2018 – First Man on Mars?

Posted by Malcolm on February 22, 2013
Posted in: Future, History, Holidays. Tagged: , , , , , , .

mars dennis titoThe first man to privately fund their trip into space now wants to be the first man on Mars. In 2001 Dennis Tito spent, a reported, $20,000,000 to the Russian Federal Space Agency to realise a lifetime dream to visit space.

dennis tito to mars

Tito, an entrepreneur and multi-millionaire, plans to launch a privately-funded mission to Mars in 2018, when he will be 77. Initial reports suggest the trip should take approx. 500 days but further details should be released later this week at a press conference Tito is holding titled “The Planets are Aligning for a Once-in-a-Generation Space Journey”.

The announcement will be made on 27th February with Tito participating with Taber MacCallum and Jane Poynter, part of Paragon Space Development Corp who specialise in life-support systems, and Jonathan Clark who is an expert in space-medicine from the Baylor College of Medicine.

The proposed mission is said to be a crewed flight to Mars but it doesn’t plan to either orbit the planet or actually land on it, just fly by the planet (using the word “just” in the loosest possible form). The mission is planned to take 501 days and to take off in January 2018.

Back in 2011, six men emerged from steel tubes after being locked away for a year and a half to simulate a mission to Mars. The Mars500 project was held at an institute in Moscow to see how humans would fair in “space” for that long and they even carried out a fake Mars landing and “Mars-walk”.

The 6-man team consisted of three Russians, two Europeans and a Chinese man, but the conditions weren’t exactly what Tito and his team could potentially face. Although the study and results will be interesting and useful to the real Mars mission, the test subjects weren’t subjected to potentially harmful radiation exposure or weightlessness.

Earth’s atmosphere protects us from the dangerous radio particles which come from the Sun but there isn’t a shield like that on space flights. There were worries about radiation on the Apollo missions but the Mars trip is much longer and so there is an increased level of exposure to be anticipated.

Weightlessness can have a strange effect on the body and life in zero gravity can deplete muscle strength considerably as their use is near none existent. If Tito and his crew were to undertake this voyage then he would arrive back to earth a weaker man and considering his age, this could be a major concern.

The Cultural History of Jewellery and various uses of Jewellery

Posted by Malcolm on November 26, 2012
Posted in: Culture, History. Tagged: , , , , , , , , .

Jewellery is one of the oldest forms of body decoration. In older times it was mostly made for practical purposes, joining cloths etc., but today it is used almost exclusively for decoration.

Nassarius pearls are considered to be the oldest forms of jewellery as they are pearls that are found in shells that are around 82 000 years old. They were discovered while researching the Grotte des Pigeons caves in Taforalt in eastern Morocco. They are made from 12 pierced Nassarius shells and coated with ochre. Nasarius’s are found in warm seas and coral reefs of the Pacific, Asia and the Americas. Jewellery made from Nassarius shells that can also be found at other African sites, but for now only a necklace found in eastern Morocco has a safe dating.

The first signs of jewellery have originates dating back to before Neanderthals, they are approximately 40,000 years old, with the jewellery being made from bones, teeth and stone. Since then, jewellery has been encounter in different cultures.

Ancient Egyptians

Egyptians began to wear jewellery about 3000 to 5000 years ago preferring luxurious and rare gold and soon became a symbol of power in Egypt. Even though they had access to gemstones, Egyptians preferred to combine gold with glass beads that they coloured themselves. Powerful Egyptians were also buried with their jewellery.

Mesopotamians

Jewellery was usually made out of thin metal decorated with bright coloured stones. Favourite forms were: leaf, spiral and grapes. A lot of gold jewellery, silver and semi-precious stones were found in their tombs.

Ancient Greeks

Around 300 BC the ancient Greeks perfected to make jewellery out of amethyst, emeralds and pearls, however jewellery making was also practiced before this time. First traces of jewellery made from lava were also found in Greece. Jewellery was rarely worn, mostly for special occasions and public appearances with women wearing jewellery mainly to highlight their beauty, wealth and social status. Amulets were also worn as a sign of protection from evil curses. While their jewellery was made from gold, silver and precious stones, their copies were made from clay and bronze.

Ancient Romans

The most commonly used jewellery by early ancient Romans was the brooch, which was used to connect the garment. Jewellery was made out of various materials. Women wore a lot of jewellery, while men wore only rings. Like the Greeks, the Romans wore various amulets for protection. With the collapse of the Roman Empire, the different designs of Roman jewellery were adopted by neighbouring countries and tribes.

Middle Ages

Europeans in the Middle Ages continued the tradition of jewellery making. Celts and Merovingian’s are especially known for their jewellery, which due to its quality is equal to or even exceeds the quality of Byzantine. Women wore bracelets, earrings, hair clips and used combs to brush their hair. Men on the other hand wore rings as a way to seal their signatures, which they took from the Romans. In the Byzantines Roman traditions were continued, but the jewellery was made from lighter gold, with greater emphasis on precious stones. As in other cultures, the dead were buried with their jewellery.

Renaissance period

As a result of greater cultural exchange during the renaissance period the world of jewellery was dominated by precious stones. Napoleon introduced the rule of making jewellery as a set and according to his instruction different sets of jewellery that included a tiara, earrings, ring, brooch and necklace of the same material and design was manufactured. He is also known for reviving jewellery made from lava.

Romanticism

Emergence of the middle class during the romanticism period resulted in an emerging middle class that could also afford jewellery. During this time a new fashion trend of wearing jewellery for grieving emerged which was introduced by Queen Victoria who, after the death of her husband continued to wear jewellery. In 1837 in the USA Charles Lewis founded Tiffany & Co which was famous for its gemstone jewellery. In 1847 in France Pierre Cartier founded Cartier SA, while in Italy in 1884 the world famous Bulgari was founded. To this day these three jewellery powerhouses remain the leaders in quality jewellery.

