Sunday, October 8, 2017

Oculus Rift and Touch Controller bundle down to just £399



It’s now cheaper than ever to pick up a top-end virtual reality headset, and we’ve got all the information on how to get the best deal possible.

Facebook’s legendary Oculus Rift VR headset has been significantly discounted when you’re buying it as part of a bundle.


If you buy the Oculus Rift headset with the Oculus Touch Controller pair bundle, you’ll now be able to take advantage of a permanent £200 price drop.

This means that you’ll now only pay £399.99 for the headset and two Touch Controllers, whereas previously you would’ve had to pay £599.99 for the exact same setup.

Of course, don’t forget that you’ll need a suitably powerful gaming PC to run the Oculus Rift, so make sure that your system has the requisite computing heft to support the platform before shelling out on a brand new Rift.

The OCULUS RIFT BUNDLE earned a very respectable 4/5 score during our long-term review, with particular praise going to the incredible experience on offer, the light and robust design, the simple setup, and the strong launch lineup of available content.


Here’s our long-term review verdict for the Oculus Rift:

“VR is still a very young platform, and no headset has managed to so far get it 100% right. The lack of interesting games, despite an impressive increase in numbers, makes the platform feel underdeveloped as a whole.”

“Despite this, Oculus has taken bold strides forward, from being one of the least appealing VR platforms to a valid contender for the top slot thanks to the arrival of Oculus Touch. Oculus has also done stellar work courting developers, which will hopefully lead to a greater variety of games in its Store in the very near future – we hope.”

We gave the Oculus Touch controllers an even more impressive 4.5/5 score in our review, as we were pleased by how comfortable they were to hold, the games lineup, and the fact that they work in a smaller play space than the Vive.


Here’s our Oculus Touch verdict:

“If you already own an Oculus Rift, then yes, you should absolutely buy the Touch. £189/$199 may sound expensive, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what you’ve already paid to get a VR-ready PC and headset. Plus it comes bundled with two great launch titles.”

“The Touch is also the only way you’re going to get a truly immersive VR experience without shelling out for an HTC Vive – which, while great, requires a lot more setup time and space.”


Friday, September 8, 2017

RAVPOWER USB C



Priced at just under $50, the RAVPower 20100 battery pack isn’t a bad deal. It has Quick Charge (QC) 3.0 tech inside, and a lone USB-C port can charge a phone or MacBook, or accept a charge itself.

There’s nothing fancy about the design of this particular RAVPOWER USB C. In fact, if you’ve seen nearly any other RAVPower battery pack, you already know what this one looks like.[ Further reading: The best USB-C portable battery packs. ]

It’s a black brick, with four ports on the front: microUSB, USB-C, USB-A with iSmart technology, and USB-A with QC 3.0.

A power button and four blue indicator lights are found on the top of the pack.
With a total capacity of 20,100 mAh, or 74.3 Wh, there’s enough juice in the pack to charge your phone a few times over. Unfortunately, our testing reveled that the pack isn’t as efficient as the RAVPower 26800 we reviewed last year.

The 20100 came in at 72.79 percent efficiency, putting it slightly above the last-place Lumsing (72.71 percent). It’s not a deal breaker, but the 20100 performs below the average efficiency of 76.23 percent for the batteries we’ve tested thus far.

Recharge time depends on what you use to charge the pack. Standard microUSB wall adapter and cable will lead to longer charge times—8.5 hours approximately—while using USB-C and a wall adapter capable with Quick Charge built in is supposed to cut that time in half. Although, I couldn’t get the pack to charge at a faster rate than 5V/2A.

Included in the box is a cloth carrying case, two microUSB cables, and a microUSB-to-USB-C adapter. Notice, a wall adapter is not included with this pack, as it previously was.

Thursday, August 10, 2017

Charge control



Charge control is a technology that lets an electric utility control, in real time, the charging of a gridable (plug-in) vehicle, such as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or a battery electric vehicle(BEV). Through charge control, the utility is able to postpone charging of the vehicle during time of peak demand. Additionally, this technology may enable the owner and the power company to track the vehicle's usage and performance, while on the road and while charging. The best charge controller on the market is RENOGY 20 AMP MPPT SOLAR CHARGE CONTROLLER

Charge control advantages


During times of peak demand, the electric utility prefers to reduce the demand, rather than turning on additional (dirtier and more expensive) power plants. In places that subscribe to smart power grid services, the electric utility shuts off appliances such as air conditioners until the peak demand is over. Similarly, charge control allows the electric utility to postpone charging until the peak demand is over. Charge control is not as far reaching as V2G (a technology that allows the power company to buy energy back from a plug-in car) but is very effective because it is less expensive to implement than V2G.

