A Scotsman living in Japan
Key locks can be picked. Combinations locks can be hacked. If you don't believe it just spend a few minutes looking around YouTube. Only a biometric safe cannot be broken into.
We all know that everyone has different fingerprints. We were told that in second grade and we all felt special and unique, or at least that was what the teachers intended. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. It is common knowledge, like each snow flake being unique. Recreating your fingerprint will be impossible for even the most skilled thief when they are attempting to break into your safe.
Some have complained that they have trouble getting into their own biometric wall safe, claiming that the fingerprint recognition isn't working well. That is unlikely. It is more likely that they did not program the safe well. You usually get to store up to 30 or 40 fingerprints in your safe. You want to program your fingerprint at different angles. You will also want to program a few fingerprints of alternative fingers just in case of a burn or very severe cut.
There are some people who just shouldn't use these types of safes. People who work heavily with their hands and have calloused hands as a result may not want to use a biometric safe at all but that doesn't mean that the technology is bad.
14.04.2011. 02:23
With the rising uncertainty over oil supplies due to the popular revolutions in North Africa and the Middle East it is becoming more important than ever to reduce home fuel consumption bills. Added to this uncertainty is the growing realization that both the developed world and the developing world must work to reduce carbon emissions to try and halt climate change.
One of the cheapest and most effective ways you can reduce your heating and cooling bills is to install a good programmable thermostat in your home. The US Green Building Council and the US Department of Environmental Protection recommend installing programmable thermostats in the home because they can lower energy bills by as much as 30% annually.
This is achieved by programming the thermostat to match the schedules of the inhabitants of a house. In this way over-heating and over-cooling an empty house is avoided and savings are made. The government recommended settings for programmable thermostats are 67 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. When you are not at home you should reduce these settings by at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
There are 4 basic types of programmable thermostat: 1 week (1 program); 5+2 (1 program for weekdays and 1 for weekends); 5-1-1 (1 program for weekdays, 1 for Saturday and 1 for Sunday); and 7 day (1 program for each day of the week). Which type of thermostat you choose depends on your life style and your budget.
Finally, before committing to a purchase you should read some reviews. You might be able to track down a cheap programmable thermostat. Also make sure that the device you are thinking about buying has an Energy Star seal of approval.
31.03.2011. 18:08
Apple had a fantastic year in 2011 due to the launch of the iPad. Long awaited in some quarters, and hardly even thought of in others, the touch screen tablet PC was an instant success. With one swift move, Apple seemingly reinvigorated a long lost market for touch screen computers. As they redefined the phone market with the Multi-Touch iPhone, they have created a whole new one with the iPad.
Since its launch, Apple have sold millions of iPads. As with any successful product, this has lead to a small minority moaning about the ‘missing features’ of this great device. This happens with every Apple launch, and we’re certain that Steve Job’s won’t be losing any sleep over it. What it does mean is that the buzz around the possible launch of the iPad 2 this year is well an truly in overdrive. Let’s take a look at some of the features we could possibly be seeing on an updated version of the iPad. These fall in to two broad categories, the ‘dead certs’ and the ‘we’re dreaming’.
The iPhone 4 featured a updated screen with the latest Apple technology, the Retina display. This offers an even clearer picture and it is hotly tipped that it would be logical that this feature will come to the iPad 2.
Apple have really been pushing their FaceTime technology recently. This is a video calling application that makes use of the front facing camera not only on Macs and MacBooks, but also on the iPhone 4. It is a given that the iPad 2 will feature a front facing camera to really help them push this technology forward.
If there is one thing where the speculation is rife, it is about the possible other features that the iPad 2 could have. Top of the list perhaps is the possibility of screen size options. Many of Apple’s competitors in the touch screen tablet market have opted for a smaller 7 inch screen, and many customers are vocalizing the fact that they prefer this. People are wondering if Apple will follow suit and offer an ‘iPad Mini’ options.
The other feature that people can’t quite get their head around is whether the iPad will feature a conventional USB port. Apple have refused to add this to any of their other portable devices, so it is unlikely that this will happen any time soon, though they could surprise us and all the manufacturers of iPad accessories out there who will have to scrabble to make new cases and peripherals to go with the new features.
Whatever the new features of the next iPad it is sure to be a big hit with consumers. A lot of people will be happy with the updates, while others will still be left arguing about what should have been included. No matter which camp you are in, you can’t deny that the iPad is a fantastic bit of kit to own.
29.01.2011. 08:31
Since there are three different Kindle 3 models, there are of course three different prices. But what is the price of a Kindle 3 today? This is an interesting question because in fact the price sometimes changes. This is often the case with tech gadgets. These devices keep getting smaller, faster and best of all, cheaper. This is great news for those of us who love to buy these devices. So which size of Kindle should we purchase? The answer to this question will not be the same for each of us. The reason for this is that we have varying needs for our reading device.
For example, a student may prefer the largest screened Kindle DX. If you are going to be reading text books and studying with your reading device then this option makes sense. Then there are other people who would prefer a lighter more portable model. If this is the case, then one of the 6" units would be best. There are actually two different models at this size. One has just Wi-Fi connectivity while the other can use the same networks as mobile phones and connect using 3G technology. If you have a Wi-Fi network set up at home then the former may well be adequate for your needs. But if not then you may find the convenience of the 3G model better.
As I mentioned at the start, all these machines are sold at different prices. As you may expect, the Kindle DX with the largest screen costs the most. You should consider reading some Kindle review articles to gather more information about the similarities and differences between the different machines in the range. This will help you decide which one is the one for you. Since the Kindle 3 has only recently been released, now is a great time to get your order in for one of these gadgets.
