Mar 18, 2011
How to Make a Book
This YouTube shows the way books used to be made, all by hand and machines. We have come a long way from those days and modern machines spit books out one-at-a-time on demand. New printing presses act more like high speed copiers. There is no paper and no process from digital book to hard copy book. The video, in old news style, is nine minutes and takes you from typing a manuscript to a mechanically finished book. Interesting to watch. You may remember from a previous Friday Thoughts why paper and pages are the size they are.
Mar 15, 2011
Kinect
This revolutionary technology is mostly unknown to people that do not play computer games. Kinect uses a 3D camera and motion recognition software to let people play videogames on the Xbox 360 using natural body movements and voice commands instead of hand-held controllers. Watch for many hackers developing cool ways to use this gesture sensing technology for interacting with computers.
Microsoft tells us that sales of the gesture-sensing Kinect for the Xbox 360 videogame console makes it the fastest-selling consumer electronics device ever and it has sold more than 10 million standalone Kinect games worldwide.
Microsoft sold an average of 133,333 Kinect units per day between the day of its launch on November 4 and January 3. No other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span. Amazing that profoundly changing technology comes out as a game first. Move over Apple, Microsoft has a hit.
Microsoft tells us that sales of the gesture-sensing Kinect for the Xbox 360 videogame console makes it the fastest-selling consumer electronics device ever and it has sold more than 10 million standalone Kinect games worldwide.
Microsoft sold an average of 133,333 Kinect units per day between the day of its launch on November 4 and January 3. No other consumer electronics device sold faster within a 60-day time span. Amazing that profoundly changing technology comes out as a game first. Move over Apple, Microsoft has a hit.
If I had my Druthers
Have you ever thought about what a 'druther' is? This is an American phrase that began popping up in the late 1800s. It's short for 'would rather' or I'd rather'. It means 'If I had my choice'. It is usually used in the plural, but can be singular.
There was a Johnny Mercer song: If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers, than anything else I know. Also, John Denver: If I had my druthers I'd go fishin, Find myself a lake and a lazy day, If I had my druthers I'd quit wishin, Get off the old caboose get on my way. If I had my druthers, I would rather read some of Shubnell's books.
There was a Johnny Mercer song: If I had my druthers, I'd druther have my druthers, than anything else I know. Also, John Denver: If I had my druthers I'd go fishin, Find myself a lake and a lazy day, If I had my druthers I'd quit wishin, Get off the old caboose get on my way. If I had my druthers, I would rather read some of Shubnell's books.
Searching in a Kayak
Kayak.com is an interesting meta-search engine. Kayak itself sells nothing, but what it does do is find airline prices and information. That's something that had been limited to Priceline, Orbitz, etc., and the airline sites.
When you log onto Kayak.com, you are presented with a simple search form that asks where you wish to travel. You can search for one-way or round-trip trips, as well as multi-city itineraries. Clicking the "Search multiple sites" button starts the action.
The results page graphic shows airline websites being scanned for their up-to-the-moment information. Kayak has the ability to go to nearly all of the airline databases, extract their information and reformat it into something understandable. The animated display also shows you an interim status of specific airlines that are being scanned at that moment.
When Kayak is done, you are presented with an ordered list of flights that meet your search criteria. The default is to sort them by price, from the most economical to the very expensive, but can change the sequence as you desire. It has many other cool features and can also help with hotels, cars, etc. A great alternative that is not beholding to any airline.
When you log onto Kayak.com, you are presented with a simple search form that asks where you wish to travel. You can search for one-way or round-trip trips, as well as multi-city itineraries. Clicking the "Search multiple sites" button starts the action.
The results page graphic shows airline websites being scanned for their up-to-the-moment information. Kayak has the ability to go to nearly all of the airline databases, extract their information and reformat it into something understandable. The animated display also shows you an interim status of specific airlines that are being scanned at that moment.
When Kayak is done, you are presented with an ordered list of flights that meet your search criteria. The default is to sort them by price, from the most economical to the very expensive, but can change the sequence as you desire. It has many other cool features and can also help with hotels, cars, etc. A great alternative that is not beholding to any airline.
Mar 11, 2011
Happy Friday
Humility is a virtue all men preach, few practice, and yet everybody is content to hear.
I don't preach, I practice and am always content with having a Happy Friday!
I don't preach, I practice and am always content with having a Happy Friday!
Laughter Competition
The United States' first-ever laughing championship takes place tomorrow, Mar 12, in San Luis Obispo, CA. A few dozen gigglers, guffawers, snigglers, and chortlers will laugh it up in hopes of winning the coveted title of "California's Best Laugher."
The contestants will compete in events, such as "Best Diabolical Laugh" and "Most Contagious Laugh" and face off in "Laughter Duels" to see who can make the other person crack up most.
It's part of a serious effort by Albert Nerenberg to raise awareness of the power of laughter. He says, "When two people laugh together, there is a limbic lock. Their brains actually merge and they're on the same frequency."
We all know laughter is good for you mentally and physically, but, wow, a 'limbic lock'. It almost sounds lewd. I looked it up and found - The immediate, involuntary reaction involves the most direct communication possible between people – brain to brain – with our intellect just going for the ride. It actually causes a physical sensation.
The contestants will compete in events, such as "Best Diabolical Laugh" and "Most Contagious Laugh" and face off in "Laughter Duels" to see who can make the other person crack up most.
It's part of a serious effort by Albert Nerenberg to raise awareness of the power of laughter. He says, "When two people laugh together, there is a limbic lock. Their brains actually merge and they're on the same frequency."
