Faber Optimé Omnis Headlines

Exciting new project!

Faber Optimé — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:31:00 +0000

An exciting new initiative - boost4.me - is approaching readiness for its public beta.
Why not take a peek now to see how its shaping up.

Ho Ho Ho!

Faber Optimé — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 10:37:00 +0000

Ever wondered exactly what Santa gets up to on Christmas Eve night?
Review highlights of his efforts this year, here:

NORAD (the North American Aerospace Defense Command) is a bi-national U.S./Canadian military organization responsible for aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning in the defense of North America.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD provides warning of impending missile and air attacks, safeguards the air sovereignty of North America and maintains airborne forces for defense against attack.
However, on December 24th each year, NORAD has one additional mission - tracking Santa around the world!
For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight.
The tradition began in 1955 after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co. advertisement for children to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief’s operations "hotline." The Director of Operations at the time, Colonel Harry Shoup, had his staff check the radar for indications of Santa making his way south from the North Pole. Children who called were given updates on his location and a tradition was born.
NORAD uses four high-tech systems to track Santa – radar, satellites, Santa Cams and fighter jets.
Tracking Santa starts with the NORAD radar system called the North Warning System. This powerful radar system consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border of North America. On December 24th, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa Claus has left the North Pole.
The moment that radar indicates Santa has lifted off, Satellites positioned in geo-synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from the Earth’s surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable them to detect heat. Amazingly, Rudolph’s bright red nose gives off an infrared signature, which allows our satellites to detect Rudolph and Santa.
The third tracking system is the Santa Cam network. Santa Cams are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras that are pre-positioned at many locations around the world. NORAD only uses these cameras once a year. The cameras capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer as they make their journey around the world.
The fourth system is made up of fighter jets. Canadian NORAD fighter pilots flying the CF-18 intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in either the F-15 or the F-16 get the thrill of flying alongside Santa and his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and, of course, Rudolph.

NORAD has also collected additional, useful information about Santa:
When will Santa arrive at my house?
NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where and when he will arrive at your house. We do, however, know from history that it appears he arrives only when children are asleep! In most countries, it seems Santa arrives between 9:00 p.m. and midnight on December 24th. If children are still awake when Santa arrives, he moves on to other houses. He returns later … but only when the children are asleep.
What route does Santa travel?
Santa usually starts at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean and travels west. So, historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. After that, he shoots up to Japan, over to Asia, across to Africa, then onto Western Europe, Canada, the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. But keep in mind, Santa’s route can be affected by weather, so it’s really unpredictable. NORAD coordinates with Santa’s Elf launch staff to confirm his launch time, but from that point on, Santa calls the shots.
We just track him!
Does Santa visit everyone (i.e. Afghanistan, Israel, non-Christian countries)?
Indeed! Santa visits all homes where children who believe in him live.
How can Santa travel the world within 24 hours?
NORAD intelligence reports indicate that Santa does not experience time the way we do. His trip seems to take 24 hours to us, but to Santa it might last days, weeks or even months. Santa would not want to rush the important job of delivering presents to children and spreading joy to everyone, so the only logical conclusion is that Santa somehow functions within his own time-space continuum.
Is there a Santa Claus?
Mountains of historical data and over 50 years of NORAD tracking information leads us to believe that Santa Claus is alive and well in the hearts of people throughout the world.
How old is Santa?
It’s hard to know for sure, but NORAD intelligence indicates Santa is AT LEAST 16 centuries old.
What does Santa look like?
Based on flight profile data gathered from over 50 years of NORAD’s radar and satellite tracking, NORAD concludes that Santa probably stands about 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds (before cookies). Based on fighter-aircraft photos, we know he has a generous girth (belly), rosy cheeks from sleigh riding in cold weather, and a flowing white beard.
How does Santa get down chimneys?
Although NORAD has different hypotheses and theories as to how Santa actually gets down the chimneys, we don’t have definitive information to explain the magical phenomenon.
Does NORAD have any statistics on Santa’s sleigh?
NORAD can confirm that Santa’s sleigh is a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose, vertical short-take-off and landing vehicle. It is capable of travelling vast distances without refuelling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on December 24th (and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas).
Sleigh Technical Data

Designer & Builder	K. Kringle & Elves, Inc.
Probable First Flight	Dec. 24, 343 A.D.
Home Base	North Pole
Length	75 cc (candy canes) / 150 lp (lollipops)
Width	40 cc / 80 lp
Height	55 cc / 110 lp
Note: Length, width and height are without reindeer
Weight at takeoff	75,000 gd (gumdrops)
Passenger weight at takeoff	Santa Claus 260 pounds
Weight of gifts at takeoff	60,000 tons
Weight at landing	80,000 gd (ice & snow accumulation)
Passenger weight at landing	1,260 pounds
Propulsion	Nine (9) rp (reindeer power)
Armament	Antlers (purely defensive)
Fuel	Hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer)
Emissions	Classified
Climbing speed	One “T” (Twinkle of an eye)
Max speed	Faster than starlight

Where is Santa right now?
Santa is at the North Pole, where he lives with Mrs. Claus and the elves who make toys and take care of the reindeer year round! Each year on December 24th, Santa and his reindeer launch from the North Pole very early in the morning for their famous trip around the world. The minute they launch, NORAD starts to track him! Come back to this website on December 24th and you can track Santa along with NORAD.
I would rather talk to someone at NORAD to find out where Santa is located. Is there a number I can call?
Yes! The NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center is fully operational beginning at 2:30a.m. MST on December 24th. You can call 877 HI-NORAD (877 446-6723) to talk directly to a NORAD staff member who will be able to tell you Santa’s exact location!
For international callers, phone +1 (719) 556-5211.
Can I send an email to NORAD to find out where Santa is located?
Yes! On December 24th, you can send an email to noradtrackssanta@gmail.com. A NORAD staff member will give you Santa’s last known location in a return email.
Has Santa ever crashed into anything when he was flying around the world?
Santa has been flying for centuries without hitting anything. He must be a great pilot!

The Thermodynamics of Hell

Faber Optimé — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 22:21:00 +0000

A true story.
A thermodynamics professor had written a take home exam for his graduate students.
It had one question:

"Is hell exothermic or endothermic?
Support your answer with a proof."

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law or some variant.
One student, however wrote the following:

"First, we postulate that if souls exist, they must have some mass. If they do, then a mole of souls can also have a mass. So, at what rate are souls moving into hell and at what rate are souls leaving?"

"I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to hell, it will not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving. As for souls entering hell, lets look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to hell. Since there are more than one of these religions and people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all people and all souls go to hell."

"With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially."

"Now, we look at the rate of change in volume in hell. Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in hell to stay the same, the ratio of the mass of souls and volume needs to stay constant."

"So, if hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter hell, then the temperature and pressure in hell will increase until all hell breaks loose."

"Of course, if hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in hell, than the temperature and pressure will drop until hell freezes over."

It was not revealed what grade the student received.

Hack Attack...

Faber Optimé — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:41:00 +0000

There was an unfortunate incident today, where the Faber Optimé servers were subjected to a malicious attack.

As a result, some spam email may have been inadvertently passed through our servers.

If you have received any unexpected messages that may have appeared to have originated from our servers in the last 24 hours, please disregard.

Prompt action has been taken to prevent any such further problems occurring.

Apologies for any inconvenience.

Blogs move...

Faber Optimé — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Due to unhelpful changes Google has made to Blogger, all Faber Optimé blogs have now had to be moved.

Old addresses should continue to work, redirecting to the new, respective locations.

Here's the new updated addresses so you can update your bookmarks.

Faber Optimé News
Is now located at http://news.faberoptime.com/

Faber Technicus
Is now located at http://tech.faberoptime.com/

Inspiratio Optimé
Is now located at http://ideas.faberoptime.com/

Effluvia
Is now located at http://misc.faberoptime.com/

Linx
Is now located at http://linx.faberoptime.com/

Ad Break

Faber Optimé — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:13:00 +0000

A couple of TV ads caught my attention for their inspiration.

We Are One

Advertisements for the (TVNZ) New Zealand state broadcaster's channel one.

To watch this vid (rate! comment! favourite!) on YouTube, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8FiyeD1u1o

Light of Mine

"There's a little spark inside everyone..."

To watch this vid (rate! comment! favourite!) on YouTube, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8FiyeD1u1o

Eight ordinary Kiwis were asked what lights them up.

Here's the novel, creative ad that resulted, promoting the rebranding of Telecom NZ.
The music is a new arrangement of the gospel classic "This Little Light of Mine", recorded in New Zealand by Peter Van Der Fluit.

Find out more at:
http://www.lightofmine.co.nz

Dolphins and Whales

Faber Optimé — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 11:59:00 +0000

Dolphins and whales in the Hauraki Gulf.

As seen on the Explore NZ Auckland Whale & Dolphin Safari.

To watch the vid (rate! comment! favourite!) on YouTube, click here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs83X-LXbMY

This film includes pictures of the Auckland Viaduct Basin, Waiheke Island, Rangitoto Volcano and Hauraki Gulf.

As well as many common dolphins, two Bryde's (pron. "brooda", sometimes misheard as "brutus") whales are shown - Tim Bond and friend. :-)

Growing up to about 25 tonnes, the species is named after the Norwegian consul to South Africa, Johan Bryde, who helped set up the first whaling station in Durban, South Africa in 1908.

For more information see:

http://www.explorenz.co.nz/Whale-Dolphin-Safari/index.html

ATAMIRA - Māori in the City

Faber Optimé — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:53:00 +0000

A celebration of Māori creativity and enterprise.

Click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGWJ11Qe8xs to watch the video on YouTube.

Held at the Auckland Showgrounds from the 3rd to the 5th of July, 2009.
Hosted by the local tribe, Ngāti Whātua o Ōrākei.

Including:

Waituhi (painting)
Mahi Toi (crafts)
Toi Whakairo (carving)
Kākahu (clothing)
Raranga (weaving)
Ta Moko (tattooing)
Waka (canoes)
Kapa Haka (performing arts)

This mix includes the double platinum hit single "Brother" from the award winning South Auckland band Smashproof, featuring Gin Wigmore.

Atamira is helf every two years, following it's inaugural 2007 success and in anticipation of the Rugby World Cup to be held in New Zealand in 2011.

For more about Māori:
http://www.faberoptime.com/travels/maori.htm

For more about Atamira:
http://atamira.org/ws/

For more about Smashproof:
http://www.movethecrowd.co.nz/smashproof.shtml

Auto-Tune the News

Faber Optimé — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:50:00 +0000

The Gregory Brothers from Radford, Virginia, USA bring you a fresh take on the news.

