Anonymous is a quasi-organized cyberintelligence group with formidable intellectual assets. They have the ability to take down major corporations, as well as government agencies. As a whole - their intent is amicable, however there are rogues with their own agendas.
What most people fail to understand is that software often controls hardware....
What happens if the hardware being controlled by the software is your local electric company, your metro-rail transportation control, or your 911/EMS center?
While I am an affectionado of the concepts and precepts of Anon, I further understand that they are a group wielding a power never before held, and with great power comes great responsibility.
I have visited their forums, their blogs, their community gatherings, and their war rooms. I understand in detail the means and methods by which they are attempting to induce social and economic reform. I am not altogether against their methods (at present) or (at least some of) their present agenda.
However - let it be perfectly clear - Anonymous is not under control. It is at best - quasi organized cyber anarchy. And we all know that there is only one possible outcome from anarchy - revolution. Anarchy promotes civil unrest, which escalates into public protests, which when they are either ignored or suppressed by the government, turn into rioting and civil war/revolution.
But these guys can only cause software and connectivity problems right? Guess again.
In this article (http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/drone-virus-kept-quiet/) you will find that SOFTWARE controlling military hardware was hacked via a keystroke virus. A keystroke virus is one that reads the keystrokes of a particular computer system, and broadcasts it to a 3rd party so they can examine it.
This is not dissimilar to the movie "war games" where the kid uses a tape recorder to record the button pushes that open the door, then later plays it back to open the door.
Given enough time, the keystrokes can be examined and new commands created - to control the planes. It can be used by a terrorist group to turn the planes against our own troops. This, of course, is the problem with ANY remotely controlled system - it can be taken over by someone closer with a stronger transmitter.
Am I saying that this virus was the work of Anonymous? Absolutely not. What I am saying, is that many (not all) of the folks in Anon are capable of writing, or using such a program to their advantage. They could take ANY system which is connected to the Internet, tunnel into it, and wipe it out. Most of them are not "cyber-terrorists". Many are teenage/college students, many self trained, with a desire and willingness to promote communal change. Some are more seasoned veterans, but the veterans are not necessarily in charge. They are as a whole, however, determined, intelligent individuals with the skills, abilities, and wherewithal to cause severe damage if they were backed into a corner.
As such - it is IMPERATIVE that ANY sensitive or critical system be completely and totally isolated from the Internet, and that strict protocols be followed in the transferring, updating and/or adding of software to these systems.
They can NOT be connected via a VPN or firewall, which can be breached, or they open themselves up to a host of possible problems. I do not care what your IT person tells you. Theory is great...REALITY WINS! There is no such thing as a completely secure system. If it is in any way, shape, or form connected to the Internet - it is unsafe. Banks, TV Stations, Hospitals, Government Agencies, etc SHOULD have their own connectivity system, not connected to the Internet. They should have an intranet, and an Internet - and at no time should either be allowed to be connected for any reason.
If life and limb depends on it, if you do not want it ever to go down or be compromised - connecting it to the public Internet in any way shape or form is a dire mistake.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The King is Dead - Long Live the King
Yes folks, the sad day has come that Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computers, has passed away - about 2 years after he should have. Ol' Steve was the proud recipient of an organ transplant that garnished him about 2 more years of life. Cancer was the culprit what done him in.
What most folks don't know about this college-dropout-turned-Silicon-Valley-titan that he was clueless. He didn't know Cat 5 cable from Bailing wire (or at least not at first). But boy could he sell, and that was his saving grace.
Unlike his Microsoft counterpoint, Bill Gates, Mr. Jobs may have been excellent management and sales material, but he didn't know the nuts and volts of the systems. Bill Gates, on the other hand, was both handy with executive chores, and was a very good computer programmer as well.
On the flip side, is a guy known as Steve Wozniak - who ALSO co-founded Apple Computers. Steve Wozniak was the brains behind the operation. He invented, assembled and tested the Apple 1 and Apple II computers. Then Jobs went on to market and sell them. Together they made a fabulous, unstoppable team. However, together - they secretly hated each other. In a later interview, Steve Wozniak was quoted to say they were "not really good friends". A very political way to say that they never got along. It all started with the Apple I. The Woz wanted to market and sell it as a kit. Jobs wanted to sell it as a ready built computer. Guess who won that argument, and every one after that.
As such, after a plane crash back in the 80's, Wozniak decided to quit working for the computer giant "full time" (He continued to receive a paycheck and benifits), got married, changed his name, and went on to actually finish getting his college degree - something that many college-dropout-turned-Silicon-Valley-mogules never did do.
By the way - if you do want to find Steve Wozniak these days, he goes by Rocky Raccoon Clark, and in my humble opinion, would make a great addition to the leadership team at Apple.
What most folks don't know about this college-dropout-turned-Silicon-Valley-titan that he was clueless. He didn't know Cat 5 cable from Bailing wire (or at least not at first). But boy could he sell, and that was his saving grace.
Unlike his Microsoft counterpoint, Bill Gates, Mr. Jobs may have been excellent management and sales material, but he didn't know the nuts and volts of the systems. Bill Gates, on the other hand, was both handy with executive chores, and was a very good computer programmer as well.
On the flip side, is a guy known as Steve Wozniak - who ALSO co-founded Apple Computers. Steve Wozniak was the brains behind the operation. He invented, assembled and tested the Apple 1 and Apple II computers. Then Jobs went on to market and sell them. Together they made a fabulous, unstoppable team. However, together - they secretly hated each other. In a later interview, Steve Wozniak was quoted to say they were "not really good friends". A very political way to say that they never got along. It all started with the Apple I. The Woz wanted to market and sell it as a kit. Jobs wanted to sell it as a ready built computer. Guess who won that argument, and every one after that.
As such, after a plane crash back in the 80's, Wozniak decided to quit working for the computer giant "full time" (He continued to receive a paycheck and benifits), got married, changed his name, and went on to actually finish getting his college degree - something that many college-dropout-turned-Silicon-Valley-mogules never did do.
By the way - if you do want to find Steve Wozniak these days, he goes by Rocky Raccoon Clark, and in my humble opinion, would make a great addition to the leadership team at Apple.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
The Other Climate Change Theory
Pay attention - this is very important.
There are two kinds of science.
PURE science, which is based in fact, and can be proven through facts.
Science Fiction - which is non science, or pseudo science, and will be disproven by facts.
You've all heard about the Greenhouse Effect. You've heard about the depletion of the ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation, and with a big hole in it, the polar icecaps are melting. Al Gore got a Nobel Prize for his accomplishments (or lack thereof) in this particular field.
Reality sets in.
If you tell a lie often enough - people begin to believe it.
Lets look at the truth shall we? Just the facts, Danno, just the facts.
FACT: The theory supposes that "Greenhouse Gasses" Freon and Carbon Monoxide mix in the upper atmosphere to destroy the ozone layer.
FACT: Freon, the gas that used to be predominantly used in air conditioning systems, is heavier than air.
FACT: Carbon Monoxide, the exhaust that leaves your car's tail pipe, is also heavier than air.
FACT: The use of Freon has been curbed/replaced with other chemicals in cooling systems, and Catalytic Converters, now mandatory on cars, remove the carbon monoxide from automobile exhaust.
FACT: Things that are heavier do not rise - they sink.
Based on these simple facts - it is impossible for Carbon Monoxide and Freon to ever reach the upper atmosphere - because they would sink to the ground - ergo - false science. It is a lie.
