Prepare Your Tea Perfectly Every Time with a Tea Maker

Have you ever wondered how the tea houses you have visited are able to make such amazing brews of great tea time after time again? Do you want to be able to bring that same spectacular brewing style home with you for less than a couple hundred dollars? Then perhaps you are ready to invest in your very own home tea maker that will give you the ability to brew perfect cup after perfect cup just like the professionals do.

Unlike coffee makers, it is unfortunately much more difficult to find a home tea maker that you can use whenever you feel like it. It seems that many people simply are satisfied sticking with their own tea balls and tea bags to change to something as impressive as their very own tea makers. However, the tea connoisseur that you are, boring tea bags and balls, though tried and true methods of brewing a cup of tea, are simply not for you. If that is the case, then tea makers are a must for you.

Buying a professional style tea brewer means that you should go for the best, as it will give you a fantastic batch each and every time with little or no work on your part. Which maker is the best though really depends on the type of tea brewer you want. Are you looking for a kettle style or a modern coffee maker style?

As far as the kettle style is concerned, the best brand to get is the UtiliTEA, which can usually be found for less than fifty dollars. Quite a steal considering how well it is reviewed. On the other hand, if you really want your tea right away, then an electric tea maker called the TriniTEA is for you. This fantastic product will be able to make you four cups of your favorite tea in mere minutes - just add some of your favorite leaves and some water of any temperature and your tea will be brewed in just a few quick moments.

One of the best places to look for a quality tea maker is at a restaurant supply store. Quite a number of these stores carry items that will work quite well in a home kitchen. You may find several tea makers that can be used to brew as few as twelve cups at a time; these units will not be much bigger than your standard sized coffee maker. While you may pay a little more than for a cheaper model at a discount store, you usually have an excellent warranty and can count of the maker lasting for a number of years.

The Users of Phone Service VOIP

Internet, phone service VOIP, cell phones and two-way talking televisions are fast taking over our culture. It is for this reason that we need to become educated about these aspects so that we can properly combat the aspects of these issues that are to come.

We must warn others, too, so that they will be ready when the time comes to actually learn how to use some of this great stuff. Take the VOIP services, for example. Who wouldn’t want to make a phone call over the internet?

So what is influencing this grand influx in communications? Is it just the way people have always been or is the exciting medium of phone service VOIP entertaining the notion of people stepping outside of their comfort zones for a look at how the other half lives?

A quick gander around at some of the usual suspects of cell phone and VOIP phone services use will tell us that some answers are more confusing, in fact, than the questions.

Take the teenage girl demographic, for example. Without getting too stereotypical, many teenage girls spend upwards of thirteen hours a day on the telephone talking to their girl friends about boy friends and how those boy friends look in designer blue jeans or the latest hoodies from Hot Topic.

This demographic, according to VOIP vendor providers like Skype, are most likely to utilize VOIP services and are most likely to help put VOIP vendors and their families into much larger homes with much larger swimming pools. The cash flow in terms of the teen girl demographic is so huge in terms of Voice over Internet Protocol calls, in fact, that many people can retire after just one afternoon of calls taken from the Eastern seaboard.

Another demographic that is popular is the office worker. This asexual workaholic demographic often spends hours on the telephone as well, brokering some sort of deal from Botswana for hours with people that do not speak the same language. This miscommunication enables workers at VOIP providers to make a lot of money from the phone calls.

The customer, however, still saves a considerable amount of cash on the long distance because most VOIP vendor packages charge little to nothing in terms of long distance. So whether the deal crashes in Botswana or not, everybody wins.

A huge demographic that uses VOIP on a regular basis would be the chatroom types. These people, both male and female, tend to use VOIP services to create a bigger connection to their chatroom friends and create more realism to their experience.

Using phone service VOIP to converse adds an element of vocalized realism to the conversation that you just can’t get from typing in what you’re doing.

VOIP companies have a lot to gain from the variety of possibilities they can get in terms of customers from all over the world. The change in social climate, call it a “social warming”, is bringing people closer together and creating such an influx in social necessity that people all over the world are turning to VOIP services.

The reality behind this is that companies such as Skype or Yahoo have a lot to gain from offering phone service VOIP packages on their websites. Without these phone service VOIP packages, we might all be up a creek without a prayer.

Custom MP3 Demos Validate Studio Quality

“Don’t judge a book by its cover”, could now be translated to the phrase “Don’t judge a voice talent by their stock demo”.

In recent years, the voice industry has experienced exponential growth and enjoyed interest from new markets, particularly aspiring talent who want to get started in the business of voice acting.

The doors have swung wide open. Now, anyone with a computer, microphone, and access to the Internet can claim that they perform voice-overs, whether as a hobby or as their career.

How did professional voice actors differentiate themselves as in the past?

Until a short time ago, all a voice actor needed to have was their voice-over demo, a polished and expertly produced sample of what the voice actor could do with their voice.

Usually, these demos were, and are currently, compilations of various voice recordings or spots including television or radio commercials, station imaging, promos, corporate narration, telephone work, and character voice acting. These demos were, and in many cases still are the most popular tool used to promote a professional voice actor with to get them hired without having to physically audition for a client.

Nowadays, if someone has the money and knows of a good recording studio, they can easily walk right in and record a demo, too. These demos are fully produced and edited by professional recording engineers, and perhaps, the aspiring talent is also coached by an in-house trainer or by the recording engineers as an added-value service.

That being said, how do voice actors differentiate themselves as professionals applying for voice over work today?

The answer is manifested in the form of a custom MP3 demo.

The custom MP3 demo plays one of the greatest roles for validating or exposing the quality of a home recording studio.

Custom MP3 demos reveal the setup of a room, acoustics, and room temperature as well as the quality of the microphone, recording software and editing skills of the demo producer.

A custom MP3 demo, when performed by a professional, demonstrates the confidence that experience brings. Seasoned voice actors’ or voice performers’ talent and interpretation will shine through in recordings, supporting their claim of being a career professional, both as a performer and a producer.

When the technical and artistic elements align properly, a great custom demo emerges, leaving no doubt as to the professionalism of the candidate applying for the job and will not present any surprises after the fact for a client when the real job begins and the audio recordings are received.

Custom MP3 demos are also an indication of the professionals’ interest level in a given job posting. When a client receives a custom demo, that custom demo of their script reinforces the professionalism and genuine enthusiasm of the service provider who applied for the respective job posting.

Lastly, recording a custom MP3 demo illustrates that a voice actor can efficiently record and produce audio at home. If a voice actor works from home employing a professional-grade home recording studio, it should be quite easy for them to open a new session and record a brief piece of copy. This is another indication to a client that a voice actor will be able to get their job done in a timely if not expedited manner.

The barriers to entry in the voice acting business are few, but proper recording equipment, technique, dedication, and talent still amount for something. Those fundamental elements are achieved with experience, time, and education. Custom MP3 demos validate the quality, expertise and talent of a voice actor. By requesting custom demos, there are no surprises and working with the right voice for the job will be a lot easier.

Motorola And Other Cellphone Company Plans

Cingular Wireless - all quad-band phones purchased from Cingular work in Greece (and all other countries using GSM, which is the vast majority). For example, you could purchase a Motorola Razor V3 (currently available with a new agreement on-line for $29.99) and it will work in Greece. Cingular has three roaming partners in Greece - Cosmote, Vodafone and TIM.

Voice and Data and 2-way text messaging throughout the country. If she will be in Athens, for example, there is very solid coverage. Cingular also offers Go-Phone international, which allows you to purchase international minutes without commitment. Rates for international minutes used in Greece are $2.29 per minute. You would need a Cingular Go-Phone (prices range from $29.99 to $99.99).

The cost of a 1-minute call (whether made or received) is $1.29. A text message sent is $0.50. You will, of course, also have to have a standard rate plan with Cingular ($39.99 for 450 minutes - these are minutes that only count within the US, all the minutes used outside the US are charged, as mentioned above). Be sure to request international roaming is added to the account. Also, there is a 90-day waiting period, typically, so be sure to get your service soon.

T-Mobile offers international roaming in Greece also and any quad-band T-Mobile phone will work there, as well. The cost per minute with T-Mobile is $1.49. T-Mobile has very similar coverage in Athens. They also have international text messaging at a lower cost than Cingular - $0.35 to send and $0.10 to receive. You can also have it pull from a bucket of messages (separate messaging plans). As with Cingular, you will need a standard rate plan from T-Mobile (similar costs).

Verizon Wireless also has roaming in Greece. You must purchase or rent one of their Global Phones since Greece only has GSM coverage (versus CDMA). There is one Motorola phone and two Samsung phones available. Prices for purchase are around $300.00. Costs for a 1-minute call while in Greece are $1.29 per minute. International text messaging is $.50 for sent text messages and $0.05 for received text messages. If you rent a Global phone, the rate is $3.99 per day and $1.49 for minute for usage.

With Sprint/Nextel, you would need a Nextel phone capable of working on the GSM network in Greece. There are about 4 models available including the i930 and V180 from Motorola. Calls are $1.29 per minute. International rentals are available for $45 per week (or $67 for a month and other rates for different periods of time). Calls are the same as above, $1.29 per minute. International text messages are $0.15 per message sent or received. Coverage is very similar to all three of the providers listed above.

If you don’t currently have a cell phone plan for your daughter and only want the service while she is in Greece, you may want to consider Cingular’s International Go-Phone or Verizon or Sprint’s rental program. If you currently have a phone for her on the T-Mobile or Cingular network, then you may want to verify that it is a quad-band phone and if so, then just add international roaming and/or text messaging and know that it will cost you the per minute charge while she is in Greece.

