It's been a while

Well, I know it's been a while since I last posted anything on my little blog, but there has been good reason for it. I've been busy, not only with work, but with my course as well.

I recently enrolled in a course with the British College of Journalism and by the end of it, I will have a diploma in Freelance Journalism. I have so far had 1 assignment, with another one on its way sometime this weekend. I'm really enjoying it, although all I've really done is research topics to write about. I'm going to be writing up one of my follow up ideas with the next assignment, 800 words to be precise and I can't wait. I've made a start on it already, racking up about 600 words already, so I guess I'm nearly finished. Not quite sure about what I'm trying to say with it, but I am trying to make it as professional as possible. Going to have to give the tutorial a good read through before I submit it, as I'm sure it'll give me an indication of quotes and stuff like that, and maybe basic interviewing techniques.

I shall let you know how it goes.

Beef jerky addiction

Since getting back from their cruise around North America, my parents have been lavishing me with gifts. Typical tourist style clothing, an endless supply of playing cards, a wooden yoyo, a set of Russian dolls and holiday snaps and video footage make up the treats. However, the only one to really catch my attention is the beef jerky. Oh my, it's wonderful, it's tasty, it's almost wrong, but it tastes sooooo good! I've gorged myself silly on two flavours, teriyaki and smoked. I can confirm that both are exquisite and urge everyone who has never tried beef jerky to give their teeth a good work out and take the plunge.

PS3 withdrawal symptoms?

Since I completed Metal Gear 4: Guns of the Patriots, I have found myself both relieved and a little bit at a loss. Having spent a good month or so playing the game for a couple of hours every night, I’ve now come to realise just how big a part of my life the PS3 is. I now spend a lot of my time working out instead as there’s almost always nothing on TV to interest me. This isn’t all bad. In reality, it’s probably a good thing as now more parts of my body get a work out instead of just my thumbs.

It’s certainly an impressive console. For those who like to justify things before purchasing, you might want to also consider the implications on your life. Once you find a really good game to play, you may as well say goodbye to a lot of the past times you had before. Maybe I’m just an addict, but I like to throw myself into these things and fully absorb myself in the action. So, whilst I spent a large portion of my life playing Metal Gear Solid, I never thought about what I’d do after it, in this post MGS period I now find myself in. I’m thinking that I should probably invest in a new game to lose myself in, but at the same time, I can’t really afford it. Justifiers, take note – once the grip of the PS3 takes hold, you need money to feed your addiction. I’ve got a few games, but maybe it’s part of my all or nothing personality that makes playing so many a bit of a chore. I have to be really up for it, really want to play it to get me to stick the disk in and go. I know that once I start, I’ll be lost for a few hours, which is never a good thing if you want to sleep. Always try to wind down before hitting the hay.

I am, however, pleased to say that I don’t miss sitting on my beanbags (I have two for the ultimate in comfort) hammering away with my digits. Getting back into the real world has been a painless process and I’m enjoying it. I will no doubt save up a few quid to splash out on a new game sometimes soon in the future, so don’t worry too much about that. The new Tomb Raider game will be out, so I’ll be extra keen to give that a go. I’m lucky that I’m quite sensible. I’ve never really done the thing where I’ve turned down going to the pub so I can play games. Some people I know have stayed in to play online poker all night, but this could be more to do with a gambling addiction. The PS3 though, is a different animal. Getting hooked on this could be a lot worse to your health.

Having said all of that, it’s still the best ‘investment’ I’ve made in a long time. It’s an all singing and all dancing machine.

SEO, online marketing and what else?

So, now that I've decided that I'm going to be a writer of sorts, I figured that I ought to be writing. But what should I write about? A pretty obvious question with a fairly straightforward answer; I should begin with something that I know a lot about. With this in mind, I've decided that I'll start with my job - online marketing.

I've been involved with online marketing for just over 3 years and over the course of these 3 years, I've ended up specialising in SEO, or search engine optimisation for those who aren't familiar with the acronym. However, my exposure in the general online marketing field has been very broad and as a result, I also have a great deal of experience in affiliate, email, PPC, price comparison and Web 2.0 marketing too. But I'll begin with a bit about SEO.