The hardware used in charge control also monitors the vehicle (when driving or when plugged-in). As a side benefit, that information is available, through the web, to both the electric utility and the owner, for the purpose of tracking and optimizing the performance of the vehicle.
Eventually, the electric utility may offer better pricing to owners of charge control equipped vehicles.

Comparison to V2G

In both V2G and charge control, the electric utility can control the power flow between a plug-in vehicle and the power grid. However, in charge control power only flows from the grid to the vehicle, while in V2G power can flow in both directions.
Peak load leveling

Disabling charging in charge control vehicles helps balance the loading on the power grid by "valley filling" (charging at night when demand is low) and "peak shaving" (not charging when demand is high). It can enable utilities new ways to provide regulation services (keeping voltage and frequency stable).

Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Smoking Pipe Tobacco and Web 2.0

Smoking Pipe Tobacco at the 21st Century

Things have changed over the years for the pipes for smokingPipes for smoking weed in the company of fellow smokers has become more and more tricky. The numbers of pipe smokers are thinking and laws have pushed us out of lots of the standard social gathering spots we used to collect in. Pipe smokers need not despair! Smoking pipes for smoking tobacco does not need to be a solitary pursuit!
pipes for sale

Enter the Online

The Internet attracted some people collectively on Usenet groups such as alt.smokers.pipe and other discussion forums. Online auction sites blew the estate pipes for sale market into a different dimension. Tobacconists took their trade to the Web and provided pipes and bongs an unprecedented range of tobaccos. Top blenders like Greg Pease shrewdly rode this wave to victory as did a range of pipes for sale carvers. Needless to say, the Internet has breathed life in our community and hobby.

Enter Web 2.0

Pipes for smoking weed can't rest on those laurels. The web is rapidly evolving and we could keep up. There is absolutely no need not to. With the advances and innovations in technology, not just are the manners pipe smokers can socialize, share, and discuss smoking pipes for sale tobacco advancing, they are getting to be easier. In the dawn of the world wide web, it took a fair amount of technical savvy just to set up an email account and download messages.

With the advent of Web-based email, if you can type your name, point with a mouse, and click on, you have what it takes to utilize email proficiently. Today, if you have what it takes to use Web mail, you have all of the skill required to install and post to your blog, instantly broadcast updates and ideas to all of your buddies, and continue with what's in mind.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Trauma Stigma - We Are Only As Sick As Our Secrets

I'd a note recently of the judgment facing these coping with trauma therapist NYC related to childhood abuse. I have experienced this before naturally, possibly vicariously, inside my 20 plus years inside the trauma therapy trenches. As a trauma psychologist devoted to treating sexual anorexia, I'm well aware that lots of people do not wish to be reminded of the less than nice aspects of life. Also mentioning what-I-do for a living could possibly get me fascinating reactions, or sometimes simply turn off the conversation completely.
trauma psychologist


Somebody unfollowed me on Twitter, and published to see me because I was not really a "good psychologist". This got me aback and I attempted to comprehend what generated that feeling. I viewed through my latest Facebook listings to attempt to discover what they observed. I had been posting, when I usually do, regarding the impression of sex addiction NYC and had lately composed articles about how childhood activities are related to person issues: Childhood Wounds: Understanding You in Wording.

"You are only as ill as your techniques". When the oft-repeated 12 step mantra is true then our lifestyle is indeed ill. The refusal to admit the link between sex addiction treatment (huge T and little t) and mental health concerns of varieties in adulthood generally seems to me to become a type of national dissociation. We would rather blame the prey, or in household devices, phrases put up the "ill" one being an identified individual, who has negative brain chemistry or has come by their mental "condition" in any way aside from because of this of their childhood activities.

Denying yesteryear dooms us to repeat it. Denying the web link between childhood stress and psychological health ailments of many types results in the inferior treatment of the set a band-aid on its form, no cure in any way, and/or people who're ill-prepared to themselves give sufficient parenting (or protect their children from external perpetrators). And therefore the routine continues.

