Look Stylish Without Contributing To The Summer’s Heat
As temperatures rise around the world, the race for sustainable living is on around the world. Do your own little part by incorporating eco-awareness in your summer wardrobe.
With global consumption on the rise, waste is growing at a dizzying pace. The world’s consumerism that starts at the manufacturing level, escalates at transport and ends in exorbitant waste has a disastrous impact on our environment. Part of this self-destructing cycle is the multi-billion fashion industry. Because of the growing concern for sustainable existence, the fashion world focuses on eco-friendly summer fashions that feature ecologically sound materials and environmentally friendly manufacturing methods. Several brands are featuring fashionable wear that doesn’t contribute to the degradation of the earth.
One way to go eco-friendly is to wear vintage. Visit the vintage clothing stores in your area for unique and eclectic pieces that will surely standout in your closet. You may have to filter through racks of clothes, but finding that odd and unique piece is well worth it. However, vintage clothes shopping need not be a daunting task; there are vintage stores that screen everything that comes their way and displays pieces that can be given a second chance.
Another source for eco-friendly summer fashions is the internet. The PoshGirlVintage website has a tunic made out of silk from the 1960s that would go well with the more current trend of skinny jeans or pencil shorts. From Urban Outfitters come ruched sleeveless blouses made out of vintage fabric. This unique style comes straight from the brand’s Urban Renewal line.
Eco-friendly summer fashions are not only coming from retails stores, but from designer’s boutiques as well. Beau Soleil takes the popular Greek-goddess style and turns it into a nature-friendly creation by using sustainable material such as bamboo fabric and vegetable dye. There is a bikini made out of organic cotton, perfect for those hot summer days. Kate Organic came up with a casually sophisticated look in a sleeveless dress with a cowl neckline. Each purchase of this particular design, a donation is made to a tree-planting organization.
Not to be left behind, Gretchen & Grace takes the romper trend and puts it in eco-friendly spin, using a rippling, wrap -around style.
You don’t have to clean out your closet and spend big bucks trying to go green in your wardrobe. Check out local listings for clothes swaps and exchange your unwanted clothes for others that fit you better. You can even organize your own clothes swap in your community or even among friends. There are also organizations, such as Clothingswap.com that organizes swap meets in communities for a minimal entrance fee.
Whatever way you can wear eco-friendly summer fashions this season, it’s a sure way of contributing to the preservation of our environment without sacrificing style.
http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/trends/articles/eco-friendly-summer-fashion
http://wowdazzle.blogspot.com/2010/04/jute-jewelry-summer-fashion-accessories.html
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
A Review Of The iStoragePro iT1PKT Portable Hard Drive
Hard Drive Power In A Small Package
The latest hard drive in the iStoragePro series from CI Designs promises even a better performance than before. Read how this newest model stands up to a road test.
The iStoragePro iT1PKT portable hard drive is the latest offering in CI Designs line of portable storage. Its specs are impressive and I was asked to review this product that promised a lot in terms of performance. And it did.
The streamlined design belies the power beneath. It matches my Apple products, going very well with my MacBook Pro. It comes with a Seagate ST9320423AS, considered to be one of the best hard drives available today.
The next step was to test the iStoragePro iT1PKT to see how fast it can go. I went ahead and used AJA’s System Test software, which I find to be a neat application because it’s what video editors use. Video production needs a lot of power so what better test than to simulate what they do.
With the drive empty, the iStoragePro was very fast. At 98 percent capacity, it still held up well. Manufacturers do quote drive speeds done on an empty drive so it’s good to actually test a hard drive loaded with files to see how it fares in real life. Hard drives start slowing down, especially when it hits the 70 percent capacity mark, and the fact that the iT1PKT still ran well at 98 percent was a feat in itself. I played a video from the drive and there was no skipping or pixelizing of frames. I installed Snow Leopard on it and used it as a startup disc, and it even loaded up faster than my MacBook Pro hard drive. You can actually bring this drive back and forth from your home Mac to your office Mac, like a tiny little laptop.