Ever wondered how Hilary Clinton or Gordon Brown might sound doing karaoke?

Here's your answer!

Skating on very thin ice, they use the Auto-Tune software (made famous by Cher's '98 hit - Believe) to highly original, hilarious effect.

Click here to watch on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnoD3NUux3M&feature=PlayList&p=736C3116AD309B58&index=0&playnext=1

Happy Halloween!

Faber Optimé — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:05:00 +0000

I hope yours is a scream!

July...

Faber Optimé — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:21:00 +0000

Well into the mid-year and here's to more, better, quicker and a quite literal bringing of people together...

Check out the recent postings about the Auckland Harbour Bridge, ping.fm and Whakatau's Army.

Managing social multiplicities...

Faber Optimé — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:35:00 +0000

Advanced Level Article

Have you got a presence on more than one social networking site (e.g. mySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Bebo, Friendster, etc.)? Read on!

Each network within which we participate demands some time and attention. Much of the time this will be responsive (e.g. responding to others' postings/messages). Sometimes however, we wish to be proactive.

The epitome of the issue presents with regard to status. Most of us periodically change our status on our social network(s) of choice to reflect our current mood/activity. Indeed the Twitter network comprises little else. Once we obtain more than one network presence, we get multiple opportunities/needs to disseminate/maintain/reflect this status information.

Wouldn't it be good if we could change our status ONCE and have it reflected on all our social networks?

Enter a great tool designed for just this job - ping.fm.

Once you've signed up (free), you can select/configure the social networks that you use. Once done, any status updates/micro-blogs/etc. you post through ping.fm show up on all your configured, dependent sites with no further effort.

Type once on ping.fm, have MySpace/Facebook/Twitter/Other(s) (over 35 networks presently supported, more constantly added) automatically updated with no extra effort.

A super time saver.

Auckland Harbour Bridge

Faber Optimé — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:44:00 +0000

A short celebration of its 50th anniversary, enjoy a little flavour of the history, construction, maintenance and recreation around the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

If you cannot see the above video, click here to go to the YouTube page (rate! favorite! comment!).

Connecting Auckland's North Shore City with the rest of the isthmus' metropolitan area, the bridge was originally opened on the 30th of May, 1959.

The 1.2km structure (about the length of ten football pitches) is actually made up of three bridges. The section in the middle with the steep arches and flags on top, is the original four-lane 'truss' bridge that was built over four years by a team of 1000 men at a cost of over $6 million dollars.

The base of the six piers (76ft by 46ft), filled with 7,500 tons of concrete, support over 6,000 tons of steel.

Within a relatively short time it was apparent that the bridge would not be able to cope with the rapidly growing North Shore population (within a year 4.9 million vehicles had crossed the bridge and by 1965 traffic had risen to 9.3 million). The decision was made to extend the bridge from four to eight lanes to increase capacity and ease congestion.

This was done by adding two box girder bridges to each side of the bridge at a cost of $7.4 million. Designed and manufactured in Japan they instantly became known as the "Nippon clip-ons" and opened to traffic on the 23rd of September 1969.

Since then traffic volumes have continued to rise, to over 56 million vehicles last year.

The most important bridge in New Zealand, it is one of the best maintained anywhere in the world. From day one comprehensive maintenance has been carried out and over the years there have been a number of major upgrades including seismic, wind loading and fatigue crack upgrades.

In addition to its traffic purpose, recreational visitors can climb the bridge to walk over it to its summit and/or bungy jump from it.

Gift to Aotearoa: Whakatau's Army

Faber Optimé — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:07:00 +0000

Here's a new take on a very old idea!

Back in around 210BC, Qin Shi Huang (1^st Emperor of China) commissioned the Terracotta Army (traditional Chinese: 兵馬俑; simplified Chinese: 兵马俑; pinyin: bīngmǎ yǒng; literally "soldier and horse funerary statues"), for his mausoleum. Discovered in 1974 by some local farmers near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China, it is thought to comprise over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits.

World renowned, this unique creation continues to intrigue and inspire...

Now consider carving (whakairo in Māori).

It remains a common and popular Kiwi artform, commercial product and hobby, with wood and bone carving being the most ubiquitous, also precious stones such as pounamu (greenstone) and/or shells such as paua (abalone).

Whilst there are many examples (such as those shown opposite) of what could be called traditional Māori styling, every carver of course offers their own unique characteristics, perspective, contribution, interpretation and style.

A distant, modern echo of Qin Shi Huang's vision, what a wonder it would be to see a contemporary army of unique, carved Māori warriors...

Add to the mix a good Māori legend (there may be a better, more appropriate subject, dependent upon the host locale chosen).

In Māori mythology, Whakatau (or Whakatau-pōtiki) is a son of Tūwhakararo and Apakura. In one story, Tūwhakararo is murdered by the men of the Ati Hapai tribe and Whakatau sets out on a quest to rescue the bones of his father and to avenge his death.

He assembles an army, and prepares his war canoes (or waka) Whiritoa, Tapatapa-hukarere, Hakirere, Toroa-i-taipakihi, Mahunu-awatea and others.

The expedition sets off and Whakatau, with his best men, besieges a great house called Te Uru-o-Manono where the enemy are gathered. The house is burned and the people of Ati Hapai are wiped out.

So here's the idea:

Obtain a diverse collection of Māori warrior carvings ("Whakatau's Army"), distinct yet comparable to the Terracotta Army.

By way of a competition, with prizes (e.g. best under 14; best commercial; best waka; etc.).
From the public - using the most numerous and diverse of all possible contributors.
Some broad guidelines, as to maximum/minimum size and permissible materials.
Showcase the finest works of the finest craftsmen.
Definately national, possibly international.
A notable contribution to global, cultural achievements.

Requiring an eighteen month (to two year) implementation plan:

Six months planning (defining prize group classifications, timings, etc.), obtaining host site and funding (e.g. commercial sponsorship; lottery monies).
Public competition launch and six month contribution production/promotion period.
Six months deployment (winners awards; public visitor opening; initial permanent exhibit marketing and complete establishment of business as usual).

I for one would love to see a permanent display of legions of unique, carved warriors in a New Zealand town...

Pictures courtesy of Tor Svensson and Sea Breeze Souvenir and Tourist Boutique.

Plastic Fantastic

Faber Optimé — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:18:00 +0000

We're in an age where the sheer versatility of plastics has become both commonplace and entirely accepted.
From liquid-tight, disposable containers and razors to traffic cones, chairs and dustbins, injection moulding of plastics has granted a plethora of highly useful innovations.
Yet the raw materials used (petroleum derivatives) are expensive. Not just in dollar costs, but in the environmental impacts, consequences of the processing (extraction; refinement; preparation; mixing and moulding) involved.
Let us consider this somewhat further.
There's a vast variety of polymers available (18,000+), each with their own distinct profile of properties (e.g. thermal, strength, durability, colour, etc.), with hundreds of new ones appearing each year.
How about purposeful cutting?
For many applications the purity of the plastic is not a critical factor. For example, a plastic dustbin. What it not be prudent to consider making these from, say, 60% sand to reduce the material costs and enviromental impact?

Auckland Town Hall

Faber Optimé — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:56:00 +0000

Auckland Town Hall as never seen before!

Click here to go to the YouTube page.

Mike Mizrahi transforms this building with a stunning display, celebrating the launch of the Telecom XT (3G) network in New Zealand.

Three large PIGI projectors (as used during the recent Olympic Games) were used to create the ten sets of imagery as follows.

- Curtains

The performance begins with the building draped in curtains that rise, also falling at the end of each cycle.

- Candy House

Hansel and Gretel eat your heart out!

- Sand Castle

- Futurisitic

- House

Keep an eye out for the wandering moggy.

- Lighthouse

- Waterfall

- London Underground

- Palace of Westminster

- Rocket Launch

The following messages also appear during the display: TAKE ANOTHER LOOK; OF NEW ZEALAND - FOR NEW ZEALAND; THE FUTURE IS HERE; DISCOVER. CREATE. EXPLORE; FROM CAPE REINGA TO THE BLUFF; A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES; TAKE A TEST DRIVE.

MySpace Profile 2.0

Faber Optimé — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:44:00 +0000

MySpacers may have noticed the rumbles in the jungle about Profile 2.0.

The Faber Optimé MySpace profile has now been upgraded - essentially providing enhanced presentation and a few new frills.

You can check it out, here:
http://www.myspace.com/faberoptime.

Happy Easter

Faber Optimé — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 21:07:00 +0000

Bringing you wishes of peace and happiness this Easter.

Remember and reflect upon the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marked by this Easter Sunday.

Always good to end with a smile.

Simultart

Faber Optimé — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:04:00 +0000

Here's a refreshing new concept for art - simultaneous art or "simultart" for short.

The basic idea is that an artist creates an original work of art, in multiple sections.

Say three, as shown in the example opposite.

Each section of the work is exhibited in a separate location.

For example, in galleries in London, Paris and New York.

The art is displayed with (multiple sets of) microphones and speakers (physically located in accord with the relative positions of the sections of the work), connected to the other locations via the internet.

Hence viewers at one location are able to verbally express what they see (with little signs encouraging them to do so) to viewers at the other locations and vice versa.

An overall appreciation is achieved by way of this inter-communication, thus becoming an integral part of the work.

Every viewer experience is rich and unique, celebrating both the creativity of the artist and the closely interconnected nature of the contemporary world.

Northland Secrets Early Rizers Mix

Faber Optimé — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:17:00 +0000

A new, improved version of Northland Secrets, updated to include some rare footage of Māori waiata (singing) at the oldest living kauri tree, courtesy of geocachers Early Rizers.

Click here if you cannot see the above video to go to the YouTube page.

This short film includes:

- The Eutopia Cafe

Based on eutopian ideals.
See: http://www.eutopia.co.nz/

- Maungaturoto

Billed as "A Real New Zealand Town", Maungaturoto was first settled by pioneers from the Albertland Settlement Scheme back in 1863, the Māori name meaning "Valley Between Two Hills".
See: http://www.realtownmaungaturoto.co.nz/

- Waipoua Forest

An ancient rainforest, the Waipoua reserve comprises 247 hectares (greater than the size of more than 600 football pitches), with more than 300 species of trees, shrubs and ferns.

- Te Matua Ngahere

Meaning "Father of the Forest" in Māori, it is thought to be the oldest living kauri tree. Enjoy the Māori waiata, captured by fellow geocachers Early Rizers whilst doing the FaberOptimé Te Matua Ngahere geocache (for more info, see here).