I’m a big believer in not messing with cell phones, as it relates to trying to fix them. If the dial pad is not working, it sounds like something is connecting properly and it needs to be fixed. If you bought your phone through a wireless provider like Sprint, Verizon, Cingular or T-Mobile, you can send it in for a warranty/exchange if you bought the phone less than 12 months ago.

If you have had it longer than 12 months, but less than 24 months, you may want to try to get it repaired by Motorola. If it is over 24 months, I would suggest replacing it, since you would be eligible for a replacement after 24 months.

Tips For Choosing Cordless Tools

There are plenty of different types of cordless tools on the market today. To ensure you make a wise purchase you want to take the time to review a couple of things about them. What types of projects do you plan to complete with the cordless tools? You can often get a cordless tool that is quite versatile. This is a better deal that buying one for a particular project. That is unless you plan to engage in that particular type of project on a regular basis.

You want a cordless tool that is going to be lightweight and easy to use, yet it is durable and gets the job done. Cordless tools are a great way to take care of any home repair project but you don’t want to carry heavy equipment onto the roof or to the top of a ladder. The length of time the battery will last for you is important as well. You don’t want to be in the middle of a project and then discover your battery is dead. Many cordless tools come with an additional battery so that you always have a back up available.

If possible test out the cordless models on display in a store. Locate the trigger that starts it as well as the shut off. If you are left handed there are some cordless tools designed specifically for you. If the store you are shopping in doesn’t carry them ask them to order what you are looking for.

The price of a cordless tool should be taken into consideration. Remember that you won’t necessarily get the best cordless tool when you pay for the highest priced one in that category. If you won’t be using the tool very much you should buy a moderately priced one so you get your money’s worth. Make sure you find out about the warranty information as well so that you are protected if your cordless tool gets damaged.

There are plenty of online sites from other consumers where you can find plenty of quality information about cordless tools. You will be able to find out about the pros and cons of each one from those who have first hand knowledge about them. This information will prove to be much more reliable than just listing to the sales pitches of the manufacturers who are trying to sell you various cordless tools. If you do your research and get the info necessary to make a good decision, you can get a great quality tool that will perform the tasks you need it to.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Conference Calling

As businesses evaluate the type of conference calling that is right for them they will need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each. In this article we will evaluate and compare the three major types of conference calls including audio, web, and video conferencing.

The biggest advantage, for many companies, in choosing audio or web conferencing over video conferencing is the cost. Audio conferencing tends to be the cheapest. Virtually the only costs involved when choosing audio conferencing is the cost of a telephone and then the charge of a long distance call. Many companies already have phones with a built-in speakerphone and if not they can be purchased for as little as $100.

However there are disadvantages in choosing audio conferencing as well. The first distinct disadvantage is that businesses lose personal relations when all they hear is a colleague’s voice. Jokes and remarks can be taken the wrong way or be offending when those involved can not see a caller’s smile of facial expression. Another disadvantage to audio conferencing is that the quality of the call declines as additional locations are added. When several parties are involved the chance of two of them talking at the same time are great and neither of them will have their thoughts heard.

Web conferencing offers its rewards and shortcomings as well. While web conferencing can be free, it is usually in the companies best interest to choose to pay a little more to avoid annoying ads and pop ups. Web conferencing is especially useful for business calls that involve viewing digital files because these files can be sent in an instant via email to all parties involved. Documents can be viewed, analyzed and returned so they can be discussed all at once rather than waiting and communicating through mail or several phone calls. Web conferencing also allows more than one person to talk or type at once without going unheard.

Like any type of conference calling though, web conferencing also has its disadvantages. One of these down sides is that, again, it is difficult to gauge a person’s seriousness or humor in a comment. There is no personality in a typed sentence. It is also difficult for those who are uncomfortable with technology to use web conferencing efficiently.

Finally the biggest advantage to video conferencing is that it offers a visual connection with the other attendees. When using video conferencing callers are able to view each other on a TV screen and hear each other through the speaker system. Associates are able to hear each other’s voices, put a voice to a face, and understand each other’s joke and comments. Financially, the cost of video conferencing is quite a bit higher due to the equipment that is involved. If equipment is not high quality it can also be limiting because the video feed can be jerky or delayed. Whatever type a business chooses, every type of conference call has it ups and downs.

Geothermal Electricity Production: The Earthly Energy

Power plants require steam to run the turbines which in turn will activate a generator which produces electricity. However, most of these power plants still use fossil fuels to heat up the water and create steam. Geothermal Energy is produced when we use the hot water springs or the reservoir of hot water found in certain parts on the surface of the earth are utilized to heat up water to create steam to do the needful in generating electricity.

There are three types of geothermal power plants and are discussed as below:

- Dry Steam Power Plants: These energy plants use the steam as it is being produced a few miles under the surface of the earth and is piped into a an apparatus which sometimes pressurizes the steam flow to hit a turbine as to generate the necessary sequence of steps that lead to the production of electricity. Apparently, there are only two such plants in the U.S The northern Californian Geysers and Yellowstone National Park of Wyoming, where there’s a well known geyser.

- Flash Steam power Plants: These are the more common variety and are installed at places where underground water exists at very high temperatures in shallow wells. This water is so heated up that they start rising owing to its own pressure and get converted into steam while the uprising. This steam is then captured and then utilized to run turbines and generate electricity.

- Binary Cycle Power Plants: These plants make use of waters at slightly lower temperatures and hence this water is used up to heat another liquid (working liquid) with a very low boiling point, held in a separate container, such that they never get mixed up. This working liquid is transformed into a vapor using a heat exchanger and it is this vapor that is used to turn a turbine to give it the mechanical energy to be able to generate electricity.

Geothermal plants of a slightly smaller scale find a lot of application in rural areas and they are mostly found in parts of the U.S like Hawaii and Alaska.

Geo thermals can be found only at places have some amount of hot streams, hot springs or known reservoirs of hot water pools, even if it is a little below the surface of the earth. Although they provide for a clean, geothermal sources of energy are expensive, huge in size and calls for intensive checking and maintenance. They could never beat the sheer transportability, availability and combustibility of the fossil fuels and even biogas or other such fuels.

LCD Projector - What Specifications Are You Looking For?

People everywhere are choosing an LCD projector over an ordinary projector because of the amazing advantages they can expect to get. These versatile machines can be used in the home for watching movies and in the office to enhance visual presentations. This type of projector also finds itself being used to teach classrooms full of students at once, making it a great aid to teachers.

The specific advantages of this projector over an ordinary one are numerous. For starters, all images (moving or still) are incomparably sharper when coming from an LCD projector. This feature is one that is most apparent during presentations where the text size of numbers is small, but surprisingly readable. Because of this, presenters can display more information on a single image without worrying about weather or not their audience will be able to read it.

Another advantage of this type of projector is the fact that images are not at all distorted. When video information is fed from a computer to the LCD projector, the projector modifies the image in such a way that it will retain the exact dimensions on the projector screen as it does on the computer screen. It does this all without compromising the quality of the image as well - no harsh pixilation, no color loss.

Color is another great feature of this type of projector. Colors are projected flawlessly to the screen. Unlike old projectors, an LCD one is much more like a television. You can even control the red, green and blue color intensity levels. Also controllable are contrast and brightness, so you’ll be able to easily modify your image to fit whatever lighting conditions are present.

If you are considering the purchase of an LCD projector, there are a few things that you should know before setting foot in a store. Perhaps the most important piece of information you need to have is the typical distance you intend to have the projector away from the screen. Every projector fits into a specific distance range and will only perform best when it’s used within those parameters.

Also, you should know what kind of lighting conditions are typically going to be present when you’re using the LCD projector. This will indicate how bright of a projector you’ll require.

Finally, you need to choose between two classes of resolution for your projector. SVGA is a lower resolution, but can offer higher brightness. This type is great for projecting still images in an office setting where it’s difficult to lower the brightness of the lights sufficiently to use a normal projector. XGA has the higher resolution and is perfect for little details and the best for moving images. Many people use an LCD projector with XGA resolution for their home theatre needs!

Truly, an LCD projector is a wonderful invention with a multitude of applications. While the cost of these projectors can be a little on the high side, the quality you’ll get is well worth every penny.

Summary:

People everywhere are choosing an LCD projector over an ordinary projector because of the amazing advantages they can expect to get. In fact, the resolution and color these projectors boast are so good, many people use an LCD projector home theatre needs!

Digital Camera Basics - Want To Stop Being An Idiot And Learn How Digital Cameras Work?

With the advancement of the digital camera and the software that is made for them, most pictures look professional from the first click of the camera. But like most things, it is important to understand the “how and why” for higher quality results.

The basics of a digital camera revolve around terms like pixel, pixel count, white balance, sensor, sensitivity, optical zoom, or digital zoom. These improve your understanding of what digital photography is all about, and will help you become a more efficient photographer.

For example, one important term is digital sensor. A typical digital camera may have a digital sensor element that is as big as a small finger nail. Most 5MP digital cameras use a sensor that is 7mm x 5mm in size. This is much smaller than the size of the negative of a 35 mm camera. However, high-end digital cameras have large sensors, and generate superior images. These are important things to know, to see how pictures can be better or worse.

Digital cameras also have sensitivity settings similar to ISO ratings on film. Most digital cameras will have settings for sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 and ISO 200. Many also have a setting for ISO 400. A few expensive digital SLR cameras with large sensors have settings for ISO 3200 or even for ISO 6400.

