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newest gadgets 2010 tech gadget gadgets for blogs blogspot gadgets
Thursday, 31 May 2012
Pay Monthly Contracts vs Pay as You Go
When it comes to picking a perfect phone deal, you could go either way; pay monthly contracts or pay as you go. There are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. Pay as you go is great if you hate the thought of being tied down to a 12 month, 18 month or 24 month contract. [...]
Whip Up Gourmet Grub in the Backcountry
Summary: spelling and punctuation
[[Image:Backcountrygourmet.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Go beyond hotdogs and marshmallows and become the Anthony Bourdain of the wilderness. Photo by Martin Cathrae/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/suckamc/5886328620/ Flickr]/CC]]
If you?re planning a backpacking trip, it?s a safe bet that you?ve resigned yourself to doing without creature comforts. Improvements in technology have made most pieces of backpacking gear lighter and thinner; still, no one has yet made an air-conditioner or a toilet seat that you?d want to tote on your back for mile upon mile. Moreover, most backpackers pride themselves on their toughness and derring-do. No one wants to be the softie with an air mattress in his tent.
Still, there are luxuries that you don?t have to do without, and great food is one of them. Just because most produce and meats are heavy doesn?t mean you have to leave them at home. Hauling a heavy pack over hill and dale requires a lot of fuel, and the more you can tempt yourself to eat, the happier and healthier you will be on your trip. By following some simple rules?okay, and possibly splurging on some sweet gear?you can eat just as well on the trail as in your own kitchen.
''This how-to was written by Adrienne So, a Wired contributor, freelance writer, and world traveler from Portland, Oregon.''
==Consider some investments==
Even dedicated foodies might consider a dehydrator to be overkill ? unless that dedicated foodie also loves camping. Of all the things that you have to carry, water weighs the most. That?s especially true in the fruits and vegetables that you?ll crave in the woods, to provide variety and fend off scurvy. Or constipation.
[http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ Excalibur] models, while not very attractive, earn near-universal praise and can dehydrate up to nine trays of food at once, while the [http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-61-Snackmaster-Dehydrator/dp/B000CEM3WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335909188&sr=8-1 Snackmaster] is a more affordable option. Ovens ? both toaster ovens and the full-sized variety ? set to 125 degrees with the door open, will also work, but the results will take longer and not dry as evenly.
And of course, you?ll need a good camp stove. A canister system like the [http://www.jetboil.com/ Jetboil] is easy to use, easy to pack and quick to heat up water. But if you?re planning to cook for groups bigger than two, you might want to consider a liquid fuel stove, like [http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/category MSR?s Gourmet Cook system]. With a separate gas canister, you run the risk of leaking in your backpack; they cost more and are a little bulkier. But they?re also more versatile and better able to accommodate large pots. The last thing that anyone wants on a cold, windy night is for a pot full of just-boiling water to tip over onto the fire ? or onto someone?s tired legs.
==Avoid food that you don?t recognize as food==
Michael Pollan wrote this rule, but it applies just as much to backpacking as to the rest of your life. Stay away from the ?energy supplements? section of your local camping store and prepare your own meals and snacks. They?ll taste a lot better than tubes of ?Hi-Oktane Guup Squeeze,? and are a lot more affordable as well.
In this regard, the dehydrator is your new best friend. Fruit, sliced as thinly as possible to decrease drying time, is a great snack on its own or in addition to trail mix. Lean cuts of turkey, salmon, beef or venison are also easy to make into jerky ? sliced, spiced or with marinade.
There are very few meals that can?t be dehydrated, packed in a plastic bag and brought with you, to be rehydrated on the trail later. Salads, like dried fruit, can be spread on the drying tray, dehydrated and packed in plastic bags to be eaten on the trail. Carry olive oil and vinegar in a small, leak-proof bottle and dress your salad once it?s been rehydrated.
Bean dips, tomato sauces and taco fillings are just a few of the meal options that can be cooked at home, spread on the drying tray, and packed in plastic bags for later. They will dry down to a leathery consistency that you can peel off the drying tray and roll into bags. Accompany your meals with quick-cooking grains like couscous, or breads like pitas or tortillas that won?t be the worse for the wear after a few hours of jostling in your pack.
==Spices will save your life==
A bag of dried apples can seem unappetizing after a few bites. But dried apples sprinkled with brown sugar, cayenne pepper or sea salt are better than M&M's ? each flavor is different! Even the most boring foods, like hummus or peanut butter and jelly, can be enlivened with a few additions. Experiment with different marinades for your jerky, or dry and pack different toppings for your oatmeal.
Remember: What seems appealing on day one of your trip will seem like dour, tasteless sludge by day five. It may seem more convenient to pack a 12-pack of Kraft mac from Costco, but your time investment is worth it. Food is the single most powerful motivating force on the trail. There?s no more forceful reason to quit your trip and hitchhike into town than the knowledge that you just can?t choke down one more bowl of ramen noodles.
==Keep it simple==
Preparing pans full of freshly baked cinnamon rolls or hot buttermilk biscuits is a delightful novelty on a short trip. But on any trip that?s longer than three days, futzing around with your food is the last thing you?ll want to do. This holds especially true for dinner, which, on a hilly or rainy day, might be the focus of your thoughts for hours. Make every effort to keep your meals at one-pot preparation ? rehydrate, stir, eat.
[[Category:Camping]]
[[Category:Cooking]]
[[Category:Survival]]
If you?re planning a backpacking trip, it?s a safe bet that you?ve resigned yourself to doing without creature comforts. Improvements in technology have made most pieces of backpacking gear lighter and thinner; still, no one has yet made an air-conditioner or a toilet seat that you?d want to tote on your back for mile upon mile. Moreover, most backpackers pride themselves on their toughness and derring-do. No one wants to be the softie with an air mattress in his tent.
Still, there are luxuries that you don?t have to do without, and great food is one of them. Just because most produce and meats are heavy doesn?t mean you have to leave them at home. Hauling a heavy pack over hill and dale requires a lot of fuel, and the more you can tempt yourself to eat, the happier and healthier you will be on your trip. By following some simple rules?okay, and possibly splurging on some sweet gear?you can eat just as well on the trail as in your own kitchen.
''This how-to was written by Adrienne So, a Wired contributor, freelance writer, and world traveler from Portland, Oregon.''
==Consider some investments==
Even dedicated foodies might consider a dehydrator to be overkill ? unless that dedicated foodie also loves camping. Of all the things that you have to carry, water weighs the most. That?s especially true in the fruits and vegetables that you?ll crave in the woods, to provide variety and fend off scurvy. Or constipation.
[http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ Excalibur] models, while not very attractive, earn near-universal praise and can dehydrate up to nine trays of food at once, while the [http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-61-Snackmaster-Dehydrator/dp/B000CEM3WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335909188&sr=8-1 Snackmaster] is a more affordable option. Ovens ? both toaster ovens and the full-sized variety ? set to 125 degrees with the door open, will also work, but the results will take longer and not dry as evenly.
And of course, you?ll need a good camp stove. A canister system like the [http://www.jetboil.com/ Jetboil] is easy to use, easy to pack and quick to heat up water. But if you?re planning to cook for groups bigger than two, you might want to consider a liquid fuel stove, like [http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/category MSR?s Gourmet Cook system]. With a separate gas canister, you run the risk of leaking in your backpack; they cost more and are a little bulkier. But they?re also more versatile and better able to accommodate large pots. The last thing that anyone wants on a cold, windy night is for a pot full of just-boiling water to tip over onto the fire ? or onto someone?s tired legs.
==Avoid food that you don?t recognize as food==
Michael Pollan wrote this rule, but it applies just as much to backpacking as to the rest of your life. Stay away from the ?energy supplements? section of your local camping store and prepare your own meals and snacks. They?ll taste a lot better than tubes of ?Hi-Oktane Guup Squeeze,? and are a lot more affordable as well.
In this regard, the dehydrator is your new best friend. Fruit, sliced as thinly as possible to decrease drying time, is a great snack on its own or in addition to trail mix. Lean cuts of turkey, salmon, beef or venison are also easy to make into jerky ? sliced, spiced or with marinade.
There are very few meals that can?t be dehydrated, packed in a plastic bag and brought with you, to be rehydrated on the trail later. Salads, like dried fruit, can be spread on the drying tray, dehydrated and packed in plastic bags to be eaten on the trail. Carry olive oil and vinegar in a small, leak-proof bottle and dress your salad once it?s been rehydrated.
Bean dips, tomato sauces and taco fillings are just a few of the meal options that can be cooked at home, spread on the drying tray, and packed in plastic bags for later. They will dry down to a leathery consistency that you can peel off the drying tray and roll into bags. Accompany your meals with quick-cooking grains like couscous, or breads like pitas or tortillas that won?t be the worse for the wear after a few hours of jostling in your pack.
==Spices will save your life==
A bag of dried apples can seem unappetizing after a few bites. But dried apples sprinkled with brown sugar, cayenne pepper or sea salt are better than M&M's ? each flavor is different! Even the most boring foods, like hummus or peanut butter and jelly, can be enlivened with a few additions. Experiment with different marinades for your jerky, or dry and pack different toppings for your oatmeal.
Remember: What seems appealing on day one of your trip will seem like dour, tasteless sludge by day five. It may seem more convenient to pack a 12-pack of Kraft mac from Costco, but your time investment is worth it. Food is the single most powerful motivating force on the trail. There?s no more forceful reason to quit your trip and hitchhike into town than the knowledge that you just can?t choke down one more bowl of ramen noodles.
==Keep it simple==
Preparing pans full of freshly baked cinnamon rolls or hot buttermilk biscuits is a delightful novelty on a short trip. But on any trip that?s longer than three days, futzing around with your food is the last thing you?ll want to do. This holds especially true for dinner, which, on a hilly or rainy day, might be the focus of your thoughts for hours. Make every effort to keep your meals at one-pot preparation ? rehydrate, stir, eat.
[[Category:Camping]]
[[Category:Cooking]]
[[Category:Survival]]
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/eRvPLlWkE3g/Whip_Up_Gourmet_Grub_in_the_Backcountry
tech gadget gadgets for blogs blogspot gadgets gadget website
RIM To Cut 2000 Jobs By June 1st
According to a Globe and Mail report, Research in Motion is preparing to cut 2000 jobs or more by June 1st, one day before its first quarter ends. Research in Motion currently has about 16,500 employees and this round of layoffs marks the second major reduction in force this year for the BlackBerry maker. [Read] [...]