- Tane Mahuta

Meaning "God of the Forest" in Māori, it is the largest living Kauri tree, estimated to be over 2000 years old. It stands about 52 metres tall, with a girth of 13.8 metres.

- Omapere

"Gateway to the Hokianga" (a long, estuarine drowned valley).

- The Hundertwasser Public Toilets

Designed by internationally-renowned artist, ecologist and architect, Freidrich Hundertwasser, he recycled the communitys old glass bottles and reclaimed bricks, and incorporated these into the only structure he ever built in the Southern Hemisphere.

Grass adorns the roof, a tree is incorporated into the structure and mosaic tiling, copper handwork, sculptures and cobblestone flooring abound.

- Wellsford

A small Northland town with some interesting corrugated iron!

- Other art, sculpture and pink sheep?!

Two Glasses of Red Wine

Faber Optimé — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 17:12:00 +0000

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a
day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of red wine...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty
mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two glasses of red wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

Now, said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognise that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.'

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff.

If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'There is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.'

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18. Do one more run down the ski slope. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented.

The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of red wine with a friend.'

Share this with a friend,

I JUST DID!

Pasifika Festival 2009

Faber Optimé — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 23:19:00 +0000

A little of the sights, sounds, music, colours, peoples, arts, crafts and cultures of the Pasifika Festival 2009.

If you cannot see the above video, go to the YouTube page (rate! comment! subscribe!) here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujHY-QKPNEk

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, ni sa bula vinaka, kia orana, fakaalofa lahi atu, kam na mauri, taloha ni, greetings!

One of the largest free events in the South Pacific, the Pasifika Festival comprises ten "villages", each from a differing South Pacific island community.
Now in its 17th year, this one day event is held annually in Western Springs park, Auckland, New Zealand.

The villages (in order of appearance): Tangata Whenua; Tokelau; Fiji; Samoa; Tuvalu; Niue; Cook Islands; Tonga; Tahiti and Kiribati.

TANGATA WHENUA
Meaning "people of the land" in Māori, this village presents the hosts - Ngati Whatua o Orakei.

TOKELAU
One of the smallest and most isolated island groups in the Pacific.

FIJI
Fierce warriors and friendly Fijian policemen usher entertainment and mat weaving, tapa printing and wood carving crafts.

SAMOA
Known throughout Polynesia as the "happy people", the Samoan village highlights food, dance and fashion, with traditional Samoan dishes such as cold pineapple salad, tropical ice cream and food prepared in an umu (earth oven); dance groups, bands and choirs and a fashion show, Fa'afetai Lava.

TUVALU
Tuvalu means "eight beautiful islands".

"Tuvalu culture is rare and unique
And hold a message we should seek
Hold our culture way up high
And our Tuvalu culture will never die.
I normally hear friendly waves on our island shore
when I was little
It is not anymore
The sound is getting louder and threatening
My Tuvalu island is going to disappear from the
rising sea level
Tuvalu, my beautiful Tuvalu I cry for you."
- Apiseka Eka

NIUE
Originating from the word "niu", meaning coconut, Niue literally translates as "here is a coconut". Also known as the "Rock of the Pacific", comprised of a single island, Niue is the largest raised coral atoll in the world.
With song, music, challenge dances (meke), traditional weaving, coconut grating, umu cooking and a range of handicrafts made from pandanus and coconut leaves.
Niue is also proud home to Miss Vanessa Marsh - Miss Niue and Miss South Pacific 2009.

COOK ISLANDS
The Cook Islands are known as the "Pearl of the Pacific".
To the sound of the conch shell, drumming, ukuleles and warm smiles, Cook Island dances make your feet and hips move in magical ways. Abundant delicacies, intricate handicrafts and rich resources are key features of this vibrant community.

TONGA
Tonga means "south" and is another highlight of the South Pacific.
Traditional Tongan music by Kava groups, tapa cloth making and mat weaving.

TAHITI
Tahiti is made up of 118 islands in five archipalle - Tuamotu, Marquases, Australle, Society and Gambier.
Home to the finest black pearls and a blend of Tahitian and French cultures.

KIRIBATI
Featuring traditional dances or mwaies, such as "Te Eitei" - where head and arm movements imitate the frigate bird, an I-Kiribati symbol of peace and freedom.
A chance to taste their foods and see Kiribati weaving and tilbuta (a traditional blouse, unique to the I-Kiribati women).

For more about the Pasifika Festival, see:
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/whatson/events/pasifika/default.asp

Northland Secrets

Faber Optimé — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:40:00 +0000

Many fascinating things can be found in Northland, New Zealand.

Click here if you cannot see the above video to go to the YouTube page.

This short film includes:

- The Eutopia Cafe

Based on eutopian ideals.
See: http://www.eutopia.co.nz

- Maungaturoto

- Waipoua Forest

An ancient rainforest, the Waipoua reserve comprises 247 hectares (greater than the size of more than 600 football pitches), with more than 300 species of trees, shrubs and ferns.

- Tane Mahuta

Meaning "God of the Forest" in Māori, it is the largest living Kauri tree, estimated to be over 2000 years old. It stands about 52 metres tall, with a girth of 13.8 metres.

- Omapere

"Gateway to the Hokianga" (a long, estuarine drowned valley).

- The Hundertwasser Public Toilets

Grass adorns the roof, a tree is incorporated into the structure and mosaic tiling, copper handwork, sculptures and cobblestone flooring abound.

- Wellsford

A small Northland town with some interesting corrugated iron!

- Other art, sculpture and pink sheep?!

Square Eyes

Faber Optimé — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:38:00 +0000

YouTube was selected as the Faber Optimé preferred host for video on the 12^th of November, 2007.
The Faber Optimé YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/faberoptime) now attracts around 200 viewers each day.

It includes eight videos, comprising over 46 minutes of original material and has obtained over 19,000 views and more than 40 user comments, with an average rating of .

Nearly 13,000 people have watched the ten minute video "Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella", promoting nuclear disarmament; over 5,000 people enjoying videos promoting New Zealand.

Video	Title	Added	Length	Views	Rating	Comments
	Northland Secrets	07:42 AM, 2^nd of March, 2009	5:05	203	Not Yet Rated	0
	Orakei Korako - "The Hidden Valley"	11:09 PM, 7^th of February, 2009	4:24	306		0
	Goat and Fish	05:23 PM, 27^th of January, 2009	5:20	332		0
	Merry Christmas 2008	01:29 AM, 24^th of December, 2008	1:00	1,391		0
	Auckland Zoo Tiki Tour	03:35 AM, 16^th of July, 2008	9:27	1,093		0
	Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella	07:24 PM, 7^th of June, 2008	10:00	12,881		40
	What to do when bored of life - Auckland Sky Tower Jump!	02:11 AM, 13^th of April, 2008	8:40	3,003		1
	Partner In Crime	11:01 PM, 10^th of April, 2008	2:14	96	Not Yet Rated	1

Three YouTube Playlists have also been created to expedite responses to public requests for specific themed materials.
Video Optimé includes all the major Faber Optimé films; Some New Zealand Highlights comprises just those films with New Zealand thematic content and C'est Moi, has just the films featuring personal Faber Optimé appearances.

A Look at MySpace

Faber Optimé — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:27:00 +0000

To promote awareness of global issues, some effort has been given to establishing a credible MySpace presence, with considerable success.

Since mid-June last year, over 31,000 MySpacers have visited www.myspace.com/faberoptime (the map below was implemented later), availing more than 28,000 MySpace friends and eliciting over 2000 feedback comments.

Over 45,000 comments have been posted to friends' profiles, serving to both promote positive dialogue and involvement with Faber Optimé and improve awareness of nuclear disarmament as a contemporary issue.

Faber Optimé now attracts about 125 new friends from around the world each day on MySpace, that's around 900 a week.

(Geo)Caching In!

Faber Optimé — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:16:00 +0000

Actively participating since the 29^th of December, 2007, here's a few statistics about Faber Optimé geocaching activities.
Click here if you don't know about geocaching!

As at today (the stats shown opposite may be more up to date), 130 geocaches have been found, with the 100^th find on the 23^rd of January, 2009. A full list of Faber Optimé geocache finds can be found here.

Six geocaches have been hidden in New Zealand, attracting 128 separate visits (109 finds, 19 did not find), with the Northland God of the Forest cache proving to be the most popular. Auckland's Cutter Dog cache was found the easiest; Northland's Look Out Waipoua! cache the hardest.

Overseas visitors have included people from Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, America, the Czech Republic, British Columbia, Nepal and Canada.

Geocache	Last Found	# of Visits	Found	DNF
Look Out Waipoua! (Northland)	20/10/2008	15	5	10
Te Matua Ngahere - Father of the Forest (N'land)	22/02/2009	21	21	0
God of the Forest (Northland)	22/02/2009	27	24	3
Point of No Return (FAR North)	19/02/2009	22	21	1
Cutter Dog (Auckland)	27/01/2009	23	23	0
Inaugural (Auckland)	3/01/2009	20	15	5

Faber Optimé also has 14 active trackable items in circulation - 13 Travel Bugs (TB) and one Geocoin (GC).

Altogether these have visited eleven different countries over four continents, travelling approximately 121,187km (or 75,302 miles) around the world.

The Holy TB, promoting awareness about global warming, was the most well travelled; the Sol TB (an innovative sundial design) was the most popular with finders.

Name	Last Logged	# of Logs	Travelled
Faber Optimé - Holy	26/02/2009	16	47,653 km
Faber Optimé - Sol	2/03/2009	40	22,503 km
Faber Optimé - Stella	24/02/2009	27	19,385 km
Faber Optimé - Count On Me	2/03/2009	14	19,060 km
Faber Optimé - Gettin Sexy!	6/11/2008	21	3,523 km
Faber Optimé - Divine Earth	3/01/2009	18	3,111 km
Faber Optimé - Saturday's Child	27/08/2008	11	2,300 km
Chip Off The Old Block	26/12/2008	11	2,294 km
Faber Optimé - Quadrum	23/01/2009	18	655 km
Faber Optimé - Vireo	29/12/2008	9	324 km
Faber Optimé - Crusta Niveum	1/03/2009	14	321 km
Faber Optimé - Triangulum	26/04/2008	6	45 km
Faber Optimé - Mon Chat	7/12/2008	7	13 km
Faber Optimé - Hajj	13/07/2008	2	0 km

Every geocache and trackable item has its own character and story!

See visitor/finder logs and photos by clicking on item names above (links open in a new window).

Progress dear boy, progress...