Modern jewellery

Modern jewellery has never been as diverse as today. The modern jewellery movement began after World War II with the renewed interest in artistic pursuit. The movement was most known by the works of George Jensen and other jewellery designers who had advanced the concept of wearable art and popularised jewellery design as an independent profession. During the late 20th century the connection between European design and oriental techniques is shown. With the advancement of high quality artificial gemstones as well as the appearance of new materials such as plastics and various painting techniques, has led to a large increase in the diversity of styles and brought the jewellery to the general population. Today gemstones of various colours such as ruby, sapphire, emerald and quarts are being used to make different types of jewellery with amber jewellery being one of the most popular.
We hope that you have enjoyed the journey through the cultural history of jewellery.

Cultural differences between Europe and Asia

Posted by Malcolm on November 20, 2012
Posted in: Culture. Tagged: , , .

There are some distinct cultural differences between Europe and Asia, even though nowadays lines may be getting blurry as more cultures worldwide intermingle. However, both the European and Asian cultures have significant differences. Firstly, the European culture is centred around individualism, a notion of everybody for themselves. The society is more ego-centric. The Asian culture is more group oriented; people pull resources together as if sharing in a village. Asians also tend to be shyer than westerners, it’s not in the Asian culture to boast or show off. However, confidence is usually accepted in Europe through outward bragging or showing it off as it were. If you went to a large congregation with both cultures, you are more likely to find the European section louder and more boisterous. The Asian section will tend to be quieter and less assuming; they don’t draw quite as much attention to themselves. The Asian culture puts much more emphasis on internal values of mental fortitude and strengthening the soul within. The western culture focuses more on outward appearance.

Work

The Asian culture is founded upon superb work ethics. Asians are taught from a very young age to value hard work. Education is very important to them; they don’t take it for granted. The Asian culture is also predominantly left-brained and more rigid. The European culture does not boast the same work ethic as the Asian culture, but there is more right-brained imagination and flexibility. More innovation is more likely to come from the European culture, Asians are more likely to copy or duplicate. Europeans encourage risk taking and very entrepreneurial activities without fear of failure. The Asian culture, however, looks down on failure with great shame so Asians are not as prone to risk-taking. Asians also tend to be very polite and welcoming even to complete strangers. You are not likely to find too much outward expressions of anger even when provoked. Europeans, however, have no problems expressing anger whether warranted or not. There are more aggressive traits inherent in the European culture and that is clearly demonstrated within the confines of history between both cultures.

Family

Family discipline is very prevalent in the Asian culture. Kids are very obedient and usually follow the wishes of their parents. Kids are brought up with incredible pride about their ancestors and doing what is right for the family. In most cases, families usually bond together to help raise the kids as a strong family unit. Aunts and uncles can discipline the kids just the same as the parents. Asian kids have a great deal of respect for the family hierarchy. Whenever any specific member of the family is in trouble, they all bond together equally. The European culture is vastly different, kids usually only totally respect their parents if they do at all. There is no strong familial bond outside the nuclear family. The Asian culture operates in a very disciplined manner, people and trains are highly punctual, the average person doesn’t just throw thrash away anywhere. On the other hand, the European culture does not emphasize punctuality or discipline in the same manner. As you can see, there are indeed some intrinsic and extrinsic cultural differences between Europe and Asia.

Holiday Tips

Posted by Malcolm on October 30, 2012
Posted in: beach holidays, Holidays. Tagged: , , , , , .

Going on holiday can be exciting, but I find the week or two before the holiday to be a stressful time; just trying to make sure everything and everyone are in order! Here’s some useful hints and tips to make the lead up to your holiday a little easier -

1 – Change your currency online

PLEASE don’t get your currency changed last minute at the airport, they are the most expensive and you’ll get a terrible deal. But I do recommend searching online for a good deal on changing your money, but just a quick tip; check the delivery charges as they can blow any decent saving margin, in some cases. In fact, you can sort out everything to do with your holiday online and I can almost guarantee that it’ll be cheaper than any high street retailer!

2 – Grab a lift

Driving can be quite a stressful experience without having to get to the airport with luggage and excitable children. The excitement and rush of getting to the airport could result in you not paying attention fully and either causing or being in an accident. So sit back, relax and hire someone (or ask a friend) for a lift to the airport.

3 – Avoid free Wi-Fi

With the advance in technology, pretty much anyone with a laptop can set up in an airport, offer up some free Wi-Fi and start harvesting anyones usernames and passwords when they log in using their Wi-Fi. This is a worrying thought as you normally wouldn’t think twice about it, but now you know, hopefully you will be more wary… Don’t worry, Facebook will still be there when you get home.

4 – Get through security quickly

It’s nearly impossible to get through security quickly, but if you do the following, it can help to speed up the process- make sure you have your laptop/ iPad easily accessible so that it can go in its own seperate tray; keep all your small liquids together so that if you are asked to remove them, you won’t be foraging around in your bad for hours; don’t wrap any presents, they will more than likely get unwrapped again to be checked; and try to pack everything neatly as it’ll be much easier to sort through if you do need to be searched.

5 – Pack for your arrival

Depending on what time you arrive at your destination should depend on how you pack. If you’re arriving at 2am, you’ll probably want your PJ’s on top; if you’re on a lads holiday and arrive at 8pm, you’ll probably want to throw on your best shirt; and if you arrive at midday, you’ll proabably want to throw on your swimwear and jump in the pool! No one wants to have to empty their suitcase to unpakc something right at the bottom.

The Caribbean Culture of St Lucia

Posted by Malcolm on August 20, 2012
Posted in: beach holidays. Tagged: , , .

