The next big thing in saving money (and the planet) whilst giving you more control is Phone apps.
The NEW innovative technology links a home’s wet system or electric radiators to an app that can be used on a smart phone or tablet giving customers the ability to control which rooms to heat at certain times of the day.
Some of the biggies in the Supply industry such as British gas are offering systems as are some of the control systems companies such as Honeywell and Danfoss.
These ground-breaking system can save you money on your power bills.
We all know that people have different lifestyles and don’t necessarily work nine to five. we know we certainly don't here.
With these new systems you can set up your heating how you like. If you are going to be late in from work you can set your heating to come on later.
You could even programme your radiators from a tablet anywhere in the world - Flight delayed, problem solved.
Saturday, 31 May 2014
Friday, 30 May 2014
Friday marsupial Fact
Some species of marsupials mate with such vigour and intensity that it kills them.
Thursday, 29 May 2014
Mobile offers brighter future for Africa's rural homes
This is very good from the BBC - 3rd World Solar
Check it out!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27516418
Check it out!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27516418
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Business excellence forum winner 2014 Environmentally Friendly
we thought you might like to see the Photos from the Awards - Most Environmentally Friendly Business
Hackers are the bad guys! Right?
There is a tinge of irony that the best guys a IT intelligence are in fact the hackers.
The former "leader" of hacking group LulzSec has helped the FBI stop more than 300 cyber attacks since his arrest on hacking charges in 2011.
The co-operation of Hector Xavier Monsegur has helped to prevent losses of millions of dollars, according to court documents filed by prosecutors.
Mr Monsegur will be sentenced on Tuesday for his role in major online hacking attacks.
Prosecutors have recommended that he receives a reduced sentence.
LulzSec was formed in approximately May 2011 when Mr Monsegur - also known as Sabu - and five other members of the Anonymous hacking movement joined forces.
According to the documents filed with the court the group was responsible for "major hacks" into and "thefts" from computer servers belonging to companies including Fox Television, Nintendo and Sony.
Mr Monsegur was arrested in June 2011 and pleaded guilty, as part of a co-operation agreement with the US government, to nine counts related to computer hacking, amongst others.
Because of Hackers the FBI say they were able to identify, prosecute and convict the "number one cybercriminal target in the world"
He also helped prevent major hacking attacks that were being planned by active cybercriminals.
this dark world needs the inside track, and a billion other agents cant match a man with the right contacts. so in the end, it all comes down to people.
Most big systems don't even know their about vulnerabilities. The most important systems are NOT military intelligence, its the Power and Water. Those going down would do a lot more damage.
The former "leader" of hacking group LulzSec has helped the FBI stop more than 300 cyber attacks since his arrest on hacking charges in 2011.
The co-operation of Hector Xavier Monsegur has helped to prevent losses of millions of dollars, according to court documents filed by prosecutors.
Mr Monsegur will be sentenced on Tuesday for his role in major online hacking attacks.
Prosecutors have recommended that he receives a reduced sentence.
LulzSec was formed in approximately May 2011 when Mr Monsegur - also known as Sabu - and five other members of the Anonymous hacking movement joined forces.
According to the documents filed with the court the group was responsible for "major hacks" into and "thefts" from computer servers belonging to companies including Fox Television, Nintendo and Sony.
Mr Monsegur was arrested in June 2011 and pleaded guilty, as part of a co-operation agreement with the US government, to nine counts related to computer hacking, amongst others.
Because of Hackers the FBI say they were able to identify, prosecute and convict the "number one cybercriminal target in the world"
He also helped prevent major hacking attacks that were being planned by active cybercriminals.
this dark world needs the inside track, and a billion other agents cant match a man with the right contacts. so in the end, it all comes down to people.
Most big systems don't even know their about vulnerabilities. The most important systems are NOT military intelligence, its the Power and Water. Those going down would do a lot more damage.
Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Electric car turf war
A long time ago, before Michael Jackson was dead, in the song Black Or White Lyrics he sung. ... It's A Turf War On A Global Scale I'd Rather Hear Both Sides Of The Tale See, It's Not About Races Just Places Faces
well apparently its now not about Black Or White its about EV's clogging up the Bus lanes in Oslo
Commuters using public transport in the Norwegian capital Oslo are quickly losing patience with electric car drivers, undermining the city’s reputation as utopia for the EV.
Generous incentives for electric car buyers have seen a boom in sales of the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model S in Norway, with more than 10% of new cars sold now powered by electrons instead of hydrocarbons. Almost incredibly, at one point last year the Tesla outsold any other car, while the LEAF regularly out-sells the Volkswagen Golf. Sales of the BMW i3, Peugeot iOn, and Volkswagen e-up! are also strong.
The Busses face a daily battle to keep stick to his timetable, often failing = Missed timetable targets
Well I never...
well apparently its now not about Black Or White its about EV's clogging up the Bus lanes in Oslo
Commuters using public transport in the Norwegian capital Oslo are quickly losing patience with electric car drivers, undermining the city’s reputation as utopia for the EV.
Generous incentives for electric car buyers have seen a boom in sales of the Nissan LEAF and Tesla Model S in Norway, with more than 10% of new cars sold now powered by electrons instead of hydrocarbons. Almost incredibly, at one point last year the Tesla outsold any other car, while the LEAF regularly out-sells the Volkswagen Golf. Sales of the BMW i3, Peugeot iOn, and Volkswagen e-up! are also strong.
Reasons for buying an electric car range from enormous financial incentives to free parking, but the most highly valued perk is access to Oslo’s bus lanes. The city is heavily congested, particularly during rush hour when the bus lanes become something of a saviour for stressed Norwegians.
With the majority of the country’s 25,000+ electric vehicles taking advantage of this incentive, however, the bus lanes themselves are beginning to suffer from congestion, infuriating bus drivers and people commuting using public transport.The Busses face a daily battle to keep stick to his timetable, often failing = Missed timetable targets
Well I never...
Top Gear’s James May: I’m Buying A BMW i3 Electric Car
Jeremy Clarkson fell off his soap box....
James May has come out of the closet. NO, NOT THAT way, he’s buying a BMW i3 REx electric car.Talking on BBC Radio 4′s You & Yours Bank Holiday Monday special our foppy hairs slightly greying petrol head not only admitted that he ‘quite likes’ electric cars — but that he’s going to buy one
Dun Dun Dahhhh!
May admitted that electric cars are no-longer seen as the “anti-car” by people, and that modern electric car battery technology has made electric cars practical for the first time.
“In terms of technology, the electric car works perfectly well,” May said. “The problem is still electricity, the difficulty in charging, the difficulty in storing it.”
“You do still have to think ahead,”
Despite having a range extended BMW i3 electric car however, May says the BMW i3 isn’t going to be his only car — and when he goes long-distance away from his London home, he’ll use another car instead. I suppose it will be a Ferrari..
Hidden consequences of the Bedroom Tax
As you all know, we work very closely with Aragon Housing and their umbrella organisation Grand Union.
Far from making social housing allocation more efficient, in some areas the bedroom tax means tenants who can afford it are being offered houses with more rooms than they need
The role of the bedroom tax, as the work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan keeps on banging on about is to allocate social housing more efficiently, freeing up "under-occupied" larger social homes so that needy families living in overcrowded housing can move into them.
Grand Union Housing group, operates in an 'under occupied' area and has just published a report
It finds that in the absence of an overcrowding problem to solve, one possibly unintended consequence of the bedroom tax is that social tenants who can afford it are being offered houses with more rooms than they need.
This has turned the whole social agenda on its head and made it a rather perverse capitalist endeavour. Local demand for larger social homes from families in need in Grand Union's area has plummeted over the past year.
Thousands of people on the housing register are now excluded from bidding for social housing, even if they might plausibly qualify as being in need.
In addition to this households who genuinely need more living space are wary of bidding for a larger property that may make them subject to the bedroom tax in the future.
As a result, a growing number of larger Grand Union properties are becoming "void" after tenants move out. To fill this growing number of otherwise empty properties, three bedroom houses are now let to households which are not necessarily in priority social need, but crucially, do not require housing benefit support.
