This is a wristwatch but not as we know it. The Mutewatch is much more like a wearable gadget as it packs a lot of technology on to your arm.
It features a touch-sensitive display, vibrating alarms, a timer and a motion sensor that registers even subtle twists of the wrist.
Its clock face also glows with 100Hz LED lights that automatically brighten or dim to suit the environment.
But you might not guess it has all of this technology just by looking at it. In its natural form, the Mutewatch looks more like a wristband with a hip, industrial design.
Mutewatch began its life three years ago as an idea by Swedish economics student Mai-Li Hammargren, who considered adding a vibrating alarm to watches to improve time management and stop waking her boyfriend.
In its development, the Mutewatch gained a touchscreen, a rubber body and the ability to trigger the display by turning your wrist to see it.
The Mutewatch, available in red and charcoal grey, arrives in need of a charge. This is achieved with a USB connection that pops from one end of its wristband. Two hours of power will deliver up to two weeks of wear.
Users can set the time by tapping the screen - the main way you activate and operate this tech-savvy wristwatch.
Holding two fingers on its display lets you set the time, moving the LED numbers up and down until correct.
To use its alarm and stopwatch functions, you simply swipe a finger across the display. Up to five alarms can be set at once and two alarm types are available: short and long. Short alarms vibrate only momentarily while long alarms are delivered with a three-dot pattern on the display. Users must tap the dots to stop the alarm, a useful test of morning awareness.
Alarms can be cancelled with a pinching movement on the display, and you can even tap an on-screen symbol to trigger a snooze function.
The Mutewatch's timer, a further swipe into its menu, lets you set a time limit and vibrates when it's up.
But arguably the coolest part of this watch is the way it shows the time. Whether glowing red or white, the Mutewatch display grabs attention. It appears when you tap the screen or move it to face you - an ingenious addition that makes this one of the most tech-savvy watches around.
The Mutewatch comes in just one size but the rubber band can easily be adjusted to fit wrists smaller than 14cm. It fastens with a press stud.
This hi-tech wristwatch isn't without challenges, however. The rubber attracts black marks easily, though you can wash these off its waterproof exterior. Its capacitive touchscreen can also be unreliable, reacting to some but not all selections. Patience is required.
Quirks aside, the Mutewatch is an exceptional example of geek chic that is bound to have you checking the time obsessively.
Showing posts with label Led light. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Led light. Show all posts
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Monday, 14 November 2011
My sister is not Death's Grim Reaper
She's a hospice nurse. When I tell people her occupation, I typically receive a response like this: "She must be a very special person. I could never work in a place where people go to die." Hospice is a "place," and equating hospice to death, are just two of the misperceptions that hospice care providers and proponents are constantly working to dispel. Providing correct information that hospice is a philosophy of care (not a place) takes on special importance in November because it is National Hospice and Palliative Care month.
Data from 2010 indicates that more than 68% of hospice patients reside (and eventually die) in the place they call home. This includes 40% of patients living in private residences, 9% in assisted-living facilities and 19% in long-term nursing homes.
These figures are consistent with hospice's delivery of care model that aims to create an environment for an end-of-life experience that is most natural and comfortable for patients and their families. A hospital's linoleum floors, fluorescent lights, intercom noise and equipment alarms are anything but natural or comforting. It makes sense that most people who are approaching the end of their lives would like to be in their own bed or recliner chair.In fact, some studies suggest that more than 80% of Americans want to pass away peacefully at home.
In the hospice model of care, the patient needs a primary caregiver who is willing to oversee the patient's needs. Over time, the caregiver's responsibilities may increase as the patient becomes less able to care for herself/himself. The primary caregiver is typically a spouse, child, sibling or close friend, but she or he could also be someone paid by the patient or family to serve that role. Because hospice's healthcare providers do not provide round-the-clock in-home care, the primary caregiver plays an essential role in hospice care.
The hospice model of care places the patient and primary caregiver in the center ---at the core of the care team--- as they are the key decision-makers. This makes hospice's model of care quite different from traditional medical care. An interdisciplinary team including the nurse, social worker, hospice aide, spiritual care practitioners, a physician or nurse practitioner and volunteers provide special services and guidance to the patient and primary caregiver.
In essence, they surround the patient and caregiver with support and expertise. They make scheduled in-home visits to provide symptom management, personal hygiene services, and counseling, but are also on-call 24 hours per day to provide guidance and support. I can actually imagine some patients and caregivers feeling a bit overwhelmed by the degree of in-home contact they can receive from hospice care providers.
At its best, hospice is a holistic model of care. A case manager---typically a registered nurse----will usually visit the patient at least weekly to discuss symptoms, medications, and nutrition, as well as special equipment needs like a mechanical bed. A hospice aide will visit to assist with bathing; a social worker will visit to discuss issues of family dynamics, finances, respite care for the primary caregiver, and feelings of loss; a volunteer coordinator will offer visits by others, such as spiritual care volunteer, a musician, a beautician, a chess player. You get the picture.
Importantly, the patient and caregiver are encouraged to make decisions about whether they want these services; to think about how a particular service might enhance their comfort, make them smile and feel hope, help them find inner strength, or ease burdens on their mind, body and spirit.
At my request, my sister thought about and asked her hospice colleagues about other misperceptions about hospice care. A few key themes emerged. First, that hospice care accelerates a person's death. Some people erroneously believe that once an individual signs onto hospice, the care they receive is designed to assist in hastening death and the patient will succumb to their illness sooner than if they were receiving standard care. The evidence shows the opposite.
