Honda RA108 F1 entry for 2008

Honda Racing F1 launched the new RA108 at its team headquarters in Brackley on Tuesday. The car is significantly different to the unsuccessful RA107 and also features an evolution of last year's livery, promoting the concept of "Earth Dreams" rather than "My earth dream". This will involve Honda making active donations to schemes that will improve the the lives of people around the world either by improving the environment in which they live or working to solve problems that have been created. This active kind of sponsorship is a new idea in F1 but Honda hopes will reflect well on the company, in addition to continuing the process of promoting the high technology image of Honda.

The new team principal Ross Brawn said that the problem last year was overly aggresssive downforce which made the car very sensitive to pitch and roll and so much work has gone into giving the drivers downforce that is more usable. The chassis has been slimmed down and the design has allowed for a lot of leeway in terms of development as the team is planning a very aggressive programme from the base car that was presented.

28-year-old Jenson Button was forced to endure a hugely-frustrating 2007 season as the team slipped into the depths of the midfield, but heads into this campaign with a renewed confidence following improvements at the team over the past six months.

Last year was a huge disappointment for Honda, but in some ways that was a good thing because it made them realize that things were going in the wrong direction, and now im sure they are looking forward to the start of the 2008 season which starts in Australia on March 14th - 16th.

Button has expressed his confidence over the winter in Honda’s ability to establish itself as a force in F1 – and has no doubts it will be strong enough to win the world title in future should it produce the right car. But how long will it take them to produce the right car and can the right car be produced by a team thats always a step behind the leading teams? It takes more than a picture of the earth on a car to produce performance and reliability.

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Magnetic levitation train.

In order for China to have the —biggest and best— They are notching one super achievement after another (biggest dam, highest hotel, etc.). In an effort to climb the industrial food chain, meanwhile, it is also acquiring technology from anyone willing to share it. So, in 2001, with Germany's Transrapid International seeking a place to demonstrate its magnetic levitation train—and apparently willing to give the technology away in the process—China killed two birds with one stone. Shanghai's maglev began full operation in March, 2004, covering the 20 miles from Pudong to the outskirts of the city in a very quick 7 minutes and 20 seconds, or around an hour shorter than by taxi. Thanks to its electromagnetic levitation system, the train hovers a half-inch above the track, When it arrives at a station it has a surprisingly blunt nose emitting a marvelous, rumbling growl.

Inside the car, you'd expect to see seat belts and shoulder harnesses (for all the good they would do in a derailment or collision at one-third the speed of sound), but, instead, find only normal seats. The doors shut, and the train accelerates like a skyscraper elevator, silently, smoothly, and rapidly, and by the time the last car leaves the station you already seem to be going 50 miles per hour. Four minutes of gravity-simulator-style acceleration later, in which the taxis on the parallel highway lose ground slowly, then quickly, then disappear as fast as if they were parked and you were whipping by at 220 miles per hour, you reach the peak speed of 270 miles per hour for the tiny 20-mile run.

Transrapid claims that the maglev is quiet and glassy smooth, but, on the contrary, when the speedometer at the end of the cabin reaches its apex, you are distinctly aware that you are speeding. The car jerks from side-to-side like a jet in turbulence, the air outside whistles in protest, and the growl beneath the floor becomes a full-bodied roar. Just after the speedometer tops out, there is a pop and blur as the maglev headed in the other direction blasts past at an aggregate speed of 534 miles per hour, approaching that of a 747 at 35,000 feet. Then, with about seven miles to go, it's time to hit the brakes, and a few miles later, when you've slowed to a mere 150 miles an hour, you feel as though you are strolling.

But it's China so the investment may prove worth it. There is much to be said for the branding impact of cool technology.

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Samsung SP-P300ME Pocket Projector

One thing I’ve always wanted to get is a projector. it’s just one of those must have gadgets. I like the idea of being able to watch my favorite sports on a screen as big as i want (at home or at work) or a small screen for the kids to watch their cartoons. I saw one online the other day that was apparently so small that it could fit in my bag that i carry to work. I did some research and decided that because of the very pricey bulbs which the projectors use, which need replacing every so often, it’s not quite a luxury we can afford at this moment, So ill just make do with what i have for now.
The Samsung SP-P300ME Pocket Projector is very nice though. It delivers a great performance, with state of the art DLP technology. I think that the 800 x 600 resolution is a little limited and could do with 1280x768 resolution, but it is ideal for presentations or even more entertaining use, like watching a good game of rugby or a favourite movie, But its basically a mobile pocket sized projector, you can take it with you to work or home.

So the Samsung SP-P300ME Pocket Projector is just that, pocket sized. At only 1.65 lbs, it is definitely much easier to carry around with you that one of those large, wall or roof mounted projectors. It has a Carl Zeiss lens, putting the Samsung SP-P300ME Pocket Projector right up there, as one of the brightest DLP LED pocket projectors available. Unfortunately it only has around 2 ½ hours battery life, but with technology the way it is, Im sure it wont be long before we are getting 8 or even 12 hours battery life, but as far as pockets sized, or mobile projectors go, it’s pretty good.
You’ll be able to connect the Pocket Projector to various devices, thanks to their connection cables.
If you’re in the market for a pocket sized, or mobile projector, easy to carry around with you and take to the office or if you just like gadgets and feel the need to impress, the Samsung SP-P300ME Pocket Projector is a good buy.

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Quad bike, Banshee.

Quad Bikes, All Terrain Vehicles or ATV's, are of course used in the farming and building industry as practical utility vehicles. However, there is other, more fun and cool purposes for these four-wheeled off-road vehicles! Why not seek out those rough tracks and go for a bumpy ride!

