Crusaders win seventh Super title

The final of the super 14 competition has finished for 2008, with the Canterbury Crusaders (New Zealand) playing against the New south wales Waratahs (Australia). Congratulations to the Crusaders who won by 20 points to 12 to claim their seventh Super rugby title and given Robbie Deans ( Who has coached the side to five super titles) a fitting farewell as he moves to Australia to coach the Australian national side on a four year contract. The Crusaders dominated possession and territory, but the Waratahs were aggressive but dogged in defense in front of a full-house of 26 000 at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. It was a remarkable seventh title for the Crusaders in their ninth final appearance.

Two tries to electric winger Lachlan Turner gave the Waratahs a 12-3 lead after 30 minutes but they were not to score again as the grinding dominance of the Crusaders forward pack eventually reaped its reward. This sentiment was never better epitomised than in the 17th minute when after a long period of exerted pressure Casey Laulala ignored a massive overlap and cut inside and bombed a certain try.

The game's most controversial moment came in the 56th minute when Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett scored from a sweeping move but play was called back on a report from South African touch judge Cobus Wessels, who reported Thorn for throwing a punching back on the halfway line.

I cant wait until the 2009 super 14 season starts, Its the best rugby tournament in the world with the best players from southern hemisphere.

Image Source: Crusaders Official Website
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Choices of monitors. Whats best for you..

What to look for when buying a monitor.

Size is an obvious and simple start. With monitors size is measured diagonally and in inches, and ‘the bigger the better' is probably a good rule to go by.

LCDs are bigger than CRTs with the same measurement as CRTs have larger frames that obscure some of the screen. A 21-inch CRT will show about the same area of screen as a 19-inch LCD.

Larger monitors are easier on your eyes, just like larger text in a book is - and they also support higher resolutions. Resolution is the number of pixels displayed on the screen (a pixel is a single point in an image). Make sure the resolution you go for suits the screen size - it's no good going for high resolution on a screen that's too small as the pixels have to be crammed in to fit - making for difficult reading.

LCD monitors have a set number of pixels - called "native resolution". As a general rule, it's best to go with the native resolution you're comfortable with. If you run a LCD at any resolution other than its native resolution, the display can become fuzzy or blurred. The resolution you see is also dependent the capability of your graphics card or video card - the part of your computer hardware that generates and outputs images to your screen.

If you buy a brand new monitor with the latest features but have a PC that's been around for while, your graphics card may need to be upgraded to get the best picture possible. Graphics cards also come as separate devices that can be plugged into your computer.

If you're going to watch movies and particularly if you're into games, make sure you buy a monitor that has a low response time. The response time is how quickly a pixel can change colours, measured in milliseconds. If you are a gamer, go for a monitor with a response rate of less than 5ms.

Contrast ratio is the difference in light intensity between the whitest white and the blackest black, for best effect go for the highest you can, but get at least 700:1. Film buffs and gamers should aim higher.
Whatever contrast ratio you settle on, your monitor should look equally bright when viewing light and dark images.

In monitor-speak brightness or luminance refers to how much light a screen can produce. It's usually measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). It makes sense to get as bright a monitor as you can, because you can always turn it down but make sure it's at least 300cd/m2. 500 cd/m2 is better for TV and movies.

Viewing angles (mentioned above) are important too. The brightness and colour of LCD pixels can darken if viewed from an angle rather than front-on. Again manufacturers' specifications may not be completely accurate, so always inspect it on the shop floor if you can before you make any decisions. Colours and brightness should not change in the corners of the screen.

Some monitors come with extra features. Multifunction monitors perform as both a computer and TV screen. These can either be LCD monitors with built in TV tuners or Plasma TVs or screens that function as monitors. Some monitors have digital connections which can be hooked up with a graphics card with a digital video interface to give you a better picture. Also some are equipped with USB ports and speakers, but unless you're short on space, don't worry about it these too much.
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Scott Dixon wins the Indianapolis 500

As a New Zealander with a interest in motor racing, I thought i better post about the recent Kiwi race driver Scott Dixon and his win in the Indianapolis 500.

Dixon won yesterdays Indianapolis 500, after qualifying on pole position, (His qualifying speed was a massive 364.3km/h or 226.336mph) and became the first New Zealander to ever win it. In America, winning the Indianapolis 500 is ten times bigger than winning the Formula One world championship.

Dixon will pocket US$2.5 million after his potentially career-defining result. The total prize purse for the premier American sporting event is over US$13 million and will be split between the 33 drivers - only 21 of whom actually completed the race.