So, the net effect of tackling under-occupation through the bedroom tax, concludes Grand Union, is that:
The properties are... still being under-occupied, but by different people
Perhaps Duncan Smith could should consider this in his next review.
Far from making social housing allocation more efficient, in some areas the bedroom tax means tenants who can afford it are being offered houses with more rooms than they need
The role of the bedroom tax, as the work and pensions secretary Iain Duncan keeps on banging on about is to allocate social housing more efficiently, freeing up "under-occupied" larger social homes so that needy families living in overcrowded housing can move into them.
Grand Union Housing group, operates in an 'under occupied' area and has just published a report
It finds that in the absence of an overcrowding problem to solve, one possibly unintended consequence of the bedroom tax is that social tenants who can afford it are being offered houses with more rooms than they need.
This has turned the whole social agenda on its head and made it a rather perverse capitalist endeavour. Local demand for larger social homes from families in need in Grand Union's area has plummeted over the past year.
Thousands of people on the housing register are now excluded from bidding for social housing, even if they might plausibly qualify as being in need.
In addition to this households who genuinely need more living space are wary of bidding for a larger property that may make them subject to the bedroom tax in the future.
As a result, a growing number of larger Grand Union properties are becoming "void" after tenants move out. To fill this growing number of otherwise empty properties, three bedroom houses are now let to households which are not necessarily in priority social need, but crucially, do not require housing benefit support.
So, the net effect of tackling under-occupation through the bedroom tax, concludes Grand Union, is that:
The properties are... still being under-occupied, but by different people
Perhaps Duncan Smith could should consider this in his next review.
Monday, 26 May 2014
We think Cider would be a Best Seller
I was most intrigued to see an article on an emulator software for smart phones to allows apple iOS apps to crossover to android devices.
I can see Apple ever allowing this to happen because they are rapidly loosing the battle with android with 80% of all new phones now running on android.
The software, called Cider, has been created by postgraduate researchers at Columbia Uni.
Cider lets Android gadget owners mix and match the Android and iOS apps they load on their phone or tablet.
The research team said Cider was only a prototype and that they had no plans to turn it into a commercial product.
The team of researchers said they embarked on the project to create Cider to get around the limitations that smartphone and tablet users are forced to accept.
For instance, they said in an academic paper about Cider that Android users cannot get at apps that call on media in Apple iTunes and iOS gadget owners struggle to use Flash-based content.
Cider would let people use just one gadget to access both, said the researchers.
Getting an application written for one operating system to run on another often involves a technique known as virtualisation.
To avoid the performance problems that virtualisation can introduce, the Columbia researchers adopted a different approach that involves the core or kernel of the Android operating system.
This approach works on the stream of instructions passing through an Android device and alters only those relating to the iOS apps. An additional software helper provides some of the specialised data those apps require to work properly.
A demo video produced by the researchers shows both iOS and Android apps running on a Nexus 7 tablet, though some commentators pointed out that the Apple apps run relatively slowly on the device.
Some Apple apps that use the phone's camera, GPS system or Bluetooth perform poorly and the researchers are continuing their work on Cider to fix these problems.
Apples blue tooth has always been a bit ropey and not half as adaptable as my android experience so it probably an apple issue...
I think the key here is the phrase "users are forced to accept". both sides of the iOS android tell us its all about the customer experience but it really all about protecting market share and the customer comes second.
I can see Apple ever allowing this to happen because they are rapidly loosing the battle with android with 80% of all new phones now running on android.
The software, called Cider, has been created by postgraduate researchers at Columbia Uni.
Cider lets Android gadget owners mix and match the Android and iOS apps they load on their phone or tablet.
The research team said Cider was only a prototype and that they had no plans to turn it into a commercial product.
The team of researchers said they embarked on the project to create Cider to get around the limitations that smartphone and tablet users are forced to accept.
For instance, they said in an academic paper about Cider that Android users cannot get at apps that call on media in Apple iTunes and iOS gadget owners struggle to use Flash-based content.
Cider would let people use just one gadget to access both, said the researchers.
Getting an application written for one operating system to run on another often involves a technique known as virtualisation.
To avoid the performance problems that virtualisation can introduce, the Columbia researchers adopted a different approach that involves the core or kernel of the Android operating system.
This approach works on the stream of instructions passing through an Android device and alters only those relating to the iOS apps. An additional software helper provides some of the specialised data those apps require to work properly.
A demo video produced by the researchers shows both iOS and Android apps running on a Nexus 7 tablet, though some commentators pointed out that the Apple apps run relatively slowly on the device.
Some Apple apps that use the phone's camera, GPS system or Bluetooth perform poorly and the researchers are continuing their work on Cider to fix these problems.
Apples blue tooth has always been a bit ropey and not half as adaptable as my android experience so it probably an apple issue...
I think the key here is the phrase "users are forced to accept". both sides of the iOS android tell us its all about the customer experience but it really all about protecting market share and the customer comes second.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
Can you Trust Your Phone Charger?
The charger you use for your phone, tablet etc. Is it Genuine
Just how safe is your phone charger?
Chargers are NOW being blamed for a growing number of house fires, how cheap devices bought online could place your family at risk
your lucky of your 'cheapo' charger just bangs and pops out a puff of black smoke. it could be a lot worse.
Some are so dangerous that the can charger actually split in two and leave carbon track on the socket where it used to be.
The number of times we read reports that's say ‘the most probable cause’ of the fatal fire was an ‘electrical fault involving a faulty charging device’.
next time you are at the market, don't buy a a cheap, unauthorised, ‘unbranded’ charger, just get your fruit and veg. it s a lot less likely to kill you.
If its too good to be true, it probably is.
A charger for an iPhone cost £15 from the Apple store, add in a USB cable and you’re looking at another £15 (which to be honest is a RIP OFF as they only carry LV). Generic USB mains chargers can be purchased for between £15-£17
So do you think you can trust an online purchase at £3 - £4. The evidence has to suggest no!
We would say it is naïve to think you are getting something of the same quality. especially as the phone market is very competitive.
The Fake good market is MASSIVE, the value of such goods seized by councils and the Border Force rose from just over £2.6 million in 2009 to more than £15.7 million in 2012. The most-seized items were chargers.
Just how safe is your phone charger?
Chargers are NOW being blamed for a growing number of house fires, how cheap devices bought online could place your family at risk
Many cheap devices fail to meet requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations Act 1994. Unsafe devices are often made in China for as little as 3p
- 1.8 million mobile phone chargers are bought online in UK each year
your lucky of your 'cheapo' charger just bangs and pops out a puff of black smoke. it could be a lot worse.
Some are so dangerous that the can charger actually split in two and leave carbon track on the socket where it used to be.
The number of times we read reports that's say ‘the most probable cause’ of the fatal fire was an ‘electrical fault involving a faulty charging device’.
next time you are at the market, don't buy a a cheap, unauthorised, ‘unbranded’ charger, just get your fruit and veg. it s a lot less likely to kill you.
If its too good to be true, it probably is.
A charger for an iPhone cost £15 from the Apple store, add in a USB cable and you’re looking at another £15 (which to be honest is a RIP OFF as they only carry LV). Generic USB mains chargers can be purchased for between £15-£17
So do you think you can trust an online purchase at £3 - £4. The evidence has to suggest no!
We would say it is naïve to think you are getting something of the same quality. especially as the phone market is very competitive.
The Fake good market is MASSIVE, the value of such goods seized by councils and the Border Force rose from just over £2.6 million in 2009 to more than £15.7 million in 2012. The most-seized items were chargers.
67,000 potentially dangerous mobile chargers were uncovered in a single raid by Trading Standards officers in Ealing, West London, last year.
Sorry to upset you on a Sunday, but look on the bright side its a Bank Holiday tomorrow and you might just live to see it.
Search the web for 'Ma Ailun' - killed when it made the USB to her phone live. Consequently she was electrocuted at home in China when she answered her iPhone while it was charging.
She saved a few Yuans but it cost her life.
Its it worth it?