Faber Optimé — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 22:05:00 +0000

The primary http://www.faberoptime.com/ web site now attracts around two million hits, serving over 40Gb of pages and data to the world wide web, each month (that's an average of more than 60,000 hits per day or 2,500 hits per hour).

Google returns over 41,000 results when searching for "Faber Optimé" by (whole) name and more than 12,000 other web sites/pages include a link to site content.

Whilst the site is accessed from around 10,000 differing, referring sites/pages each month, over two thirds of visitors come from social networking sites, with MySpace, YouTube and Facebook eminent amongst.

Presences on Facebook, Bebo, Orcut, Hi5 and Friendster, though not actively promoted, have attracted approximately 200 users.

Orakei Korako

Faber Optimé — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:32:00 +0000

"...possibly the best thermal area left in New Zealand and one of the finest in the world..."- Lonely Planet Guide

Click here if you cannot see the video above to open the YouTube page in a new window.

Orakei Korako, a Māori name, translated into English as "the place of adorning", also known as "the hidden valley".

It has remained almost completely unchanged for thousands of years, even though 20 million litres of hot water flow over its silica terraces every day.

Enjoy a short tiki tour of some of its highlights featured in this film.

Access is by ferry across Lake Ohakuri, about 25 minutes north of Taupo and 45 minutes south of Rotorua.

The Emerald Terrace (so called as it extends 35 metres under the lake's water, thus has a distinct hue), greets you.

Past the Diamond Geyser (ejecting boiling water up to 8 metres, its water jet shatters into a million droplets, sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight), "Aniwaniwa" - the Rainbow and Cascade Terrace is found.

One of three great fault scarps formed by the last eruption of the world's greatest known volcano - the Taupo volcano (now a caldera, filled by Lake Taupo), around 131AD. The diverse colours are created by algae growth in water temperatures up to 60°C.

Having numerous small geysers erupting at its base, another striking fault scarp, called "Te Kapua" (The Cloud) by the Māori people, "The Golden Fleece" is 5 metres high and 40m long.

"Kei Runga Ite Mania" was formed by hydrothermal eruptions between 8000 and 14000BC. The expansive, kidney shaped silica area features a myriad of browns, greens, yellows, oranges and pinks, pock marked by over 120 crystal clear blue pools. It is hence (very appropriately) known as "The Artist's Palette".

The Ruatapu Cave (Sacred Cave) is preeminent - the video sincerely does not do it justice. One of only two geothermally situated caves known in the world. A 45 metre descent takes you to "Waiwhakaata" (the pool of mirrors), resting serenely at the bottom. Legend has it that if you put your left hand in the water and make a wish it is guaranteed to come true! The water's acidity and chemical composition also has the peculiar ability to naturally clean jewellery.

The steaming, boiling "Kohua Poharu" mud pools, hot springs and "Waiariki" soda fountain can also be found during the meander back through one of the largest Ponga (silver tree fern, Kiwi native and emblem) forests.

Other features (not appearing) such as "Elephant Rock", "Devil's Throat" and "Map of Africa" truly have to be seen to be properly appreciated.

Music - Now We Are Free by Hans Zimmer.

http://www.orakeikorako.co.nz/
http://www.faberoptime.com/

New MCE Takes

Faber Optimé — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 22:37:00 +0000

Thanks Fred for sending me this:

Actually the winner in an "If Everyday Objects Were Designed by M. C. Escher" competition, you can check out the full article, here.

Goat and Fish

Faber Optimé — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:15:00 +0000

A short film featuring Goat Island, Leigh, New Zealand.

Click here if you cannot see the above video to go to the YouTube page in a new window.
Make sure you have sound!

Favoured by snorkelers, divers and day trippers alike, Goat Island is New Zealand's longest established marine reserve.

The name originates from the ancient maritime practice of leaving a couple of goats (since they do not need to drink) when small, uninhabited islands (having no dependable water supply) were found, for potential future use as an emergency food source.

The island had previously been stocked with goats and pigs, but the pigs swam and escaped to the mainland, leaving the goats and the name.
There's also the Hen and Chicken Islands on the reserve too!

A stunning diversity of marine species can be found here (many featured in this film), such as spotties, red moki, kelpfish, marblefish, moray and conger eel, silver drummer, crayfish, snapper, blue cod, bearded mussel, seahorse, global sponges, sea squirts, stick bryozoa, hydroid trees, blue maomao, demoiselle and kahawai.

The island's notable ornithology includes pied shags, petrels and little blue penguins.

Click here for more information about the Goat Island glass bottom boat.

Merry Christmas!

Faber Optimé — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 21:49:00 +0000

Finest festive wishes to one and all and here's to a cracking 2009!

If you're unable to see the above, click here to go to the YouTube web page in a new browser window.

Population Facts...

Faber Optimé — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 10:02:00 +0000

...Something to think about!!

If the world were 100 people, there would be:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from North and South America
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be nonwhite, 30 white
59% of the entire world’s wealth would belong to only 6 people
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death
1 would be near birth
Only 1 would have a college education
99 of them will not see this message,
because only 1 would have a computer.

New Zealand General Election

Faber Optimé — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Here in New Zealand, similarly to the USA, we're on the run up to a general election.

A Labour led coalition are the present incumbents.

With Labour having been in power since 1999, there's much talk in the air of a change to the more right-wing National party.

True to my beliefs, I've given my support to Labour.

Naturally, the locals are much excited by this!

There's barely a street left available to walk down without crowds of avid interest...

Of course it's great to see such support in action.

Gives one hope for a decent election result yet to come.

The picture opposite from a recent rally thankfully shows that there's still a good body of peoples that retain the nation's best interests in their hearts.

Here's to another glorious four red years to come!

Geocaching

Faber Optimé — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 08:18:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

A relatively new sport, technology providing a novel twist to age old pursuits.

From the Geocaching web site:

Geocaching (pronounced geo-cashing) is a worldwide game of hiding and seeking treasure.

In its simplest form, a geocacher places a geocache somewhere in the world, pinpointing its location using GPS technology, then sharing the geocache's existence and location online. Anyone with a GPS unit can then try to locate the geocache.

Easy Steps to Geocaching

Register for a free Geocache account.
Click "Hide & Seek a Cache".
Enter your postal code (or your GPS co-ordinates) and click "Search".
Choose any geocache (try choosing a "traditional cache" at first, denoted by this icon , consider mystery (), multi- () and other, more exotic types of cache (, , , ...) after you've mastered the basics) from the list, then click on its name.
Enter the coordinates of the geocache into your GPS unit.
Use your GPS unit to assist you in finding the hidden geocache.
Sign the logbook and return the geocache to its original location.
Share your geocaching stories and photos online.

That's it in a nutshell!

Though doesn't really tell too much about the more interesting whole story...

Geocaching:

Is accessible.
- You may well be surprised to learn how much is hidden so close to you!
- Costs nothing to participate (though some premium services, such as some member only caches and/or txt message notifications, may require a subscription).
- Integration with Google Maps/Earth (see the "Geocaching.com Google Map" links on cache/site pages) provides a great way to visually browse the world and find caches of interest.
  See roads, routes, terrain and satellite photos of a cache's geographic location and/or move the map around to find/see details of other caches nearby.
- Cache listings have characteristics (such as Difficulty and Terrain ratings) and attributes (such as "Stroller Friendly" or "Available 24/7"), allowing sophisticated use to easily be made (e.g. "just show me caches within 5 miles that take less than an hour" or "show me all the difficult puzzle caches in the region that are wheelchair accessible and have a picnic area and toilets nearby").
- Very family friendly (pets often too), with some caches especially designed for younger players.
Is a world-wide sport.
On all seven continents and in over 100 countries, there are (at the time of writing) 661,996 active geocaches around the world.
Will take you to places and locations you may never otherwise know of or see.
Caches are very often placed at areas with notable natural and/or man made features.
Exercises your mind as well as your body.
Multi-caches typically comprise more extensive hunts, requiring the finding of multiple locations/things and/or solving some puzzle in order to get.
Puzzle caches may involve a very diverse range of problem-solving skills.
The Pandora's Box of geocaching - such caches intellectually stimulate, from easier ones to the very complex. Also, the actual caches themselves may be puzzles in their own right. E.g. a locked box requiring you to find a key hidden elsewhere.
Is more than just finding caches!
Trackable items, such as Geocoins and Travel Bugs have a life of their own - moving from cache to cache, they have their own objective(s) (such as "get to the South Pole" (this one has!) or "just keep travelling East") and develop their own history over time.
Here's one of mine.
Can be competitive.
- Once you've registered on the geocaching site, your statistics are automatically maintained whenever you log activities.
  Advanced players may also use premium member services and/or additional tools to see/analyse their geocaching stats (e.g. average finds per week; best day's finds; number of FTFs; etc.).
- Kudos always goes to the First To Find (FTF) a newly placed geocache. Sometimes hiders may also place higher value items in as a special reward.
- Individuals and teams also compete for accolades such as most finds in a day/week/month (in territory/country/etc.)
Is environmentally friendly!
Geocachers are always encouraged to CITO ("Cache In, Trash Out") - essentially litter pick whilst caching. Here's a good example.
Has social aspects.
You may see "Event Caches" listed locally to you, where fellow geocachers will meet and share experiences.
There are, at the time of writing, 62,452 active geocachers worldwide.
Has yet to discover its limits.
- The placing of caches continues to extend challenges to cachers.
  From physical challenges such as hard to get to places, some caches even requiring specialist skills/equipment (e.g. canoe or snowski) to get; to puzzles of ever increasing complexity and cunning.
- Lots more of the world yet to go, explore and discover!

Enjoy.

Three Sumatran Tiger cubs born at Auckland Zoo!

Faber Optimé — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:43:00 +0000

Auckland Zoo has New Zealand's largest collection of animals and is recognised as one of the most progressive zoos in the world.

A winner of national and international environmental-related awards, it is home to 179 different species and over 1300 animals.

With fewer than 160 in captive (zoo) facilities and less than 400 in the wild, the Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) is classified as a critically endangered species.

Auckland Zoo is a keen participant in an international breeding programme, proudly adding to the efforts with the recent arrival of three new cubs!

Congratulations and well done Molek (mum) and Oz (dad).

Check out the ongoing work here:
http://www.aucklandzootigers.co.nz

I recently visited to bring myself up to date with what's been going on.

As well as the exciting tiger news, I was pleased to get a look around the new New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine (NZCCM). This world-class facility provides domestic and exotic veterinary services (to the Zoo, the Department of Conservation and others) and training.

Take a look at my video on YouTube, here:
Auckland Zoo Tiki Tour

Squeezebox Duet

Faber Optimé — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:36:00 +0000

Intermediate Level Article

This article reviews the Logitech Squeezebox Duet (SD) - a great new product for digital music consumers.

