Sunday 28 December 2014

FB Undergoes Gender Transformation

Representatives from social media site Facebook have announced that they are adding several new site options, which will allow users to effectively customize their gender.

This action was taken after Facebook employees consulted members of 5 leading gay and transgender advocacy groups.

There will now be around 50 new options, including ‘bi-gender’, ‘transgender’ and ‘androgynous’. It will also be possible for users to choose whether the site refers to them as ‘he’, ‘she’ or ‘they’.

Facebook engineer Brielle Harrison told the press that, “There's going to be a lot of people for whom this is going to mean nothing, but for the few it does impact, it means the world," However, as of 2011, there were an estimated 700,000 transgender adults in the US, so this decision is likely to positively effect a sizeable amount of people.

Gender is not the same concept as sex, or even sexuality, yet the general public erroneously considers all of them to be interchangeable. Whilst a person’s sex simply refers to their sexual organs, the term ‘gender’ actually describes their social role within a broader cultural context.

For example, a person who considers him/herself to be bi-gender can often feel trapped when forced to conform to a culturally enforced ‘male’ or ‘female’ gender role. Bi-gender people generally exhibit traits indicative of multiple sexes, or occasionally create alternate personas for both their male and female sides.

People who describe themselves as transgender feel that a sex-based description is an incomplete one. They do not appreciate the rigid definition of ‘male’ or ‘female’ being thrust upon them and prefer instead to define themselves. This is, of course, totally independent of a person’s sexual orientation. It is possible for a heterosexual male to identify as a female (and vice versa).

For another example, intersex individuals are people born with a variation in their sex characteristics, making them neither male nor female in terms of biology. Often, these people find our cultural enforcement of gender roles to be stifling and deeply emotionally unsettling.

As of this week, Facebook’s English-speaking users will have the option to define themselves by these, or a multitude of other gender-based characteristics. The decision will allow users "to express themselves in an authentic way" according to Facebook.

This move reflects the growing exposure that LGBT groups and individuals are getting within contemporary culture. The Transgender Law Center in San Francisco stated that they were “thrilled” by the news. They are likely not alone.

you can find more info from this website here

How To Wear a Radio Earpiece

Radio earpieces look really cool. They are generally used for surveillance but some enthusiasts also wear them just for fun. Secret agents and spies in the movies have made these accessories really cool to wear.

Putting on a radio earpiece is not a tough job. To put on an earpiece, first of all you need to take that earpiece and microphone clip in your hand. The microphone is to be put where you are most comfortable with it. It can be put on your hands, specifically on your wrist. You must have seen Spies or Secret Service agents in movies lifting their wrists talk. This is where they are speaking into the mouthpiece on their wrists.

If you're not comfortable with the mouthpiece on the wrist, you can also put it on the tie or on the shirt, on your chest. Once you have clipped on the mouthpiece, it is time to put on the radio. Take the wire dangling from the mouthpiece and put it inside your shirt. Take this wire out from the top of the shirt. This way the dangling wires will be completely hidden. Take the earpiece and put it on your ears. Make sure, that it fits tightly and would not fall off when you start to walk. You can put it on either ear. If you are wearing the mouthpiece on the wrist, you will find it comfortable to put the earpiece on the same side ear.

Once you are comfortable with the mouthpiece and the earpiece, it is the turn of the end which goes into the radio. Take this dangling wire connecting that end with earpiece and mouthpiece and put it inside your shirt. Take out the wire from the bottom of the shirt. Put it in the radio and clip the radio in its place on your pants. Once you have that these wires inside your shirt completely, you need to tuck in your shirt inside your pants so that none of the wires are visible.

Once everything is fixed, switch on the said radio and test the settings. If everything is working as it should be then you have put on the radio earpiece correctly.

Wait, you are not done yet!

Once you have tucked in your shirt inside your pants and put on your jacket, you need to test the comfort level of this piece by walking around a few paces up and down. If you're comfortable with the earpiece and the mouthpiece and are able to talk on radio, then you are set for the job. If any of the wires are the earpiece or the mouthpiece is making you uncomfortable, you need to reset your wires.

The real advantage of a concealed earpiece is that others wouldn't notice when you are talking on a concealed earpiece. If you're uncomfortable wearing these or with the wires,you lose the advantage of a hidden radio earpiece. Therefore it is very important to check the complete settings by walking around.

Congratulations, you have successfully put on a radio earpiece. Now, enjoy talking like a secret service agent.

Wednesday 24 December 2014

Could we have found possibilities of life from another planet?

A team of Uk scientists believe that they've revealed organisms in earth’s atmosphere that originate from outer space.



As demanding as that could be to believe, Professor Milton Wainwright, the team’s leader, insists that this is certainly the case.

The team, out of the University of Sheffield, discovered the little organisms (misleadingly referred to as ‘bugs’ by quite a lot of persistent journalists) living on a research balloon that was sent 16.7 miles into our environment throughout last month’s Perseids meteor shower.

According to Professor Wainwright, the microscopic creatures couldn’t have been carried into the stratosphere on the balloon. He said, "A lot of people will presume that these biological particles should have just drifted up to the stratosphere from Earth, but it is usually accepted a particle of the size found cannot be lifted from Earth to heights of, for example, 27km. The only known exception is by a violent volcanic explosion, none of which occurred within 3 years of their sampling trip."

Wainwright maintains that only salient conclusion is that the organisms originated from space. He went on to say that “life is not restricted to the planet but it almost definitely didn’t originate here”

However, not everyone seems to be so convinced. Dr. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer for the SETI (Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence) project said, “I’m very skeptical. This claim has been made before, and dismissed as earthly contamination." The team responds to that by saying that they were thorough as they readied the hot-air balloon before the experiments begun.

However, they do acknowledge that there could be an unknown reason for those organisms to reach such altitudes. It should also be well-known that microbal organisms discovered in the 1980’s and 1990’s and named ‘extremophiles’ surprised the scientific community by living in environments that would instantaneously kill the bulk of life on earth.

These creatures have always been observed living deep under Glacial ice and even 1900 feet below the sea floor. In March of that year, Ronnie Glud, a biogeochemist at the Southern Danish Uni in Odense, Denmark was quoted as saying "Inside the most secluded, inhospitable places, you are able to even have higher motion than their surroundings," which "You can find microbes in all places - they are extremely malleable to circumstances, and survive where they're," so this indicates more plausible that any the team is in error, or that this is simply one more case of microscopic life showing up in an unusual place.

Furthermore, it is not the 1st time this particular team has come under fire for making such statements, either. Back in January of this year, astrobiologist Dr. Chandra Wickramasinghe reported that ‘fossils’ found inside a Sri Lankan meteorite were evidence ofextraterrestrial life, an assertion that was widely criticized by the scientific community.

