If it were not so long, I would enjoy riding a Toothpick
Posted By RichC on January 29, 2012
Interesting site that compares camera size
Posted By RichC on January 28, 2012
Perhaps my favorite site for comparing cameras and reading reviews is dpreview.com, but it is not the same as trying or spending a few hours with different models in person. Most of us amateurs don’t really have that luxury or even the time. DSLR users rarely switch systems and may not have a full appreciation for different models besides browsing online or in a physical camera store. Even then, it isn’t that easy to compare models, their controls and determine how it feels in the hand or to the eye (most kept behind glass anyway).
But all of that aside, here is a virtual way to start the “sizing” process if you want to know what a new camera might be like … size-wise. If you are like me after a day of toting your DSLR, an extra lens or two and a camera bag, you might be a little envious of those carrying just a high quality point and shoot WITH video … and have considered something smaller once in a while. If you are in the market for a new camera or just curious as to the size of some of the newer models, check out camerasize.com.
The world’s most beautiful and uninhabited islands
Posted By RichC on January 27, 2012
It is that time of year when many of us grow tired of the lingering winter and gloomy days. If you’re in that boat, here are a few photos to daydream about.
Rock Islands in Palau
The Rock Islands of Palau, also called Chelbacheb, are a small collection of limestone or coral uprises, ancient relics of coral reefs that violently surfaced to form Islands in Palau’s Southern Lagoon, between Koror and Peleliu, and are now an incorporated part of Koror State. The islands, between 250 to 300 in number according to different sources, with an aggregate area of 47 km² and a height up to 207 m, and are for the most part uninhabited, and are famous for their beaches, blue lagoons and the peculiar umbrella-like shapes of many of the islands themselves.
It’s hard to believe non one soul lives here!.
Tetepare Island
Tetepare Island is the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific, It is a part of Western Province of the Solomon Islands. It covers approximately 118 square kilometres. Tetepare supports pristine lowland rainforest and a rich inshore marine area. The meaning of the name is uncertain; it most probably means “wild pig” or “fighting boar” as the island was (and to some degree still is) famous for these animals among inhabitants of the region.
The island has been recognized for its conservation significance and archaeological values. A total of 73 bird species, 24 reptile, four frog and 13 mammal species have been recorded on Tetepare including rare and endemic bird and bat species.
Mamanuca Islands
Photos by David
The Mamanuca Islands of Fiji are a volcanic archipelago lying to the west of Nadi and to the south of the Yasawa Islands. The group, a popular tourist destination, consists of about 20 islands, but about seven of these are covered by the Pacific Ocean at high tide.
Malolo Lailai is the centre of the tourism industry in the Mamanucas. One of the islands, Monuriki, was the main location for the 2000 film Cast Away.
10 of these islands are uninhabited.
Auckland Islands
The Auckland Islands form an archipelago of the New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands and include the following: Auckland Island, Adams Island, Enderby Island, Disappointment Island, Ewing Island, Rose Island, Dundas Island and Green Island, with a combined area of 625 square kilometres (240 sq mi). The islands have no permanent human inhabitants. Ecologically, the Auckland Islands form part of the Antipodes Subantarctic Islands tundra ecoregion.
Skellig Michael
Also known as Great Skellig, is a steep rocky island in the Atlantic Ocean about 9 miles (12 kilometres) from the coast of County Kerry, Ireland. It is the larger of the two Skellig Islands. After probably being founded in the 7th century, for 600 years the island was a centre of monastic life for Irish Christian monks. The Gaelic monastery, which is situated almost at the summit of the 230-metre-high rock became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It is one of Europe’s better known but least accessible monasteries.
Since the extreme remoteness of Skellig Michael has until recently discouraged visitors, the site is exceptionally well preserved. The very spartan conditions inside the monastery illustrate the ascetic lifestyle practiced by early Irish Christians. The monks lived in stone ‘beehive’ huts (clochans), perched above nearly vertical cliff walls.
via gotsaga.com
Tech Friday: Text to Image entertainment
Posted By RichC on January 27, 2012
While playing with an image on the text-image.com text to image site, I thought about using an avatar or personal photo … but instead figured I’d use some “descriptive text” and marry it to a rather frightening photo. After clicking on the photo to enlarge it full size does the somewhat hidden suggestive photo help decipher the random letter sequence? If you still can’t figure out the photo, try backing away from the computer screen and “clear your scuba mask.”