She saved a few Yuans but it cost her life.
Its it worth it?
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Open up Ampthill Railway station again
We recon that the BRTA have got it right.
With Flitwick overflowing and no significant additional parking available we thing the campaign to reopen Ampthill railway station may be a timely reminder of just how much both Ampthill and Flitwick have expended. with developments adjacent to the railway station at Ampthill heights it is defiantly time to have a rethink.
Local rail links and an open station has fuels growth in Flitwick and like it or not, a lot more development is coming to Ampthill.
Public transport is essential for the ever expanding commuter belt.
Even more weight is added to the argument due to the impending Centre Parcs development and easy access from the new Wixams (Ampthill is easier to get to than Bedford)
If we don't do this, the area will choke - quite literally
From our point of view, this is NOT a romantic notion dreamed up by nostalgia, I don't ever remember the station at Ampthill being open. But right now, I cant think why it is closed.
What do you think?
Have a great Spring Bank Holiday Weekend, and if you feel like being pro active why not search out the BRTA and add your support.
With Flitwick overflowing and no significant additional parking available we thing the campaign to reopen Ampthill railway station may be a timely reminder of just how much both Ampthill and Flitwick have expended. with developments adjacent to the railway station at Ampthill heights it is defiantly time to have a rethink.
Local rail links and an open station has fuels growth in Flitwick and like it or not, a lot more development is coming to Ampthill.
Public transport is essential for the ever expanding commuter belt.
Even more weight is added to the argument due to the impending Centre Parcs development and easy access from the new Wixams (Ampthill is easier to get to than Bedford)
If we don't do this, the area will choke - quite literally
From our point of view, this is NOT a romantic notion dreamed up by nostalgia, I don't ever remember the station at Ampthill being open. But right now, I cant think why it is closed.
What do you think?
Have a great Spring Bank Holiday Weekend, and if you feel like being pro active why not search out the BRTA and add your support.
Friday, 23 May 2014
Thursday, 22 May 2014
Global Sustainability Institute says we will be out of fuel in 5 years
In just over five years Britain will have run out of oil, coal and gas, researchers have warned.
A report said shortages would increase dependency on Norway, Qatar and Russia.
There should be a "Europe-wide drive" towards wind, tidal, solar and other sources of renewable power, the institute's Prof Victor Anderson said.
The government says complete energy independence is unnecessary, says BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin.
The report says Russia has more than 50 years of oil, more than 100 years of gas and more than 500 years of coal left, on current consumption.
By contrast, Britain has just 5.2 years of oil, 4.5 years of coal and three years of its own gas remaining.
This will affect the Scottish independence vote too as I am sure they are relying on this income.
France fares even worse, according to the report, with less than year to go before it runs out of all three fossil fuels.
Dr Aled Jones, director of the institute, which is based at Anglia Ruskin University, said "heavily indebted" countries were becoming increasingly vulnerable to rising energy prices.
"The EU is becoming ever more reliant on our resource-rich neighbours such as Russia and Norway, and this trend will only continue unless decisive action is taken," he added.
The report painted a varied picture across Europe, with Bulgaria having 34 years of coal left.
Germany, it was claimed, has 250 years of coal remaining but less than a year of oil.
Professor Anderson said: "Coal, oil and gas resources in Europe are running down and we need alternatives.
"The UK urgently needs to be part of a Europe-wide drive to expand renewable energy sources such as wave, wind, tidal, and solar power."
The government recently announced it was cutting subsidies for large-scale solar energy and the Conservatives have said there will be no funding for new onshore wind farms if they win the next election.
Ministers are hoping that enough shale gas - extracted by fracking - will be obtained to make a difference, the BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin says.
They are also offering incentives for more oil research in the North Sea - and trying to persuade the USA to export more gas, he added.
The Global Sustainability Institute's research covers environmental, societal and economic challenges facing the world.
At this point EV (electric vehicles) would start to sound quite good, if the electricity wasn't generated by fossil fuels.
A report said shortages would increase dependency on Norway, Qatar and Russia.
There should be a "Europe-wide drive" towards wind, tidal, solar and other sources of renewable power, the institute's Prof Victor Anderson said.
The government says complete energy independence is unnecessary, says BBC environment analyst Roger Harrabin.
The report says Russia has more than 50 years of oil, more than 100 years of gas and more than 500 years of coal left, on current consumption.
By contrast, Britain has just 5.2 years of oil, 4.5 years of coal and three years of its own gas remaining.
This will affect the Scottish independence vote too as I am sure they are relying on this income.
France fares even worse, according to the report, with less than year to go before it runs out of all three fossil fuels.
Dr Aled Jones, director of the institute, which is based at Anglia Ruskin University, said "heavily indebted" countries were becoming increasingly vulnerable to rising energy prices.
"The EU is becoming ever more reliant on our resource-rich neighbours such as Russia and Norway, and this trend will only continue unless decisive action is taken," he added.
The report painted a varied picture across Europe, with Bulgaria having 34 years of coal left.
Germany, it was claimed, has 250 years of coal remaining but less than a year of oil.
Professor Anderson said: "Coal, oil and gas resources in Europe are running down and we need alternatives.
"The UK urgently needs to be part of a Europe-wide drive to expand renewable energy sources such as wave, wind, tidal, and solar power."
The government recently announced it was cutting subsidies for large-scale solar energy and the Conservatives have said there will be no funding for new onshore wind farms if they win the next election.
Ministers are hoping that enough shale gas - extracted by fracking - will be obtained to make a difference, the BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin says.
They are also offering incentives for more oil research in the North Sea - and trying to persuade the USA to export more gas, he added.
The Global Sustainability Institute's research covers environmental, societal and economic challenges facing the world.
At this point EV (electric vehicles) would start to sound quite good, if the electricity wasn't generated by fossil fuels.
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Electrical devices 'disrupt bird navigation'
The researchers found the navigational skills of European robins were thrown off course by weak radio waves
Electrical devices may disrupt the migration of some birds, a study suggests.
A German team has found that weak electromagnetic fields produced by equipment plugged into mains electricity and AM radio signals interfere with the animals' "internal compass".
They believe the effect is greatest when birds fly over urban areas.
The study is published in the journal Nature.
Prof Henrik Mouritsen, from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, who carried out the research, said: "At first, I was highly sceptical that this could be the explanation.
"But if you have seemingly unlikely effects then the proof needs to be much stronger - and that is why we have done so many experiments over seven years and it has taken a long time before we were confident to come out with this to the public."
It is thought that a built-in magnetic compass, which senses the Earth's magnetic field, helps them to find their way.
Prof Mouritsen told BBC News he stumbled across the fact that low frequency waves could be interfering with this by accident while studying European robins.
"The basic experiment we do in bird navigation research is that we put birds into an orientation cage," he explained.
"They are so eager to migrate, that they will jump in the direction in which they want to fly, and if you turn a static magnetic field in the horizontal plane they will start to jump in a different direction.
"That experiment has worked for more than 40 years in a number of locations.
"But here in Oldenburg, we couldn't get that basic experiment to work until one day we got the idea to screen these huts on the inside with aluminium plates so the electromagnetic noise was reduced about 100 times.
Plug sockets When devices are plugged into the mains they produce a weak electromagnetic field
Over the course of the next seven years, he and his team carried out numerous experiments to look at how the weak electromagnetic field affected the behaviour of the robins.
In essence, he found that birds exposed to electromagnetic "noise" between 50 kHz and 5 MHz lost all sense of direction. But when the field was blocked out, they found their bearings again.
Prof Mouritsen said that migratory birds flying over towns and cities, where there are more homes and businesses that use electrical devices, would be most affected - and they would probably resort to back-up navigational systems.
Scientists do not yet understand how a bird's magnetic compass works, but there is some evidence that they use the quantum phenomenon of electron spin to navigate.
"A very small perturbation of these electron spins would actually prevent the birds from using their magnetic compass," Prof Mouritsen said.
"The energies (of the electromagnetic field) are so low in intensity that any physicists will tell you they can't have an effect on a process based on conventional physics.