Other scientists have complained that there simply isn’t enough evidence to make such a claim, as the theory this important would want a sizable body of evidence to prove its validity.

What that says to this reporter is that microorganisms can live almost anywhere and that it simply isn’t good science to leap to wild conclusions like aliens each time a more plausible explanation is most certainly present. Science should not be subject to such wild leaps of fancy. Imagination is a superb aid to science, it also isn't a science in and of by itself. Sadly, Dr. Wainwright and his group appear to be seeing exactly what they need to see.

the origin of the post is here

Tuesday 23 December 2014

City faces decision on radio infrastructure

When we found this article we were so excited, having searched for over a year for this, finding it on this site was an exciting day for yours truly.

The City of Edmond faces a decision about whether to replace or upgrade public safety radio infrastructure to the tune of about $6 million, said Matt Stillwell, director of Public Safety Communications and Emergency Management.

Edmond purchased a 7-channel Motorola MHz SmartNet radio system in 1998. Seven years ago, the system interfaced with a different Motorola system operated by the state, Stillwell said.

“Our technology is going to be 20 years old in four short years,” Stillwell said. “… Think of your cell systems and how they have changed since the 1990s. The same dynamics affect radio systems.”

Changes in technology, governance and an aging infrastructure will inform what system changes the city should choose within seven years, Stillwell said.

The city maintains ownership of its seven channels and the state added 10 more channels to local sites, Stillwell said. All local governments use this system, but not everybody has paid for its maintenance. Only six municipalities help pay for the system.

“The citizens of Edmond are paying for a system of any (yearly) infrastructure maintenance, while other users of the same sites are not,” Stillwell said.

The City of Edmond joined the state’s system in 2007. A lot of other communities join the system through grant dollars, he said. The upgrade was paid for by state dollars and cost the city nothing, he said.

Questions are unanswered as to how many radios for police, fire and emergency management would be impacted by a new system, Stillwell told The Edmond Sun.

“We won’t have to replace all of the hand-held radios that are out in the field,” Stillwell said. “Most of the radios we have been purchasing for the last five years are digital capable and P-25 capable.”

The P-25 is a radio standard that all of the public safety radio vendors use, Stillwell added.

Directors of city departments recently identified $143.6 million worth of unfunded city projects they say the city needs. The Edmond City Council heard presentations about these needs, such as the public safety radio infrastructure, at a public workshop. (For coverage of other capital improvement projects discussed by the city, look at www.edmondsun.com.)

A funding source to pay for these infrastructure improvements is in the first phases of discussion, said Larry Stevens, city manager. There are concerns that the 2000 Capital Improvement 3/4-cent sales tax will not provide adequate funding for major capital projects, Stevens said.

The city welcomes public input by Edmond residents and future recommendations by the Capital Projects and Financing Task Force, Stevens added.

http://www.edmondsun.com/local/x1760083917/City-faces-decision-on-radio-infrastructure#sthash.bqDBsfhK.dpuf

Monday 22 December 2014

Whats's a Covert Earpiece?

I don't know how you came here because you read it on social media, twitter, facebook, google +, stumble upon or somewhere else. thankyou for coming and I trust you like reading this as much as I did.

A covert earpiece is a miniature earpiece worn by an individual while being effectively hidden from plain view. It operates as a radio accessory in times when a user does not want other people to know she or he is communicating with others using radio earbuds. Also known as an invisible earpiece or a surveillance earpiece, a covert earpiece is often worn by government agents, corporate security personnel, undercover law enforcement officers and corporate as well as government spies.

covert earpiece

While many occupations require the use of a radio headset for communication, a covert earpiece is primarily used in instances where communication is of an extremely private and sensitive nature. This is common in cases of private security details and surveillance projects. Sometimes people also use a covert earpiece to defraud businesses and others. Examples of such instances would include someone using an invisible earpiece to cheat on an exam or to defraud a casino by receiving remote information while playing a game.

14/stock-photo-fbi-agent-with-gun-and-badge-45898801.jpg" width="350" />

On-air television personalities may also use a covert earpiece, which is not distracting to viewers, but allows the person to hear relevant feedback from producers and engineers in order to make sure a taping or live appearance flows smoothly. Individuals may also wear a covert earpiece when making a public speech. By doing so, the speaker can receive important cues or changes in a speech without the audience even being aware that communication is taking place between someone located behind the scenes and the individual delivering the speech.

Some covert earpieces are accompanied by a discreet microphone, which enables two-way communication. These are commonly used by security forces with a need for such communication, particularly during surveillance operations. These types of accessories are not only convenient because they feature hands-free operation, but also because they allow undercover security forces to blend in with crowds without having to use a visible walkie-talkie system of communication.

A covert earpiece does not contain any visible wires and is designed to fit inside the ear without being noticeable to the general public. Some devices are even designed to fit on a pair of eyeglasses while amplifying sound inside a person’s ear. An inductive wire is sometimes worn around the person’s neck, but is covered by clothing so as not to be discovered by onlookers. This wire is not connected to the covert earpiece, but connects to a separate radio device that helps modulate sound.

Wednesday 17 December 2014

Essential Services, essential Technology, Radios from Oil & Fuel Plants

Oil and gas are natural resources, but obtaining them isn’t as simple as planting a seed in a patch of arable land. Today, hundreds of thousands of miles of oil and gas pipeline run all over the world, sometimes covering some of the most inhospitable environments known to man.

Pipelines that run above ground offer many advantages to oil & gas companies. They are cheaper to build, easier to repair, far simpler to maintain and a lot safer for the environment. However, that same environment also has no qualms about wreaking havoc on the lines, neither do politically motivated saboteurs or occasional wanton vandals who commonly make their presence felt in such places. A pipeline is a complex and intricate operation, which means that in order for everything to go right, nothing can be allowed to go wrong.

Keeping such sites clean, safe and secure is a demanding job. If you built one in an urban city centre it would be hard enough, but placing a pipeline in an extreme environment is a job so tough that only a very few select people are cut out for it.

For a job like that, communication is key. It is vital that all aspects of the pipeline are monitored, kept safe and guarded by highly trained professionals. So, in order for all functional teams to stay in contact, react, if need be, to technical faults and generally keep pipeline operations running smoothly, two-way radios are needed.



More reliable than a mobile, less clumsy than a net connection, two-way radio technology is tried, tested and true. Durable, strong outward exteriors are perfect for unforgiving environments such as heavy snow or storms at sea, while a simple, easy to use device is always best in cases of emergency.

