Interesting and cool stuff!

Amazon, not only books!

2010-12-17T17:48:00.001+10:00

Until recently, I thought that Amazon was about books. OK, well it was for a long time I think :-) Looking at their site now there are many different products available from music, computers, electronics, home and garden and pets through to clothing, sports equipment, tools and automotive product. Sort of like ebay and other similar sites I guess. I know that Amazon has been around since 1994 and online since 1995. Wikipedia suggests that the name Amazon.com was chosen because the Amazon River is the largest river in the world, and so the name suggests large size, and also in part because it starts with 'A' and therefore would show up near the beginning of alphabetical lists.

Originally it was named Cadabra, Inc., but the name was changed when it was discovered that people sometimes heard the name as cadaver! Amazon has now established separate websites in countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and China and it provides international shipping to many countries for some of its products. Further information about the availability of their products can be found on their website.

I like the below text which has been extracted from the Amazon website. It shows that Amazon is committed to reducing their environmental impacts, read on...

At Amazon, we're constantly looking for ways to further reduce our environmental impact. Online shopping is inherently more environmentally friendly than traditional retailing. The efficiencies of online shopping result in a greener shopping experience than traditional retailing. This study explains some of the benefits of the online shopping model. © 1996-2010, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Bruce Dale - National Geographic Photographer

2010-12-17T13:20:00.001+10:00

This is an incredible story about National Geographic staff photographer Bruce Dale...hope you like it
I tried to embed the html code but looks like I need to learn how to do it. Anyway, for now, enjoy the story.

Nothing but interesting and cool stuff here!: VoIP Telephone Services

2010-12-14T23:56:00.000+10:00

Nothing but interesting and cool stuff here!: VoIP Telephone Services

VoIP Telephone Services

2010-12-14T23:53:00.001+10:00

I thought I should post some comments about my VoIP provider here. I have been using engin as my provider for the last 3 1/2 years without any major outages or technical issues. Some minor problems such as configuring routers and firmware updates have been completed by remote log in by an engin technician. Most times this has taken less then 5 minutes. It's a shame that I can't bundle my internet service with them also. Apparently my local exchange, where I live now, does not have ports available for competitors, so I have to use Telstra. What I can say that in the 3 1/2 years I have used engin is that there have only been two incidents which prevented me from using it. The first was because of a power failure and the second was because the internet provider at the time (Optus) had some major equipment failure. I think this is exceptional because the engin device I have has been running 24/7 since I installed it. Well done engin!

More on Lake Pedder

2010-12-11T23:56:00.000+10:00

As an update to the previous post about Lake Pedder and the Lake Pedder Restoration Committee, I have recently published a short article about the Restoration of Lake Pedder. Check it out for yourself and feel free to comment. Cheers, Kevin

iPods and other i-devices

2010-12-11T23:51:00.002+10:00

So far we have iPod, iTunes, iPhone and iPad...I wonder what's next. I am sure there are other niche markets that Apple could step into. Recently I have been using some of these i-devices and I am impressed that they just do what you want them to, no questions asked. Has anyone ever had any issues with them. I know that the first iPhone did not support bluetooth but later versions now have it, is that right? I have also heard that the latest iPhone has some antenna issues. Apparently, the casing forms part of the antenna and any transmitted RF energy leaks to your hand. However, I understand this is easily resolved by fitting a silicone skin. Overall though, I like the i-devices I have used. Can't wait for the next release from Apple.

Red Bubble Portfolio

2010-12-08T22:45:00.000+10:00

Keep a lookout on my Redbubble site. I have been scanning some of my old 35 mm images on my repaired Canon MP 990 printer. It takes a while to scan but I think the quality (and resolution) is excellent from the scanner. Not so good is the printer...well the printing quality is excellent but the ink consumption is average. However, the ink tanks are small compared to other printers I have seen. Other features such as the wireless connectivity and the ability to save as pdf files and the built in USB port are good features. It has received some good reviews and it seems that most people who own one are happy with it. Overall, I think it was a good purchase...anyway, the kids love it!