What is SEO?

It's a fair question. Pre search engine optimisation experience, I was none the wiser about how websites were ranked by Google. Who'd bother thinking about that anyway? Well, I'm assuming that most people wouldn't really dwell too much on the topic, but as soon as I found out about SEO, I was totally blown away. People actually tweak websites to make them more attractive to the search engines and some even try to fool them. It's crazy, but it's true. There are a number of ways of optimising a website for certain search terms. The main bits that you'd want to look at would be the page title tags, the linking structure, the quality of the HTML code and more importantly, the website content or copy. There's a saying in the SEO industry that sums this last point up perfectly: Content is King. It's obvious, a search engine returns results based on something that someone's looking for, so a website that talks about that certain something must be best. That used to be the case and some devious people knew it and took advantage of it, but there are external factors too that affect a website's overall performance.

Inbound linking from external websites is essentially the crux of SEO. In its crudest form, search engine optimisation is a popularity contest. If you're out with your mates and a really attractive member of the opposite sex were to approach you and say, "I think your friend over there is really good looking", you might laugh. But at some point, you might even think to yourself that if this attractive person really rates your friend, then that must make your friend attractive too. Google will look at the sites linking into a website and then determine how good those links actually are and this forms part of the big algorithm that orders websites in the results pages. If an authoratative site, such as the BBC, were to link to yours, you can expect your website to perform quite well.

I've tried to avoid going into too much detail on this subject, as there's a lot of literature about SEO out there already. I don't want to go into the specifics about how you'd go about executing your SEO strategy, just wanted to share an insight into the subject. If you want to know more, don't hesitate to get in touch. Next time, I'll write about a different online marketing discipline. Bye for now.

The beginning

OK, this is it. I'm really going to do this, right now. This little post here, it's the beginning of something (as the title would suggest). I'm not quite sure what it's the beginning of, but it's definitely the start. If you've made it this far, I'll tell you what I'm embarking on. I'm going to become a copywriter. Starting out, I'm going to be a freelance writer. I'm going to get writing jobs, and build up a huge portfolio of articles and blogs, and people are going to read them - and enjoy them.

What am I going to write about? Well, Confucious said something along the lines of "Find a job that you enjoy doing, and you'll never have to do a day's work again". So, I'm going to write about stuff that I enjoy, like sport, music, films, games and technology in general. If you, for some reason, have read some of the previous posts on my blog here, you'll notice that they're about washing machines and TVs. Well, that's because I write these for my day job too. I work for an electrical retailer, so it kind of comes with the territory. I'm not sure if I really enjoy these, but I definitely have interest in them, even washing machines. I'm not just looking to regurgitate the same pieces of information. No, I'm looking to provide another point of view, to add something to the mass of information that's already out there. There's no point in reinventing the wheel afterall, so I might as well provide an analytical and logical take on whatever topic pops into my head.

So, just you wait, keep an eye out on here and you'll see me. I'm going to become a copywriter.

Trendsetting American kitchens indicate what the future holds for the UK

Renowned for influencing global changes, the USA provides a good indicator of what’s to come for the UK. This rule also applies for the seemingly conspicuous matter of kitchen designs.

Envious glances from the UK are often cast across the Atlantic towards the United States of America as they seem to get all the good stuff first. Blockbuster movies get screened there before releasing in the UK, console games are usually started and finished before coming to our own households and other technological gizmos seem to find their way into American hands before passing into British ownership. In some ways, it’s almost as if the UK is always playing catch up with America, but this needn’t be seen in negative light. The USA can provide a glimpse into what fashion trends will be most popular and which fads are destined to fail. With kitchens appearing more prominent, there are some features that are set to change the aesthetics even more.

American fridge freezers with ice dispensers and chilled water on demand have already found a foothold in Britain’s kitchens, but the ones now appearing in the US are starting to evolve. The traditional American fridge freezer has 2 doors, side by side, one being the fridge and the other reserved for the refrigerator. A demand for more refrigeration space has given birth to a new 3 door version. The freezer compartment is now in the form of a pull out drawer positioned at the bottom of the unit. The refrigerator section now has 2 doors dedicated to it. The humble fridge is now beginning to look more and more like a fashion accessory or a wardrobe.