Then, there’s reliability. Two-way radios are pretty much always reliable. There’s no worrying about signal strength (unless atmospheric conditions are particularly severe) and no ambiguity as to whether of not the user has been heard and understood by the intended recipient. Signal transfer is instantaneous (or, in the case of digital radios, as good as), so you can get direct up-to-the-second information, at any time.



Two-way radios are a massively important factor in the steady, safe and efficient refining of natural oils and gases into vital, everyday products and services. Without two-way radios, obtaining such treasures might prove next to impossible, as well as incredibly dangerous.

the origin of the article is here

Tuesday 16 December 2014

A Personal experience of a doorman using an earpiece

Communication, as you all know is so vital in all aspects of our lives. In any security set up, whether you are protecting high profile personnel or you are carrying out a covert operation or even just working as a doorman, one thing has been clear to me; thatcommunication between you and your team or your bosses is vital as well in ensuring that things run smoothly. However, communication may be interrupted depending on the working environment. Other days you may find yourself in rather noisy crowds. When this happens, it is important that you choose the right communication device and accessories that will make your work easier. An earpiece has been one of my favorite working gadgets for a very long time.

Why Do I like the doorman earpiece

Ever since I started using doorman earpiece, things have really been smooth for me and my work. An earpiece makes it practically simple to communicate and coordinate things between me and my colleagues together with my employers. Among the things that make these earpieces interesting and fun to work with include:

· They are en suite with excellent quality Kevlar cabling and strain relief that are long lasting which protects them from spoiling when pushed to the extreme.

· Doorman earpieces have excellent audio quality that easily neutralise any surrounding noise allowing an operative to hear everything said to them in a very clear and loud manner. In addition, most of them are fitted with microphones making it easier for a two way communication.

· They are compatible with a lot of gadgets and even more comforting is the fact they can easily be replaced at a very affordable price.

· Unlike many electronic gadgets, doorman earpiece is pretty easier to configure and use. It will interest you to know that no skill or knowledge is required to set it up and make it work.

What to look for when purchasing an earpiece

Technology keeps changing from time to time, and so are needs. As a doorman/bouncer, there are specific things you ought to look for when purchasing a doorman earpiece. These are features that are needs to be compatible, rather friendly with your working environment and your preference as a person. For instance, if your work is based in a noisy environment like say a club, you will need very fine audio quality sets that fit properly in your ear preventing any interruption from outside. In addition, you may consider the cords strength if you are working in a hostile environment where people keep getting in fights.

Compatibility is another important thing to look for in a earpiece. Note that there are earpieces that are compatible with nearly all types of gadgets while others are restricted to only specified gadgets. For flexibility be keen to purchase an earpiece is works with wide range of gadgets. Finally, the cost is equally as important. Contrary to what many people believe, expensive doesn’t always mean better, the same way inexpensive doesn’t necessarily mean something is of poor quality. Compare features and always go for one that looks a bit refined for a better experience.

Conclusion

It is clear that every one working in security should absolutely have a set of doorman earpieces. It is not only efficient, but also profoundly valuable to this line of work. Take your time, and determine what will work for and get the earpiece that will make your work easier.

Monday 15 December 2014

Book about Jewel Encrusted Skeleton ‘Saints’ released to vast enjoyment

Paul Koudounaris, who’s also identified by his nickname ‘Indiana Bones’ is an author, photographer and leading expert on bone-decorated sites and ossuarys. Earlier this year, Koudounaris released a hardback that includes hd images of that 400-year-old ‘catacomb saints’ of Rome, a group of corpses that had been thoroughly decorated with jewels and finery ahead of being presented as the ruins of here to congregations around Europe.

Throughout the Protestant Reorganization of that 16th Century, Catholic church buildings were routinely stripped of these relics, cryptogram and finery. So they can counter this, The Vatican had very old skeletons removed from the Catacombs of Rome and generously adorned as the remnants of acknowledged saints.

Although regularly forgotten until Koudounaris released his book, the catacomb saints still fascinate interested parties; they may also still inspire religious zeal. In 1977, the township of Ruttenbach in Bavaria labored hard to raise sufficient money to buy back two of their original saints from private collectors, the decorative skeletons had initially been auctioned off in 1803.

The book, that Koudounaris has cautiously titled ‘Heavenly Bodies’ sees its writer try to find and photograph each of the present crypt saints.

In his heyday (a period that lasted over 200 years before conclusively coming to a close in the nineteenth century), the saints traversed far and wide, being transported at great expense by the Church. They were venerated as objects of care, or conduits for prayer.

However the saints may seem strange to modern eyes (one Telegraph reporter described these as ‘ghastly’), it’s crucial that you understand that those that prayed at the feet of the gilded cadavers were a great deal nearer to death than their modern counterparts. In the wake of The Black Death (which recurred repeatedly all through Europe from the 14th to the 17th Centuries), art, literature and even worship had come to embrace such ghoulish, macabre imagery.

The remnants were regularly decorated by nuns and often located in a range of natural poses, before being protected in glass cabinets. Some of the careful decoration took as long as five years to finish, with jewellery and costumes being acutely grand.

Koudounaris’ book, ‘Heavenly Bodies’ is on the market now.

Want to locate the original post look here

Friday 12 December 2014

My Other Computer’s a TARDIS: Virtual Reality Makes Time Travel Possible

A new virtual form of ‘time travel’ could be employed to help victims of traumatic experiences overcome their ordeals.

In a computer generated ‘virtual world’, participants can move about and interact with their environment in a similar manner to how they would in the real world.

Professor Mars are unassailably cool, told BBC news that,

“In virtual reality, the brain's low level perceptual system does not distinguish between the virtual and the real world; the brain takes what it sees and hears in a surrounding environment as given (...) Therefore, if they had an experience with the illusion of time travel, there is implicit learning that the past is mutable, that is: 'my own past decisions don't matter because they're changeable'."

The latest study, published in the journal ‘Frontiers in Psychology’ featured a scenario wherein 32 test subjects witnessed a brutal multiple murder. In the virtual scenario, (presumably designed to induce both a moral dilemma and a controllable level of trauma) a man opened fire in a crowded art gallery and ‘killed’ five people.

Gunman starts shooting in the virtual world

The group then elected to ‘go back in time’ and attempt to prevent the murders.

Half of the group were not allowed to change their actions and simply had to repeat the event, the other half were allowed to intervene, but knew that doing so would result in the death of one person. Essentially, these people had to face the ethical dilemma of forfeiting the life of that one person in order to save five people.

Unsurprisingly, most of the test group chose to sacrifice the one life.

In terms of practical applications, this equipment is expected to allow people suffering with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other psychological issues to confront their previous actions/inactions and better understand them in order to forgive themselves and move on.

Such technology might also be applied to prisoners undergoing therapy and/or rehabilitation, or even survivors of violent assaults.