Dixon started the 500-mile (804km) event from pole position, and led 115 of the 200 laps to take home the iconic trophy. The 27-year-old recently said that a win at the Indy500 would mean more to him than winning the Indy Car championship again. As the race neared its end, the Team Chip Gnassi Racing driver had built a solid lead over Vitor Meira (who had put a stunning pass on Dixon on lap 159) in second place after retaking the lead from the Brazilian after a pit stop. With just four laps remaining, Vitor Meira had another run on Dixon, but as lap traffic came into play, the flying Kiwi proved untouchable, crossing the line 1.74 seconds in front with an average speed of 231km/h (143.567mph).

Dixon's best finish at the Brickyard was last year when he came second behind Brit Dario Franchitti, who also won the series.

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HD move over, Its time for 3D

Hi-def days are numbered as 3D TV takes shape

Philips expects full 3D televisions to be available to consumers within the next 3 years.

Philips Electronics have given reporters a quick look into its research pipeline, demonstrating a prototype that was still fuzzy around the edges. Operating like a holographic greeting card, it combines slightly different angles of the same image to create video that appears to have different depths as your eyes scan it.

The result is uneven, at some moments blurry, and at others merely two dimensional. But sometimes the apparent depth or protrusion can be startling.

Specialized models have been sold to corporations - mostly movie theaters and casinos - where they are usually used for advertising signs since 2006. But Philips said the product is not yet ready for consumer rollout.

Philips' 3D television is one of several products shown to reporters, ranging from space-age lighting for shop windows to energy efficient water purifiers intended for the developing world.

The company has sold more than 2 million televisions with "ambient" back lighting to heighten mood effects. The company's vice president for research, Fred Boekhorst, said that Philips plans similar features that would involve "other senses." Such as smell-o-vision? A TV that reaches out and punches you in the nose? Boekhorst wouldn't say, other than that it would "involve emotions."

Philips showed off lighting products in early stages of development, including one using light-emitting diodes that is transparent like ordinary glass until it is turned on - and then its entire surface turns into a light.

For emerging markets, Philips has developed a water purification system based on ultraviolet light, which fries away organic material such as bacteria.

Other companies also are using ultraviolet light for water purification. Philips claims its next generation will be capable of cleaning 6 liters of water per minute, using 30 watts of electricity.

Philips already has introduced a household model in India, but the technology could also be used for bottle-sized versions for individuals, and in larger installations for cities.

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Extreme engineered VW

I came across this VW recently and was completely amazed, Ive seen Trucks and Dragsters with Jet engines but this is just a little different, It has a production gasoline engine in the front driving the front wheels and a jet engine in the back. So having a gasoline engine in the front would make it street legal.

The engine is a General Electric Model T58-8F which is a helicopter turboshaft engine that was converted to a jet by some internal modifications and a custom tailpipe. The engine spins up to 26,000 RPM (idle is 13,000 RPM), It draws air at 11,000 CFM, and is rated at 1350 hp. It weighs only 300 lbm. The mounts in the front are rubber and the back are sliding mounts on rubber.

There are three gauges for the jet. RPM, Oil Pressure, and Turbine Inlet Temperature. The most important is turbine inlet temperature. If you exceed about 650 degrees C (1200 degrees Fahrenheit) for a long, you will damage the engine. The throttle for the jet engine is located next to the gear selector. It is a lever and has three buttons: Cool, Big-Fire, and Afterburner. "Cool" leans out the engine and is used to lower the turbine inlet temperature if you get a hot-start. To light big-fire or the afterburner, you hold a button down and 1/2 second later, press the hot-streak button on the floor.

Air for the jet enters the car through the two side windows and the sunroof. It must be a little windy inside but imagine the air getting sucked in the intake, (Thats one way of getting rid of a bad smells in the car) but due to the heat produced, Starts are limited to three per hour.

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Diamonds for the Monaco GP

Lewis Hamilton has been crowned F1's 'King of Bling', showing off his new diamond-studded helmet that he will be wearing in Monaco. In the build up to the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Steinmetz, creators of the world’s finest diamonds, are proud to announce the continuation of their long-running partnership. Lewis was presented with his helmet at the McLaren Technology Center earlier this week whilst Heikki will receive his on Wednesday in Monaco.

The helmets, each with the drivers' signature traced out with hundreds of gems, are the creation of diamond company and McLaren sponsor Steinmetz. The drivers will also receive diamond rings, in Hamilton's case for the second year in a row after he was given one worth $US10,000.