We all know laughter is good for you mentally and physically, but, wow, a 'limbic lock'. It almost sounds lewd. I looked it up and found - The immediate, involuntary reaction involves the most direct communication possible between people – brain to brain – with our intellect just going for the ride. It actually causes a physical sensation.
Cold Weather Balm
It is almost time to put away the lip balm as spring is here. It is OK to sneak a rub in the summer as you slather your lips in this bacon balm. Make your man love you even more. Mmmm!
Flexi Straws
Did you ever think about how they came up with this little device? Joseph Friedman was sitting at his brother's soda shop, watching his daughter drink a milkshake. She was struggling to drink her beverage through a straight paper straw, but she was short and could hardly reach the end.
He thought about how he could help and inserted a screw into the straw. He then wrapped and tightened floss around the straw to create a ribbed texture. When he took the screw out, the straw naturally bent over the rim of the glass and his daughter was able to drink with ease. He patented his idea in 1937 and started his own company to produce the straw. The rights to the flexible straw were eventually sold to the Maryland Cup Corporation, which now sells about 500 million of them every year.
He thought about how he could help and inserted a screw into the straw. He then wrapped and tightened floss around the straw to create a ribbed texture. When he took the screw out, the straw naturally bent over the rim of the glass and his daughter was able to drink with ease. He patented his idea in 1937 and started his own company to produce the straw. The rights to the flexible straw were eventually sold to the Maryland Cup Corporation, which now sells about 500 million of them every year.
What's in a Name
Nintendo - The three words “Nin” “ten” “do” is Japanese for “we do all that we can, as best as we can, and await the results.” Nintendo is a motto and company name all in one.
Iodine
In the early 19th century, Bernard Courtois had a factory that produced saltpeter (potassium nitrate), which was a key ingredient in ammunition, and thus a hot commodity in Napoleon’s France. On top of that, Courtois had figured out how to fatten his profits and get his saltpeter potassium cheaply. He collected the seaweed that washed up daily on the shores, burned it, and extracted the potassium from the ashes.
One day, while his workers were cleaning the tanks used for extracting potassium, they accidentally used a stronger acid than usual and strange clouds billowed from the tank. He noticed dark crystals on all the surfaces that had come into contact with the fumes. He had them analyzed and discovered previously unknown element, which he named iodine, after the Greek word for “violet.”
Iodine is plentiful in saltwater and concentrated in seaweed. It was soon discovered that goiters, enlargements of the thyroid gland, were caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Eventually, in addition to its other uses, iodine his routinely added to table salt. Of course you know that they also put in other ingredients to keep the salt from clumping like it used to. For you old timers, rice in the shaker is no longer needed. Check the container next time you buy salt to see if it is iodized.
One day, while his workers were cleaning the tanks used for extracting potassium, they accidentally used a stronger acid than usual and strange clouds billowed from the tank. He noticed dark crystals on all the surfaces that had come into contact with the fumes. He had them analyzed and discovered previously unknown element, which he named iodine, after the Greek word for “violet.”
Iodine is plentiful in saltwater and concentrated in seaweed. It was soon discovered that goiters, enlargements of the thyroid gland, were caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. Eventually, in addition to its other uses, iodine his routinely added to table salt. Of course you know that they also put in other ingredients to keep the salt from clumping like it used to. For you old timers, rice in the shaker is no longer needed. Check the container next time you buy salt to see if it is iodized.
Nike Swoosh
The Nike swoosh was created in 1971 by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student University student, and purchased by Nike for $35, based on the $2 per hour he was paying her. In 1983, Knight gave Davidson a diamond Swoosh ring and an envelope filled with Nike stock to express his ongoing gratitude.
Strange Marriage Customs
For the 3 days and 3 nights following weddings of Tidong people from northern Borneo, both the bride and groom are prohibited from urinating, defecating, or bathing. They believe that custom will lead to a long, happy, and fertile marriage. In order to achieve this, the newlyweds are allowed to eat and drink only very small amounts and are watched very closely for compliance by family members.
Friends of Scottish brides-to-be take her by surprise and cover her with eggs, spoiled milk, feathers, and other disgusting slop and parade her around town. The purpose is to prepare the bride for marriage, because it will make marital problems seem easier by comparison.
Polterabend is a German pre-wedding tradition where friends and family come together for an informal party and break dishes, flowerpots, tiles, toilets, etc., except glasses or mirrors. The bride and groom must clean everything up to symbolize working together through future difficulties. BTW - married men, on average, change their underwear twice as often as single men.
Friends of Scottish brides-to-be take her by surprise and cover her with eggs, spoiled milk, feathers, and other disgusting slop and parade her around town. The purpose is to prepare the bride for marriage, because it will make marital problems seem easier by comparison.
Polterabend is a German pre-wedding tradition where friends and family come together for an informal party and break dishes, flowerpots, tiles, toilets, etc., except glasses or mirrors. The bride and groom must clean everything up to symbolize working together through future difficulties. BTW - married men, on average, change their underwear twice as often as single men.
Mar 8, 2011
Top Ten Visitors
The top ten countries to visit my blog last week in order: US, Bulgaria, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Philippines, India, Russia, Thailand, Singapore. In total, 42 countries visited. Thanks to everyone who visited. I Hope it made you smile.
Stuffy Nose Tips
Try alternately pushing your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Then press between your eyebrows with one finger. "This causes the vomer bone, which runs through the nasal passages to the mouth, to rock back and forth, says Lisa DeStefano, D.O., an assistant professor at the Michigan State University college of osteopathic medicine. The motion loosens congestion; after 20 seconds, you’ll feel your sinuses start to drain."
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