The drive is installed with two Firewire 800 ports and a USB port. What I like most is that it has a power button, which makes it safer to plug into your computer without risking a power fry. I find the cable that comes with it is pretty short, but that can be easily solved as cables are not that expensive anyway.
The price of the iT1PKT is very comparable to its competitors. A review at BareFeats.com mentions hard drives in this series to perform well for those who work in video production, which makes it excellent for those who will use it for tasks that require less power. It performs well, has solid construction, a reputable and sturdy hard drive and looks good as well. The iStoragePro iTPKT is a great option for those looking for a serious portable storage solution.http://library.creativecow.net/articles/hofmann_jerry/istoragepro.php
The New Final Cut Studio 3 Is Here
A Quick Review of An Old Favorite Made New
The Final Cut Studio 3 suite of applications has become a mainstay in every post-production office. Here’s a quick look on its new updated versions.
Final Cut Studio 3 hits the market with all new versions of the group of post-production applications. Final Cut Pro 7, Motion 4, Soundtrack Pro 3, Color 1.5, Compressor 3.5 and DVD Studio Pro 4 all hit thr ground running in Apple’s latest version of one of their most popular application offerings.
I tested the all new Final Cut Studio 3 in a MacBook Pro that already had Final Cut Studio 2 installed. After upgrading my version in installation, the space taken by the suite of applications only increased by 2GB, which is not bad at all.
All settings were maintained in Final Cut Pro 7, except for the resetting to the default of all the scratch disks. If you had any special settings in Effects, expect to lose that as well. Old projects worked as they did in the previous version. I noticed a new tool, the Timecode Viewer. All in all, the changes were very subtle, and what is most noticeable was the addition of new Alpha Transitions.
Motion 4 had new features like scrolling text for credits and LiveType! It’s fun to play with all its features like 3D shadows and reflections, depth of field, camera framing, and might compete with (if not altogether replace) the more popular Adobe After Effects. Though it’s not there yet, it’s a fun special motion effects application.
Compressor 3.5 is not much of an upgrade. Everything works just as it did before, and the only noticeable new feature is the batch Share button. Like the previous version, it does a good job of squeezing your projects into a nice little neat package.
Our studio has always used ProTools and I’m the only one who ever pays attention to Soundtrack Pro. It has an improved set of keyboard shortcuts, a new way to zone in on clips and Quick Look for STAP files.
My test machine did not work with Color 1.5. It’ll work with a 24” iMac, which I use. Maybe it’s a sign I should give up this MacBook Pro for those new Unibody models.
DVD Studio Pro 4.0 doesn’t have any worthwhile updates, which is a huge disappointment. I would’ve wanted to see improvements in areas like closed captioning and subtitles. This is a sorry situation for those who make DVDs.
It may seem a little expensive at $299, but it’s still highly more affordable than Adobe updates that come every year. Out of all the updated applications, it’s Motion that is the highlight of Final Cut Studio 3. I have to say cheers to Apple for updating a program without too many things breaking apart.
http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/
http://layersmagazine.com/final-cut-studio-3.html
Thoughts On The Euphonix MC Color Controller
An Overview and Review of Hardware, Installation and Functions
The Euphonic MC Color Controller is an affordable controller for half the price of its competitors. It is a great product, worth considering for those looking for good value for their money.
Keyword: Euphonix MC Color
Affordable hardware controllers are now available in the market. No longer restricted to professional studios, items such as the Euphonix MC Color Controller offers much of the same features of controllers that professional colorists have been using. What used to cost $15,000 can now be had at $1,500-$7,000, and offer much of the same features in controllers that colorists have been using for years.
I tested the Euphonic MC Color Controller using a Macbook Pro with 16GB of RAM, an ATI 4870 Graphics Card and an AJA Kona 3 Video Card. The Macbook Pro was hooked up to a 24” Dell Monitor, a 22” Viewsonic Monitor and an FSI 2450W Reference Monitor. Software used for the review was Final Cut Studio 3 with a Color 1.5.1 update.
