the minutes you require.
There are a variety of cellular phone companies on the market depending on where you”re located. It would be easy to simply have a cellular phone to your regular home phone bill if you”re phone company offers cellular service.
Check with your friends about who their cell phone provider is and find out if they have had any difficulties with them. It is a good idea to get all the information and research in prior to taking on the expense of contracting with a cellular phone provider.
About The Author
Listen to Corbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of communications. If you would like to learn more go to http://www.cellphoneproworld.com/ and at http://www.cellphoneproworld.com/uncategorized/cellular-phone-provider/
August 13, 2007
By Joseph Then
It took years of research before the solar oven was eventually introduced to the world. It is low-cost, it is long-lasting and it is highly efficient. The solar oven was designed to stand almost any weather condition and it is also energy efficient. The temperatures the solar oven reach are incredible and enough to produce meals that are wonderful and nutritious.
Cooks in the United States have not long ago discovered what delightful flavors and textures the solar oven can achieve. It produces foods beyond your wildest imaginations and it is great tasting foods that will receive no complaints from anyone enjoying a hearty meal.
The device is very simple to use, and hardly requires instructions after the first time. All you have to do is place your food in the pots that are provided with the solar oven and face the oven to the sun. Now all you have to do is forget that the oven is there and go on with something else.
The one thing is that you don”t have to be concerned about food that burns or is over-cooked. The temperatures that the solar oven produce are mild. Think of a solar crock-pot. At the end of the day, the food that comes out of the solar oven receives two thumbs up for its great taste.
The solar oven cooks almost everything, and to perfection. The oven roasts chickens and meats, steams vegetables, bake fish, bake breads, bakes cakes and even cookies. Believe it or not, but the solar oven even cooks rice and it all depends on you how you want the rice cooked. The bottom line is that the rice is done to perfection. In addition to the rice, the oven cooks beans, pastas and also lentils, and this requires nothing but solar energy.
Another great thing about the solar oven is that it uses the moisture of the meats, vegetables or fish to cook its contents. It requires no extra water. This simply means that all the minerals and vitamins from the food are retained and not washed away. This fact gives the food you are cooking a rich flavor.
The solar oven is incredibly easy to use. It weighs only 10 pounds, so this makes it easy to carry. Mentioning again, the oven is wind and weather resistant, moreover, it will make the best accessory on beach parties, backyard barbecues, fishing trips, camping trips and also everyday cooking. This will prevent you from packing in charcoal and flammable liquids the next time you go out camping. There will be no more standing in front of hot stoves, but only depend on the energy of the sun.
This device is used in countries that are sun-rich and also have poor fuel facilities. It is used in the world to help improve the life and the nutrition of around 2.5 billion people who are deprived of cooking fuel. Nevertheless, the useful device has also found its way into the homes of United States Consumers and other countries.
About The Author
Get more FREE information about Solar Ovens right now at: http://www.mysolarenergyathome.com/Solar_Oven.html or you want visit the main website at: http://www.mysolarenergyathome.com
August 12, 2007
By Brian Reuter
The rapid growth and widespread use of aluminum since World War II is tied directly to the ability of anodizing processes to protect it from corrosion, improve its appearance by way of brightening it and offering a rainbow of colors, and imparting ceramic-like toughness to its outer skin (especially through hardcoat anodizing).
Hydrated aluminum oxide is the stable form of aluminum in nature; thus, unprotected aluminum exposed to air and water will corrode, forming a discontinuous, powdery, white corrosion product. This form of natural oxide growth, if unchecked, will proceed as long as unreacted aluminum is exposed. Anodizing can actually be envisioned as an accelerated corrosion process; the difference between anodizing and the natural process is that anodizing forms a more dense, continuous, oxide layer.
Anodizing has several benefits over other coating choices. For example, while plating and painting protect aluminum, there will always be a barrier between the coating and aluminum substrate with these treatments; the only bond between the two is mechanical. If the bond in this barrier region is compromised by way of poor substrate preparation, mechanical damage (e.g., scratching), or gradual degradation (e.g., general corrosion), raw aluminum will be exposed and corrosion can commence.
Anodizing, on the other hand, is a conversion coating process that results in a chemical bond between an anodic aluminum oxide layer and the aluminum basis material, which is much stronger than a mechanical bond. Whereas painted or plated coatings over aluminum can be peeled away, there is no way to separate the anodic layer from the aluminum on which it formed.
In addition to the bonding issue, paints and plated metallic layers are much softer than aluminum oxide. On the well known Moh scale of mineral hardness, one form of naturally occurring aluminum oxide, namely corundum, is the ninth hardest out of ten. The only mineral harder is diamond! With this in mind, it’’s not surprising to learn that a component coated with the hardest plated metal (namely hard chrome) will wear more readily than an identical component that is hardcoat anodized.
Lastly, the mechanism of oxide growth during anodizing results in a porous structure. This permits further surface modification such as:
-Dyeing to impart nearly any color to the anodic layer
-Sealing with a lubricative material such as molybdenum disulfide or PTFE
-Infiltration with an adhesive primer for bonding applications
These factors, coupled with the fact that anodizing is more economical than either powder coating or plating, point to the continued importance of anodizing as the coating of choice for aluminum in a wide range of applications.
