Problems With Space Junk

Right now, there is literally tons of trash floating around in Space in our orbit.  Isn't that enlightening?  The fact that there is even trash up there to begin with, just goes to show how uncareful mankind can be.  With this problems, rises numerous amount of questions and issues.

One of these questions, is how do we get rid of all that garbage?  One suggestion, is to send a giant Magnet up into orbit, that will float around and collect the trash.  Great, another object floating up in Space, just what we need right?  Well, this is actually a great idea, if they go about it the right way.  There is always that IF, isn't there?  What is the right way to go about it?  Well, of course, everyone has their different opinions and points of views on it.

One point of view, is that we could always collect it, then send it off towards the Sun.  Seriously?  Yep, sounds logical if you think about it.  Some people say, well, it'll never make it there.  You're right, it won't make it there, in fact, I don't know if you noticed or not, but the Sun, is burning our skin when we stay out too long, even from that distance.  Imagine the closer it gets to the Sun, it'll vaporize before it gets there.

So, would argue that that's a bad thing, I ask, why?  Why is that a bad thing?  What harm is there in disintegrating garbage into the sun?  Some would argue, that our trash isn't supposed to be in Space.  I say, isn't that what Stars and Black Holes are?  Debris cleaners?  They get rid of the trash that's already out there don't they?  It's a natural waste disposal unit.  Built right into our own Solar System, as well as the numerous amount of others.

We can't simply keep hording the trash here can we?  Oh wait, there is another option.  We could recycle.  Now those same people that argue against sending trash into space, are going to argue that this is too much work?  Sorting cans and plastic into recycle bins?  Too much work?  Did you know that about 70 percent of our trash is recyclable?  Yet, at the same time, only about half of that, actually gets recycled?  Less than half actually.  So, if we recycled more, how much land would that free up?  How much better for the planet would that be as a whole?  Think about that one for a while.

Hurricane Irene - Why All The Fuss?

Ever notice how much hype there was over this storm?  Irene I mean.  She's caused a lot of confusion and misinformation if you ask me.  Also, why do they have to take a storm and drag it out on the news.

Breaking News: Hurricane Irene has made landfall.  Please, that's not breaking news.  Ever notice how most of the time, Breaking News, isn't breaking news at all?

I know that I'm not the only one that gets frustrated with this sort of thing.  What about you?  Do you get frustrated with the fact that the News media thinks we're stupid or something?  Well, they must think we're stupid.

One news media station even goes as far as playing the same stuff over and over each hour.  With very little change if any throughout the day.  Seriously?  Are you guys that stupid?  I mean, who really wants to sit there and listen to news on the storm for an hour?  Who wants to sit there and listen to news on a murder case for an hour?  Who wants to sit there and listen to the news of war for an entire hour?

I just have one question.  What new things are they showing us?   Not much really.  I think it's time for the Newscasters and News Media in general, to "Grow Up."  On top of that, what's with these idiotic weather forecasters, stepping out in Hurricane force winds.  Yeah, you won't catch me out there.  These idiots can have their stories.

Thoughts and questions?  I've got lots of them and I'm sure you do as well.

Batteries That Can Charge Faster?

Scientist are in the works on batteries that can charge faster.  How much faster?  How about minutes rather than hours?  This new technology is something else.  They are working towards using it in Electric cars.  Imagine a time when you can charge your Electric car while you're in the store purchasing a soda.  This would make traveling with them a whole lot easier.  The Problem?

One of the problems remains in the cost of the product.  Graphene is a relatively expensive product, but the company that produces it, is working on ways to drastically reduce the cost in 1-3 years.  Graphene research has been going on for a while now, yet they have now the ability to make life a lot easier.  Who needs a fuel pump when you can plug in your car?

The secret to these Energy Storage Devices, is not really that much of a secret.  It's ability to charge quickly lies in the large surface areas of the Anodes and Cathodes.  This allows faster transfer of the Ions needed to power the battery.