The island of St Lucia situated in the eastern Caribbean sea may be a small island (population of 175,000 in 238 sq mile), but it is rich with natural beauty, inspiring culture and worldwide popularity. The culture is a blend of African, French and English and although English is the official language, as is the case with many Caribbean islands, French Patois is still used today.

Saint Lucia has been independent since 1979 but despite a stable and long history since then, the island still has a hint of its colourful past. Although it is independent, it remains to be a member of the British Commonwealth.

Unsurprisingly, the island is a hotspot for tourists. A number of cruise lines pass by the island, holiday brochures at travel agents or visit sites like Tropical Sky who, in all its glory, display the beautiful colours of the Caribbean island. It’s enough to make you dream about going there. Naturally, tourism is a big part of their economy but they are also known to export bananas including plantains and beer made from malt. But since the banana is a highly competitive one, the economy depends greatly on tourism though its tropical weather, scenery and a number of beaches and resorts are capable of attracting tourists from around the world. However, a large number of tourists tend to stop by Saint Lucia via a cruise. As with most cruise liners, a typical Caribbean cruise holiday will almost certainly sail near St Lucia for the passengers to visit.

As with most Caribbean islands, music and festivals are both major staples of a St Lucian culture. Two major festivals, La Rose and La Marguerite, are held every year in August and September respectively. The Jounen Kweyol (Creole Day) festival is also celebrated every year on the last Sunday of October. The towns chosen to host the event put up a grand occasion with food, drinks, music and traditional costumes worn by the locals.

The St Lucians sure do love their food and it is a delight for local and non-locals alike. Although it typically consists of starches and animal protein, you would be surprised of the deliciousness and wide variety of foods that applies in these two categories. The starches alone include yams, dasheen, sweet potatoes, eddos, bananas and breadfruit. These starches tend to be boiled and accompany fish or meat with sauce. Popular animal sources include chicken back, pork hocks, pig tail and saltfish. A popular sauce on the dinner table is pepper sauce for those who like their food spicy hot.

St Lucia may not be a big name like Barbados and Bahamas, but this could work into your advantage. An island which is rich with beauty and culture, holidaymakers could do a lot worse that visiting St Lucia.

The graffiti culture – Is it right?

Posted by Malcolm on August 16, 2012
Posted in: Graffiti. Tagged: , , , .

You will struggle to get a consistent opinion but graffiti is a controversial subject as to what is graffiti and why does it happen. It could be split into three groups of reasons: art, vandalism or gang. So let’s get right to it.

Graffiti is an artistic release for many people. It is argued that they are done to attract attention and make a bold statement (in a bold manner). Many graffiti artists view themselves as just that; an artist. They believe that they are not doing anything wrong and that people want to see their artistic talent. It’s not uncommon to see property/business owners hiring graffiti artist to decorate their walls (interior or exterior), provided that they are bold, colourful and inspiring. After all, who would want to see “tagging”, which is known as “graffiti’s little sister”. The act of tagging has no flow or rule; it’s merely a person writing their name or crew’s name

With the high profile street artists like Banksy popping up across a city to display their talent to the public, it is often considered to be an act of vandalism. This makes sense when you consider the fact graffiti tend to crop up on buildings, walls, monuments, etc which are most likely not owned by the graffiti artists. Often the local council are forced to cough up for the cost of removing and painting over the graffiti using the taxpayers’ money. Regardless of how the level quality, graffiti is considered to be an illegal act of vandalism in many areas.

A popular act carried out by gangs is to mark their territories or turf with graffiti, express their hatreds toward another gang or even display a tribute to a gang member. Gang graffiti are sometimes created to create a sense of intimidation and fear within the area, an act which tend to work for the non-gang related personas. Unfortunately, even the most innocent member of public can be a victim of violence. If a neighbourhood has been marked with graffiti and consequently “owned” by a gang, the residents will then be identified by rival gangs as a potential threat, thus becoming a victim of drive-by attacks by rival gangs.

Arguments are raised on whether the teenagers and young adults are “bored” or can’t afford to purchase large canvas to display their talent, express their feelings or however you want to describe it. Needless to say that the local residents are not content with these reasons, which is understandable when you consider that they are forced to spend their own hard-earned money to clean up the art.

So is it right? Well that depends on who is drawing, where, it’s purpose and who is meant to see the graffiti. Otherwise, if a self-proclaimed artist decides to tag their name on a monument in front of the general public, it’s difficult to argue their case.

Are Designer Sunglasses Worth the Price?

Posted by Malcolm on July 29, 2012
Posted in: Sunglasses. Tagged: , .

In a nutshell? Maybe not. There are many things that people do not realise about designer sunglasses. Granted, many of them are certainly more eye-catching than the standard models one can find in their local pharmacy, but are they really worth the hundred-dollar difference? Italian brands like Prada and Bulgari will leave you at least £200 short and mind you, this price only applies if you do not have a need for prescription lenses. On the other hand, less prestigious but equally reputable designer sunglasses brands like Ray-Ban and REVO sell for no less than £100 a pair.

You may be surprised to learn just how much the designer sunglasses industry makes in a year. Even in the aftermath of the 2008 economic recession, sales continue to remain strong. As a matter of fact, one of the giants in the shades industry, Sunglass Hut, reports that their sales figures rose by 10.8 percent in the first quarter of the year. This means that they bounced back completely from their sales slump in the first few months of 2009.

But again, are designer sunglasses worth your hard-earned cash? What exactly is the difference between them and the £10 shades you can find in drug stores and retailers nationwide?