It’s much more important now that the kitchen looks as good as possible. The slow migration towards open plan living spaces has meant that fashionable kitchens have crept up on us. It’s no longer possible to hide the kitchen by closing the door, the living area and the kitchen have merged and the definitions between private and show rooms have become fuzzier. The meteoric rise of the popularity of TV programmes including a kitchen on set has also lent a hand to change perceptions of the cooking area. With a larger emphasis on healthier eating, everyone is encouraged to take more care with their cooking and now all seem to diligently wash and chop vegetables with the panache that Jamie Oliver would demonstrate. Quite naturally, all would be chefs will require the very best in equipment too, and it would need a suitable looking kitchen too.

The fashion conscious have been recently trying to get kitchen designs that speak volumes about and express themselves. One recurring method of doing so is by installing stone worktops and features. Even cooker hoods have been carved out of stone into magnificent designs, and worktops are polished to the point that they reflect beautifully. Various different types of stone are used, such as marble, limestone, granite and onyx. Sometimes the stones are mixed together for different effects and vibrant colours. These contemporary designs are looking like they’re going to be a continuing trend so it will be a matter of time before these make their way into more and more British kitchens.

Another trend appearing more often in the USA is of a much different ilk to the cosmetic themes already described. Often blamed for destroying the environment, American kitchens are now becoming equipped with waste disposal units in their sinks. Although they are unlikely to be able to save the world from the seemingly inevitable, they are one of the smaller steps that count towards the greater good. They’re able to grind down just about anything, from celery to rib bones and are able to automatically increase their torque when they meet something tougher than usual. By grinding stuff right down to the finest of powders, it means that the rubbish that usually ends up in the sink hole can be washed away with the water, cutting down on household waste. As some high pollution emitting habits are a little harder to break, the step to reducing household waste through this ingenious method could prove to be priceless, especially if pick up gathers considerably.

Fashionable kitchens are becoming increasingly normal, and there might be a time where we’ll stop being so impressed! For the time being, the Americans are setting the standards with some impressive ideas that ought to stay fashionable for a long time. For the UK, having America to try out their eccentric and outrageous designs is a decent advantage to have. It’s possible to see what works and what doesn’t. Although tastes might differ slightly, successful translations have occurred, and it’s likely that there will be more. At the moment, the UK residents can stare in wonder and marvel at their American counterparts’ kitchens, and can then pick and choose their next kitchen. With this in mind, it makes getting things second better knowing that you’ll get it right first time round.

Super technologies making life easier in the kitchen

Home technologies have traditionally been associated with televisions, hi-fis and other various entertainment systems. As the kitchen has shifted into everyday life prominence, emphasis on technology in there has also grown. This shift of focus for technology is quite natural, as more time is seemingly spent in the kitchen, the need to make life easier for would be chefs becomes more important too. As a result, all sorts of innovative inventions have appeared and found a place in people’s lives in the kitchen.

Siemens have been known to lead the charge into the final frontiers of kitchen space age technologies, and are looking to revolutionise the way ovens are used. Traditionally, people are required to bend down to gain access to the oven door to get to the baking area. This could well become a thing of the past, as the Liftmatic wall mounted oven would have you believe. Almost totally indescribable, this contraption is truly ingenious. Positioned at a comfortable height on the kitchen wall, the bottom of the oven drops down to allow you to place your food on the shelf with ease. When that’s in place, the bottom returns to its rightful place, lifting the food into the oven with it at the touch of a button.

This ingenious development from Siemens isn’t thoughtless showing off. It is truly something that can make people’s lives easier, especially for those who have trouble with bending down to their ovens to open doors. In addition to being able to cook pizzas, the Liftmatic oven can also clean itself. Just press the right button on it, and it will burn the inside of the oven at temperatures so high that everything turns to ash, leaving users to just wipe clean. The oven is also very safe. If there are any obstacles blocking the way for the lift underneath or preventing it from closing, sensors will detect the blockage, switch the heating element off and stop in its tracks. In terms of actual cooking ability, the oven also has its own fast cook mode that cooks food quicker than the average oven.