Most digital cameras have an optical and a digital zoom. An optical zoom lens works by changing the focal length and magnification while the zoom is being utilized - with the image quality remaining high. Digital zoom works by cropping the image to a smaller size. The cropped image is enlarged to fill the frame, causing a significant loss of quality.

The manufacturers of digital cameras use the term “pixel count” to describe their camera’s image properties. The word pixel originates from “(PIC)ture (EL)ement”- with the use of phonics added for emphasis. It represents a single point in a graphic image - not a dot but an abstract sample that can be reproduced in any size, without a dot or square appearance.

A pixel is important to understand because it is the basic unit of measurement, used to define a digital photograph. The more the number of pixels per square inch, the higher the resolution of a digital picture, increasing its clarity. Some examples would be 2,400 pixels per inch, 640 pixels per line, or spaced 10 pixels apart. Designers, artists, and photographers sometimes interchange the pixel terminology, such as dots per inch (dpi) with pixels per inch (ppi). The dpi is used when it refers to the printer’s resolution for the printing density. Each pixel is made up of three color channels - red, green and blue — and has a numerical value of between 0 and 255.

The pixel count also decides the size of a print in case you want to print photographs. A 3MP camera can provide excellent 4×6 inch prints, while a 4 or 5MP digital camera can deliver high quality 8×10 inch prints. With a digital camera you can pick the white balance to suit the light source. This is meant to ensure that white looks white, and not yellow or blue. Normally, your digital camera will do this automatically. You can also set the white balance yourself for better effects.

Since each pixel generates three bytes of data, a photographer using a 3MP camera will need a storage space of 9 million bytes or 9MB to store a single image. This is a huge amount of space. Camera companies therefore allow for a compression of image using a format called JPEG. This reduces the file size significantly but while doing so a lot of data is lost. To overcome this problem companies have come up with different storage formats. Canon calls it RAW while Nikon calls it NEF. The data loss is less in these formats.

The low end cameras used by beginners can shoot images whose pixel count is one million is categorized as 1 MP or one million pixel camera because the intensity of each pixel is variable, with each pixel having three or four dimensions of variability - such as red, green and blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The high-end cameras used by professionals, can range from 14MP to 22MP with a pixel count as high as 14 million or 22 million per image.

The thing to remember is the higher the resolution, the more realistic the image is, matching closest what the actual image is. So take your time, do some research, and talk to people who know cameras. Otherwise, a lot of money will be spent on something that is barely adequate for what you want.

What Are The Different Types Of Home Theater Video Projectors?

Home Theater is a recent concept and is fast becoming an affordable way for everyone to enjoy the experience of the theatre - the big screen and surround sound - right in the comfort of their own home.

There are several choices for displays when designing your own home theater. Most usually, consumers will opt for a large CRT (box shaped) television, usually in widescreen format but sometimes in the old 4:3 format, else they will opt for the newer and thinner plasma screens available. However, it is worth considering home theater video projectors as they can come closer to offering the true theater experience compared to traditional televisions.

A home theater video projector can enhance this experience and is probably the most affordable solution that gives rise to the largest screen possible in the residential environment.

Whereas video projectors used to be expensive and of poor quality compared to the traditional alternative, the television, these days the technology has dropped considerable in price and is within reach of most home theater enthusiasts. Furthermore, the quality, brightness and sharpness of the image are vastly improved.

There are currently three main different types of home theater video projector - CRT, LCD and DLP.

CRT (cathode ray tube) video projectors are what you really get in a true theatre - they are the machines with red, blue and green lights. The advantages of such devices are a long lifetime and a proven, tried and tested technology that has stood the test of time for well over half a century. They also provide high image quality and sharpness. Unfortuantely, they are usually quite large, bulky and heavy. As well as this, they tend not to be as bright as their more recent digial counterparts.

LCD (liquid crystal display) video projectors use lcd wafers (like your digital watch) to either block out light completely, pass it completely, or somewhere in between. When you consider that this can be done for all three primary colours (red, green and blue) you can see that a large variation can be created and hence a projected image. Such LCD projectors are very lightweight and bright, and tend to be affordable due to the widespread use of lcd technology. Unfortunately, they suffer from a poor contrast range and bulbs need replacing very often. Bulbs are not cheap and can cost several hundred dollars depending on your model of projector - this running cost is a consideration that you should make when selecting your projector.

DLP (digital light processing) are the newest type of home theater projector. They operate in a similar fashion to lcd projectors, except that instead of lcd wafers, they use silicon chips called digital micromirror devices, or DMDs. The result is again a lightweight device as with LCD, but also brighter display and a better contrast range that its LCD brother. However, again, running costs i.e. bulb replacements, are very high.

Reasons To Go Manual With Your iPod

If you are like most iPod owners, you probably have never even considered using the manual mode on your iPod. Do you even know what the manual mode is? First consider what exactly the manual mode is and then, why you should use it.

So, you go to your computer to upload music to your iPod, if you just plug it in and your iTunes music library automatically starts sending music to your iPod, then this is the automatic mode, not the manual. This is the default mode; it is already configured to update the contents whenever your iPod is plugged in.

When using your iPod, the manual mode, on the other hand, lets you select only the files you want and then transfer those selected files to your iPod. To switch your iPod into the manual mode, you first have to go to your iTunes Source list and select the iPod icon.

When you do this, a new icon should pop appear at the bottom right corner if your iTunes window. If you click on this icon, the iPod Preferences window will pop up. Now, to get your iPod to stop updating automatically, you need to enable the Manually Manage Songs and Playlists option. Click OK and the Preferences window will close. Now you are ready to start adding only the music files that you want.

In order to place new music onto your iPod, you need to drag the selected file from your iTunes library and onto the iPod icon in the Source list or into one of your playlists. If you wish to create a new playlist, just click its icon in the Source list and then click on the Plus button at the bottom.

If you have too many files to move manually, or if you just want to get music from a particular genre or artist, you can use the iTunes Browser (press Command-B) and you can select whole genres, albums, or artists to be moved to your iPod. Now that you have changed your iPod to update manually, you should not have to do it again unless you want to switch back to automatically update because this setting is stored on your iPod.

Now that you have changed your iPod to update manually you can easily connect it to more than one computer. This works for people who have more than one computer where they have music stored, like at college or work.

If you had your iPod set on automatic and you went to connect it to another computer, a window will pop up saying that your iPod library is about to be erased and will be replaced with music stored on this computer. Manual mode will save the user a lot of time and grief.

Another reason, you may want to use the manual mode of your iPod is because you are able to play songs that are stored on your iPod through speakers on the computer that the iPod is attached to. If you wish to do this, simply click on the iPod icon in the Source list and pick a song that is shown in the iTunes main window, press play. Or you can play an entire playlist by selecting it and pressing play.

More and more people are starting to change their iPod to manual mode for many reasons. For instance, you may be running out of space on your iPod and wish only to upload a certain few songs. Others want to delete songs from their iTunes library but want to keep it on their iPod.

However, you will not be able to copy music from your iPod back to your iTunes library. This is a protection added to try and cut down on the number of people who pirate music illegally.

Now that you know exactly what the manual mode on your iPod is, how to switch your iPod to manual mode from automatic mode, and some benefits of using it, you are now able to be more in control of the music that you have on your iPod. With the growing number of iPod owners and users, knowing how to use your iPod correctly is becoming more and more important.

Be Correctly Equipped - The Tools For Videoconferencing

Knowing exactly what kind of videoconference you plan will tell you the tools you will need. An Integrated System, this refers to a room-size setup, is often the choice for a videoconference room. In the integrated videoconferencing room there is a variety of multimedia equipment and peripherals. There are multiple monitors or large screens used to display the video as well as multiple microphones. Integrated systems can be used for businesses; schools, boardrooms and libraries and if an integrated system is what you need you will need the following:

Codec: This is the computer used to code and compress the outgoing signal. It also decodes and decompresses the incoming audio and video signals. In the case of an integrated system the Codec required is usually a hardware platform due to the fact that hardware Codecs are generally faster in completing their compression/decompression task and thus make near real-time communication more likely. Hardware codecs also often carry their own processing power on-board so they are not reliant upon the resources of an underlying computer system. This is a multimedia platform capable of delivering via audio, video, streaming, and digital. For a smaller videoconference, videoconference software can be used.

Monitor: Portable and fixed systems have one or two large video monitors, 2×80 cm being a reliable size, that usually display the local audience as well as the remote audience, though an economical, installed system using an LCD projector will be a much better solution for larger groups. Most often a computer monitor is used and display quality of the monitor, such as screen size and resolution, affect the size and clarity of the incoming video display, but the performance and capabilities of the codec along with the quality and bandwidth of the network connection will have the most effect on image. Beyond the standard computer monitor, large movie or presentation screens can be used and the video can be projected onto a screen.

Camera: The most common is a single main camera that captures live movement occurring at one end so that it may be sent to the other end in near real-time. High-end systems often come with a variety of input sockets allowing for connections to other peripherals such as a document camera, a second video input connection, and other auxiliary equipment. Two cameras are often required for videoconferencing rooms. One remains a dedicated camera focused on the speaker while another can be used to pan the audience or pull in tight on a person asking a question. A camera for room-size videoconferencing often falls into the category of a PAL camera, which means Phase Alternating Line. Most video adapters that enable computer monitors to be used as television screens support PAL signals.