This is the first year that the Steinmetz logo - or any other sponsor’s logo in Formula 1 history, has been added into the design in diamonds. In celebrating Steinmetz’s unprecedented attributes of master craftsmanship and integrity, the Steinmetz logo has been paved using Forevermark diamonds. Forevermark diamonds are the world’s most preciously selected diamonds.

This weekend is the Famous Monaco GP which has been won by Ferrari for the past four consecutive years, Hopefully for McLaren and Lewis Hamilton it will be a different result this year, Even though McLaren have been a little of the pace of Ferrari. I personally cant wait for the race, Its one of the most entertaining races of the season.

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Jet powered man

Yves Rossy is a 47 year old ex-military pilot who calls himself the 'Fusionman' He is a Swiss adventurer with a taste for the airborne bizarre, He recently tested his new jet-powered carbon fiber wing and flew at a height of 2500 meters above the town of Bex in western Switzerland. This is the second version of Fusionman's wing, after losing control of the first during a jump in 2005.

He performed various aerobatic manoeuvres steering with his body, Rossy dived, turned and soared again, performing what appeared to be effortless loops from one side of the Rhone valley to the other. At times he rose 2,600 feet before descending again. And then deploying a parachute and landing safely.

His 2.5 meter 'wing' - perhaps the ultimate big boys toy - is fitted with four jet engines, So he must wear heat-resistant suits similar to ones worn by racing drivers and firefighters. The jet engines are ignited before he jumps from a plane. Once in full flight, Rossy can hit speeds of up to 300km/h, but can only stay in the air for 10 minutes before the fuel capacity of the small jets runs out.

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Two Meanings.

I received this e-mail today that i thought i would share, I'm sure All Men and Women with a sense of humor will appreciate it.

1. THINGY
Female...... Any part under a car's hood.
Male..... The strap fastener on a woman's bra.

2. VULNERABLE
Female.... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another.
Male.... Playing cricket without a box.

3. COMMUNICATION
Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner.
Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys.

4. COMMITMENT
Female.... A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male...... Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one.

5. ENTERTAINMENT
Female.. A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male...... Anything that can be done while drinking beer.

6. FLATULENCE
Female.... An embarrassing by product of indigestion.
Male...... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.

7. MAKING LOVE
Female...... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male.. Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.

8. REMOTE CONTROL
Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.


AND.....


He said . . . I don't know why you wear a bra; you've got nothing to put in it.
She said . . . You wear pants don't you?

He said . . ..... Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
She said . That's a good idea - you stand by the ironing board while I sit on the sofa and fart!

He said . ... What have you been doing with all the grocery money I gave you?
She said . .....Turn sideways and look in the mirror!

He said . . How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet paper?
She said . . We don't know; it has never happened.

He said . . Why is it difficult to find men who are sensitive, caring and Good- looking?
She said ...... . . They already have boyfriends.


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What ive noticed with some Entrecard users.

Over the past month or so ive paid a lot more attention to what goes on in Entrecard, Here are just a few of my thoughts about it. Obviously some people will agree with me and many will disagree.

About a month ago Entrecard changed its pricing structure, I think many of us were against this change (including me) but after giving it some thought, I thought why not see how it goes, After all the new pricing had settled it became clear that the new structure was perfect, So why are people still complaining about it in the forums? Why are there still so many new suggestions about what it should be and how it should be run? Get over it, Its not going to change so deal with it. Its far better than what we had before.

Ive also noticed that there seem to be many more people declining advert requests and stating (Not Relevant) Whats all that about? I can almost guarantee that the top 2000 blogs on entrecard (if not more) will accept all ads, Not because of the EC received (because that is very little) but because the top sites want to give everybody more exposure. So give everyone a break. There is one category in particular that seem to only accept from the same category. (First person to leave a comment and guess that category correct will receive 250ec). There also seems to be more and more declining with the reason being (You didn't drop on my site first) Come on people - get real, An excuse like that is just pathetic, It costs you alot more in the long run.

The last thing that i have to say at the moment is (Stop the discrimination) We are all here for the same reasons. There is no need for a category by country, I read a suggestion in the forum the other day stating this.

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History of McLaren

McLaren are one of the biggest and most established names in F1.

The team has been around since 1963 when a New Zealander by the name of Bruce McLaren setup the McLaren team and were called Bruce McLaren Ltd. In 1968 Bruce McLaren won the team it's first race in Belgium, they also finished 2nd in the constructors championship that year.

1970 brought the unfortunate death of Bruce whilst testing a Can-Am car at the Goodwood circuit. This devastated the team, but they pulled it together and did well in most of the formula's they were competing in that year, including F1.

The team won their first constructors and drivers championship in 1974 with Emerson Fittipaldi driving.