Or look here …
BMW M Cars get tri-turbo diesel – BBC Top Gear
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
Hey BMW … how about bringing those all-wheel drive tri-turbo M diesels over to the U.S.
BMW’s M Division may have started out with a raspy, fighty little petrol 3 Series, but today it stands for something more. Much more. Say hello to the birth of the 3.0-litre triple-turbo straight six diesel M car.
BMW recently revealed its intention to create a new range of M-tuned cars that would sit between the standard range and the ‘proper’ M cars, and today we find out that on launch, the brand will offer a four-wheel-drive BMW M550d and M550d Touring, a BMW X5 M50d and a BMW X6 M50d.
More at topgear.com
Nice to get a box of oranges from Florida this time of year
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
I just remembered that I took a Palm Pre photo of the oranges (and Marmalade) my in-laws sent earlier in the week. I put a couple in my center console for my drive and now every time I jump back in the car … Mmm … I get a whiff of this very nice fragrance (who doesn’t love the smell of fresh Florida oranges!).
Let’s just hope that my snacking on an orange today offsets that McDonald’s McChicken sandwich and that large coffee that I just scarfed down!
Ghost boat adrift for 3-years and 3,500 miles
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
Ghost boat found after three-year, 3,500-mile journey
– After wandering the sea for more than three years, the Queen Bee out of Nantucket was found 20 miles off the northern coast of Spain.
(US Coast Guard photo)
via npr.tumblr.com
New coffee love and an ongoing Encore mount project
Posted By RichC on January 25, 2012
I was going to comment on the “more of the same” State of the Union address from President Obama last night and Gov. Mitch Daniels response, but the reality is that I’m getting tired of hearing the same thing again and again. More divisive rhetoric that splits the country and very little hope that we’ll see less government; OR that those in Washington DC will address the deficit, debt and the long term entitlement issues looming on the horizon. I did think that Gov. Daniels delivered one of the better responses that I can remember … and that his inclusion of Republicans as “part of the problem” was big of him (sort of which he were campaigning for the GOP nomination).
But instead of detailing the SOTU, I’m going to mention the coffee creamer and sweetener Coffeemate product that my sister-in-law introduced me to over the holidays (Thanks Claire). If you add a little cream or sugar (or their substitutes) to your coffee as I do, try the all in one creamer. I’m fond of the liquid but am planning to try the powder when on the boat.
Speaking of “the boat,” I’ve been working on the outboard motor teak mount for the stern rail on Encore. I’m not sure it was good idea, but used a little coating of epoxy before finishing to protect the end grain from splitting and the area where the outboard slides on and off. We’ll see if this holds up to the sun and wear.
Interesting article: Why innovation is dying in America
Posted By RichC on January 24, 2012
…all new inventions in the U.S. are assigned a political party. In the transportation and energy sectors, anything to do with petroleum, natural gas, biofuels, clean diesel, hydrogen and any means of producing electricity other than wind turbines or solar panels is Republican.
Hybrids, plug-ins and battery-electric vehicles are Democrat technologies, in addition to anything related to solar or wind energy.
Drew Winter from WardsAuto wrote an insightful article earlier this month, although I had a little bit of an opinion too. I agreed with Mr. Winter’s assessment that innovation is assigned a political label … such as "Govt Motor’s Volt" (as it is referenced by some) being targeted as dangerous (not appropriate), 
but I will also point out that non-innovation gets targeted too – the Keystone XL Pipeline Project comes to mind.
I welcome better energy innovation for our country, be it solar, wind or even the electric cars (perfect for some drivers), but as believe the development need to be privately advanced. The computer and electronics innovation Winter mentioned was "privately advanced;" it proves that capitalism works without government’s heavy hand or funding. I cringe when I see government nosing into capital ventures and business … be it by one party or the other. The recent bankrupt Solyndra solar company loans (D), agri-lobby biofuel mandates and tax credits (R), Wall Streets banks and automotive company bailouts (both R & D) and the senseless roadblocks targeting natural gas, shale and sand oils or big oil’s offshore drilling are not helping our nation’s energy or automotive industry policies. What we need is less government involvement creating a level playing field, even if it seems skewed toward the establishment players (enforce the laws are already in place when innovation is squelched.)