Waste disposal units have already made a bit of a buzz, by helping people with reducing waste that would otherwise clog up their sinks. By churning and grinding up food into fine sediments, they get flushed away with the water. These units are highly powerful, and can easily detect tougher items and increase their torque to combat them and reduce them to the fine dust particles they are destined to become. These little motors are serving more than one job though, and by reducing the household waste, they are also playing a part in saving the environment. This is a theme that is fairly synonymous with the advances of technology, and today’s appliances are far more economical than those produced 10 years ago. For example, a modern day washing machine uses approximately 40% less electricity, and about 60% less water.

Recycling no longer restricted to paper, plastics, cans and cardboard

As of July 1st 2007, all electrical goods producers will hold full responsibility of ensuring that their products comply with the new EU legislation regarding the safe disposal of their goods.

April 2007 – The landfills in the UK and Europe are getting increasingly filled up with electrical and electronic goods. Fortunately, the WEEE Directive (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) will hopefully go some way to slowing down this process. This Directive is essentially set in place to recycle, recover and reuse as much equipment as possible. Electrical and electronic equipment is a fairly broad definition, and rightly so, as portables such as mobile phones and MP3 players fall into this description. However, although the directive covers these, it is mostly concerned with larger equipment, such as TVs and domestic appliances like refrigerators and washing machines – items that we cannot possibly go without. The impact of the WEEE Directive is huge, and will affect everyone from the producer right through to the end users.

Producers and manufacturers will soon become liable for branding and marking their products as WEEE. This will involve displaying the crossed out wheelie bin diagram, a producer identifier mark and a date to prove that the product has been placed on the market after 13th August 2005. Not only that, but producers will also by now be a part of an approved Producer Compliance Scheme. These Compliance Schemes will then collect data from their members regarding all of the types and quantities of new products placed on the UK market. Environmental agencies will then receive reports from the Schemes on a quarterly basis detailing how much has been collected. By doing so, it means that manufacturers cannot fail to conform to the directive.

Retailers and distributors will also find themselves with implications. Under the WEEE Directive, they will now be required to provide some sort of recollection process for any electrical goods that they sell. However they do it is entirely down to their discretion, but they must remain convenient for the customer. In store returns when a customer is purchasing to replace a product is fine. Local authorities are not officially obliged to adhere to the directive, but it is widely expected that they will comply via the UK’s civic amenity sites. Local authorities will be able to sign up voluntarily, meaning that their amenity sites become Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs). Only then will they need to comply with the WEEE Directive’s strict code of practice. For doing all this, they will receive funding from the Distributor Take-back Scheme and will have their WEEE taken away for them. They will also no longer be financially responsible for disposing of WEEE at their sites.

Another stakeholder group that does not have any legal obligation to formally act under the WEEE directive is the waste management industry. However, it is possible for the industry to get involved by providing some form of compliance scheme with producers. To ensure that the treatment undertaken by the industry meets WEEE directive regulations, waste management licences will need to be obtained from various official authorities. Organisations in the industry who do not wish to supply any form of services will be seen simply as business users of EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment), who do have the legal obligation to act under Duty of Care.

End users in the household will have an enormous role to play in the whole WEEE directive. After all, most EEE will be used in the home, and when consumers look to replace their faulty equipment, they will need to do something with their older goods. There is no legal obligation to comply with the WEEE directive, but home end users will be strongly encouraged to recycle their EEE in a way that’s suitable. Unfortunately, home end users are not entitled to receive free collection of any electrical waste, but retailers should be able to offer some sort of take back scheme. Lists of publicly accessible collection sites should also be made easily available.

It’s fair to say that the WEEE Directive will affect just about everybody, as EEE are a big part of every day life. Brown, grey and white goods will all be under scrutiny to ensure that they fully comply with the rulings. Due to the ever increasing range of options and reduction in prices, consumers are changing their mobile phones, TVs, fridge freezers and tumble dryers more and more often, and that in turn leads to more waste. Manufacturers are trying to keep up with this cycle, so the resources, in particular metals and plastics, and raw materials that they’re using to keep pace are putting an enormous strain on the environment.