The pervasiveness of sex addicts NYC and its long-lasting impact is the massive solution and children who try and discuss their encounters are killed and stigmatized. You want to see you as different, an anomaly, not the clear effect of the sick culture.

My Twitter encounter experienced just like a reaction to my telling the truth about these issues our tradition really wants to disavow. Basically as a qualified am affected, envision just how much more so this sex addiction therapy NYC affects the child, I was reminded. The silencing, minimizing and accusing that may occur each time a survivor tries to inform their tale is really a whole other level of upheaval.

This encounter reminded me that exposure and discussion about trauma therapists NYC matters are essential. It is why I discover blogging and employing social media to become a significant element of my work as a stress therapist. By talking out about upheaval and its particular impact I really hope to aid those who should reside with and to train individuals who don't yet realize.

What else could we do to sex addiction treatment NYC?

-Stop blaming the target. Talk up being an ally when you notice victim blaming discussions. Those people who have been abused and want to get help for it aren't the sex addiction treatment. Neglect and also the programs that give it time to proceed are.

-Understand that reduction, denial, not speaking about childhood trauma therapy and punishment doesn't ensure it is better. If a survivor might imagine it away, they would have some time ago.

- Realize that nature vs. nurture can be a false dichotomy. Our environment (exactly how we are nurtured) outcomes our brain chemistry. "Chemical imbalances" as the reason for emotional dilemmas seldom exist in a vacuum.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Full review of canadian solar







Solar Efficiency


With these sturdy and attractive panels, you get a solar efficiency of 15.9 percent, which is certainly a solid percentage in the world of solar modules. For example Goal Zero Nomad 7 plus has solar efficiency of 14.2 percent. These monocrystalline panels can produce a maximum power of 305 watts. They also can generate a maximum voltage of 36.6 volts and a top power current of 8.33 amps.



These are tall and somewhat narrow in width, which gives them a design that sets them apart in appearance from a number of other solar panels, but in a way that is no doubt appealing to many customers. There are 72 solar cells in each panel.
Durability


Canadian Solar provides a 10-year warranty covering its product and workmanship. You get one year of warranty coverage guaranteeing power output at 95 percent. The warranty provides 25 years of coverage with power at 80 percent.



The Canadian Solar CS6X-305M solar panels are well made and substantial, able to handle a maximum load of something such as snow up to a maximum of 113 pounds per square foot. They also can sustain impacts as significant as 1-inch hailstones flying at 52 mph.
Features


Theses solar modules can take on temperatures as miserably low as 40 degrees below zero, which is quite standard in the industry. These panels also stand up well in extreme heat with their ability to endure temperatures up to 185 degrees F. The cover materials are made of tempered glass and the frame of anodized aluminum.



These solar panels are self-cleaning. That means in most cases, with a roof that has a decent angle, they can simply be left alone once they are installed and the rain will wash away dust and dirt. However, the company suggests in its installation manual that it is a good idea to use water and something that will not scratch the glass surface, such as a sponge, to clean the panels if a significant amount of material builds up on the panels.

These panels also feature an anti-reflective surface, which boosts the input of sunlight into the panels and makes them more efficient.
Dimensions


In terms of size, these are among the taller solar panels we reviewed and have more of a rectangular shape than many others, which have a design that looks closer to a square shape. Whether that style and look suits depends on your individual tastes and how panels with this configuration will look on the roof of your house.



These solar panels are 76.83 inches long, 38.7 inches wide and 1.57 inches deep. A single panel weighs 50.7 pounds.

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Does the handshake still matter in business?



Hand shaking is a universal ritual of personal engagement and serves as both a social nicety and a prelude to more important business. If you are meeting a contact or a new client, the quality of your introductory handshake often has a big impact on how the other party views you.

Why shaking hands matters


One of the most significant elements in building successful business relationships is your ability to show sincere interest in a person. This can be communicated in your first few meetings as you shake hands and discuss the other party's background, family, hobbies, etc.

By shaking hands, you make a positive first impression on the people you meet, which, in turn, influences how they feel about you going forward. Your poise, the manner in which you extend your hand, your degree of firmness, and your timing can all reflect your confidence and trust. The nature of your handshake invariably sets the tone for your relationship.

When meeting a business contact, a proper introduction should include a warm smile, direct eye contact, stating of first and last names, firmly shaking hands, light chit-chat to soften the mood, exchanging of business cards, and the ubiquitous, "It's a pleasure to meet you."