FACT: The earth goes through global warming (and global cooling) every year. It's called seasons (Summer & Winter).
FACT: In the state of Texas, Temperatures can easily reach 110 degrees Farenheit in the Summer, and -10 degrees in the Winter.
FACT: This 120 degree temperature change is due to a (roughly) 23.5 degree TILT in the earth.
FACT: The average heat dissipation from the sun on the earth is 429.2 BTU per hour per square foot.
Assuming that nearly 1/2 of the earth is in the glow of the sun at any given time, that is a total of aproximately 2,745,116,352 Million square feet (just under 3 quadrillion).
This means that roughly 1,178,203,938,278.4 Million BTU's of heat per hour are directed over the entire surface of the earth at any given time.
Do we honestly think that we could cool that down with all the freon in the world?
It gets better.
What exactly IS ozone? Well, first we have to know just a little about oxygen. Oxygen is number 8 on the periodic table. It has 2 electrons in its inner ring, and 6 in its outer ring. As such each oxygen atom wants to join with another oxygen atom to become a di-atomic (two atom) molecule. It is possible however, under certain conditions to create a tri-atomic oxygen molecule called ozone.
There are 2 ways that ozone is created. One is by electric arc, seen quite often in nature after a lightning strike. We can artificially create it with things like Van de Graaff generators and Tesla coils. The other is a more, constant natural process. You see, as oxygen reaches the upper atomosphere, it is bombarded by ultraviolet radiation from (get this) THE SUN. The ultraviolet radiation causes the diatomic molecule to break apart and make two individual oxygen atoms. Each of these two atoms want to rejoin, and sometimes they rejoin with a diatomic molecule, CREATING OZONE, which is an oxygen molecule containing 3 atoms instead of 2.
So - Ozone is created by the ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION from the sun that the ozone actually protects us from.
Now that we have reviewed the facts - lets use some logic and think for a moment. If the sun is what actually creates the ozone that protects us - where would we find the least amount of ozone? Think hard! How about in those places on the earth that recieve the least amount of sunlight..... the polar caps. Ergo - the NATURAL conclusion is that the "hole in the ozone" is caused by a lack of ultraviolet radiation at that point due to lack of exposure!
But wait - that doesn't fit the current model of thought, therefore it must be wrong. The real question is - who are you going to believe - the pseudo scientists which have no facts, and are trying to fund their projects, or the facts which prove them wrong?
Well not ALL scientists have bought into this lie... and now comes a video that will support the SUN as the major cause of global cooling (and heating) on this planet.
If you have enjoyed this article, and would like to see others like it, visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
There are two kinds of science.
PURE science, which is based in fact, and can be proven through facts.
Science Fiction - which is non science, or pseudo science, and will be disproven by facts.
You've all heard about the Greenhouse Effect. You've heard about the depletion of the ozone layer which protects us from ultraviolet radiation, and with a big hole in it, the polar icecaps are melting. Al Gore got a Nobel Prize for his accomplishments (or lack thereof) in this particular field.
Reality sets in.
If you tell a lie often enough - people begin to believe it.
Lets look at the truth shall we? Just the facts, Danno, just the facts.
FACT: The theory supposes that "Greenhouse Gasses" Freon and Carbon Monoxide mix in the upper atmosphere to destroy the ozone layer.
FACT: Freon, the gas that used to be predominantly used in air conditioning systems, is heavier than air.
FACT: Carbon Monoxide, the exhaust that leaves your car's tail pipe, is also heavier than air.
FACT: The use of Freon has been curbed/replaced with other chemicals in cooling systems, and Catalytic Converters, now mandatory on cars, remove the carbon monoxide from automobile exhaust.
FACT: Things that are heavier do not rise - they sink.
Based on these simple facts - it is impossible for Carbon Monoxide and Freon to ever reach the upper atmosphere - because they would sink to the ground - ergo - false science. It is a lie.
FACT: The earth goes through global warming (and global cooling) every year. It's called seasons (Summer & Winter).
FACT: In the state of Texas, Temperatures can easily reach 110 degrees Farenheit in the Summer, and -10 degrees in the Winter.
FACT: This 120 degree temperature change is due to a (roughly) 23.5 degree TILT in the earth.
FACT: The average heat dissipation from the sun on the earth is 429.2 BTU per hour per square foot.
Assuming that nearly 1/2 of the earth is in the glow of the sun at any given time, that is a total of aproximately 2,745,116,352 Million square feet (just under 3 quadrillion).
This means that roughly 1,178,203,938,278.4 Million BTU's of heat per hour are directed over the entire surface of the earth at any given time.
Do we honestly think that we could cool that down with all the freon in the world?
It gets better.
What exactly IS ozone? Well, first we have to know just a little about oxygen. Oxygen is number 8 on the periodic table. It has 2 electrons in its inner ring, and 6 in its outer ring. As such each oxygen atom wants to join with another oxygen atom to become a di-atomic (two atom) molecule. It is possible however, under certain conditions to create a tri-atomic oxygen molecule called ozone.
There are 2 ways that ozone is created. One is by electric arc, seen quite often in nature after a lightning strike. We can artificially create it with things like Van de Graaff generators and Tesla coils. The other is a more, constant natural process. You see, as oxygen reaches the upper atomosphere, it is bombarded by ultraviolet radiation from (get this) THE SUN. The ultraviolet radiation causes the diatomic molecule to break apart and make two individual oxygen atoms. Each of these two atoms want to rejoin, and sometimes they rejoin with a diatomic molecule, CREATING OZONE, which is an oxygen molecule containing 3 atoms instead of 2.
So - Ozone is created by the ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION from the sun that the ozone actually protects us from.
Now that we have reviewed the facts - lets use some logic and think for a moment. If the sun is what actually creates the ozone that protects us - where would we find the least amount of ozone? Think hard! How about in those places on the earth that recieve the least amount of sunlight..... the polar caps. Ergo - the NATURAL conclusion is that the "hole in the ozone" is caused by a lack of ultraviolet radiation at that point due to lack of exposure!
But wait - that doesn't fit the current model of thought, therefore it must be wrong. The real question is - who are you going to believe - the pseudo scientists which have no facts, and are trying to fund their projects, or the facts which prove them wrong?
Well not ALL scientists have bought into this lie... and now comes a video that will support the SUN as the major cause of global cooling (and heating) on this planet.
If you have enjoyed this article, and would like to see others like it, visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
Friday, August 12, 2011
Tin Whiskers and Nuclear Missiles
Lead is considered by experts to be a poison. I say it is "considered" a poison because while some "far better qualified than I" organizations which claim that as little as 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood (μg/dL) is harmful (that's 1/100,000 of a gram per liter of blood). I guess this stuff is HIGHLY toxic!
I've been handling lead in the form of solder for over 35 years, and show no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. (Typically solder is 60% lead, 40% tin). I think lead might be poisonous if you eat it, although I've known kids that grew up quite healthy, who in their childhood used to peal lead based paint chips off the school room walls and eat it! I'm fairly certain that if you inject molten lead directly into your bloodstream it would not be a good thing.