Microphones: There is a very wide range in microphones used for a videoconference though usually a room-size videoconference requires an omni-directional microphone or several smaller directional microphones placed throughout. A common type of microphone used in a session is a lapel microphone. The lapel microphone is clipped onto a jacket or shirt and worn on a belt. A lapel microphone is wireless and allows movement. The desktop microphone is a microphone that sits on the table and pick up the voices as the speakers engage in the videoconference. In all cases sophisticated diagnostics and processing must be a built-in feature to control background noise and echo.

Speakers: Speakers may be the easiest videoconference tools to select. For most rooms the speakers of a TV or computer monitor can be used or you could get a separate sound system comprising an amplifier, optional equalizer, and speakers. If the room is a permanent videoconference room then wall mounted speakers are recommended to adequately project the audio to all participants in the room.

Your last tool for a videoconference would be the control panel, which allows users to place calls, adjust volume, pan and zoom the camera and more. The control panel is usually contained within the videoconference system as a keyboard and is used just like a computer keyboard although wireless keyboards are also available. Though style and level of the components listed here may vary, this is what you will need to be correctly equipped for a videoconference.

It's A Home Theater Revolution

Home theater has been a tremendous boon for visual and sound enthusiasts in recent years; the idea of sitting back in your favorite chair, surrounded by a familiar environment and viewing your favorite movie or sporting event from the comfort of your own home has a decidedly nice feel to it, don’t you think?

In the United States, the number of basements being re-modelled to include a home theater room has increased significantly and why not, in many instances they are just used as storage areas or partially renovated. It seems they are the ideal environment to house the family “cinema.”

Selecting Your Home Theater System

For many prospective buyers, finding the right home theater system can often be a little confusing. Where do I start? How much do I spend? What brands should I look at? These are are all common questions and all form the basis of any due diligence performed in searching for the ultimate system. A good place to start is deciding on an appropriate budget. Price varies enormously and if you’re not careful, you could over capitalise and spend unnecessary dollars which could amount to thousands. Decide exactly where your system will be housed. Is it a large area or is the room limited? Is there a capacity to include a projection facility? Many a buyer has been overwhelmed by an over zealous salesperson who has pitched a terrific presentation, however, unless you have the space and the budget to accomodate all the “bells and whistles” that go with the basic unit, it could be money “down the drain.”

It’s not hard to imagine getting carried away with what a home theater set up actually comprises when the term is first pitched at you. Basically, a television with additional speakers, preferably surround sound and a DVD player and you are good to go. How much you are willing to spend is going to be governed by what budget you have set yourself. There are two trains of thought here. Stick to a moderate budget first up and only purchase the basic set up. As money and room allows at a later date, then you can add or upgrade on your existing system. Or, spend a little extra first up and to hell with the budget; I want it now. Many a consumer has got into trouble by adopting the latter, not just financially, but through feeling the full wrath of “you know who.” All I can say is, be diligent, sensible and work within your budget.

Installation

The question of installation is very real for most consumers. By and large, installing a home theater system is not that difficult but for the technically challenged, it’s always good policy to check with the seller as many offer installation as a paid service. In some extreme instances, free installation could be sought as a trade-off for purchasing something extra but this is your call. If you have the extra money to spend, go for the paid installation.

When Should I Buy?

Now is always a good time to buy. Depending on your level of diligence, there is always a good deal to be had. Let’s face it, waiting for the right moment can be likened a little to procrastination. If you truly are in the market for a system and you have a budget set aside then the present is always a good time to buy. Granted, the price of televisions for instance such as plasma are still high but with the advent of LCD, these are coming down in price quite alarmingly. In my case, I desperately wanted a particular brand of television and made concessions to be able to afford it. It was an award winner and the “ants pants” of televisions in it’s category. It was money well spent. Do you know that same set was available for $1000 less only a year later. Firstly, I could have waited a year but wasn’t to know it would come down in price and secondly, I would have been without it for another 12 months.

So if you are “still sitting on the fence” regarding your home theater system, all I can say is consider joining the revolution!

At Last The LED Screens' Secrets Revealed

If you’ve done design or programming work using light emitting diode (LED) screen technology and still aren’t sure exactly how to choose the best one to suit your purposes, then keep reading.

You probably already know that LED technology makes these large screens possible. LED is a semi-conductor that emits visible light when electrons pass through it. From the exterior, it may look like a small lamp, but it functions in a totally different way. In fact, the emission of light depends on electrons flowing between anode and cathode within the LED chip, and the color of the visual emission depends on the materials utilized.

Putting many LEDs together forms several pixels. By definition, a pixel is the “luminous dot” present on every LED full-color giant screen. This luminous dot can be formed by one or more LEDs, depending on dimensions and features of the screen. On full-color screens, the pixel is formed by the three basic LED colors, which are red, green, and blue that, together, can form white.

The human eye has three types of receptors for daylight vision, and each one corresponds to a primary color. Any other color is the result of the simultaneous stimulation of these three types of receptors, after a phenomenon called addition synthesis that mixes the chromatic components captured by the eye. The mix of the three primary colors, in different percentages, allows the pixel to generate any possible color.

Each square meter of the LED screen can contain from 1,024 pixels (32*32 pixels) up to 9,216 pixels (96*96 pixels) depending on the models. The number of pixels can vary on the same surface because of pixel pitch. The pixel pitch of an LED display defines the distance between the pixels, expressed in millimetres. This is a defining factor of a giant screen’s viewing distance, for the following reasons: the closer the pixels are, the closer the minimum distance but higher the screen cost per area; and the further apart the pixels are, the further away the minimum viewing distance is and the lower the screen cost per area. Therefore, the pitch determines the image definition and cost of the screen. Low pixel pitch equals higher definition and cost; high pixel pitch equals lower definition and cost.

You would determine what pixel pitch you need by defining the minimum viewing distance (MVD). The MVD is the closest you can get to the screen before the pixels start appearing as dots. Each LED giant screen manufacturer has its own method on how to calculate the MVD of a screen. There is not an absolute answer, because each one of us has a different eye’s perception. A fairly precise and easy way to calculate the MVD would be converting the pixel pitch into distance. For example, a maxi-screen with 10mm pitch has a MVD of 10m, while a 20mm pitch screen has a MVD of 20m.

Why would I ever go for a higher pixel pitch and, therefore, a lower image quality? For two main reasons: one is financial, and the other is biological. The financial reason is pretty obvious: the higher the number of pixels on the LED screen, the higher the cost. It’s important to note that, since the visible area of an LED screen has two dimensions, when reducing the pixel pitch, the LED density increases exponentially. In fact, reducing the pitch by the 50% increases the number of pixels by 400%, and cost follows. Let’s take, for example, 1sq.m: with a 20mm pixel pitch, you have 2,500 pixels (1,000:20=50; 50*50=2,500 pixels), but with a 10mm pixel pitch, you have 10,000 pixels.

The biological reason is just as important: the human eye is not able to recognize small details from long distances. Therefore, from longer viewing distances, the human eyes won’t notice the details that a high-definition LED screen can show. This brings us back to the financial reason. If you watch an LED giant screen from a huge distance, why use a high-definition screen when your eyes won’t appreciate the superior performances?

Conferencing To Reach Out Globally

The Information Age has dawned. With it have arrived the technological advances that are changing business and life dramatically. All one needs to do is click on a mouse or hit “send” on a mobile device to send information virtually anywhere in the world. The world of business has changed and technology and computers are bringing the world face to face with technology such as web and audio conferencing, all through the power of a little computer screen.

Technology is no longer simply a novelty. Today, the Internet is not just a means of entertainment or fun, but it has become a critical element of every business model. The larger the business or corporation, the more necessary is this tool. However, even small businesses can and should take advantage of the tools the Internet offers towards business expansion.

If your company has affiliates, partners, employees, or clients located away from your home base, you should make use of web and audio conferencing to meet your communication needs. Eliminate the need to fly in bigwigs from the overseas branch, or waste time in traffic moving from one meeting to the next. By using audio and web conferencing, you can meet whoever you want to meet, when you want to meet them, all without leaving your office or setting up the board room.

Web conferencing brings all new meaning to the old phrase: “time is money”. You can conduct your meetings in half the time that it would take for you or your clients to commute to them. You can process documents faster, and make decisions in real time on a face-to-face basis with your communication partners. You not only save valuable costs by decreasing transportation expenses, but you also increase your productivity by performing several actions in a single conference call. Even though your meetings are virtual, they still take place immediately and you have the benefits of personal touch.

Besides the advantages at the administrative level of saving time and money for your business, web and audio conferencing will also enable you to expand your business by tapping into markets that may have been unattainable in the past. The global market is literally at your fingertips when you incorporate web and audio conferencing into your daily business agenda. Advertising web events on your business web site is a brand new way to increase not only your client list but also your profit margin. If you have not yet included audio or web conferencing in your business plan, now is the time to do it.

Top 3 Solar Gadgets

Curious how many gadgets not only will improve our life but will help nature in the same time? Read the top of the 3 most useful solar gadgets.

Art Haines’ Solar DIY Car Kit The Art Haines’ Solar DIY Car Kit will enable you to build your own Electric Vehicle (Low Speed Vehicle - usually 25 miles per hour in the U.S.A) without special tools. The solar powered car vehicle is recharged from the sun or can be plugged in. The Art Haines’ Solar DIY Car was built using surplus and new parts, aluminum extrusions, styrofoam, wood and ABS plastic. Building your own solar car will help reduce pollution.