Data from 2010 indicates that more than 68% of hospice patients reside (and eventually die) in the place they call home. This includes 40% of patients living in private residences, 9% in assisted-living facilities and 19% in long-term nursing homes.
These figures are consistent with hospice's delivery of care model that aims to create an environment for an end-of-life experience that is most natural and comfortable for patients and their families. A hospital's linoleum floors, fluorescent lights, intercom noise and equipment alarms are anything but natural or comforting. It makes sense that most people who are approaching the end of their lives would like to be in their own bed or recliner chair.In fact, some studies suggest that more than 80% of Americans want to pass away peacefully at home.
In the hospice model of care, the patient needs a primary caregiver who is willing to oversee the patient's needs. Over time, the caregiver's responsibilities may increase as the patient becomes less able to care for herself/himself. The primary caregiver is typically a spouse, child, sibling or close friend, but she or he could also be someone paid by the patient or family to serve that role. Because hospice's healthcare providers do not provide round-the-clock in-home care, the primary caregiver plays an essential role in hospice care.
The hospice model of care places the patient and primary caregiver in the center ---at the core of the care team--- as they are the key decision-makers. This makes hospice's model of care quite different from traditional medical care. An interdisciplinary team including the nurse, social worker, hospice aide, spiritual care practitioners, a physician or nurse practitioner and volunteers provide special services and guidance to the patient and primary caregiver.
In essence, they surround the patient and caregiver with support and expertise. They make scheduled in-home visits to provide symptom management, personal hygiene services, and counseling, but are also on-call 24 hours per day to provide guidance and support. I can actually imagine some patients and caregivers feeling a bit overwhelmed by the degree of in-home contact they can receive from hospice care providers.
At its best, hospice is a holistic model of care. A case manager---typically a registered nurse----will usually visit the patient at least weekly to discuss symptoms, medications, and nutrition, as well as special equipment needs like a mechanical bed. A hospice aide will visit to assist with bathing; a social worker will visit to discuss issues of family dynamics, finances, respite care for the primary caregiver, and feelings of loss; a volunteer coordinator will offer visits by others, such as spiritual care volunteer, a musician, a beautician, a chess player. You get the picture.
Importantly, the patient and caregiver are encouraged to make decisions about whether they want these services; to think about how a particular service might enhance their comfort, make them smile and feel hope, help them find inner strength, or ease burdens on their mind, body and spirit.
At my request, my sister thought about and asked her hospice colleagues about other misperceptions about hospice care. A few key themes emerged. First, that hospice care accelerates a person's death. Some people erroneously believe that once an individual signs onto hospice, the care they receive is designed to assist in hastening death and the patient will succumb to their illness sooner than if they were receiving standard care. The evidence shows the opposite.
Monday, 31 October 2011
Vu1 Corporation's Electron Stimulated Luminescence(ESL) Light Bulbs Soon to be Available
The ESL R30 reflector bulbs are a direct replacement for the 65-watt incandescent flood bulbs commonly found in recessed lighting fixtures throughout U.S. households and businesses. Vu1's Electron Stimulated Luminescence technology provides a warm and pleasing light quality that consumers are looking for, in an affordable, energy-efficient package without the high price-point of LED bulbs or the hazards of CFL bulbs containing mercury. The bulbs will retail for approximately $14.98 at Lowe's.
The Vu1 ESL technology is positioned for widespread market adoption due to the convergence of several compelling growth drivers:
Governments across the world are mandating the move away from traditional incandescent lighting due to more energy-efficient options. Consumers are looking for a direct replacement bulb that offers a similar light quality, look and feel to incandescent bulbs, while exceeding regulatory requirements.
Energy-efficiency is becoming a strategic imperative for consumers and businesses - but these markets demand high-quality light if the product is to be widely adopted.
These bulbs are mercury-free, allowing for easy disposal and clean-up.
"Consumers are increasingly concerned that replacing their incandescent bulbs will be expensive, offer poor light quality or introduce new hazards into their homes or businesses," commented Dr. Scott Blackstone, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that our innovative technology answers all of those concerns, delivering a product that is more aesthetically appealing, safe and efficient while being reasonably priced."
The company believes consumers will welcome the advanced performance features of its ESL technology. It is virtually indistinguishable from the traditional incandescent lamp it replaces and, unlike CFLs, is mercury-free. The company's ESL lighting technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb glow with an energy-efficient natural light that lasts up to 11,000 hours.
New York City-based Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally friendly lighting solutions - with superior light quality -- worldwide. Vu1 has developed a new energy efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products.
The Vu1 ESL technology is positioned for widespread market adoption due to the convergence of several compelling growth drivers:
Governments across the world are mandating the move away from traditional incandescent lighting due to more energy-efficient options. Consumers are looking for a direct replacement bulb that offers a similar light quality, look and feel to incandescent bulbs, while exceeding regulatory requirements.
Energy-efficiency is becoming a strategic imperative for consumers and businesses - but these markets demand high-quality light if the product is to be widely adopted.
These bulbs are mercury-free, allowing for easy disposal and clean-up.