The Yamaha Banshee quad bike has been my favorite for many years. This quad has been in production for so long but it has always been a top seller due to its unique features.The powerplant is a liquid cooled 350cc twin cylinder engine derived from the Yamaha RD350LC road bike. It is not the greatest liquid cooled design as is basically an air cooled bottom end with liquid cooled cylinders and head stuck on top. This was to save on design costs when Yamaha first borught out a water cooled version of the original air cooled road bike engine. There are many aftermarket products to improve the cooling of your machine but unless you are modifying it for racing then i do not recommend the need for such parts. The engine characteristics are very appealing due to the revvy nature and screaming sound, even at factory condition they can rev up to about nine and a half thousand rpm so i am told! If you were deciding to upgrade your banshee then a good step would be to consider some aftermarket exhaust pipes and a fuel mixture change to suit. The frame is of mild steel contrustion and of a good solid design. The bike comes with disc brakes all round and these provided sufficient stopping power for almost all off-road applications. If you are considering a Banshee for the road you may want to upgrade the fron brakes slightly.

As an overview i recommended this quad to any 2-stroke lover or someone who wants to be unique in the modern field of 4-stroke machines while still being competitivly matched. Also the looks of this bike are a very love/hate affair, to me there gorgeous but some feel they are outdated, i will leave this to you!

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Taipei 101 worlds tallest building.

Taipei 101 is currently the worlds tallest building that is complete and this was the first world's tallest building completed in the 21st century. On July the 21st 2007 Taipei 101 was overtaken in height by the Burj Dubai in Dubai, UAE, upon the completion of that building's 141st floor. Taipei 101 retains the official title until the Burj Dubai is completed in 2009. International architectural standards define a "building" as a structure that can be occupied. The name of the building reflects its location in Taipei's 101 business district along with its floor count.

Taipei 101 is the first and currently only building in the world to break the half-kilometer mark in height and it has an indoor observation area on the 89th floor, and an outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor.
An 800-ton tuned mass damper (pictured here) helps stabilize the tower in high winds and earthquakes. This damper is an enormous ball of welded steel plates hanging inside the top of the building, and is visible from the restaurant and bar which encircles the space around the ball.

The design is inspired by traditional Chinese architecture, with a shape resembling a pagoda. The sectioned tower is also inspired by the bamboo plant, which is a model of strength, resilience, and elegance.
The tower's design specifications are based on the number "8", a lucky number in traditional Chinese culture; it features 8 upward-flaring sections, and is supported by 8 supercolumns. The Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai also employs this numerology in its design.

The elevators were new technology at the time, They are fastest in the world, rising at 1008 meters per minute (60.48 km/hour) and descending at 610 m/min (36.6 km/hour). The top speeds are 34 percent faster than the previous world's fastest elevators in Yokohama Landmark Tower. This is one of the few buildings in the world equipped with double-deck elevators. Each elevator is designed with an aerodynamic body, pressurization and emergency braking systems, and the world's first triple-stage anti-overshooting system. The cost for each elevator is over $US 2 million.

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Technology in the sport of professional Dragracing

The nitromethane-powered engines of NHRA Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars produce approximately 7,000 horsepower, about 37 times that of the average street car and one cylinder of the eight cylinders of a Top Fuel dragster or a Funny Car produces 750 horsepower, equaling the entire horsepower output of a NASCAR engine.


Here are some interesting facts that modern technology has done for professional Dragracing...

An NHRA Top Fuel dragster accelerates from 0 to 100 mph in less than .8 of a second, almost 11 seconds quicker than it takes a production Porsche 911 Turbo to reach the same speed.

A Top Fuel dragster leaves the starting line with a force nearly five times that of gravity, the same force of the space shuttle when it leaves the launching pad at Cape Canaveral.

A Funny Car is slowed by a reverse force more than seven times that of gravity when both parachutes deploy simultaneously.

Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars consume between four and five gallons of fuel during a quarter-mile run, which is equivalent to between 16 and 20 gallons per mile .

Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars use between 10 and 12 gallons of fuel for a complete pass, including the burnout, backup to the starting line, and quarter-mile run.

Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars travel the length of more than four football fields in less than five seconds.

Top Fuel dragsters can exceed 280 mph in just 660 feet.

Top Fuel dragsters accelerate faster than a jumbo jet, a fighter jet, and a Formula One race car.

The fuel pump for a Top Fuel dragster and Funny Car delivers 65 gallons of fuel per minute, equivalent to eight bathroom showers running at the same time.

The 17-inch rear tires used on Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars wear out after four to six runs, or about two miles.

How much further will technology take the professional sport of Dragracing? Restrictions have already been put in place to slow them down, But all that manages to do is to force teams to look for other/new technology to counteract the rule changes. Read More......

Blu-Ray takes on HD-DVD.

NPD Group is global market research company which provides information about manufacturers and retailers. According to their latest report, Blu-ray player sales increased after Warner’s announcement that they will go Blu-ray. Although, HD-DVD is less expensive than Blu-ray, in December, 60% players sold were Blu-ray in the first two weeks of January the Blu-ray had a 70% market share.

After Warner’s announcement, HD-DVD sales decreased to an unbelievable 7 percent rate which means Blu-ray had a 93 percent market share. If these media sales continue, HD-DVD manufacturers will have to take drastic measures and it’s up to them to decide what the players future will be.
Ive also found out that in the first week of January 2008 there was a total of 15,257 Blu-ray Disc units and 14,558 HD-DVD units sold, And that was prior to the Warner announcement, which came on January 4th, So for January week 2 after the announcement, The unit sales were as follows ,21,770 Blu-ray Disc units and 1,758 HD-DVD units.
So what is the future for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD? Blu-Ray definitely has the advantage at the moment with more capacity aswell as more entertainment companies that support Blu-Ray but HD-DVD are cheaper and in terms of compatibility, both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD players will be capable of playing CDs and DVDs, but it won’t be possible to read a Blu-Ray disc on a HD-DVD player and vice-versa. It is technically possible to create a player that can read both formats, but it will probably cost almost double, as it will need two separated circuits inside the unit, one for each technology. Read More......