So far, studies have been done on 1,000 cycles and 2,000 cycles.  The 1,000 cycle study has showed positive results and a 95% retaining of the charge.  This is great news for Electric car drivers.  Like every other rechargeable battery, there is going to be some wear and tear.  So, they'll probably have to be replaced every few years.

Now, just combine these with Solar panels and you'll have endless possibilities.  They'll be able to be used right along side solar and wind units.  What do you think?  Will Electric Car manufactures be adding these along with solar panels to their cars in the future?  Just the Batteries, or do you think that Solar Panels alone will last a while?

This article was in reference to an article written on Physorg

HOW TO TICK PEOPLE OFF

1. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies.
2. In the memo field of all your checks, write "for sexual favors."
3. Specify that your drive-through order is "TO-GO."
4. If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
5. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
6. Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep them tuned up."
7. Reply to everything someone says with "that's what you think."
8. Practice making fax and modem noises.
9. Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc" them to your boss.
10. Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.
11. Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with prophesy."
12. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears and grimacing.
13. Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the ink cartridge across the room.
14. Holler random numbers while someone is counting.
15. Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way."
16. Staple pages in the middle of the page.
17. Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a croaking noise.
18. Honk and wave to strangers.
19. Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints at the cash register.
20. TYPE IN UPPERCASE.
21. type only in lowercase.
22. dont use any punctuation either
23. Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.
24. Repeat the following conversation a dozen times.
    "DO YOU HEAR THAT?"
    "What?"
    "Never mind, it's gone now."
25. As much as possible, skip rather than walk.
26. Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce "No, wait, I messed it up," and repeat.
27. Ask people what gender they are.
28. While making presentations, occasionally bob your head like a parakeet.
29. Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
30. Sing along at the opera.
31. Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.
32. Ask your co-workers mysterious questions and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological profiles."

How To Stay On Top of Tech News

Tech News.  We all seem to have this craving for the next best thing.  What's new and hot.  We all want in on it.  So, how do we keep up with it?  That's easier said than done.  Some people make it a hobby.  Some people make it a career.  Though, it's not as hard as some people make it out to be.

Living life on the edge.  The edge of Tech that is.  Technology is ever expanding and we have to keep up if we want to do anything with our lives.  The reason it's easier than it appears, is that there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of sources.

Bloggers from blogs, such as this one, always seem to be on top of things.  The reason they blog is because of people like you, the readers.  They like to share what they've learned with the rest of the world.

News sources are another place to learn about technology.  Often the press has coveted access to the hot spots and tend to get up close and personal with people their interested in.

Youtube, is a great place to learn about all kinds of tech, from hardware to software.  There are many channels on Youtube, with How To Tips and Giveaways as well.

The world is filled with information.  Facebook alone is sending Billions of post every month.  Youtube has millions of people watching it on a daily basis.  I don't think there is one person who doesn't know about Facebook or Youtube.  Ok, that's metaphorically speaking of course.

Let me ask my readers, what would you like to see on this blog?  Would you like to see more tech stuff?  Maybe turn this into a tech blog?  Or would you like me to share more videos?  Such as recipes and music that I enjoy, etc?  I'll leave that up to you guys.  Personally, I think a tech blog would be fun.

My Take On Thinking Outside The Box

We have that Age Old question.  How does one thing outside the box?  This question isn't always able to be answered.  I think, that for everyone, it's a different process that we have to discover.  I'll share with you my thoughts on the matter though.

Thinking outside the box, requires one thing and one thing only, Knowledge.  That's right, we have to constantly be learning to be able to think outside the box.  We have to be comfortable enough with ourselves that we can accept change.  What kind of change?  Change within.  This change within, is going to give us a brighter view on the Universe itself and how things work the way the do.

How do we go about this change?  Well, I think the absolute best way to go about this change, is to go out and experience the world.  If you can't travel the world, travel your own country at least.  It's always easier to travel within your own country than it is to travel the world.  So, what is there to gain by all this travel?