RIM To Cut 2000 Jobs By June 1st is a post from: RIMarkable, the Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Rimarkable/~3/OgSsJ-qklzo/rim-to-cut-2000-jobs-by-june-1st
blogspot gadgets gadget website new gadgets 2010 hot new gadgets
The usability gap between smartphones and smart cars
Smartphones are now so powerful that they can stream music to your car while displaying advanced turn-by-turn navigation, and even have a few cycles left to text, call, and tweet. While useful in the right hands, such multitasking can be downright lethal when doing 65mph down a crowded highway. The most appropriate response to this [...]
Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/usability-gap-between-smartphones-and-smart-cars-20120531/
Exclusive: This Is the Gyro-Stabilized, Two-Wheeled Future of Transportation
If you're anything like me, you value your life. Which means you've probably avoided motorcycles despite their stellar fuel economy, small footprint and ability to weave through traffic like a snake through grass. But the benefits of riding a bike are often outweighed by their inherent vulnerability, not to mention the lack of creature comforts and cargo capacity. Lit Motors aims to change that.
Fund Your Dream With the Perfect Kickstarter Pitch
Summary:
[[Image:Kickstarterwin.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Curate a money magnet with these handy tips. Screenshot of a successfully funded Kickstarter project/[http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/fred/hackers-the-movie-15th-anniversary-party-on-oct-2n?ref=live Kickstarter.com]]]
Producing a quality [http://www.kickstarter.com Kickstarter] project requires little more than computer access, a functioning camera, and some old-fashioned wit. A clear and dedicated passion for the idea you're pitching doesn't hurt either. Your video can be as simple as putting on your friendliest, more sincere smile, and telling the folks on the other side of the camera exactly what you want to do, but some projects can get so intensely artsy that they become more like contestants at Cannes than a fundraising campaign.
Be sure to get your main idea across before attempting ''Un Chien Andalou II'', and follow these tips to ensure your project gets funded.
''This how-to is written by John Flanagan, a Vermont-based freelancer whose Kickstarter idea to turn his apartment into a full-scale model of Pee-wee's Playhouse was self-diffused shortly after conception.''
==Pre Production==
Remember that Kickstarter wants finite projects only, which means making a video asking donors to fund your charity, desired purchase, or your passion for horseback riding won?t fly. Choose a project with a concrete beginning, middle, and end. For example, funding the production of an album or a video game offers clear-cut goals. As Kickstarter points out, they wouldn't support a project proposal to start Kickstarter, since the business requires maintenance beyond completion.
Also, be sure to read the [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/guidelines Kickstarter guidelines:]. There you'll learn that Kickstarter launches projects within the following fields only: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater. Chances are if what you had planned doesn't fall within this expansive list, some minor idea tweaking will set you back on track. Consult their [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/style_guide Style Guide], too. It's optional to conform to the Kickstarter colors, but as they warn, it might look weird if you don't. And be sure to consult their not-so-fine print so as not to get sued.
==Simple Gifts==
Set perks for your backers in-tune with their amount donated. The women from New York-based Rhinestone Gorilla Burlesque, for instance, earned $3,501 to go on tour via [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rhinestonegorilla/rhinestone-gorilla-burlesque-national-tour?ref=live graduating rewards] beginning with ?one fine upstanding Facebook shoutout? ($1) and ending with an offer to perform at your ?bachelorette party, birthday, or funeral? ($1,350).
Be sure to set tangible rewards. A potential donor is much more likely to shell out if it will gain them a token of appreciation later, be it through a visible 'thank you', access to content you produce, or a physical goodie. But make sure your rewards are realistic. If you're making a movie and you offer each donor a copy of the DVD, you probably won't have much money left to actually make the film. Some of the biggest bounties, such as an Executive Producer credit on a film, or a personal thank you on the dedication page of a book, are absolutely free.
==Number Crunches==
Kickstarter funding is all or nothing, which means you increase the risk of not funding your project by setting a ridiculously high goal. Be practical and consider the types of people who would actually fork over their hard earned dough for your idea. Also, consider finding a way to let donors see exactly how you're spending their money. Kickstarter will automatically alert backers whenever you post a project update on the site, but consider going beyond with a Facebook page or personal blog. Kickstarter's own advice: ?Be as transparent as you can.?
===Down to the Wire===
Kickstarter's [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/school/defining_your_project Kickstarter School] page advises you keep your deadline around 30 days. The limit is 60, the minimum is one. Show confidence, but not unrealistic pomp. Be like the tech-age Buddha and take the middle path.
==On the Set==
You don't have to make a video, but you should. Kickstarter reports that projects with videos are 20% more successful than those without. Don't be shy ? just let your idea do the talking.
===Study Buddy===
Check out [http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/successful#p1 examples of successful Kickstarter projects] to see first-hand what works. You may be surprised at how lo-tech and imperfect some successful campaigns have been. For instance, Dorottya Mathe's [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/37503939/between-earth-and-sky?ref=live video] asking for donations to help fund a documentary about a Native American woman and her husband's quest to cure her cancer with traditional methods exemplifies how fundraising is more about the quality of the idea than about the quality of the pitch. In her video, Dorottya speaks clearly and sincerely into the camera as she makes a strong case for her project. A few photos of her subjects appear, but nothing else. Her pared-down approach earned her $6,097 from 125 different donors.
===The Skinny===
Say who you are and what your project is right off the bat. How far have you come already? Exactly what are your next steps? This information should come before telling your audience how much your friends like your idea or other items of lesser importance. Also, be sure to explain why you're project is unique, relevant, or newsworthy.
===Razzle Them Dazzle Them===
Use graphics and music to beef-up your multimedia plea. If you're an illustrator, show your work uniquely. If you're a writer, figure out a clever way to get your words on the screen. Make sure any songs you include are convivial to your project. Also, it's distracting to have songs with lyrics playing while you speak ? consider staying instrumental. Musicians should pick the cr�me de la cr�me of their songbook if they want people to help fund their album or music video.
===High Stakes===
State the consequences of not achieving your goal. Don't be too drastic though ? pity will only get you so far. Children's author [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1588953991/little-ty-cooney-and-the-big-yellowstone-mystery?ref=card Steven Riley] executes the importance of his project perfectly by showing how much work he's already put in to his next book, ?Little Ty Cooney and the Yellowstone Mystery.? Sketches of the young raccoon and his forest friends in duress makes not supporting the project seem like animal cruelty.
===Modest Pizazz===
Be enthusiastic about your project, but not to the point of annoyance. Don't be zany just to be zany. Be you! (Unless you're annoyingly zany.) Also, avoid taking for too long. Say only what's necessary and aim to keep the video's length to a minimum. Avoid being too abstract, either. Kickstarter videos thrive off creativity, but make sure it's immediately obvious why people should throw their money at you. In one particular video, a minute or so of dada messages written on slips of paper is interrupted by the artist's delayed introduction: ?I am going to use a network of ass-thumpingly beautiful trails.? As this makes no sense, please avoid using ?ass-thumpingly? in your Kickstarter video and elsewhere.
===Avoid Elocution Pollution===
Let Strunk & White proofread your script before shooting; the clearer your message, the more effective your pitch. Be sure not to start your sentences with ?Um,? and avoid overstating, over-qualifying, and over-explaining. This goes for your written project description, blurb, and any other associated copy as well.
==Post Production==
===Call It===
When titling your project, be sure to pick something that explains who you are and what you want to do. One recent successful project is ?BOOTLEGGER ? A doc film based on John Hallwas's book.? Clunky? Yes, but it works. It also might provoke a few John Hallwas Google searches. ?In Between the Lines,? while tagged poetically, still had 72% of its goal to reach with only five hours left on the clock.
===Hype It===
Post, post, and post some more. After sending off your Kickstarter page to the friends and family most likely to donate, plaster Facebook, Twitter, and all social media avenues you generally use for communication. Again, don't be annoying, but be persistent. Kickstarter also recommends contacting any local media outlets to try and score some press for your endeavor. But don't forget the long-reach of old fashioned word of mouth ? just start gabbing and watch your donations rise.
===Track It===
Use the transparency devices you came up with earlier and make good on your promise of tracking progress. You can build your own captivating narrative by acknowledging conflicts and celebrating successes publicly. The updates will also allow for feedback from donors.
===Send It===
Kickstarter's Backer Report will help you gather any extra information you might need from supporters before you mail out their well-earned spoils. The information is automatically compiled and can be exported as a spreadsheet. Communicate with your backers while you work to get them what their owed. Kickstarter recommends sharing pictures from your packing party ? just make sure they feel appreciated and in-touch. After sending off their goods with a sincere thank you, get some sleep.
==Provisio==
Like eating a Reese's, there's no right way to film a successful Kickstarter video. Listed above are rough guidelines ? but rules are made to be broken. Many successful videos are completely abstract and take forever to get the point across, though they supplement their anomalies with high-quality and artistic know-how. Via the means, be as out-there as you want. What's most important is that you understand your audience and know what approaches will win their support. Good Luck!
[[Category:Micro-funding]]
[[Category:Fundraising]]
[[Category:Video]]
Producing a quality [http://www.kickstarter.com Kickstarter] project requires little more than computer access, a functioning camera, and some old-fashioned wit. A clear and dedicated passion for the idea you're pitching doesn't hurt either. Your video can be as simple as putting on your friendliest, more sincere smile, and telling the folks on the other side of the camera exactly what you want to do, but some projects can get so intensely artsy that they become more like contestants at Cannes than a fundraising campaign.
Be sure to get your main idea across before attempting ''Un Chien Andalou II'', and follow these tips to ensure your project gets funded.
''This how-to is written by John Flanagan, a Vermont-based freelancer whose Kickstarter idea to turn his apartment into a full-scale model of Pee-wee's Playhouse was self-diffused shortly after conception.''
==Pre Production==
Remember that Kickstarter wants finite projects only, which means making a video asking donors to fund your charity, desired purchase, or your passion for horseback riding won?t fly. Choose a project with a concrete beginning, middle, and end. For example, funding the production of an album or a video game offers clear-cut goals. As Kickstarter points out, they wouldn't support a project proposal to start Kickstarter, since the business requires maintenance beyond completion.