Well, I say that lead is a wee bit less toxic than some would report it to be - but honestly, the symptoms are typically balding, headaches, abdominal pain, memory loss, kidney failure, and weakness, pain, or tingling in the extremities. It seems to me that with folks my age - most of those "symptoms" apply - even if we haven't played with solder. That being said - having played with lead most of my life, I only have occasional abdominal pain when I eat Jalapeños, show no sign of balding, and the only weakness, pain, and headaches I have can be directly attributed to a hard, stressful day at work, or forgetting to put on my glasses.
Nevertheless, because of these warnings of dire tragedy (the sky is falling), lead is being reduced in landfills, by reducing the amount used in electronics production. In short - newer "lead free" solders are being used nowdays which are harder to solder (requires more heat - aka less energy efficient methods), and after some time developes "tin whiskers" on them which can affect radio frequency equipment and high speed computer systems adversely. So much for progress.
As an interesting side note- lead based solder has also been banned from use in plumbing. I find this especially interesting, as the word plumbing comes from the Latin root word Plumbus, which is the Latin word for lead. Funny how plumbers don't use plumbus anymore because of fear based government regulation. In short - if you are afraid of touching lead - wear gloves.
Politically speaking - (stepping up onto my political podium):
Tin whiskers is a VERY REAL problem that proponents of RoHS compliance are afraid to discuss, because it is far more dangerous than the supposed lead poisoning they are fighting to stop.
Tin whiskers are the natural chemical result of crystalline growth of the metal tin in the absence of lead. "RoHS compliance" - an international push to get rid of lead in landfills has caused electronics manufacturers to curb the use of lead, which is now creating more of a tin whisker problem in the electronics world. It has been shown that Tin Whiskers was the cause of at least one $250,000,000 satellite to go bad in space (Galaxy 4) and are expected to cause even more problems. I have also seen reports fromGovernment Agencies that deal with Nuclear facilities that say several nuclear systems have suffered from the effects of Tin Whiskers.
Tin whiskers can take place in the confines of space, and unseen inside the packaging of transistors and integrated circuits. Tin whiskers, due to RoHS compliance, are now able to be found in any kind of electronics anywhere in the world, including Military Weapons and Nuclear Plants, and the brakes on the car you drive use electronics.
So when the Nuclear plant 20 miles from you, goes Fukishima, or the nuclear missile accidentally launches and lands and blows up in your home town and kills millions of people - you can blame it on the "save mother earth" people who are afraid of putting the lead back where it came from - the earth - because it might leach out and get in your water, and make me grow bald by the time I'm 80 years.
If you want to know more about Tin Whiskers, or Electronics in general - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
I've been handling lead in the form of solder for over 35 years, and show no signs or symptoms of lead poisoning. (Typically solder is 60% lead, 40% tin). I think lead might be poisonous if you eat it, although I've known kids that grew up quite healthy, who in their childhood used to peal lead based paint chips off the school room walls and eat it! I'm fairly certain that if you inject molten lead directly into your bloodstream it would not be a good thing.
Well, I say that lead is a wee bit less toxic than some would report it to be - but honestly, the symptoms are typically balding, headaches, abdominal pain, memory loss, kidney failure, and weakness, pain, or tingling in the extremities. It seems to me that with folks my age - most of those "symptoms" apply - even if we haven't played with solder. That being said - having played with lead most of my life, I only have occasional abdominal pain when I eat Jalapeños, show no sign of balding, and the only weakness, pain, and headaches I have can be directly attributed to a hard, stressful day at work, or forgetting to put on my glasses.
Nevertheless, because of these warnings of dire tragedy (the sky is falling), lead is being reduced in landfills, by reducing the amount used in electronics production. In short - newer "lead free" solders are being used nowdays which are harder to solder (requires more heat - aka less energy efficient methods), and after some time developes "tin whiskers" on them which can affect radio frequency equipment and high speed computer systems adversely. So much for progress.
As an interesting side note- lead based solder has also been banned from use in plumbing. I find this especially interesting, as the word plumbing comes from the Latin root word Plumbus, which is the Latin word for lead. Funny how plumbers don't use plumbus anymore because of fear based government regulation. In short - if you are afraid of touching lead - wear gloves.
Politically speaking - (stepping up onto my political podium):
Tin whiskers is a VERY REAL problem that proponents of RoHS compliance are afraid to discuss, because it is far more dangerous than the supposed lead poisoning they are fighting to stop.
Tin whiskers are the natural chemical result of crystalline growth of the metal tin in the absence of lead. "RoHS compliance" - an international push to get rid of lead in landfills has caused electronics manufacturers to curb the use of lead, which is now creating more of a tin whisker problem in the electronics world. It has been shown that Tin Whiskers was the cause of at least one $250,000,000 satellite to go bad in space (Galaxy 4) and are expected to cause even more problems. I have also seen reports from
Tin whiskers can take place in the confines of space, and unseen inside the packaging of transistors and integrated circuits. Tin whiskers, due to RoHS compliance, are now able to be found in any kind of electronics anywhere in the world, including Military Weapons and Nuclear Plants, and the brakes on the car you drive use electronics.
So when the Nuclear plant 20 miles from you, goes Fukishima, or the nuclear missile accidentally launches and lands and blows up in your home town and kills millions of people - you can blame it on the "save mother earth" people who are afraid of putting the lead back where it came from - the earth - because it might leach out and get in your water, and make me grow bald by the time I'm 80 years.
If you want to know more about Tin Whiskers, or Electronics in general - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
Thursday, August 11, 2011
IBM PC - Remember When?
How many of you recall the hokey IBM ads with Charlie Chaplain? Ah yes, I remember it like it was yesterday. They used the slapstick comedian Chaplain because they wanted to show that using a computer was so easy, even a bumbling idiot could do it. At a mere $3000 (2 months wages for the average household at the time) you too could own a “home” computer.
Fast forward – there is now a computer in almost every household in America, and even what we then thought of as “third world” countries like South Africa have moved out of the dark ages and into the digital age. The dream of a world wide web is nearly that. Still, there are places even in the good old USA that don't have internet (I have a friend who lives on a high mountain top that doesn't even get good cell coverage), but with services like Wildblue and Hughesnet, you can be connected to the internet from almost anywhere.
I find it amazing, looking back at those badly done commercials to conceive that as of Tomorrow – the IBM PC turns 30 years old, and alas Charlie Chaplain may not be the only one breaking out a cane today.
To learn more about Computers and Electronics - go to
Fast forward – there is now a computer in almost every household in America, and even what we then thought of as “third world” countries like South Africa have moved out of the dark ages and into the digital age. The dream of a world wide web is nearly that. Still, there are places even in the good old USA that don't have internet (I have a friend who lives on a high mountain top that doesn't even get good cell coverage), but with services like Wildblue and Hughesnet, you can be connected to the internet from almost anywhere.
I find it amazing, looking back at those badly done commercials to conceive that as of Tomorrow – the IBM PC turns 30 years old, and alas Charlie Chaplain may not be the only one breaking out a cane today.
To learn more about Computers and Electronics - go to
Monday, August 8, 2011
Standards - and Why we NEED to Standardize Them!
We are all expected to live by them, but what are they? Dictionary definitions give little help. A standard is a flag, but no two flags are the same size, shape, or color. A standard is an established norm or requirement about technical systems, something considered by an "authority" or by general consent as the approved model, type, method, or procedure for reasons of measurement, interoperability and inter-connectivity.
Whether for legal, moral, technical, grammatical, or financial reasons - we have standards, and they should be maintained. Governments at one time thought that standards were so important, that they created departments and bureaus of standards in order to insure that certain standards were adhered to.