The workmanship of the controller seemed solid and stable, with its matte rubber finish feeling very comfortable to touch. The buttons and controls were quiet when maneuvered and its size was small enough to be accommodated in my Anthro Fit Console. There was enough room to spare to house the keyboard and a Wacom tablet. The trackballs and trackwheels performed excellently, with extremely smooth control and feel. My only concern was that there is no locking device for the drop-in trackball, making it prone to loss and damage. The wrist panel is also a bit short, and might cause some wrist pain when used for long periods.
Installation was easy enough, and you should take note that an Ethernet connection is required for the controller to be connected to your computer. This proved to be a problem for me because of the setup of my studio, but was easily solved using a longer length of cable. The User Manual described operations simply enough, with lots of emphasis on utilizing less controls and buttons to execute more actions. There are less buttons, knobs and switches to worry about compared to other controllers I’ve previously used. It can get confusing using the same buttons for different actions, but if you use the controller often enough, you’ll get the hang of it pretty soon.
The Euphonix MC Color Controller offers a lot of action in such a small package. It’s well made, has excellent trackball and trackwheel performance and is a good price to boot. There are improvements that need to be made on its functions, and its design could afford to be made more user-friendly as colorists tend to work long hours. Another product to consider side by side with this is the Tangent Wave. All things aside, a product with great potential for a great price.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/656000-REG/Euphonix_947_10451_01_MC_Color_Color.html
A Review of The Etymotic ER-6i
A User’s Honest Thoughts On This Popular In-Ear Headphone Set
Summary: In-ear headphones has been making waves among those who take music seriously and do not want the outside world interfering with their audio experience. One user takes us through his personal experience and expresses his honest views.
The Etymotic Er-6i earphones are considered a great and more affordable choice for an in-ear set of headphones today. Though sound detail is not as good compared to its more expensive counterparts, these earphones are still able to deliver the subtle differences that your music has to offer. Using the Etymotic ER-6i is a relaxing, peaceful experience with its passive sound isolation technology. When it comes to delivering bass tones, however, these in-ear phones fall short, even in ideal situation. This is most probably due to a fit issue.
Reviews of the ER-6i that have appeared on CNet, GoodGearGuide.com and iLounge.com details worthwhile information on its comfort and performance. PCMag also offers a review, but falls short of the details presented by those formerly mentioned. I find that checking the user reviews on Amazon.com also offer good insight with any product, most often touching on issues that involve durability and comfort level.
I’ve personally used several Etymotic ER-6i pairs. I’ve had them sent in for repairs involving damage of the right channel. Etymotic sends me a new pair, but the same problem happens again and again. My latest accident with the pair is an accidental snag because of the long wire, resulting yet in another right channel damage. These earphones also have filters that need to be replaced often, and at $15 for a pack of 6, doesn’t come cheap at all. There’s not telling what causes the filters to wear down. I’ve had filters that lasted months and I’ve had some that only took days to wear down. There’s no definite reason that I can pinpoint that causes the damage. Don’t lose the three-cone earpieces either, because they cost quite a penny as well. Even with all these issues, I keep using the ER-6is because they sound good, if but lacking in bass, and does a great job of blocking out noise from the outside. I can wear them on the train and still get lost in the sound of the music in my ears, and not the noise pollution outside.Compared to the Sennheiser PX100, the lack of bass tones in the Etymotic Er-6i’s is jarring. Granted, the PX100 and the ER-6is are distances apart in terms of design, but you would expect that the ER-6is would beat the PX100 by a long shot, just banking on its price alone. There may be a slight advantage in terms of sound quality, but by no means a runaway victory.
http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/etymotic-er-6i-isolator/4505-7877_7-31077372.html
How To Use A DirecTV DVR
The Basics on Recording Your Favorite Shows
The DirecTV DVR gives you the freedom to watch your TV shows during the time that is most convenient for you. Understanding it is quick and easy, setting you on the road of pleasurable viewing in no time at all.