Solar-Powered Radio & Flashlight with Rechargeable Dynamo The Solar-Powered Radio offers you listening pleasure anywhere. You just need a little sun power. This radio is 4-Way Powered: solar, dynamo generator, AC adapter, or 2 AA batteries. Solar-Powered Radio & Flashlight is a great travel gadget. You will be able to listen your favorite radio shows and if you need to see better in the dark the flashlight is included. The features for this cool gadget are AM & FM reception — AM range: 525-1650 KHz, FM range: 88-108 MHz; Built-in dynamo generator with manual winding lever, Built-in flashlight (with clear, amber and red lenses); Hi-fi speaker and 3.5mm earphone jack. The size is compact (6"L x 3.25"H x 1.65D) to be easy to carry it.

Solio Universal Hybrid Solar Charger Solio, the Universal "Hybrid" Charger is powerful enough to charge all of your handheld electronic products at home or on the move, anywhere under the sun. Solio is a Hybrid because it can accept power from either the wall socket or Sun storing this energy within Solio’s internal rechargeable battery. When fully charged Solio can store enough power to charge a typical cell phone or an iPod Nano at least two times. With this solar gadget you can charge: Cell Phones, iPod / MP3 players, Smart Phones / PDA’s, Game Players, GPS’s and Digital Camera’s. Solio will charge your device at the same rate as your conventional charger. Charging Solio’s internal battery takes 8-10 hours of direct sunlight. When charging a cell phone directly from the sun, 60 minutes of sunlight will provide approximately 25 minutes of talk time and ten hours of standby time. If you run out of sun but have a conventional power source nearby you can use the included wall adapter, Solio will fully charge in approximately 4 hours.

In conclusion using solar gadgets will help reduce the pollution. The solar gadgets are not expensive and the best part is that solar energy is free. So we all should use as much as possible solar devices.

Taking Pictures with a Digital Camera

The development in science and technology in recent years has not just been about developing of devices that make life easier, it has also been a lot about making life more luxurious. One such great development has been the concept of digital camera.

Digital cameras are nothing but cameras that allow you to take pictures digitally instead of having to use cameras that take and store pictures on photographic films. They are easy to use, and are generally multifunctional, providing various facilities. Digital cameras are known for taking good images, which are as good as the pictures taken by the conventional cameras, if not better.

In fact, digital cameras allow one not only to click great pictures; they also allow one to view the pictures as and when taken. Therefore, if you take a picture, and are not satisfied with the way it looks, and if you still have the opportunity of capturing that special moment, you can go on clicking your camera, till you get exactly what you desire.

Digital cameras also allow the option of using a flash light as and when required, to obtain a much clear image. In many digital cameras, there is also an option for taking automatic pictures. This is especially meant for those special moments, when everybody wishes to get included in the picture, without being left out, staying behind the lens.

Digital cameras also allow the user to shoot as well as save videos. Generally the sound and the picture quality is good, though it mostly varies from camera to camera. The flash light can be used while video shooting too and the fact that these are so portable and handy, they allow you to carry them anywhere for any length of time with great ease. Options can be set for automatic video shooting to, in case nobody is willing to stand behind the lens.

There are digital cameras that also allow you to change the style and color of the pictures you may be taking. For instance, you may set an option to take only black and white pictures, or pictures with a bluish or reddish hue. Some digital cameras also come with special lens that can focus and take pictures of a much wider area. Sometime you also might be able to take your own pictures as well as videos, staying behind the lens by adjusting them, if your digital camera gives you that option.

However, one of the greatest benefits of using a digital camera is probably the fact that it allows you to click a large number of pictures without having to worry too much about the memory space. The pictures may be saved in CDs, which means that no matter how long your vacation maybe and how many pictures you end up taking, you do not run out of space trying to save those sweet memories. This not only makes digital cameras more convenient to use, but it also makes it very cheap as compared to the traditional cameras.

However, the special features provided by the digital cameras vary from one camera to another, depending on the producing company, and of course on the price range of the camera. With the rapid development in digital cameras taking pace every now and then, and the prices coming down heavily, with each new discovery, digital cameras are fast becoming one of the most popular electronic goods of the modern world.

Suddenly possessing a digital camera has become a necessity in this fast changing world. Whether one loves photography or not, possessing a personal digital camera is surely one luxury many of us crave for!

Effectiveness Of Videoconferencing In Long Distance Learning

The effectiveness of videoconferencing in long distance learning is rapidly becoming more apparent. Studies have consistently proven that students receiving distance-learning training learn as effectively as students in traditional classrooms.

Videoconferencing provides a visual and auditory context for learning, and it is the most convenient way ofcing the atmosphere of a conventional classroom. It allows interaction with previously unreachable individuals and information.

Distance learning can be defined simply as an involvement of students and teachers who are separated by time and space. Distance education first emerged in the nineteenth century, when it was called a correspondence course. Today, distance education commonly refers to the use of videoconferencing technologies as delivery modes.

Effective learning occurs in urban cores, rural settings, universities, and employee training.

Videoconferencing significantly broadens learning opportunities. Adult education has become much more accessible. Since videos face-to-face context engages any student, the adult learner benefits from videoconferencing as much as the youngest primary student. Video can effectively capture cultural context to enhance the learning experience.

Urban schools have embraced the concept of videoconferencing in long distance learning. A variety of challenges confront large urban school districts. They bear the responsibility of providing students with low-cost, high quality educational services. In addition, urban schools often face large numbers of adult learners.

Adult educational needs range from basic literacy to career planning, training, and placement. Constricted by decreased funding, lack of transportation, and street safety issues, urban schools are turning to distance education as a means of delivering educational services.

Teachers in rural areas across the country are finding ways to use videoconferencing. Given the sometimes-extreme distances between school districts and towns, teachers need a way to deliver specialized content to rural students despite geographic barriers. One of the greatest benefits of distance learning is that it breaks down traditional geographic barriers. Effective videoconferencing helps students learn about topics that otherwise might not be accessible to them.

For example, in a rural school with one teacher for seventh grade, it is unlikely that the teacher will specialize in multiple subjects such as algebra, geometry, calculus, and geography. Distance learning technologies can connect these rural students with teachers who specialize in these subjects and many others. Team teaching across hundreds of miles becomes a reality.

Videoconferencing has changed the way university students obtain their degrees. Because of improved videoconferencing capabilities, many students take courses from professors they never see face to face. They watch lectures from remote sites, or download lectures and assignments over the Internet; and correspond with classmates and faculty by Email, list servers and chat groups. They attempt to reach students who, because of jobs, location, or other constraints, cannot take courses in a traditional classroom at a defined time.

Recent studies have shown that long distance learners felt that learning networks provided better access to their professor. Students in a survey also believed that they got better grades than in a face-to-face course, perhaps because the social inhibitions were gone and they felt more comfortable taking an active part.

Distance learning can be an effective way to train a work force. The benefits of distance learning are that it is a cost-effective way to train a widely dispersed workforce, saving on travel expenses and time away from work. It provides flexibility convenient for individual schedules, allowing learning to take place anytime, anywhere. And it gives companies a good way to retain their most valuable employees.

Distance learning enables learning to be self-directed, provides a high level of training, and makes it easier for businesses and organizations to achieve their goals and objectives.

Learning via videoconferencing is valuable in another way, regardless of who the learner might be. The benefits are obvious.

Video learning is like having a live virtual classroom where everyone connects to the same server at the same time. An instructor is present to teach the content, and electronic tools allow for hand raising and interaction. Nothing is lost in translation; all the components of traditional education are in place. Individuals trained effectively with videoconferencing can be trained whenever needed. Being able to teach in smaller chunks, in a timely manner, means that learning is retained.

Convenience...More Than Enough Reason To Own a Set of Wireless Headphones

Looking for a gift for the business person in your life? Look no further than wireless headphones as the perfect gift…even for the person who has everything. These excellent music accessories make a great gift to give, whether as a business gift or as a personal gift to someone important to you. What makes these listening devices such a good gift? It says that you value their time, safety, and happiness because of what these type of head phones offer.

Professionals can use these for a number of uses. In the office, they allow them to listen to music on their computer, or to take e-learning training or webinars without bothering the people around them and without having cords to get the way of their work.

These same professionals can answer phone calls with wireless headphones and attached microphones, allowing them to converse and participate in conference calls while at the same time doing work that needs to get done (typing, filing, filling out reports, cleaning up their desk, etc.). If the signal sending unit is located close enough, they may even be able to wander around their office while they talk, allowing them to stay engaged in the conversation without getting sleepy or bored by sitting down the entire time. Many units have signal distances of up to 300′ away.

While on the road, they allow the professional user to make calls without taking their hands off of the wheel or their eyes off the road. It’s a great way to help the busy professional stay in control of the car even during a business call. (However, many people suggest that you should still pull over to the side of the road while taking a call because your mind may not be on the road).

Traveling for business sometimes means working in airplanes, airports, and staying in hotels. Having wireless headphones allow the professional to plug into their laptop and do their work without having to untangle the cords.

Expect to spend $100 or more for a decent set of wireless head phones. You may also want to get batteries for them so the person can use them right away out of the box. There are a number of good brands out there. Some of the top names include: Koss, Logitech, Panasonic, Sennheiser, Iawa, and Shure, bluetooth, AKG, Audio-technica, Etymotic Research, JVC, Skullcandy, Philips, although there are many others.

There are a range of prices and styles. Some of the things you’ll want to look for include noise canceling features (to keep out background noise) but those are often (not always), bigger and bulkier than the smaller ones available. One of the best kinds are canalbuds, which fit right into the ear (but don’t mix them up with earbuds which are cheaper versions that may be of a slightly lower quality). Canalbuds offer noise dampening and great sound, and are very high quality, but can also be expensive.

