Home

Author: Beau

  • Tech Throwback: The LaserDisc

    Tech Throwback: The LaserDisc

    I like to take a look at where I’ve been to evaluate where Im going. Technology is cyclical after all… wait no its not. That said I still like all the feels that come rushing back like a flood of nostalgia every time I get my hand on the tech I grew up with. I’m going to go back periodically and take a looking at the stuff that used to blow our hair back and get our minds rolling. Some of these device blew up and changed the world, some where ahead of their time and some just fell flat and became colossal failures. Today’s throwback is a failure and a bomb, but has one redeeming quality that makes it invaluable.. Today we are talking about the LaserDisc

     

     

    LaserDisc History

    LaserDisc (originally a trademarked term invented by Pioneer Electronics) is an optical recording medium primarily used for video recordings. In fact it was the first optical recording device to be made publicly available. The technology first began development in the late 50’s; however, it didn’t debut until 1978. The disc resembled a Compact Disc the size of a vinyl record album. The similar appearance is because it was a precursor to CD.

    The format originally didn’t have a proper name. It was called many different things, but was first marketed as MCA DiscoVision (or simply “DiscoVision”), with MCAnote and Dutch electronics company Philips having significantly contributed to the development of the format. Moreover, Jaws was the first movie to be released on it. In 1980, Pioneer Electronics bought out the rights and patents to the format, and subsequently renamed it “LaserVision”, with the format introduced in Japan in 1981. Although they would later use “LaserDisc”note as a brand name, LaserVision was the official name of the format until the early 1990s, when Pioneer finally began to use “LaserDisc” as the format’s official name.

    The Resolution Quality

    With the exception of DVD, Laserdiscs are by far the best-looking and sounding home video system available. Pioneer pitches LD as “60% sharper” than VHS. LD image quality is roughly comparable to standard 16mm film, VHS is roughly comparable to 8mm film.Depending on source material and the transfer to disc, LD is above live TV broadcast quality. For NTSC, this is 425 TVL (luminance lines horizontally for 3/4 of the screen width) and about 482 scan lines, compared to 330×482 for broadcast.

    LaserDisc gave way to letterbox. When LaserDisc came to market, people, for the first time, could watch theatrical movies in their homes. Some intelligent producers actually thought that some people would perhaps enjoy actually seeing the whole film. As a result, letterboxing was developed to mat the picture with black bars on the top and bottom. Enabling the wide center area to show the aspect ratio of the original theatrical presentation. Prior to this everything was presented in Pan and Scan mode whereby the wide version of the film was intelligently cropped to where the action was – but still eliminating 30% or more of the picture.

     

    Star Wars on LaserDisc

    This is LaserDisc’s immortal contribution to humanity, film and society. LaserDiscs digital resolution was far superior to what was available in the late 70s and 80s. This made it the perfect platform to watch the most epic space saga to date. This tech was ahead of its time and prime for Star Wars fans. Most definitely the best way to watch Star Wars out side the cinema theaters. Great right? It is, but ends up being legendary. The Original trilogy is released in high quality LaserDisc in 1986. As the tech fades to the DVD smaller format just about the same time George Lucas sets his remasters to work. We know of the horrors that became of the re-release…. Han shot first!… As I digress, only the Remastered versions make it to DVD. Thus ensuring the original masterpieces are forever forgotten to the approaching digital DVD revolution.

    However, LaserDisc saves the day. Nerds unit and covet the LaserDisc copies. Later converting them to a higher resolution digital copy that will circulate through the internet and ensuring the glory days of Star Wars..

  • All New 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pick Up

    All New 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pick Up

    There is alot going on in the pick up market. A Lot of the top level trucks have gotten redesigned and upgraded with luxury options. Then Jeep throws in a wrench to the plan. Jeep hasn’t sold a pickup truck since 1992, when the XJ Cherokee-based Comanche went out of production. Today Lets talk about the all new Jeep Wrangler pickup and the best way to get a deal from your local Jeep dealer.

     

    The much anticipated Wrangler Pickup is a natural addition to the Jeep lineup; we expect it to go on sale in 2019. Drivetrain options will likely mirror those of the regular two- and four-door Wranglers, with a V-6, hybrid turbo four, and a diesel on tap. Like the Wrangler, a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission should be available. The pickup should also receive the same weight-saving materials, a folding soft top, and a nifty two-position tailgate.

     

    The All New 2019 Jeep Wrangler Pickup

    We dont have alot of details with the Jeep Wrangler Pickup. We have moved from concept to anticipation. There is a few press relesed pictures and a few spy shots out and around. We know it’ll come with either a 3.6-liter V-6 or a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. Four-wheel drive should be standard, with the V-6 offering a manual and an automatic transmission and the four-cylinder being automatic only. There has been some talk of a diesel engine, but if there is one, it probably won’t be available at launch.