With the invention of digital media for broadcast, watching and recording your favorite TV shows has become easier than ever before. The DirecTV DVR recording system provides freedom to choose and watch shows at the time that’s convenient for you, in the broadcast quality of your preference.
The Program Guide has a program listing for a period covering two weeks, giving you time to decide and watch for the time when your favorite shows will air. The DirecTV DVR system also eliminates having to choose between two programs you would like to watch but are airing at the same time. The system allows you to record another program while you watch a different show in real time.
Mastering the DirecTV DVR instructions can be made simple. Start by pressing the Menu button to bring up the Program Guide. The on-screen guide works much like the printed material, and lists down the TV shows in the order that they will air. Using the green and red buttons changes the view settings to a daily listing.
There is an option to search for shows based on the categories of Title, Keyword, Channel or Person. If you have an HD receiver, the Smart Search feature enables the number keys of the remote control to work like a mobile phone keypad.
A selection of shows will come up based on the search you performed. For shows that air only once, there is a Record Once option. For a series of shows, you can set the DVR to record each episode of the chosen program. All you need to do is enter the time the show starts and the time it ends and the DVR will do the rest.
You can always go back and review the programming of your DirecTV DVR by going back to the Menu and selecting the Manage Recordings option. This will show you the list of shows that are scheduled to be recorded, complete with the descriptions of the TV programs. The shows are listed in the order that they are to be saved. Within the list you can edit your programming schedule, cancel a recording, and delete recordings.
The DirecTV DVR system provides a way for us to catch up with our entertainment and manage our busy lives at the same time. It is easy to use, manageable and family friendly through the Parental Control feature.
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/perlow/directv-whole-home-dvr-impressive-but-what-a-pain-to-get-installed/13320
Breaking Into The CB Radio System
Basic Startup and Use of A CB Radio
The CB radio continues to be an important communication tool for those on the road. Learn the basics of working a CB radio system and sending your first radio transmission over the network.
Even in this world full of mobile phone communication, the CB Radio System is still very much in use. Companies whose employees work on the field use CB, which stands for Citizen Band. The CB Radio System lets the company’s base of communications to contact their people on a particular frequency. There are shared frequencies in the radio system, allowing anyone to transmit communications. For beginners, it’s good to know the basics of operating a CB radio, as well as the etiquette involved in transmitting over it.
For effective CB communication, it’s of utmost importance to master the controls of the radio unit. Here are some of the controls that you will need to handle in order to join the radio network.
The Squelch controls interference that comes with radio signals and allows your unit to focus on the stronger communication. You will need to find a squelch balance. Set it too high and there will be no noise, but this setting will also disallow weaker signals from coming through.
Put the Mic Gain setting at its highest value to assure that your transmission will be heard by everyone on the CB Radio System.
The Volume knob controls the level of sound that comes from the radio speakers and have no effect on the sound through the network.
PA/CB toggles your voice through the speakers.
ANL and NB controls helps your radio unit focus on communication transmissions and lessen noise.
RF Gain controls the signal strength of both high and low frequencies that transmit to your CB radio unit.
CH19 is the universal emergency frequency.
Once you’ve got your radio unit plugged in and turned on, adjust the settings to allow transmission to come in. To send a radio transmission, you have to push the button of the mic and speak while the button is pressed. Once you release the mic button, your transmission ends.
The CB Radio System has lots of codes and lingo that you will need to learn with time and use, but the very basic is the use of the term “Break.” To join a conversation you hear over the CB Radio System, it’s customary to say “Break” if you need to join in or transmit a message to a different person or to everyone over the network. You may need to mention your name so that others may acknowledge your “break” by replying with “Go ahead”, mentioning your name.
Over time, you will master the CB radio language and be able to quickly and effectively communicate over this radio system.
http://www.walcottcb.com/
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