For the MP3 Generation

iPod users listen up! In fact anyone who uses their computer for MP3/music purposes.

A common issue is that many of us have good home hi-fis, yet tolerate inferior computer speakers when listening to MP3s at home, often due to equipment placement/wiring-related issues. There's also an accompanying dearth of complications arising when considering multiple rooms/users.

Available solutions that meet requirements and are not excessively expensive (to date audiophiles have favoured Sonos, but that costs $750USD+) typically infer significant compromises.

Enter the SD, providing a first-rate, economic solution to all these problems and more.

The SD is the new flagship product of multimedia hardware company Slim Devices, recently acquired by Logitech.

Check out the groovy lil movie intro here: http://www.slimdevices.com/flash/duet/index.html

What's In The Box

Worth noting that this product comes in exceptionally nice packaging - the SD is perfect for gift giving, exceeding the usual, high Logitech packaging standards, the box is truly a pleasure to unwrap and explore.

The SD comprises three primary components - a remote control, a charging cradle for it and a separate ("player") box to connect to your hi fi.

Setting Up

Hardware set up couldn't be easier - connect the player box to power and to your stereo via either conventional stereo RCA jacks (with the lead provided) or digital output; plug in the charging cradle and drop in the remote to charge it. Job done.

The software set up proved to be a little more troublesome in my case (in no small part because this kit has such vast compatibility - works natively with PCs/macs/Linux/other computers and most networks), but should be relatively straightforward for the majority of users.

When you first power on the remote some set up is required to get the SD talking to your existing equipment. Essentially, you need to go through some simple steps on the remote to configure network settings (for the techies, the SD natively uses wireless 802.11G). If you connect the SD to a network that has a direct, wired internet connection, the SD can even playback internet radio/sources even when all computer sources are off. A wireless network isn't strictly required either as the player has a single wired ethernet port available.

You also need to install a small application on each computer from which you wish to play content. When you've got it all set up, all your sources (computers/internet sources) are selectable from menus on the remote.

The Squeezebox Controller

The remote control is the pièce de résistance.

Hard to understate this cracking bit of kit.

Communicating with sources (computers/internet)/player(s) via its built-in wireless networking, no line of sight is needed.

The controls are quite simple and intuitive, broadly consistent with iPod styling (i.e. it has a scroll wheel).

During playback/playlist composition, the controller displays track details and cover art where available. This is such a joy! It really brings one's collection to life. I enjoyed rediscovering parts of my collection from album covers long not seen (and surprised myself at the plethora of covers I had obtained from my 14,000+ MP3 collection over the years!).

On it's pleasant and clear (OLED) colour screen, you can browse not only your digital music collection, but also internet radio sources, internet music stores/sources, even newsfeeds.

I could rave for sometime about this remote control - to term it such really is to demean it - it is in fact a modestly spec'ed (Linux) computer in its own right, just dedicated to running the Squeezebox Controller software.

Squeezebox players can also be controlled (via web browser) from any network connected computer.

Today, Tomorrow and Beyond...

Of course when considering such hardware investments, one requires some confidence that not only the build quality is good enough to endure, but also that the purchase will not quickly become outmoded/outdated.

In this respect the SD excels. It is designed (not only to complement and integrate with any other existing Squeezebox/digital music kit but also) for expansion, adding extra players (to feed additional hifis in other areas) and remotes to suit needs is trivial.

New releases of the system software occur quite frequently and once your installation is correctly installed and configured, are automatically obtained and applied (for free). The delight at picking up one's stereo remote to find new features/functionality is truly exquisite.

Preceding Squeezebox products have also established an open software architecture, development platform and environment that many have been keen to utilise.

Thus a panoply of free, add-on applications ("plugins") are also available to address particular requirements. For example, by way of plugins, one can browse artists' biographical details (obtained live from the internet) whilst listening to respective tracks; see lyrics (karaoke synchronised in some cases); personalise look and feel; read RSS/sport weather newsfeeds; enhance audio characteristics and/or control other hardware; etc.

With this fertile software context, one must also question what constraints the SD's hardware infers. Again, on this front the SD provides very well. It natively uses industry standards (802.11G wireless networking and/or wired ethernet) and prior to release, considerable research was done to mitigate against additional (/emerging) requirements. Hence the hardware (the controller in particular) has significant, unexploited capabilities. The controller has an unused infrared emitter (allowing for future exploitation of "universal remote" possibilities), a headphone jack port (at release just providing controller sound effects, but potentially enabling the remote to act as a standalone network player) and SD card port (providing space for expansion/additional onboard controller storage).

Thus a reasonable expectation would be that the SD will remain compatible with (and comparably good to) state of the art solutions for a minimum of 3-5 years; with its continual development potentially, considerably extending its active life and usefulness.

To amply illustrate, since purchase, general, system software updates (primarily comprising enhancements to usability/functionality) have averaged every 6-12 weeks. When I observed a minor issue, I asked a question to the online user forums and a new fix was provided within 48 hours. Exempliary responsiveness.

So far, a happy user!

Available from Logitech, here:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/speakers_audio/wireless_music_systems/devices/3817

Goin Social!

Faber Optimé — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:50:00 +0000

Supporting Web 2.0 activities, Faber Optimé is pleased to announce the establishment of presences on the following social network sites:

	Bebo
	Blogger
	Facebook
	Friendster
	Hi 5
	Live Spaces
	MySpace
	Orkut

Feel free to add as a friend on any/all network(s) of your choice.

Bloody Aussies...

Faber Optimé — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:36:00 +0000

The cause of some disgruntled Kiwi faces...

Funky Monkey!

Faber Optimé — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:43:00 +0000

For all those who've not had the pleasure of seeing this ad:

If you can't see the video, click here.

Amazing News!

Faber Optimé — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:56:00 +0000

Click here or on the picture to open a larger version with readable text.

All Blacks vs England

Faber Optimé — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 16:15:00 +0000

Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
7.35pm, 14th of June 2008

The second match of England's New Zealand rugby tour in the "Iveco Series".

Despite it being a trifle on the chill side (what with it being the midst of winter here) and with a slight occasional passing shower in the air, the heat and excitement of the almost capacity crowd of 60,000+ people made the atmosphere electric.

Super opening ceremony (shown left) had English and New Zealand armies, clad in full medieval battle dress, kicking off and having a good old fight, complete with fireworks, much high jinks and hilarity.

The English team: Mike Brown, Topsy Ojo, Mike Tindall, Olly Barkley, David Strettle, Charlie Hodgson, Richard Wigglesworth, Luke Narraway, Tom Rees, James Haskell, Steve Borthwick (Captain), Tom Palmer, Matt Stevens, Lee Mears and Andrew Sheridan.

The All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitvake, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (Captain), Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andew Hore and Neemia Tialata.

England kicked off strongly, making much headway in the opening minutes (they're toying with you!).

Suspected defence opening and England makes a break for it. Underestimating, the nearest AB blocks and posh! up and over, head over heels goes the attacker, breaking like sea on the rocks.

"Welcome to New Zealand!" chortles a local sat behind. The worldwide rugby superiority of the All Blacks surely doesn't come from no good reason.

Fairly middle of the road fracas and squals then continued throughout, with the ABs steadily increasing their scoreboard advantage.

Topsy Ojo (WOW! What a name!!) made the game's most outstanding contribution with a superb touchdown run from past mid-field, moving like lightening to much English approval and applause.

Hails of plastic beer bottles, cardboard and cheers accompanied Mexican waves rolling round and around with greater and greater gusto each time.

Result: All Blacks 37, England 20.

A great event.

Maybe one in seven had turned out with painted faces and/or costumes.

Not forgetting the obligatory Steinlager and kiwi hot dogs (battered sausage on a stick), a good time had by all.

Graced with love and the ashes of many New Zealanders, rugby players and fans, the final of the forthcoming Rugby World Cup is planned to take place at this same venue - Eden Park - the home of the All Blacks in Auckland in 2011.

Artistic Futility

Faber Optimé — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:57:00 +0000

Ever wondered what to do in the event of a nuclear war?

WARNING: This material is not suitable for younger audiences.

"Living Under the Shadow of the Nuclear Umbrella"

An artistic, educational montage of the official UK government advice.

Ensure to turn up your sound so that the background music soundtrack is audible.

If you cannot see the video here, go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaIim3Rj7L4

Produced in the late 1970s, "Protect and Survive" was the epithet of a pamphlet and twenty short Public Information Films (PIFs), published by the Central Office for Information of the British Government, providing advice to civilians of what to do in the event of a nuclear conflict.

The pamphlet was briefly made available then very rapidly withdrawn from sale, in light of ensuing public reaction ("your exercise in futility is to not run, try to get home, hide under (your bed) and please curl up and die quietly.").

The PIFs have never been deployed as intended. They were made for (and withheld from) general (repeated, continual) release onto (BBC) public television, in the event of the threat of a potentially nuclear conflict emerging.

Whilst the global nuclear scenario has changed (now more nuclear nations; bigger, improved and more numerous weapons), the immediate risks to people substantively haven't.

Nor have the fundamentals of the public advisements:

Don't try to run (mass panic, immediate roads gridlock and damage paralyses transportation infrastructure; maximum personal blast/radiation exposure results)
Hide (bury yourself as best you can for as long as possible)

The unspoken realities:

Many dense urban areas reside adjacent/close to possible military targets.
Nuclear weapons are profoundly indescriminate, use likely inferring considerable direct, collateral, civilian damage.
A nuclear attack could occur with very little notice (hence the infamous "four minute warning").
Today's active nuclear arsenals are massively more powerful than those that existed at the time these films were made.
The explosion of the Tsar Bomba (Царь-бомба, literally "Emperor Bomb", commissioned by premier Nikita Khrushchev) is shown towards the end of the presentation. This was the largest, most powerful nuclear weapon ever detonated in the history of humanity to date. Massively more powerful than any other weapon devised before or since, it was developed by the Soviet Union. The bomb was originally designed to have a yield of about 100 megatons (one hundred million tons) of TNT; however for testing that was reduced by half in order to limit the amount of nuclear fallout that would result. It was detonated on the 30th of October, 1961, in the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. The explosive power released was equivalent to ten times the total amount of all the explosives used in World War II, combined.The flash was seen 1000km away. The area of effectively complete destruction extended to 25 km, and ordinary houses subjected to severe damage out to 35 km. Windowpanes were shattered 900km away.Its explosion was approximately 4000 times more powerful than that of the Hiroshima bomb.
Though all other nuclear weapons have considerably smaller explosive yields, for technical reasons they produce proportionally more fall-out radiation effects.
The total number of fatalities from the relatively small Hiroshima bomb alone (not including the 140,000+ Nagasaki victims), including those from subsequent radiation effects, was over a quarter of a million people.
Modern weapons typically have yields ten to one hundred times greater than the Hiroshima bomb.
External fall-out radiation will likely remain at generally fatal levels for not less than 3-5 weeks.
The minimal, projected longer-term impacts upon health, water and power infrastructures, agriculture and fertility infer a further 60%+ loss of affected populations.
Any considerable nuclear exchanges carry additional risks of a subsequent nuclear winter occuring. Particulates thrown up by explosions and (urban/industrial) fires into the atmosphere causing long-term, significant reduction in sunlight reaching the surface, potentially lasting for years. The resulting chronic impacts upon food production alone would be likely fatal to more than half of remaining populations from starvation; with illness (both from the cold and from radiation/epidemic diseases) taking a large majority of the rest.