Imagine you go to the store to buy a pound of coffee. If each of the pounds of coffee had different weight, how would you know which pound of coffee was the best deal? If I bought a ton of raw materials, and the seller sold me a ton, but his scale was "lighter" than mine - I might only wind up with 1/2 a ton according to my scale, and not have enough raw materials to produce my products! Immagine walking into an 8 foot tall room, that was designed and built by a midget with small feet?
For more than obvious reasons - standards needed to be set. So governments went about insuring that a foot was a 12 inches, and that an inch was equal to 3 barleycorn, or roughly equal to the width of the average adult's thumb. So now an inch is an inch, and an ohm is an ohm, and a Liter is a Liter, and a cup is a cup. Now why do I bring this up?
Let us take into consideration a measurement called the cup. The cup, currently used in the United States for measurement of liquid and powdered dry goods, in United States law as being equal to 240 mL. Nice. Now get out your measureing cup, and put 10 "cups" of water into the standard 10 cup coffee pot. I'll bet you can't fit more than 7 cups into the pot before you get water all over the counter. Why is that? Well the companies selling coffee pots wanted to make more money, and surely you would pay more for a 10 cup coffee pot than for a 7 cup coffee pot, even if it did only hold (typically) 6 cups of coffee.
How can they get away with it? Easy. It is their "legal" contention that a person does not fill a coffee cup all the way up to the top, and so it is intended that the pot will hold 10 cups of coffee based on how much coffee someone puts in a cup. The only thing wrong with that is - my coffee cup, which isn't considered a big cup by most people, will be regularly filled with about 3 "coffee pot cups", and so I can only get 3 or 4 "cups" of coffee out of a 10 pot cup before it is empty! Now to me this is fraud, and they are breaking the Standard - but to them - they simply wrote a "different standard" (is that an oxymoron?)
Getting down to brass tacks, nails were measured in pennies, but the penny, depending on the year, could be made of different metals, and so has different weight. So a 10 penny nail could weigh more - or less - than 10 pennies!
What does all this have to do with electronics? Simple. Look at the Digital 'Standard" for a video signal. You go out to buy a digital television set in the united states, and it could view pictures in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, it could view a 16:9 picture squished in a 4:3 format, or a 4:3 picture stretched to fit a 16:9 screen. UGLY at best - and they call this High Definition? Speaking of High Definition - there are different standards of that. The old standard, NTSC - had 525 lines of resolution, interlaced. Modern HDTV "standards" can be anywhere from 480 lines (lower than what we had) to 1024 lines (not quite double what we had) and several versions in-between. To confuse things even more, those 480, 720, 1024 (etc) lines can either be interlaced (480i) or they can be progressively scanned (1024p).
I can't blame the broadcasters though - or even the consumer equipment manufacturers. The standards they adopted were forced on them by the FCC, who took their suggestions from the "computer industry".
Now lets consider computer standards for a moment. RS232 standard was well laid out. Signal was on pins 2 and 5, with ground on pin 1. ALWAYS. It was a 9 in D shaped connector ALWAYS. And any Male connector would fit any Female connector. ALWAYS!!! This was a standard. It never changed, and it flat worked. I have 1960's equipment I have to occasionally maintain that STILL takes input via an RS232 jack, and it is robust and just plain always works. Fast Forward to its replacement, RS422 - which using the same connector, could be using any possible configuration of the pins, depending on the manufacturer. What happened? Simple - capitalism.
You see - if something is a STANDARD, then everyone has to use it. If everyone has to use it, then you can't have a copyright on it. If you can't hold a copyright, you can't keep the competition from using it. So now your competition has the same thing you do - the only to beat them in sales is to sell more, which is hard to do when your product isn't somehow better.
So now you have a standards committee make an international standard for HTML so that all web browsers will see a web page roughly the same. Microsoft for example (not picking on them - just using them for an example), may decide that they will not quite follow the standard, but make a different standard, which of course is proprietary, and only THEIR browser (Internet Explorer) follows that standard. Then the make a program like Frontpage that writes code following their proprietary standard. When other browsers go to that site, the page doesn't come up properly. Of course to fix the problem, you as the end user, are supposed to use their proprietary browser to view their proprietary code. Standards be damned - we'll do it our way, and if you don't like it, you have to use our substandard standard anyway! This of course, forces you to use their products - sort of like a monopoly? Of course if you happen to use a Macintosh (Apple) computer, then Mac has to make a deal with Microsoft to allow them to use the Microsoft standard in the Macintosh browser (Opera). The same would apply to Linux, or any other operating system or browser that isn't owned by Microsoft.
Now like I said - Microsoft isn't the target of this article - STANDARDS is. The same can be said for inter-connectivity standards, Television Standards, and even automotive standards. Because Commercialization and Proprietary have become the catchwords, STANDARD has gone by the way side. Computer and other "technical" companies seem to think that standards are no longer important to us?!
Perhaps they are not. So I tell you what Mr Gates... Why don't you ask me for change for a dollar? You give me your STANDARD dollar (US) and I'll exchange it for my STANDARD quarters (actually 4 half inch galvanized washers). As a matter of fact - if you give me 1000 pounds of US dollars, I'll give you 1000 pounds of my "standard" quarters! But I get to use MY scale for the pounds.... just so we both know they are the same weight!
To learn more about electronic and computer standards - go to ElectronicsTheory.Com
Whether for legal, moral, technical, grammatical, or financial reasons - we have standards, and they should be maintained. Governments at one time thought that standards were so important, that they created departments and bureaus of standards in order to insure that certain standards were adhered to.
Imagine you go to the store to buy a pound of coffee. If each of the pounds of coffee had different weight, how would you know which pound of coffee was the best deal? If I bought a ton of raw materials, and the seller sold me a ton, but his scale was "lighter" than mine - I might only wind up with 1/2 a ton according to my scale, and not have enough raw materials to produce my products! Immagine walking into an 8 foot tall room, that was designed and built by a midget with small feet?
For more than obvious reasons - standards needed to be set. So governments went about insuring that a foot was a 12 inches, and that an inch was equal to 3 barleycorn, or roughly equal to the width of the average adult's thumb. So now an inch is an inch, and an ohm is an ohm, and a Liter is a Liter, and a cup is a cup. Now why do I bring this up?
Let us take into consideration a measurement called the cup. The cup, currently used in the United States for measurement of liquid and powdered dry goods, in United States law as being equal to 240 mL. Nice. Now get out your measureing cup, and put 10 "cups" of water into the standard 10 cup coffee pot. I'll bet you can't fit more than 7 cups into the pot before you get water all over the counter. Why is that? Well the companies selling coffee pots wanted to make more money, and surely you would pay more for a 10 cup coffee pot than for a 7 cup coffee pot, even if it did only hold (typically) 6 cups of coffee.
How can they get away with it? Easy. It is their "legal" contention that a person does not fill a coffee cup all the way up to the top, and so it is intended that the pot will hold 10 cups of coffee based on how much coffee someone puts in a cup. The only thing wrong with that is - my coffee cup, which isn't considered a big cup by most people, will be regularly filled with about 3 "coffee pot cups", and so I can only get 3 or 4 "cups" of coffee out of a 10 pot cup before it is empty! Now to me this is fraud, and they are breaking the Standard - but to them - they simply wrote a "different standard" (is that an oxymoron?)