"Consumers are increasingly concerned that replacing their incandescent bulbs will be expensive, offer poor light quality or introduce new hazards into their homes or businesses," commented Dr. Scott Blackstone, Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that our innovative technology answers all of those concerns, delivering a product that is more aesthetically appealing, safe and efficient while being reasonably priced."
The company believes consumers will welcome the advanced performance features of its ESL technology. It is virtually indistinguishable from the traditional incandescent lamp it replaces and, unlike CFLs, is mercury-free. The company's ESL lighting technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate phosphor to create light, making the surface of the bulb glow with an energy-efficient natural light that lasts up to 11,000 hours.
New York City-based Vu1 Corporation is dedicated to applying its technology to produce energy efficient, environmentally friendly lighting solutions - with superior light quality -- worldwide. Vu1 has developed a new energy efficient light bulb to provide the consumer market with the first affordable, non-toxic light bulb with features consumers are demanding and not receiving from existing products.
Monday, 13 June 2011
Q+A-How will Thailand's election affect listed companies?
Thailand holds a general election on July 3 and, given the political turbulence over the past five years, foreign investors have been selling stocks this month to limit risk, offloading $682 million in the past seven sessions.
However, elections have tended to push up the stock market in the past, and the retail sector outperformed around the seven polls from 1992 to 2007.
Here is a look at shares that may win or lose this time.
WILL RETAIL, MEDIA BENEFIT?
Retail and media stocks are seen as the best plays since consumer spending should rise as political parties and state agencies spend on election campaigns.
The state planning agency is reported as saying election activities could lead to spending of up to 30 billion baht ($1 billion), higher than in the previous poll in 2007.
Top convenience store chain CP All is among the top picks in the retail sector. Its shares hit a record high on May 25 after it told Reuters it expected a strong second quarter because of election spending. .
Among other stocks singled out by analysts are motorcycle-loan provider Thitikorn Pcl and top mobile phone firm Advanced Info Service (AIS) .
Advertising spending, which rose 12 percent in April from a year before, should also post strong growth in the second quarter. This is positive for broadcasters BEC World and MCOT , cinema chain Major Cineplex and television programme producer Workpoint Entertainment .
About 1 billion baht of spending is expected to flow into the printing industry, which should benefit printer T.K.S. Technology .
WHICH COMPANIES ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR POLITICAL LINKS?
The telecoms sector is highly linked to politics because of the regulatory system, under which companies pay concession fees to state firms TOT and CAT Telecom for the right to operate.
Thailand is in the process of setting up a new telecoms regulator, now expected in the third quarter of 2011. Political turbulence and frequent changes of government have delayed reform, in particular stalling the introduction of 3G telephony.
True Corp , the country's largest integrated telecoms provider, appears to have done well under the current Democrat-led government.
After the collapse of a tender for new 3G bandwidth amid regulatory wrangling, True signed deals with CAT Telecom that effectively extended its concession by 15 years and enabled it to be the first to launch nationwide third-generation services on an existing network.
True is part of unlisted food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, which is among the big donors to the Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra made his fortune in the telecoms sector with Shin Corp . His family sold a controlling stake in Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in 2006, which triggered events that led to his ouster by the military in September of that year.
In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled Thaksin had concealed ownership of shares in Shin and tailored government policies to benefit Shin and its satellite arm Thaicom when in office.
The Shin group, including affiliates top mobile firm AIS and Thaicom, denies any connection with politics and says a recent rise in its share price reflects the performance of the two units. Even so, some investors seem to think it might benefit under a government that backs Thaksin.
Also in the spotlight is SC Asset Corp , the property arm of the Shinawatra family. Its shares hit a seven-year high in May just before its president, Yingluck Shinawatra, was selected as Puea Thai's candidate to be prime minister.
Yingluck is Thaksin's sister. Although she will cease to be the president of the company before the election, some investors feel SC Asset will benefit if she leads the next government.
Her husband is Anusorn Amornchat, president of handset distributor M-Link Asia Corp . M-Link was founded by Thaksin's other two sisters.
However, elections have tended to push up the stock market in the past, and the retail sector outperformed around the seven polls from 1992 to 2007.
Here is a look at shares that may win or lose this time.
WILL RETAIL, MEDIA BENEFIT?
Retail and media stocks are seen as the best plays since consumer spending should rise as political parties and state agencies spend on election campaigns.
The state planning agency is reported as saying election activities could lead to spending of up to 30 billion baht ($1 billion), higher than in the previous poll in 2007.
Top convenience store chain CP All is among the top picks in the retail sector. Its shares hit a record high on May 25 after it told Reuters it expected a strong second quarter because of election spending. .
Among other stocks singled out by analysts are motorcycle-loan provider Thitikorn Pcl and top mobile phone firm Advanced Info Service (AIS) .
Advertising spending, which rose 12 percent in April from a year before, should also post strong growth in the second quarter. This is positive for broadcasters BEC World and MCOT , cinema chain Major Cineplex and television programme producer Workpoint Entertainment .
About 1 billion baht of spending is expected to flow into the printing industry, which should benefit printer T.K.S. Technology .
WHICH COMPANIES ARE IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR POLITICAL LINKS?
The telecoms sector is highly linked to politics because of the regulatory system, under which companies pay concession fees to state firms TOT and CAT Telecom for the right to operate.
Thailand is in the process of setting up a new telecoms regulator, now expected in the third quarter of 2011. Political turbulence and frequent changes of government have delayed reform, in particular stalling the introduction of 3G telephony.