To see the full, original PIFs used in this presentation:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ProtectandSurvive

The content of the Protect and Survive booklet:
http://www.cybertrn.demon.co.uk/atomic/main.htm

More about the Tsar Bomba:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsar_Bomba

Please help to ensure that the use of nuclear arms can never be allowed to happen again.

Support nuclear disarmament.

Wash n Brush Up

Faber Optimé — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 18:12:00 +0000

The Faber Optimé web site has had a clean up!

Changed content

Improved Products and Services section, logically re-grouping current/retired products: Faber Technicus; Slice of Heaven; Inspiratio Optimé; Effluvia; Kiwi @ Hand and Mike Oldfield blogs/sites.
Enhanced search, augmenting the (much more comprehensive) Freefind site search with Google site/web search options - available on every page.
Cleaned up templates for search result and Blog pages.
Effluvia/Faber Optimé News tickers replaced with faster loading FeedBurner Headline animators.

New content

The now retired Thai Lanna online store web site added for posterity.

Improving Emails...

Faber Optimé — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:18:00 +0000

Welcome to Feedblitz, Faber Optimé's newly selected email service partner.
Feedblitz:

Will be providing free email updates for Faber Optimé.
Has a proven track-record of reliable (junk mail free) service.
Is supported by advertising (apologies!).
Allows the ability for you to choose to either get an email for each new article published (within around 15minutes of publication); or
Get a single daily digest of any and all new Faber Optimé articles published that day (no publications = no email).

Just use the sign-up form at page right on the Faber Optimé website to subscribe.

The joys of feeding...

Faber Optimé — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:31:00 +0000

A range of RSS/ATOM-based technologies are coming to enhance this site.

Blog Syndication

Faber Optimé — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Intermediate Level Article

For those of us with blogs (see Blogger), there's some great syndication tools out there to make life easier:

Feedburner can provide rss/atom/web/email republishing, incl. some nifty lil 5min-to-make newstickers.
Feedblitz provides some more meaty email republishing options.

Both free.

Magnificent Mister Bond

Faber Optimé — Sat, 24 May 2008 12:22:00 +0000

Check out the above link to see a great example of one of Roger Moore's specialist skills that delivered him into the role of Bond.

Set to the music "Left Bank 2", by the Lance Gambit Trio (AKA "the Gallery Music" ).

More Tea Vicar!

Faber Optimé — Mon, 19 May 2008 19:42:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

What a fantastic modern invention!

The Tefal QuickCup presents the evolution of that most basic and everyday of kitchen appliances - the kettle.

This device heats just the requisite amount of water one needs, thus saving an estimated 65% of the cost equivalent of using a conventional kettle.

A custom "cup size" can be set - typically to the size of one's smallest cup (though any quantity limited only by the integrated 1.5l reservoir can be delivered on-demand), thereafter a single press of the red button dispenses the set amount.

From button press to hot water commencing takes just three seconds, so using this unit is also much faster than a normal kettle!

Though tea afficionadoes should note that the QuickCup doesn't actually boil the water - it's heated to just 90°C. There's no pre-heating nor power use when not heating/pumping - making it massively energy efficient.

Those chosing to not drink water straight from the tap are not forgotten either - an optional filter cartridge can be installed within the unit (as shown in the pic), so it can integrally dispense cold or hot filtered water.

Given the cost savings in operation, buying this unit "pays back" within two years from its purchase and is in any case a worthwhile investment in decreasing environmental impact and carbon footprint.

Highly recommended.

What to do when bored of life...

Faber Optimé — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:26:00 +0000

Jump 192m (TWICE!!) off Auckland Sky Tower!

Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHCuRmedYi0) to go to the YouTube video page.

Tempus Optimé Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget

Faber Optimé — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:13:00 +0000

Windows Vista includes the innovative new Sidebar. This can host gadgets, such as this Faber Optimé clock gadget - Tempus Optimé.

A variation of an original Hans Donner design, it has the following features:

A unique movement - seconds are shown sweeping on the outside
ring, minutes on the middle ring and hours in the centre.
The original Hans Donner movement can be used instead, if preferred.

Capability to set to a specific time zone.
By default the clock shows the computer's local time.

Nine choices of background colour.

Thus you can have multiple clocks active at the same time, each
set to differing time zones and colours.

Expanded and compact modes.

A (localised) "How It Works" animation, illustrating the original Hans Donner
design concept.

Free!

Click here to download and install the Tempus Optimé gadget
(V1.1, 3.31Mb)

Just Open and allow Windows Sidebar to Install when prompted.

Outlook Email Enhancement

Faber Optimé — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:12:00 +0000

Intermediate Level Article

How many times have you sent an email, only to realise moments later a typo/that you forgot an attachment/recipient address error (oh no!).

This tip provides an efficient, free remedy for Microsoft Outlook users.

In Outlook, open Rules (and Alerts) from the Tools menu.
Create a new rule.
Make it act on all messages sent.
Set the action to defer sending by your arbitrary choice of a number of minutes.
1 minute is the minimum, though I've found this insufficient to pick up on all my errors (as I, you do check all your emails prior to clicking on Send don't you?!) - I personally recommend 5 minutes to give enough "breathing space".
Add an exception for messages marked as High Priority.
Thus any messages you flag as High Importance are always sent immediately. Whilst this effectively removes the safeguard period for High Priority emails, it provides a very efficient bypass as/when you may require immediate despatch (e.g. an email regarding an auction or some other urgent/time-limited event).
Save the new rule.

Now all your emails will linger in your outbox for the safeguard period you configured, prior to Outlook commencing their send. Thus you have opportunity to remove/rewrite outgoings before recipient(s) receive in error.

Bonsai Kitten

Faber Optimé — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:46:00 +0000

The perfect gift for the person who has everything!

How about your own unique Bonsai Kitten?!

In earlier days of the internet, when this site launched, this creative hoax caused quite a stir!

Made me crack up!!

Better browsing...

Faber Optimé — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 14:47:00 +0000

The Faber Optimé site icon (as shown in Internet Explorer, opposite) has been revised and enhanced for an improved (IE7 tabbed) browsing experience.

Emailing Pictures

Faber Optimé — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:38:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

Windows XP provides great support for sending pictures by email.

Here's the low down on how to quickly, easily and efficiently email pictures.

Open Windows Explorer (this can usually be found under the Start Button, All Programs, Accessories).
Select the pictures you want by left-clicking on them (hold down the CTRL key to select multiple).
Right click on the pictures and choose Send To..., then Mail Recipient.
Windows will ask if you want to make the pictures smaller. Choose Yes.
Typically picture files can be quite big and email servers often struggle with emails many megabytes in size. Some emails (e.g. >10Mb in size) may not be sendable and/or receivable. Shrinking prior to sending ensures that the email remains of manageable size.
You'll then be presented with an email message having the pictures already shrunk and attached, ready for you to cmplete the body of the email prior to sending.

Maharishi Phucknuckel's Guide To Zen

Faber Optimé — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 17:18:00 +0000

Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead.
Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow.
Do not walk beside me either, just f*!k off and leave me alone.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat tyre.
The darkest hours come just before the dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbour's milk and newspaper, that's the time to do it.
Sex is like air. It only becomes really important when you aren't getting any.
Don't aspire to become irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
Remember, no one is listening until you fart.
Never forget that you are unique, like everyone else.
Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
If you think nobody cares whether you're dead or alive, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.
Before you judge someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.
That way, when you judge them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
If at first you don't succeed, avoid skydiving.
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
Have you ever lent someone $20 and never seen that person again?
It was probably worth it.
If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
Some days we are the flies; some days we are the windscreens.
Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.
Good judgment comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgment.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
There are two theories about how to win an argument with a woman.
Neither one works.
Generally speaking, you aren't learning much if your lips are moving.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.
Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
When we are born we are naked, wet, hungry, and we get smacked on our arse.
From there on in, life gets worse.
The most wasted day of all is one in which we have not laughed.
Remember not to forget that which you do not need to know.

Boggle Gox

Faber Optimé — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 22:30:00 +0000

Finally! My DVD collection has been catalogued! Now avalable for your perusal here, automated tools and web magikery are brought together to give maximum "bangs per buck". Use the search box at right to find specific titles of interest, or you can browse in a number of ways.
Always some pleasure for those at leisure, why not take a look!

Lighters Alive!

Faber Optimé — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 11:56:00 +0000

How about for the next generation of lighters, a lighter that tells you "this cigarette will cost you a day of your life" or "Save your life - burn women not ciggies".
A little OLED screen on the side connected to a compartment at lighter bottom, housing the gubbins.
Ability to connect to PC via mini-USB to enable upload of custom, end-user specified messages would guarantee success.

RIVO

Faber Optimé — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 07:13:00 +0000

Whilst listening to the radio on the way in to work the other day, inspiration hit!
Now you may have heard of/own a TIVO - the "smart" set top box that allows recording of live digital TV transmissions.
Bring on the RIVO! A variation on the TIVO theme, a RIVO would be the corollary complement to digital radio.
Of particular interest would be its potential capabilities to communicate additional information about the current transmission and capture live recordings.
The clear copyright issues infer needs to curtail freely obtaining unlicensed digital copies of works.
However, a continual personal bug bear is when I hear (some of) something good on the radio but miss hearing the name of the song/artist. The ability to be able to see that info about what's playing on the front of my car radio would be invaluable; if I could hit a "Save/record" button too, that'd be great!
Whilst the plethora of infrastructure and copyright issues likely precludes the ideal of being able to purchase a track you here on the radio and retain in real time, the ability to save track info (then subsequently purchase online) would be a far more readily realisable.

Bads...