     

    There will be removable roof panels like the standard Wrangler’s. Adding to the Jeep Wrangler feel. Dont worry Jeep Guys, it will feel like a Jeep. I have seen hints of a special tailgate setup that may be offered, with a few different loading and access settings. Spy photos have only shown a four-door pickup body style so far, but a two-door version may also be on the menu at some point. After the Jeep pickup is revealed, production is expected to start sometime at the end of this year. That puts its arrival date sometime next spring, meaning it could either wear a 2019 or a 2020 model year. We are still in speculation phase with that as of now.  Look for this to make a big Jeep level splash in the Midsized truck market next spring,

     

    Negotiating With Your Local Jeep Dealer

    So you have decided this bad boy is the pick up of your dreams. You know you want the Jeep guy persona with the practicality of the mid sized pick up. This Jeep truck is perfect for us. Lets get one. Then comes the realization you have to do the dreaded car salesman dance. Lets talk about the best way to get a great deal from your local Jeep dealer.

    Step one

    Use social media to find someone you know that sells at your local Jeep dealer. If you don’t know someone directly, make a post asking your friends for someone they know. If you buy a Jeep from the sales guy the recommended often they will get whats called a “birddog” or a small referral check, usually $150. But don’t contact that person first. The next step is to stop by the Local Jeep dealer.

    While here, look through the options and find your Jeep Wrangler pickup. Once you know the options you want it is time for pricing. A random sales guy will approach you while you are kicking tires. He will start by asking you questions, avoid answering anything he is asking. If you do follow it up with a question of your own. Don’t worry you wont be buying from this guy so beat him up a little.

    Now that you know the model you want, you have a pricing idea. Next it is time to take the negotiating ball in your court. Contact your bank and get preapproved for your loan. You may have to reach out to a few lenders to find the best rates. 2 to 3 should be fine. When you go to your sales guy having your own finances add a lot to the negotiating process. This also stops them from running your credit with hundreds of other banks and adding points to your rate.

    Pull The Trigger

    Now you reach out to your contact at the dealer ship. Start by telling him that you want your model of your Jeep Wrangler pick up and ask him if he can get you a low offer price. Make it about 10% lower then what the first sales guy quoted you. He will make you a vague promise he could. show up when he has you at or close to your price. Let him know you have your bank set up the loan already and you are ready to pull the trigger.

    The Final Thought

    The last thing I always do when dealing with my local Jeep dealer is before pulling the trigger, I leave. I wait a day, then reach back out. Tell my sales guy i’m almost ready. I just need one last thing, I need him to through in a matching pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses to match my new Jeep Wrangler. If you have the best deal possible, this will be a hard no. If you left him some money on the deal, he will throw them in. Either way its a win/win.

     

     

     

  • Apple Black Friday Deals

    Apple Black Friday Deals

    Its coming, Black Friday is coming. Are you prepared? It is that time of the year. Jump out and get ahead of your Christmas shopping or score a deal on all those Apple products you have needed and wanted but been waiting for the right time on. This year due to the last day of the month falling on a Thursday, That means this year Black Friday is on November 23 2018. However, the deals onslaught will begin well before that, likely on Thanksgiving itself. Well baby birds I’ve scoured the internet and found some of the best Apple deals for black friday. Here are the big retailer’s Apple Black Friday Deals.

    Walmart’s Apple Black Friday Deals

    Savings on Apple products are available through Walmart’s pre-Black Friday Early Access Pass.

    WalMart has initiated a fire sale for iPhones on Straight talk for black friday.

    • Straight Talk iPhone 7 Plus with Free $45 Airtime: Available for $449; save up to $45 when you buy this bundle.
    • Straight Talk iPhone 8 Plus with Free $55 Airtime: Save up to $55 and grab the iPhone 8 for $599.
    • Straight Talk iPhone X with Free $55 Airtime: Available for $899, save up to 6 percent when you purchase this bundle. Plus, get free shipping.

    Best Buy’s Apple Black Friday Deals

    Best Buy is going the way of the blockbuster, its making its slow decent in to nostalgia. Take advantage and shop there while they are still open. This very well could be their last christmas. While they have a lot of great black friday deals set up, they are lacking in the Apple department. The retailer is offering deals on various Apple televisions.