Dr. Friedman Doron of the Sammy Ofer School of Communications in Israel, who worked as the study’s lead author, said that, for now, his team’s work is the closest people can get to actual time travel. He told BBC news,

"Highly immersive virtual reality is very visceral. People hide behind the desk when they get shot. Some of the subjects duck down. It's the best thing we can do for time travel until the physicists do their job and come up with a time machine. For now this is the closest thing."

Wednesday 3 December 2014

Have You Tried the Kenwood Radio Earpiece?

You might have heard about the Kenwood radio which is the second most popular gadget in the world. As we watch communication systems surrendering to technology’s prodigies, businesses around the world expand. Various sectors of profession that rely on radio technology can actively communicate without facing any hassles. Kenwood is a renowned brand for producing reliable communication equipments. The Kenwood radio earpiece is no exception, being an ideal preference for this particular audio device. The fundamental kinds of ear pieces used for this kind of radio are the 2 pin and multi-pin connectors. Offering exceptional performance within a reliable framework, customers have shifted to using such models for increased audibility.

Key Features of Kenwood Radio Earpiece

The earpiece offers a clear and discrete source that makes communication easier. Composed of high impact polycarbonate plastic, the earpiece allows individuals to communicate in the noisiest environments. Kenwood radio earpieces therefore are considered to be the best choice that is compatible with the radio device. It is the perfect choice of equipment used for communication by security experts, door staff, and surveillance teams. The 2-pin model features two connector pins whereas the multi-pin model features various connectors. A good example of the multi-pin model is the Kenwood 3 wire earpiece that features has been fabricated into a three wire system design.

kenwood earpiece

The Kenwood earpiece comprises of a 'push to talk' or PTT button which is basically the controller of the device. It allows individuals to rapidly get in touch with clients, associates or team members to discuss and carry out various tasks. The coordination of two way radios with the right earpiece ensures excellent sound quality. One of the key features of the 2 wire earpiece is that it can be attached to a collar, lapel or a tie and slipped inside the clothing easily. The Kenwood 3 wire earpiece is slightly different since it is held in the hand to regulate operation instead of being mounted on the lapel or collar. The PTT allows the recipient to switch on or off the earpiece to relay information across.

Benefits of Buying Kenwood Earpiece

Coordinate the responses of your team at office using the Kenwood earpiece device that has been introduced by a reputable company which has existed since 1946. Attaining years of trust from clients, everyone knows how beneficial the Kenwood radio earpiece is! The ear bud has been fabricated with the idea of giving comfort to the listeners with a fitting frame. The cable of the earpiece is transparent, lightweight and durable with hardwearing. The sound quality is excellent of the earpiece that comes alongside a built-in microphone. Aligned with a clothing clip both the devices feature a surveillance tube and the PTT button.

You can easily replace the plastic clothing clip with a steel clip and add features like swivel ear loop. This is done so as to improve flexibility of usage and comfort. Irrespective of how the environment is, the earpiece has a noise cancelling feature that makes it efficient to use in social events at nightclubs, factor or a public event. It is the choice made by professionals since the device is highly compatible with Kenwood 2 way radios. Imagine days when your communication systems are on a shutdown with extreme interference in sound waves! If you fancy a noise free, discrete and clear sound quality then Kenwood radio earpieces is the ideal pick.

A Kenwood radio customer will never face the problem of compatibility or affordability. Having distinct features makes the earpiece an accommodating communication tool. There are lower priced devices available however lack the durability of Kenwood. The Kenwood earpiece is composed of robust framework that can withstand collision. In fact the earpiece is resistant to high strain making it a long lasting device. The earpiece has been recognized globally to being an apt choice for enhancing sound quality of Kenwood radios. You should ensure that while you’re out buying earpiece for yourself, the kind of radio you have matters a lot. So choose wisely before making a final decision.

Conclusion

Kenwood radio earpiece is a result of proficient technology that assists receiving, sending and regulating information between recipients. It is vital to use competent communication tools to achieve quality proof sound. Kenwood is an economical brand that triggers consistent performance over time. This lightweight device couples with a resilient covering that secures prolonged connectivity. Enjoy the comfort of uninterrupted conversations with Kenwood’s brilliant earpiece technology today.

Thursday 26 June 2014

What Is a Covert Earpiece?

A covert earpiece is a very small listening device that is often worn by someone who wishes to be able to wear an earpiece and not have it be visible. The advantage of such an earpiece is that the wearer is able to use it as a radio accessory and yet not have others be aware that they are using an earpiece to communicate with others. A covert earpiece is often referred to as either a surveillance earpiece or invisible earpiece and it is quite common for the likes of law enforcement officers on undercover assignments, security personnel, government agents, and also spies, both corporate and government to wear such a device while undertaking tasks that require privacy and secrecy.

While radio headsets are quite commonly used by people in many occupations to communicate with one another, the covert style of earpiece is usually reserved for occasions and circumstances that require sensitivity and privacy when communicating. Those personnel conducting surveillance and / or working in private security would most likely opt for this form of earpiece over a more visible style, allowing communication to occur without alerting others close by. There are many other examples where an invisible earpiece could be worn: attempting to cheat on an exam where the wearer would have someone else 'feeding’ them the correct answers to the questions, or when trying to cheat a casino by having an unfair advantage over other players. In this last instance, such as at a poker table, the cheating player may have someone stand in an advantageous position on the opposite side of the table and provide information regarding the cards of the other players.

One industry in which the use of covert earpieces is quite common practice is on-air television. Newscasters, sportscasters, talk show hosts and even the weather presenter may all wear an invisible earpiece when live on air, allowing them to receive critical information or instruction without the viewers being aware. Engineers and producers have the ability to communicate with the on-air personalities while airing live and direct them as needed, to ensure that everything proceeds without a hitch. This is particularly helpful with live television where a re-take is not an option, or when a story may break during a news bulletin and the information can be fed immediately to the newscaster, who in turn will advise viewers of the late-breaking news. 

A covert earpiece can be beneficial for anyone making a public speech. The speaker can be directed by someone behind the scenes and even given cues to help them remember what to say next, all the while leaving the audience without any awareness of it happening. This is a common practice and can save a speaker from the embarrassing situation of a temporary loss of train of thought. A quick reminder via the earpiece and the speech can continue with any evidence of a slip. Prominent people such as politicians who are often subject to criticism of their public-speaking abilities can find being assisted via a covert earpiece ensures they do not make a newsworthy 'blunder'.

There are covert earpieces that are designed for the wearer to receive communication only and then there are others that are designed with a microphone in them, allowing two-way communication. Those personnel responsible for ensuring security and / or conducting surveillance can discreetly communicate with each other, an essential asset for these types of tasks. The convenience of having a hands-free means of communicating is also advantageous, particularly when security personnel are blending in with the crowd and do not want anyone alerted to their presence.