The WEEE Directive is certainly no sure fire way to save the globe from overflowing land fill sites. Although informal recycling of WEEE does exist, it is by no means safe. People may in fact be harming themselves by collecting others’ unwanted fridges for parts. Without proper equipment to extract wiring from cables, burning through the rubber casing causes toxic fumes. Potentially, it means that the WEEE Directive could save lives as well as the environment.

Laptops make a connection on the catwalk

Today portable computers are no longer restricted to a stereotype, and the search for a unique selling point in technological jungle has facilitated this shift as physical features become more prominent.

As technology advances at breakneck speeds, the scope for improvement and diversification becomes increasingly more difficult. As a result, innovation now comes in the form of superficial and cosmetic enhancements. What was once a corporate tool to work on has now become a fashion accessory to fit into today’s hi-tech sophisticated world.

It’s pretty fascinating how opinions on laptops have changed over recent years. Not too long ago, laptops were strictly for business purposes only, and were only placed on public display by people who were using them for serious work. With the advent of wireless internet and networking, coffee shops, hotels and even trains have become hotspots for laptop owners. Suddenly, people could do what they would normally do at home in a public place, on a social level in the presence of their friends. With consumer tastes becoming more and more sensitive, laptop computers could no longer look cumbersome and ordinary – aesthetics began to matter.

Before laptops became fashionable, PC modifications existed in a way similar to how some people modify their cars. Fluorescent light tubes, water cooling systems, personalised cases and exaggerated fans started to appear in desktop towers. Apple also redesigned itself with the successful launch of the iMac which came in various different vibrant colours, transforming the consumer expectations as to what a computer could, and maybe even should, look like. Apple has managed to sustain this level of innovation with the latest evolutions of the iMac and, as a corporation, is now known for its styling across various electrical markets. As a result, Apple has managed to carve out a comfortable niche for itself. Shortly after they turned the computing industry on its head with their sense of style, Sony responded with their Vaio laptop and desktop computers. As more people begin to own computers, and as they become more of a household fixture, what a computer looks like becomes just as important as what it can do.

Microprocessor giant Intel has been busy coming up with concept ideas for new fashionable laptops. This has seen the birth of the slimmest and lightest laptop computer ever. Under the code name “Intel mobile Metro notebook”, it was designed with the intent to replicate Motorola’s Razr mobile phone design. With that in mind, their engineers have managed to produce a machine that measures just 1.78cm in thickness, and weighs a mere 1kg. Not only is it slim and lightweight, but it meets all the latest technological benchmarks. One outstanding feature is the 2nd screen on the outside and the shoulder strap that comes attached to the chassis is a nice touch. Quite naturally, the machines will be available in a variety of different colours to match different tastes.

The Tulip E-Go Diamond laptop has also featured on the catwalk. Built sturdily with solid white gold plates and a specifically cut ruby tulip logo, this piece of equipment retails at a staggering US$350,000. Strip away the cosmetic element to it, and you will find a very capable and advanced computer, with the ability to access applications at the touch of a button and it can even be used as a PDA without booting Windows. The E-Go, short for ‘Easy Going’, truly is a lifestyle device, aimed directly at women with the need for good looks as well as high end functionality. Unfortunately, not all fashion laptops manage to tick all the internal and external boxes. A Taiwanese company called Dialogue managed to create their Flybook, that isn’t much larger than a DVD case and looks stunning. However, the size of the laptop really means that it’s difficult to use, and it isn’t capable of competing with normal sized laptops.

As we’ve seen in recent times with portable items, it’s a matter of time before laptop computers become fashion accessories rather than just functional equipment. Like mobile phones and MP3 players before them, laptops are slowly becoming extensions of body parts. If they become any smaller and more aesthetically orientated, they could well become just as portable and desirable to carry around. With free internet connections and social networking sites combining to pull people onto the web, it’s becoming increasingly normal to see all types of people using laptops, not just suited and booted business men on their travels.