True Corp , the country's largest integrated telecoms provider, appears to have done well under the current Democrat-led government.
After the collapse of a tender for new 3G bandwidth amid regulatory wrangling, True signed deals with CAT Telecom that effectively extended its concession by 15 years and enabled it to be the first to launch nationwide third-generation services on an existing network.
True is part of unlisted food conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, which is among the big donors to the Democrat Party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra made his fortune in the telecoms sector with Shin Corp . His family sold a controlling stake in Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in 2006, which triggered events that led to his ouster by the military in September of that year.
In 2010, the Supreme Court ruled Thaksin had concealed ownership of shares in Shin and tailored government policies to benefit Shin and its satellite arm Thaicom when in office.
The Shin group, including affiliates top mobile firm AIS and Thaicom, denies any connection with politics and says a recent rise in its share price reflects the performance of the two units. Even so, some investors seem to think it might benefit under a government that backs Thaksin.
Also in the spotlight is SC Asset Corp , the property arm of the Shinawatra family. Its shares hit a seven-year high in May just before its president, Yingluck Shinawatra, was selected as Puea Thai's candidate to be prime minister.
Yingluck is Thaksin's sister. Although she will cease to be the president of the company before the election, some investors feel SC Asset will benefit if she leads the next government.
Her husband is Anusorn Amornchat, president of handset distributor M-Link Asia Corp . M-Link was founded by Thaksin's other two sisters.
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
Green" products and free market conflicts
"Green" products and free market conflicts
In recent years the move toward green products and technologies has gone into overdrive. Everything from the expansion of windmills and solar technologies to the hard rush toward passenger vehicles that run on alternative fuels is in the media. Few people disagree that America needs to continue to develop more efficient and cost-effective products. However, what has been a bone of contention with many consumers is the way in which many within the "green" movement have gone about attempting to integrate these new technologies into the market.
The primary problem with the green movement is that it is often inhospitable to the mechanisms of the free market. Many of these green products cost more than they are worth. Then there is the strong-arming. As soon as one hears of the wonders of a new green technology, it is not long before government intervention follows with either manipulating buyers with rebates, which come straight from the tax payers' pockets, or penalties for those that fail to comply with new green mandates. What is completely missing from this picture? It is the freedom of choice that comes with the free market.
American buyers welcome innovation and creativity. The expansion of green technologies would be no exception if they were presented fairly within the market place. That is, new technologies such as hybrid cars can and will do well if they can be designed to be cost-effective and equal in quality to their current competition. If not, they will and should fail and no government rebate will change that. When the government attempts to subvert the free market, products that should have been colossal marketing failures are wrongly saved and kept from their deserved and natural extinction. Let us illuminate a conflict between the pushers of green products and the free market.
Light bulbs — they are a major part of American life. No one will argue that a traditional light bulb has too short of a lifespan. Everyone who reads this article, who is honest, will admit to doing the "light bulb shuffle." That is, taking a working light bulb to different rooms within the home when there is a shortage of working bulbs but still the need for light. There is no shame here, just the realization that the technology could be improved. Here is a bright example where the green industry could work to fill a very needed and practical niche in American life. The criterion for success here is simply creating a better product for a competitive price.
Unfortunately, those pushing this green technology fail to embrace the free market and turn to the government to create buyer appeal. Despite the reasonable argument against energy waste when comparing new bulbs to traditional incandescent ones, the government decides to strong-arm the American consumer with an upcoming ban on 100-watt incandescent light bulbs even though the nearest LED alternative light bulb is reported to come in at a cost of $50 apiece. This is ridiculous. The "green" compact fluorescent light bulb brought about by the current environmental push is even worse. Why? They are not only expensive, they are dangerous!
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, breaking a CFL light bulb is the equivalent of creating a hazardous material spill. Due to the poisonous mercury powder and vapor released when a green CFL is broken in common household settings, the EPA recommends that all humans and animals evacuate the room. Windows should be opened and the room should be aired out for five to ten minutes. Heating and air conditioning units should be shut down to limit contamination spread. Remains of the broken CFL should be placed in a glass jar with a metal lid and taken to a disposal location. Vacuuming the location of the CFL break incident is reported by the EPA to potentially spread mercury powder or vapor. In other words, if your new environmental friendly "green" light bulb doesn't kill your pocketbook, it might kill you personally. What were they thinking?
In recent years the move toward green products and technologies has gone into overdrive. Everything from the expansion of windmills and solar technologies to the hard rush toward passenger vehicles that run on alternative fuels is in the media. Few people disagree that America needs to continue to develop more efficient and cost-effective products. However, what has been a bone of contention with many consumers is the way in which many within the "green" movement have gone about attempting to integrate these new technologies into the market.
The primary problem with the green movement is that it is often inhospitable to the mechanisms of the free market. Many of these green products cost more than they are worth. Then there is the strong-arming. As soon as one hears of the wonders of a new green technology, it is not long before government intervention follows with either manipulating buyers with rebates, which come straight from the tax payers' pockets, or penalties for those that fail to comply with new green mandates. What is completely missing from this picture? It is the freedom of choice that comes with the free market.