"Given this effect is real, we find it very difficult to come up with an explanation that is not quantum based."
Commenting on the research in the journal Nature, Joe Kirschvink from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), said that for some time the field of magnetobiology had been viewed as "a stomping ground for charlatans".
He told the BBC: "The fringe of the fringe of this field is radio field sensitivity."
But he said that this study was "convincing" and "rigorous".
"I would now like to see another independent group replicate this and I would like to see why some other groups have found such dramatically different things," he said.
nicked word for word from - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27313355
Electrical devices may disrupt the migration of some birds, a study suggests.
A German team has found that weak electromagnetic fields produced by equipment plugged into mains electricity and AM radio signals interfere with the animals' "internal compass".
They believe the effect is greatest when birds fly over urban areas.
The study is published in the journal Nature.
Prof Henrik Mouritsen, from the University of Oldenburg in Germany, who carried out the research, said: "At first, I was highly sceptical that this could be the explanation.
"But if you have seemingly unlikely effects then the proof needs to be much stronger - and that is why we have done so many experiments over seven years and it has taken a long time before we were confident to come out with this to the public."
It is thought that a built-in magnetic compass, which senses the Earth's magnetic field, helps them to find their way.
Prof Mouritsen told BBC News he stumbled across the fact that low frequency waves could be interfering with this by accident while studying European robins.
"The basic experiment we do in bird navigation research is that we put birds into an orientation cage," he explained.
"They are so eager to migrate, that they will jump in the direction in which they want to fly, and if you turn a static magnetic field in the horizontal plane they will start to jump in a different direction.
"That experiment has worked for more than 40 years in a number of locations.
"But here in Oldenburg, we couldn't get that basic experiment to work until one day we got the idea to screen these huts on the inside with aluminium plates so the electromagnetic noise was reduced about 100 times.
Plug sockets When devices are plugged into the mains they produce a weak electromagnetic field
Over the course of the next seven years, he and his team carried out numerous experiments to look at how the weak electromagnetic field affected the behaviour of the robins.
In essence, he found that birds exposed to electromagnetic "noise" between 50 kHz and 5 MHz lost all sense of direction. But when the field was blocked out, they found their bearings again.
Prof Mouritsen said that migratory birds flying over towns and cities, where there are more homes and businesses that use electrical devices, would be most affected - and they would probably resort to back-up navigational systems.
Scientists do not yet understand how a bird's magnetic compass works, but there is some evidence that they use the quantum phenomenon of electron spin to navigate.
"A very small perturbation of these electron spins would actually prevent the birds from using their magnetic compass," Prof Mouritsen said.
"The energies (of the electromagnetic field) are so low in intensity that any physicists will tell you they can't have an effect on a process based on conventional physics.
"Given this effect is real, we find it very difficult to come up with an explanation that is not quantum based."
Commenting on the research in the journal Nature, Joe Kirschvink from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), said that for some time the field of magnetobiology had been viewed as "a stomping ground for charlatans".
He told the BBC: "The fringe of the fringe of this field is radio field sensitivity."
But he said that this study was "convincing" and "rigorous".
"I would now like to see another independent group replicate this and I would like to see why some other groups have found such dramatically different things," he said.
nicked word for word from - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27313355
Tuesday, 20 May 2014
Monday, 19 May 2014
How many electric cars heve you seen on the road?
To be honest I have seen 4 in the last 2 years, two Ampera's and 2 Leaf's
Maybe I live in the wrong area because The Telegraph says "Electric cars go mainstream"
I think they must be city cars
Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) have been described as the future of motoring for so long that it can be easy to forget that they are now the present.
Since the Nissan Leaf first appeared in 2010, there has been a stream of new models from manufacturers such as Renault, Vauxhall, Toyota and, most recently, BMW. This variety shows that ULEVs are now part of the mainstream motoring scene.
Manufacturers do not enter an area of the market they regard as a cul-de-sac; they enter areas of the market they are sure will grow and give a return on their investment.
Electric cars have gone from urban runabouts to executive models in 10 years
The most recent entrant, the BMW i3, is a case in point. BMW believes the i3 can be as aspirational as its conventionally-engined vehicles, which means that electric cars have gone from utility urban runabouts to executive models in 10 years.
In early February 2014, BMW said there was a six-month waiting list for the i3 and it was considering expanding production to meet demand. It is also significant that the i3 was the first BMW ever to have its global launch in London – a city BMW considers ideal territory for the car’s minimal emissions.
As for those who still doubt that ULEVs could enter the mainstream, let alone become aspirational, remember the same was once said about diesel engines.
BMW made diesel cars for a decade before it imported the first one to the UK because, in the Eighties, diesels were associated with taxis and vans. Today, diesels account for more than 80 per cent of UK executive car sales compared to almost zero 25 years ago.
Anyone tempted to scoff at ULEVs should consider how quickly things can change in the car market.
read more at - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/festival-of-motoring/go-ultra-low/10820668/ulev-electric-cars.html
But maybe you shouldn't believe the hype just yet. we will see the change when we see the cars on the road outside of fleet street.
I hope you had a great weekend and I would love to hear from an EV user on this. I am ready to be sold...
Maybe I live in the wrong area because The Telegraph says "Electric cars go mainstream"
I think they must be city cars
Ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) have been described as the future of motoring for so long that it can be easy to forget that they are now the present.
Since the Nissan Leaf first appeared in 2010, there has been a stream of new models from manufacturers such as Renault, Vauxhall, Toyota and, most recently, BMW. This variety shows that ULEVs are now part of the mainstream motoring scene.
Manufacturers do not enter an area of the market they regard as a cul-de-sac; they enter areas of the market they are sure will grow and give a return on their investment.
Electric cars have gone from urban runabouts to executive models in 10 years
The most recent entrant, the BMW i3, is a case in point. BMW believes the i3 can be as aspirational as its conventionally-engined vehicles, which means that electric cars have gone from utility urban runabouts to executive models in 10 years.
In early February 2014, BMW said there was a six-month waiting list for the i3 and it was considering expanding production to meet demand. It is also significant that the i3 was the first BMW ever to have its global launch in London – a city BMW considers ideal territory for the car’s minimal emissions.
As for those who still doubt that ULEVs could enter the mainstream, let alone become aspirational, remember the same was once said about diesel engines.
BMW made diesel cars for a decade before it imported the first one to the UK because, in the Eighties, diesels were associated with taxis and vans. Today, diesels account for more than 80 per cent of UK executive car sales compared to almost zero 25 years ago.
Anyone tempted to scoff at ULEVs should consider how quickly things can change in the car market.
read more at - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/festival-of-motoring/go-ultra-low/10820668/ulev-electric-cars.html
But maybe you shouldn't believe the hype just yet. we will see the change when we see the cars on the road outside of fleet street.
I hope you had a great weekend and I would love to hear from an EV user on this. I am ready to be sold...
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Faulty charger likely cause of fire disaster
Don't buy “cheap, unbranded” electrical chargers its just not worth it!
how much is your life worth? £20, because that's the difference between crappy market import and a genuine branded product that will last for years.
After an investigation revealed a blaze in Sheffield that killed five members of the same family was most likely caused by one of the devices developing a fault.
Shabina Begum, 53, died along with her three grandchildren – Adyan Parwaiz Kayani, nine, Amaan Parwaiz Kayani, seven, and their nine-week-old sister Minahil – in the fire a fortnight ago.
Mrs Begum’s daughter, Anum Parwaiz, 20, the children’s aunt, also died in the fire at the family home in Wake Road, in the Nether Edge area of the city.
It is not known what type or brand of charger caused the fire.
Check out how to use the devices in order to help prevent electrical fires.
They include not overloading sockets, adding that long, strip adaptors are safest but that they can only take a total of 13 amperes of electric current.
Don’t buy cheap, unbranded chargers and make sure chargers are compatible to the device you are using. - it really is that simple. we even have a genuine Apple charger go bang in our office, but its mad of the 'right' type of plastics so one pop and it was dead, but NO fire.