A covert earpiece fits discreetly into the ear or sometimes on a pair of eyeglasses and has no visible wiring, and yet the wearer is able to hear clearly and distinctly everything being communicated to him or her. As the name suggests, it is designed to be invisible’ to anyone but the most observant person. While not completely invisible, most people are quite unaware that a person is wearing a covert earpiece. In some instances there may be a wire that is covered by a person’s collar. This is called an inductive wire and although its purpose is to be a sound modulator it is in fact a separate radio device and is not connected to the earpiece.

Tuesday 20 May 2014

Two-Way Radios in High Security

These are troubling times for our nation and indeed for the world at large. Our little corner of the history books will be blighted by a global recession and civil unrest as political opportunists fan the flames of religious and racial tensions. In the midst of all this turbulence, there’s us, the regular people, caught up in the middle of the maelstrom.

In a world fraught with buzzwords like ‘terrorism’ ‘counter-terrorism’ ‘contamination’ ‘organized crime’ and ‘data theft’, its easy to feel like you’re always at risk, only ever one diplomatic blunder or power hungry madman away from World War 3. In such a world, an increase in security is often felt to be the only way to achieve peace of mind. Enter the world’s high security professionals.

Whether providing security for public figures, guarding prominent buildings, patrolling national boundaries or keeping the Internet safe from hackers, high security is an enormous and varied industry that demands much from its workers. Public and private security firms are stretched to deal with all the issues and potential problems that they have to tackle.

Fortunately, two way radios and security earpieces make their work a lot easier. The same type of radios that are used by the military can be affordably purchased by the security services, as and when needed.

These radios are rugged and durable, they can withstand almost any weather type and they have strong, long lasting batteries that allow for hours of field work. Two-way radios are by far the quickest and most reliable form of portable communication, not as clumsy as a pager or as temperamental as a phone. In addition, two-way radios are incredibly easy to use, meaning that training is a doddle.

Working alongside state-of-the-art surveillance technology, non-lethal weaponry and bleeding edge computer security programs, the simple, effective (and simply effective) two-way radio is still the security services first and finest friend.

Whether on foot or in vehicles, whether standing guard or co-ordinating the efforts of a team, two-way radios are an absolutely indispensable part of the high security industry, making them a vital component of the nation’s peace of mind.

You’ll find two-way radios helping to keep secure our data centres, cash warehouses, government buildings, military bases, secure storage facilities and even more sites than we have the space to name.


The world may be a conflicted, sometimes frightening place, but the high security workers around the globe are helping us to sleep at night and using two-way radios to do it. 

Review Of The Motorola SL4000 Radio

There continue to be an ideal many jobs that require two way radios instead of phones. Any time you’ll want to make contact with someone, clearly and rapidly, you’ll be focusing on a radio over a mobile. Also, for ensuring that everybody has access to the same transmittion and that they’ll always be contactable, a two way radio is certainly the way to go. From working as the bouncer, to working on a building site, from site work to military manoeuvres, walkie talkies are an indispensable part of many working environments.

The leading two way radio brand name is Motorola, so, with that in mind, we have great expectations for this SL4000, let us see how it presents.

THE SPECS

The Motorola sl4000 is designed with discretion in mind. Tiny, slim, sleek and lightweight, this radio device is great for speaking with others, quietly and unobtrusively. It weighs the equivalent as the standard smart phone.

However, regardless of its petite build, the SL4000 is a very commanding two way radio, able to transmit and receive over a surprisingly broad range. Because of this, it’s clear that this 2 way radio is best suited to utilizes like airports, motels, security, hospitality and anyplace else that a large, armed forces style two-way communication is perhaps a little bit clear for the tasks at hand.
It also is included with built-in Bluetooth, a special ‘covert mode’ and smart audio.

THE PRICE

It’s certainly not the lowest priced 2 way radio on the market. However, it has been created specially for business use and will be judged on those virtues. The Sl4000 radio is most definitely not just a ‘hobby’ radio, nor is it a radio that is meant for amusement in any way. This is a dependable, top of the line radio that has been created for hotel/airport/security/public service staff and has spared no expense in the process. The cost is what it truly is, but you will get what you pay for.
THE PERFOMANCE
The first thing we noticed concerning the SL4000 is just how smart it really is. We were set for a pleasant, little walkie talkie, obviously, however it really is a surprising design. In reality, at first glance, you could easily mistake it for a circa-early 2000’s phone.
The Motorola sl4000 has a amazing array of connectivity options, including a USB port for programming and charging, in addition to an choice to charge upright inside a charger, or simply disconnect the battery and charge it independently. The battery alone, by the way, is only slightly larger than a mobile phone battery.
The screen is crystal clear and a cell phone-style menu screen allows you to choose your particular talk group. In reality, there is a menu screen for just about everything, it is clear that this is a more urban, more cosmopolitan two way radio than nearly all of its peers. It will even create ‘text messages’.

The audio quality is very good certainly (even using the miniature speakers) and you’ll have no problem communicating between this and some other radio device.

The only downside we could find is that it only handles digital, not analogue. Still, that really is not the end of the world lately, is it?

THE VERDICT

This walkie talkie could be a very bad option for ‘Operation Desert Storm’, but as a more unobtrusive, contemporary style of radio, it is perfectly suited to the purposes that it is intended.
Sophisticated, modern, tidy and completely smooth to operate, the Motorola sl4000 is a genuine winner. This is a bit like the supple younger sister of that DP3600, cooler, smarter, sexy and downright charming – an incredible product and a substantial step forward in urban radio technology as well.

Once again, Motorola supply a fine product, but this time it is a little far from their typical fare. Still, they thrive with aplomb, creating what’s quite possibly the very best model of its type around.