American buyers welcome innovation and creativity. The expansion of green technologies would be no exception if they were presented fairly within the market place. That is, new technologies such as hybrid cars can and will do well if they can be designed to be cost-effective and equal in quality to their current competition. If not, they will and should fail and no government rebate will change that. When the government attempts to subvert the free market, products that should have been colossal marketing failures are wrongly saved and kept from their deserved and natural extinction. Let us illuminate a conflict between the pushers of green products and the free market.
Light bulbs — they are a major part of American life. No one will argue that a traditional light bulb has too short of a lifespan. Everyone who reads this article, who is honest, will admit to doing the "light bulb shuffle." That is, taking a working light bulb to different rooms within the home when there is a shortage of working bulbs but still the need for light. There is no shame here, just the realization that the technology could be improved. Here is a bright example where the green industry could work to fill a very needed and practical niche in American life. The criterion for success here is simply creating a better product for a competitive price.
Unfortunately, those pushing this green technology fail to embrace the free market and turn to the government to create buyer appeal. Despite the reasonable argument against energy waste when comparing new bulbs to traditional incandescent ones, the government decides to strong-arm the American consumer with an upcoming ban on 100-watt incandescent light bulbs even though the nearest LED alternative light bulb is reported to come in at a cost of $50 apiece. This is ridiculous. The "green" compact fluorescent light bulb brought about by the current environmental push is even worse. Why? They are not only expensive, they are dangerous!
According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, breaking a CFL light bulb is the equivalent of creating a hazardous material spill. Due to the poisonous mercury powder and vapor released when a green CFL is broken in common household settings, the EPA recommends that all humans and animals evacuate the room. Windows should be opened and the room should be aired out for five to ten minutes. Heating and air conditioning units should be shut down to limit contamination spread. Remains of the broken CFL should be placed in a glass jar with a metal lid and taken to a disposal location. Vacuuming the location of the CFL break incident is reported by the EPA to potentially spread mercury powder or vapor. In other words, if your new environmental friendly "green" light bulb doesn't kill your pocketbook, it might kill you personally. What were they thinking?
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
What Light Pollution Ordinances Could Mean for C-stores
What Light Pollution Ordinances Could Mean for C-stores
We all know that well lit c-stores attract more clientele at night. Folks, especially women feel safer in a well lit environment. Indeed, studies and surveys show that it is actually safer, and humans seem to inherently know this. Perhaps, the reasoning has to do with the basic “crime triangle” – that is to say for a crime to occur three things are needed:
A brightly lit convenience store tends to remove the opportunity due to risk/reward for the criminal in that they will most likely get caught, and witnesses will see them and turn them in, therefore they keep going and look for other opportunities, and safer locations to do their criminal activity. That’s why a well-lit facility works.
Now then, with high energy costs, which may, in fact, triple in the upcoming years due to more regulations on coal-fired plants and subsidized alternative energy – keeping a brightly lit facility may be a problem. Perhaps, that’s why more and more of us are going to LED lighting to save both energy and money, and collect some tax breaks to boot.
Nevertheless, there is an on-going battle running in many urban areas and big cities with regards to the proliferation of LED Billboards. The opponents of these billboards have shown that they are highly distracting to motorists and cause more pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-car accidents – the research appears to confirm this, although some of that could indeed be due to the increase of text-messaging while driving, compounded with the billboard distractions – time and more research will tell.
Indeed, there was a very interesting segment recently on KCET Los Angeles News titled “Bright Lights, Big City” by Reporter Judy Muller, Producer Karen Foshay and Editor Alberto Arce, which noted that in the long ongoing battle in Los Angeles’ Westside against LED Billboards there is a new challenge: human health. The segment started with this comment: “Light pollution may be a more serious concern than you think. New evidence suggests that a lack of darkness in our urban night skies contributes to air pollution, making it a matter of public health. Yet Los Angeles keeps rolling out bigger, brighter signs.”
Will local neighborhoods ask convenience stores to also curtail their brightness? Will local governments step in and create more regulations? If so, that will mean fewer sales in the evenings, thus, hurting business. Perhaps fewer patrons will wish to wonder very far from their cars when pumping fuel. Fewer trips into the c-store will mean fewer sales on high-profit impulse items.
Is this a future threat? It very well could be.
For those c-stores who have signed agreements with Billboard Companies sporting large LED Multi-media Billboards, that could cost a few bucks each month in rental or lease revenues from those Billboards in the future. Either way, this could be a future threat to the industry, albeit not a game changer, it might still slightly alter the dynamics and cost your c-store future revenue. I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.
We all know that well lit c-stores attract more clientele at night. Folks, especially women feel safer in a well lit environment. Indeed, studies and surveys show that it is actually safer, and humans seem to inherently know this. Perhaps, the reasoning has to do with the basic “crime triangle” – that is to say for a crime to occur three things are needed:
A brightly lit convenience store tends to remove the opportunity due to risk/reward for the criminal in that they will most likely get caught, and witnesses will see them and turn them in, therefore they keep going and look for other opportunities, and safer locations to do their criminal activity. That’s why a well-lit facility works.
Now then, with high energy costs, which may, in fact, triple in the upcoming years due to more regulations on coal-fired plants and subsidized alternative energy – keeping a brightly lit facility may be a problem. Perhaps, that’s why more and more of us are going to LED lighting to save both energy and money, and collect some tax breaks to boot.
Nevertheless, there is an on-going battle running in many urban areas and big cities with regards to the proliferation of LED Billboards. The opponents of these billboards have shown that they are highly distracting to motorists and cause more pedestrian, bicycle, and multi-car accidents – the research appears to confirm this, although some of that could indeed be due to the increase of text-messaging while driving, compounded with the billboard distractions – time and more research will tell.