Don’t leave things to charge overnight or beyond the recommended charging time. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep electrical items away from flammable materials when charging.
have an escape plan in the event of a blaze and installing a working, and regularly tested, smoke alarm on every level of your home.
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
how much is your life worth? £20, because that's the difference between crappy market import and a genuine branded product that will last for years.
After an investigation revealed a blaze in Sheffield that killed five members of the same family was most likely caused by one of the devices developing a fault.
Shabina Begum, 53, died along with her three grandchildren – Adyan Parwaiz Kayani, nine, Amaan Parwaiz Kayani, seven, and their nine-week-old sister Minahil – in the fire a fortnight ago.
Mrs Begum’s daughter, Anum Parwaiz, 20, the children’s aunt, also died in the fire at the family home in Wake Road, in the Nether Edge area of the city.
It is not known what type or brand of charger caused the fire.
Check out how to use the devices in order to help prevent electrical fires.
They include not overloading sockets, adding that long, strip adaptors are safest but that they can only take a total of 13 amperes of electric current.
Don’t buy cheap, unbranded chargers and make sure chargers are compatible to the device you are using. - it really is that simple. we even have a genuine Apple charger go bang in our office, but its mad of the 'right' type of plastics so one pop and it was dead, but NO fire.
Don’t leave things to charge overnight or beyond the recommended charging time. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep electrical items away from flammable materials when charging.
have an escape plan in the event of a blaze and installing a working, and regularly tested, smoke alarm on every level of your home.
www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk
Saturday, 17 May 2014
The Hidden Dangers Of Hoarding
We love it that there is actually a week dedicated to hoarders...
But on a serious note.
Compulsive hoarding is a debilitating psychological condition that is only just beginning to be recognised and one that can lead to issues regarding the health, wellbeing and fire safety of all occupants of a hoarding property.
being in the realm of social housing, we see it day in, day out. we see some of the worst cases, where it has got so bad they have rodents but there is no way to lift up the floor boards due to the sheet volume of clutter.
As part of the UK's first ever Hoarding Awareness Week, we ant to say.
If you know a hoarder encourage them to talk about the issue and seek help and guidance where necessary.
Whether making a cup of tea, or sleeping in their own beds, these simple tasks can become impossible for hoarders because the spaces designed for living in have become storehouses. which is okay until there is an emergency.
Alternatively there is a trip to the local tidy tip and if it is recyclable - recycle it.
But on a serious note.
Compulsive hoarding is a debilitating psychological condition that is only just beginning to be recognised and one that can lead to issues regarding the health, wellbeing and fire safety of all occupants of a hoarding property.
being in the realm of social housing, we see it day in, day out. we see some of the worst cases, where it has got so bad they have rodents but there is no way to lift up the floor boards due to the sheet volume of clutter.
As part of the UK's first ever Hoarding Awareness Week, we ant to say.
- do you really need ALL this stuff? if NOT!
- load up your car / van / articulated lorry and go to a car boot sale
- get an e-bay account
If you know a hoarder encourage them to talk about the issue and seek help and guidance where necessary.
Whether making a cup of tea, or sleeping in their own beds, these simple tasks can become impossible for hoarders because the spaces designed for living in have become storehouses. which is okay until there is an emergency.
Alternatively there is a trip to the local tidy tip and if it is recyclable - recycle it.
Friday, 16 May 2014
Friday Fact
A universal law of urination means that elephants, cows, goats and dogs all take roughly 21 seconds to empty their bladders.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Controlling your dreams with electrcity is a scary thought
Last weekend French boffins they had used a harmless electrical current to modify sleep so that an individual has "lucid dreams," a particularly powerful form of dreaming.
The discovery provides insights into the mechanism of dreaming — an area that has fascinated thinkers for millennia — and may one day help treat mental illness and post-trauma nightmares
Lucid dreams are considered by many psychologists to be an intermediate stage between two forms of consciousness.
They lie between so-called rapid eye movement (REM) dreams—which are concerned with the immediate present and have no access to past memories or anticipated events in the future—and being awake, which brings into play abstract thought and other cognitive functions.
In lucid dreaming, a state believed to be unique to humans, elements of secondary consciousness combine with REM dreams.
A characteristic is that the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming and is sometimes able to control the dream's plot.
They may dream, for instance, of putting an aggressor to flight or of averting a catastrophic accident.
Researchers led by Ursula Voss at the J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, used a technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to explore the causes of lucid dreaming.
The gadget comprises two small boxes with electrodes that are placed next to the skull and send a very weak, low-frequency electrical signal across the brain.
The team recruited 15 women and 12 men aged 18 to 26, who spent up to four nights in a sleep laboratory.
After the volunteers had experienced between two and three minutes of REM sleep, the scientists applied tACS, or a "sham" procedure that produced no current, for around 30 seconds. The current was below the sensory threshold, so that the subjects did not wake up.
They then woke up the volunteers and asked them what they had been dreaming.
"The dream reports were similar, in that most subjects reported to 'see myself from the outside' and the dream was watched from the outside, as if it was displayed on a screen," Voss told AFP.
"Also, they often reported to know that they were dreaming."
The volunteers were tested at frequencies of two herz (Hz), six Hz, 12 Hz, 25 Hz, 60 Hz and 100 Hz.
The study, reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience, gave several anecdotes from the recruits about what they had dreamt. "I am driving in my car, for a long time," said one. "Then I arrive at this place where I haven't been before. And there are a lot of people there. I think maybe I know some of them but they are all in a bad mood, so I go to a separate room, all by myself."
The battery-operated tACS was applied so that the current flowed between the frontal and temporal regions, located on the forward top and side of the brain respectively.
The study suggests that frontotemporal tACS might help to restore dysfunctional brain networks which are fingered in schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Applied during REM sleep, it could also one day help victims of post-traumatic stress disorder to overcome recurrent nightmares by placing them in charge of the dream plot, the paper theorises.
The tACS gadget itself is a recognised medical invention designed to be used only for research purposes. Voss said, though, that it seemed inevitable that a similar device would one day be invented for consumers, enabling sleepers to latch onto lucid dreaming, for better or worse.
"Although this is not something I am personally interested in, I am certain that it won't take long until such devices come out. However, brain stimulation should always be carefully monitored by a physician," she cautioned.
The discovery provides insights into the mechanism of dreaming — an area that has fascinated thinkers for millennia — and may one day help treat mental illness and post-trauma nightmares
Lucid dreams are considered by many psychologists to be an intermediate stage between two forms of consciousness.
They lie between so-called rapid eye movement (REM) dreams—which are concerned with the immediate present and have no access to past memories or anticipated events in the future—and being awake, which brings into play abstract thought and other cognitive functions.
In lucid dreaming, a state believed to be unique to humans, elements of secondary consciousness combine with REM dreams.
A characteristic is that the dreamer becomes aware that he or she is dreaming and is sometimes able to control the dream's plot.
They may dream, for instance, of putting an aggressor to flight or of averting a catastrophic accident.
Researchers led by Ursula Voss at the J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, used a technique called transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to explore the causes of lucid dreaming.
The gadget comprises two small boxes with electrodes that are placed next to the skull and send a very weak, low-frequency electrical signal across the brain.
The team recruited 15 women and 12 men aged 18 to 26, who spent up to four nights in a sleep laboratory.
After the volunteers had experienced between two and three minutes of REM sleep, the scientists applied tACS, or a "sham" procedure that produced no current, for around 30 seconds. The current was below the sensory threshold, so that the subjects did not wake up.
They then woke up the volunteers and asked them what they had been dreaming.
"The dream reports were similar, in that most subjects reported to 'see myself from the outside' and the dream was watched from the outside, as if it was displayed on a screen," Voss told AFP.
"Also, they often reported to know that they were dreaming."
The volunteers were tested at frequencies of two herz (Hz), six Hz, 12 Hz, 25 Hz, 60 Hz and 100 Hz.
The study, reported in the journal Nature Neuroscience, gave several anecdotes from the recruits about what they had dreamt. "I am driving in my car, for a long time," said one. "Then I arrive at this place where I haven't been before. And there are a lot of people there. I think maybe I know some of them but they are all in a bad mood, so I go to a separate room, all by myself."