Getting down to brass tacks, nails were measured in pennies, but the penny, depending on the year, could be made of different metals, and so has different weight. So a 10 penny nail could weigh more - or less - than 10 pennies!
What does all this have to do with electronics? Simple. Look at the Digital 'Standard" for a video signal. You go out to buy a digital television set in the united states, and it could view pictures in 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio, it could view a 16:9 picture squished in a 4:3 format, or a 4:3 picture stretched to fit a 16:9 screen. UGLY at best - and they call this High Definition? Speaking of High Definition - there are different standards of that. The old standard, NTSC - had 525 lines of resolution, interlaced. Modern HDTV "standards" can be anywhere from 480 lines (lower than what we had) to 1024 lines (not quite double what we had) and several versions in-between. To confuse things even more, those 480, 720, 1024 (etc) lines can either be interlaced (480i) or they can be progressively scanned (1024p).
I can't blame the broadcasters though - or even the consumer equipment manufacturers. The standards they adopted were forced on them by the FCC, who took their suggestions from the "computer industry".
Now lets consider computer standards for a moment. RS232 standard was well laid out. Signal was on pins 2 and 5, with ground on pin 1. ALWAYS. It was a 9 in D shaped connector ALWAYS. And any Male connector would fit any Female connector. ALWAYS!!! This was a standard. It never changed, and it flat worked. I have 1960's equipment I have to occasionally maintain that STILL takes input via an RS232 jack, and it is robust and just plain always works. Fast Forward to its replacement, RS422 - which using the same connector, could be using any possible configuration of the pins, depending on the manufacturer. What happened? Simple - capitalism.
You see - if something is a STANDARD, then everyone has to use it. If everyone has to use it, then you can't have a copyright on it. If you can't hold a copyright, you can't keep the competition from using it. So now your competition has the same thing you do - the only to beat them in sales is to sell more, which is hard to do when your product isn't somehow better.
So now you have a standards committee make an international standard for HTML so that all web browsers will see a web page roughly the same. Microsoft for example (not picking on them - just using them for an example), may decide that they will not quite follow the standard, but make a different standard, which of course is proprietary, and only THEIR browser (Internet Explorer) follows that standard. Then the make a program like Frontpage that writes code following their proprietary standard. When other browsers go to that site, the page doesn't come up properly. Of course to fix the problem, you as the end user, are supposed to use their proprietary browser to view their proprietary code. Standards be damned - we'll do it our way, and if you don't like it, you have to use our substandard standard anyway! This of course, forces you to use their products - sort of like a monopoly? Of course if you happen to use a Macintosh (Apple) computer, then Mac has to make a deal with Microsoft to allow them to use the Microsoft standard in the Macintosh browser (Opera). The same would apply to Linux, or any other operating system or browser that isn't owned by Microsoft.
Now like I said - Microsoft isn't the target of this article - STANDARDS is. The same can be said for inter-connectivity standards, Television Standards, and even automotive standards. Because Commercialization and Proprietary have become the catchwords, STANDARD has gone by the way side. Computer and other "technical" companies seem to think that standards are no longer important to us?!
Perhaps they are not. So I tell you what Mr Gates... Why don't you ask me for change for a dollar? You give me your STANDARD dollar (US) and I'll exchange it for my STANDARD quarters (actually 4 half inch galvanized washers). As a matter of fact - if you give me 1000 pounds of US dollars, I'll give you 1000 pounds of my "standard" quarters! But I get to use MY scale for the pounds.... just so we both know they are the same weight!
To learn more about electronic and computer standards - go to ElectronicsTheory.Com
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sound Enthusiest? Premier Guitar Lover - Check THIS out!
Vox Unveils New Amps:
VOX Amplification introduces the new AC15C2 Twin combo amp, the TB35C1 and TB35C2, and the elegant Handwired Series Amps.
Here's the specs:
If you want to learn MORE about Tube Amplifiers and how they work - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
- AC15C2 Twin
- TB35C1
- TB35C2
- Handwired Series Amps
VOX Amplification introduces the new AC15C2 Twin combo amp, the TB35C1 and TB35C2, and the elegant Handwired Series Amps.
Here's the specs:
AC15C2 Twin
Similar to the AC15C1, but adds a second 12" Greenback speaker, and a larger spring reverb tank found in the AC30C2.
It has both Normal and Top Boost channels, spring reverb, tremolo, effects loop, and foot switching. This fabulous TUBE amp design utilizes 3- 12AX7 dual triodes in the preamp, and 2- EL84 pentodes in the finals to give a sound you'll never forget.
The classic VOX tremolo has adjustable controls for both the depth and speed. The Spring Reverb gives that deep rich sound only available from a true tube amp. With its huge dual speaker housing, the AC15C2 Twin features the robust reverb tank circuit normally found only on the AC30C2, which makes for an immense sound. Will likely sell for $1100.- TB35C1 and TB35C2
VOX has linked up with amp designer Tony Bruno to create two all-tube guitar amps (TB35C1 and TB35C2). Using 4- 6V6 power tubes and a reverb section with an Accutronics spring tank, these amps give a crisp, warm sound!
The TB35C1 & TB35C2 amplifiers alone may captivate the most strict tube enthusiast, but added to the Tony Bruno circuits - it will blow all the competition away!
Bass Boost:
Enhances the low end response, this is ideal to get the most full and rich sound out of your instruments.
Macho switch:
A foot switchable feature that gives an overall gain to the mids, keeping the tonal qualities pure and clean - an exact replication of the incoming sound!
Master Volume bypass:
An interesting feature is the Master Volume bypass control, which completely removes the resistance of the master volume control from the circuit, delivering a sound that will rock the house!
Tube Reverb:
The all-tube Reverb utilizes a custom built transformer and an Accutronics spring reverb tank circuit, capable of going from a lull to a crescendo flawlessly and linearly, providing a pure sound to provide to the finals.
These babies are expected to go for $1600, and $1900 respectively - Handwired Series
The name says it all. Carefully crafted by real people who know that the devil is in the details, the Handwired Series has the technology and ruggedness that will satisfy the best of bands. The series includes a head, four combos, and a matching extension cabinet. Using an all-tube design and the highest quality components available, this is the FINAL word on classic tube amplifiers!
The VOX Handwired Series is on the shelves now, and includes:- AC15HW1 (Handwired combo amp; Celestion G12M Greenback) - $1600
- AC15HW1X (Handwired combo amp; Celestion Alnico Blue) - $2000
- AC30HW2 (Handwired combo amp; Celestion G12M Greenback (x2)) - $2200
- AC30HW2X (Handwired combo amp; Celestion Alnico Blue (x2)) - $2600
- AC30HWHD (Handwired head) - $1750
- V212HWX (Handwired extension cabinet; Celestion Alnico Blue (x2)) - $1500
If you want to learn MORE about Tube Amplifiers and how they work - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
Monday, August 1, 2011
Space Station Falling to Earth !!!
The Space Station appears to be falling into the earth's atmosphere and is expected to land in the Pacific Ocean! Well, perhaps not immediately, but a Russian space official stated Wednesday that when they are finished with the behemoth International Space Station, it will be placed in a decaying orbit with plans to plunge it into the Pacific Ocean.
This isn't the first time a large space station has come to death grips with gravity. Skylab, America's first space station, fell from orbit in 1979 after six years in space, and following that, Russia sank its Mir space station in the Pacific in 2001 after 15 years in operation (it missed its target and landed in Australia).