Knowledge and Experience.  These two things combine, will allow us to look at our inner selves and see things in a different way.  Think about how your first experience was with a foreigner.  Ok, got that experience?  Many people's first experience with a foreigner in America is often with Chinese people in a Chinese buffet.  If you're Chinese or Oriental for that matter, that's often a different story.

This knowledge and experience we gain over time, will shape who we become.  It will change the way we think, unless of course you're a stubborn fool that is set in your own ways.  I believe that the best way to grow, is to experience.  The experience of different cultures and the way they see things and do things for that matter, changes us all.  Whether we like it or not.  This perspective allows us to broaden our minds, thus giving us a brighter picture.

If you can't travel the world, you can get the same experience from traveling in your own country.  While not to the extent of traveling the world, it does have it's benefits.  The more people you interact with, the more you'll learn.  We have to make it a point, to learn and grow.  If we stop learning, then what are we?  You might have made straight A's in school, but unless you apply that knowledge and grow, you're a nobody.  Do we really want to be a nobody?  I know I sure don't.

How to write several blog post in one day?

So, I was asked to write a blog post on how to write several blog post in one day.  What is my key?  I think the key to my success is I just write what ever is on my mind.  One thing I'm started to do is read the newspaper occasionally.  I can get at least several blog post out of there.

Writing multiple blog post a day doesn't have to be time consuming or difficult.  I just wrote two blog post in probably 5-10 minutes.  The thing is, if you find something interesting.  Write about it.  If you have to, make a second blog away from your main blog and write about photos that you find on the internet.  If you find some cool wallpapers, or a website that is loaded with them, write about it.  Share the link.  Are you a news junkie, and love keeping up with current events?  Write about your favorite website for gathering information.  Or, better yet, keep that website for yourself and write about the article that stick out to you.  Write about how stupid the people are in the article.  What your thoughts are on the whole issue.  Sure you're going to have some criticism, but every great writer has their critics.  Look at J. K. Rowling.  Being attacked by the Christians.  This is why I hate religion.  It's the hard core religious nuts that are perverting things around.  I consider myself a spiritualist, not a religious type.

If you're passionate about religion though, write about it.  I'm sure you'll get a following.  While my following is currently only two people on this blog.  I have a few readers on my other blog as well.  It's the comments I get like "With the bases loaded, you struck us out with that answer."  "This post makes mine look feeble."  These kind of comments that I get keep me inspired.  They keep me going. That says to me that, hey someone is actually reading my stuff.  It may take you a while to get a few followers, but hey, keep at it and you'll get them in no time  Just stay active on the social networks.

Well, I think that's about all I have to say really.  Just write what your passionate about.  Pick several things to write about.  A lot of blogs nowadays are going that route  They don't just focus on one thing anymore.  If you enjoyed this post and want to follow me on this blog.  I welcome your following  I also have another blog that I would like you to follow me on.  It's more of my writing challenge, and pretty much anything that doesn't fit in here.  It's more of my serious blog.  This blog is just for fun really.

This Flat Blog

Empire Avenue - Full Strategy

Everyone on Empire Avenue seems to have a different strategy.  While some strategies share things in common with others, I thought I would share my own strategy for investing on EAv.

First off, let me start by saying that there are three different types of investors on Empire Avenue.

First type of EAv player is the Connector.  The Connector is the kind of player who really doesn't care about the game much at all and staying active.  All they really care about is making connections and making new friends.

Second type of EAv player is the Investor.  These are the players who focus more on being a good investor than being a good investment.  These people may have a good Netwealth, but have a crappy Return On Investment, or commonly known as ROI, which we will be using here on out.

Third type of EAv player is the Investment.  The Investment players have a strong focus on being a good Investment.  In other words, these are the players that are creating content, but not always so.  They usually have a good ROI and their stock prices are usually pretty high, or steadily climbing.