Monday 14 April 2014

THE GENERAL USE OF TWO WAY RADIOS

Two-way radios are, in a very real sense, a large part of British industry. If not quite the ‘lifeblood’ of our manufacturing, transport, leisure, health and security industries, they are certainly vital components of it.
People from all walks of life use two-way radios every day. Management teams use them to communicate directly with shop floor staff, security guards and production line supervisors, while builders and tradesmen use them to discuss the next step of the job they are currently working on, saving time by being able to talk over long distances. But it doesn’t end there, cab drivers, truckers and train drivers all use two-way radios and the military views the two-way radio as an indispensable part of modern warfare (and has done since World War 2).
To put it simply, two-way radios save lives, being used by health and safety professionals, fire marshals and, of course, the police. The ability to communicate with one another quickly and reliably over relatively vast distances is not only useful; it’s downright indispensable.
Because of two-way radios, production lines can move faster, shopping centres can be more efficient and building work can be completed more quickly. When merchandise is shipped in from foreign lands and produce is, in turn, shipped out to other lands, radios play a massive part, allowing the cataloguing and stock taking process to be handled quickly and efficiently.
Professionals with radios can be seen on golf courses, at rock n roll gigs, repairing roads, managing conference centres, patrolling our streets and saving lives. More reliable than a mobile phone, more durable and tough than a pager and universally praised for the simplicity and ease-of-use displayed in its design, the humble two-way radio is precision engineered for literally thousands of different tasks.
In fact, radios are so ubiquitous that it’s highly probable that you’ve seen (or even used) several of them today and barely even noticed. Two-way radios are used for so many jobs, be they in the public or private sector, be they practical or theoretical, that it is absolutely impossible to live to adulthood in the UK and never encounter one.
So join us in saluting the unsung hero of British industry, the two-way radio. It really is an amazing invention, one that is far more important than most of us actually realize.
The two-way radio is one of those genuinely great inventions that legitimately changed the world, it is high time that it was celebrated as such. Over. 

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Rediscovery of Knee Ligament Validates 19th Century Paper

Doctors have discovered that an important knee ligament, first described in an 1879 paper, before being subsequently ignored for well over a century, is actually a very real and important body part.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a common problem for many athletes. They are notoriously difficult to repair and the recovery is a tough and painful process that can take up to a year. Following treatment, however, many patients still complain of aches and pains and it is not at all uncommon for the joints to fail the necessary pivot-shift tests (performed so the doctors can check the success of their surgeries). Repeat injuries are also inexplicably common.

Last month, it was announced that a team of Flemish doctors appears to have finally solved this persistently vexing riddle and, in so doing, they validated a discovery made over a century ago.

Paul Segond, a 19th century French surgeon who is known for greatly aiding the development of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (as well as describing the Segond fracture), wrote of the ligament as a “pearly, fibrous band” in 1879. Segond posited that it was an additional ligament, but anatomists did not consider the initial discovery to be accurate.

After reading Segond’s paper and deciding that there may be something to it after all, the team of knee surgeons and an anatomist began investigating the possibility that Segond’s mystery ligament was, in fact, a very real part of the Human body.

The team examined the knees of 41 cadavers, finding that 40 of them actually contained Segond’s ligament, just as he’d described it a hundred years earlier.

With this (re)discovery now published and proven, the ligament has been named as the anterolateral ligament (ALL).

The anterolateral ligament joins the other joint structures in the knee considered most important by doctors and anatomists, such as the lateral femoral epicondyle (LFE), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), Gerdy’s tubercle (GT), popliteus tendon (PT), popliteofibular ligament (PFL), and, of course, the aforementioned anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Surgeons are already considering ways in which to repair ALL tears and damage, with the hopes of improving the quality of life for anyone who suffers any ligament damage to the knees. This rediscovery is likely to become a very significant one in the field of sports and athletics, across both amateur and professional playing fields.

SOURCES

 http://www.scientificamerican.com/gallery_directory.cfm?photo_id=7737D2E0-994F-A7AD-8721A14249EB4E02


Friday 14 March 2014

Who Needs Spy Earpiece?

Can not get over how low-priced the radio accessory is, an incredible deal for any top-end product!


Businessman. What is a successful businessman? It is a successful man who feels confident in front of a large audience. Successful businessman can exhibit his ideas in a convincing manner. And now the question? Do you think he has all these abilities given to him by nature? Of course, they aren’t! You can also feel persuasive and confident if you use spy gsm gadget. You can receive necessary information in real time by this gadget while carrying on negotiations.

Public man. The main advantage of a public man is confidence in front of a large audience. If you is a public man, you always in the center of everybody’s attention. You make no mistakes. But if you sight-read your speech you will lose trust and respect. So the best solution to this problem is again wireless spy earpiece gadgets. Your assistant will make sure you remember all your arguments.

Policies. During the press conference, during an interview at the time of election rallies and debates, you can use the spy arpiece to communicate with your staff, to support communication with your helpers.

Security Guard. It is very difficult to keep the situation under control. Special secrets used by all professional guards are wireless spy earpiece. With the help of this spy gadget you can receive information about what is going on in another place. You can give also instructions to co-workers. Thereby, you can intermingled with the crowd and keep everything under control.

A police officer. You can use the earpiece in anyemergency - it will never fail you. During the special operation,during normal daily raids, during proverkiki premises, while patrolling the streets. In any situation, you can keep in touch with a partner or with a central office.

Student. Cannot but mentioning students as the basic users of the spy gadgets. Thanks to the wireless spy earpiece you can pass any exam without sleepless nights. According to researches, the most of students who use the spy gadgets not careless people. On the contrary, they are people which on some reasons make it impossible to get ready to the exam in time.

Unemployed. When searching for a new jobyou will need to spy earpiece. You will be ableto pass any job interview and get a paying job.You only need to buy the spy earpiece and you will be hired to work on that dream.

These are some professions that need assistance. But this list is not limited only by refer careers. Now you know the key to success. So do not waste your time to achieve your purpose with the help of an outstanding spy gadget – wireless spy earpiece. Spy Earpiece Store offers their customers wide array of spy earpieces.


2 way radio instead of cell phone?

Asked by Bradley from Surrey

The short answer to your question is ‘yes’. Quite an emphatic ‘yes’, in fact.

If you’re a bigger company, then it is likely that the service fees for cellular devices alone are costing you mucho dinero, to say nothing of the cost of the devices themselves.

In the course of researching this answer, I came across a case study on the official Motorola web site. The study concerned a Marriott hotel out in America (it was San Antonio, Texas, if you’re interested in looking it up) that switched to Motorola radios instead of cellular push-to-talk devices. According to the article, the company saved $14,000 a month in service fees alone.

walkie talkie vs cell phone


Another benefit is a bit more intangible. Obviously, I don’t need to tell you that customer satisfaction leads to repeat custom. Using radios significantly improves response time to the requests of customers and thus, contributes to their overall satisfaction with your service.

The article says it all pretty well, actually.


Radios have the benefit of offering instant communication, as well as being reliable, affordable and really easy to use. The fact that they are employed in so many areas, from transport, to shipping, to construction work to security (and much more besides), should tell you that they are probably the most cost-effective and reliable communications technology out there right now.

So, to offer a final answer to your question, you will definitely save money if you ditch the push-to-talk cell phones and replace them with two-way radios. In addition, you will almost certainly make your staff more available to customers and thus improve customer service all around. Push-to-talk cell devices aren’t terrible equipment, but they aren’t anything like as proven or reliable as two-way radios or digital two-ways.

I hope that helps, Bradley. Good luck with the future.