The battery-operated tACS was applied so that the current flowed between the frontal and temporal regions, located on the forward top and side of the brain respectively.
The study suggests that frontotemporal tACS might help to restore dysfunctional brain networks which are fingered in schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Applied during REM sleep, it could also one day help victims of post-traumatic stress disorder to overcome recurrent nightmares by placing them in charge of the dream plot, the paper theorises.
The tACS gadget itself is a recognised medical invention designed to be used only for research purposes. Voss said, though, that it seemed inevitable that a similar device would one day be invented for consumers, enabling sleepers to latch onto lucid dreaming, for better or worse.
"Although this is not something I am personally interested in, I am certain that it won't take long until such devices come out. However, brain stimulation should always be carefully monitored by a physician," she cautioned.
'Electrical fault' caused Turkish mine blast and fire
A rescue operation is underway to free hundreds of miners trapped after a fire and explosion in a Turkish coal mine.
Cengiz Ergun, mayor of Manisa, said nearly 600 workers were trapped at the time of the explosion, Reuters have reported.
Ergun's figures are yet to be confirmed by Turkey's disaster response unit which had put the death toll at 300+ earlier.
It is also reported that an electrical fault started the fire.
Cengiz Ergun, mayor of Manisa, said nearly 600 workers were trapped at the time of the explosion, Reuters have reported.
Ergun's figures are yet to be confirmed by Turkey's disaster response unit which had put the death toll at 300+ earlier.
It is also reported that an electrical fault started the fire.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
DIY vs. employing electricians
To make sure that electrical jobs are safe there are standards they have to comply with. If you can't prove they comply with these rules you may find it difficult to sell your house.
In England and Wales these rules are called Part P and are part of the building regulations.
Electricians need to be Part P registered before they can do many electrical jobs. If you don’t use a Part P registered electrician for these jobs you will have to pay your local authority building control to inspect the work.
Woolgar Electrical is Part P registered and listed on the register of competent persons for electricians.
DIY electrical jobs
If you do undertake riskier jobs yourself you have to inform your local council before you start work and then have the work assessed once it’s done. Guess what, if you do that in Central Beds it is quite likely that it will be Woolgar Electrical who comes to inspect your work.
Some minor jobs don't need to be carried out by certified electricians or inspected, so provided you have the necessary skill you could do them yourself.
You may have the skill, but do you have the equipment? After you have done the work, can you prove it is safe? You know the live and neutral are there (or it wouldn’t work) but do you know if there is an earth? Is it a good earth? Does your RCD (earth trip) work?
These are the unknowns that must put doubt in the back of your mind asking are my family safe.
That quite simply is why you engage and build a trusting relationship with an electrician.
Why? Because Electricians: know the rules, have equipment to prove work is safe and can keep your family safe.
At that the end of the day, that’s what you want! Isn’t it?
In England and Wales these rules are called Part P and are part of the building regulations.
Electricians need to be Part P registered before they can do many electrical jobs. If you don’t use a Part P registered electrician for these jobs you will have to pay your local authority building control to inspect the work.
Woolgar Electrical is Part P registered and listed on the register of competent persons for electricians.
DIY electrical jobs
If you do undertake riskier jobs yourself you have to inform your local council before you start work and then have the work assessed once it’s done. Guess what, if you do that in Central Beds it is quite likely that it will be Woolgar Electrical who comes to inspect your work.
Some minor jobs don't need to be carried out by certified electricians or inspected, so provided you have the necessary skill you could do them yourself.
You may have the skill, but do you have the equipment? After you have done the work, can you prove it is safe? You know the live and neutral are there (or it wouldn’t work) but do you know if there is an earth? Is it a good earth? Does your RCD (earth trip) work?
These are the unknowns that must put doubt in the back of your mind asking are my family safe.
That quite simply is why you engage and build a trusting relationship with an electrician.
Why? Because Electricians: know the rules, have equipment to prove work is safe and can keep your family safe.
At that the end of the day, that’s what you want! Isn’t it?
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Monday, 12 May 2014
Care home manager accused of fire safety breaches
A company that runs a care home has been accused of breaching fire safety regulations.
The care home in Kenley, Croydon did not have a working smoke alarm and no sufficient fire risk assessment had been completed, according to the Croydon Advertiser.
Morven Healthcare, which runs Morven House on Uplands Road, and its director Shanmugasundaram Surendram appeared at Croydon Crown Court on April 21st after it was handed over by the Magistrates court.
As many as seven enforcement notices were handed to the care home by London Fire Brigade in February 2013.
In addition to the lack of a fire risk assessment, fire safety inspectors revealed the home was lacking preventative and protective measures to combat the likelihood of a blaze starting.
There was no emergency route or exit that would enable residents to evacuate the building safely, while there was no strategy in place to warn them if a fire were to break out.
read more at - http://www.fia.uk.com/en/information/details/index.cfm/care-home-manager-accused-of-fire-safety-breaches
The care home in Kenley, Croydon did not have a working smoke alarm and no sufficient fire risk assessment had been completed, according to the Croydon Advertiser.
Morven Healthcare, which runs Morven House on Uplands Road, and its director Shanmugasundaram Surendram appeared at Croydon Crown Court on April 21st after it was handed over by the Magistrates court.
As many as seven enforcement notices were handed to the care home by London Fire Brigade in February 2013.
In addition to the lack of a fire risk assessment, fire safety inspectors revealed the home was lacking preventative and protective measures to combat the likelihood of a blaze starting.
There was no emergency route or exit that would enable residents to evacuate the building safely, while there was no strategy in place to warn them if a fire were to break out.
read more at - http://www.fia.uk.com/en/information/details/index.cfm/care-home-manager-accused-of-fire-safety-breaches
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Charley's Back!!! new electrcal safety campaign
Were you on planet earth in the 70's??? if so you probably remember the original Charley safety ads. a 2D charley with his annoying cat whom Charley translated fro as none of us speak cat
The consumer champion role and its closer campaigning work with industry and government – is being marked by a public safety campaign built on reviving the iconic Charley Says series, with David Walliams providing the voices.
‘Electrical Safety First – the UK’s electrical safety experts’. The organisation has represented trade professionals and educated the public on electrical safety for over 58 years. The rebrand marks a shift to a stronger campaigning voice to address the dangers posed by electricity. Currently, 350,000 people are seriously injured by the everyday use of electricity and at least one person dies each week.
Electrical Safety First said: “Our charity has a long association of championing consumer rights and leading industry best practice, but as our campaigns have become more dynamic and as we increasingly work to bring about change to regulation and industry practices, we knew that we needed to take a step back and redefine our ambition and values, to ensure that our name, our brand and our mission was in keeping with everything we do, and everything we want to be.
“Electrical Safety First may only have one word changed in its title, but there is so much that sits behind that new name in terms of clear values, messages and ambition. We look forward to the next stage of our charity’s strong and impactful history – we hope everyone enjoys and shares our new campaign, Charley Says.”
The first campaign hopes that restoring the iconic cartoon characters from the Charley Says series, will take the new brand to a wider audience. The original Charley Says films were created by the government’s Central Office for Information and broadcast in the 1970s and 80s, with popular comedian of the day Kenny Everett voicing Charley the cat. It was voted the nation’s favourite public information filmand just as the original series warned children about such dangers as playing with matches or talking to strangers, the new films will advise the same audience – now adults – of the dangers of electricity in the home thanks to David Walliams giving the characters new voices.
The first new film sees Charley the cat preventing the young boy from plugging a toaster into an already overloaded plug socket, burning a paw in the process. In keeping with the tone of the original films, he is awarded a fish for his savvy behaviour. David Walliams takes over the mantle from Kenny Everett to give the characters their new voices.
The consumer champion role and its closer campaigning work with industry and government – is being marked by a public safety campaign built on reviving the iconic Charley Says series, with David Walliams providing the voices.