    • Beats by Dr. Dre Pill+ Speaker: Save $100 and buy the Bluetooth speaker for $129.99.
    • Apple TV 32GB with SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller: The latest model is $20 off; now $179.98.
    • Apple TV 4K 32GB with SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller: The latest 4K model is $30 off; now $199.98.
    • Apple TV 32GB & Sideclick Universal Remote Attachment Package: The 4th Generation model is $10 off; now $169.98.
    • Apple TV 4K 64GB with SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller: The latest model is $20 off; now $229.98.
    • Check Out: Walmart Is Making Holiday Shopping Even Easier With These Clever Tech Upgrades

    Target’s Apple Black Friday Deals

    Target is giving you a chance to snag free gift cards when you activate select iPhones.

    • Score a $250 Target gift card with qualified activation for iPhone Xs or iPhone XS Max on Verizon, Sprint or AT&T.
    • Get a free $150 Target gift card with qualified activation for iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8 or iPhone X.
    • Don’t Miss: The Best Black Friday Deals From Target, Costco and 16 Other Major Retailers

     

  • The 2019 Fiat 500

    The 2019 Fiat 500

    The Fiat 500X is getting a tiny facelift for its upcoming 2019 refresh. The facelifted Fiat 500X has been unveiled in Europe with a lightly refreshed exterior, improved equipment levels, and two new turbocharged petrol engines.There’s also redesigned front and rear bumpers, with the front-wheel drive City Cross and all-wheel drive Cross variants featuring bash plate-like elements. Lets talk about the New 2019 Fiat 500

     

    The 2019 Fiat 500

    The FIAT 500 has the capability to take you wherever you want to go. It is fit, fashionable and prepared to take on the most fun adventures ahead. For about the average price of a compact sedan, the FIAT 500X delivers the luxury of a midsize vehicle and is available with all-wheel drive2. With innovative technology and its telling design, this crossover is ready to roll.

    It has been a great while since Fiat updated the 500X and it was in dire need of a mid-cycle refresh. And the Italian carmaker finally heard our voice, and has now teased the 2019 Fiat 500X Facelift ahead of its launch in October. While the teaser image does not speak much about the facelift, but we do know that it is refresh and not a full-blown facelift as such. Nevertheless, the 2019 Fiat 500X facelift gets major updates on the exterior, while continuing with the same powertrain under the hood. But, the question remains, will the 2019 Fiat 500X will only be a facelift or will the company introduce it in a completely new platform is still unclear.

    There are alot of cars in this small crossover market. The jeep renegade is basically the same vehicle with the Fiat rebranded. The 2019 Fiat 500 does stand out with a 1.4L MultiAir® Turbo Engine with Six-Speed Manual Transmission Delivers 160 HP, 184 LB-FT of Torque and up to 33 Highway MP. The 2019 FIAT 500X brings innovation, functionality and Italian style to the crossover market with exceptional space, clever utility, driver-centric amenities, rugged capability and advanced safety and security. Three models make up the lineup—thePop, the Lounge and the more athletic-looking Trekking.

     

    The Updates

    Aside from adopting the more advanced tech, the headlights themselves have a slightly different look to make the pint-sized crossover appear more high-tech when viewed from the front. It’s a similar story at the back where Fiat has mildly updated the LED taillights, but you’ll need a magnifying glass to spot the changes.

    The big changes with the 2019 Fiat 500, as with the similar Renegade, are under the hood. Three gasoline engine options will be available, two of which are turbocharged. The smaller of the turbo engines is a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine making 120 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. The larger turbo engine is a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine making 150 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. Interestingly, there’s no 180-horsepower version of the 1.3-liter engine listed, as there is with the Renegade. There’s also a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 110 horsepower that’s a carryover from the old model. Diesel engines will continue to be available on the 500X as well. They’re all four-cylinder engines in 1.3-, 1.6-, and 2.0-liter displacements, from 95 horsepower up to 150 horsepower.

    Fitted with gasoline particulate filters, the two engines are made entirely out of aluminum to keep the weight low. We got the three-cylinder tipping the scales at just 205 pounds. Joining the two new-gen engines is the familiar 1.6-liter E-Torq. The naturally aspirated unit hooked up to a manual gearbox and FWD. This is also  20-percent quieter than the old ones.

     

    The Final Thought

    The updated 500X follows a mid-cycle refresh given earlier to its sister model, the 2019 Jeep Renegade. This ushers in a new family of Firefly turbocharged gasoline engine. 20 percent more efficient than the previous units, the new engines had to endure a grueling testing procedure involving a total of 5 million on roads from all over the world. 60,000 hours of real-life off-vehicle tests were necessary, along with more than 75,000 hours of virtual tests.

    2019 Fiat 500 comes with more built-in personality than most other small SUVs. Although it’s an urban warrior rather than an off-roader. Want something sharp, teched out and easy to park? need to spend less then 25,000. I’ve got just the car for you, how many can I put you down for?