Sunday 9 March 2014

The Gadget with a Thousand Uses: How Science Fiction has Become Science Fact

When Francis Bacon wrote, “books must follow sciences, and not sciences books” it was 1657 and movies had yet to be invented, but I think, after reading the above quote, we can be fairly certain what his attitude would’ve been to the cinema…Well, here in the 21st century movies certainly do follow science, but sometimes they go one better and imagine bold new discoveries first…

A great many inventions have migrated from our imaginations and into our reality over the centuries. To some degree, imagination is the first step for every invention. In recent years, however, there seems to have been more ‘science fiction’ technology coming into reality than ever before…

But before we get to that, here are a few classic examples: Persian polymath (and personal hero) Al Jazari first imagined (and built) robots as far back as the 12th Century AD. Italian master inventor and artist Leonardo Da Vinci first conceptualised the helicopter, solar power and the calculator back in the 15th-16th centuries and in 1901, ‘Wizard of Oz’ author L. Frank Baum dreamed up a ‘character marker’ that took the form of a pair of glasses and worked in much the same way that AR (augmented reality) technology does today.

But that’s not all, not by a long shot.

The space craft first imagined by writer H.G Wells in ‘The First Men on the Moon’ became a reality in 1969 and, if British physics professor and sometime pop star Brian Cox is right, Wells’ time machine may not be too far away either (although, as always with time, its all relative).

Another favourite of mine was the elaborate setup of tape recorders employed by The Avengers’ Mrs Peel, which would automatically record a message in case Steed called her and she happened to be out. That was then. Now? Leave a message at the tone, Mrs. Peel…

So, what imaginary technology has recently made the jump from science fiction to science fact?

Firstly, there’s the interactive newspaper from the 2002 Steven Spielberg movie ‘Minority Report’, this newspaper was constantly updating itself as Tom Cruise’s character read through it. It was a fun piece of fiction, until, in 2010, German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) made it into fact. Now, if you use a special smartphone app, you can bring some of their supplements to life in much the same way that the imaginary newspaper did back in 2002. It’s a trend that has caught on around the world.

Oh yeah, remember that bit in ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ where the bloke eats some food while watching a video on a flat, slab-like screen? Well, my generation will be the last one to find that 1968 scene surprising. Our children will simply assume he’s using some sort of iPad (and a crappy looking one at that).

‘Star Trek’s dermal regenerator took its first steps towards the world of the real when scientist Jörg C. Gerlach invented what he calls a ‘skin cell gun’, its not yet approved by the FDA, but it has proven to be an effective way of re-growing skin following a bad burn (although it is unable to cure third-degree burns, sadly).

Also, its worth pointing out that earlier this year Paypal founder Elon Musk announced that he was working towards developing a viable ‘warp drive’ technology.

Put simply, everything begins life as an idea. To quote comic book author Grant Morrison’s 2011 book ‘Supergods’, (which also points to the Jack Kirby concept of ‘Mother Boxes’ and neatly relates them to modern smartphones and tablets) “the bomb, too, was only an idea that someone hammered into being”…

So what’s next? Well, close your eyes and imagine.



Saturday 8 March 2014

TECH NEWS New Electric Buses, improving arrival time!

Eight experimental electric buses will be operating in Milton Keynes from late January onwards. The fleet will begin operating along the busy Number 7 route, which covers the 15 miles between Wolverton and Bletchley. They are the first electric buses to operate in the UK.

UK-based bus manufacturer Wrightbus have built these new electric buses in conjunction with Japanese company Mitsui and UK engineering group Arup.

Wireless ‘booster’ plates in the road, placed at the beginning/end of the route, give the buses a charge that allows them to operate for a full day. They are then charged overnight at the bus depot.

The buses will need to stop over the booster plates, before lowering the bus’ own receiver plates and resting there for 10 minutes’ charge time. The journey will then resume, exactly the same way a regular bus ride does.

The process is called ‘inductive charging’ and it involves electricity passing though wire coils in the plates that creates a magnetic field. The field then shares its voltage with the bus’ receiver plates, charging them up.

Similar electric bus trials are being implemented in Italy, the Netherlands and Germany. In 2013, South Korea unveiled a 7.5-mile stretch of road, which recharges electric vehicles as they drive over it, without requiring any charge time at all.

In an interview with the BBC, John Bint of Milton Keynes Council said, “Electric buses have huge potential and we’re exploring how they can help us take better care of the environment without compromising passenger service,”

If these trial models prove to be successful, the Council plans to run them all across the town.

The environmental impact of this scheme is certainly considerable, with local councils potentially being able to significantly reduce their area’s carbon footprint. In addition, the future development of electric buses can only help the similar evolution of the electric car, an invention that has the potential to seriously lower the world’s carbon emissions.

Arup consultant John Miles who is also an engineering professor at Cambridge University, told BBC that, “These electric buses will be expected to do everything a diesel bus does (…) They will be operating on a demanding urban route, and that’s all part of the trial’s aim – to prove that electric buses can be tough as well as green.”

Saturday 1 March 2014

Kirobo the Robot makes it"s first steps in Space

Robots are in the news a lot lately. From Google’s mysterious plans to do something vaguely robotic over the next ten years (we’re not allowed to know exactly what), to Amazon’s proposal to build flying drones for international deliveries, it seems that the metal munchkins are everywhere, but none are as cute, nor as interesting, as Kirobo.

Resembling a cross between a mid-90’s SNES protagonist and an overgrown Lego man, Kirobo the robot stands at just 33CM tall (which is still positively gargantuan for a Lego man). His claim to fame? Kirobo is the world’s first robot astronaut and is currently orbiting the Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where he has been since August of this year.

Kirobo was designed and built during a collaboration between an advertising company called Dentsu, the University of Tokyo and car manufacturers Toyota. He was designed as a companion for Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who is perhaps best known as the first Japanese person to command the ISS.

Kirobo’s creators hope that the diminutive robot will provide emotional support to Wakata, providing interesting sociological data regarding whether robotic companions can comfort individuals who are subjected to long periods of isolation.

Kirobo has been specially designed to navigate zero gravity environments, he can also speak and understand spoken commands. In fact, Kirobo has many of the same properties as a smartphone in that he can record video and make (very) long distance calls (although his high score on ‘Juice Cubes’ is not yet a matter of public record). Kirobo’s facial recognition software means that he can recognise and react to certain individuals (presumably empathizing with their moods).

In addition to being a cutting edge piece of technology, Kirobo also appears to be of a friendly disposition, the little guy has already called us from space, saying, “My dream is to see human beings and robots live together as friends,”

Kirobo also reportedly requested Wakata’s presence at the station, saying “I really want to see you soon”, he’ll be waiting a long time, however, as Wakata is not due at the ISS for about eleven months.