You don't really need to know much to be the first type of player, but for the other two, you need to know how the game works.  So, I'm going to give you a bit of a strategy that you can use to be one of two types of players, the Investor or the Investment.

Like I said, first off, you have to know how the game works.  EAv calculates your top five scores and that total along with your shareholders activity, determines your ROI.  Usually anyone that has a ROI of a 1% or better, is usually a good investment.  Some people will say at least 1.3% or 1.5%.  Everyone has their own strategy.  The question is, how do you increase your shareholders and activity?

First off, you have to connect all of your accounts.  Except for the Facebook Fan Page.  Most people don't have them to begin with, or have no reason to have one.  Next, connect your blog or two, or three.  How ever many blogs you feel comfortable using.  Many people connect Tumblr as a blog, it's in the works for Tumblr to have it's own connection.  Next, complete your profile and add a BIO.  People want to know who they are connecting with.  Finally, add a profile picture.  Sad to say, but a lot of people will not invest in you if you don't have a Profile Picture.  It can be an Avatar, as long as it represents you.

Step one is done now.  Now what?  It's time to get active.  Join a few communities.  I recommend at least 2-3 communities to start off with.  Their much more manageable that way.  When you get used to the working of the game, you can increase to 5-8 communities if you wish.  I currently have 2 City, 5 Interest, and 5 Personal community connection.  I may or may not increase that number.  I feel comfortable where I'm at right now.  Once you've joined those  communities, get active.  Read post.  Thumbs up the post.  Reply to them.  You don't have to read every single post in that community.  You can if you want.  But, I recommend at least the first page of them for starters.  Don't want to be over whelmed.

Ok, I'm active in the communities, now what?  Next step is to change your status.  Change it frequently.  You don't have to change it every hour like some people do.  After you start receiving shout outs on your home page, start giving a Thumb up to those.  The more active you are, the more people will notice you.  The more people will Thumb Up you.  This activity produces dividends.  After about a week, you should start to see advertisements.  Thumb them up too and don't forget to get your own advertisements after one week of play time.  Advertisements don't cost real money, so relax, just do it.  They help out buy factoring in the likes and click through rates you get on them.

Now that you're a bit active and your starting to get the hang of things.  It's time to start looking at who to invest in.  You can start to do this from day one.  As mentioned above, ROI is one thing to take into consideration.  You don't have to invest in everyone that invest in you.  That's a good way to lose some Eaves.  Eaves is the virtual currency of EAv.  We'll refer to Eaves as (e) from here on out.  Look at a person's ROI, if the ROI is above 1% on return, they are a good investment.  If you'd like to set your own standards, feel free to do so.  I'd recommend no less than 1% though.  If you've invested in someone and they've dropped below a 1% for example - if they dropped to 0.98%, don't sell them right off.  Check out their activity levels and see if they are still active/gaining in value.  Chances are, they just got a shareholder increase and can sell more shares.  This is a temporary factor that really doesn't factor in at all.

Next thing to look at is their gain.  These two things are easiest to look at right off the bat.  How much are they gaining?  I recommend people that are gaining at least +3 per day.  You can do less if you desire, but for quick returns, I recommend at least +3 per day.  Here's why, if the person has a bad ROI, but has a good gain, let's say +5 or better.  I probably would invest in them.  After I've checked their connections.  That's in the next section.  If they've been gaining for a while, and they're still affordable, I'd probably invest in them.  A lot of the whole Gain factor for me, is a combination of Connections, ROI, Gain, and if they have a blog connected.

Blogs.  Does the person have a blog connected?  If so, how many?  RSS feeds to such sites as Last.fm which are music sites, Yahoo Answers, and Wiki type websites, don't count as a Proper Blog Feed and won't count towards your score.  So, it's kind of pointless to add them.  Instead, a better strategy would be to link your favorite songs to a blog post and write a short paragraph on why you like these songs.  If the person has steady blog post on a regular basis, I probably would invest in them.  That is if they are a gainer and/or have a good ROI.  If you don't have a blog connected, chances are, I probably won't invest, unless you have strong connections elsewhere.