Also, be sure to read the [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/guidelines Kickstarter guidelines:]. There you'll learn that Kickstarter launches projects within the following fields only: Art, Comics, Dance, Design, Fashion, Film, Food, Games, Music, Photography, Publishing, Technology, and Theater. Chances are if what you had planned doesn't fall within this expansive list, some minor idea tweaking will set you back on track. Consult their [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/style_guide Style Guide], too. It's optional to conform to the Kickstarter colors, but as they warn, it might look weird if you don't. And be sure to consult their not-so-fine print so as not to get sued.
==Simple Gifts==
Set perks for your backers in-tune with their amount donated. The women from New York-based Rhinestone Gorilla Burlesque, for instance, earned $3,501 to go on tour via [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rhinestonegorilla/rhinestone-gorilla-burlesque-national-tour?ref=live graduating rewards] beginning with ?one fine upstanding Facebook shoutout? ($1) and ending with an offer to perform at your ?bachelorette party, birthday, or funeral? ($1,350).
Be sure to set tangible rewards. A potential donor is much more likely to shell out if it will gain them a token of appreciation later, be it through a visible 'thank you', access to content you produce, or a physical goodie. But make sure your rewards are realistic. If you're making a movie and you offer each donor a copy of the DVD, you probably won't have much money left to actually make the film. Some of the biggest bounties, such as an Executive Producer credit on a film, or a personal thank you on the dedication page of a book, are absolutely free.
==Number Crunches==
Kickstarter funding is all or nothing, which means you increase the risk of not funding your project by setting a ridiculously high goal. Be practical and consider the types of people who would actually fork over their hard earned dough for your idea. Also, consider finding a way to let donors see exactly how you're spending their money. Kickstarter will automatically alert backers whenever you post a project update on the site, but consider going beyond with a Facebook page or personal blog. Kickstarter's own advice: ?Be as transparent as you can.?
===Down to the Wire===
Kickstarter's [http://www.kickstarter.com/help/school/defining_your_project Kickstarter School] page advises you keep your deadline around 30 days. The limit is 60, the minimum is one. Show confidence, but not unrealistic pomp. Be like the tech-age Buddha and take the middle path.
==On the Set==
You don't have to make a video, but you should. Kickstarter reports that projects with videos are 20% more successful than those without. Don't be shy ? just let your idea do the talking.
===Study Buddy===
Check out [http://www.kickstarter.com/discover/successful#p1 examples of successful Kickstarter projects] to see first-hand what works. You may be surprised at how lo-tech and imperfect some successful campaigns have been. For instance, Dorottya Mathe's [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/37503939/between-earth-and-sky?ref=live video] asking for donations to help fund a documentary about a Native American woman and her husband's quest to cure her cancer with traditional methods exemplifies how fundraising is more about the quality of the idea than about the quality of the pitch. In her video, Dorottya speaks clearly and sincerely into the camera as she makes a strong case for her project. A few photos of her subjects appear, but nothing else. Her pared-down approach earned her $6,097 from 125 different donors.
===The Skinny===
Say who you are and what your project is right off the bat. How far have you come already? Exactly what are your next steps? This information should come before telling your audience how much your friends like your idea or other items of lesser importance. Also, be sure to explain why you're project is unique, relevant, or newsworthy.
===Razzle Them Dazzle Them===
Use graphics and music to beef-up your multimedia plea. If you're an illustrator, show your work uniquely. If you're a writer, figure out a clever way to get your words on the screen. Make sure any songs you include are convivial to your project. Also, it's distracting to have songs with lyrics playing while you speak ? consider staying instrumental. Musicians should pick the cr�me de la cr�me of their songbook if they want people to help fund their album or music video.
===High Stakes===
State the consequences of not achieving your goal. Don't be too drastic though ? pity will only get you so far. Children's author [http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1588953991/little-ty-cooney-and-the-big-yellowstone-mystery?ref=card Steven Riley] executes the importance of his project perfectly by showing how much work he's already put in to his next book, ?Little Ty Cooney and the Yellowstone Mystery.? Sketches of the young raccoon and his forest friends in duress makes not supporting the project seem like animal cruelty.
===Modest Pizazz===
Be enthusiastic about your project, but not to the point of annoyance. Don't be zany just to be zany. Be you! (Unless you're annoyingly zany.) Also, avoid taking for too long. Say only what's necessary and aim to keep the video's length to a minimum. Avoid being too abstract, either. Kickstarter videos thrive off creativity, but make sure it's immediately obvious why people should throw their money at you. In one particular video, a minute or so of dada messages written on slips of paper is interrupted by the artist's delayed introduction: ?I am going to use a network of ass-thumpingly beautiful trails.? As this makes no sense, please avoid using ?ass-thumpingly? in your Kickstarter video and elsewhere.
===Avoid Elocution Pollution===
Let Strunk & White proofread your script before shooting; the clearer your message, the more effective your pitch. Be sure not to start your sentences with ?Um,? and avoid overstating, over-qualifying, and over-explaining. This goes for your written project description, blurb, and any other associated copy as well.
==Post Production==
===Call It===
When titling your project, be sure to pick something that explains who you are and what you want to do. One recent successful project is ?BOOTLEGGER ? A doc film based on John Hallwas's book.? Clunky? Yes, but it works. It also might provoke a few John Hallwas Google searches. ?In Between the Lines,? while tagged poetically, still had 72% of its goal to reach with only five hours left on the clock.
===Hype It===
Post, post, and post some more. After sending off your Kickstarter page to the friends and family most likely to donate, plaster Facebook, Twitter, and all social media avenues you generally use for communication. Again, don't be annoying, but be persistent. Kickstarter also recommends contacting any local media outlets to try and score some press for your endeavor. But don't forget the long-reach of old fashioned word of mouth ? just start gabbing and watch your donations rise.
===Track It===
Use the transparency devices you came up with earlier and make good on your promise of tracking progress. You can build your own captivating narrative by acknowledging conflicts and celebrating successes publicly. The updates will also allow for feedback from donors.
===Send It===
Kickstarter's Backer Report will help you gather any extra information you might need from supporters before you mail out their well-earned spoils. The information is automatically compiled and can be exported as a spreadsheet. Communicate with your backers while you work to get them what their owed. Kickstarter recommends sharing pictures from your packing party ? just make sure they feel appreciated and in-touch. After sending off their goods with a sincere thank you, get some sleep.
==Provisio==
Like eating a Reese's, there's no right way to film a successful Kickstarter video. Listed above are rough guidelines ? but rules are made to be broken. Many successful videos are completely abstract and take forever to get the point across, though they supplement their anomalies with high-quality and artistic know-how. Via the means, be as out-there as you want. What's most important is that you understand your audience and know what approaches will win their support. Good Luck!
[[Category:Micro-funding]]
[[Category:Fundraising]]
[[Category:Video]]
More MadWorld
Uber-violence in a comic book setting. Another trailer for "MadWorld", available for the Nintendo Wii.
Source: http://video.wired.com/services/link/bcpid1813626064/bctid16857194001?src=mrss
gadgets for geeks core temp gadget gadgets of 2010 calendar gadget
Tip of the Week: Multitasking Gestures on the iPad
Skip the Home button and navigate your iPad by hand.
Source: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/30/tip-of-the-week-multitasking-gestures-on-the-ipad/
Warren Buffett Sees a Profitable Future for Local News
(image courtesy Spencer Jardine) Think books have a cloud of doom over them? It is a beautiful sunshine-y day compared to the forecast for newspapers. AOL’s local news experiment Patch is imploding, and newspapers are struggling badly to convert free online readers to subscribers via paywall and other means. Despite all the ugly news, [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/y-wa17GvJEA/
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Wednesday, 30 May 2012
OfficeTime Releases Retina-Optimized Version of Top Time Tracker for iPad
Ah, if only I had more disposable income! Last year, when the second rev. of the iPad came out without the Retina screen, I gave it a pass. �I was happy to wait for the Retina version that I was sure was coming (with more memory, I hoped!). �And sure enough, this year Apple released [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/-wvcSmPHfCA/
coolest gadgets 2010 vista gadgets newest gadgets 2010 tech gadget
Whip Up Gourmet Grub in the Backcountry
Summary: spelling and punctuation
[[Image:Backcountrygourmet.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Go beyond hotdogs and marshmallows and become the Anthony Bourdain of the wilderness. Photo by Martin Cathrae/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/suckamc/5886328620/ Flickr]/CC]]
If you?re planning a backpacking trip, it?s a safe bet that you?ve resigned yourself to doing without creature comforts. Improvements in technology have made most pieces of backpacking gear lighter and thinner; still, no one has yet made an air-conditioner or a toilet seat that you?d want to tote on your back for mile upon mile. Moreover, most backpackers pride themselves on their toughness and derring-do. No one wants to be the softie with an air mattress in his tent.
Still, there are luxuries that you don?t have to do without, and great food is one of them. Just because most produce and meats are heavy doesn?t mean you have to leave them at home. Hauling a heavy pack over hill and dale requires a lot of fuel, and the more you can tempt yourself to eat, the happier and healthier you will be on your trip. By following some simple rules?okay, and possibly splurging on some sweet gear?you can eat just as well on the trail as in your own kitchen.
''This how-to was written by Adrienne So, a Wired contributor, freelance writer, and world traveler from Portland, Oregon.''
==Consider some investments==
Even dedicated foodies might consider a dehydrator to be overkill ? unless that dedicated foodie also loves camping. Of all the things that you have to carry, water weighs the most. That?s especially true in the fruits and vegetables that you?ll crave in the woods, to provide variety and fend off scurvy. Or constipation.
[http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ Excalibur] models, while not very attractive, earn near-universal praise and can dehydrate up to nine trays of food at once, while the [http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-61-Snackmaster-Dehydrator/dp/B000CEM3WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335909188&sr=8-1 Snackmaster] is a more affordable option. Ovens ? both toaster ovens and the full-sized variety ? set to 125 degrees with the door open, will also work, but the results will take longer and not dry as evenly.