Wednesday 26 February 2014

Legendary female wrestling pioneer Mae Young dies, aged 90

Pioneering female professional wrestler Mae Young has passed away aged 90.

To date, Mae Young is the only professional wrestler in history (male or female) to have had documented matches in nine different decades. She began wrestling in 1939, at the onset of the Second World War and her last match took place in 2010.

Young, real name Johnnie Mae Young, was originally billed as ‘The Amazing’, ‘The Queen’ or ‘The Great’ Mae Young but was ultimately far better known simply as Mae Young. She enjoyed one of the most celebrated and unique careers in the history of professional wrestling.

Young’s wrestling debut came whilst she was still a teenager, after starring in the boy’s amateur wrestling team at school. During World War 2, she became a popular attraction, inspiring many other women to become professional wrestlers.

In 1951, Young was crowned as the first ever NWA Florida (National Wrestling Alliance) Women’s Champion and eventually became the NWA’s first United States Women’s Champion.

During the 50’s, Young wrestled for the WWWA (World Women’s Wrestling Association), bringing credibility and popularity to Women’s wrestling. She remained a draw throughout her career.

Modern day wrestling fans know Young best for her stint with the WWF (World Wrestling Federation – now known as World Wrestling Entertainment, or WWE) from 1999-2000, in which she played a more comedic role. However, despite being nearly 80 years old, Young was still highly active as a wrestler. She participated in matches and storylines with her best friend, The Fabulous Moolah, another pioneer of Women’s wrestling and multi-time Women’s Champion (who had been partly trained by Young).

Mae Young would appear on WWE television, playing a number of roles from comedy character to respected veteran, throughout the next decade, with her final appearance being a celebration of her 90th birthday in 2013.

Memorable moments from her WWE tenure include being kissed by The Rock, giving the ‘Bronco Buster’ finisher to former WCW (World Championship Wrestling) boss Eric Bischoff, being beaten up by Tag Team wrestlers The Dudley Boyz and becoming ‘pregnant’ by Olympic weightlifter and former World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. “She will be missed as much as anyone I’ve ever known!” said Henry.

In 2008, Mae Young was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Since the announcement of Young’s death, tributes have flooded in from the wrestling world. Former WWE Champion-turned actor The Rock said, “She is a wrestling pioneer. I truly had deep affection and respect for ‘Auntie Mae’ Young”

WWE boss Vince McMahon said, “Her longevity in sports entertainment may never be matched, and I will forever be grateful for all of her contributions to the industry. On behalf of WWE, I extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”

‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper wrote, “”May Young was a wonderful lady! When I started in the business May teased me a lot. Love you May!” Multiple time WWE, WCW and NWA Champion Ric Flair called Young “An incredible person and pioneer of the wrestling business” Whilst, in an emotional Tweet, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts wrote, “Nobody, male or female, loved & respected the wrestling business more than her. True legend.”

Mae Young will be remembered by her fans as a pioneer and a female icon, as well as a charismatic performer with a great sense of humor. She was genuinely among the toughest human beings, be they male or female, to ever step between the ropes.

SOURCES

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/mae-young-dead-womens-wrestling-3025555

http://www.ontheredcarpet.com/Mae-Young-dies:-WWE-Hall-of-Famer-was-90/9394471 


Wednesday 19 February 2014

Batman & Son preview released by Warner Bros and DC Entertainment

Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have released a trailer for their upcoming animated feature ‘Son of Batman’. The film will be an adaptation of the 2006 story ‘Batman & Son’, which was written by Grant Morrison and drawn by Andy Kubert.

The comic story deals with the introduction of Bruce Wayne’s son, Damian Wayne, who also happens to be the grandchild of Batman’s nemesis Ra’s Al Ghul. The original story was published in Batman issues 655-658 and proved to be somewhat polarizing amongst the DC Comics fanbase.

The trailer hints that this film will be slightly different from the original story, with a greater emphasis seemingly placed on Damian’s membership within the League of Assassins, the worldwide organisation headed up by his grandfather.

The trailer also suggests that Deathstroke, known to younger fans from the popular ‘Teen Titans’ TV series, will be the main antagonist in the film version, instead of Talia, who was the principle enemy of the comic book story.

It also seems unlikely that this film will take up its potentially broader role as the opening chapter in Grant Morrison’s epic, 7-year Batman story arc; a story which ended with Damian’s controversial death in 2013. For now, it seems that this film will be a one-off.

DC Entertainment’s animated features have proven to be very popular with fans. Film adaptations of well-loved Batman stories such as ‘Batman: Year One’, ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ and ‘Under the Red Hood’ are all big sellers for download or on DVD/Blu Ray.

Jason O’Mara will voice Batman in the new film, whilst Morena Baccarin will voice Damian’s mother, Talia. Completing the casting are Carlo Esposito as Ra’s Al Ghul and Stuart Allen, who is voicing the titular character.

Bat-fans can expect to download or buy ‘Son of Batman’ late in the spring.

Monday 17 February 2014

Unsustainable materials used in our everyday gadgets, are going to run out someday!

A new report has concluded that a sizeable proportion of modern technology (in particular smartphones, tablets and other commonly-used gadgets) is extremely over reliant on very rare materials.

If the report’s findings are accurate, the scarcity of the metals and metalloids in question, combined with a sharply increasing demand for such devices, could seriously damage design innovation, as well as the manufacture of future products.

The report, compiled by researchers at Yale University, discussed the use of 62 materials found in widely used technology. Ultimately, the study concluded that none of the 62 metals or metalloids could be replaced without damaging the efficiency of the product. In fact, 12 of the 62 materials could not be replaced at all.

The potential substitute materials simply aren’t up to the job or, perhaps more worryingly, don’t actually exist. In either instance, these material shortages could lead to an economic and technological downturn in the development of mobile technology.

All of the rare components listed are difficult and expensive to obtain.

This scarcity of product availability would limit potential profits, as well as creating something of a ‘glass ceiling’ for innovation and product improvement.

This new report marks the first time that this worrying issue has been properly researched.

In the eyes of many, this study should be seen as a warning and a wake up call. In 2010, China restricted the trading of some of the components featured in the study. It was an act that increased market prices fivefold.

As these materials become increasingly rare, tactics like this may become ever more frequent, causing increased political tension around the world.

It also needs to be stated that the mass manufacture of these devices drains the planet of natural resources and the processing of these materials seriously harms our environment.

The report itself warns that,

“As wealth and population increase worldwide in the next few decades, scientists will be increasingly challenged to maintain and improve product utility by designing new and better materials, but doing so under potential constraints in resource availability.”

SOURCE:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25260174