     

     

     

  • Monday Movie Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

    Monday Movie Review: Bohemian Rhapsody

    Hooray,  Its Monday. That means like most of you, and the rest of the free world, I got to hit the theaters over the weekend. I like to do this every weekend. I wanted to take a little bit of time to tell you my experience at the movie,. Just a minute to shed a little insight and perspective on Hollywood’s latest hit. Seeing a great movie in the theater can be a life altering experience. It can also be an easy way to waste a couple of hours and 30 bucks. My hopes is that with a quick review from this self-proclaim movie connoisseur I can save readers  a few hours.  Or better yet, possibly change a few more lives. This week the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.

     

    Bohemian Rhapsody is the latest in the epic bio-pic set to secure a legends legend. A foot-stomping celebration of Queen, their music and their extraordinary lead singer Freddie Mercury, who defied stereotypes and shattered convention to become one of the most beloved entertainers on the planet. The film traces the meteoric rise of the band through their iconic songs and revolutionary sound, their near-implosion as Mercury’s lifestyle spirals out of control, and their triumphant reunion on the eve of Live Aid, where Mercury, facing a life-threatening illness, leads the band in one of the greatest performances in the history of rock music. In the process, cementing the legacy of a band that were always more like a family, and who continue to inspire outsiders, dreamers and music lovers to this day.

     

    Bohemian Rhapsody 62% Life Altering

    As much as i’ve been anticipating this, I’ve managed to build a better legend of Freddie than this densely packed film of contrived , basic, and uneventful account of Freddie’s life. I left the theater knowing I got got, while still blaring Queens essentials from my car stereo. I got got, it isn’t the life changing trip to the theaters I anticipated, but its a decent enough movie.

     

    Rock You it Does Not

    The Story seems uncontested and meteoric rise to living legend status. I was expecting to get a some fascinating insight in to Freddie, I didn’t. They just sort of show up and magic happens. Take it to far, fight about it, break up, get back together for one last epic show. Wasn’t this the plot of Spinal Tap? My Take, Queens is great enough themselves to make this movie good, but a good Queen movie this is not.

     

    Queen’s lush, revolutionary sound and a lead singer, whose stage charisma and astonishing four-octave range made him one of the 20th century’s most beloved rock stars. The content  for a great Bio Pic is there, but it lacks the adversity, Queen rises quickly and doesn’t fall. There is a back story to what makes Faruk become Freddie. This isn’t it. Then it wraps up neatly, all the atonement and character growth packed in to a quick car ride to Wembley. This is where the movie gets great, Great from a movie perspective. Brain Singer manages to recreate Queens legendary performance in magnificent fashion. Shot for Shot, Minute for Minute. The movie scores on this 20 mins alone.  I will go back an watch this 20 min scene many, many more times.

     

    The Best Scene in the Movie

    In a negotiation and argument with their record company executive played by Mike “Waynes World” Myers. Excellent. In which they are arguing over the 6 min length of the song Bohemian Rhapsody being too long for radio play. Myers’s Ray Foster says “Teenagers will not crank up the volume in the car and sing Bohemian Rhapsody”. He may as well pause, look directly in to the camera and give a Wayne Campbell thumbs up and wink. Magnificently executed. Party On Wayne.

     

    Rami Malek

    Rami Malek stars as Freddie Mercury.  I just didn’t get a Freddie Mercury impression from him. More of an uninteresting Freddie caricature. He is getting rave review and Oscar buzz, I just don’t see it. My reaction, Rami’s casting was a miss. It seems like i’m alone on this though. Lucy Boynton ‘s Mary Austin was a character added to the film which has no point or real reason for being in the story. Its the same movie with or with out her. It seems like almost all the characters in this story didn’t really need to be there. Also when a guy says” you don’t need them” to bandmates walking out and quitting, He is obviously the bad guy, although I cant figure out why.

    Then there is Little Finger. Im sorry but I can not take Aidan Gillen seriously any longer. He is Little Finger doing Little Finger stuff and I cant get past it. I waited the whole movie for his betrayal. Turns out he was a solid guy? don’t believe it, he is Little Finger, he will betray you.

    The Final Thought

    Queen is an amazing band. There songs will be enjoyed by billions for centuries to come. This movie did not capture that.

  • Religion on the Go: Online Bible Schools

    Religion on the Go: Online Bible Schools

    The Bible  is a collection of sacred texts or scriptures that of divine inspiration and a record of the relationship between God and humans. With estimated total sales of over 5 billion copies. It is widely considered to be the most influential and best-selling book of all time. It is undoubtedly profound, mesmerizing, and astonishing in wisdom. Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face- Ronald Reagan.