And of course, you?ll need a good camp stove. A canister system like the [http://www.jetboil.com/ Jetboil] is easy to use, easy to pack and quick to heat up water. But if you?re planning to cook for groups bigger than two, you might want to consider a liquid fuel stove, like [http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/category MSR?s Gourmet Cook system]. With a separate gas canister, you run the risk of leaking in your backpack; they cost more and are a little bulkier. But they?re also more versatile and better able to accommodate large pots. The last thing that anyone wants on a cold, windy night is for a pot full of just-boiling water to tip over onto the fire ? or onto someone?s tired legs.
==Avoid food that you don?t recognize as food==
Michael Pollan wrote this rule, but it applies just as much to backpacking as to the rest of your life. Stay away from the ?energy supplements? section of your local camping store and prepare your own meals and snacks. They?ll taste a lot better than tubes of ?Hi-Oktane Guup Squeeze,? and are a lot more affordable as well.
In this regard, the dehydrator is your new best friend. Fruit, sliced as thinly as possible to decrease drying time, is a great snack on its own or in addition to trail mix. Lean cuts of turkey, salmon, beef or venison are also easy to make into jerky ? sliced, spiced or with marinade.
There are very few meals that can?t be dehydrated, packed in a plastic bag and brought with you, to be rehydrated on the trail later. Salads, like dried fruit, can be spread on the drying tray, dehydrated and packed in plastic bags to be eaten on the trail. Carry olive oil and vinegar in a small, leak-proof bottle and dress your salad once it?s been rehydrated.
Bean dips, tomato sauces and taco fillings are just a few of the meal options that can be cooked at home, spread on the drying tray, and packed in plastic bags for later. They will dry down to a leathery consistency that you can peel off the drying tray and roll into bags. Accompany your meals with quick-cooking grains like couscous, or breads like pitas or tortillas that won?t be the worse for the wear after a few hours of jostling in your pack.
==Spices will save your life==
A bag of dried apples can seem unappetizing after a few bites. But dried apples sprinkled with brown sugar, cayenne pepper or sea salt are better than M&M's ? each flavor is different! Even the most boring foods, like hummus or peanut butter and jelly, can be enlivened with a few additions. Experiment with different marinades for your jerky, or dry and pack different toppings for your oatmeal.
Remember: What seems appealing on day one of your trip will seem like dour, tasteless sludge by day five. It may seem more convenient to pack a 12-pack of Kraft mac from Costco, but your time investment is worth it. Food is the single most powerful motivating force on the trail. There?s no more forceful reason to quit your trip and hitchhike into town than the knowledge that you just can?t choke down one more bowl of ramen noodles.
==Keep it simple==
Preparing pans full of freshly baked cinnamon rolls or hot buttermilk biscuits is a delightful novelty on a short trip. But on any trip that?s longer than three days, futzing around with your food is the last thing you?ll want to do. This holds especially true for dinner, which, on a hilly or rainy day, might be the focus of your thoughts for hours. Make every effort to keep your meals at one-pot preparation ? rehydrate, stir, eat.
[[Category:Camping]]
[[Category:Cooking]]
[[Category:Survival]]
If you?re planning a backpacking trip, it?s a safe bet that you?ve resigned yourself to doing without creature comforts. Improvements in technology have made most pieces of backpacking gear lighter and thinner; still, no one has yet made an air-conditioner or a toilet seat that you?d want to tote on your back for mile upon mile. Moreover, most backpackers pride themselves on their toughness and derring-do. No one wants to be the softie with an air mattress in his tent.
Still, there are luxuries that you don?t have to do without, and great food is one of them. Just because most produce and meats are heavy doesn?t mean you have to leave them at home. Hauling a heavy pack over hill and dale requires a lot of fuel, and the more you can tempt yourself to eat, the happier and healthier you will be on your trip. By following some simple rules?okay, and possibly splurging on some sweet gear?you can eat just as well on the trail as in your own kitchen.
''This how-to was written by Adrienne So, a Wired contributor, freelance writer, and world traveler from Portland, Oregon.''
==Consider some investments==
Even dedicated foodies might consider a dehydrator to be overkill ? unless that dedicated foodie also loves camping. Of all the things that you have to carry, water weighs the most. That?s especially true in the fruits and vegetables that you?ll crave in the woods, to provide variety and fend off scurvy. Or constipation.
[http://www.excaliburdehydrator.com/ Excalibur] models, while not very attractive, earn near-universal praise and can dehydrate up to nine trays of food at once, while the [http://www.amazon.com/Nesco-American-FD-61-Snackmaster-Dehydrator/dp/B000CEM3WM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1335909188&sr=8-1 Snackmaster] is a more affordable option. Ovens ? both toaster ovens and the full-sized variety ? set to 125 degrees with the door open, will also work, but the results will take longer and not dry as evenly.
And of course, you?ll need a good camp stove. A canister system like the [http://www.jetboil.com/ Jetboil] is easy to use, easy to pack and quick to heat up water. But if you?re planning to cook for groups bigger than two, you might want to consider a liquid fuel stove, like [http://cascadedesigns.com/msr/stoves/gourmet-cooking/category MSR?s Gourmet Cook system]. With a separate gas canister, you run the risk of leaking in your backpack; they cost more and are a little bulkier. But they?re also more versatile and better able to accommodate large pots. The last thing that anyone wants on a cold, windy night is for a pot full of just-boiling water to tip over onto the fire ? or onto someone?s tired legs.
==Avoid food that you don?t recognize as food==
Michael Pollan wrote this rule, but it applies just as much to backpacking as to the rest of your life. Stay away from the ?energy supplements? section of your local camping store and prepare your own meals and snacks. They?ll taste a lot better than tubes of ?Hi-Oktane Guup Squeeze,? and are a lot more affordable as well.
In this regard, the dehydrator is your new best friend. Fruit, sliced as thinly as possible to decrease drying time, is a great snack on its own or in addition to trail mix. Lean cuts of turkey, salmon, beef or venison are also easy to make into jerky ? sliced, spiced or with marinade.
There are very few meals that can?t be dehydrated, packed in a plastic bag and brought with you, to be rehydrated on the trail later. Salads, like dried fruit, can be spread on the drying tray, dehydrated and packed in plastic bags to be eaten on the trail. Carry olive oil and vinegar in a small, leak-proof bottle and dress your salad once it?s been rehydrated.
Bean dips, tomato sauces and taco fillings are just a few of the meal options that can be cooked at home, spread on the drying tray, and packed in plastic bags for later. They will dry down to a leathery consistency that you can peel off the drying tray and roll into bags. Accompany your meals with quick-cooking grains like couscous, or breads like pitas or tortillas that won?t be the worse for the wear after a few hours of jostling in your pack.
==Spices will save your life==
A bag of dried apples can seem unappetizing after a few bites. But dried apples sprinkled with brown sugar, cayenne pepper or sea salt are better than M&M's ? each flavor is different! Even the most boring foods, like hummus or peanut butter and jelly, can be enlivened with a few additions. Experiment with different marinades for your jerky, or dry and pack different toppings for your oatmeal.
Remember: What seems appealing on day one of your trip will seem like dour, tasteless sludge by day five. It may seem more convenient to pack a 12-pack of Kraft mac from Costco, but your time investment is worth it. Food is the single most powerful motivating force on the trail. There?s no more forceful reason to quit your trip and hitchhike into town than the knowledge that you just can?t choke down one more bowl of ramen noodles.
==Keep it simple==
Preparing pans full of freshly baked cinnamon rolls or hot buttermilk biscuits is a delightful novelty on a short trip. But on any trip that?s longer than three days, futzing around with your food is the last thing you?ll want to do. This holds especially true for dinner, which, on a hilly or rainy day, might be the focus of your thoughts for hours. Make every effort to keep your meals at one-pot preparation ? rehydrate, stir, eat.
[[Category:Camping]]
[[Category:Cooking]]
[[Category:Survival]]
Source: http://feeds.wired.com/~r/howtowiki/~3/eRvPLlWkE3g/Whip_Up_Gourmet_Grub_in_the_Backcountry
desk top gadgets home gadgets coolest gadget top 100 gadgets
StarTech Releases Mini-SAS to 4x SATA/SAS Backplane to Let You Add Up To Four 2.5? SATA or SAS Hard Drives
Ironically, for a guy who works on cloud computing, I prefer to keep my information near to hand. �I have a Lacie ruggedized 2TB hard disk for my daily backups, as well as a WD 2TB drive for all my media. �Just in case, don’cha know. �But if you’re anything like me, you’ve noticed that [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/DyRKoGK99vg/
newest gadgets gadget websites high tech gadgets geek gadgets
iPad Prototype With Dual Dock Connectors Pops Up on eBay
It may not have a Retina display or quad-core graphics. Hell, it?s not even brand new, or even very clean. But it?s a freak of iPad nature, and it just sold on Ebay for $10,200.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/05/ipad-prototype-with-dual-dock-connectors-pops-up-on-ebay/
Geek deals: 20% off Logitech Ultimate Ears 500vi Headset
If you want a set of the best earbuds in the world, it seems the AKG K3003 from Harman Audio will fit the bill for a tidy sum of $1300. If you want the cheapest set of earbuds available, then the ones that came with your music device (iPod, iPhone, or whatever cranks your tunes) [...]
electronic gadgets usb gadgets top gadgets gadgets for geeks
Google Glass uses a built-in trackpad for navigation
The momentum behind Google’s Project Glass, now known as Google Glass, is growing. That’s mainly due to the involvement of Sergey Brin and his wearing of the prototype glasses whenever he happens to be posing for a picture or appearing on video. This Friday Brin appears on The Gavin Newsom Show, and he is once [...]
Source: http://www.geek.com/articles/gadgets/google-glass-uses-a-built-in-trackpad-for-navigation-20120530/
tech gadget gadgets for blogs blogspot gadgets gadget website
USBFever?s Launches Super High Portable Battery
Recently, my iFrogz case finally gave up the ghost, compelling me to get a new case. �I happened to be at the Apple store when the mood took me (and I had the cash), and I settled on a snap-together case that has a nifty weave pattern on the back and a nice feel to [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/SeCgYCZPYgs/
high tech gadgets geek gadgets 2010 gadgets coolest new gadgets
An App for Art Lovers
The artwork-collection app artCircles belongs on every art lover's iPad, but owners of the third-generation tablet can have even more fun with the app than others.