This plan has been in the works for a long time, and this is one likely step to avoid the station becoming a very dangerous piece of space junk. The original plan was to bring it down safely into the ocean as early as 2015, however, the U.S. recently extended its useful life until at least the year 2020, and there's been talk of possibly keeping it going even longer.
Consisting of more than a dozen modules built by the U.S., Japan, Russia, Canada, and the European Space Agency, the International Space Station, clearly the biggest orbiting outpost ever built, can actually be seen from the Earth with the naked eye. It's has grown large enough to "comfortably" support up to six residents. (They should start a commune!)
If you are interested in Space, Satellite, and Electronics Technology, you should take a look at ElectronicsTheory.Com
Comments?
This isn't the first time a large space station has come to death grips with gravity. Skylab, America's first space station, fell from orbit in 1979 after six years in space, and following that, Russia sank its Mir space station in the Pacific in 2001 after 15 years in operation (it missed its target and landed in Australia).
This plan has been in the works for a long time, and this is one likely step to avoid the station becoming a very dangerous piece of space junk. The original plan was to bring it down safely into the ocean as early as 2015, however, the U.S. recently extended its useful life until at least the year 2020, and there's been talk of possibly keeping it going even longer.
Consisting of more than a dozen modules built by the U.S., Japan, Russia, Canada, and the European Space Agency, the International Space Station, clearly the biggest orbiting outpost ever built, can actually be seen from the Earth with the naked eye. It's has grown large enough to "comfortably" support up to six residents. (They should start a commune!)
If you are interested in Space, Satellite, and Electronics Technology, you should take a look at ElectronicsTheory.Com
Comments?
Sunday, July 31, 2011
EA Games Speaks!
Well, Perhaps not EA Games themselves, but the CEO of Electronic Arts, John Riccitello, has had a lot to say at recent intervies, conventions, and stock holder meetings. Of note he has commented that he believes 3D does not appear to be in our near future.
While consumer electronics (TV) companies are quick to push this new technology on us, we don't seem to be buying it, and neither is he. It takes more than fancy whirligig to get and hold people's attention. It has to somehow enrich their lives, and that enrichment must be worth the money spent on it. With the high price tag of 3DTV sets, the fact that it causes eyestrain and headaches, and the novelty of there being no real content for it - many years could pass before the average consumer is duped into buying one. Especially since we just dolled out (in some cases entire) paychecks to buy an HDTV to replace a set that was working perfectly fine before the FCC pushed Digital Television down our throats.
Riccitello also made mention that he thought "Social Games" like the Sims are on the rise. Is it any wonder? More people are stuck inside the house working on computers and playing video games. Computers may be wired for that - but we are not. We need social interaction and word play to keep our minds and bodies sharp. Electronics baseball games may be fun for a bit, but there is nothing like the thrill of cracking a bat with a ball ourselves,' or at least sitting in a crowd of people watching someone else do it!
Another comment he made had to do with mobile gaming gaining ground. It seems that the iPad is the fastest moving platform for video games these days. Wull gee - I can recall the thrill of "mobile games" when I was young. I had this Mattell Electric Football game with a stadium shaped housing and a 9-yard screen. There were 6 buttons, and LED's that flashed across the screen. It didn't matter what line I was standing in, I wasn't as bored as the other people standing in line. Of course it was somewhat addicting, and I played it in places where I shouldn't. The Sunday school teacher didn't think it was quite as entertaining as I did when I scored a touchdown, and soon it disappeared. Nowdays, the iPad seems to be the Jeu de jour, and EA Games plans to be right on the top of that barrel, and we're not just talking Tetris (although that is one of them). Alice, Coconut Dodge, Shift 2, Transformers, Ultimate Mortal Combat 3 (the first one wasn't ultimate enough?) and Battlefield Bad Company 2 are just the beginning.
For more information on Electronics and Electronics Theory - follow this blog, and go to ElectronicsTheory.Com!
While consumer electronics (TV) companies are quick to push this new technology on us, we don't seem to be buying it, and neither is he. It takes more than fancy whirligig to get and hold people's attention. It has to somehow enrich their lives, and that enrichment must be worth the money spent on it. With the high price tag of 3DTV sets, the fact that it causes eyestrain and headaches, and the novelty of there being no real content for it - many years could pass before the average consumer is duped into buying one. Especially since we just dolled out (in some cases entire) paychecks to buy an HDTV to replace a set that was working perfectly fine before the FCC pushed Digital Television down our throats.
Riccitello also made mention that he thought "Social Games" like the Sims are on the rise. Is it any wonder? More people are stuck inside the house working on computers and playing video games. Computers may be wired for that - but we are not. We need social interaction and word play to keep our minds and bodies sharp. Electronics baseball games may be fun for a bit, but there is nothing like the thrill of cracking a bat with a ball ourselves,' or at least sitting in a crowd of people watching someone else do it!
Another comment he made had to do with mobile gaming gaining ground. It seems that the iPad is the fastest moving platform for video games these days. Wull gee - I can recall the thrill of "mobile games" when I was young. I had this Mattell Electric Football game with a stadium shaped housing and a 9-yard screen. There were 6 buttons, and LED's that flashed across the screen. It didn't matter what line I was standing in, I wasn't as bored as the other people standing in line. Of course it was somewhat addicting, and I played it in places where I shouldn't. The Sunday school teacher didn't think it was quite as entertaining as I did when I scored a touchdown, and soon it disappeared. Nowdays, the iPad seems to be the Jeu de jour, and EA Games plans to be right on the top of that barrel, and we're not just talking Tetris (although that is one of them). Alice, Coconut Dodge, Shift 2, Transformers, Ultimate Mortal Combat 3 (the first one wasn't ultimate enough?) and Battlefield Bad Company 2 are just the beginning.
For more information on Electronics and Electronics Theory - follow this blog, and go to ElectronicsTheory.Com!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
FCC Bullies YOU out of CASH!
A group of telephone companies, led by AT&T & Verizon, are asking the government to REDUCE FEES that THEY pay to have calls connected by smaller rural carriers.
In short - If a smaller (cheaper) carrier in, say Ipswitch, MO., decides they want to connect to AT&T so you can make your phone call in the burbs - Club Fed gets their piece of the action. Why? Simple - because they can.
Apparently, they get SO much of the action that the bigger cell phone companies are wanting to have it reduced. Of course, any fees they have to pay, they simply pass along to you - so why do they care? Because it forces them to charge you more money - and frankly, neither they, nor I, understand why this is even necessary.
Look, the Govt forced AT&T to break up due to "Monopoly" reasons, and now that they have, they are charging tax revenue every time your signal changes from one carrier to another, and those taxes are passed on to your monthly bill.
The request to lower (not eliminate completely) the charges amounts to as much as $8 Billion a year, which is only part of a group of suggestions they give for restructuring phone service to aid in getting us a better, faster phone and internet service not only in the major cities, but in the burbs as well.
I suggest that you email the FCC commissioners and tell them you back the phone companies in stopping the Taxes and saving you money:
For More information, or to learn about Electronics - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
In short - If a smaller (cheaper) carrier in, say Ipswitch, MO., decides they want to connect to AT&T so you can make your phone call in the burbs - Club Fed gets their piece of the action. Why? Simple - because they can.