The purpose of a firm shake is to convey that you're open and outgoing. More often than not, a weak handshake communicates anxiety or reticence, which can lead to an unfavorable overall impression. Something as mundane as shaking hands can offer a glimpse into your actual personality, by which people will decide how to engage with you and your business.


Getting it right


Given that most people use their right hand for handshakes, you should shift any items you are holding to the left hand in advance. Keep in mind that sweat can make your hand feel clammy, so be sure to pat it dry ahead of time. Other things to consider include:

Firmness. How tightly you're squeezing the other person's hand may be subjective, but your grip should be firm, but not painful. Avoid being either overly aggressive or passive. Also, be sure to grip the other person's entire hand, not just their fingers.

Timing. Extending your hand first conveys confidence. However, if you're a man meeting a woman, wait for her to extend her hand first. If you are seated, rise before engaging someone's hand. Do not close your hand prematurely, as you will inevitably only grab fingers and likewise, release when the other person does. If the other party wants to hold your hand for an extra few seconds, keep holding theirs as well. You don't want to rush out of the handshake, as this may suggest you're treating it as a mere formality.

Contact. In most instances, it's expected that you keep your hand perpendicular. Palm down is considered a dominant position, while palm up is submissive; so try to angle your thumb upward. Keep the palm flat, not cupped. Upon making full contact, lock your thumb down and squeeze firmly, then moderately shake from your elbow rather than your wrist.

Although a handshake is certainly not a measure of a person, it does contribute to first impressions. As a business owner, you should include this practice in all your dealings. Not only does it transcend gender, race, and ethnicity, but it's also a key part of business etiquette that reflects certain personality characteristics. However, as with all professional interactions, the customs and practices of your audience may differ from typical American business standards, thus influencing how your handshake is perceived. So know your audience and shake with confidence!

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Guest Post: 5 Basic Types of Roofing Materials - Roofing Companies - NYC



When it comes to renovating the home and replacing the roof tiles, there are plenty of choices for the homeowner. While the different roofing materials will have no problem in keeping the rain out, the cost and long-term durability of each of the tiles can vary drastically. Here are a few of the most popular types of roofing materials:

Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles (also referred to as composite shingles) are one of the most common types to renovate the roof. Most of these tiles are made with a layer of fiberglass mat coated with mineral granules and asphalt. This is an all-purpose type of tile and practical for most homes. They are long-lasting and can even come with a warranty that lasts for 30 years or more. They are easy to install and easily sourced should a few need replacing in the future.

Rolled Roofing
The rolled roofing is a practical and cost-effective choice for the outbuilding or similar structures. Also, it can be used on the low-slope roofs on residential homes. This is one of the quickest methods to give long-term roofing, but isn't the most attractive to look at. Rolled roofing comes in rolls of nearly 100 sq ft and is very effective at stopping the rain from getting through.

Metal Roofing
Metal roofing is no longer limited to warehouses in NYC. This type of roofing can look incredibly stylish even on large mansions. It is a fire-resistant material and isn't attractive to any of the wood-boring insects that attack the home, such as carpenter ants or termites. It isn't the easiest roofing material to install and can be quite expensive. But, it is seen as an eco-friendly option to use on the roof. This problem is usually handled by most of the roofing companies NYC has to offer.

Slate Shingles
Slate shingles are made of real stone and one of the most attractive choices to remodel the home that roofing companies provide for their customers. Plus, this material is relatively easy to quarry and is easily cut into thin sheets. A slate roof is best left to the qualified installer because it is quite difficult and time-consuming to work with.

Green Roof
A green roof is a perfect option for those seeking the more unorthodox or unique type of roofing. This type of roof is first installed with several layers of a waterproof membrane with the green material added later. A green roof is appreciated for its ability to grow plants, absorb rainwater, provide thermal insulation and put oxygen back in the air.

Thursday, March 2, 2017

7 tax write-offs small business owners can’t afford to miss



Accountants and other fiscal experts often emphasize how smart daily accounting makes for less hassle come tax time. With a little tax savvy, you could have an easier time filing for your business and likely pay less to the IRS. One trick is knowing exactly what you can and cannot deduct. With that in mind, here are seven tax write-offs small business owners commonly miss when filing:


1. Meals and entertainment

Everyone knows meals and entertainment are deductible when you are finalizing terms with a client over dinner. However, you can extend those boundaries to include business-related conversations, networking events that resulted in a lead, or any other dining and entertaining. Just be sure to keep receipts with notes about who you were with and the results of every just in case you’re audited.