The decline of Plasma

The manufacturers of plasma televisions have not doing very well throughout 2006 and 2007. With the recent boom in LCD screens, plasma manufacturers are fast loosing ground. The recent decline in plasma screen price tags will also see a revenue decline over the year.

In February (2007), unit sales recorded a $181 million. This is a 16% drop since February ‘2006. According to iSuppli, the Plasma sales will top out to be $10.2 million.However, they predict that the figures will nose dive after topping out with serious competition from LCD industry.
We are likely to continue to see average prices continue to drop through 2008, but the market still has quite a bit of upside left to it and the technology keeps changing all the time.

The current industry boost is mostly due to the healthy competition between all the panel makers and because of more efficient manufacturing processes as well as lower costs for materials.
The biggest manufacturers of the plasma screen like Matsushita and LG recorded pretty good sales figures during the first quarter of 2007. Yet another screen maker Samsung SDI is going pretty strong.

As far as I know, various factors contribute to the rise or drop in sales. It’s not always about ratcheting up the screen size or attractive discounts. Plasma manufacturers are always finding new ways to add more features and charge higher prices, Touch screen televisions are technology of the future. Whoever comes out with the most innovative ideas will win the market.

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McLaren Mercedes supercar 2008

You might think that Mercedes wouldn’t have a need to be developing another supercar, Some might think why bother but they have anyway: With the 612-bhp SL65 AMG on the one hand and the 626-bhp SLR on the other, there’s hardly any room for a car in between. That is if you’re taking performance alone. But as design and packaging matter, too, the Stuttgart-based firm is in fact thinking about a “baby” McLaren offering SLR-like supercar-feeling at the cost (and power) of an SL55. With a newly developed 5-litre V8 performing some 400 bhp, this light-weight mini-SLR will reach top-speeds of beyond the latest SL65 and will outrun the latter from 0 to 100 km/h. Being a pure two-seater with a rigid metal roof (rather than a 2+2-seater roadster like the SL), the “baby” McLaren will point at a totally different range of customers and will certainly be a success as an uncompromising driver’s car.
However, Will Mercedes ever to be able to compete with other supercar manufacturers in terms of technology, They always seem to be a step behind the likes of Ferrari and Lamborghini when it comes to performance and aerodynamics. But they produce very reliable running gear. Read More......

Bluetooth USB Hub

I came across this Bluetooth USB Hub a week or so ago and i was quite impressed with it. I thought it was a clever idea.
A Bluetooth USB Hub is basically a USB hub, a device which gives you extra USB slots, but it connects to your PC via Bluetooth.

Other than the security risks involved with using Bluetooth or any other Wi-Fi device it is a very convenient way to transfer data and / or connect devices. I guess it was really just a matter of time before some one decided to try to connect USB devices via Bluetooth. The Bluetooth USB Hub will allow you to connect any USB device you have, via Bluetooth to your PC. The Bluetooth USB Hub has it’s own external power supply and a Bluetooth dongle, which will allow you to connect the hub itself to your PC, should your PC not be Bluetooth enabled already. By the way, a Bluetooth dongle is indeed very useful and for just a few dollars. Basically this Bluetooth USB hub, once connected via Bluetooth to your PC, will allow for an extra 3 USB slots to be connected to your PC. And these USB devices work just like with any USB device you would connect to your PC; they’re hot swappable, meaning you can plug and unplug the USB device anytime you want.

There is one difference and an advantage, of using a Bluetooth USB Hub, instead of a regular wired USB Hub and that is that with the Bluetooth USB Hub you can actually have up to an additional 7 devices connect to it via Bluetooth. So say for example you want to use your printer at home between yourself, your laptop and your partners PC, but don’t want the hassle of setting it up over the network, or even not knowing how, you can easily connect it to the USB hub and then in turn, connect to the hub via Bluetooth from each machine. Remember, your PC has to be able to connect with Bluetooth, now most laptops, newer ones, usually have built in Bluetooth, but if you would like to enable your PC or laptop or what ever, just go out and get a dongle. It’s just a small device you plug into your PC via a USB port and install the drivers (although, XP and Vista will have it’s own drivers, so it becomes plug and play really) and then you’re Bluetooth ready.

The advantages of connecting to USB devices via Bluetooth is most definitely that you can connect more than one person at a time. It’ll most definitely make my life a little easier, as for example, we keep our photo’s backed up on an external hard drive, which usually goes back and forth from our two desks. This will mean we can just find the HDD enclosure a new home somewhere and both connect to it without having to move it around all the time and that always includes not only it’s USB cable but it’s power supply too.

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The 2008 Dodge SRT-10 Viper.

Dodge has released the 2008 Viper SRT10 Roadster with 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb-ft of torque delivers die-hard performance enthusiasts a perfect combination of outrageous power, exceptional performance and stunning good looks.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles again - Roadster and Coupe. they havent changed dramatically over the years but both feature a new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

The new Viper SRT10 boasts more of what speed freaks crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling. But have they resolved the handling problems of the past models, They have been known to be a bit loose on the back end over the years.

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High speed on water -Jet sprinting

The Jetboat was invented in New Zealand by Sir William Hamilton. Jetsprinting as an organized sport originated in New Zealand in 1981 and was introduced to Australia in the mid 1980's.
This quickly resulted in a trans-Tasman championship and when the sport was introduced to the United states of America a three way world championship was introduced. The championship rotates between New Zealand, Australia and the U.S.A.

Jet sprint boats are extremely quick, 0 -100MPH in a little over 3 seconds.