Red Bubble Portfolio

2010-12-08T22:39:00.000+10:00

Keep a lookout on my Redbubble site. I have been scanning some of my old 35 mm images on my repaired Canon MP 990

Species of the day

2010-11-22T12:39:00.000+10:00

Amongst the endless number of web pages appearing on a daily basis, there are always some that take your interest, well at least for me. I found the IUCN Species of the Day website from a link on another blog. I first learnt of the IUCN and its categories for rare and threatened species in my undergraduate years in Tasmania while I was studying at the University of Tasmania. The link to Species of the Day, gives a good overview of the IUCN Red List and also links to initiatives for threatened species recovery, news articles and images of threatened species. More information about the categories used by IUCN, can be found here.

Fender Guitars

2010-11-21T22:05:00.000+10:00

I think the history of Fender guitars is an amazing journey and I often wonder where they found inspiration to develop what is now, probably a global household name. Especially for us Fender owners:-) I wonder if Leo Fender, George Fullerton and Freddie Travares thought that the Fender guitar would eventually have a global presence when they made the first one in 1954. Fender guitars have certainly stood the test of time. The info on Wikipedia for Fender gives a good account of the history and other details such as the different models available, signature series and notable Stratocaster players, sadly I do not appear on the notable players list...yet! One thing about Fender that has caused some concern, particularly to Stratocaster owners...yes, me included, is the numbering system that relates to date of manufacture. While it is relatively easier to figure out in late model guitars, around 25 years ago when I purchased my Stratocaster, there was some confusion about this, particularly for those manufactured in USA. I have seen a number of guides and books about determining age from serial numbers but they always give a range of values rather that a specific year. I guess one day I might be able to figure this one out. Keep watching here and if I ever find out how, I will post it here!

Interesting news feeds from around the world - Very Quiet

2010-11-19T19:57:00.001+10:00

Interesting news feeds from around the world - Very Quiet I found this site while trawling around the web a few weeks ago. It looks very interesting and the interface seems relatively user friendly and it's easy to navigate around the different links and pages. One of the cool things on this site is that it seems to be updated regularly and it also has features for text size and language options. It has a good choice of news options and links to articles from BBC, Yahoo, Sky, Reuters and a host of others. Go check it out and report back when you have a chance with any comments. Cheers.

Amateur Radio

2010-11-18T22:14:00.001+10:00

As I write this, I am about to celebrate my 28th year as an amateur radio operator...otherwise known as ham radio. Once you have 'served 25 years as a 'ham' you can be officially recognised by your amateur radio colleagues as an 'old timer'. I am claiming to be the youngest old timer in Australia as I write this post! No one quite knows where the word ham became associated with amateur radio. I kind of like the story that the the initials of the first people to experiment with electro magnetic radiation (radio frequencies) were H, A, and M. Maybe they were Harry, Albert, and Mark! Anyway, the word amateur is also a misnomer because us amateur radio operators have been at the front line ever since electro magnetic radiation was invented (well I mean discovered of course). Without amateur radio operators, we would not be enjoying many of the conveniences we take for granted these days. Just to name a few...broadcast radio (AM and FM), television, microwave ovens, remote controls, wireless networks, and last but not least mobile phones! Australia is home to the oldest amateur radio association in the world, the Wireless Institute of Australia which was founded in 1910.

Lake Pedder

2010-11-16T23:49:00.004+10:00

Lake Pedder was flooded in 1972 as part of a Hydro Electric Development in Tasmania. The flooding of the lake was controversial and despite compensation being offered by the Australian Federal Government at the time to stop the flooding, the project proceeded as planned by the Tasmanian Government in power at the time. The flooding of Lake Pedder, was the catalyst for the birth of the worlds first Green party, the United Tasmania Group. This party was formed during a meeting of the Lake Pedder Action Group and eventually grew into the Tasmanian Green Party and from that the Australian Greens. A campaign to restore Lake Pedder is ongoing and the Lake Pedder Restoration Committee remains active in its aim to restore the lake. The move to restore the lake is also supported by UNESCO and the David Suzuki Foundation. Furthermore, a symposium held at the University of Tasmania in 1995, demonstrated that restoration of the lake is possible but the current political climate is a barrier to realising its restoration.