‘Electrical Safety First – the UK’s electrical safety experts’. The organisation has represented trade professionals and educated the public on electrical safety for over 58 years. The rebrand marks a shift to a stronger campaigning voice to address the dangers posed by electricity. Currently, 350,000 people are seriously injured by the everyday use of electricity and at least one person dies each week.
Electrical Safety First said: “Our charity has a long association of championing consumer rights and leading industry best practice, but as our campaigns have become more dynamic and as we increasingly work to bring about change to regulation and industry practices, we knew that we needed to take a step back and redefine our ambition and values, to ensure that our name, our brand and our mission was in keeping with everything we do, and everything we want to be.
“Electrical Safety First may only have one word changed in its title, but there is so much that sits behind that new name in terms of clear values, messages and ambition. We look forward to the next stage of our charity’s strong and impactful history – we hope everyone enjoys and shares our new campaign, Charley Says.”
The first campaign hopes that restoring the iconic cartoon characters from the Charley Says series, will take the new brand to a wider audience. The original Charley Says films were created by the government’s Central Office for Information and broadcast in the 1970s and 80s, with popular comedian of the day Kenny Everett voicing Charley the cat. It was voted the nation’s favourite public information filmand just as the original series warned children about such dangers as playing with matches or talking to strangers, the new films will advise the same audience – now adults – of the dangers of electricity in the home thanks to David Walliams giving the characters new voices.
The first new film sees Charley the cat preventing the young boy from plugging a toaster into an already overloaded plug socket, burning a paw in the process. In keeping with the tone of the original films, he is awarded a fish for his savvy behaviour. David Walliams takes over the mantle from Kenny Everett to give the characters their new voices.
Friday, 9 May 2014
Friday Fact
Red underwear is popular in Wales, while those in North-West England buy a lot of thongs.
(The Economist)
(The Economist)
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Woolgar Electrical are looking for our 2014 apprentice.
We Need an Apprentice NOW
We know that college doesn't start until September but we always like to get our apprentices in the summer so we can see how they fit in our team.
If you are interested please call 020 7060 9766 and leave a message with your Name, Number and why you think you have the Attitude, Skills and Attributes required to be our 2014 apprentice.
We will be asking a select few of you to come forward to a group interview. This will give you a chance to come and see us and us to get to know you.
You will need to pass the JTL test but after that the key is you need to have a great attitude and WANT to be an electrician. We have a Great Team here and we want to expand it with the right person. This is a great opportunity that will give you skills you can use for a whole lifetime.
Good luck!
We are looking for someone with a great attitude, prepared to go the extra mile, work hard and reap the rewards of their own success
We work in both the domestic and commercial sectors in Bedfordshire as well as offering specialist underfloor heating services to the domestic market across the South of England. We also have extensive experience working with large stately homes and listed buildings. We have the resources, professionalism and infrastructure of a larger supplier, yet retain the flexibility and personal touch usually associated with a smaller organisation.
The Apprenticeship Scheme at Woolgar Electrical
At Woolgar Electrical we run a successful apprenticeship scheme for 16 year old school leavers. Training is provided through the JTL Scheme with college work and on the job training.
Each year, through JTL, we start testing and interviewing for the next year’s intake of apprentices. So it's worth thinking ahead if you are interested in applying. There's a set process that all candidates must go through to gain a place on a JTL apprenticeship. The first stage is to complete their on-line application form.
So if you are looking for a rewarding career with meaningful qualifications and good prospects then an apprentice at Woolgar Electrical could be right for you! All our apprentices are J.I.B. Indentured.
What are Apprenticeships?
An Apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future. Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
Quality is key to Apprenticeships – providing high quality training that benefits both apprentices and Woolgar Electrical
£500 million cash to Boost Government electric car policy
Department for Transport have a new initiative, if it can be called that, you may just call it a budget.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg announced a £500 million injection to put more spark into electric car sales and provide additional charging points.
The £5,000 taxpayer subsidy for motorists to buy electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Ampera and BMW i3, is to be extended for two years to 2017 — or until at least 50,000 grants have been claimed — at a cost to taxpayers of £200 million.
we know the Government's electric car policy is in a bit of a mess — address the lack of charging points then stop ordinary cars parking in charging spaces.
Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg announced a £500 million injection to put more spark into electric car sales and provide additional charging points.
The £5,000 taxpayer subsidy for motorists to buy electric cars, such as the Nissan Leaf, Vauxhall Ampera and BMW i3, is to be extended for two years to 2017 — or until at least 50,000 grants have been claimed — at a cost to taxpayers of £200 million.
we know the Government's electric car policy is in a bit of a mess — address the lack of charging points then stop ordinary cars parking in charging spaces.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Chief Fire Officers Ass calls for smoke alarms in private rental sector
A letter has been written by the chair of the Chief Fire Officers Association Home Safety Committee, highlighting the potential changes to legislation surrounding smoke alarms in private rented properties.
This issue would be debated in the House of Commons by Nick Raynsford today (May 7th), directly after Prime Minister's Question Time.
He urged everybody involved to watch this and to continue to back the proposal, which could save lives. This motion has come about as a result of a review of property conditions undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government ( DCLG ).
Mr Cashin, who is also deputy chief fire officer of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, cited how a two-year-old girl died as the result of a fire in a property without a smoke alarm.
Libby-Jayne Hornsby was the victim of a blaze in her mother's rented property in Conisbrough, South Yorkshire. The CFOA believes her death may have been prevented, had a working alarm been installed.
Furthermore, Mr Cashin pointed out how this is most probably not the only time this has happened. For every situation like the one with Libby-Jane, there are two or three incidents of elderly or vulnerable people also dying as a result of a lack of an alarm.
It costs as little as £20 for a smoke alarm, which can last for as many as ten years. Making it imperative for these devices to be installed in private rented accommodation has won the support of various organisations, such as the National Landlords Association.
This issue would be debated in the House of Commons by Nick Raynsford today (May 7th), directly after Prime Minister's Question Time.
He urged everybody involved to watch this and to continue to back the proposal, which could save lives. This motion has come about as a result of a review of property conditions undertaken by the Department for Communities and Local Government ( DCLG ).
Mr Cashin, who is also deputy chief fire officer of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, cited how a two-year-old girl died as the result of a fire in a property without a smoke alarm.
Libby-Jayne Hornsby was the victim of a blaze in her mother's rented property in Conisbrough, South Yorkshire. The CFOA believes her death may have been prevented, had a working alarm been installed.
Furthermore, Mr Cashin pointed out how this is most probably not the only time this has happened. For every situation like the one with Libby-Jane, there are two or three incidents of elderly or vulnerable people also dying as a result of a lack of an alarm.
It costs as little as £20 for a smoke alarm, which can last for as many as ten years. Making it imperative for these devices to be installed in private rented accommodation has won the support of various organisations, such as the National Landlords Association.
Body heat to power your mobile...
Scientists have devised new technology which generates electricity from body heat, allowing you to charge electronic devices on the go.
Professor Byung Jin Cho from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea is leading the team working on a thermoelectric (TE) generator.
The small and flexible generator, made from glass and fabric, can be used to power up heart monitors, smart glasses and other wearable tech.
"Mobile phones consume high electrical energy compared to electrical sensors. Right now we are trying to make a sample that provides electricity for medical sensors," Cho said.
"After that, smartphones will be the next application of the TE generator," Cho added.
The device uses the the small but significant temperature difference between skin and air to create power.
Exciting times. no more flat batteries, unless you have cold hands..
found in the Express
Professor Byung Jin Cho from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in South Korea is leading the team working on a thermoelectric (TE) generator.
The small and flexible generator, made from glass and fabric, can be used to power up heart monitors, smart glasses and other wearable tech.
"Mobile phones consume high electrical energy compared to electrical sensors. Right now we are trying to make a sample that provides electricity for medical sensors," Cho said.
"After that, smartphones will be the next application of the TE generator," Cho added.
The device uses the the small but significant temperature difference between skin and air to create power.