     

    Theology is essentially the way in which the Christian church has received the Word of God revealed to us in the Bible and in Jesus Christ. The early church inherited the Hebrew Scriptures and accepted them as a true picture of who God is and what he is like. He is absolutely unique and sovereign over everything that exists, which he created out of nothing and for a purpose. Theologist have studied the Bible to impensly unimaginable depths for 4000 years. Cut to today and there are a plethora of Online Bible Schools to get you started as clergy or a theologist.  Lets take a look at some of the best 21rst century online Bible schools.

     

    Earning an online degree in bible study is a way to begin or further a career in ministry. They offer the flexibility and autonomy available in online learning. It’s important to find a quality program; one that offers the history and connection that’s needed to be successful in Christian ministry. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best schools for Bible study in 2017. Then provided them here for you so you can make the best decision possible about where you earn your degree. Lets take a look at the top 5 best online Bible schools

     

    Virginia Baptist College

    Virginia Baptist College is a Christian school located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bible focused minors are in music, church office management and youth ministries. Adults who feel called to serve in ministry at the local church and vocational ministry levels can enroll in the Bachelor of Ministry program. Bible is one of the concentrations in the program. Church ministries, pastoral studies and church business are other concentrations. Graduate Bible studies are delivered through the Master of Ministry, the Master of Biblical Studies and the Master of Christian Education programs. These are online degree programs that take four to five years to complete.

    Manhattan Christian College

    Classes in biblical studies at the Manhattan Christian College run on an eight week schedule. Each class requires a 14 to 15 hour commitment on a weekly basis. Students enrolled in online options generally only have to log into class at set times to participate in scheduled class discussions. The college operates on a semester schedule. It is possible to transfer credits earned at another school into the degree programs. Traditional and dual degrees awarded at the college are the Bachelor of Science in Bible and Leadership.  The Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Leadership and the Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Leadership.

     

    Johnson University Florida

    Since 1893, Johnson University has been a leader in Christian higher education. The University’s flagship campus in Knoxville, Tennessee, was established by Ashley S. Johnson as the “School of the Evangelists” primarily to train preachers.  The School was later renamed “Johnson Bible College,” then “Johnson University” as the scope of the School’s offerings expanded to include additional strategic vocations to extend the kingdom of God.

    Oral Roberts University

    Those who feel called by God to Christian service will find a welcoming academic home within the College of Theology and Ministry. When you enroll in the graduate program, you will be part of a seminary recognized for the highest academic standards by  accreditation from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This assures you of an education that is academically challenging and a degree that is well respected across denominations and by most other universities. All of Oral Robert professors hold earned doctorate degrees and are graduates of such respected institutions as Yale, Duke, Hebrew University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Fuller Seminary, Drew, and the University of Aberdeen, to name a few.

    One of the great strengths of this program is the rich international character of our student body. Theology and Ministry students come to ORU from countries around the world. They study in a program that is Spirit-led and focused on taking the message of Christ to a hungry world. However, you can do this online with their online Bible schools program.

     

    Notre Dame Online Bible Schools

    The Department of Theology represents the heart of the education in faith and reason. The University of Notre Dame strives to give this to its students. Guided by the ideal of “faith seeking understanding,” its faculty conduct critical reflection in six areas. Moral theology, history of Christianity, liturgy, biblical studies, systematic theology and world religion and world Church, in service to all students, the larger Church, the academy, and the broader public.

     

     

  • Easy Ways to Start Arts and Crafts for Kids 

    Easy Ways to Start Arts and Crafts for Kids 

    Kids need to be constantly occupied. They are generally not know for sitting is quiet contemplation or meditation. If you don’t find something to expand their ever growing mind and keep them entertained problems arise. Thats where is good to know some arts and crafts for kids.

     

    CHildren by nature are exploratory and crafty. They are constantly looking to build and make and craft anything they can get their hands on. There is a litany of benefits for getting your kids started with some arts and crafts. It improves their coordination and fine motor skills. Arts and crafts usually require kids to use both hands in a certain manner, which can help them develop fine motor skills and bilateral coordination. It gives them a sense of accomplishment and releases the fear of trying something new they don’t know they can do. Then the Self esteem. Making something and finishing a project, then putting it on display in your home boosts your child’s self esteem. Lets take a look at some easy way to get start crafting with kids

     

    Paint

    Kids love to paint! Children of all ages love to paint! These painting activities for kids range from the simplest painting with a brush or hands to more elaborate spin art, marble painting, and painting a fort. Paint is an art material that is easily adaptable to a wide variety of kids’ art activities. Some of the best and easiest painting activities are tempera paint, acrylic paint,BioColor paint. OR stick with the old classic finger paint.