Wireless headphones are the ultimate in convenience and safety because of their hands-free use and lack of cords. The professional you’re buying a gift for will thank you for making their life far more convenient and enjoyable.

Utilizing Your Entire Music Library-How to Put the Music into the Computer

Before a person begins to organize their music and have it available at a touch of a button, they should check and see if they have the right things to get started: a computer with a hard drive, a CD burner, and the broadband Internet connection. Any computer will work, unless an excuse is needed to get a new one. If so, make sure the computer has a CD burner. If the old one will hang on for awhile, purchase a cheap CD burner and have someone hook it up for you - like the teenage son or daughter who is quite adept at this sort of thing.

Make sure your Internet connection is fast - because it is an extremely crucial step. Broadband is better than dial-up, so talk with your Internet provider to make sure you have the one you want and need. When it is ready, download the software to start your organizing. Many people recommend iTunes for the beginners, as it will still rip, burn, download, organize, search, and most of all …collect the music. It is an Apple product, but works through both PCs and Macs, and is a basic simple procedure program. Once the download is finished, it will take care of itself. Put a CD in the computer, and let it run on its own. Instantly, the software should do the work - the CD should recognize itself, list the track information along with the names of each track. The option of importing the music of the CD to your computer will be offered to you. Just do what it says.

The format window will come up, with a request to you. If possible, choose MP3 192vbr as the perfect balance between saving space and sound quality. The thing to remember is not to be afraid - step into it and take practice shots. Dabble around and practice ripping tunes with your own CDs until all the tracks are on the computer. The sound of the music on the computer will be different than through your stereo. You many, or may not, enjoy it as usually work is done on the computer. And if you are a beginner, make a play list on the new jukebox. More songs will fit on the new computer than on the purchased CD.

A few things to consider:

1. What format are the songs going to be in when you put them on your digital audio player? For instance, if all the files you are going to put on your player are downloaded and in MP3 format, then you’ll get about half as many downloaded to your player as you would if the files were WMA. If you are simply going to rip your CDs to your computer and then sync with your player then make sure the player is WMA compatible.

2. Based on the type of music you listen to, about how long are the types of songs you listen to? Some of us love eighties metal bands, but some Metallica songs far exceed the seven or eight minute mark and most manufacturer specifications for how many songs you can fit on a hard or flash drive player are based on four minute song length. You may get less than you bargained for if you don’t do your research.

3. How long do you plan on spending to rip the songs to your computer before syncing? If you are like most people, you buy some albums for all the songs, but most of the time, you buy for just a couple of really good tracks. The more time you spend selecting the tracks to put on your player instead of ripping the whole thing, could save you a lot of space for just the songs that you like or will listen to.

Consider all of the above and you will get the most out of your music library. If you get the most out of your music library then you’ll love your new digital audio player.

How To Store Your Batteries For Maximum Life

Batteries begin to lose power and strength as soon as they leave the manufacturer but there are simple things that battery users can do to slow the process down.

It is recommended that most batteries be stored at about 59 degrees and while lead-acid batteries must be kept at a full charge nickel and lithium batteries should be stored at 40% of their capacity to minimize capacity loss.

Lithium-ion batteries power the majority of today’s laptop computers. The battery compartment on many laptops rises to about 45

Guide to Cell Phone Ringtones

Ringtones for cell phones are a huge business. The majority of cell phone owners have a number of ringtones that they can choose from that come supplied with their cell phone. This enables everyone to personalize the sounds that their phone emits when they receive a phone call or a text message on their phone. However, many people do not like, or get bored quickly with these ringtones and look for something a little more interesting.

Computers and the internet in particular have led to an explosion in the complexity and availability of the latest ringtones. There are many companies that advertise ringtones that a person can download for use on their phone. Some of these ringtones have a one-off charge for downloading them, but many are part of a subscription service where the person is able to receive a number of different ring tones each week or month.

The latest chart hits are the most commonly downloaded cell phone ringtones, and the trendiest kids are constantly changing them to ensure that they have the top songs signaling a phone call. It doesn’t stop there - there has been an explosion in the number of specifically designed songs created solely for ringtones. This was the situation with the Crazy Frog ringtone. Ironically, this became so popular that it was actually released as a normal music single and hit the top of the song charts in a number of countries. It also received the ward from many people as the most annoying ringtone ever!

There are software programs that allow you to create your own cell phone ringtone from any audio file. These don’t have to be particularly melodic anymore, and a lot of catchphrases from popular TV shows have become cell phone ringtones.

Cell phone ringtones have been debated by many consumer groups who feel that their annoyance levels far outweigh their usefulness, particularly as the majority of cell phones have a vibrating function to silently alert the owner of an incoming call or message. This has proved such an issue that there are a large number of restaurants, and bars that actually fine people if their cell phone ringtone is heard by other people. These fines are often donated to charity so something good can come out of the annoying noise!

Satellite Radio - It's Not Your Father's Sputnik

Ever wonder how this whole satellite radio thing works? I mean, it seems to be THE thing now. Many auto manufacturers are installing satellite radio receivers in their new automobiles, and there are home and portable models available through your favorite electronics outlet. But what is it? How does it work? Why should I pay for radio?

You pay for TV, don’t you?

Once, in those long gone days of yore, cable television operators offered us television, which we had happily been receiving for free through big tree-branchy things on our roofs, for a fee. Many people scoffed at the idea of paying for 30 channels when they received four or five, gratis. Well, just look at us now - cable TV, satellite TV, 500 channels not quite filling us up. So let’s stop asking questions about why you should pay for satellite radio, and let’s find out how the dern thing works.

Well, how does the dern thing work?

Let’s start by looking at the type of radio you are used to. AM radio broadcasts at a frequency range from 535 kilohertz (kHz) to 1700 kilohertz (1.7 MHz). FM broadcasts between 88 MHz to 108 MHz. Without getting too technical, one hertz is basically one cycle per second. So FM radio waves transmitted at 88MHz are cycling 88 million times per second. This seems like a lot, but is actually relatively slow. Slower cycles require larger antennas to transmit and to receive them. Also, radio station antennas are stationary and earthbound, and are therefore limited in range. At higher cycles, smaller antennas suffice. Cell phones range from 824 MHz to 1990 MHz (1.99GHz), depending on the type of service; this is a much faster cycle, and therefore a smaller antenna is used. Satellite radio is broadcast at 2.3 GHz, so your car or portable receiver has no trouble picking up the signal. There have also been great advances in antenna technology, which provide us with a relatively small, flat antenna rather than a dish that would have to be constantly adjusted to point toward the satellite as we drove around town picking up kids from soccer practice.

All them numbers hertz my brain.

Let’s lay megahertz and gigahertz aside for a moment. In addition to those higher frequencies, satellite radio signals come from, you guessed it, satellites. These satellites are in a geosynchronous orbit, which is an orbit that keeps the satellite always above one location on the planet, making it stationary relative to the earth. The satellite receives a digital signal from the ground station and bounces it back to us. Because the signal is digital, it can be compressed and beamed out packed full of additional data (disguised as 0’s and 1’s), and received by any satellite radio receiver tuned to the signal. Satellite radio receivers can pick up the broadcast from anywhere in the coverage area (meaning the whole US) because the satellite is orbiting at about 22,200 miles (35,000 km) above the earth, which allows for a greater dispersion of the signal. It’s analogous to water flowing from a showerhead. An inch from the showerhead, the water is a relatively tight stream. At the other end of the shower, the water sprays all over the wall, and gets on the bathroom floor, causing your wife to yell angrily about the mess. Satellite radio beams work in much the same way. The radio signal is much more widely dispersed 22,000 miles from the satellite that sent the signal. So with satellite radio, you can listen to the same station as you drive from New York City to Los Angeles, whereas traditional radio has a range of only about 30 to 40 miles. And thanks to repeaters, or signal boosters, placed in urban areas, you can receive generally uninterrupted signals even driving through cities with large buildings and thick bridges.

Hey, that’s kind of cool!

But wait! There’s much, much more! The digital signal can carry much larger packets of data, and satellite radios are equipped with chipsets, or processors, that can decode that data. So satellite radios not only play the music, but also decode and display information containing the song title, album, artist, and genre. Satellite radio owners can also choose from hundreds of stations, which allows for specialization, just like your cable or satellite TV. In the same manner that you can get the HBO Comedy Hits of the Brahman Caste of Nepal Channel, and Tasmanian Worm Wrestling on ESPN 127, you can receive niche music, comedy, news, and sports broadcasts on your satellite radio. Pick your genre: any decade since the 40’s, Rock, Country, Urban, Jazz, Blues, Dance, Latin, World Music (e.g. Chinese, Indian, African), Classical, Kids, and even news, sports, comedy, and talk. You can also tune in to any sub-genre of the above; for example, in the Rock category you can listen to soft, heavy, classic, deep cuts, acoustic, instrumental, and even unsigned acts.

Maybe I should get me one of them there satellite radios…

Now that you know how it works, you can listen for the sheer pleasure of it - without all those nagging technical questions churning in the back of your mind. Go get you one.

The iPod - More Than Just A Tool To Hear Music

When you think of the word iPod, you automatically think music. But the fact is that the iPod can do more than just let you hear music. iPod can be used to view videos and store pictures. In fact some iPods can store up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos and 1,000 videos.