Source: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/24/an-app-for-art-lovers/
gadget website new gadgets 2010 hot new gadgets gadgets gizmos
Glab: Asus Zenbook, Mindreading Headgear and Star War's 35 Anniversary
This week on the Gadget Lab show, Robbie shows us the latest ultra book from Asus, the Zenbook. Then, Christina shows us the NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile Headset, a headset that allows you to play games with your mind. Lastly, Christina and Robbie remini
Source: http://video.wired.com/services/link/bcpid1813626064/bctid1656943527001?src=mrss
latest tech gadgets gadget news talk gadget gadgets and gizmos
SMRpodcast #117: Chicken Wings And Ribs
An unscheduled two-man taping of the SMRpodcast episode #117, Chicken Wings and Ribs, is now online and ready for download. �This week the Big Fella and I hold it down while @RodSimmons was out ill. There wasn’t a lot of wireless news over the last week, but, Chris and I do touch on some pretty [...]
SMRpodcast #117: Chicken Wings And Ribs is a post from: RIMarkable, the Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog...
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Rimarkable/~3/BaDfQF9ZAgs/smrpodcast-117-chicken-wings-and-ribs
gadgets cool technology gadgets cool technology gadgets electronic gadgets 2010
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
John Scalzi?s Redshirts: GeekDad Book Review
You already know what this book’s about, right? I mean, it’s called Redshirts. And if you know why that’s funny, and you’re a fan of the genre that made it so, John Scalzi’s new novel will make your day. In Redshirts, which will be released June 5 by Tor Books, Scalzi combines straight-up science fiction [...]
Source: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/john-scalzis-redshirts-geekdad-book-review/
The Chromebook Finally Feels Like a Real Laptop
With Samsung's newly redesigned Series 5 Chromebook, it feels like Chrome OS has finally arrived.
Source: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/samsung-chromebook-2/
Shut The Hell Up Navi [Comics]
Check out the full comic after the break. (via Dorkly) Read more on Nerd Approved – Gadgets and Gizmos
Source: http://blogs.7gadgets.com/shut-the-hell-up-navi-comics-2/
Squeeze the Most Juice Out of Your iPhone or iPad Battery
Summary: /* Screen Brightness */
[[Image:Iphonebattery.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Want some fresh-squeezed Apple juice? Photo by Ged Carroll/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/renaissancechambara/5422937479/ flickr]/CC]]
Pop quiz: Your hiking guide is suddenly mistaken for an afternoon snack by a bloodthirsty grizzly bear, leaving you stuck in the middle of the woods somewhere far from civilization. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that you somehow manage to escape the bear. You have 38% battery left on your iPhone, and luckily you use Verizon, so you actually have a signal and can use the Maps app.
How will you make sure your battery lasts long enough that you don't get lost and die of exposure or dehydration before you make it to the nearest town?
In all likelihood, your typical battery crisis is nowhere near as serious (or potentially life-threatening) as the one above. Still, few things are worse on a busy night out than running out of cell phone juice. Here's the rundown on what will ? and won't ? make your iPhone or iPad battery last the longest, and some tips to make sure it lasts as long as your device.
''This how-to was written by [http://90wpm.com Ben Jackson], a writer and app developer living in Brooklyn. He likes clean typography, dirty language, strong coffee, apple pie and comfortable chairs.
==Battery Myths==
First, let's dispel a few myths about battery life on iOS devices. The Internet is littered with conflicting advice about how best to charge your device, but the most commonly purported methods of extending battery life are effectively useless.
===Myth 1: Killing Background Apps Extends Battery Life===
Killing background apps [http://speirs.org/blog/2012/1/2/misconceptions-about-ios-multitasking.html will not extend your battery life]. Those apps are effectively "frozen" in the background and, [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4211 according to Apple's own support documents], multitasking does not put unnecessary strain on the battery. The exceptions to this rule are apps which use ambient location services ([http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/geofencing_whats_next_for_location-based_services.php aka "Geofencing"]), background audio playback (the play symbol will appear in the status bar when audio is playing even if the volume is off), and background downloads in Newsstand. As we'll see, however, you can turn these background features off selectively without quitting the app.
===Myth 2: Calibrating Improves Battery Life===
It's impossible to physically measure how much power remains in a battery. Because of this, mobile device manufacturers have developed sophisticated algorithms to estimate the remaining charge. Still, over time the reading will begin to drift away from the actual value.
Calibrating (using the phone until it dies then charging to 100%) helps snap these readings back into place. It does not, however, extend battery life; it mainly makes the indicator more accurately reflect the battery's state. Apple advises users to calibrate monthly, but any more often is overkill. While there are some ancillary electrochemical benefits to running full charge cycles, in practice you shouldn't have to worry about this too much if you're using your phone regularly.
===Myth 3: Overcharging and Overdischaring Damages Batteries===
While overcharging or undercharging is a concern for gadgets that use lithium ion batteries, Apple has built-in protections to keep these things from affecting iOS devices. As [http://allthingsd.com/20120327/apple-ipad-battery-nothing-to-get-charged-up-about/ All Things Digital recently reported], when the battery fills up, the phone will let it drain to 99%, then fill back up. This cycle will repeat as long as the phone is charging, although the battery indicator will report "full" rather than reflecting the actual fluctuating charge to avoid distracting users.
Likewise with letting the battery "die" too often. (I use quotes around the word "die" because all lithium ion batteries will actually shut off with a bit of charge remaining as a safeguard against damage from overdischarging.)
What ''will'' damage batteries, however, is letting the phone die and then tossing it into a drawer for two months. Batteries lose charge over time even when not in use, and letting the battery sit with little to no charge will cause it to lose capacity.
===Myth 4: iPad Chargers Charge iPhones Much More Quickly===
iPad chargers deliver twice the current as iPhone chargers (2 amps instead of 1 amp). Both are five volts, but the iPad charger has double the wattage as well. (Remember Physics? Me neither. Current, measured in amps, is equal to Wattage divided by Voltage.)
But wait! Current isn't the only factor in charging time. Batteries charge in three stages: The first stage, constant current, is the only one where the battery might use the maximum amount of current that the charger can deliver. But even then, most devices with lithium ion batteries will limit the current to only what they need via software controls.
What this means in practice is that while you will get a quicker initial charge from an iPad charger due to the higher current, the extra current won't be drawn throughout much of the charging cycle. And since batteries charge much more quickly at first, slowing down as they reach the final 20% of capacity, you probably won't notice much difference unless you're running really low.
In addition, it means that if you're in a hurry you should avoid charging your device through your laptop. Newer MacBooks [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049?viewlocale=en_US will detect iPhones and iPads and deliver half the current] as the device's equivalent wall adapter. Gizmodo did a [http://gizmodo.com/5535631/the-fastest-and-slowest-way-to-charge-an-ipad side-by side comparison of different power sources] that illustrates the difference nicely.
==Extending Battery Life in an Emergency==
There are many factors that affect battery life. As the iPhone grows its feature set, that list grows as well. Apple acknowledges this, and maintains [http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html its own short list of battery tips]. Here are the most common battery drains, and how to minimize them.
===Processor-Intensive Activities===
It should go without saying, but if you are in fact lost in the woods, a few rounds of Angry Birds is not the best way to spend your hiking break. Apps which make extensive use of the CPU (e.g. a music app like [http://www.intua.net/products/beatmaker2 BeatMaker 2]) will drain the most power. Graphics-heavy apps such as [http://venturebeat.com/2011/03/13/ipad-2-graphics-performance-processor/ Infinity Blade] will still use considerable battery even though the GPU processes the graphics more efficiently.
===Screen Brightness===
By far the most common drain on battery life is the iPhone's LED backlit screen. Apple recognizes this, and iOS devices come with settings that automatically adjust the screen to ambient light. If you're really strapped, you can adjust the brightness manually under Settings > Brightness. Lowering it will conserve battery life, but not by much. Most battery drain occurs when you increase the brightness above the default setting.
While [http://www.displaymate.com/AutoBrightness_Controls_2.htm there has been some controversy] over the effectiveness of auto-brightness controls in Apple products (as well as Android phones), for day-to-day use it's a decent option unless you relish manually changing the brightness every time you step inside or outside.
Remember, on modern LED-backlit screens like the one the iPhone uses, [http://www.ehow.com/facts_7452583_led_backlit-lcd-work_.html darker pixels use up less energy than lighter ones], so if you're reading then consider using a "dark mode", or if your app doesn't support it, you can invert the screen in Settings > General > Accessibility > White on Black. If you scroll to the bottom of the Accessibility Settings screen, you'll see an option to assign this to the Triple-click Home action.
===Background Activity===
#'''GPS and Geofencing:''' Many apps, like Foursquare and the recently released Highlight, keep tabs on your location constantly. This is a huge battery drain, and you can turn off access to location selectively in Settings > Location Services. You'll see a purple arrow next to any apps that are currently using your location, and a gray one next to those which used it in the last day. Turn off all Location Services to save the most power.
#'''iCloud:''' iCloud is extremely convenient, but unfortunately constantly backing up your data to the cloud will demolish your battery. Make sure to only turn on iCloud for services you need, and turn everything off (or just cut the network connection) if necessary. You can adjust this in Settings > iCloud.
#'''Bluetooth and WiFi:''' Bluetooth and Wifi are generally good about going to sleep when they're not being used, but they still check periodically for new connections. Turn them off in Settings > General > Bluetooth and Settings > Wifi.
#'''Cellular Network:''' Your phone is constantly scanning for cellular towers. When you add 3G data services on top of that, you're firing up the cellular radio regularly, which will suck the life straight out of it. In addition, iMessage will poll the network constantly even if you have push turned off elsewhere. Go to Settings > General > Network and turn off 3G if you still need some data service, or turn off all network services if you want the most battery life. Turning on "Airplane Mode" will disconnect cellular service, GPS, Wifi and Bluetooth all in one shot.
#'''Push Notifications:''' I know, "Email can't wait". Except it will have to wait, or you'll be unable to return it in a few minutes when your phone dies. You can turn off push notifications selectively in Settings > Notification Center. Previously, there was an option to turn push off for all apps, but in iOS 5 you must turn them off individually. This is a pain in the ass, but necessary. Make sure to remove the app from Notification Center, set "Alert Style" to "None", and turn off "Badge App Icon".