In 1981 the McLaren team and Project 4 (Ron Dennis' personal F2 team) teams merged to create the current McLaren team (this is also where the MP4-XX chassis numbering originates from). The then revolutionary (the first carbon fiber composite chassis) John Barnard designed MP4/1 (and it's succesors) and the Porsche Turbo charged engine dominated the early part of the 1980's winning the 1984 Niki Lauda took the drivers and constructors championships and then in 1985 Alain Prost won both the titles with the McLaren team, he also won the Drivers championship in 1986, although the team lost the grip it had on the constructors crown to the Williams team.

In 1988 McLaren managed to get Honda to move their engine supply from Williams to them, this lead to a very dominant season where the team lead all but 27 lap's and won 15 of the 16 races. Ayrton Senna took the Drivers and Constructors championship for the team. 1989 was the year the Honda switched from being turbo charged to 3.5ltr normally aspirated. The team took both titles again, with Prost just pipping Senna to the Drivers crown in Japan after an accident involving both cars ended the Senna charge.

Prost left the Woking team to join Ferrari in 1990, but Senna had his revenge wining both the 1990 and 1991 championships for the team.

Honda left F1 in 1992 after the dominance shown by the Renault Williams team. This left McLaren without an engine and they moved to the Ford Cosworth engine. The engine seemed usable enough in the hands of Senna but Michael Andretti struggled with the move from Indy to F1, being replaced toward the end of the season with Mika Häkkinen replacing him.

1984 saw the end of Senna at McLaren as he moved over to the Williams team. The new face at the McLaren team was Martin Brundle who joined Mika Häkkinen in the then Peugot powered cars. The Peugot power plant proved both under powered and un reliable, so the following year a switch was made to the Mercedes Benz engine. The MP4-10 however radical it may have been in design, proved to be slow on the track, and for Nigel Mansell it was a tight squeeze to fit in (he retired from F1 after 2 races in the car). In fact the only memorable thing to happen to the team at this time was the change from Marlboro sponsorship to West, bringing in the 'Silver Arrows' design that the Mercedes engine supplier was more than happy with.

The 1997 and 1998 seasons were far better for the team. Not maybe in race or title wins, but clear progress was being made by the team in all fronts. The Ilmore team (the people behind the Mercedes engine) where getting to grips with the demands of F1, showing there ability to use very clever composite material's (e.g. Beryllium, which has since been banned from F1 due to expense) and unique ways of overcoming legislation being placed on the engine design. McLaren also signed the talented Adrian Newey to try catch up in the aero design wars.

In 1998 it all seemed to come together for the team, Renault withdrew from engine supply leaving the Mercedes-Ilmore engine to be one of the most powerful on the grid, and the aero package seemed to work a treat. This coupled with some genuinely talented drivers in the form of Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard (who's development skills proved exemplary) allowed the team to win 9 of the GP's that year, and Mika Häkkinen won the Drivers championship with a 100 point tally and the team won the Constructors championship as well. Mika Häkkinen also won the 1999 drivers championship, but the team was overhauled by 2 very impressive Ferrari cars to the Constructors championship.

The 2000's are a little worse for the team, as the Ferrari dominance affected not only the McLaren team, but all the teams on the grid. There are however some good point's. The MP4-18 was a radical Newey designed car that never raced due to reliability issues. Most of the car got used however in the MP4-19 of the following year (2004), but although the car shone in some cases, proved almost impossible to setup, and my mid 2004 the MP4-19B was introduced. Although the MP4-19B was a development of the MP4-19, it bore almost no resemblance to the previous car, it did however prove more reliable and certainly had glimpses of speed.

New for the 2005 season was Columbian Juan Pablo Montoya, who had shown his Senna'esq driving ability in Cart the previous year winning his rookie season. He joined the team with Kimi Räikkönen and they both proved fast in the new MP4-20. The car was undoubtedly faster than the winning Renault but reliability proved to be the struggling point for the team.

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Back to the day to day.................

I'm back from my week away, It can be hard making time for a blog aswell as work, The hardest part about being away working is being away from the wife and kids. Ive tried to carry on with my drops etc as i usually have in the past but it was a little difficult at times. Its not always possible to log into someone else's wireless network.

I think i managed quite well with the connections i could get though, Sorry to those that i may have missed dropping on, And i hope that the people who have spent alot of EC advertising on my site have received a decent amount of traffic from there ad.

Hopefully tomorrow i will be back to posting every couple of days again...

My last post before i went away has received a lot of comments and it seems to be that the majority of bloggers blog for the enjoyment aswell as meeting new people, and the only money from there time and effort is through advertising. Good luck to you all.

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