There are also games that can be found on the iPod. These games are nothing for Playstation or the Xbox to worry about graphically, but they will help pass the time if in line somewhere and need to kill a little extra time. There are four different games. These games include Brick, Parachute, Solitaire and Music Quiz. Music Quiz plays a piece of a song that you have to guess. It gets the songs from your play list.

iPods are also being used to organize. Not to be confused with PDAs, but iPods do come in handy with keeping contacts and if you need to have a calendar handy. Microsoft Outlook Express or Outlook can be used to synchronize for contacts and the calendar. Address Book is used for Mac users.

With the iPods impressive 30 to 60 gigabytes, it can handle more than just music, videos and photos. The iPod can be used to transfer large files or even as some form of backup. If your digital camera memory card becomes full, you can offload the pictures from the card to your iPod and erase the memory card to take more pictures. With the iPod, you could show those pictures as a slideshow.

It was pretty exciting to be able to see videos on iPods, but now for a small fee you can download TV shows and movies off the Internet and able to put them on your iPod and watch them where ever you go. With the Apples M2 Convert software, you could also transfer your DVDs or Multimedia to files that can be used to watch on your iPod.

In addition, the iPod can be turned into a small recorder if iTalk, Podzilla or BelkinVoice are installed on it. With iTalk or Podzilla the iPod records audio. You are able to record your own voice if you wanted to. FM transmitters are being sold for the iPod. With this all you have to do is find the right radio station and your can hear all of your favorite music from your iPod on your car radio or any other radio you might be listening too.

With the Griffins iBeam software, you will be able to turn your iPod into a laser pointer or a flashlight. Podtender is a program for all you bartenders out there. With over 900 mixed drinks you will become very popular at all the parties you attend if you bring along your iPod.

Podgourmet will make you just as popular in the kitchen. This program has 260 recipes and is also available for vegans containing 277 recipes. iPod Weddings is becoming very popular too. A way for the bride and groom to save money is to purchase an iPod instead of hiring a DJ for their wedding reception. These programs will not only give them complete control over every song played at their wedding, but also the order it will be played in, too. Plus, when the reception is done they not only have their wedding song and every other song played at their wedding, but they will have the iPod as their own wedding gift to themselves. With the right software and know how you can use your iPod as a remote to almost anything in your house that you want.

Wake up with your iPod. If you set the alarm on your iPod and then set the alarm on your alarm clock for the exact time and find the right radio frequency you could wake up listing to all your favorite songs on your iPod through your alarm clock.

You could also use your iPod to catch up on all that reading you have been meaning to do. You can read audio books on your iPod. With all the great software thats out there for your iPod and all the many resources on the Internet you can look up, you can do an abundant amount of things with the iPod.

Recommended Video Game Systems for Kids

There are countless choices in the games that kids can play. However, not all video game systems are suitable for kids. Some are educational, fun and extra entertaining for many kids to enjoy. Because of our new innovative technology and progress, even changes in the way children games have also transformed to a more realistic and virtual game playing with contents unacceptable for many kids to view.

Before, video games were invented for educational and entertainment purposes that kids have enjoyed playing even today. Most likely, parents did not have to worry about what their kids are playing because game content was safe and fairly protected from harmful contents. Like the Atari video game system, offering wholesome games such as Pac-Man or Space Invaders, kids are open to have a fun and be entertained without any explicit content and away from corruption that could influence the children’s behavior. Unfortunately, changes in technology have altered the way video games are today. Games of today are more realistic and are in stilled with adult content that many game manufacturers have included in their games. Therefore, parents are now concerned on the typical game system that they want their kids to have. In fact, many parents are opting to find the best video game system that is best for their kids but away from adult contents and other threatening factors that could influence the kids.

Unlike before, Atari game system was the best video games made available to kids. Now, video game system has increased due to so many selections available to consumers especially to parents. Large selections of different types of game system such as Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo’s GameCube, the Microsoft Xbox and Xbox 360 video games from Microsoft are some of the selections that parents consider purchasing for their kids.

The best selling game console in the market is the Sony PlayStation 2 (or often referred to as PS2), it caters to all ages while providing about 600 different types of games. These games have been rated for every age bracket to enjoy and specifically for preference of age limitation allowed for each game and level usage. For example, games rated with E are allowed for ages from six and up. Other games at this rating, however, are complicated for younger children to play therefore, rating with E10+ are advisable for children above ten years old to play. Likewise, other games for younger children below 10 are rated with EC or in other words, Early Childhood.

A popular video game system that children basically love is the Nintendo GameCube console. This game system has about 263 games that are based on children’s favorite titles like the Sega’s Sonic GEMS Collections, Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis from Nintendo, and other game titles particularly for GameCube console that are also rated E.

Another video game system rated E is the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game with a built-in parental control. The Xbox has about 270 available games while the Xbox 360 has about 12 games and increasing with other popular releases. Although, some of these games may not only be available on the Xbox but as well, be available to GameCube and PS2 or all three video game systems mentioned. In such, the Xbox games with E rating like Astropop and Feeding Frenzy can have crossover titles that many publishers have also released and made possible to other video game system. For instance, rated E games like Eidos InteractiveLEGO Star Wars are available to GameCube, PS2 and even Xbox whereas other rated E10+ are also available to other game systems, while other games like the rated EC Global Star Software’s Dora the Explorer are solely for Xbox and PS2 only.

Choosing the best video game system for the kids is important especially if parents are very concerned in their kid’s preference in video game playing. The abovementioned video game system can help parents understand the kinds of video game system available to kids while assisting parents in finding the best video game system to give to them. Parents should keep in mind that video game systems for their kids should have parental control options on the game system to lock functions or set limits to the kind of games or titles allowed for playing or viewing. From the abovementioned video game systems, the most advisable for parents to purchase is the Xbox and Xbox 360 because it comes with a built-in parental control.

An Auto GPS System Transforms Geographic Challenges

Traditional paper road map fold outs and booklets are quickly being replaced by auto GPS devices as a long distance travelers mandatory tool of choice. Since GPS technology has been transformed from a purely military use and have recently in the past ten years been made readily available to almost everybody, more and more vehicle navigator systems have been introduced.

There are essentially only two types of auto GPS systems, the favorite variety being the bigger and usually fixed (not portable) global positioning devices. Some tag this particular type of electronic guide as the, true car navigator, as it is more exact and easy to use than its other counter part. It has an adequately sized display screen that can be very easily viewed even at an arms length. It also has a clear voice guidance feature which prompts the driver when and where to turn or notifies the person if a designated point of interest is already near.

The second type of auto GPS system generally covers the smaller and more portable ones. They also have the same functions and features as their bigger counter parts. However, hand held automobile global positioning system devices are not very easy to use. They have a small screen that makes it difficult for drivers to immediately consult it without having to stop and look at the details displayed on LCD. While some can manage to drive and look at it at the same time (not recommended), studies have shown that this could be perilous.

Vehicle GPS devices can be an indispensable tool for those who frequently travel by land to new destinations, towns or cities. It could spare them from taking occasional embarrassing stops in order to ask for directions. While traditional road map design has certainly improved over the years, it cannot provide real time prompts or updates like their electronic versions that can save drivers from long delays or dangerous situations that can be easily avoided.

Car GPS units are not just for the topographically illiterate (those who can not read a map). Knowing the main roads and passageways are usually fairly easy to memorize, however traffic and road closures are impossible to predict. If you combine not knowing the roads and passageways plus not knowing the traffic and news of road closures, GPS systems sound even more attractive. Since Auto GPS System devices are regularly being updated by the satellites on weather and road conditions, drivers will be efficiently advised as to what roads to take in order to pass up heavy traffic.

The Technologies That Run Tracking Devices

Tracking devices, also called 6-degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) devices, are defined as technological tools that are used to observe a specific person’s movements by the use of a transmitter to relay radio signals back to a receiver which then enables one to pinpoint the exact location of that particular person.

Global Positioning Satellite, homing devices and cell phones are part of the tracking device technology, and they have all very useful purposes.

GPS, for instance, enables car drivers to have a knowledgeable virtual “companion” that can give out directions and help you be located by the proper authorities if and when you’ve gotten into an accident.

As a corollary, this technology can also be implanted on very important persons just in case they go missing or worse, kidnapped, and need to be found pronto. In fact, even non-celebrities are afforded this option.

In Mexico, for instance, senior staff of a company is required to have these chips as kidnapping is on the rise on that country.

On a more practical note, rental car companies like Payless have incorporated this type of technology on their cars so that they could tell when renters are crossing into forbidden states.

The guilty parties can be assured of an extra $1 charge for every mile driven on non-permissible states. The costs of these devices and their maintenance can vary greatly.

So we all know what tracking devices are and what they could do. But what exactly makes them tick? Such devices are based on electromagnetic, acoustic, mechanical or optical technology.

Mechanical tracking devices can measure orientation and position with the use of a direct mechanical connection between a reference point and the target. The advantage of this type of gadget is that they are accurate and their lag is short. The main drawback is that the operator’s motion is limited to the mechanical arm.

Optical tracking devices use the information contained in the projection of the LED’s to identify the position and orientation of the head.

There come in two kinds: in the first one, cameras are placed on top of HMD’s while a set of infrared LED’s are placed above the head at specific locations in a given environment.

The other type has cameras mounted on a fixed frame with fewer LED’s located at known position on the HMD. These types of tracking devices both have high update rates and short lags, although they usually suffer from line of sight problem.

Electromagnetic tracking devices work by measuring the magnetic fields’ strength generated by sending current through three tiny wire coils, placed perpendicular to each other.