#'''Mail and Calendar Fetching:''' Even if you turn off push in Notification Center, iOS will still fetch email, address book, and calendar data via push unless you turn it off in Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
#'''Personal Hotspot:''' Sharing your device's 3G or LTE connection is convenient, but taxes the battery. Turn it off when you're not using it.
#'''Spotlight:''' Spotlight is used by iOS to generate the search results that pop up when you swipe right from the first page of the home screen. The price you pay for this convenience, however, is that Spotlight is constantly indexing the contents of your device, taking up battery life with it. You can turn off Spotlight indexing selectively in Settings > General > Spotlight Search.
==Caring for Lithium Ion Batteries==
All batteries will eventually wear down and store less charge over time. There are, however, some measures you can take to keep your battery in top shape.
Batteries lose capacity over time due to two factors: The first is the constant electrochemical interactions that occur inside the battery, even when at rest; the second, more significant one is the act of charging itself. Lithium ions expand when charging and contract when discharging, and high volumetric expansion causes degradation of the battery. Scott Mullin, a former Apple intern currently working in R&D at [http://www.seeo.com/ Seeo, a next-generation battery startup], compares the chemistry to breathing, saying "The deeper the breaths that you make it take, the more damaging that can be."
The main thing you can do to extend your battery's life is to follow one simple rule of thumb: ABC, or "Always Be Charging". The battery's typical Depth of Discharge, or DOD, is [http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries directly related to how many cycles it will take] before its capacity drops to 80%. The more you have to charge your battery before it's full, the less full charge cycles you'll get out of it.
You'll also want to calibrate once a month by running the device until the battery causes it to shut off, then charging to full. This will help ensure that the indicator always reports an accurate reading.
The temperature and charge level at which you store your phone also matter: Lithium ion batteries run best when stored at colder temperatures at around half charge. This is because all chemical reactions speed up at higher temperatures, including the ones which naturally degrade batteries over time. Unless you live in Ecuador, however, temperature shouldn't make much difference over the typical life of a mobile device. Just remember to avoid leaving your phone in your car on hot summer days.
[[Category:iPhone]]
[[Category:Batteries]]
[[Category:iPad]]
Pop quiz: Your hiking guide is suddenly mistaken for an afternoon snack by a bloodthirsty grizzly bear, leaving you stuck in the middle of the woods somewhere far from civilization. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that you somehow manage to escape the bear. You have 38% battery left on your iPhone, and luckily you use Verizon, so you actually have a signal and can use the Maps app.
How will you make sure your battery lasts long enough that you don't get lost and die of exposure or dehydration before you make it to the nearest town?
In all likelihood, your typical battery crisis is nowhere near as serious (or potentially life-threatening) as the one above. Still, few things are worse on a busy night out than running out of cell phone juice. Here's the rundown on what will ? and won't ? make your iPhone or iPad battery last the longest, and some tips to make sure it lasts as long as your device.
''This how-to was written by [http://90wpm.com Ben Jackson], a writer and app developer living in Brooklyn. He likes clean typography, dirty language, strong coffee, apple pie and comfortable chairs.
==Battery Myths==
First, let's dispel a few myths about battery life on iOS devices. The Internet is littered with conflicting advice about how best to charge your device, but the most commonly purported methods of extending battery life are effectively useless.
===Myth 1: Killing Background Apps Extends Battery Life===
Killing background apps [http://speirs.org/blog/2012/1/2/misconceptions-about-ios-multitasking.html will not extend your battery life]. Those apps are effectively "frozen" in the background and, [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4211 according to Apple's own support documents], multitasking does not put unnecessary strain on the battery. The exceptions to this rule are apps which use ambient location services ([http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/geofencing_whats_next_for_location-based_services.php aka "Geofencing"]), background audio playback (the play symbol will appear in the status bar when audio is playing even if the volume is off), and background downloads in Newsstand. As we'll see, however, you can turn these background features off selectively without quitting the app.
===Myth 2: Calibrating Improves Battery Life===
It's impossible to physically measure how much power remains in a battery. Because of this, mobile device manufacturers have developed sophisticated algorithms to estimate the remaining charge. Still, over time the reading will begin to drift away from the actual value.
Calibrating (using the phone until it dies then charging to 100%) helps snap these readings back into place. It does not, however, extend battery life; it mainly makes the indicator more accurately reflect the battery's state. Apple advises users to calibrate monthly, but any more often is overkill. While there are some ancillary electrochemical benefits to running full charge cycles, in practice you shouldn't have to worry about this too much if you're using your phone regularly.
===Myth 3: Overcharging and Overdischaring Damages Batteries===
While overcharging or undercharging is a concern for gadgets that use lithium ion batteries, Apple has built-in protections to keep these things from affecting iOS devices. As [http://allthingsd.com/20120327/apple-ipad-battery-nothing-to-get-charged-up-about/ All Things Digital recently reported], when the battery fills up, the phone will let it drain to 99%, then fill back up. This cycle will repeat as long as the phone is charging, although the battery indicator will report "full" rather than reflecting the actual fluctuating charge to avoid distracting users.
Likewise with letting the battery "die" too often. (I use quotes around the word "die" because all lithium ion batteries will actually shut off with a bit of charge remaining as a safeguard against damage from overdischarging.)
What ''will'' damage batteries, however, is letting the phone die and then tossing it into a drawer for two months. Batteries lose charge over time even when not in use, and letting the battery sit with little to no charge will cause it to lose capacity.
===Myth 4: iPad Chargers Charge iPhones Much More Quickly===
iPad chargers deliver twice the current as iPhone chargers (2 amps instead of 1 amp). Both are five volts, but the iPad charger has double the wattage as well. (Remember Physics? Me neither. Current, measured in amps, is equal to Wattage divided by Voltage.)
But wait! Current isn't the only factor in charging time. Batteries charge in three stages: The first stage, constant current, is the only one where the battery might use the maximum amount of current that the charger can deliver. But even then, most devices with lithium ion batteries will limit the current to only what they need via software controls.
What this means in practice is that while you will get a quicker initial charge from an iPad charger due to the higher current, the extra current won't be drawn throughout much of the charging cycle. And since batteries charge much more quickly at first, slowing down as they reach the final 20% of capacity, you probably won't notice much difference unless you're running really low.
In addition, it means that if you're in a hurry you should avoid charging your device through your laptop. Newer MacBooks [http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4049?viewlocale=en_US will detect iPhones and iPads and deliver half the current] as the device's equivalent wall adapter. Gizmodo did a [http://gizmodo.com/5535631/the-fastest-and-slowest-way-to-charge-an-ipad side-by side comparison of different power sources] that illustrates the difference nicely.
==Extending Battery Life in an Emergency==
There are many factors that affect battery life. As the iPhone grows its feature set, that list grows as well. Apple acknowledges this, and maintains [http://www.apple.com/batteries/iphone.html its own short list of battery tips]. Here are the most common battery drains, and how to minimize them.
===Processor-Intensive Activities===
It should go without saying, but if you are in fact lost in the woods, a few rounds of Angry Birds is not the best way to spend your hiking break. Apps which make extensive use of the CPU (e.g. a music app like [http://www.intua.net/products/beatmaker2 BeatMaker 2]) will drain the most power. Graphics-heavy apps such as [http://venturebeat.com/2011/03/13/ipad-2-graphics-performance-processor/ Infinity Blade] will still use considerable battery even though the GPU processes the graphics more efficiently.
===Screen Brightness===
By far the most common drain on battery life is the iPhone's LED backlit screen. Apple recognizes this, and iOS devices come with settings that automatically adjust the screen to ambient light. If you're really strapped, you can adjust the brightness manually under Settings > Brightness. Lowering it will conserve battery life, but not by much. Most battery drain occurs when you increase the brightness above the default setting.
While [http://www.displaymate.com/AutoBrightness_Controls_2.htm there has been some controversy] over the effectiveness of auto-brightness controls in Apple products (as well as Android phones), for day-to-day use it's a decent option unless you relish manually changing the brightness every time you step inside or outside.
Remember, on modern LED-backlit screens like the one the iPhone uses, [http://www.ehow.com/facts_7452583_led_backlit-lcd-work_.html darker pixels use up less energy than lighter ones], so if you're reading then consider using a "dark mode", or if your app doesn't support it, you can invert the screen in Settings > General > Accessibility > White on Black. If you scroll to the bottom of the Accessibility Settings screen, you'll see an option to assign this to the Triple-click Home action.
===Background Activity===
#'''GPS and Geofencing:''' Many apps, like Foursquare and the recently released Highlight, keep tabs on your location constantly. This is a huge battery drain, and you can turn off access to location selectively in Settings > Location Services. You'll see a purple arrow next to any apps that are currently using your location, and a gray one next to those which used it in the last day. Turn off all Location Services to save the most power.
#'''iCloud:''' iCloud is extremely convenient, but unfortunately constantly backing up your data to the cloud will demolish your battery. Make sure to only turn on iCloud for services you need, and turn everything off (or just cut the network connection) if necessary. You can adjust this in Settings > iCloud.
#'''Bluetooth and WiFi:''' Bluetooth and Wifi are generally good about going to sleep when they're not being used, but they still check periodically for new connections. Turn them off in Settings > General > Bluetooth and Settings > Wifi.
#'''Cellular Network:''' Your phone is constantly scanning for cellular towers. When you add 3G data services on top of that, you're firing up the cellular radio regularly, which will suck the life straight out of it. In addition, iMessage will poll the network constantly even if you have push turned off elsewhere. Go to Settings > General > Network and turn off 3G if you still need some data service, or turn off all network services if you want the most battery life. Turning on "Airplane Mode" will disconnect cellular service, GPS, Wifi and Bluetooth all in one shot.
#'''Push Notifications:''' I know, "Email can't wait". Except it will have to wait, or you'll be unable to return it in a few minutes when your phone dies. You can turn off push notifications selectively in Settings > Notification Center. Previously, there was an option to turn push off for all apps, but in iOS 5 you must turn them off individually. This is a pain in the ass, but necessary. Make sure to remove the app from Notification Center, set "Alert Style" to "None", and turn off "Badge App Icon".
#'''Mail and Calendar Fetching:''' Even if you turn off push in Notification Center, iOS will still fetch email, address book, and calendar data via push unless you turn it off in Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars.