There are two internationally recognized classes

Class A - Engines in Class A boats are restricted to either 6.7 litre (412 cubic inch) engines with cast iron blocks and heads or 6 litre (365 cubic inch) engines with aluminum heads. Both size engines are only allowed 2 pushrod operated valves per cylinder. Furthermore the engine must be normally aspirated, using a 4 barrel carburettor. Fuel is 100+ octane aviation fuel. Typically these engines produce up to 650 horsepower
Superboats - Engines in the superboat class have no maximum size but instead have a minimum size restriction. Normally aspirated engines must have a displacement of 6.5 litres (400 cubic inch) or while forced induction (turbocharged or supercharged) engines must be at least 3.8 litres (235 cubic inch) in displacement. These engines typically are fuel injected and run methanol fuel. The small block engines typically produce 950+ horsepower while the big blocks can typically produce between 1000 to 1400 horsepower.
A jetsprint hull is a typically 4 to 4.5 metres (13 to 15 feet) long. The hull's vee is usually 21 to 23 degrees with several strakes on each side of the hull. A short hull is preferred as a longer hull takes more distance to turn and usually must be turned at a slower speed. Thew strakes provide "traction' by stopping the boat sliding sideways across the water when turning at high speed.

A jetsprint boat crew consists of two people. These are the driver, whose responsibility it is to steer the boat. Beside the driver sits the navigator, whose responsibility is to guide the driver through the course.
The navigator guides the driver via simple hand signals, pointing the hand in the direction that the boat must go at the next intersection or indicating the direction of a turn. If there are more than closely spaced turn the navigator will usually indicate the direction of the turn/corner by visibly raising and lowering their hand.

Generally international jetsprint events are now held in a permanent course. This course usually takes place in a bowl as this allows all the water expelled by the jet to return to the course.
Nitromethane and nitrous oxide are not allowed.
New Zealand drivers have tended to dominate the championships in both classes although both U.S and Australian drivers are becoming more of a threat to New Zealand's dominance of the sport.

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First were cars - Now planes on Bio-fuel

Virgin Atlantic Airways will be test flying a 747 airplane powered by bio-fuel. This is a first in commercial aviation and is 10 months ahead of schedule. This test flight, planned for next month will be without passengers.

"Flying our 747 on bio-fuel 10 months earlier than planned is a major breakthrough," said Richard Branson CEO of Virgin. The details of the bio-fuel will be released next month. The fuel is said to be from a "very sustainable" source and will not compete with food or water resources. The test flight will run on a blended mix of bio-fuel and kerosene, with at least 25 percent coming from the alternative fuel. The test flight, is part of a joint project involving the carrier, The Boeing Co. and engine producer General Electric Co.

Not only are the airlines using this technology. In mid 2007, Virgin trains began a six-month trial of a passenger train using bio-fuel, an experiment the company said could lead it to switch its fleet to a mix of diesel and bio-fuel. Read More......

F1 World Championship 2008 Regulations

As part of the total 10-year freeze on engine development, only engines which have been homologated by the FIA and delivered no later than 31 March 2008* may be used at an Event during the 2008-2017 Championships. Any such engine must include all the parts described in the 2008 F1 Technical Regulations and be identical to one which has completed two race Events during the 2007 Championship season.

* Or at the first opportunity in the event that a competitor has no engine available which has completed two race Events in the 2008 Championship season.

A number of principles for cost reduction were agreed for the FIA Formula One World Championship.

The following aerodynamic testing restrictions will be applied from 2008:

• Teams to use no more than one wind tunnel.
• Test fluid to be air at atmospheric pressure.
• Maximum test section wind speed 50m/sec.
• Maximum model scale 60%.
• No more than one model to be tested during a run.
• Maximum usage to be equivalent to 15 runs per 8 hour day on 5 days per week for team F1 purposes. Tunnel may be contracted out at other times.
• Aerodynamic testing may only take place in wind tunnels if at reduced scale or at FIA approved test tracks if full scale. Full size testing to be subject to the F1 testing agreement.
• Full scale specific aerodynamic testing is to be reduced to 5 days/year.
• Restrictions will be imposed to stop shift of resource from wind tunnel testing to CFD.
• The number of people involved in CFD development will be limited to a number to be agreed.
• CFD computer systems will be characterised in order to set hardware performance limits but growth will be allowed year-on-year to allow for hardware / software development.

Other restrictions will be placed on Rig Testing, Design and Manufacturing, Suspension and Brakes, Hydraulic Systems, Bodywork, Weight Distribution, Circuit Testing and the number of personnel at races.
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The 2008 Chrysler 300C

The 2008 Chrysler 300C SRT8 has apparently concluded that muscle cars do not live on horsepower alone.
Of course, this luxury hot rod has always had gangster good looks and all of the attendant hardware to make its 425 horses behave. things like a race-tuned suspension, Brembo brake calipers binding massive vented discs, a lowered ride height and electronic stability control, but for 2008, this performance halo of the Chrysler brand adds a host of available comfort items.
Included on a list of newly optional family-friendly goodies are
Sirius BackSeat TV,
A 322-watt Kicker premium surround sound audio system with a 100-watt subwoofer,
a remote start key-fob button (to pre-warm things on cold mornings) and a
stylish LED illumination for cupholders and door-mounted map pockets.
And, as long as the SRT8 was being tweaked by interior designers,
performance engineers decided they wanted in on the action, too.
So, to enhance what already was a pleasurable driving experience, this luxury hot rod adds standard Adaptive Cruise Control, which can track the car ahead and maintain a constant distance,
optional side curtain air bags and, perhaps most welcome by enthusiast drivers,
an SRT-exclusive reconfigurable instrument panel display that can track performance data like zero-to-60 times, Braking distances and cornering g-forces.
Chrysler has created a real "comfort" machine inside all that muscle. Read More......

One for the Mopar fans. The New dodge Challenger.

The first of the new Dodge Challengers will all be SRT8 models with 5-speed automatic transmissions, powered by the 425-hp 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine. Only three exterior colors will be offered – HEMI Orange, Bright Silver and Brilliant Black,(all traditional and classic colours of dodge) all with “carbon fiber” hood stripes. Other Standard features include a Dark Slate Gray interior, leather seats with a HEMI Orange accent, 20" x 9" wheels, a 13-speaker 522-watt Kicker audio system, chrome fuel filler door, Keyless-Go ignition and HID headlamps. Production of the 2008 SRT8 models is set to start in April 2008 with models starting to arrive to dealers in early May.