If you are in the market for a pair of designer sunglasses, here are a few things that you may find helpful to know:

  1. Majority of sunglasses are manufactured by one company. If you are one of those consumers who find one brand preferable to another, there is something that you need to know. Bulgari, Oakley, Dolce & Gabbana, Ray-Ban, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Prada are all produced by one Italian manufacturer. The company is called Luxottica and for decades now, they have been making a fortune off of these brands. Other brands that Luxottica is responsible for producing include Donna Karan, Burberry, Tory Burch, Chanel, Miu Miu, Chanel, Persol, Polo Ralph Lauren, Vogue, Paul Smith, Versace, Tiffany, and Stella McCartney.
  2. Luxottica may also be acting as the seller of the sunglasses. Stores like LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut, and Pearle Vision are all owned by Luxottica. You may not be aware of it, but in these stores, the eye doctor, sales personnel, and the products that they are endorsing or recommending all come from the same company. This is probably something that you would want to know prior to making a purchase.
  3. The mark-ups are ridiculously high. While costs are driven up for sunglasses in order to cover labour and materials used, the rate of the mark-up for designer sunglasses is in a class of its own. When deciding how much to cost a certain brand, companies like Luxottica take into consideration how much they think consumers would be willing to pay. Keep this in mind the next time you are about to shell out £300 for a pair of sunglasses that probably cost a fraction of that figure to produce.
  4. Designer sunglasses do not necessarily offer better protection for the eyes. One reason that many people choose to spend large sums of money on designer sunglasses is because they believe that they are actually purchasing better protection. But the truth is that what they are paying for is the brand and not the quality of the lenses. The only benefit that some designer sunglasses offer is more durable frames but other than that, a generic brand from your local pharmacy affords you the same protection for your eyes as a pair that will cost you five times the price.With all of the above in mind, you can now make an educated decision about the next pair of sunglasses that you will purchase.

Virtual Testing: Test Sunglasses Outdoor Without Leaving the Store

Posted by Malcolm on July 25, 2012
Posted in: Sunglasses. Tagged: , , , , , .

Yes, it’s Oakley (http://www.selectspecs.com/Sunglasses/Designer/Oakley/d391/), and they have matched technology with retail. The outcome is OakleyView, an app which lets you test your lenses in a variety of outdoor environments. Now, you can test lenses of your sunglasses in different outdoor conditions without leaving the store. The adjective’s virtual; virtual testing.

What are you talking about?

We are talking about technology and getting the perfect pair of sunglasses. This is the future of retail. Oakley, where fashion meets function, has made shopping for sunglasses easier and pleasurable. They have developed a mobile app called OakleyView that help shoppers of sunglasses to find the right Oakley lens that is perfect for the kind of outdoor activity they indulge in.

You can test various lenses in a variety of simulated environments. You can choose which environment you want to test your sunglasses on. You can choose from five different outdoor settings and two different weather conditions, and test Oakley’s 18 formulated lens tints.

Through this testing, you can find out how well your Oakley sunglasses will serve you when you actually use them in those conditions. Sounds pretty! There’s more. You can, on iPhone or iPad, tilt the screen to see a panoramic view of the landscape and test your lenses in various lighting angles.

Oakley Wants you to Get Nothing Less than Perfect

If you are into sports and are out battling the elements more often than most people, getting the right lenses is important to you (we hope this is not news for you). Lens color, shape, material of the lens, its visibility, clarity and every minute thing will make a difference. Your sunglasses need to be perfect, not just okay.

The new app is designed to replicate the outside environment so that you know the difference between good lenses and perfect lenses. You can see virtual slopes and judge how your Oakley cuts the glare without affecting the quality of your vision. You can test it in places with light and shade to see how well your all-purpose-lens will adjust to the difference.

With OakleyView, you can test your lenses against:

  • Sharp contrast
  • Bright lights
  • Speed
  • Glare
  • Visibility
  • Fog
  • Snow

The OakleyView Experience

  • Test the lenses according to the activity you want to use them for. Is it driving, skiing, sailing, fishing, cycling, motor sports, trekking, running or everyday outdoor activities?
  • Judge the difference between Oakley’s HD polarized technologies that gives you maximum protection from high-glare situations.
  • Different situations, different results. Use the interactive features of the iPhone/iPad to explore panoramic views and different lighting.
  • OakleyView has five different settings namely street, golf course, water, snow and cross-country.

OakleyView is available in Japanese apart from English.

Protection with Precision

Not all sunglasses will protect your eyes from damage. Although most brands protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays, very few sunglasses will save your eyes from damage due to accident. Those who are into outdoor activities are forever vulnerable to mishaps. Choosing lenses that offer greater protection to eyes are a must for them.

When buying lenses, ask the store manager how much protection lenses will provide to your eyes in case of accidents. Oakley sunglasses are known to protect the eyes in extreme circumstances. Still, you may want to check out specifics from the company.

Okay, you have very many questions answered. The next time you visit a store to buy sunglasses, you will have many questions ready for the store manager. With virtual testing, sunglasses companies are offering more than protection, so that you get the double deal of protection and precision.

Luxury River Cruises on the Danube Rhone and Saone

Posted by Malcolm on May 15, 2012
Posted in: Luxury Cruise. Tagged: , , , , .

Swan Hellenic returns to river cruising this year with seven and ten-night cruises on the Danube, Rhône and Saône

Swan Hellenic who operate the much admired discovery and adventure luxury cruise ship Minerva, has teamed up with leading German company river cruise operator A-Rosa to offer the river cruises on the Danube on board the A-Rosa Riva, which has 100 outside cabins and capacity for 200 passengers and on the Rhône & Saone on board the A-Rosa Stella accommodating 172 passengers in 86 cabins.

The decision to make these itineraries available for Swan Hellenic’s remarkably loyal guests is based on the company’s judgement that A-Rosa combines a service that equals Minerva’s own high standards with an excellent river programme developed by a highly experienced river operator.

As on Swan’s ocean-going voyages, river cruise fares will include excursions and all tips on board and ashore and in keeping with the company’s usual ocean cruise style, a cruise director will accompany each cruise. There will be guest lecturers on board as well as local speakers and musicians to add to the experience on each departure.