#'''Personal Hotspot:''' Sharing your device's 3G or LTE connection is convenient, but taxes the battery. Turn it off when you're not using it.
#'''Spotlight:''' Spotlight is used by iOS to generate the search results that pop up when you swipe right from the first page of the home screen. The price you pay for this convenience, however, is that Spotlight is constantly indexing the contents of your device, taking up battery life with it. You can turn off Spotlight indexing selectively in Settings > General > Spotlight Search.
==Caring for Lithium Ion Batteries==
All batteries will eventually wear down and store less charge over time. There are, however, some measures you can take to keep your battery in top shape.
Batteries lose capacity over time due to two factors: The first is the constant electrochemical interactions that occur inside the battery, even when at rest; the second, more significant one is the act of charging itself. Lithium ions expand when charging and contract when discharging, and high volumetric expansion causes degradation of the battery. Scott Mullin, a former Apple intern currently working in R&D at [http://www.seeo.com/ Seeo, a next-generation battery startup], compares the chemistry to breathing, saying "The deeper the breaths that you make it take, the more damaging that can be."
The main thing you can do to extend your battery's life is to follow one simple rule of thumb: ABC, or "Always Be Charging". The battery's typical Depth of Discharge, or DOD, is [http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries directly related to how many cycles it will take] before its capacity drops to 80%. The more you have to charge your battery before it's full, the less full charge cycles you'll get out of it.
You'll also want to calibrate once a month by running the device until the battery causes it to shut off, then charging to full. This will help ensure that the indicator always reports an accurate reading.
The temperature and charge level at which you store your phone also matter: Lithium ion batteries run best when stored at colder temperatures at around half charge. This is because all chemical reactions speed up at higher temperatures, including the ones which naturally degrade batteries over time. Unless you live in Ecuador, however, temperature shouldn't make much difference over the typical life of a mobile device. Just remember to avoid leaving your phone in your car on hot summer days.
[[Category:iPhone]]
[[Category:Batteries]]
[[Category:iPad]]
electronic gadgets 2010 outdoor gadgets gadget online gadget tech
The Economics of Being an Evil Overlord
Over at the delightfully geeky economics blog Centives, they have develop some new calculations to establish the cost of being an unbeatable evil overlord
Source: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/evil-overlord/
cool gadget gadgets websites hottest gadgets gadgets for men
iPad3 Production Started - Launch Early 2012
For consumers, the big question is when the iPad 3 will launch, from sources, Apple is sending the iPad 3 into production this quarter. Apple believes 600,000 to 1 million iPad 3 units will be built this quarter and only commit to early 2012.
Some feature of iPad 3 would be like "A6" processor and processor will feature four cores instead of the dual-core A5 in the iPad 2. And as you might expect, the company has so far been reluctant to comment on the iPad 3.
gadget website new gadgets 2010 hot new gadgets gadgets gizmos
Computer Perfection commercial (1979)
Computer Perfection commercial (1979)
Source: http://video.wired.com/services/link/bcpid1813626064/bctid1656870965001?src=mrss
desk top gadgets home gadgets coolest gadget top 100 gadgets
Tell Jabba I?ve Got His Money: Star Wars Revenue Throughout Our Galaxy
When Luke Skywalker first pushed the button on his light saber in 1977, what also hummed to life was a merchandise empire that shows little sign of slowing.
gadgets news cool gadgets 2010 japanese gadgets igoogle gadgets
A Google-a-Day Puzzle for May 29
Google's daily brainteaser helps hone your search skills.
Source: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/agad052912/
high tech gadgets geek gadgets 2010 gadgets coolest new gadgets
Monday, 28 May 2012
The Summer My Kids (Almost) Completely Unplugged
My son, age eight, is quite attached to our iPod Touch. And the computer. And sometimes to the television and the Nintendo DSi. (And my iPad when I let him touch it.) For the most part, he plays educational games, or watches quality movies or videos. He has learned all of the countries in the world, and quite a bit about strategy and physics. And while he never complains about being bored, he does seem to be dependent on these electronics for much of his entertainment. To give him a break from this, we have often had days where the kids went electronics-free. But lately, that hasn't been enough.
Source: http://www.wired.com/geekdad/2012/05/summer-unplugged/
new gadgets new technology gadgets coolest gadgets desktop gadgets
i-Free Innovations? CoinKeeper App Comes To Android
Ah, budgeting and money tracking! �Let’s face it: �we all know we need to do it, and if you’re anything like me you avoid it like the plague. �(“We only have how much in the account? �But we still have checks left!”) �But this is the age of the smartphone and the app, so maybe [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/iT-dZmmSyAU/
Q&A: Jump-Starting a Stuck YouTube Video
What to do if a YouTube video becomes hung up and won't continue to the end of the clip.
Source: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/25/qa-jump-starting-a-stuck-youtube-video/
Rueters Is Reporting That BlackBerry Market Share In The U.S. Is Down To Just 3%
I will admit that BlackBerry Sightings of everyday consumers in the United States are becoming fewer and farther in between, however, Rueters is reporting that, according to research from�Kantar WorldPanel, BlackBerry market share in the United States has dropped to just 3%… I am going to assume that this number represents the number of smartphones [...]
Rueters Is Reporting That BlackBerry Market Share In The U.S. Is Down To Just 3% is a post from: RIMarkable, the Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog...
Now on Pinterest: Scams
It wasn't long before scammers and phishers found their way onto Pinterest, the growing social-network site.
Source: http://gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/now-on-pinterest-scams/
future gadgets best gadgets hot gadgets newest technology gadgets
Magellan Offers Fishing Hot Spots Digital Maps for eXplorist GPS Devices
I’m not much of a fisherman, honestly. �I’ve tried it, sure, but it’s not my thing. �If I’m going to be sitting in one place for hours at a time, I’d just as soon be reading a book or watching a hockey game or some such, rather than fishing. �I understand the appeal, absolutely; the [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/YB2s4Kgx4vM/
EV Pioneer Plans to Recreate Lindbergh?s Flight in Electric Airplane
Electric vehicle pioneer Chip Yates is upping the ante in the world of electric airplanes. Today, the world-record holder for electric motorcycles announced plans for an all-electric recreation of Charles Lindbergh's famous trans-Atlantic flight in 1927.
Pay Monthly Contracts vs Pay as You Go
When it comes to picking a perfect phone deal, you could go either way; pay monthly contracts or pay as you go. There are advantages and disadvantages to both sides. Pay as you go is great if you hate the thought of being tied down to a 12 month, 18 month or 24 month contract. [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TrendyGadget/~3/rprZcdknXDk/
newest gadgets 2010 tech gadget gadgets for blogs blogspot gadgets
Magnetized Helmet and Glasses: High on Form, Short on Function
Lazer has tried to improve its Helium helmet by adding a pair of cycling glasses that attach using magnets. The results are less than awesome.
Source: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/lazer-helium-magneto/
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Remembering Steve Jobs Across the Web
A memorial for Steve Jobs was created by Alf Watt, a communication software engineer at Apple, outside the San Francisco Apple Store on Wednesday night following the news of Jobs’ passing. Photo: Jim Merithew/Wired.com People of all types came out to celebrate, mourn and honor Steve Jobs after learning of his death yesterday. Some converged [...]
Source: http://blogs.7gadgets.com/remembering-steve-jobs-across-the-web/
Cut Through Political Rhetoric and Track Elections Online
Summary: spelling and punctuation
[[Image:LeftRight.jpg|630px|thumb|left|Whether you're wired to the left or right, make sure you're getting the best facts and stats. Photo by sylvar/[http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylvar/6975893587/ flickr]/CC]]
Ah, elections. The theater of democracy. At this point we're aware that a certain amount of rhetoric and hand-waving accompanies the proceedings. So to make an informed vote come November, we have to cut through the noise. This is not as daunting a task as it once was ? or as some think it still is. While the internet allows politicians to turn up the rhetorical volume, it also allows us voters myriad smarter ways to pay attention.
In this how-to we take a look at doing just that, and explore how to cast a vote for the candidate best suited to serve your needs over the next two, four or six years.
''This how-to was written by [http://twitter.com/calebgarling Caleb Garling], who writes about tech for Wired Enterprise. He secretly loves a good circus and, in related news, is a closet political junkie.''
==Keeping Track of the Presidential Race==
The most important element of any election is (or should be) knowing where the candidates stand on the issues. Sites like [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] do a great job tallying how everyone in Washington voted on legislation that crossed their floor or desk.
As the presidential race heats up, you can tune into just about any major news site ? [http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/pollingcenter/index.html/ CNN], [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/ns/politics/t/nbc-politics/#.T3t2Ec0qvAg MSNBC] or [http://www.foxnews.com/topics/fox-news-polls.htm FoxNews] ? for up-to-date poll numbers. Each of these sets of numbers should usually be taken with a grain of salt. Some sites like [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Real Clear Politics] (RCP) will begin aggregating all of these polls to make a meta poll of sorts which is likely more trustworthy as a predictor of the outcome. During the primaries, RCP also does a great job of packaging up all the theoretical races (i.e., One primary candidate against the incumbent).
But you'll also want to know what the candidates are up to and you can be sure that their Twitter or Facebook page will be updated with exactly what state and what stump they're standing on. (If a candidate has rejected the use of social media in his or her campaign, that's also something to think about.) For the most comprehensive approach, like and follow all of the candidates ? even ones you don't think you'd vote for ? so you can gain the broadest picture on the election.
==Fact Check==
No matter how you tend to vote, you've undoubtedly heard a claim by a candidate that made you say "...really?" Any time that happens to you, be sure to give the folks at [http://factcheck.org/ FactCheck.org] and [http://www.politifact.com/ PolitiFact.com] a few days to sort through the claims and clarify how much truthiness was involved in the claim. Because of the popularity of such sites, newspapers like the ''Washington Post'' have also opened up their [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker fact checking files] to the public.
Also, to be a diligent voter, be sure to double-check these sites, even when it's your candidate with the suspect statements. Then act on the clarifications.