The public has demanded that laptops should not only perform to a high level, but should also look the part too. Manufacturers have responded, delivering visually stunning alternatives to standard machines; they now come in differing sizes and shapes, with different accessories and ports, different colours and some even allow for customisable fascias. Black and grey are now joined by pink, green, blue, red and white, the fashion conscious can now match their laptops with their shoes! They’re not only becoming better looking, but they’re more capable than ever too. Laptops can connect easily to a range of access points, they have built in cameras and microphones, so many different jacks and ports for various inputs and outputs and they can store more data and are still getting faster. Now that the physical factor has come to the fore, consumers can consider themselves incredibly spoilt for choice.

Fashionable kitchen appliances start with black

Fashion, style and elegance has begun to enter the kitchen. Rather than just the chefs looking great, their tools are beginning to take on a more contemporary visage. What started out as a niche market with small appliances increasingly straying from the tried and tested blueprint of a white outer shell, refrigerators and cookers are now changing too; perhaps the term “white goods” is outdated in today’s cosmopolitan world as manufacturers are producing appliances with a glossy black appearance.

With reality TV and celebrity chefs combining to influence much of the general public’s everyday life, it’s no wonder that there’s a shift in the focal point of the modern day family. The kitchen has been moved more into the eye line with open plan living areas, thus coordination and design have also become just as important for the cooking space. Just like furniture, kitchen appliances aren’t being bought just because of their functionality, but increasingly because of their design and desirability.

Maytag have responded to consumer wishes by producing a range of black USA style refrigerators. The glossy, reflective black fascia is technology borrowed from the more traditionally luxurious car market. The end product is a brilliant mirror-like finish that appeals to emotions rather than just the practical senses. Samsung have also entered the black refrigerator market, with 3 different models in its RS21 range. The trademark glass black finish usually reserved for their TVs and mobile phones has been translated flawlessly to add sophistication to the market.

Whirlpool, Bosch and SMEG haven’t been left out of the black refrigerator market, either. All three manufacturers have produced highly desirable classy American fridge freezers, all intended to appeal to the fashion conscious, with Bosch declaring that ‘black is back’. SMEG have taken styling and design in the kitchen even further by making standing fridges available with a Union Jack themed livery.

Design, sophistication, flair – all these terms are the messages that black glossy appliances are designed to convey. It’s easy to forget that this latest fashion accessory is just a fridge, but this statement itself would be some way off the mark too. These USA fridge freezers invariably come with the same features as those seen on American TV sitcoms. They open up like wardrobes, revealing a huge amount of storage space, and plenty of flexibility with the arrangement of shelving. Humidity control, frost free freezing, special cooling technology and an external ice dispenser generally come as standard. Rest assured that different manufacturers will have differing technologies to sell, so potential buyers will have plenty to choose from.

The fashionable trend setters among us will be clamouring to get their hands on this new wave of trendy kitchen appliances, and many people will also discover how hard it is to resist these gorgeous items. It’s a trend that’s likely to continue, and there will probably be even better looking designs and objects available for the kitchen in the future. Like football boots, where the traditional all black leather design is now a rarity, white coloured kitchen appliances could well become retro in a few years. It’s conceivable that in the near future black won’t be cool, but rather just another colour available to an ever discerning consumer.

1080p high definition TV means consumers get more choice with viewing

The hype surrounding 1080p technology from Sony has died down a bit, but the question still facing consumers is whether or not they should take the plunge.

Sony’s incredible BRAVIA range has been available for about a year now, and with it carries advancement in high definition technology. With first generation HDTVs displaying their high definition content in 1080i resolution, the Sony BRAVIA range looked to turn the arena on its head by introducing 1080p resolution – but has it? With the honeymoon period for the BRAVIA range now over, and with people now beginning to invest in high definition equipment, they also have to decide on whether they want 1080i resolution or 1080p.