Exciting times. no more flat batteries, unless you have cold hands..
found in the Express
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
Nick Clegg and the different points of view from the press on EV
The Mirror opened with Nick Clegg branded a hypocrite for not driving an electric car - despite pushing new scheme, whereas the Telegraph has a slightly more balanced headline with Nick Clegg: Electric cars aren't suitable for my family
The Mirror article leads with After saying that eco motors are no longer an inconvenience, the dad-of-three deputy Prime Minister claims none on the market are big enough for his family vs the Telegraph "The Deputy Prime Minister says that electric cars are 'not quite right' for him despite launching £500 million project aimed at getting more people to buy them "
the different tone in the articles really shows the ethos behind the papers..
can you guess which one is from which paper???
Nick Clegg has been branded a hypocrite for not driving an electric car.
The Deputy PM posed with the latest models as they launched a £500million scheme to make more people use the green vehicles earlier this week.
The Liberal Democrat chief claimed then that the eco motors were no longer an “inconvenience”.
But the dad-of-three has now admitted that none of them were large enough for his family.
Mr Clegg was challenged over his failure to practice what he preaches on his weekly LBC radio phone-in.
A listener named Graham said in an email: "You are extolling the virtues of electric cars Mr Clegg. Why is your official car and probably your private car not an electric one?
"Is this a case of do as I say, not as I do?"
Mr Clegg protested that his Government car could not be electric for security reasons.
vs this from the opposing publisher.
Nick Clegg has admitted that electric cars are unsuitable for ordinary families, just days after announcing a £500 million investment in green vehicles.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who has three children, has been accused of hypocrisy after admitting he does not drive an electric vehicle because manufacturers do not produce “family-sized, people carrier cars”.
It comes days after he said that “owning an electric car is no longer a dream or an inconvenience” and pledged hundreds of millions to encourage people to use the vehicles.
Experts told The Telegraph that there were electric cars and “plug in” hybrid cars that would suit the needs of the Cleggs.
Asked why he did not buy an electric car to replace his old Ford Galaxy the Deputy Prime Minister said: “As far as my own personal car, as it happens I would love to buy an electric car if they produced more of the family size, people carrier kinds.”
Dr Ben Lane, the director of Next Green Car, said it was a “myth” that families had to sacrifice space when they choose to buy a greener car and that Mr Clegg could “definitely manage” in many of the electric cars on the market.
Options for the Deputy Prime Minister include a Mitsubishi SUV, a Volvo estate car and a Toyota Prius which are all designed for larger families. Electric versions of two of the UK’s most popular cars – the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf – are also available.
Watch this space to see if the papers bully him into forking out a small fortune just for having the right outlook
I am not sure who or if anyone did brand Mr Clegg a hypocrite other than a self righteous press. Balanced journalism or pointless banter. you make your mind up. it was obviously a low news day.
how was your bank holiday weekend?
The Mirror article leads with After saying that eco motors are no longer an inconvenience, the dad-of-three deputy Prime Minister claims none on the market are big enough for his family vs the Telegraph "The Deputy Prime Minister says that electric cars are 'not quite right' for him despite launching £500 million project aimed at getting more people to buy them "
the different tone in the articles really shows the ethos behind the papers..
can you guess which one is from which paper???
Nick Clegg has been branded a hypocrite for not driving an electric car.
The Deputy PM posed with the latest models as they launched a £500million scheme to make more people use the green vehicles earlier this week.
The Liberal Democrat chief claimed then that the eco motors were no longer an “inconvenience”.
But the dad-of-three has now admitted that none of them were large enough for his family.
Mr Clegg was challenged over his failure to practice what he preaches on his weekly LBC radio phone-in.
A listener named Graham said in an email: "You are extolling the virtues of electric cars Mr Clegg. Why is your official car and probably your private car not an electric one?
"Is this a case of do as I say, not as I do?"
Mr Clegg protested that his Government car could not be electric for security reasons.
vs this from the opposing publisher.
Nick Clegg has admitted that electric cars are unsuitable for ordinary families, just days after announcing a £500 million investment in green vehicles.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who has three children, has been accused of hypocrisy after admitting he does not drive an electric vehicle because manufacturers do not produce “family-sized, people carrier cars”.
It comes days after he said that “owning an electric car is no longer a dream or an inconvenience” and pledged hundreds of millions to encourage people to use the vehicles.
Experts told The Telegraph that there were electric cars and “plug in” hybrid cars that would suit the needs of the Cleggs.
Asked why he did not buy an electric car to replace his old Ford Galaxy the Deputy Prime Minister said: “As far as my own personal car, as it happens I would love to buy an electric car if they produced more of the family size, people carrier kinds.”
Dr Ben Lane, the director of Next Green Car, said it was a “myth” that families had to sacrifice space when they choose to buy a greener car and that Mr Clegg could “definitely manage” in many of the electric cars on the market.
Options for the Deputy Prime Minister include a Mitsubishi SUV, a Volvo estate car and a Toyota Prius which are all designed for larger families. Electric versions of two of the UK’s most popular cars – the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf – are also available.
Watch this space to see if the papers bully him into forking out a small fortune just for having the right outlook
I am not sure who or if anyone did brand Mr Clegg a hypocrite other than a self righteous press. Balanced journalism or pointless banter. you make your mind up. it was obviously a low news day.
how was your bank holiday weekend?
Friday, 2 May 2014
Friday Fact
Amazon's original name was to be Relentless - and the URL relentless.com still redirects to the company website.
other web sites are available
other web sites are available
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Electric Car owners are just a better kind of people :)
Experian analysed data from electric and hybrid car purchases during the 2013 calendar year.
Key findings:
•Roughly 45 percent of all hybrid buyers were 56 or older, but only 26 percent of electric car buyers fell into that age range.
•In fact, 55 percent of those who purchased or leased electric vehicles were between 36 and 55 years old.
•Just 12 percent of hybrid car buyers reported household incomes of $175,000 or more. Among electric car buyers, that figure was a significantly higher 21 percent.
•Hybrids make up 98 percent of America's alternative-powered vehicles, but the segment is growing at a much slower pace than electric cars. In 2013, hybrid sales rose 19 percent above 2012, but electric car sales surged a whopping 245 percent.
•Asian automakers dominate the hybrid segment: 2013's top-sellers were the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Toyota Highlander, with the Ford Fusion coming in at #5.
•The electric car market is more diverse: 2013's big winners were the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Ford Focus, FIAT 500e, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
•Hybrid buyers took out average loans of $26,835 and financed them over 62 months, paying $467 per month.
•Electric car buyers borrowed more -- $28,835, on average -- but financed that sum for just 58 months, paying $549 per month.
Some of those statistics are probably to be expected. For example, you'd expect electric car buyers to have higher household incomes and take out larger loans because electric car technology is still expensive, whereas hybrid price tags are much closer to those of conventional vehicles.
P.S Happy Birthday Elise - 4 today
Key findings:
•Roughly 45 percent of all hybrid buyers were 56 or older, but only 26 percent of electric car buyers fell into that age range.
•In fact, 55 percent of those who purchased or leased electric vehicles were between 36 and 55 years old.
•Just 12 percent of hybrid car buyers reported household incomes of $175,000 or more. Among electric car buyers, that figure was a significantly higher 21 percent.
•Hybrids make up 98 percent of America's alternative-powered vehicles, but the segment is growing at a much slower pace than electric cars. In 2013, hybrid sales rose 19 percent above 2012, but electric car sales surged a whopping 245 percent.
•Asian automakers dominate the hybrid segment: 2013's top-sellers were the Toyota Prius, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic, Toyota Highlander, with the Ford Fusion coming in at #5.
•The electric car market is more diverse: 2013's big winners were the Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model S, Ford Focus, FIAT 500e, and Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
•Hybrid buyers took out average loans of $26,835 and financed them over 62 months, paying $467 per month.
•Electric car buyers borrowed more -- $28,835, on average -- but financed that sum for just 58 months, paying $549 per month.
Some of those statistics are probably to be expected. For example, you'd expect electric car buyers to have higher household incomes and take out larger loans because electric car technology is still expensive, whereas hybrid price tags are much closer to those of conventional vehicles.
P.S Happy Birthday Elise - 4 today
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