Faber Optimé — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 10:40:00 +0000

Almost feel like apologising in advance for this one, since yet another perfectly valid means to exploit a communications medium presents another spam/junk mail opportunity.
Nevertheless, it's a doozie!
The widespread adoption of Bluetooth in mobile phones provides the new channel. Portable computers also having Bluetooth onboard provides the means.
The principle is simple - a program designed to utilise the built in features of Bluetooth to actively push out advertising messages - Bluetooth Ads, or Bads for short!
A critical feature of Bluetooth is Object Exchange (AKA obex). This allows the discrete exchange of computer data, typically comprising a record of a name and phone number (though can contain more). If and someone else with you have Bluetooth mobile phones, you can try this yourselves. Usually you'll be able to send and receive records from your phone's address books without too much difficulty.
Note that during the process you'll need to select the specific phone to send to - often this will only be the make/model of the phone, though many owners have given their phone a more descriptive/personal moniker. Anyway, the "push" can be achived without necessarily requiring any explicit participation from the recipient (though the recipient will likely be given the option to accept or reject the information received, curiosity very often prevails!).
Bluetooth is only a short range wireless technology, constituting a primary limitation - sender and recipient typically needing to be within ten metres of each other to "see" each others' phones.
The practice has already been demonstrated, though in tawdry context, indeed this manual method being so labour intensive as to make impracticable for many purposes.
I envisage a small utility, comprising (either hooks into Outlook or equivalent or) its own database of contact information, with a couple of specific modal settings.
The contact information referred to requisite for two purposes - to contain outward bound messages and potentially capture prospective contacts.
The program would run constantly (a Daemon service) and offer abilities to: detect and select Bluetooth phones nearby; send messages and potentially harvest advertised contact information. This final function arises by virtue of the capability for Bluetooth mobile phone users to nominate a "business card" (typically a singular, selected address book entry), this being freely available for recipient initialised collection.
Another very specific requirement is the ability to exercise these functions either wholly unattended and indiscriminately (promiscuous mode) or selectively - emulating typical mobile phone functionality.
The former operating mode embodies the raison d'etre for this invention - effectively this delivers the ability to deliver mass advertising by proximity alone. Thus a mobile phone shop can provide viewers at their shop window with their phone number against an address book entry such as "Mobiles - BEST!"; or a Travel Agent their contact details to passers by.
Further capability might permit the sending of a free thumbnail of an artist's painting as someone passes by their gallery, or a clip from the latest song of the week when one passes a music shop.

Hair Raising

Faber Optimé — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 16:15:00 +0000

How about hair kinetics?

Crossing sound-responsive mechanics, as commonly (and cheaply!) demonstrated by such gift items as "dancing flowers"; with an articulated hair comb, one has the essentials of a device to animate human hair reactively to music.

A simpler case still would be pre-programmed movement patterns providing such effects as undulating wave or shock spike hair styles.

I can just see it on Top of the Pops now...

Regonsice Tihs?

Faber Optimé — Fri, 07 Jul 2006 19:23:00 +0000

Thanks to Paul Cropp, CEO, Hanover Group for this fantastic piece of observation:
Not olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.
Cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae.
The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm.
Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Tell a Friend...

Faber Optimé — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 14:10:00 +0000

As a part of continuing site improvements, the Tell A Friend feature has been upgraded.
You now get confirmation of successful send and an opportunity to tell others.

New thinking...

Faber Optimé — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:36:00 +0000

Loss of power for a morning gave time to consider a solution (okay, one new, attractive solution!) to the world's ongoing, increasing power needs and a superior alternative to the popular iPod, recently posted to Inspiratio Optimé.

Troubles?

Faber Optimé — Sat, 17 Jun 2006 07:17:00 +0000

Power for the People

Faber Optimé — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 18:42:00 +0000

On Monday this week, Auckland, New Zealand suffered a considerable power outage, affecting 1/4 of the region's population, including the Central Business District.
With around a third of the entire NZ population living in the Auckland region, the impacts were considerable. Economic losses have been voiced in terms of in excess of $100 million NZ dollars.

Auckland, in contrast to most comparable cities (having power plants within district), varies in obtaining the majority of its power externally. The cause of the problem was identified as being in transmission at a critical substation.

These events have raised attention on the associated issue of power generation. New Zealand is proud to have a "clean green", deserved, international reputation. With increasing demands, politically protective of its anti-nuclear policies and a Kyoto signatory, power generation in New Zealand is a pointed debate.

All agree on the desirability of diminishing reliance upon non-renewable sources and promoting use of renewable sources such as wind, solar and tidal energy.

However tidal power is seen as immature, solar power (requiring considerable physical space) and wind power facing classic NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) resistance.

A Fresh Perspective

So here's a new idea!

Challenging conventional thinking, I propose offshore multi-power plants.
Arterially A hybrid of power generation technologies cohesively assembled into a structure designed for offshore sea deployment.

Illustrated opposite, conceptually this would comprise:

A module, tubular aluminium super-structure, providing a basic assembly framework and accommodating the direct mounting of multiple wind turbines atop its upright components.
A tiered pyramid, external design, all facias being covered with solar panelling.
Floating on multiple tidal power devices with multiple seabed anchoring, enabling relocation.

Using the classic golden ratios exemplified in Incan, Myan and Egyptian pyramid designs, multiple stepped tiers are envisaged.

From lowest to top, each would comprise a(n almost) flat bed of solar panels, with drainage gaps between.

In similar corrugated fashion, upright panels, aligning to the pyramidal form.

Periodic wind turbines protruding infer the need for vertical panels of some height - the intention being for each propeller head to be positioned relative to the next tier of propeller heads to minimise resistance and enable optimal aerodynamics and airflow over the structural whole.

A seven tier multiplant would comprise over a hundred wind turbines, nearly two hundred thousand solar panels, cover an area about the size of nine football pitches and stand nearly 340 metres high.

(Making a number of extremely broad brush assumptions!), taking into account: average available component efficiencies; meteorological variations; proportions of idle time and the additional contribution of tidal generation, this would consistently generate an average output in excess of three and a third megawatts of power (at least! Hey! Power generation's not my main game this estimate might be far too conservative!).

I would love to work with Hoberman on the best internal construction...

Anyway the more observant will have noted the decided lack of discussion thus far regarding tidal power and flotation. Key components indeed!

Three fold flotation is envisaged.

In the first instance, to enable assemble and provide minimum required buoyancy, sizable, inflatable tubing would be required on the underside of the entire structure - at base level a lattice of substantial (structural) high-pressure aluminium pipes.

Vertical, perpendicular tubes periodically placed along these pipes would provide inflow to conventional hydroelectric generator(s).
By way of a simple piston attached to (MUCH larger than pictured!) buoyancy device in combination with a one way internal valve, sea water would be tidally pumped in volume.

The third tranche of flotation would be optional in stability terms and additional in terms of power provision. The sheer surface area provides extremely well for nets of Salter Ducks to also be suspended beneath.

I'm reckoning that I could deliver this for a fraction of the cost of nuclear alternatives.

Multiplicity of benefits to having power production offshore - negligable real estate cost; tactical/strategic relocation options; minimal visible/environmental impact, though would truly be a wonderous construction; scaleable options and almost limitless reproductions/redeployments and worldwide increasing demand.

Governments, power cos and investors may apply by email.

666

Faber Optimé — Tue, 06 Jun 2006 18:08:00 +0000

Today's date has eerie overtones...
From the bible, book of Revelation 13:16-18:
"He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark, which is the name of the beast or the number of his name. This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666."

A Guide to Software Upgrades

Faber Optimé — Sun, 04 Jun 2006 07:34:00 +0000

1.0: Also known as "one point uh-oh", or "barely out of beta". We had to release because the lab guys had reached a point of exhaustion and the marketing guys were in a cold sweat of terror. We're praying that you'll find it more functional than, say, a computer virus and that its operation has some resemblance to that specified in the marketing copy.
1.1: We fixed all the killer bugs ...
1.2: Uh, we introduced a few new bugs fixing the killer bugs and so we had to fix them, too.
2.0: We did the product we really wanted to do to begin with. Mind you, it's really not what the customer needs yet, but we're working on it.
2.1: Well, not surprisingly, we broke some things in making major changes so we had to fix them. But we did a really good job of testing this time, so we don't think we introduced any new bugs while we were fixing these bugs.
2.2: Uh, sorry, one slipped through. One lousy typo error and you won't believe how much trouble it caused!
2.3: Some jerk found a deep-seated bug that's been there since 1.0 and wouldn't stop nagging until we fixed it!!
3.0: Hey, we finally think we've got it right! Most of the customers are really happy with this.
3.1: Of course, we did break a few little things.
4.0: More features. It's doubled in size now, by the way, and you'll need to get more memory and a faster processor...
4.1: Just one or two bugs this time... Honest!
5.0: We really need to go on to a new product, but we have an installed base out there to protect. We're cutting the staffing after this.
6.0: We had to fix a few things we broke in 5.0. Not very many, but it's been so long since we looked at this thing we might as well call it a major upgrade. Oh, yeah, we added a few flashy cosmetic features so we could justify the major upgrade number.
6.1: Since I'm leaving the company and I'm the last guy left in the lab who works on the product, I wanted to make sure that all the changes I've made are incorporated before I go. I added some cute demos, too, since I was getting pretty bored back here in my dark little corner (I kept complaining about the lighting but they wouldn't do anything). They're talking about obsolescence planning but they'll try to keep selling it for as long as there's a buck or two to be made. I'm leaving the bits in as good a shape as I can in case somebody has to tweak them, but it'll be sheer luck if no one loses them.

Pods, Mods and other PIT

Faber Optimé — Thu, 01 Jun 2006 15:58:00 +0000

Who can have failed to note the meteoric rise in popularity of the iPod.
This can be identified as being primarily down to:

Ability to use/listen to music acquired by way of file sharing;
Capacity; and
Usability

Adaptability is another important facet waiting in the wings.
All the above said, iPods clearly illustrate a consumer desire for accessible technology - cutting edge, computer-derived/hosted functionality with high and immediate availability, I'll coin the phrase Personal Information Technology (PIT).
Note that mobile phones and PDAs also share similar characteristics, though obviously for differing purposes.
However the iPod fails to deliver in the majority of application domains, save for its (multi-)media playback capability.
Thus iPods join the pantheon of personal technologies. For the more avid of techhies, it's yet another box/gadget to carry.
One could make some interesting comparisons with the Palm LifeDrive, which takes the iPod concept and adds to it PDA capabilities as well as file/data storage and retrieval.
So here I propose an alternative approach.
Cognaisant of the PC with its generic design aspects, there's a ready opportunity for an equivalent product, but specifically designed with a fit to the (highly portable/available) ergonomics demonstrated in the iPod, in mind.
Fundamentally, such a device would:

Require minimal on-board functionality; and
Provide interfacing.