First of all, consumers have to try to understand the differences between 1080i and 1080p, and to do that, they need to understand what each is. Both high definition resolutions produce the same sized image, 1920 pixels by 1080 lines. The main difference is the way that they render the final image on screen. With 1080i, the image is interlaced, with odd numbered lines appearing a split second before the even numbered lines. This “painting” effect happens incredibly quickly, all within 1/30 of a second to be exact, so that the eye is tricked into seeing everything appear instantaneously. With 1080p, the image is scanned progressively, whereby the all the lines are conveyed sequentially in one single pass. This means that at any one time, 1080p displays twice the number of lines of resolution, and the resulting image is crisp and flicker free.

Choosing which type of picture is only half of the battle when purchasing a new TV. In its simplest form, a TV is merely an output device, a vehicle in which to carry and display something that is inputted into it. This means that to display high definition content, the TV requires something else that plays in high definition. Currently, high definition sources include digital TV channels, HD-DVD players, Blu-Ray DVD players and a couple of games consoles. At the moment, HD channels from digital TV broadcasts and satellite channels are done using 1080i signals. This in itself causes a bit of a problem. Unfortunately, a lot of HDTVs are not physically able to display an interlaced signal as an image. In situations like this, the HDTV will de-interlace the signal and convert it into a progressive scan signal. So theoretically speaking, this means that all TVs display a 1080i image in 1080p format. Unfortunately, practice does not follow theory perfectly in tow. Complications exist in the de-interlacing process that causes a few problems. The refresh rate of the TV will also have a bearing on the output. All in all, it means that there is a good chance that you will end up with a lower resolution than what you intended.

Currently, HD-DVD players and Blu-Ray DVD players, as well as the PS3, are the only current sources that can output in 1080p signals. HD-DVD is able to output in both progressive and interlaced signals, where as Blu-Ray outputs in 1080p only. In terms of watching a movie in either signal, there is very little difference, and 1080p has a very slight edge in sharpening the images. However, the results are absolutely stunning, and provided that each and every movie is shot in 1080p mode, you should be very much in for a treat. With regards to the PS3, more and more games are being released in 1080p mode. The experience from playing a game in this sharper than sharp resolution is something that cannot be easily described, and it is safe to assume that the results are truly amazing.

1080p is probably the signal that will become the future, as it does seem to be superior as long as all the right and necessary equipment is available. That said, Sony BRAVIA TVs that carry the 1080p ability are more expensive than their 1080i or 720p equivalents. This is typical of Sony, where consumers can expect to pay premium prices for their guaranteed premium quality.. Until there are more 1080p TVs, consumers may still go for the cheaper 1080i versions. However if you do have the budget, you’ll definitely be future proofing your living room with a 1080p.

30 degree washing a good starting point for saving the environment

Retailers and manufacturers alike are urging the consumer to reduce the temperature at which they wash their clothes in a bid to reduce wasted energy.

With a third of the UK’s population believing that climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world, the time to start taking collective responsibility is now. Every household in the country is now being urged to take more interest in reducing their energy wastage. As it stands, there are indeed plenty of ways to be more efficient in an effort to slow down the planet’s deterioration. Simply washing your clothes at temperatures 10 degrees cooler is one of them.

Recently, the nation has been exposed to a series of TV advertisements highlighting the dangers of climate change and promoting the government’s climate challenge aims. The adverts included visible CO2 emissions and encouraging cycling over driving have also been aired. All of this goes to show how easy it can be to help to reduce the factors causing climate change. Consumer goods manufacturer Proctor & Gamble has also taken the initiative with it’s washing detergent brand Ariel, by releasing a new range of tablets that clean specifically at the lower 30 degree temperature. Retail giants Marks & Spencer and ASDA have also started adding 30 degree recommendations to the labels of their clothes. By having constant reminders such as these in consumers’ views, it is hoped that the changes will begin to happen.

The campaign to reduce washing temperatures by 10 degrees has also managed to split opinions. Many people are sceptical over whether or not all types of germs and bugs are sufficiently destroyed at 30 degrees. Although switching from 40 degrees to 30 degrees would save approximately 40% in energy costs, the trade off could be an inefficiency regarding the removal of dust mites. Various other allergens are also said to be less effectively removed during a 30 degree wash, including pollen and dog dander. However, washing at 30 degrees should not pose too much of a threat, and there is a solution available. By rinsing the fabrics in cold water 3 or 4 times after a cooler wash will provide results that are almost on par with a higher temperature wash.