==Find Out Where the Money Comes From==
There is money in Washington, you may have heard. For any election, it's crucial to know what hands feed your candidate. That will inform his or her decisions later. We see this with nationally reviled bills like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act SOPA], where the members of congress that supported the bill had received a ton of money from the recording and media industry. Sometimes, it's really that simple. So give your candidates a hard look on sites like [http://www.opensecrets.org/ OpenSecrets.org] and decide if you want that kind of corporate, union or special interest influence whispering in your now-elected representative's ear.
==Keeping Tabs on the Congressional Races==
As far as projections, a few sites do a good job of making smart arguments on why the numbers might not be telling the whole story. Nate Silver runs a blog called [http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/ FiveThirtyEight] that provides a complete and often surprisingly different analysis of the poll numbers using intricate statistical methods (not hope and bias, like many others).
Like the presidential race, the most important piece of any election is knowing where a candidate stands on an issue. Sites like [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] do a great job tallying how every member of Congress voted on each piece of legislation that hit the floor.
==Keeping Tabs on the Local Races==
How exactly to pay attention to your local races will vary by whether you're in the Big Apple or the Boon Docks. But you can start with the basics by tracking your local paper and their website each day. Hopefully your candidates have some sort of social media presence that you can hook into also. As mentioned, if the candidate applies, [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] will display their voting histories.
==Keeping Tabs on the Debates==
Knowing when the debates are happening shouldn't be hard. Just check any major news site or the candidate's website. But you may want to watch the back-and-forth with other people to get their perspective on the finer points of the discussion and to gain other observations on the candidate. Organize your own party using all the standard party planning tools like Facebook, Evite or, if you want to get fancy, Paperless Post.
Keep tabs on grassroot ticketing sites like Eventbrite to see whether they start featuring more "debate watching" events as the elections get closer.
[[Category:Politics]]
Ah, elections. The theater of democracy. At this point we're aware that a certain amount of rhetoric and hand-waving accompanies the proceedings. So to make an informed vote come November, we have to cut through the noise. This is not as daunting a task as it once was ? or as some think it still is. While the internet allows politicians to turn up the rhetorical volume, it also allows us voters myriad smarter ways to pay attention.
In this how-to we take a look at doing just that, and explore how to cast a vote for the candidate best suited to serve your needs over the next two, four or six years.
''This how-to was written by [http://twitter.com/calebgarling Caleb Garling], who writes about tech for Wired Enterprise. He secretly loves a good circus and, in related news, is a closet political junkie.''
==Keeping Track of the Presidential Race==
The most important element of any election is (or should be) knowing where the candidates stand on the issues. Sites like [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] do a great job tallying how everyone in Washington voted on legislation that crossed their floor or desk.
As the presidential race heats up, you can tune into just about any major news site ? [http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/pollingcenter/index.html/ CNN], [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032553/ns/politics/t/nbc-politics/#.T3t2Ec0qvAg MSNBC] or [http://www.foxnews.com/topics/fox-news-polls.htm FoxNews] ? for up-to-date poll numbers. Each of these sets of numbers should usually be taken with a grain of salt. Some sites like [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/ Real Clear Politics] (RCP) will begin aggregating all of these polls to make a meta poll of sorts which is likely more trustworthy as a predictor of the outcome. During the primaries, RCP also does a great job of packaging up all the theoretical races (i.e., One primary candidate against the incumbent).
But you'll also want to know what the candidates are up to and you can be sure that their Twitter or Facebook page will be updated with exactly what state and what stump they're standing on. (If a candidate has rejected the use of social media in his or her campaign, that's also something to think about.) For the most comprehensive approach, like and follow all of the candidates ? even ones you don't think you'd vote for ? so you can gain the broadest picture on the election.
==Fact Check==
No matter how you tend to vote, you've undoubtedly heard a claim by a candidate that made you say "...really?" Any time that happens to you, be sure to give the folks at [http://factcheck.org/ FactCheck.org] and [http://www.politifact.com/ PolitiFact.com] a few days to sort through the claims and clarify how much truthiness was involved in the claim. Because of the popularity of such sites, newspapers like the ''Washington Post'' have also opened up their [http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker fact checking files] to the public.
Also, to be a diligent voter, be sure to double-check these sites, even when it's your candidate with the suspect statements. Then act on the clarifications.
==Find Out Where the Money Comes From==
There is money in Washington, you may have heard. For any election, it's crucial to know what hands feed your candidate. That will inform his or her decisions later. We see this with nationally reviled bills like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stop_Online_Piracy_Act SOPA], where the members of congress that supported the bill had received a ton of money from the recording and media industry. Sometimes, it's really that simple. So give your candidates a hard look on sites like [http://www.opensecrets.org/ OpenSecrets.org] and decide if you want that kind of corporate, union or special interest influence whispering in your now-elected representative's ear.
==Keeping Tabs on the Congressional Races==
As far as projections, a few sites do a good job of making smart arguments on why the numbers might not be telling the whole story. Nate Silver runs a blog called [http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/ FiveThirtyEight] that provides a complete and often surprisingly different analysis of the poll numbers using intricate statistical methods (not hope and bias, like many others).
Like the presidential race, the most important piece of any election is knowing where a candidate stands on an issue. Sites like [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] do a great job tallying how every member of Congress voted on each piece of legislation that hit the floor.
==Keeping Tabs on the Local Races==
How exactly to pay attention to your local races will vary by whether you're in the Big Apple or the Boon Docks. But you can start with the basics by tracking your local paper and their website each day. Hopefully your candidates have some sort of social media presence that you can hook into also. As mentioned, if the candidate applies, [http://www.govtrack.us/ GovTrack], [http://www.votesmart.org/ Project Vote Smart] and [http://www.opencongress.org/ OpenCongress] will display their voting histories.
==Keeping Tabs on the Debates==
Knowing when the debates are happening shouldn't be hard. Just check any major news site or the candidate's website. But you may want to watch the back-and-forth with other people to get their perspective on the finer points of the discussion and to gain other observations on the candidate. Organize your own party using all the standard party planning tools like Facebook, Evite or, if you want to get fancy, Paperless Post.
Keep tabs on grassroot ticketing sites like Eventbrite to see whether they start featuring more "debate watching" events as the elections get closer.
[[Category:Politics]]
Help Wanted!
Have you always wanted to blog because it is easy, exciting and downright cool? Do you want tons of review items thrown at you, while you get rich writing about them? Do you love all things Mac and iOS? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, then there is no reason [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/_B3nxH8RfGs/
gadget website new gadgets 2010 hot new gadgets gadgets gizmos
BlackBerry No Longer On The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Brands List
Research in Motion, for years has enjoyed extremely good brand value when it comes to the BlackBerry brand. As a matter of fact, the BlackBerry Brand has been on the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Brands list for years, reaching as high as #14 in 2010. Last year the BlackBerry brand came in at #25 [...]
BlackBerry No Longer On The BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Brands List is a post from: RIMarkable, the Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog...
new technology gadgets coolest gadgets desktop gadgets awesome gadgets
Samsung Focus 2 Is a Windows Phone Bargain
The Samsung Focus 2 is a new Windows Phone for AT&T that has two key things going for it: slick looks and a low $50 price tag.
Source: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/samsung-focus-2/
business gadgets cool gadget gadgets websites hottest gadgets
V-MODA Crossfade M-80 White Pearl headphones announced
Are you in the market for a new pair of headphones? You will not go wrong then, if you have a couple of Benjamins to spare, with the V-MODA Crossfade M-80 White Pearl headphones. After all, this pair will come in a color that most of you would go nuts over, especially when the white [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/coolest-gadgets/jdZL/~3/z2x6s9Gk-Sw/
gadget website new gadgets 2010 hot new gadgets gadgets gizmos
Star Wars? Coolest Gadgets ? And Their Real-World Analogs
To celebrate Star Wars' 35th anniversary the Gadget Lab way, we decided to gather nine of our favorite pieces of tech from a galaxy far, far away and see what gadgets come closest to being the real-world equivalents.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/05/star-wars-coolest-gadgets/
Samsung Focus 2 Is a Windows Phone Bargain
The Samsung Focus 2 is a new Windows Phone for AT&T that has two key things going for it: slick looks and a low $50 price tag.
Source: http://www.wired.com/reviews/2012/05/samsung-focus-2/
Saturday, 26 May 2012
Review: Max Payne 3 Has Enough Bullets for Everyone
Playing through Max Payne 3's single player campaign is akin to spending an afternoon watching the whole Die Hard saga: great fun, but really something you shouldn't do more than once.
Source: http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2012/05/max-payne-3-review/
cool gadgets 2010 japanese gadgets igoogle gadgets blog gadgets
It Doesn?t Look Like Any BBM Licensing Deals Are Coming Any Time Soon
We’ve heard rumors that Research in Motion would license BlackBerry Messenger for use on non-BlackBerry platforms for some time. A big part of former RIM co-CEO and board member, Jim Balsillie’s, plan for turning things around including licensing BBM and other proprietary services currently available only to BlackBerry users. Even though RIM CEO Thorsten Heins [...]
It Doesn’t Look Like Any BBM Licensing Deals Are Coming Any Time Soon is a post from: RIMarkable, the Unofficial BlackBerry Weblog...
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Exclusive Gear Diary Discount on Skooba Design Products
In case you missed it in yesterday’s GD Weekly newsletter, our friends at Skooba Design are offering an exclusive discount on all purchases over $75! That’s a huge savings and all you have to do is use the code GDiary when checking out. You can save on the Skooba Tablet Messenger V3 (read our [...]
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearDiary/~3/nJC9nFFiQao/
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Glab: Asus Zenbook, Mindreading Headgear and Star War's 35 Anniversary
This week on the Gadget Lab show, Robbie shows us the latest ultra book from Asus, the Zenbook. Then, Christina shows us the NeuroSky Mindwave Mobile Headset, a headset that allows you to play games with your mind. Lastly, Christina and Robbie remini
Source: http://video.wired.com/services/link/bcpid1813626064/bctid1656943527001?src=mrss
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How LCD Displays Work
Bill Hammack teach us ?how the diffuser panels work together to work LCD displays.? Bill Hammack explains how LCD display uses liquid crystals, thin film transistors and polarizer?s to display information to either block or allow light passage. These are made of numerous layers and, we never knew quite what they were doing to with retrieved LCD screens. Well, look additional in this video.
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Cool-new-gadgets/~3/Tw5nrVRWai4/how-lcd-displays-work.html
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