Shortly after the 2008s comes 2009 model-year production. The always-reliable oh20 reported that the lineup will be expanded to three models with the addition of three more engines, the base model having the 3.5L V6 while the R/T model will offer the all-new 5.7L Hemi. Both the R/T and SRT8 will offer an optional six-speed manual transmission. Production of the 2009 models is set to start on July 28th, 2008, arriving to dealers in late August/September. During the 2009 and later model years Dodge will most likely offer some special edition Challenger models similar to what has been done with other vehicles in the past.All 2009 Challenger models will feature, as Standard equipment, front and side air bags, air conditioning, body-color door handles and fascias, cell phone storage, cruise control, a floor console with sliding armrest, functional hood scoops, non-adjustable pedals, power mirrors, power windows, rear wheel drive, rear window radio antenna, 3-point rear center seatbelts, satin/chrome grilles, Sentry Key anti-theft system and a tilt-telescoping steering wheel. None of the Challenger models will feature a spare tire, a “service kit” will be offered instead. For those that would prefer a convertible Challenger will have have to wait for the 2010 models to be released.
Its another release of old classic muscle car, More proof that the older styling of cars will never die, All the major car companys are doing it and the sales speak for themselves.

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The Colorado river bridge.

The Colorado River Bridge will bypass a major bottleneck: traffic crossing the Hoover Dam often backs up 24km and causes a five hour delay!


The massive canyon formed by the Colorado River where it joins Nevada and Arizona already boasts one iconic piece of engineering: the Hoover Dam. The new bridge, just half a kilometer downriver from the dam, will only add to the splendor of the area and give North America its first composite concrete deck arch bridge.

Currently, a narrow two-lane highway runs along the top of the dam. The approaches are winding and treacherous. Congestion is terrible and frequent, the crossing is on one of the area’s major routes - U.S. Highway 93 – and handles both through-traffic and Hoover Dam tourists. Security concerns since 9/11 have led to a lorry ban on the crossing which has increased disruption. The ambitious Hoover Dam Bypass scheme – with the new bridge at its centre – should ease these problems when it opens to traffic in 2008.

The bridge alone will cost $114m. At 580m long and rising almost 275m above the Colorado river, it has brought some difficult construction challenges. Workers have had to contend with temperatures reaching 46 degrees Centigrade, as well as strong and unpredictable winds and dangerous terrain with terrifying drops. In September 2006, strong winds sent two enormous construction cranes crashing into Highway 93 – amazingly, with no loss of life!

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1 free engine blow-up.

Ive heard today that all of the Formula 1 teams have been granted one free engine failure per car for the year. This will mean that they will not to have to suffer a drop of 10 places on the grid should an engine blow up. This could be important as most of the teams are very reliable these days and engine changes are rare.

...So if a team manages to survive all year without a blow-up this would give them some flexibility at the final race where they might, for example, be able to blow up an engine in qualifying and then run a new one in the race.

However, for most of the teams it is simply a way to avoid having too many penalties that will affect the results as a 10-place penalty these days pretty much dictates that a car will not be able to score points. Will this new ruling be beneficial to the likes of Ferrari, McLaren and Renault? They are the front running teams that have alot better reliability.

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Will flying cars ever take off?

Are we on the brink of the flying car?
Many of us spend hours stuck in traffic every week.
The growing population is partly to blame for our congested roads, but the main problem is that we are not expanding our transportation systems fast enough to meet ever increasing demands. One solution is to create a new type of transportation that doesn't rely on roads, which could one day make traffic jams a thing of the past. To do this, we must look to the sky.
For 50 years, science fiction has been tantalizing us with visions of airborne roadways and quickly maneuvering, sports-car-like flying cars.

The Moller M400 skycar (pictured here) is designed to take off and land vertically. It can reach speeds of 400 mph (644 kph), but will cruise at around 350 mph (563 kph), and it has a range of 900 miles (1449 km). Gasoline, diesel, alcohol, kerosene and propane can be used to fuel the Skycar, and its fuel mileage will be comparable to that of a medium-sized car, getting 20 miles (32.2 km) to the gallon. To make the Skycar safe and available to the general public, it will be completely controlled by computers using Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, which Moller calls a fly-by-wire system. In case of an accident, the vehicle will release a parachute and airbags, internally and externally, to cushion the impact of the crash. The four-seat Skycar is powered by eight rotary engines that are housed inside four metal housings on the side of the vehicle. The engines lift the craft with 720 horsepower, and then thrust the craft forward.

But what about the worlds fuel shortage? Could this prevent flying cars from ever taking off? Read More......

Bose Headphones

I work in a workshop where there are 4 staff, One of them likes oldies music, another likes classical music, and the third likes quiet. I also have to put up with an air compressor aswell as high pressure sprayers running for most of the day, Aswell as a manager with a loud mouth.

I enjoy classic rock so I’ve decided to buy some headphones that cancel out background noise that will allow me to enjoy my preferrred music. Ive looked at many brands but decided to buy Bose headphones because they are known to be the best in terms of quality and ability to block distractions and noises.

I was told by a Bose agent that there are three basic types of headphones that can provide isolation from outside sound: Bose in ear headphones, closed-back (sealed) headphones, and noise-canceling headsets. Noise-canceling headphones use a tiny built-in microphone housed inside the earpieces to pick up external noises and then produce an electronic sound-canceling signal at the ear to block out ambient sounds. These "active-electronics" noise-cancelling designs typically provide around 10dB of isolation over a quite limited frequency spectrum.

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PS3 vs XBOX 360

Media Types:
Since PS3 is owned by Sony and BLUray is Sony’s next high definition storage medium, the PS3 games will be stored on the BLUray discs which hold approximately 54 gigs. The Xbox 360 games will be stored on Double Layer DVDs which store 9 gigs. Obviously the BLUray discs can store a lot more data, but at the current stage of game development, any game developed will fit just as well on the 9 gig DVDs, so this is not a major factor but one that may come into play later on.