These are then implanted in a small unit attached to the entity the system needs to track. These types of devices can track multiple objects simultaneously although they may experience interference with mechanisms that produce magnetic fields of their own.

Acoustic tracking devices employ ultrasonic sound waves that measure the position and orientation of the entity being tracked. This can be done through time-of-flight tracking and phase-coherence tracking.

The first type works by measuring the time needed to take for the sound sent out by transmitters placed on the target to reach sensors located at specific points.

The second type works by measuring the difference in phase between the sound waves produced by a transmitter on the target and those given off by a transmitter at some reference point.

An Introduction To Chrome Plating

Chrome plating is a kind of finishing treatment that utilizes the electrolytic deposition of chromium. The thin, decorative bright chrome is the most common form of chrome plating.

Chrome plating imparts a mirror-like finish to items such as metal furniture frames and automotive trim. Thicker deposits, called hard chrome, are used in industrial equipment to reduce friction and wear and to restore the dimensions of equipment that has experienced wear.

There are two types of chromium plating: industrial and decorative. Industrial chromium plating is also called Hard Chrome or Engineered Chrome.

There are two types of Industrial chromium plating solutions: hexavalent chromium baths whose main ingredient is chromic anhydride and trivalent chromium baths whose main ingredient is chromium sulfate or chromium chloride. Trivalent chromium baths are not yet common, due to restrictions concerning color, brittleness, and plating thickness.

For decorative purposes, the best combination would be chrome and nickel which offers the most protection against corrosion. It will have a mirror finish that will only be as good as the finish you put on the surface before you put on the chrome.

Hard chrome is plated in thickness as required to take advantage of the extremely low chrome coefficient of friction, or for wear build-up for functional purposes.

Micro-finished chrome will provide a coefficient of friction lower than any other metal when used against steel, iron, brass, bronze, babbitt, or aluminium alloys. This is done when chrome is used as a bearing surface.

Chrome is a perfect set-up for longwearing working surfaces because it is much harder than casehardened steel. It is not advisable to use chrome on chrome. Chrome will resist mostly all organic and in organic compounds and acids, except hydrochloric acid.

Chrome plate shall be uniform in thickness on all surfaces. Plate shall be smooth, homogeneous and free from frosty areas, pin holes, pits, nodules, and other defects.

Chrome plating is not a difficult process provided that the part has been properly cleansed and the following requirements met: Preparation of the chromic acid (CrO3) solution, Temperature control of the bath (plating solution),Preparation of lead anodes (peroxide), Agitation method of the bath (bubbles), Plating current density control and duration (controller), Ventilation (for safety)

Black chrome can also be plated in the same way and still have similar characteristics to the bright chrome. For aesthetic or anti-reflective applications, it may be preferable in some cases. I have not yet used it, but the formula is as follows:

Having the chrome plating facility right there when needed is very valuable to the home machinist. Of course there is a learning curve and some basic investment in dollars but this investment is mostly non-recurring and will give you the benefit of this process for quite a long time.

In industrial chrome plating the process is electrolysis. In the process chromium metal is deposited on metallic surfaces submerged in a chromic acid plating bath. The part to be plated is made cathodic by connection to the negative terminal of the rectifier.

Inert lead anodes are made electrically positive. When voltage is applied across the two, current flows through the solution and metal is deposited. Proper control of various plating parameters result in bright, hard, adherent deposits.

Coupled with other surface finishes such as anodizing aluminum and the plating of other prime metals such as copper, nickel, silver, or gold which we may yet cover, we can really dress up and protect our creations.

10 Ways To Use A Hidden Camera

First, Let Us Explain How a Hidden Camera Works.

A small board camera is built into an everyday hidden camera. The camera can be wired which means it is connected to the DVR or VCR using a cable. The camera can also be wireless, in this case the camera transmits a signal to a receiver that is connected to the DVR or VCR.

Board Cameras are basically a fixed lens mounted on a circuit board. These cameras are often used in mini cameras, dome cameras and for making hidden cameras but are also sold unpackaged, for mounting by the buyer.

Lenses in these cameras are either of a full opened lens or pinhole in which the opening of the lens is very small. Pinhole lens cameras are often called spy cameras and are most often used in making a hidden camera.

Now let us describe 10 different Hidden Camera devices and how they can be used.

1. With a SONY Dream Machine you have fully functional FM/AM radio alarm clock with large green LED display plus a way to detect covert activities in your bedroom or dorm room.

2. An Air Wick Fresh Matic is non-functioning as an air freshener but is perfect as a hidden camera. No need for an outlet because the air freshener is powered by a 12 hour rechargeable battery pack, no wires or cords to plug in. You will be able to see everything happening in any room like a bedroom where you need to see a thieving spouse or other family member.

3. Having a new baby can be very stressful experience. You never want to leave your babies alone and can never get anything done around the house. Now you can know that your baby is safe at all times with the puppy dog monitor. The puppy dog camera can see and hear everything using a built in camera and speaker.

4. For Business Use there is safety and security all in one with an EXIT Sign surveillance camera. Universal, easy snap fit installation. Put it anywhere you need to track thieving employees.

5. The Down-View Smoke Detector works best when mounted onto the ceiling. It can be installed in various locations such as over a cash register or stock receiving doors to take sure people or employees are not stealing from you. Great for a home or apartment too for non-stop surveillance of your room.

6. It is very common to see Motion Detectors in places like homes and businesses but almost everyone would never think one contained a spy camera. Because of its small and compact size the Motion Detector camera can be used in many locations.

7. With an Emergency Lights device you get safety and security all one outdoor lights that turns on automatically when power goes off. The emergency light can hang in a hallway, basement or porch and catch any approaching vandals. You can record their actions and use it when you call the police in the morning.

8. Using a Neon Blue Wall Clock device you can have surveillance in any room which is perfect for a bar, restaurant or finished basement. See sneaky landlords stealing your stuff while you are away at work.

9. The Flower Pot cam is perfect for a small business or kitchen to keep an eye on thieving employees or family members stealing from you.

10. A thermostat hidden camera is the last thing someone would suspect as a hidden camera. Can be used in any area of a house or business where you need to see what is going on.

As you can see, there are many used for a hidden camera and far more that we describe in this article.

What You Need to Know About VOIP

VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is the main technology behind Internet Telephones. VOIP, just as the name implies, is a technology that allows voice conversations to be conducted over an IP network. This IP network could be a small company network, a wide-area network or the internet itself. For our purposes, an Internet telephone is the use of VOIP technology to carry voice conversations over the internet.

The Protocol

VOIP is actually a group of protocols that are optimized for establishing a P2P (peer-to-peer or PC to PC) session. Establishing a P2P session allows for a continuous stream of data to be carried over the internet. Voice signals require this type of session because of their continuous nature. There are several VOIP protocols being used by different providers and software developers. SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and Open Standards Protocol are two that have gained wide acceptance.

The Hardware

There are basically three different types of internet telephones in use. The first is called a PC softphone, and is actually a software application that uses the existing PC sound card, microphone and speakers (or headset) to implement an internet telephone. The second type is a VOIP (or simply IP) handset. This type has more complex hardware and relies on the PC only for processing and routing of the VOIP data. The third type is referred to as an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) or simply IP Phone adapter. This is the most complex hardware, and contains a microprocessor that handles all of the necessary VOIP functions to implement an internet telephone. This type does not require the presence of a PC to function but only an active connection to a high-speed internet provider is necessary.

The Software

The software required for each of the three types of internet telephones is also different. PC softphones require the most extensive software applications. They implement a ‘virtual telephone’ with an on screen telephone keypad and display. PC softphone software must handle the conversion of the analog signals by the PC sound card, the dialing and answering functions and the routing and processing of the VOIP data. The third type of internet telephone, the ATA or IP phone adapter, actually requires no specialized software to function. As mentioned previously, this type of internet telephone equipment does not require the presence of a PC to operate.

The Service Provider

The VOIP service provider is also an important component of an internet telephone system. The service provider handles initiation of the P2P session, associating of phone numbers to IP addresses, and routing of the VOIP data to another PC or to a local PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) when a landline or mobile number is involved in the call.

Putting it all together, what happens when I place an internet telephone call using VOIP?

Regardless of the type of hardware and software being used to implement the internet telephone, the process of making a VOIP telephone call is essentially the same. The major differences among the different types of internet telephones is the amount and type of processing being done by hardware as opposed to software.

If you place a call using an ATA or IP phone adapter to a landline number, connected to a regular analog telephone, the process can be simplified as follows: When you dial the number, the ATA converts the analog touch tone signals into digital form. The number information is routed by the ATA to the VOIP service provider, where the number is associated with an IP address and routed to the physical location that you are calling, establishing a connection to the PSTN at that location. This causes the landline phone to ring on the other end.

When the call is answered, the sound of the other persons voice is transmitted via the PSTN to an interface to the VOIP service provider on the internet. This interface translates the analog voice signals from the phone into digital signals that can be handled by the VOIP service provider. The service provider then routes these digital signals back to the ATA on the originating end, where the digital signals are converted back into analog signals that can be understood by the analog telephone. The same process happens in reverse in order to carry the sound of your voice to the landline number.

As you can see, quite a bit happens when you place a call using VOIP. However, internet telephone hardware and software have progressed to the point where most of this is invisible to the user. Placing an internet telephone call is today almost identical to placing a call using a traditional telephone. This ease of use, coupled with the unique advantages of internet telephones, explains the explosive growth in VOIP telephone usage.