Meals will be prepared by specially-selected Chefs de Cuisine. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are open seating so passengers can dine with different people during their cruise.

Most of the two vessels’ cabins have Juliette balconies, French doors backed with a railing on the river side so passengers can get fresh air in the room without venturing outside.

Luxury River Cruise highlights

DANUBE

The Danube flows from southern Germany through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, along the border between Romania and Bulgaria and into the Black Sea. Swan’s cruises concentrate on the western end, taking in Vienna and Budapest, but there are longer itineraries sailing from Passau or Nuremburg (on the Main-Danube Canal) in Germany to Tulcea in Romania.

Highlights:

Top stops are Vienna and Budapest, with other gems en route, including Linz, in Austria’s wine-growing region, and Esztergom, where St Stephen was crowned king of Hungary in AD1000. The Iron Gate gorge, east of Belgrade and dividing the Carpathian and Balkan Mountains is a highlight for passengers on cruises to and from the Black Sea.

Don’t miss:

Top sights in Vienna include the Hofburg Palace, the Opera House, the Schönbrunn Palace and the Museum of Military History, which contains the car Archduke Franz Ferdinand was travelling in when he was assassinated in 1914.  Budapest attractions include the Chain Bridge, the Parliament Building, Heroes’ Square, with its 40-metre column, and the Castle District, in hilly Buda, filled with narrow streets, cafés and restaurants.

RHÔNE/SAÔNE

The Saône rises in eastern France and flows into the Rhône at Lyon. The Rhône continues south, emptying into the Mediterranean at Arles. Swan’s cruises start and end in Lyon, heading north for a couple of days before doubling back to Avignon and Arles; others cruise north to south or vice-versa.

Highlights:

This is a cruise through the Burgundy and Provence wine country. Top stops are the bustling city of Lyon and Avignon, famous for its bridge. Passengers can look forward to plenty of opportunities to taste the local wine and explore picturesque villages.

Look out for:

Must-see sights in Lyon include the Basilica of Notre-Dame and the cobbled old city. As the gastronomic capital of France, this is a good place to dine out one night. Top stops in Avignon are the bridge – not the famous Pont d’Avignon, but the Pont St-Bénezet – the Medieval walled city and Palais de Papes, home to seven popes from 1309 to 1377. Excursions in Vienne, south of Lyon, visit the Roman remains of a 14,000-seat amphitheatre and the temple built in 25BC in honour of the Emperor Augustus and his wife Livia.

Top 5 Tablet PCs of 2012

Posted by Malcolm on April 25, 2012
Posted in: iPad, Tablet PC. Tagged: , , , .

written by: Sean Cayco

The computing world was taken by storm ever since the advent of Tablet PCs. Tablet computers are one of the trendiest gadgets available today. People these days use tablets for access email by connecting to the internet, capturing images and video on the go, and even video chatting. These mobile computers are portable multimedia devices having lightweight designs and small dimensions. A stylus pen or the touch screen display makes it quite easy to control, navigate through and use the device a tablet computer. Listed below are the top of Tablets of 2012.

1. Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime

The release of the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime was announced last year. This Tablet PC became available all over the world in January this year. The most remarkable thing about this tablet is that it is the first table in the world to have the quad core processor from NVIDIA. While this tablet has the Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS but it can be upgraded to the Ice Cream Sandwich. This 10.1-inch tablet can even be used with a special keypad dock.

2. Apple iPad 3

The Apple iPad 3 was released on March 16 in countries like the Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and many other countries. Unlike its predecessor, the iPad 3 features lightweight and slimmer body. The Apple iPad 3 Tablet PC has a quad-core graphics processor and a 3D capable display. While the iPad and the iPad 2 already granted Apple a 70% share of the global tablet market, but this percentage might be increasing now that the iPad 3 has become available.

3. Sony Tablet S

While the Sony Tablet S was released on September 16, 2011, it is currently among the leading tablets in the market. What makes the Tablet S so special is that it is Sony’s first ever tablet computer. Ever since its release, the Sony Tablet S is proving to be a solid competition for Apple’s iPads. This Tablet has the latest Android 3.2 Honeycomb OS running on it, which allows it to offer a much more splendid computing experience than the typical Honeycomb tablets.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1

The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 continues to be a leading choice among many Tablet PC buyers, especially because of how light and thin it is. The most notable features of this the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 include the powerful dual speakers, the 3-megapixel rear camera and the 2-megapixel front camera. This Tablet has a 1 GHz NVidia Tegra 2 processor, which allows it to perform rather exceptionally.

5. Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet

The Barnes & Noble Nook Tablet is the most distinct and full-featured tablet from the previous year that continues to remain popular. This 7-inch touch screen Tablet comes from a brand that does not seem to specialize in tablet computers, but has still managed to product a marvellous tablet computer. This tablet has 16GB of built-in storage, build-in Wi-Fi and a microSD expansion slot. This tablet has a 1 GHz Dual-Core Texas Instruments processor and a 512 MB or 1 GB RAM.

Thus, these were the top 5 Tablet PCs that created a lot of hype in the tablet market and are the current bestsellers.

The Leading Brands Of External Hard Drives In The Market

Posted by Malcolm on April 25, 2012
Posted in: Hard Drive. Tagged: , , , .

External hard drives have established themselves as the perfect solution for people struggling with large amounts of data. If you face the problem of storing the most vital information safely, then external hard drives exist for this purpose. In most cases, you would resort to deleting some documents to gain some extra space for storage. However, an external hard drive would enable you to keep large volumes of multimedia files while also acting as a backup for your data. Furthermore, these devices are helpful when you need extra storage capacity.

Usually, external hard drives differ from one another in terms of storage capacity, size, performance, design and help and support. These differences subsequently determine the top brands in the external hard drive market. It would be beneficial to consider these features when purchasing an external hard drive. The Western Digital My Passport Essential ranks as a leading brand with regards to external hard drives. It contains a next-generation speed and portable hard drive that gels with any environment. If you are always on the move, its minimalist, sleek lines would be advantageous in your situation.