Processing Power:
How do the two systems compare when looking at processing power? The PS3 uses a Cell processor with a PowerPC-based core with seven synergistic processing units while the Xbox comes with a Custom IBM PowerPC CPU with three dual-threaded cores that can handle six total threads at a time. An important comparison to look at is the number of dot product calculations per second the systems can perform. The reason this number is important is because it is used extensively during gameplay in 3d math to calculate various things such as vector lengths, projections, transformations, and more. Both systems are clocked at 3.2 Ghz. The PS3 can handle 51-billion dot product operations per second and the Xbox can handle 33.6. There is a debate over which system has more brute processing power and these numbers can be confusing to the average person, but overall it seems that the PS3 has an edge over the Xbox when it comes to overall processing power.

Controllers:
The controllers on the two systems retain the basic shape from the original systems with some modifications. The PS3 controller has the most dramatic change; it has a streamline shape that looks more like a stealth airplane than a game controller. The XBOX controller is basically the same shape as the previous system with a different color scheme. From the pictures released, it seems the XBOX controller will be more comfortable and natural to use.

Graphics:
Both systems have fairly similar graphics but the Xbox 360 has better lighting while the PS3 has sharper textures. The 360 has better high dynamic range lighting, but the building textures are sharper on the PS3.

However, The final choice comes down to personal preference. Read More......

BIO FUEL. The new 2008 Ferrari 430 Concept car.

Ferrari are hardly a brand you would associate with producing environmental energy saving cars, but it seems by this 2008 Ferrari concept we could see a new direction for the Italian supercar manufacturer. The Ferrari 430 Spider Bio Fuel Concept made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show with no special press conference called which leads us to think it isn't something they are heading into too seriously.

According to Automotive News preliminary data points in the positive direction with power output increased by 10hp to 500 hp with torque up 4% and fuel consumption down by 5%. But there is no need to get your cheque books out just yet, the production is said to be "not close",whch is backed up by the fact E85 fuel is only widely in areas where Ferrari sales are negligible such as U.S. Midwest states, Brazil and Sweden. However a ferrari official has said that if E85 became widely available in California (where 10% of Ferrari's worldwide sales are) then this Bio Fuel model would become a viable option.

Will the reputation of Ferrari be undone by producing a hybrid, They are known for high performance and High class for the wealthy. Or is it the turning point for the future of the automobile? Only time will tell.... Read More......

Technology helps you make money too!

It's so amazing how the technology now a day's helps us in every single way, just like internet it's a good source of information or even you can make money blogging...i just stumble about this get paid to blog called blogvertise.com.

Bloggers can get paid blogging, simple as that!

Advertiser can benefit too! If you have website and you need traffic you can advertise your site, build some buzz about your product, you can even use it for search engine purposes (Page Rank that is!).

Blogvertise stand as mediator between bloggers and advertisers, blogger blog while advertisers pays the bloggers and get the link and buzz...it's a win win situation. Therefore, if you have not joined yet! now is your change.

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Ferrari FXX Concept Car.

In Maranello on the 28th October 2007 - Ferrari unveiled the FXX Concept, which is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, it will be updated with an evolution package aimed at further improving its handling and performance. The package was developed as a result of Ferrari's collaboration with its Client Test Drivers and with the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher. The FXXs equipped with this package will also sport a new livery in addition to new rear wing profiles.

The FXX is not designed for road use and there are no plans to compete with it either. In fact, the FXX prototype is designed exclusively for track driving as part of a specific R&D programme agreed with a selected group of just over 20 clients involving 14 group test sessions and 14 private ones in the last two years. Thanks to readings taken over the 16,500 kilometres of tests carried out in 2006 and the 18,500 kilometres covered in 2007, the modifications made to the car have focused on honing its aerodynamics, running gear and electronics. Seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher also joined the ranks of the client test drivers and gave the programme the benefit of his vast experience on several occasions.

Maranello's engineers studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18''). The FXX's 6262 cc V12 engine can now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm. Gearshifting takes just 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time, and the gear ratios have been adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine.

The car's new traction control system, developed in close collaboration with the GES Racing Division engineers, gives the driver a choice of no less than nine different settings (plus the off position) which are selected using a switch on the central tunnel. This means that the driver really can modify the car's behaviour on the track from corner to corner, just as the Formula 1 drivers do to maximise performance and reduce tyre wear. The FXX's traction control is also now less invasive and more flexible, adapting more efficiently to the individual driving style of each driver - a requirement pinpointed when this very extreme car was being driven on the track by non-professional drivers.

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Worlds largest container ship.

The first ship was constructed more than 10,000 years ago, water-borne transportation has been a mainstay of trade around the world.


Despite advances in air-travel and communications, shipping remains one of the most essential gears in the global economy. The bulk of the world’s dry cargo is transported via container ships – their cargo being loaded in 12-meter long, 4-meter high, steel containers. The containers are specifically designed to be craned straight on and off the ship and onto the back of trains or trucks for quick and easy distribution. Built to carry upwards of 4,000 containers, container ships easily take the title of the largest vehicles ever built.

Operated by a crew of just 19 people, the biggest of them all is the OOCL Shenzhen from Hong Kong, whose propeller alone weighs 85 tons. At 323 meters long, it’s only a meter shorter than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Weighing in at 100,000 tons, the Shenzhen’s engine is 1,000 times more powerful than the average family car, yet its propeller turns at a sedate 200 rpm – or 20 to 30 times slower than a car engine. It manages a top speed of 25 knots fully laden.

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Samsung 70 inch TVS.

In today’s age of technology, bigger is better. When big wall mount screens and big TVs dominate our world, why not a big touch screen? GPNC recently unveiled the big 70 inch all in one touch screen PC.

Previously the same company GNPC released a 70 inch TV monitor in Korea. It seems like GNPC is going big. Here’s more on the features of the all in one GNPC.