Indeed, there was a very interesting segment recently on KCET Los Angeles News titled “Bright Lights, Big City” by Reporter Judy Muller, Producer Karen Foshay and Editor Alberto Arce, which noted that in the long ongoing battle in Los Angeles’ Westside against LED Billboards there is a new challenge: human health. The segment started with this comment: “Light pollution may be a more serious concern than you think. New evidence suggests that a lack of darkness in our urban night skies contributes to air pollution, making it a matter of public health. Yet Los Angeles keeps rolling out bigger, brighter signs.”
Will local neighborhoods ask convenience stores to also curtail their brightness? Will local governments step in and create more regulations? If so, that will mean fewer sales in the evenings, thus, hurting business. Perhaps fewer patrons will wish to wonder very far from their cars when pumping fuel. Fewer trips into the c-store will mean fewer sales on high-profit impulse items.
Is this a future threat? It very well could be.
For those c-stores who have signed agreements with Billboard Companies sporting large LED Multi-media Billboards, that could cost a few bucks each month in rental or lease revenues from those Billboards in the future. Either way, this could be a future threat to the industry, albeit not a game changer, it might still slightly alter the dynamics and cost your c-store future revenue. I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.
Ecommerce Software Shows Who is Going Green
Ecommerce Software Shows Who is Going Green
leading online retailer and proponent of all things green, has released sales numbers showing the amount of green goods sent to various parts of the US, and also breaks down which types of products were shipped where. It’s an interesting use for their ecommerce software, which allowed them to analyze ordering and shipping data for a variety of categories and localities. Overall, the trend should be heartening for environmentalists, with more Americans purchasing environmentally friendly products and energy-saving devices from Amazon year-over-year.
The four main categories as determined by Amazon were Water Conservation, “Garden to Table” (which means books and products targeted for at-home gardening), Renewable Energy, and Green Parenting.
Green Parenting is an especially-targeted look at orders placed through Amazon’s “Green Baby” and “Green Toys” ecommerce software sub-stores. The states with the most green-centric parents were Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington. Overall, the northeast led the way in this regard.
The water conservation data collected by Amazon is related mainly to sales of rain collection buckets and water-saving devices and books about the subject. According to their numbers, the states bulking up on saving water are Arizona and New Mexico, which makes a lot of sense given their arid climates.
To put together energy savings data, Amazon took into account sales of energy-efficient devices and electronics, plus anything powered by or relating to solar or wind power. Examples of energy-saving devices include LED lighting (light emitting diodes, which are much more efficient than conventional light bulbs) and any product with the Energy Star or EPEAT seal of approval. This category also includes books on the subject. The leading states for energy conservation were Florida, California, ans Nevada. This also makes a lot of sense, as these states get tons of sun which would allow for a lot of solar panel use (Daytona Beach actually bought the most panels).
Frankly, all of the data presented, while interesting, is only representative of Amazon’s sales through their own ecommerce software, not all orders and sales of green-related products, books, and resources, from all outlets. It also doesn’t take into account any energy-saving or environmentally-protective steps that households can take on their own (lights off, shorter showers, etc.), or environmental home improvements made using store-bought equipment from hardware stores or specialty shops. But that’s all rather cynical, with the increased prevalence of green daily deals programs and even a green auction to benefit New York City trees, I say shop on, green shoppers!
leading online retailer and proponent of all things green, has released sales numbers showing the amount of green goods sent to various parts of the US, and also breaks down which types of products were shipped where. It’s an interesting use for their ecommerce software, which allowed them to analyze ordering and shipping data for a variety of categories and localities. Overall, the trend should be heartening for environmentalists, with more Americans purchasing environmentally friendly products and energy-saving devices from Amazon year-over-year.
The four main categories as determined by Amazon were Water Conservation, “Garden to Table” (which means books and products targeted for at-home gardening), Renewable Energy, and Green Parenting.
Green Parenting is an especially-targeted look at orders placed through Amazon’s “Green Baby” and “Green Toys” ecommerce software sub-stores. The states with the most green-centric parents were Vermont, Massachusetts, and Washington. Overall, the northeast led the way in this regard.
The water conservation data collected by Amazon is related mainly to sales of rain collection buckets and water-saving devices and books about the subject. According to their numbers, the states bulking up on saving water are Arizona and New Mexico, which makes a lot of sense given their arid climates.
To put together energy savings data, Amazon took into account sales of energy-efficient devices and electronics, plus anything powered by or relating to solar or wind power. Examples of energy-saving devices include LED lighting (light emitting diodes, which are much more efficient than conventional light bulbs) and any product with the Energy Star or EPEAT seal of approval. This category also includes books on the subject. The leading states for energy conservation were Florida, California, ans Nevada. This also makes a lot of sense, as these states get tons of sun which would allow for a lot of solar panel use (Daytona Beach actually bought the most panels).
Frankly, all of the data presented, while interesting, is only representative of Amazon’s sales through their own ecommerce software, not all orders and sales of green-related products, books, and resources, from all outlets. It also doesn’t take into account any energy-saving or environmentally-protective steps that households can take on their own (lights off, shorter showers, etc.), or environmental home improvements made using store-bought equipment from hardware stores or specialty shops. But that’s all rather cynical, with the increased prevalence of green daily deals programs and even a green auction to benefit New York City trees, I say shop on, green shoppers!