Read my latest article about the restoration of Lake Pedder

Guitar amplifiers

2010-11-12T17:47:00.001+10:00

I used to have one of these amps. If I ever decide to revive my music career I might need to hunt another one down! Well of course they are used by all the experts in the business. Sadly, I never made it to that level ...lol

Check out some of the new products from Mesa Boogie. They look great and sound amazing...as always! I think if you are looking for these amps in Australia, then check out what Pro Audio in Canberra has to offer.

Triple J

2010-11-12T17:33:00.001+10:00

I remember listening to 2JJ in Sydney on the AM broadcast band before it eventually became the national Triple J. That could say something about my age! Triple J is definitely a national icon...in my humble opinion :-)

New species discovered in the Amazon

2010-10-27T12:17:00.002+10:00

Some new species discovered in the Amazon recently. Amazing, that there are so many we dont know about. The text below is copied from the website. Amazing species unknown to the outside world are being discovered in the Amazon rainforest at a rate of one every three days, the environment group WWF said. An anaconda as long as a limousine, a giant catfish that eats monkeys, a blue fanged spider and poisoned dart frogs are among the 1,220 animals and plants to have been newly found from 1999 to 2009, according to the report. Among the new mammals found was a pink river dolphin.

RedBubble

2010-10-20T12:03:00.003+10:00

Polar Bears

2010-10-09T11:57:00.000+10:00

I found this site about polar bears that was included as a link in a regular news letter I receive from San Diego Zoo. I never knew about this organisation. Looks like they are doing some great work with polar bear research and conservation. The site contains lots of links to interesting facts and figures about polar bears. Go check it out for yourself. Cheers.

Nikon or Canon

2010-10-07T22:23:00.001+10:00

OK, I am looking for a new digital SLR camera. Any thoughts on what I should do? There's quite a few web pages emerging about Nikon v Canon and all seem to be providing some positive thoughts on each other. I don't think it has quite developed into a Ford v Holden type comparison! Take a look here or here and see if you can decide. However, these are just two sites of many that you can find in Google

I would appreciate any feedback regarding my decision...cheers

New species discovered in PNG

2010-10-06T21:19:00.004+10:00

Announcement today that at least 200 new species have been discovered in remote mountains in PNG...an incredible discovery. Check this link ... Discovery of 200 new species in PNG for more news and some excellent images. It is hoped that the discoveries will help to recognise the area for World Heritage status.

My Red Bubble Portfolio

2010-10-06T21:04:00.002+10:00

Check this link (http://www.redbubble.com/people/keleeson) for pics I am adding to Red Bubble. It's work in progress. Slowly getting more on there. Some of the images I am uploading here will be from scanned 35 mm negatives. I was using Kodak Ektar 25 when these were taken. I believe that it is no longer in production.

Global Environmental Issues

2010-09-29T23:00:00.001+10:00

I just found this site ... http://www.globalissues.org/issue/168/environmental-issues as I was crawling around the web. Looks like it gets updated regularly and has easy to read content. It also contains some great images. Content ranges from climate change issues to threatened species management. Go take a look when you have a chance. Enjoy!

Printers and Technology

2010-09-17T11:04:00.000+10:00

Seems like Murhpy has been here again! My new Canon printer has suddenly failed to cooperate. It doesn't even need the ink replacing yet...what gives? However, I do like the high resolution scanning function of the unit which can also scan slides and negatives. Tricky part is that an error code comes up which indicates a service error and the unit must be returned to Canon! Watch this space for updates on progression to a functional unit :-)

Inside AdSense

2010-09-09T21:21:00.000+10:00

Inside AdSense

Lake Pedder Restoration Committee Pedder 2000

2010-09-02T13:42:00.000+10:00

Lake Pedder Restoration Committee Pedder 2000