Samsung have released a 70 inch widescreen that will have a great LCD display and a 8000:1 contrast. This is meant mostly for commercial use. The screen is packed with a 8ms response. It also has a 700 cd/m2 brightness. There is no word on the price or further specifications in the market yet.

The only negative thing I can say that ive found out about this product is the XP error messages on the screen. I am pretty sure if you show an errors on a product like this during a product launch, future customers won’t be very happy.

If GNPC is releasing a product with error messages on screen, who knows what kind of stuff they are making. This might be something very trivial. Still, that message is what bugs the customers. Other than that, it looks like a good all in one touch screen for corporates, And no doubt the wealthy.

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Take a peak at the worlds tallest structure - Burj Dubai

The Burj Dubai is now the world’s tallest structure, and fast becoming the icon for life in Dubai, the Burj Dubai tower offers a one of a kind living experience. With the final height a much guarded secret, and the current level of construction placing the tower over 620m and more than 165 stories, the project, when completed, will be the centerpiece of the entire Downtown Dubai development, surely Emaar’s greatest venture to date. The final height is being kept a secret until the completion of several other skyscrapers.

The Burj Dubai will feature both residential and commercial units, with luxury apartments and office space, as well as the world’s first hotel by designer Giorgio Armani. The hotel will be at the base of the tower and the remaining freehold space will occupy most of the other floors, with an observation deck located 442 meters above the ground, the highest public observation space on earth.

The complex will offer residents and visitors the finest features, with the world’s largest shopping mall, Dubai Mall, dining, cafes and leisure facilities, all surrounded by an artificial lake and waterways. Residential units will consist of studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom apartments, as well as 144 units exclusively designed by Giorgio Armani.

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Blokarting

Blokart sailing is a fun filled adventure designed in New Zealand in 1999. It is rapidly becoming the world's no.1 land-based sailing sport.

Because of its small size and extreme manoeuvrability the blokart can be used almost anywhere - from beaches to car parks, sports and recreation areas, tennis courts and even on ice!

One of the great advantages of blokart sailing is that it is just one design so anyone of virtually any age, size or gender can have a go.

Weighing in at only 29kg the blokart is portable enough to fit in the boot/trunk of most cars. It can be assembled from its unique carry bag in a few minutes with no tools required.

Despite the ability to reach high speeds, Safety is a top priority in design and injury is very rare because of modern technology and materials. Most people can master blokart sailing in a matter of minutes.

When thrill seekers have finished reaching speeds of up to 90 kilometres an hour, the Blokart can be easily folded up into a suitcase sized bag.

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LCD VS Plasma TVs

Alot of people have been asking for the differences between LCDs and Plasma televisions, Ive put together the Pros and Cons of Each.

Brightness
Brightness in LCD and plasma screens is typically expressed as candelas per square meter. Typically, plasmas are listed at 500-700 cd/m2, but independent reviewers say that that the brightness of plasma is closer to 100 cd/m2. Conversely, LCD TVs typically get a brightness rating of 450 cd/m2, again when measured independently.

Contrast Ratio
Contrast ratio is the measurement of the brightest white against the blackest black that the TV can create. The higher the contrast ratio, the easier it is to discern details on the screen. Current plasmas measure contrast ratios of up to 3000:1. However, independent reviewers believe that measured in real world viewing situations, contrast ratios for plasma TVs drop to approximately 200:1. Conversely, LCD TV contrast ratios range from 350-450:1 when measured using the same realistic standards.

Color Saturation
Color saturation describes the amount of grey in a color. The more grey, the lower the saturation. Plasma has the advantage over LCD in the area of color saturation because of it's method to light blocking. Plasma is able to completely turn off pixels when not in use, so that no stray light dilutes the colors. The way LCD technology works means that there is some stray light and therefore obtaining true color is difficult.

Screen Size
At the moment, the plasma market offers TVs as big as 60 inches, and no plasma TV is available smaller than 32 inches. LCD screen sizes range from 13 inches to 46 inches, and because of manufacturing innovations, larger models are becoming available every year.

Burn In
Burn in is what happens when an image stays on a plasma screen for an extended period of time. LCD's are not at all susceptible to burn in. While Plasma TVs are vulnerable, some newer plasma TVs have added features that combat it.

Lifespan
Typical plasma TVs have a life span of 20,000 to 30,000 hours, which equates to at about 20 years of usage if you have the set on for 4 hours a day. The lifespan of an LCD TV is typically 50,000 to 60,000 hours, or about 40 years running 4 hours daily.

Response Time
Response time is the amount of time, measured in milliseconds (ms), that it takes for a pixel to go from active to inactive and back to active again. Lower numbers mean faster transitions and fewer visible image artifacts. Plasma TVs were made to handle rapid movement on the screen more effectively. They can have response times as low as 15 ms. LCD TVs started as PC displays, and so the need to show fast movement wasn't critical; somewhere around 25 ms. LCD manufacturers have been steadily improving their response times as the demand for fast moving, full motion video has increased. Newer model LCD TVs can have response times as fast as 16 ms.

Power Conservation
Because the crystals in LCD TV do not produce light, the technology is labeled as "non-emissive," which means it does not give off radiation like the CRT. Cold cathode light sources, like fluorescent tubes, which use only a little power, are used to illuminate the image. LCDs also use less power than plasma televisions, because plasma requires powering hundreds of electrodes to stimulate the phosphors.

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Apple i-Phone

The iPhone is amazing - a phone, email, internet, iPod, and other applications. You can't avoid the fact that it is the best cell phone on the market. From it's sleek design to the simplicity of the unit, it really is a revolutionary product. With most cell phones, a little plastic button crammed into a corner of the keypad can mean back in one screen, cancel in another, and clear in yet another. Not so with the iPhone - just a few buttons in each application that are self-explanatory. The only button on the face, the Home button, takes you right to the home screen, which has every application, right there. Tap Phone, bam your in the phone. Press the home button - back to the home screen. Tap iPod, there's the iPod.