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Changing Light Bulb Perceptions
Changing Light Bulb Perceptions
In just a few months time, Americans can start saying goodbye to Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, an invention that's been lighting millions of homes around the world for the last 100 years or so. Due to U.S. federal legislation passed in 2007, incandescent light bulbs between 40 and 100 watts will be phased out between January 2012 and January 2014, and will be replaced by more energy-efficient lighting solutions such as halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (more commonly known as CFLs) and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs.
As with any piece of American legislation, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 have been met with some resistance. For one, the phase out of cheap, but energy-inefficient light bulbs will mean that consumers will have to spend more in order to light their homes. CFLs today normally cost around $2 to $3. Halogen lamps and LED light bulbs on the other hand, normally cost $10 and $20 to $30 respectively. Of course, what most people forget is that the initial cost of purchasing new bulbs is definitely worth the savings that can be gained in the long run.
Interestingly enough, CFLs have long been adopted by many homeowners, even before the legislation became official. In fact, statistics show that close to half of the bulbs sold in America are made of CFLs, LEDs and halogens. Most contractors even point out that the legislation will have little effect on home lighting, particularly recessed lighting.
What needs to be done now to convince consumers to make the switch is to spread information on what they should check for when buying light bulbs. In the old days, consumers would look at a bulb's wattage to determine its brightness; that standard no longer applies today, as most 10-watt CFL bulbs produce the same lighting power as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Instead, the lumens rating of a bulb is what buyers need to look out for, as this will be the main indicator of the strength of light generated by a bulb.
In just a few months time, Americans can start saying goodbye to Thomas Edison's incandescent light bulb, an invention that's been lighting millions of homes around the world for the last 100 years or so. Due to U.S. federal legislation passed in 2007, incandescent light bulbs between 40 and 100 watts will be phased out between January 2012 and January 2014, and will be replaced by more energy-efficient lighting solutions such as halogen lamps, compact fluorescent lamps (more commonly known as CFLs) and LED (light-emitting diode) light bulbs.
As with any piece of American legislation, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 have been met with some resistance. For one, the phase out of cheap, but energy-inefficient light bulbs will mean that consumers will have to spend more in order to light their homes. CFLs today normally cost around $2 to $3. Halogen lamps and LED light bulbs on the other hand, normally cost $10 and $20 to $30 respectively. Of course, what most people forget is that the initial cost of purchasing new bulbs is definitely worth the savings that can be gained in the long run.
Interestingly enough, CFLs have long been adopted by many homeowners, even before the legislation became official. In fact, statistics show that close to half of the bulbs sold in America are made of CFLs, LEDs and halogens. Most contractors even point out that the legislation will have little effect on home lighting, particularly recessed lighting.
What needs to be done now to convince consumers to make the switch is to spread information on what they should check for when buying light bulbs. In the old days, consumers would look at a bulb's wattage to determine its brightness; that standard no longer applies today, as most 10-watt CFL bulbs produce the same lighting power as a 60-watt incandescent bulb. Instead, the lumens rating of a bulb is what buyers need to look out for, as this will be the main indicator of the strength of light generated by a bulb.
Saturday, 2 April 2011
Augusta steals Tiger’s spotlight in PGA Tour 12
Tiger Woods’ name may be on the cover of the latest iteration of Electronic Arts’ PGA Tour series, but the famously troubled golfer isn’t the game’s star. That honour goes to Augusta National, a course widely recognized as one of the finest clubs in the world and which plays host to the prestigious Masters tournament.
Indeed, the game all but revolves around both Augusta and the storied competition that has attracted the globe's best golfers annually since 1934. The primary career mode is organized as a journey through qualifying school and several tours with the grand goal of competing in the Masters. A secondary mode has players trying to recreate some of the tournament’s most memorable performances, such as Gary Player’s blistering final back nine that led him to his third championship in 1978.
The upshot is that you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time on Augusta’s renowned real estate, and you probably won’t be disappointed by what you see. The course is extraordinarily well captured, with famous holes like the short but devilish par three 12th and the round-making (or destroying) par five 15th looking—and playing—just as you’d imagine.
It’s also one of the most difficult courses that Electronic Arts has ever simulated—and not just because of its treacherous greens and sadistically placed hazards. The game automatically removes any clothing or equipment bonuses you may have added when you play in the Masters Moments mode, and when you finally arrive at the tournament proper in the career mode you’ll find yourself prohibited from using some of the game’s most frequently used special abilities, such as power boosts and real time spin control. The upshot is that each green hit is earned, each birdie a satisfying accomplishment.
But we’re not left to face Augusta completely disarmed. The other star of the game (sorry, Tiger, still not you) is a caddy who proudly wears your name on the back of his shirt.
Indeed, the game all but revolves around both Augusta and the storied competition that has attracted the globe's best golfers annually since 1934. The primary career mode is organized as a journey through qualifying school and several tours with the grand goal of competing in the Masters. A secondary mode has players trying to recreate some of the tournament’s most memorable performances, such as Gary Player’s blistering final back nine that led him to his third championship in 1978.
The upshot is that you’ll find yourself spending a lot of time on Augusta’s renowned real estate, and you probably won’t be disappointed by what you see. The course is extraordinarily well captured, with famous holes like the short but devilish par three 12th and the round-making (or destroying) par five 15th looking—and playing—just as you’d imagine.