    Try this one to get started. You can paint fall leaves with coffee filters and a glue gun.  Help your kid by drawing the outlines of leaves on the coffee filters and help them cut out on the outlines. Let your kid make the lines on the leaves using a glue gun. Set the coffee filters aside till the glue has completely dried. Now help your kid color the coffee filter leaves using the water color shades of his choice. Its simple easy and fun

    Lastly try the  Batik Painting. Use Glue Gel (NB regular white glue doesn’t work for batik painting), a white t-shirt and acrylic paints. Draw your pattern on with the glue. Tip put a paper bag between the front and back of the t-shirt so the glue doesn’t go through both layers). Then once the glue is dry paint over the design (don’t layer on too much paint or it will be hard to get off), soak the t-shirts in warm water overnight and the glue will begin to dissolve and reveal the white designs.

     

    Drawing

    Kids have a natural instinct to draw. Try this experiment, place a marker and something really important of yours in place of a child. Watch as the child will quickly cover it with any kids of drawing they can fathom. point is they love to draw, any kind of drawing,  including observational drawing, drawing prompts, and creative drawing exercises and drawing games. It is a very easy and inexpensive arts and crafts for kids activity.

    Get Started with a Draw Me Paintings. You’ll need a huge piece of paper as big as your child. Get them to lie down and draw around their outline. Then they can paint and decorate themselves! If you don’t have long paper you can do draw around your hand outlines and paint and decorate your hands with rings and bracelets.

    I also like the  Draw Your Town project as well.  On a big piece of paper ask your child to draw their town out starting with your house and drawing on roads, buildings, parks and monuments. You might need to go for a few walks to remind yourselves where everything is.

    Origami And Hama Beads

    Hama bead are the latest and greatest arts and crafts for kids projects. Hama Beads burst onto the scene a few years ago. If your kids have forgotten them, it’s a good craft activity and there’s no limit to creativity and inventing shapes and designs. And once your child’s finished designing with Hama Beads how to iron them so the design stays together is a trick worth knowing.

    Origami is a classic. It is cheap easy and a lot of fun arts and crafts for kids.  Origami is a good craft to do with your child, as you get to sit down and interact while transforming a simple piece of paper into something beautiful.

     

     

     

  • Apple Event: The New Mac Mini

    Apple Event: The New Mac Mini

    Apple is having another event this month to introduce new products and provide updates. This is the follow up event to the iPhone XS event early last September. We are expecting even more great new products and some updates to our favorites, Let’s talk about the New Mac Mini.

    The event has come to be known as “There’s more in the making” so you know something special will be unveiled. Apple sent out unique and individualized invitations and the event is always a must attend for the tech world. We will bring you all the updates and juicy details from the event. Already we got a 12.9 inch iPad Pro with 1TB storage and which under the right circumstances can drive a 5K external monitor.

    Tim Cook then made reference to a “small but mighty computer our users are waiting for” was obviously that this was the Mac mini. Macs are expensive. As if to reinforce this universal maxim, the last remaining bastion of Apple affordability evaporated into the crisp fall air today above New York City, where Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled a brand-new Mac mini.

    The original Mac mini might have been the first Mac sold under $500 but don’t expect the same price for the new Mac mini. The Mac Min is Apples entry level computer. It is sold as just the computer with no peripherals or monitor.

    The new Mac mini adorable desktop PC starts at $800 but promises it’s “five times faster” and with “60 percent faster graphics” than its predecessor. What’s under the hood ready to deliver that?

    The New Mac Mini

    It starts with a quad core chip, but you can upgrade to six cores. Similarly, the entry level Mac Mini has a relatively scant 8GB of RAM and 128GB of flash storage. You can upgrade all the way up to 64GB RAM, and a 2TB solid state drive. Apple retained the rounded square exterior of the Mac mini.  Including the user-accessible bottom and a lineup of ports on the back. Mac mini’s small but vocal user base was clearly heard as Apple took a lot of their considerations to heart. Memory consists of two user-upgradable SO-DIMM slots and the flat body design makes it a great choice for server farms.

    Apple says the RAM in the new Mac mini is socketed SO-DIMM and that means that within limits, you will be able to buy more memory at any time. It has to be compatible and it can’t exceed the Mac mini’s 64GB ceiling, but it doesn’t have to be from Apple and that is always a rather gigantic savings.

     

    Options

    If you need extra processing muscle for apps like Adobe Photoshop. You  will gravitate toward a model with a 3.6GHz, hexa-core Core i7 processor, with all other specs remaining the same. Meanwhile, those with large multimedia collections that require a roomier hard drive can instead opt for a 256GB SSD and a 3GHz hexa-core Core i5.