With this device, you can bid farewell to problems related to transfer rates. Thanks to its USB 3.0 interface, you can transfer files at a speed ten times faster than other brands. With regards to transfer speeds, the LaCie Rikiki USB 3.0 is another top-notch external hard drive. It boasts of 5 GB/per second worth of transfer rates. Its design is a simple one consisting of sturdy, aluminum casing. This works well for you if you are not a fan of colorful designs. The fact that its setup software launches automatically should simplify the formatting process of your computer.

The Clickfree C2N is another top external hard drive model thanks to its ability to back up several computer networks. The other good news with this brand is that it allows you to back up wireless networks. It comes in various storage capacities such as, 250GB, 320GB and 500GB. This gives you an array of capacities to purchase. The Clickfree C2N also fits the description of portability due to its lightweight design. It weighs 6.08 ounces, which means you can carry it around comfortably. Its 36-month warranty assists you in getting technical help should the device encounter any defects. This is undoubtedly a time span for a warranty.

While Clickfree C2N fits the description of a portable device, the Transcend StoreJet 25M3 is the epitome of durability. It can withstand any drops and bumps you may subject it to in your daily endeavors. The features that enhance its durability include anti-shock protection, rugged design and triple-layer casing. Notwithstanding, its durability does not bear on its performance. You can transfer files using this device at a speed of 5 gigabytes every second. This ability emanates from the 3.0 interface, which is backwards compatible with a USB 2.0 interface. Hence, you can use the Transcend StoreJet 25M3 on any computer albeit you must have a USB connection.

Since the universe has become digital, it is advisable to seek digital solutions to some of our problems. A powerful external hard drive are the definite answer to the question of how to store large data. Nevertheless, purchasing the most renowned brands is pivotal in solving this problem. In this case, these brands must have amassed reputation for their effectiveness in storage and backup of data.

Relationships and vacuum cleaners: A perfect match?

Posted by Malcolm on April 3, 2012
Posted in: Relationships. Tagged: , , .

Relationships are really complicated and it’s fact that if you want to be a part of one, you will need to invest a lot in it, especially if you think you met that special lady you will never meet twice in your life. Yet after years of happy times and a possible marriage, it will come down to you being the husband who will provide for the house and your wife, the one who will maybe get a job if she wants to or just be a housewife. If the first applies, then you should know that even though she is the one you married because you loved, there will be some discrepancies in regards to the expectations most men have of their wives/women.

The Chores problem

In every relationship in which you will live with your spouse, there will certainly be at least once the problem of who does what and how much of it will he or she do it for. Cleaning up a home requires a lot of effort and even though it’s widely accepted that the woman will take care of this, if she has a job, it’s a little unfair that all the weight to be added on her shoulders. I bet that you as a man, when seeing vacuum cleaners you will picture your lady cleaning up the house, but that’s not the way things work anymore, at least in modern couples.

Distributing the tasks and the problem of the vacuum cleaners

You need to understand that your lady also has a job and might probably not be the type who believes that the woman should do everything in a home. Being with her for so long I bet you know her very well and that you’re aware of this side of her. If this is the case on your relationship and you don’t want to help out in the house because of your male arrogance, I advise you not take things so lightly. There are great fights that result from this in so many couples with them ending up separated, as it makes my head spin!

It’s a fact that if you will agree to clean up the house this week and she the next, you will have a balance which will not allow you to fight because of this. Sometimes she might come very tired from work and you might be grumpy, because she needs to clean the house, but you feel she doesn’t have the mood to do so, obviously. Even if you’re grumpy because you may have also had a bad time at work, be understanding. You’re the man, the one who is supposed to be stronger than his lady and support her when she needs it. Women are emotional beings and if you are there for your lady when she needs you to be, you can be sure she will reward you ten folded.

Thinking your woman is the one to handle the vacuum cleaners in your home and being the only one responsible for general cleaning is not productive and not a realistic view. It could’ve worked in the last century, but things have changed dramatically nowadays. So my advice is to be understanding, as that’s how a man should be, patient, helpful and always encourage and recognize your lady’s efforts. Believe me, it will pay off a lot!

3 of The Best Cheap Washing Machines On The Market

Posted by Malcolm on March 29, 2012
Posted in: washing machines. Tagged: , , , , .

Cheap doesn’t always mean rubbish these days, although it usually does. However, when it comes to buying a new white good, due to the plethora of different brands and the cheap labour of developing countries, white goods brands can actually offer you, the good British public, some great deals on new washing machines. Let’s take a look at some of the very best offers on the market.

The Proline PFL510W-U

Don’t you just love the catchy names? I think that washing machines as a product should rebrand, maybe calling it the “Proline JetSpin Pro” or something else cool would mean we buy more, I don’t know.

Anyway, this is a great product for its price. At just £180 it has a 5k washload, 1000 rpm and A grade for efficiency, which is actually as good as more expensive machines form only a couple of years back.

Beko WMB6122W

Suggested name : The Beko Space Explorer 3000

This baby has A+ for energy efficiency for only 20 pounds more, so you are likely to make that £20 back if you go for this slight upgrade. Not only that is has 1200 rpm and a slightly bigger wash load at 6k.

Indesit IWC 6105

Suggested name: The Indesit ‘gaga’ spin ultra

Pretty much the same as the Proline, but it is a better recognised brand, which is why they are charging £199. In fairness it does have a bigger wash load than the Proline, at 6k, but all the other metrics, including the energy rating are the same. You do need to consider the reputation of each of these products. Specs are one thing but check reviews to see which is least likely to break down!

Amateur Adventures in White Wine

Posted by Malcolm on March 22, 2012
Posted in: Wine Glasses. Tagged: , , , .