23.10.2010. 08:38
This is a blog carnival post that will promote reviews of various products on websites related to shopping and product reviews.
3 Cup Rice Cooker
If you are a busy person who likes to eat at home, then you might be interested in reading a Zojirushi NS-LAC05 review to find out more about this stainless steel rice cooker.
Zojirushi Rice Cooker
There are plenty of different rice cookers that are on sale all over Canada and the United States today. They come in different sizes too. The best selling 3 cup rice cooker is the Zojirushi NS-LAC05. Then next size up is 5 1/2 cups. This is the perfect family sized device. If you want the best then you should check out the Zojirushi NP-HBC10 which includes both Micom and Induction Heating technology.
Personalized Jewelry Gifts for Mom
Mother’s Day, Birthday’s, Anniversaries and just about any special occasion is a perfect opportunity to give unique and personalized jewelry gifts for mom. Mothers’ love to receive personalized gifts that show you took some time and put real thought into choosing their gifts.
iPad Accessories
The perfect gift for someone who has everything - even the hot new iPad - is an iPad case. The Otterbox Defender is the ultimate protection from drops, scratches, and dust for your iPad.
Men's Retirement Gifts
Do you have a man in your life, father, husband, brother perhaps, who is preparing to retire from his job or career? Retirement gifts for men need not be stuffy and boring. Check this post for some ideas on great gifts they'll love.
Shopping Online
Since online shopping has become so popular, you will find that most of the Best Online Shopping Websites place a great deal of emphasis on customer service. They want you to enjoy your experience, and come back again. Most of them offer lower prices, larger selections, and secure safe purchases.
Popcorn Makers
Home popcorn machines are cheap and affordable. You can have the full movie experience at home for much less than constantly spending at the theaters!
Homeschooling Software
Finding the best homeschool software is critical to achieve the educational goals that teaching parents set for their children. Free homeschool software does not always imply poor quality, but neither will parents want to treat the acquisition of homeschool curriculum software as a casual task. The Internet for Christians site has informative articles and links to homeschool software reviews that may be just the information you've been searching for.
Christmas Gifts
Have you started thinking about Christmas and which gifts to give yet? If you are a parent or someone in your family have kids, be sure to check out the Zoobles. They are one of the new toys bound to be popular in 2011.
Cup Holders
Nothing tastes better than a cool beverage on a hot summer day, and nothing holds that beverage better than a nearly universal cup holder. Here's a model that attaches fast and quick around your armrest using hook and loop straps.
That concludes this month's edition of the shopping blog carnival. There are still some expected entries that have not arrived so if you would like to be part of this festival of blogs please send your information asap.
05.09.2010. 05:18
Living in Japan I am spoilt for choice regarding which rice cooker to use. I went to the shop yesterday to have a look and found loads of different brands, some that I expected like Zojirushi and Tiger and others that I did not, including Hitachi and Toshiba. Anyway, there were absolutely loads. I was looking for a 3 cup rice cooker. This is the smallest you can get but is big enough to feed four or five people if you cook 3 cups of rice at once.
I was surprised to find a Zojirushi Induction Heating machine, the NP-GD05, for about $150. After returning home I looked on the Japanese Amazon site and found it for even less! This model is not available in the U.S. or Canada. I think the closest model sold in these countries is the NP-GBC05 but this model costs over $200. This just goes to show that some of the best rice cookers can be found for really good prices...if you live in Japan!
In my opinion, if you want the best rice cooker then your best option is to buy a Zojirushi. Ever since I came to Japan eight years ago I have had one of their machines. So admittedly I cannot compare them against their competitors but I am very satisfied with the way they work and the quality of the rice that they produce. That is why I am thinking of buying a new one. To be honest, I don't actually need it. My existing machine still works fine but is actually a mid-sized rice cooker. A small one would take up slightly less space and be perfect for my requirements. Japanese rice cookers are great electronic devices that help you to make rice that tastes amazing.
10.07.2010. 21:28
Zojirushi are a Japanese electronics manufacturing company who are particularly famous for their rice cookers. They make a wide range of other kitchen appliances too. The Zojirushi CV-DSC40 VE Hybrid Water Boiler and Warmer is one of them. This device acts like a kettle with extra features. Kettles simply boil water. This is great if we want to make a cup of tea or coffee there and then. But this Zojirushi machine does more than just boil water, it can keep it warm for a long time too. This is very useful if you like to have a lot of hot drinks throughout the day. Also for people with small babies who drink milk formula it provides a constant supply of hot water for use.
People who buy a Zojirushi CV-DSC40 can replace their existing kettle with this more modern appliance. Water dispenses easily by pressing a button on the top. These sorts of water warmers usually have a lock function to prevent accidental dispensing. This is useful for inquisitive children. There are many places to get a Zojirushi CV-DSC40 online. The best thing to do is to compare prices from a few different shops to find out who offers the best deal.
This hot water boiler and warmer has a range of features that make it an attractive purchase. It looks really good. The outer surface of the machine is stainless steel. It looks sleek and stylish. Further, the CV-DSC40 is easy to clean. All we have to do is clean it with a wet cloth. You may worry that a machine that keeps water hot may use a lot of electricity. However Zojirushi have taken steps to ensure that power usage is kept low. The VE in the appliance name stands for Vacuum Electric. So in addition to the electrical power it uses to heat the water, it has special insulation that keeps heat loss down. This of course helps to keep the temperature of the water high. Once it has boiled the water, there are three different heat settings that we can use to keep the water warm. We simply have to select which setting to use depending on how hot we want to keep the water inside.
There are a variety of reasons to buy a Zojirushi CV-DSC40. Is it the sort of thing that would be of use to you?
30.06.2010. 04:43