    It is built with decent power. It comes with a quad or six-core i3, i5 or i7 processor, paired with an Intel UHD Graphics 630 videocard. RAM options start at 8 GB and go up to 64 GB DDR4 memory. While storage begins with a 128 GB SSD and go up to a 2 TB SSD. For connectivity, there are four Thunderbolt 3 ports, two USB 3 ports, an HDMI 2.0 port.  Plus a 3.5 mm jack, with adapters sold separately for things like Thunderbolt 2 or VGA.

    On the back we found several Thunderbolt 3 ports, HDMI, USB-A, audio out. A Gigabit Ethernet port that can be upgraded at purchase to a 10-gig port. What we found most impressive was a stack of five Mac Minis, connected over Ethernet. They were running tasks assigned by Final Cut, Logic, and Xcode. All this while the primary machine carried on with its normal tasks.

    The Final Thought

    Apple touted the Mac Mini’s performance on Tuesday. Noting that it was up to five times faster than the previous generation. You can order it today, and it’ll get to your doorstep on November 7.

  • 7 Tips to Cut Your Cable and Internet Bill

    7 Tips to Cut Your Cable and Internet Bill

    If you are like me your internet & cable bill is out of control and roughly the GDP of a small country. In this day and age, Cable & Internet is an essential utility in most homes. Cable & Internet companies report average spending per subscriber of about $85 a month, while the average among satellite TV providers tops $100 a month.

    Like all companies, Cable & Internet service providers want to make a profit. They may include hidden fees in your bill, not deliver the high speeds they promised, or simply overcharge you for their service. Fortunately, it’s possible to negotiate with your ISP to get a better deal and some easy tips will help you convince them to lower your bill. Let’s take a look at 6 tips to cut your cable and internet bill.

    1. Analyze Your Use and Do Research

    We pay for a lot of channels and features we never use. Make a quick list of the time and shows you watch and how you use your cable service. “Do you really need everything that’s on that list?  Cutting premium channels and sports packages is an easy way to cut your bill and rack up savings. Make a list of the channels that are must-haves to help you narrow down what you really need or want. There’s a good chance you can drop down to a smaller, less expensive cable package and still get most of the channels you need.

    Your next step in negotiating a better deal is to gather all the information you can on your history with your ISP. If you can explain your situation with specific facts, dates, and numbers, it will be much more difficult for the call center representative to deny you a lower rate. When you speak to your representative, make sure to mention anything that proves you’re a loyal customer. If you’ve always paid your bill on time, include that information in the conversation. Then, you should explain any issues you’ve experienced with your service. This includes lower speeds than promised, interruptions in your service, or mistakes on your bill. Any problems at all with your ISP can help back up your argument for a lower rate.

    2 The Fees

    The cable & internet companies have a lot of regulatory fees, they pass those down to us with a little inflated for themselves. Nothing we can do about that. However take a look at some of the other fees they have tacked on. Do you have one or several set-top boxes for watching TV throughout the house? Those rental fees for boxes can add up. If you have multiple DVRs in various rooms, do you need them in every room? There are always a few unnecessary luxuries you have added on you don’t use.

    3. Lose The Premiums

    It’s hard to say goodbye to HBO, but doing so can shave as much as $20 off your monthly bill with some providers. Let go of Showtime and you could save another $5 to $15 per month. But a farewell doesn’t have to be forever, though. If you can’t live without “Game of Thrones” or “Homeland,” remove the channel when the season wraps. Or ever just subscribe to their streaming channel.

    4. The DVR. Kill IT

    Miss your favorite show? There’s a good chance you can watch it on-demand the next day. Even local news segments live on via the stations’ websites. Trading in your DVR for a standard digital receiver could trim $10 or more off your monthly bill. With all the streaming service you can easily get around not having and paying for the expensive DRV system.

    5. Negotiate a lower rate

    Don’t be afraid to haggle with your cable provider. You may be able to negotiate a better deal by talking to customer service and asking for a discount. The way to do this is call your company and request to cancel service. They will transfer you to a save team. This team specializes in keeping customer and will bend over backwards to do so. Let them know you are paying to much and not getting enough bang for your buck. They will break out discounts and upgrades to create an attractive package to cut cable cost for you.

    6. Know When to Negotiate

    The best time to negotiate is typically when you’re near the end of your contract. Your representative knows that you can change providers if you’re unhappy with your service, so they’ll be more likely to accommodate you.

    When you’re in the middle of your contract, you don’t have as much negotiating power. Your representative knows that you’ll have to pay a fee if you want to break the contract. This doesn’t mean that you have to wait until the end of your contract to negotiate, though. Even with the fee, you may save money by breaking your contract and switching to another provider.