2. Bank fees

With bank's fee schedules changing every six months, it’s nearly impossible to remember the terms of every account and when each payment is due. The good news is that bank fees for your business accounts may be deductible. For example, if you need cash to pay a delivery person and have to use the ATM next door, the $3.00 fee, in addition to the one your bank might charge, can be deducted. Similar deductions are available for cash-advance fees on credit card transactions. These are all deemed legitimate and necessary costs of doing business.


3. Smartphones

Entrepreneurs often lament the amount of time they have to spend on their phones. But if you’re working and/or trying to grow your business from your phone, a portion of the device's cost and the cost of a service plan are deductible.


4. Home furnishings

If you have a home office, you’ll need to have chairs and other furniture to make it a comfortable place to work. At night, you might even roll the same leather chair you use in your home office out into your living room. This allows you to enhance your home with purchases that also qualify as tax write-offs.


5. Extra start-up costs

During the first year of any business, business owners may write off up to $5,000 of start-up expenses. But you’re not obligated to stop there. You can write off any additional spending in amortized amounts over the next 15 years. Ask your accountant how to set up a write-off plan for these expenses.


6. Promoting charitable walks

Charitable contributions to qualifying organizations can be written off as deductibles, yet many business owners overlook their sponsorships for fund-raising walks, support of local Little League teams, and other contributions they’ve made throughout the year. Keep records and receipts for all charitable giving and include them in your next filing.


7. Coffee

This is one of the most commonly forgotten write-offs of all. When you stock coffee for brewing at the office or make it at home while working, it can be deducted as a business expense.

As a general rule, small business owners should keep records of all transactions relating to their companies from the first weeks of the year through the holiday season. There’s no reason you shouldn’t take advantage of all the tax write-offs that are available to you, as long as you consult with a qualified tax professional beforehand.

Thursday, February 23, 2017

Make your online business image shine in 3 easy steps




Whether you own a mom-and-pop store competing with big brands, or a growing company with designs on the national market, your online presence means everything. But if you're a small business owner without a great deal of web savvy, don't worry. Here are three simple steps to making your online business image shine:


1. Build it up


Any effort to increase your brand exposure begins with building a website and social media pages. Stephanie Balderrama, president of Consumer Insights Group, told an audience at ad:tech New York that many business owners fail because they ignore their target audience during the website design process. In her work for Cinemax, Adobe, and other brands, Balderrama built winning websites using clear focus, easy navigation, and strong visuals.

Building social media pages for your business takes an equal amount of preparation. Facebook's "pay to play" system puts a burden on companies that hope to gain exposure without paid advertisements, so in this area, it’s best to consult with professionals for strategies to increase your social media reach, impact, and ROI.


2. Amplify your content


Once you have a targeted website and social media pages in place, expanding your brand's reach should be your next priority. When it comes to social media content, the rules are always changing, but there are still certain universal winning principles. For example, in the case of your Facebook posts and company blog (a marketing essential), when you publish is just as important as what you publish. Far more exposure is available to small business owners who publish at night and on the weekends because the fact of the matter is, people pay less attention when they are working at their own jobs.

Other winning social media strategies place a premium on what your audience is most interested in. Catering to your followers and fans in this way increases the likelihood that they’ll share the content with their networks. This type of engagement is invaluable for small business owners.


3. Protect your assets


After you've established yourself, it’s time to protect your good name. Negative comments on social pages and elsewhere online could put a dent in your company's reputation. Often, this negative publicity will be inaccurate and unfair, but rather than ignoring the drama or retaliating, your best strategy will be to respond professionally to the criticism. Make sure your audience understands that you always strive to meet their needs. The best way to manage your online reputation is to monitor your site and social pages and address any issues early.

Another way to protect your company is by cultivating a loyal following of brand advocates. Recognize consumers who are promoting your brand without compensation by offering them coupons, highlighted social posts, or other recognition. You’ll find you have strength in numbers when brand advocates on your side.

Your online business image will be strong once you have the right strategies in place, and whether you’re a marketing whiz or have yet to open a Twitter account, the resources to help you choose and implement those strategies are available.