Apparently, they get SO much of the action that the bigger cell phone companies are wanting to have it reduced. Of course, any fees they have to pay, they simply pass along to you - so why do they care? Because it forces them to charge you more money - and frankly, neither they, nor I, understand why this is even necessary.
Look, the Govt forced AT&T to break up due to "Monopoly" reasons, and now that they have, they are charging tax revenue every time your signal changes from one carrier to another, and those taxes are passed on to your monthly bill.
The request to lower (not eliminate completely) the charges amounts to as much as $8 Billion a year, which is only part of a group of suggestions they give for restructuring phone service to aid in getting us a better, faster phone and internet service not only in the major cities, but in the burbs as well.
I suggest that you email the FCC commissioners and tell them you back the phone companies in stopping the Taxes and saving you money:
- Chairman Julius Genachowski: Julius.Genachowski@fcc.gov
- Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps@fcc.gov
- Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell@fcc.gov
- Commissioner Mignon Clyburn: Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov
For More information, or to learn about Electronics - visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
What OS do the SMART people use?
FERMI labs, CERN, and many other High Energy Laboratories across the world have a couple of things in common:
Recently release (2 days ago) is the new version 6.1 with more power and capabilities than ever! But you might be asking, "What exactly is Scientific Linux?"
Scientific Linux is an operating system - alternative to Windows or Mac OS, that you can put on YOUR computer. It is Linux based, which means that it has its roots in UNIX - an operating system made for mainframes!
Scientific Linux is specifically designed to handle the mathematics and scientific needs of those in the Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, and other high tech realms.
Of course, like any other version of linux, it has the ability of running programs like Open Office (a better alternative to Microsoft Office with more capabilities), Krita (leaves Photoshop in the DUST!),and many more FREE software packages that rival or excel anything you can find in the Windows world.
BTW- You can still run all your favorite beloved windows programs in windows under linux as a "Virtual Machine", so really you don't have to lose anything....
However - the strength of SL is that it is an RPM based (Red-Hat family) version of Linux designed specifically for the technical world. Whether you are a frequency coordinator that needs to do terrain mapping for frequency studies, a designer of nuclear reactors, or a college student wanting to get an edge on his fellow students both in and after college - then throw away windows - THIS is the Operating System for YOU!
For more information about computers and electronics in general, visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
- They have some of the smartest people in the world working there
- They use Scientific Linux
Recently release (2 days ago) is the new version 6.1 with more power and capabilities than ever! But you might be asking, "What exactly is Scientific Linux?"
Scientific Linux is an operating system - alternative to Windows or Mac OS, that you can put on YOUR computer. It is Linux based, which means that it has its roots in UNIX - an operating system made for mainframes!
Scientific Linux is specifically designed to handle the mathematics and scientific needs of those in the Physics, Engineering, Chemistry, and other high tech realms.
Of course, like any other version of linux, it has the ability of running programs like Open Office (a better alternative to Microsoft Office with more capabilities), Krita (leaves Photoshop in the DUST!),and many more FREE software packages that rival or excel anything you can find in the Windows world.
BTW- You can still run all your favorite beloved windows programs in windows under linux as a "Virtual Machine", so really you don't have to lose anything....
However - the strength of SL is that it is an RPM based (Red-Hat family) version of Linux designed specifically for the technical world. Whether you are a frequency coordinator that needs to do terrain mapping for frequency studies, a designer of nuclear reactors, or a college student wanting to get an edge on his fellow students both in and after college - then throw away windows - THIS is the Operating System for YOU!
For more information about computers and electronics in general, visit ElectronicsTheory.Com
Friday, July 29, 2011
Video Games - Play More Pay Less!
Thursday, Redbox announced that it is going to add video game rentals to an additional 5,000 of its highly visible kiosks beginning around August 1st.
Last month the company announced that game titles for the Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation will be added to 16,000 more redbox kiosks toward the end of June, and that the total should reach 27,000.
Mitch Lowe - company president made the statement, “More than 1.5 billion movie rentals and the positive consumer reaction to video games highlight the ongoing demand for physical media.”
Since all game titles carried in Redbox kiosks can be rented for $2 per night, it makes sense to "try before you buy" a game that can cost $40 and up. Also, for those who don't play the games often, but want them around for grandkids or holidays, renting is the perfect option!
Presently, Redbox owns and operates approximately 33,000 video rental kiosks across the nation, and the company made no indication of if or when video games would be added to the remaining 6,000 kiosks.
Joes Resnik, Vice President of video games at Redbox states, "Whether customers are playing a new game or genre, trying a game before they buy it or simply entertaining friends and family, they’re embracing the availability of games at Redbox."
Last month the company announced that game titles for the Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation will be added to 16,000 more redbox kiosks toward the end of June, and that the total should reach 27,000.
Mitch Lowe - company president made the statement, “More than 1.5 billion movie rentals and the positive consumer reaction to video games highlight the ongoing demand for physical media.”
Since all game titles carried in Redbox kiosks can be rented for $2 per night, it makes sense to "try before you buy" a game that can cost $40 and up. Also, for those who don't play the games often, but want them around for grandkids or holidays, renting is the perfect option!
Presently, Redbox owns and operates approximately 33,000 video rental kiosks across the nation, and the company made no indication of if or when video games would be added to the remaining 6,000 kiosks.
Joes Resnik, Vice President of video games at Redbox states, "Whether customers are playing a new game or genre, trying a game before they buy it or simply entertaining friends and family, they’re embracing the availability of games at Redbox."
Engineer Students Turn Genius - New finding shows Solar Panels Save Energy!
Somehow, our gene pool has gotten smarter, as they have recently discovered that Solar Panels, in addition to generating Electricity, have an extra benefit of cooling the house or workplace on which they are mounted!
Gee - anyone ever heard of a SHADE TREE?
A study conducted by a team at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, led by Jan Kleissal used thermal imaging to monitor the temperature of buildings. Apparently they found that that during daylight hours the ceiling of a building with solar panels was five degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) cooler than the ceiling of an equivalent building without solar panels.
So, we needed a group of Engineers to learn that it is cooler in the shade?
Remind me not to send my kid to UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering! I don't need some college professor and a lot of expensive test equipment to teach him what ought to be common sense.
Wait - even the test equipment wasn't that expensive, when you consider that you can buy a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer with Laser Targeting from Harbor Freight for $40.
What the team really discovered is that the cooling effect of the solar panels decreased the building's total energy costs, which amounted to a 38 percent reduction in "annual cooling load". This of course, required 38% less cooling, smaller air conditioners needed, less electricity used, etc.
Ok, so something good came of it - they were able to put numbers to it, but so far what is missing is HOW MUCH less cooling is needed PER SQUARE FOOT of SOLAR PANEL.
But then, hey, I could do the same thing with a white tarp and for a lot less money than solar panels cost, right?
I'm not saying that their "study" is a total waste of time, but I think the students could gain more practical knowledge and experience by studying how to create MORE electricity using a satellite dish coated with chrome paint, focussed at a water pipe that turns a steam operated turbine generator!
Your Thoughts?
(To learn MORE about Electronics - go to ElectronicsTheory.Com
Gee - anyone ever heard of a SHADE TREE?
A study conducted by a team at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, led by Jan Kleissal used thermal imaging to monitor the temperature of buildings. Apparently they found that that during daylight hours the ceiling of a building with solar panels was five degrees Fahrenheit (2.8 degrees Celsius) cooler than the ceiling of an equivalent building without solar panels.