    If you don’t have a contract, the best time to contact your ISP is at the beginning of the month. Let them know that this will be your last month and that you plan to return your modem or other equipment. Then, they’ll have the rest of the month to contact you and offer you a better rate.

    7. Shop a New Provider

    If the negotiation doesn’t yield a big enough drop in cost, switch. Everyone has a few providers offered to them, A cable company, a phone company and satellite at least. Shop the competitors and let them through all the new customer incentives out to you. Once those expire you can always got back and get the new customer incentives from your current provider. Watch out for the contracts, they are easily avoided and keep switching back and forth, playing the companies promotions against themselves. This is an easy way to cut cable cost.

    The Final Cut Cable Cost Thought

    If you can find a solid internet speed at a good cost, get a TV plan together and build around your use. With a few inexpensive streaming options peppered in you can build a uncompletable array of new entertainment. Find a package that has the few channels you let run in the background, cut cable/internet cost, and take the savings to the bank.


  • Apple Event: Updates to the iPad Pro

    Apple Event: Updates to the iPad Pro

    Apple is having another event this month to introduce new products and provide updates. This is the follow up event to the iPhone XS event early last September. We are expecting even more great new products and some updates to our favorites.

    The event has come to be known as “There’s more in the making” so you know something special will be unveiled. Apple sent out unique and individualized invitations and the event is always a must attend for the tech world. We will bring you all the updates and juicy details from the event.  Let’s take a look at what we got coming out, especially updates to the iPad Pro!

    The Updates to the iPad Pro

    Apple unveiled what it’s calling the biggest change to the iPad since its inception eight years ago. Its new features play in to Apple’s mission to make the tablet more adaptable and appealing to a larger audience.

    Apple announced their new and bigger 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros in New York today, which now come with Face ID, a USB-C charging port, and a new “Liquid Retina” display. With 5.6 million pixels, iPad Pro features the highest-resolution Retina display of any iOS device. The 12.9-inch screen makes everything you do — editing 4K video, designing presentations, running a business — easier, faster, and more engaging. And the Multi-Touch subsystem has been re-engineered, expanding the ways you can interact with iPad. Aesthetically, they’ve got slimmer bezels that only come in black, like the new MacBook Airs. The black bezels, when paired with the Smart Keyboard Folio, make the iPad Pro look closer to a laptop than it ever has before. They also allow for the 11-inch model display to fit a bigger screen into the same overall dimensions as the prior 10.5-inch model.

    There’s a new iPad Pencil stylus with support for gestures that let you switch between the different digital brush styles. You won’t lose this one as easily as last year, since it clips to the side of the iPad with magnets. It even wirelessly charges when attached to the iPad, an improvement over the silly Lightning plug from last year.You’ll pay more for the iPad Pencil and a keyboard, though, which cost $129 and $179, respectively.

    The new iPad Pro is 5.9 mm thinner — about 15% slimmer than its predecessor. And that Home button….Gone. It has been updated with the iPhone x gesture controls. The iPad Pro also features a nearly edge-to edge-display and rounded corners. Its beautiful and very sharp looking. You can also charge your iPhone, essentially turning it into your own personal power bank. At the heart of iPad Pro lies the new A9X, a third-generation chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture. It delivers up to 1.8 times the CPU performance and double the graphics performance of iPad Air 2. So even the most demanding apps run effortlessly.

    iPad Pro runs iOS 10, the world’s most intuitive, advanced, and secure mobile operating system. And with improved built-in apps and multitasking features like Slide Over, Split View, and Picture in Picture, iOS 10 helps you get more done in powerful yet simple ways. Whether you’re researching on the web while writing a book report or browsing your photos while creating a presentation, you’ll get more out of your iPad than ever before.

    There’s a new iPad Pencil stylus with support for gestures that let you switch between the different digital brush styles. You won’t lose this one as easily as last year, since it clips to the side of the iPad with magnets. It even wirelessly charges when attached to the iPad, an improvement over the silly Lightning plug from last year.

    For work, you can attach a keyboard. It felt just like the keyboard Apple launched with last year’s iPad Pro 10.5 but can adjust the screen to two different viewing angles, which is a nice touch.

    The Final Thought
    It’s the company’s first iPad not to include a home button, which allowed Apple to extend the screen vertically for a much more immersive experience. The bezels have been downsized on all four sides. Like the iPhone XR, Apple is referring to this screen as a Liquid Retina Display.The new iPad Pro comes in two screen sizes: 11 inches and 12.9 inches. The 11-inch model has essentially the same proportions as the prior 10.5-inch model. And the 12.9-inch model puts the same-sized display into a much smaller form factor. The new iPad Pro starts at $799 for the 11-inch and $999 for the 12.9-inch. Preorders begin today, and it ships on November 7th.