Having been practiced for decades, Guideline generally considers anodizing to be a mature technology. Changes to existing approaches tend to be incremental process enhancements (whether for functional of decorative purposes) such as new electrolyte “recipes”, rather than revolutionary technology shifts.
In spite of this, we do see several areas where technological improvements might bring about significant new opportunities for anodizers.
The strongest growth category for anodized aluminum appears to be that of transportation. An expected increase in the production of new aircraft to replace aging fleets and the auto industry’’s trend of increasing the use of aluminum for vehicle frames and bodies are expected to be the primary drivers of this growth. Another large anodizing category, architectural aluminum, does not appear to be poised for significant growth; in fact, this market may already have reached its peak.
About The Author
This is a summary of an annual strategic report on aluminum anodizing technology written by Guideline staff and experts. For more information please visit us at http://www.intota.com, or contact Brian Reuter, Director of Product Realization, breuter@guideline.com.
August 12, 2007
By Brian Reuter
Dual packages can deliver low-cost products while preserving the activity and effectiveness of the individual components. For these products, the incompatibility of the component ingredients dictates that the components remain separate until the moment of use.
There are several categories of dual-chambered packaging technology:
1) Dual compartments
2) Dual tubes
3) Dual chambers with unique discharge orifices
The technologies associated with these types of dual containers can be adapted or customized for dispensing products of different viscosities, from thick pastes to aqueous solutions.
The principle difference between these various types of dual dispensers is the manner in which the twin components are mixed. Generally, the components are transported and then mixed as used on a brush, in a cup, in the hand, etc. Sometimes the mixing can be in a third chamber which is part of the transporting package.
Dual containers can be fabricated from plastic, glass, or metal. Dual-dispensing technologies also offer varying degrees of precision in dose-to-dose delivery and mix ratio of the components. For some products, the need for clean dispensing cut-off must be considered. A clean cut-off will prevent cross contamination of the two components at the exit orifice.
Two critical factors control the advance of dual-packaged products in the marketplace. The first is packaging costs. In general, dual products cannot compete on shelf price. Shelf price is a function of manufacturing, material, and other costs. The cost of the dual compartmented package is increased due to the complexity of the package as compared to two separate containers of the incompatible components or a single container with an admixture of the two components.
Manufacturing costs are also greater for dual packaged products since dual containers are essentially packaged twice. Two completed packages must be provided, filled, closed, and sealed, for each shelf unit produced. Manufacturing costs of dual packaging are also increased by the complexity of the production operation.
The second factor that can drive dual packages from the market is reformulation. A manufacturer can devise a formulation or process that “compatibilizes” the incompatible components, obviating the need for the two compartmented package.
Guideline anticipates that new products with roots in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and personal care areas will adapt dual packaging to products with a specific and unique requirement for dual-chambered technology. These market introductions will provide the user with a superior product and the manufacturer with a new means of supplying this product. The next several years should see movement in the usage of this technology.
The dual-compartmented package is just starting a cycle that will take some time to bring to fruition - time for consumers to perceive benefits afforded by the duality of the packaging unit, time to test the products, and time to review results. If a result can be obtained by a less expensive or higher performance alternative, then the dual-packaged product will fail in the marketplace.
About The Author
This is the executive summary of an annual strategic report on dual-dispensing packaging technology written by Guideline staff and experts. For more information please visit us at http://www.intota.com.
August 8, 2007
By Jim Corkern
Odds are good that if you have a cell phone that cost you a few hundred dollars to purchase, the last thing that you want to happen is to allow it to be submerged in water for any length of time. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and most cell phone warranties do not cover water damage at all. Cell phones have recently been equipped with stickers both on the inside of the battery compartment and on the circuit board that change color when they have come into contact with water. These stickers also have been known to trigger when exposed to high levels of humidity, resulting in a number of people who have never let their phones come into contact with water being denied a claim on their warranty.
If you do happen to drop your cell phone into the kitchen sink or the pool, there is something that you can do to save your phone. Unless you drop the phone off into deep water and you cannot retrieve it in under about 20 seconds, you should be able to revive it.
The first thing that you should do is get the phone out of the water as soon as possible and begin drying the outside. It takes water a few seconds to get inside your phone since the new casings are pretty tight.
After you get the phone out of the water, remove the battery pack and set it aside so that it can dry separately. Remove your SIM card, if your phone has one, as well. These cards can be just as valuable as or even more valuable than the phone itself depending on what contact information exists on the card. You can put it into a bowl of uncooked rice; this will help draw out any moisture that might have made it into your phone. Let it stay in the bowl at least overnight before you put the battery back into it.
Once you put the battery back into the phone, try and turn it back on. If it does not work, plug the phone into a wall outlet in your home. If this works, then you just need a new battery and you should be able to get one of those as long as you are willing to spend the money to get a new one from the manufacturer.
About The Author
Jim Corkern is a writer and respected contributor to the Water damage restoration and mold remediation Industry. Visit his sites for more information.
http://www.localrestorations.com and
http://www.moldrestorationusa.com