So, we needed a group of Engineers to learn that it is cooler in the shade?
Remind me not to send my kid to UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering! I don't need some college professor and a lot of expensive test equipment to teach him what ought to be common sense.
Wait - even the test equipment wasn't that expensive, when you consider that you can buy a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer with Laser Targeting from Harbor Freight for $40.
What the team really discovered is that the cooling effect of the solar panels decreased the building's total energy costs, which amounted to a 38 percent reduction in "annual cooling load". This of course, required 38% less cooling, smaller air conditioners needed, less electricity used, etc.
Ok, so something good came of it - they were able to put numbers to it, but so far what is missing is HOW MUCH less cooling is needed PER SQUARE FOOT of SOLAR PANEL.
But then, hey, I could do the same thing with a white tarp and for a lot less money than solar panels cost, right?
I'm not saying that their "study" is a total waste of time, but I think the students could gain more practical knowledge and experience by studying how to create MORE electricity using a satellite dish coated with chrome paint, focussed at a water pipe that turns a steam operated turbine generator!
Your Thoughts?
(To learn MORE about Electronics - go to ElectronicsTheory.Com
New Data Blows Huge Hole in Global Warming
On July 26, Dr. Roy Spencer, a principal research scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and U.S. Science Team Leader for the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer flying on NASA’s Aqua satellite stated, “The satellite observations suggest there is much more energy lost to space during and after warming than the climate models show...There is a huge discrepancy between the data and the forecasts that is especially big over the oceans.”
In addition to finding that far less heat is being trapped than computer models predict, the NASA satellite data proves the atmosphere begins to shed heat into space long before United Nations computer models predicted.
In short we have a common computer issue here - garbage in, garbage out. The predictions were based on false science, so they give us faulty data in return.
On a personal note - I've always believed in pure science. Start with FACTS, make a theory based on the FACTS, then alter the theory when the FACTS prove the theory wrong... but this method would throw evolution out the window - along with the Big Bang theory (both proven scientifically unsound for various reasons) and the world being the flat center of the universe.
Fact: Carbon Monoxide is a HEAVIER than air gas (it sinks)
Fact: Freon (R12) is a HEAVIER than air gas (it sinks)
Can some one please explain to me how these two heavier than air gasses get into the upper atmosphere to eat the ozone and create a hole in the ozone layer to begin with?
Fact: Ozone protects us from the sun's radiation.
Fact: Ozone is created by electric arcs (natural or man-made)
Fact: Ozone is created in the upper atmosphere by the sun's rays ionizing portions of the upper atmosphere
Fact: The North Pole gets less sun.
Ergo - By NATURAL phenomena, there will ALWAYS be less ozone above the North Pole. If we truly thought it were a problem, we could create electric ark devices at the North Pole specifically designed to generate more ozone.
So why if this is scientifically sound would the rumor of Global Warming ever get started?
Fact: People (as a whole) are greedy.
Fact: People as a group, run like cattle when they are scared.
Fact: There is money to be made by hype.
Fact: The whole Ozone depletion global warming scare was created to generate profits for those who are willing to scare others into giving them cash.
Fact: There is political power to be gained as well - If you can scare enough people into believing you - you can get elected!
Learn More at ElectronicsTheory.Com
In addition to finding that far less heat is being trapped than computer models predict, the NASA satellite data proves the atmosphere begins to shed heat into space long before United Nations computer models predicted.
In short we have a common computer issue here - garbage in, garbage out. The predictions were based on false science, so they give us faulty data in return.
On a personal note - I've always believed in pure science. Start with FACTS, make a theory based on the FACTS, then alter the theory when the FACTS prove the theory wrong... but this method would throw evolution out the window - along with the Big Bang theory (both proven scientifically unsound for various reasons) and the world being the flat center of the universe.
Fact: Carbon Monoxide is a HEAVIER than air gas (it sinks)
Fact: Freon (R12) is a HEAVIER than air gas (it sinks)
Can some one please explain to me how these two heavier than air gasses get into the upper atmosphere to eat the ozone and create a hole in the ozone layer to begin with?
Fact: Ozone protects us from the sun's radiation.
Fact: Ozone is created by electric arcs (natural or man-made)
Fact: Ozone is created in the upper atmosphere by the sun's rays ionizing portions of the upper atmosphere
Fact: The North Pole gets less sun.
Ergo - By NATURAL phenomena, there will ALWAYS be less ozone above the North Pole. If we truly thought it were a problem, we could create electric ark devices at the North Pole specifically designed to generate more ozone.
So why if this is scientifically sound would the rumor of Global Warming ever get started?
Fact: People (as a whole) are greedy.
Fact: People as a group, run like cattle when they are scared.
Fact: There is money to be made by hype.
Fact: The whole Ozone depletion global warming scare was created to generate profits for those who are willing to scare others into giving them cash.
Fact: There is political power to be gained as well - If you can scare enough people into believing you - you can get elected!
Learn More at ElectronicsTheory.Com
NASA ORION Program: TCS Gets $1.8 Million in Contracts for Electronic Equipment and Engineering Services
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) , a world leader in communication equipment, announced today that it received contracts worth $1.8 million to supply electronic parts, engineering services, prohibited materials analysis, and more. These parts and services are expected to be delivered in 2011 in support of NASA's Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, that is scheduled to launch capability around 2017. What does this mean for you?
Mike Bristol, senior vice president and general manager of government solutions for TCS said,"The NASA Orion program demands a level of performance that is very difficult to attain...Our ability to provide highly individualized engineering and support services in a way that exceeds the most demanding expectations sets us apart. That commitment to excellence is what we bring to our client, to NASA, and to the future of manned space flight."
Learn More about Electronics at ElectronicsTheory.Com
- ) Buy Stock in TCS NOW
- ) They might be hiring!
- ) You might be able to sell them that highly technical do-dad.
Mike Bristol, senior vice president and general manager of government solutions for TCS said,"The NASA Orion program demands a level of performance that is very difficult to attain...Our ability to provide highly individualized engineering and support services in a way that exceeds the most demanding expectations sets us apart. That commitment to excellence is what we bring to our client, to NASA, and to the future of manned space flight."
Learn More about Electronics at ElectronicsTheory.Com
Thursday, July 28, 2011
EA Games makes a smart move - No 3D
At todays annual EA games meeting, one of the shareholders asked chief executive John Riccitiello what he thought about stereoscopic 3D games.
His reply:
“We have not seen a big uptake for 3D gaming,” Riccitiello responded. “We have not seen a big uptake in 3D TVs in the home. We are not here trying to drive a market. We are here to react to what consumers want.
It seems the TV industry isn't learning anything from the movie industry. TV manufacturers would love to sell 3D TV's at exorbitant prices, but strangly - the public isn't buying. Heck, they just had to shell out a month's wages for a new HDTV, and they expect that to last at least 3-5 years before they'll be willing to buy a newer technology.
Not to mention the problems of headaches and eyestrain that may NEVER be overcome. Let's face it - your eyes aren't meant to see through green and red (or horizontally and vertically) polarized filters.
I do own a couple of games with 3D technology myself, but frankly - they suck. The games are great - but the 3D leaves quite a bit to be desired on my 2D HDTV, even in 1080p. And I'm not sure I want to trade in my tremendous picture anytime soon for a new set that will guarantee I'll get more headaches.
Read more at http://www.electronicstheory.com
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