It’s also one of the most difficult courses that Electronic Arts has ever simulated—and not just because of its treacherous greens and sadistically placed hazards. The game automatically removes any clothing or equipment bonuses you may have added when you play in the Masters Moments mode, and when you finally arrive at the tournament proper in the career mode you’ll find yourself prohibited from using some of the game’s most frequently used special abilities, such as power boosts and real time spin control. The upshot is that each green hit is earned, each birdie a satisfying accomplishment.
But we’re not left to face Augusta completely disarmed. The other star of the game (sorry, Tiger, still not you) is a caddy who proudly wears your name on the back of his shirt.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Qatar in spotlight in absence of Arab heavies
DUBAI — The conflict in Libya has swept small but wealthy Qatar into the diplomatic and military spotlight in the absence of traditional Arab heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Egypt, analysts said on Wednesday.
Qatar last week became the first Arab state to take part in Western-led military operations against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
It has since scored another regional first by recognising the transitional council of the rebels battling Gaddafi as legitimate representatives of the Libyan people.
On Tuesday, leaders at an international conference held in London on the Libya crisis appointed gas-rich Qatar to host the first meeting of a follow-up Contact Group.
“This all confirms Qatar’s ambition to play a role as leader of the Arab world in the absence of the region’s traditional heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt,” said London-based analyst Abdelwahad BadraKhan.
Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani said in the British capital that the conflict in Libya was an Arab affair in which regional states should become more involved.
Qatar’s high-profile role “shows the determination of its leaders to put their small country on the regional political map,” just like they are on the sporting calendar as host of the 2022 football World Cup, said BadraKhan.
“With a stable regime and reassured by a large US air base in Qatar”, the emir, Hamad bin Hamad Al-Thani, has been taking the initiative “in consultation with” Washington and Riyadh, according to BadraKhan.
And Egypt is only just emerging from the February revolution which toppled its longtime president Hosni Mubarak.
Eclipsed since independence by “big brother” Saudi Arabia, Qatar has turned into a player in its own right, with help from Doha-based news channel Al-Jazeera and its blanket coverage of the so-called “Arab spring” of revolts.
Doha has played the role of mediator in complex regional crises in Lebanon, Yemen and Sudan, with varying degrees of success.
Ibrahim Sharqieh, deputy head of Brookings Doha Center, said a new order was being put in place.
“Qatar has a role to play in all this with its financial muscle, a moderate political vision and opening, and expertise it has gained from being involved in resolving regional crises,” he said.
Sharqieh pointed out the country has good ties with the United States and arch-foe Iran, and has had political contacts as well as trading with Israel.
Mohamed Mesfer, a university lecturer in Doha, said the low profile kept by Syria and Algeria was also serving to boost Qatar, which apart from the United Arab Emirates has been the only Arab state untouched by unrest popping up across the region since January.
On the domestic front, Qatar has lined up legislative elections without being forced to bow to street protests.
Libyan rebels say the Gulf state has signed a contract to market oil from the rebel-held east of the country, and it to host and help launch a rebel television station.
Qatar last week became the first Arab state to take part in Western-led military operations against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
It has since scored another regional first by recognising the transitional council of the rebels battling Gaddafi as legitimate representatives of the Libyan people.
On Tuesday, leaders at an international conference held in London on the Libya crisis appointed gas-rich Qatar to host the first meeting of a follow-up Contact Group.
“This all confirms Qatar’s ambition to play a role as leader of the Arab world in the absence of the region’s traditional heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt,” said London-based analyst Abdelwahad BadraKhan.
Qatari Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassem Al-Thani said in the British capital that the conflict in Libya was an Arab affair in which regional states should become more involved.
Qatar’s high-profile role “shows the determination of its leaders to put their small country on the regional political map,” just like they are on the sporting calendar as host of the 2022 football World Cup, said BadraKhan.
“With a stable regime and reassured by a large US air base in Qatar”, the emir, Hamad bin Hamad Al-Thani, has been taking the initiative “in consultation with” Washington and Riyadh, according to BadraKhan.
And Egypt is only just emerging from the February revolution which toppled its longtime president Hosni Mubarak.
Eclipsed since independence by “big brother” Saudi Arabia, Qatar has turned into a player in its own right, with help from Doha-based news channel Al-Jazeera and its blanket coverage of the so-called “Arab spring” of revolts.
Doha has played the role of mediator in complex regional crises in Lebanon, Yemen and Sudan, with varying degrees of success.
Ibrahim Sharqieh, deputy head of Brookings Doha Center, said a new order was being put in place.
“Qatar has a role to play in all this with its financial muscle, a moderate political vision and opening, and expertise it has gained from being involved in resolving regional crises,” he said.
Sharqieh pointed out the country has good ties with the United States and arch-foe Iran, and has had political contacts as well as trading with Israel.
Mohamed Mesfer, a university lecturer in Doha, said the low profile kept by Syria and Algeria was also serving to boost Qatar, which apart from the United Arab Emirates has been the only Arab state untouched by unrest popping up across the region since January.
On the domestic front, Qatar has lined up legislative elections without being forced to bow to street protests.
Libyan rebels say the Gulf state has signed a contract to market oil from the rebel-held east of the country, and it to host and help launch a rebel television station.
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