However, there are a few things everyone would like to see:
Some new applications, A phone-wide search, Full Flash Player support, Multiple Text Messaging, Video Recording, Multiple Email Deletion, the list goes on.

But all in all, the iPhone is an amazing device fit to be called "Revolutionary." Read More......

The worlds largest commercial airliner - The Airbus A380

Formerly known as the A3XX, Airbus' double-decker passenger jet, the A380 is currently the largest airliner ever built. Lengthwise, it would nearly stretch from goal line to goal line of a football field while its wing tips would hang well beyond the sidelines. Three full decks will run along the entire length of the plane. Upper and main decks will serve as passenger areas, and will be connected by a grand staircase near the front of the plane and by another smaller staircase at the back.

Although the lower deck will be reserved primarily for cargo, it could be outfitted for special passenger uses such as sleeper cabins, business centers or even child care service. In a one-class configuration, the A380 could accommodate as many as 840 passengers. The more likely three-class configuration will still offer an unprecedented 555 passenger seats. Either way, the A380 would offer 30% - 50% more seating than its direct competition, the Boeing 747-400.

Although the A380 will be able to fly a distance of over 10,000 miles, the plane's usefulness will not be limited to long-haul flights. For instance, many flights within Japan are among the highest in passenger capacity and would be well suited for A380 service, despite their short distances. Whatever the flight distance, a new breed of engines will be required to lift the plane's 1.2 million pounds into the air. Rolls Royce and GE/Pratt & Whitney are both working on engines to provide thrust that will max out at 75,000 pounds. By comparison, the first American jet airliner in service, the Boeing 707, was powered by only 10,000 pounds of thrust.

The A380 faces significant challenges on the ground as well as the air. To integrate into existing airports, the A380 must fit the standard airport-docking plan. The plane's nearly 262-foot wingspan meets this requirement by about 18 inches. Its outer-most engines, however, would hang just beyond the standard 150-foot runway width, requiring upgrades at many airports. The plane's weight will be distributed to 20 landing gear wheels, actually producing less weight per wheel than the 747. The cockpit location, between the main and upper decks, is designed to give pilots a vantage point on the runway similar to that of current airliners.

Due to recent technological advances, Airbus claims the A380 will be a more efficient plane than its rival, the 747. Airbus states the A380 will use 20% less fuel and will fly quieter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the 747. Airlines seem to be impressed. So far, ten carriers have declared their interest in the plane, placing options to order a total of 66 planes. The A380s first flight will be in November 2007 operated by Singapore airlines and they are due to recieve their second A380 in late January 2008.

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McLaren MP4-23 VS Ferrari F2008

To be honest I'm a little let down by the new F2008 Ferrari and MP4-23 of McLaren as the basics look very similar and there is not much change from the previous year, Yes they both look quick and changes are obvious on both but i can't help feel that they are just minor developments of the 2007 cars. I'm aware the McLaren MP4-23 is an Evolution and more aerodynamic changes are coming before the Australian GP, But so has Ferrari, after all, the new F2008 is heavier than the McLaren and more aerodynamic changes are needed, Possibly more of those ugly little winglets that seem to be popping out from everywhere. The front noses on both cars are very low, and with the Ferrari taking the Toyota idea for the nose could be a little sketchy. After all the Toyota wasn't great last year.

However i think its good that these cars don't look to be completely new as it means that the gap could be shortened between the top two teams and the likes of BMW, Renault and Williams. I expect the BMW's and the Williams to be totally different and to be honest, I think that all true F1 fans just want good, clean, close racing on the track by several teams, Not just one or two teams. The other thing is, Will McLaren really have any advantage over the other teams now that all teams are using the ECU (electronic control unit) produced by McLaren electronic systems which is a subsidiary of McLaren F1?

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Formula1 Spying and protests

We all know that “spying” is a part of all activities, Formula1 included of course.

Ive followed formula 1 for about15 years, I remember alot of teams over the years trying to find out what other teams were doing and designing. Of course most of the time, teams chose to spy what the winning teams had that makes them win.

There are conventional and acceptable ways to spy, by observation, by taking photos, by measuring (sounds, times, etc.). However, with the new and more accurate technology available the spy acts become more and more precise but, at the same time, there are more and more things that cannot be spied simply by observation, electronic and software are good examples…

Another interesting point is when a team protests against another. That’s also a very old procedure that is used on just about all sports, from the simplest to the more sophisticated ones. It is supposed that a participant can ask the authorities that rule the activity to confirm whether another participant is breaking the rules or not. Usually, the participant that wants to clarify the rule has to follow the established rules and to pay for it, In order to avoid that, Every participant is always complaining against the others. Of course that it is supposed that every participant is serious, fair and correct which we know is not always the case.

From the above said I conclude that copying ideas since by regular ways is normal and acceptable. I believe that all what was said so far is common sense and easily we all agree with.
What and when should the copying be considered not aloud or cheat? There are situations where spying must be considered as cheating and that must be avoided and punished. I would say that every time a team gets and possesses documents (based on electronic or hardware supports) or material (materials and/or parts) originally belonging to another team without permission from the owner is cheating!

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About Me

Personal

This Site is Developed and Authored by me, David Jackson.

I am from New Zealand. I am currently Working for a Disaster Restoration Company in Auckland. I am married and have 4 kids. I love traveling especially in Asia, I have traveled to many parts of Asia mainly for the purpose of work. Ive spent 5 years living in the Philippines with my wife but im currently back in New Zealand. Hopefully for not much longer, I'm looking forward to moving back to the Philippines in the next year or two.

About Blog

This blog is about My thoughts, My Interests with Sports aswell as technology, planes, motorsports, everything about big boys toys, including New Ideas, News, Gadgets, Resources related to technology, Opportunities, Comedy and more.... that is why my Site calls "Is a mans world" I will be posting contents that interest men and women in some occasions.

Well, There's not much to say about me. I am just a simple blogger that loves to blog.

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