Lately I’ve been experimenting a lot with different wines. Even though we’ve learned that the real connoisseurs only go for red wines, I’ll be the first to admit that it’s the white wines that catch my attention, and the ones I’ve experimented with most recently.

…and to be honest, I definitely prefer the white ones.

Well, I say definitely- it actually just depends on what I’m doing at the time. If I’m eating a heavy steak dinner, you just need to have red wine with it. Red wine and steak were pretty much meant for each other, so I’m not going to sabotage that instance.

Another example is when I’m with serious taste testers. I try to fit in as best as I can, and that generally isn’t going to happen if I bring some white wine to a serious wine tasting event!

Anyways- like I said, I generally prefer white wine. I’ve always had a really bad sweet tooth, and white wine seems to go perfect with that.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I have about 3 times the number of white wine glasses than I have red wine glasses. Even though it doesn’t really matter – I’ve drank wine out of a plastic cup before – I still feel more sophisticated when I use the right type of glass.

In fact, the reason why I have so many white wine glasses is that I told my family about my recent endeavor and they decided to help me out! For my birthday my parents got me a new set of stem-less Forever Crystal wine glasses, so that’s pretty cool.

So what’s been my favorite so far? Again I’m displaying the fact that I’m a novice- but I’m a big fan of pinot grigio. As I said I’ve always liked white wines better, and no matter what brand it is I always like this stuff.

Another wine that I like is moscato, even though it’s a different tasting white wine. The significant note is a hint of a peach-like taste, which is pleasing though odd to detect. It is also very sweet, so a lot of people don’t like it. I think that it’s not very common- the only reason I tried it was I was wandering around the back of the liquor store for a new type of wine and it was hidden in the corner. I’m glad I found it though!

Even though the wine has been great, I will say that my favorite thing has been getting to spend time with friends. Having a wine tasting at my house is always a good time, especially if I start it around dinner time. This lets us all enjoy some wine with our dinner, and then move on to the tasting portion afterwards.

If I could offer one piece of advice, I’d recommend that you know the personalities of everyone who comes. I’ve had a few people come with the intention of getting plastered, and that doesn’t always make the party fun. Even though some people are fun to have around while intoxicated, for the most part you’re just asking for trouble when that happens!

Trying to Determine Whether or Not I Should Buy an iPad Three

Posted by Malcolm on March 22, 2012
Posted in: iPad. Tagged: , , , , , .

I am sitting here looking at reviews of the iPad 3 trying to determine whether or not it is in my best interest to buy new ipad. It seems like there have been a few changes made to this new version of the iPad. For example it seems like it’s going to have a processor that is way more powerful than its predecessor. It also seems as if it is going to have a screen that is going to be able to project images in super high definition. I think that they refer to it as something like a retinal display. At the same time it seems like it is going to have longer battery life, and I’m quite sure that the more powerful processor that the iPad 3 has is going to allow individuals to design games and other applications for the iPad 3 that I cannot use on my iPad 2

While many of my friends pre-ordered the state of the art tablet a week before its release, most of my friends decided to just wait until the tablet was available in the shops. There are many reasons why someone would want to own the new ipad. Firstly, it has an amazing retina screen. I mean, you don’t know you are born until you have watched a high definition movie on the screen on the new ipad. Even if you are not a big movie fan, however, there are still many reasons why you may wish to upgrade to the new ipad . If you are on a budget, however, you may want to consider purchasing an ipad 2, as they are now available for a reduced price. I am hoping to buy the new ipad in a few months time, as I need to save up some money first.

Having the full power of a computer in the form of a tablet would give me the flexibility that I need to get work done in a more comfortable setting. Even though I could go down to the local technology store to buy one of these devices, I am not sure that they would have what I want in stock. Plus, I want to be able to purchase some nice accessories for this device that will match. I could buy this online for a good deal and save some cash in the process. In fact, a lot of retailers are offering free shipping if you purchase online. I haven’t decided if I want to buy a warranty or not because I do want to keep my device protected.

Effective Ways To Choose The Best Television Set

Posted by Malcolm on February 21, 2012
Posted in: LED TV. Tagged: , , , , , , .

It is frustrating to buy a television set most especially if people do not know what they are looking for. These days, there are lots TV sets that are ought to offer great results for them, including the cheap LED TV. However, there are several things to consider before purchasing the best TV set. In response, they have to know the major classifications of today’s television sets. Once they have known all of those, they can buy the best one.

Here are the major types of television sets that people should consider

  • Digital Light Processing (DLP) – It was invented in 1987. It works by processing the light in a digital way with the help of optical semiconductor known as a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). These days, more than 50 manufacturers have a DLP type of TV as part of their offerings
  • Plasma Displays Panel (PDP) – It can be associated with topnotch electronics. In the market, people know that plasma TVs have the best picture that is suitable for everyone. Every TV that has PDP comes alongside a flat panel assortment. In comparison to LCD, they are somewhat more reasonable to purchase. The best part of it is that people can get the chance to receive the most stunning picture that will let them enjoy their viewing pleasure even more.
  • Direct View – also known as a tube TV, it is among the oldest types of TV that have ever emerged. It has a cathode ray tube (CRT) that specialized in vacuum tube. From every angle, tube televisions can feature great picture quality. Nonetheless, they are bulky and somewhat heavy, but they can last for many years. Another great thing about it is that even how many years have passed; it can retain its picture quality. Some tube Sony TVs can last up to decades and still produce great color quality.
  • Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) – There are many choices that people can have in the market when it comes on LCD TVs. The most popular type of LCD TV these days is the flat panel. It has a lightweight construction and also it has a thin appearance. With that said, people can get the convenience that they need to use it as either a TV or a computer screen.

In general, it is really a must to know the best TV set that can bring great entertainment for those who will have it. All they need to do is to take advantage of those major categories and choose the one they think will be the best.