This brings us to Connections.  For twitter, I check to see how many followers they have.  If all of their connections only have a few hundred people connected.  Chances are, they probably won't be a good investment.  Facebook.  How many friends to they have?  How active are they?  How many likes do they get compared to their post?  Facebook Fan Page.  Same as Facebook.  LinkedIn.  How many connections do they have?  What about recommendations?  Flickr.  How many photos do they have on Flickr?  Do they appear to be getting comments?  Youtube.  How many subscribers do they have?  How many video views do they have total?  All this goes into factoring if they would be a good investment.  It takes time to find a good investment.  But, if you stick with it, the rewards will be great.

I'm finding good investments, what's next?  Well, now, we have to produce some content of our own.  As Chris Pirillo mentioned in one of his videos.  Use what ever equipment you have available to you to use.  If all you have is a cheap camera at the moment.  Use it until you get a better one.  You can find the Youtube channel of Chris Pirillo Here.  You can invest in Pirillo buy visiting his ticker on Empire Avenue.  e(PIRILLO).

What do I produce for content?  Well, for starters, try creating a blog or two.  You can use Wordpress, or Blogger, which are the two common blogs.  I happen to be using both.  One blog is for one thing, While another blog is for another.  Next, you want to grab a camera that can record video and get that onto your PC or Mac for uploading to Youtube.

Get active on twitter.  When you produce a blog post, tweet it.  When you produce a video, tweet it.  Don't stop their, Retweet other peoples tweets.  Talk to people on twitter, that counts as a mention.

Use Facebook.  Post your videos and Blog post on Facebook.  Often times, different users watch different platforms.  Chances are, you won't have very many people on all platforms.  Interact with your friends, so they'll interact back with you and like your post and comment on them.  Same for your Facebook Fan Page.

Perhaps you want to have a Facebook Fan Page that's a completely different topic.  That's fine too.  Just be active.

On LinkedIn, Join a few groups, be active in them.  Add connections and recommend people you've worked with.

On Flickr, take photos and upload them.  Simple right?  Comment on other peoples photos.  They'll notice and probably comment on a few of yours.

What is an Activity Score?  After two weeks of play time, all your scores are added up, and you'll get an Activity Score.  Why is this score important?  This score determines your rank as an employee on a certain index.  What index?  You get to choose a your index when you sign up for EAv.  The higher your rank, the more likely people will invest in you.  Not always. the case though.  Much still has to do with connections in those cases.

How are scores calculated?

First off and foremost, understand this, all of your scores are calculated based off overall activity on that network and how people interact with you.

Empire Avenue - Thumbs Up You Receive.  Comments you receive in communities.  Total Shareholders.  Total Recommendations you receive.  Likes and Click through rates on your advertisements.

Twitter - There isn't much to twitter.  Your tweets ReTweeted.  How many Mentions you get (how many chats you have with people.  Each mention count.)  How many followers you have and how active they are.

Facebook - Comments.  Likes on Comments.  Comments on comments.  Comments on photos too.

Facebook Fan Page - Basically the same as Facebook.

LinkedIn - How many connections you have.  How many recommendations you have.  How active you are on LinkedIn.

Flickr - This one is easy.  It's comments on your photos, favorites, and uploads.

Youtube - Many options here.  Don't have content?  That's easy to fix.  Thumbs Up other videos you like.  Comment on other videos.  Add other videos to your favorites.  Produce videos?  How many subscribers you have.  How many views you have.  How many Likes/Favorites you have.  How many comments you have.

That's basically Empire Avenue in a nut shell.  My strategies and guide to help you get started on EAv.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Comment/Share this blog post if it helps you.  If I've left out anything, feel free to let me know.