Innovation needs to stand on its own merit … let investors fund and consumers choose what makes the most sense without manipulation by either party. If our governments debt and deficit is not a good enough reason for a smaller federal government, their heavy handed involvement in competitive businesses is a pretty good reason to support shrinking Washington DC (bigger government and more regulations is not the answer).
Why Innovation is dying in America
Unlike most countries, all new inventions in the U.S. are assigned a political party. Then partisans destroy each other’s innovations for political gain.
Despite the lip service we as a nation pay to the importance of creating new ideas, most Americans won’t pay extra for new technology unless it’s a new smartphone or big-screen television.
The kind of innovation that builds new industries and creates tens of thousands of good jobs here in the U.S. is dying.
Actually, dying is too kind a word. Innovation is being murdered in America.
Elected officials fund new technologies and then defund them, depending on political winds. U.S. trial lawyers demonize inventions from airbags to electronic throttle controls in an effort to make a buck; environmentalists mandate innovation in cars and trucks, but think buying electric cars is someone else’s responsibility.
Nowhere is this clearer than in the case of the Chevy Volt. It is the most innovative vehicle to come out of Detroit in a generation, yet Republicans are trying to kill it and Democrats and environmentalists are not digging into their own pockets to show it the support they say it deserves.
Unlike most countries, all new inventions in the U.S. are assigned a political party. In the transportation and energy sectors, anything to do with petroleum, natural gas, biofuels, clean diesel, hydrogen and any means of producing electricity other than wind turbines or solar panels is Republican.
Hybrids, plug-ins and battery-electric vehicles are Democrat technologies, in addition to anything related to solar or wind energy.
It would be fine if each party merely championed their respective interests for the common good, but partisans are determined to destroy each other’s innovations for political gain.
Heading into an election year, Republicans are doing everything they can to make President Obama look bad, and attacking General Motors and the Chevy Volt fall into that category.
In their latest nakedly political assault, House Republicans are suggesting the Volt is dangerous because one caught fire three weeks after a government crash test where technicians apparently did not follow proper procedures. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, which usually does tougher tests than the government, crashed the Volt and gives it a “Top Safety Pick” rating.
Yet now both the government and GM are doing all sorts of ridiculous things such as crash testing batteries without the car’s body shell. There are more than 200,000 car fires every year in the U.S. where gasoline ignites in seconds. Is a battery that takes three weeks to catch fire reason to panic?
But Democrats are just as guilty of stifling innovation. Consider the liberal war on combustion. Democrats are busy attacking, obstructing or undermining biofuels, natural gas and hydrogen. The left-leaning California Air Resources Board, which has undue influence on the Obama Administration, is trying to regulate clean diesels out of existence, mainly because it wants everyone to drive electric vehicles.
But Greenies are notorious for not dipping into their own pockets to support their beliefs. At $32,500 after a $7,500 federal incentive, the Volt costs $2,500 more than the average car sold in 2011, an extra $42.00 per month for a 60-month loan. Yet, GM sold 7,671 Volts in 2011, far less than its 10,000-unit target.
Like many bold automotive advances, the Volt is not selling as well as hoped. The Toyota Prius, one of Japan’s greatest engineering marvels, had a slow sales start in the U.S., too.
But it did not have the kind of opposition the Volt is facing. The Prius eventually became a phenomenon because the Japanese government nurtured Toyota’s efforts, and the U.S. federal government and state of California worked together on tax incentives and perks such as special access to high-occupancy vehicle lanes and premium parking spots.
A diverse group of constituencies saw it was in their self interest to help the Prius succeed.
Ultimately, the Prius not only made Toyota look like the greenest, most-advanced auto maker on Earth, it enhanced Japan’s reputation as a nation that fostered innovation.
If Republicans stop beating up on the Volt and Democrats started putting their money where their mouth is and buy a few cars, the Chevy Volt could become America’s Prius.
But if we continue on this path, Republicans will be bragging about destroying one of Detroit’s greatest achievements and Democrats will fund a whiny movie called “Who Killed the Volt?” that blames everyone but the liberal hypocrites who did not buy one.
With China vowing to be a leader in electric cars and Japan and Europe coming on strong, America can’t afford to look that stupid.
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.