Ford Classics – The Top 5

Posted by Malcolm on February 17, 2012
Posted in: classic cars. Tagged: , , , , , , .

Ford Thunderbird

The first Ford Thunderbird was unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show in 1954 with production and sales starting in the same year. Marketed as an alternative to Chevrolet’s Corvette, the Thunderbird sat comfortably in the ‘personal luxury’ car niche as opposed to a sports niche. The Thunderbird surpassed sales predictions for the first year and went on to remain in production until 1997, an impressive 42 years. The car was reprised from 2002 until 2005. The First Generation two-seater has become an iconic car in American car manufacturing history

Ford Mustang Boss 429

As one of the most iconic cars in motor history, and immortalized in film since the 60s, the Ford Mustang is one of the most sought-after classic cars on the market. The Boss 429 represented the most sophisticated example produced by Ford in the late 60s and had the highest performance outside of the Shelby Mustangs. Ford only made 859 of these cars and is was a direct result of NASCAR regulations which stipulated that at least 500 cars be sold to the general public with the racing engine for it to qualify. Ford also had to modify the engine bay of the Mustang in order to fit the massive Boss 429 engine. With so few being produced and sold  to the public, an altered front end and a massive power output, the Ford Mustang Boss 429 is one of the rarest and most collectable of all muscle cars.

Ford Escort 1

The Ford Escort was predominantly produced for the European market between 1968 and 2002, however did make appearances in America from time to time. Mainly produced as a family car the Escort was fairly unassuming, but is was in the shape of the RS2000 that the Escort really came into its own. As a rally car the Escort went on to become one of the most successful cars of the 60s and 70s under the control of The Ford Works team. The RS1600 was known to be a little temperamental from time to time and was in need of specific Ford car servicing, but it was the 16-valve Cosworth engine of the RS2000 that really made the car desirable.

Ford GT40

The Le Mans 24 Hour Race was dominated by Ferrari in the early 60s. Henry Ford had long since harbored ambitions to enter a Ford into the race that would challenge for the win. In 1963 Ford began to realize his ambition and initial prototypes for the GT40 were produces in England. With little success in endurance races throughout 1963, the project was hand to Carroll Shelby in 1964 when the cars were sent straight to the Shelby factory. Under the guidance of Shelby, the GT40 went on to dominate endurance racing from 1966 through to 1969, winning 4 consecutive editions of 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Ford Model T

The Ford Model T had to star on this short list. Generally regarded as the fist affordable automobile, the Model T enabled the American middle-classes to buy a car for the first time and subsequently single-handedly started America love affair with the car. Produced from 1908 until 1928 over 15 million Model Ts were produced ranging from 2 door touring and roadster models to pickups and wagons and were simple enough for people to work on and conduct car repair themselves. There is no question that the Model T went on to lay the foundation for all subsequent car manufacturing and as such was voted the most influential car of the 20th century.

What Does Santa Fe offer the Tourist

Posted by Malcolm on February 7, 2012
Posted in: beach holidays. Tagged: , , , .

Santa Fe is often overlooked as a destination (reads: reasonably priced) and for reasons unknown it seems to be a popular destination for repeat tourism due in no part to the stunning landscapes, quality food and relaxing atmosphere aided in no small portion by the polite and friendly people found within this mainly Mexican-American inhabited state of New Mexico in the USA.

Saddle Up!

Chances are that if you have watched any number of old western movies, then you have seen cowboys work their way into some sort of perilous situation within the Wild West of New Mexico. You can relive those childhood dreams of becoming a cowboy by taking one of the many tours across the desolate landscapes with nothing but a guide and a tent. Camping out in the wilderness will give you some of the best experiences you can imagine.

Sample the Foods

Mexican cuisine is an interesting delicacy, if you have a sensitive stomach, you may find you will not be able to stomach the very heavy and spicy foods, but if you find yourself enjoying curries and chilli con carne’s on a normal day, then you shouldn’t have any trouble handling these foods.

The cuisine in Santa Fe has had many influences from different cultures, Native American, Spanish, Mexican and the Anglo-American settlers who built the majority of Santa Fe have all had a resounding influence on the cuisine. These dishes are not found anywhere else in the world and are cooked by some of the world’s most underrated chefs.

Look out for the Sopaipillas!

Santa Fe sweet delicasy Sopaipillas

Stunning architecture

There are some stunning buildings located around Santa Fe, many of great architectural, political and historical interest.

For historic architecture there is the Barrio De Analco Historic District, which includes what are claimed to be the oldest house and the oldest church in the United States. The whole district was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1968.

The San Miguel Mission (pictured) is claimed to be the oldest church in the United States and still holds the weekly Sunday mass.

Relaxation

One of the premier locations for relaxation is the Japanese inspired “Ten Thousand Waves” which makes the most of the natural landscape, by turning the Geysers, hot spa’s, cold mountain water into features of this spa.

These are just some of the finer points of Santa Fe, the choice of hotels and upmarket campervan parks is near unending and will make a stark contrast to the amazing Caribbean Spa Holidays. You will never be short of things to do and to experience the “Wild West” where it all began is an opportunity that can’t be missed.

There are some great deals to holiday destinations like this one found on www.wexas.com. Take a look now at all their finest holidays

Santa Fe

Posted by Malcolm on January 23, 2012
Posted in: Culture. Leave a Comment

Santa_Fe_New_Mexico_logoSanta Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of Santa Fe County. Santa Fe (literally ‘holy faith’ in Spanish) had a population of appoximately 68,000. It is the principal city of the Santa Fe, New Mexico Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Santa Fe County and is part of the larger Santa Fe-Española Combined Statistical Area. The city’s full name when founded was “La Villa Real de la Santa Fé de San Francisco de Asís” (“The Royal Town of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi”).