As has proved effective with PCs, pretty much all additional componentry could be made available by way of add-in/plug-in modules.

Easily conceivable (starter for 10?!) modules would include:

Power (variety of power to weight ratios thus options available)
Mobile telephony/GPRS/3G services
Storage (for MP3s/programs/data)
Wireless modules (Bluetooth/other for wireless headsets/I/O devices, such as keyboards and printers) - though this could conceivably be built-in, an external module may provide advantages in terms of upgradability. E.g. swap out or add on a WiMax adapter.
Display (e.g. OLED HMDs)
GPS

Thus custom ensembles of high-tech gadgetry can be assembled into a single, compact yet extensible module.

Once a product has bested this market space their longevity is surely assured as the basic framework becomes prerequisite for emergent solutions.

A Couple more Chunks...

Faber Optimé — Mon, 08 May 2006 23:21:00 +0000

Two new additions to the Faber Optimé site:

Kiwi @ Hand
An example of a complete information service provided via web browser and to mobile (PDA) computers.
Mike Oldfield
An aged site produced for an academic assignment. Illustrates a frames-based site design.

Located under the Products and Services section, these are merely provided as further examples of the quality of Faber Optimé work.

Blog SMS

Faber Optimé — Mon, 08 May 2006 02:20:00 +0000

There's seemingly no reason why postings, or at least the titles of postings to a blog could not be distributed via SMS.
Good idea?

Bloggin...

Faber Optimé — Sun, 07 May 2006 22:49:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

Blogging is a bastardised term short for Web Logging.

A log, in simplest terms, is a collection of notes with respective times and dates; a Blog the same, but on the World Wide Web.

In evolution blogging technology now provides publication of HTML and images to multiple formats, including email and newsfeeds, as well as directly to the web.

Blogging is actually really easy to do (hence the article classification).

Blogger is the granddaddy of blogging and technically provides all you need in an easily accessible/usable web interface.

Five minutes is required to set up a (free!) functional blog of your own.

As with many things, blogs can be developed to provide a great deal of sophistication, some of which is demonstrated in the Faber Optimé web site. Note that the News; Faber Technicus; Inspiratio Optimé; Effluvia and Linx sections are all based upon Blogger technology.

Home Page Enhancement

Faber Optimé — Sun, 07 May 2006 22:28:00 +0000

The Faber Optimé site home page has been enhanced with the addition of headlines provided directly from the site News section.

Web Site Publishing

Faber Optimé — Sun, 07 May 2006 13:10:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

So you've discovered web pages on the Internet, but how best to go about making a web site?

Even the most negligible of exposures to the World Wide Web reveals that web pages usually appear in some organised, more complex context, that usually being its Web Site.

Manually constructing a web site (though a valuable learning exercise) is not recommended. The greater a site's content (in terms of both number of pages and semantic composition), the greater the implied ongoing management overhead to maintain.

Better to use tool(s) that provide effective, collective means of managing a site's contents, including: look and feel; structural organisation and navigation; and access to resources.

The Faber Optimé web site is authored using Microsoft FrontPage.

TCP/IP, HTTP & HTML

Faber Optimé — Sun, 07 May 2006 11:55:00 +0000

Basic Level Article

Three key, underlying technologies that provide web sites via the Internet are:

TCP/IP

An acronym standing for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
This is the key, low-level, underlying protocol used by computers for Internet communication.

HTTP

An acronym standing for HyperText Transfer Protocol.
This protocol is used to provide files over the Internet (using TCP/IP), most typically web pages, though can also be files of other types.

HTML

An acronym standing for HyperText Markup Language.
Is a computer language defining the structure and layout of a web document by way of a variety of tags and attributes.
The lingua franca of the World Wide Web.

Pretty much all web pages comprise HTML. It is a relatively simple computer language, programmed in plain text. As such its basics are easy to learn, though it is capable of a great deal of complexity.

Readers are recommended to refer to other good web sites for further info on the basics of web page creation. With the basics in hand, the world's your oyster.

The Faber Optimé site includes many examples of more advanced HTML-based technologies and techniques, though its basic composition is still good old HTML.

Tip: Using your browser's "View Source" command (in Internet Explorer, click on "Source" in the "View" menu) you can see the HTML making up any web page.

This is a great way to learn how other authors have achieved things for use in your own web
pages!

Concept PC

Faber Optimé — Sat, 06 May 2006 07:29:00 +0000

What a concept it is...
A colleague sent an email with the pictures presented here.
Originator unknown, if this is your work - please get in touch - would love to attribute and thank you.
Make your own mind up as to whether fact or fiction!
Shown at left for the first time.
What is it I hear you cry?!
Sure doesn't look like a PC...

Perhaps it kinda looks like some sort of web cam built into a pen...

But no...

This is more than some mere webcam!

Whilst the projection display technology is hugely questionable, the laser projected keyboard is more credible, using available technology.

I've had hands on such a device before....

Shown following is an ancestor of the Virtual Laser Keyboard - retailed online.

The Virtual Laser Keyboard is a first ranking gadget - being both wireless (Bluetooth) and whackingly innovative.
However, whilst functional, this technology does have distinct limitations - most notably requiring the unit to be used perpendicular to a flat plane surface; with more than moderate ambient light detracting from visibility.
The final image illustrates another concept integration of this technology.

Bluetooth Headset

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 22:50:00 +0000

Now Bluetooth headsets are quite prevalent, some being extremely small (e.g. the 5G headset - just 5 grams in weight!).
However to date these have all been technically designed for the mobile phone market.
Increasing availability of Bluetooth on personal computers highlights a current deficiency. Whilst Bluetooth headsets are adequate for Voice over IP (VoIP) applications, they are not suitable for speech recognition (sic) applications, such as Microsoft Windows Tablet Edition, Office 2003, Dragon Dictate, etc.
Whereas phone calls require relatively low bandwidth to be effective, speech recognition demands much higher quality audio to pick up nuances such as the difference between "f"s and "s"s or "b"s and "p"s, found in parts of the audio spectrum not so well served by lower bandwidth.
Additional Bluetooth specification issues muddy the water.
Thus we still await for the perfect headset to emerge:

Small and leightweight - easy to forget you're wearing - unobtrustive
Wireless
Provides not only telephony but also verbal computer control and dictation and other sound applications
Low power, high availability

Personally I'd like to also have an optionally pluginable ear piece on fly lead to attach when I want to listen to my MP3s in stereo too.

Let the Information Flow...

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 18:52:00 +0000

This site embodies some holistic thinking in coalescing a number of technologies to create most effective communication - after all, that's what it's all about!
Primary publishing technologies used include: Microsoft Frontpage for site/page design and use of Blogger technologies.
The former provides a robust framework for sub-/site assembly and general page design, including navigation - a key aspect.
The latter provides a method for extremely dynamic publishing capability. Utilised in addition to other tools and technologies delivers rich HTML automatic email delivery and RSS and ATOM newsfeeds.
Blogger also provides extremely well for authorship-anywhere - another research interest. In addition to its full blown web interface, a number of additional leightweight pubishing interfaces are provided. This provides immediate, user-overt infrastructure for comments and track backs (another blogging technology), as well as a myriad of possibilities for publishers...
Photos and notes jotted on your cellphone PDA available on the web and delivered by email to all site subscribers before you're back to your desk anyone?
Anyway this site is all about communicating information. Research shows that internet users are primarily users of email and the web, typically (though by no means exclusively!) using Internet Explorer.
This web site is as content-rich as possible; with complementary, content-rich automated email, generated automatically from the same source publication.
To efficiently find what you need, decent Search technology is vital. An effective (free!) implementation is shown top right.
Readers should note an additional, critical design objective of this site is that it be of minimal cost to build and run!

SMS using Outlook

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 17:43:00 +0000

Intermediate Level Article

Q: Can I send SMS messages from/using my Outlook contact phone numbers on my computer?

A: Yep!

All you need is a GSM mobile phone you've configured your computer to connect to; a copy of Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and the free Microsoft add-in, (LATER - read on first!) downloadable from the above link.

The tricky bit is getting your computer "talking to" your phone. Of course pre-requisite is a phone capable of such connection, so if it's 3-4yrs old, you're probably flat out of luck, though connections may be possible with relatively inexpensive interface cables (USB is best but may not be an option), if you've no nice, wireless infra-red or Bluetooth handset options.

In any case your phone manual should provide the substantive instructions on how to set up a connection in Windows. That's what you're after. Though the procedure of setting up a connection in Windows is prerequisite to (and often detailed in the context of) connecting to the internet, you'll not be using the internet with this software solution. Once you've got a connection to your phone configured in Windows, you can select it in the Outlook SMS add-in and that's it all ready to go.

You can compose/send SMS messages and reconfigure your settings from your new Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 Add-In toolbar, as shown opposite.

Since SMS infers short text messages via mobile only, it's not a bad idea to set the toggle to ignore contacts w/o mobile numbers to save time adding message recipients, though this does rely upon your contact's mobile numbers having been correctly specified in Outlook as such!

You'll find the message compose and send dialog self-explanatory.

Set messages are retained in a discrete "SMS" Sent Items sub-folder.

Advantages in using Outlook in this way include: automatic retention, archiving (as determined by your own Outlook auto-archive settings) and searchability of messages; as well as ergonomic and efficient use of your contacts' phone info in Outlook on your PC. Price is right (free), light on additional resource requirements and is robust. For best effect ensure that you're also regularly synchronising your phone data to Outlook.

Drawbacks are pre-requisite requirement for Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and limited functionality of the free Microsoft add-in, inferring that messages are only sent, not received back into Outlook. Also got to have Office 2003 - doesn't work with preceding versions.

Happy SMSing :)

Inaugural Posting...

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 02:22:00 +0000

...of Inspiratio Optimé!
It is often observed that innovative people effuse creativity.
Here's Faber Optimé's vent for such!
If you're interested in new ideas then this is the place for you.

Technicus Notes

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:57:00 +0000

Postings to Faber Technicus will be marked as follows:

Basic Level Article
Intermediate Level Article
Advanced Level Article

Faber Technicus Launches!

Faber Optimé — Mon, 01 May 2006 01:53:00 +0000

Welcome to Faber Technicus!
This posting marks the launch of Faber Technicus - an online repository for the sharing of technical knowledge.
This Blog contains a diverse array of assorted technical articles, tutorials and answers to questions thought to be of possible interest to a wider audience.