Modern home appliances will now tell you what efficiency rating they are, and this is an important step to helping to tackle the climate challenge. Most washing machines will also have an economy setting, to save both water and energy used for heating washes. Clearly, every manufacturer is taking a keen interest in somehow reducing energy wastage by the consumer, and by reinforcing the messaging from DEFRA and the government they are playing a huge role in getting everybody to take responsibility and action. Home appliances are stress buys, and just about every household will need them. Television sets are soon going to be produced without standby functions to help reduce energy wastage. By eliminating opportunities to waste energy at the production phase, slowing down climate change can be achieved.

It would be far too early to predict whether or not climate change can be prevented, and many experts will say with full confidence that it is an unavoidable eventuality. Washing clothes at 30 degrees cannot possibly save the environment on its own, and will need a lot of support from other areas, but it is a positive step that can be taken by every household. The kitchen provides a raft of ideas whereby the average household will be able to cut down on wasting energy. These are truly simple ideas that just need good habits and a bit of discipline to execute. Kettles should be boiled with the correct amount of water for intended usage, microwaves and toasters should be switched off at the plug and saucepans should always be used with the lid on to minimise heat loss. With regards to the kitchen, every appliance, large and small, should be switched off at the mains socket with the exception of the refrigerator and freezer. It’s possible to move around every room in your home and you will find opportunities to save energy. Switching lights off as you leave one room for another is an easy example, and using energy saving light bulbs in conjunction will save a pretty penny, too. If at all possible, everything should be switched off at the plug socket rather than being left on standby, and curtains should be drawn as soon as it gets dark to retain the heat.

The government supports the idea that a 60% reduction of carbon emissions is required to prevent global meltdown, but also concedes that the UK makes up a mere 2% of the worldwide issue. Savings within the household may not have any impact on reducing CO2 emissions, so is it worth the effort? Reducing energy wastage within the home will mean that there will be financial gains, which is a good incentive for most households. Collective responsibility needs to be taken, so this is a great way to start. Charity starts at home after all, and saving the planet can’t be bad either!

The digital switchover is happening whether you like it or not

It has recently been announced that the digital switchover for the UK will begin later this year in the Cumbrian town of Whitehaven. Although there’s been a lot of publicity regarding the switchover plans, many people are still unaware as to what it is, and what it means.

TV as we know it will be changing as soon as the end of this year. Analogue TV signals will be switched off and replaced by digital signals. The sleepy town of Whitehaven in Cumbria will be the first in the country to go digital, with the rest of the country following, region by region until the whole of the British Isles will be digitalised in 2012.

Plasma TVs and LCD TVs are already changing the cosmetic aspect of television, and now the way in which we receive our favourite programs is changing. The reason behind this is relatively simple; the government has decided that all areas of the country should be able to watch as many TV channels as possible. By switching off the analogue signals, the digital signals can be boosted to provide crisper receptions to all parts of the country. The end result will be that we will all have a greater choice of TV channels to pick from. For every household, though, there are a few changes that need to be made, as receiving digital signals requires extra equipment.

Since the digital switchover has been announced, technology has also advanced over time. For people who don’t already have satellite or cable TV, stand alone Freeview set top boxes were introduced. Now, a new breed of television set has evolved: plasma and LCD TVs with integrated digital tuners (IDTV). All of this means that there’s a great deal of choice available to the public even just to decide how to receive digital TV! Unfortunately, this may have inadvertently caused a great deal of resistance towards the digital switchover.

Whilst attitudes towards the move are generally positive, an alarming number of the population say that they don’t want to switch to digital, or even that they won’t switch. These reluctant few will argue that the current system doesn’t need fixing, but the fact that many households can’t view the five terrestrial channels clearly suggests that something needs to be done. Although not an obvious place to lead a national change, Whitehaven appears to be the ideal environment in which to pilot the switching. A diverse demographic with mixed levels of rural and urban developments, coupled with the fact that analogue reception is quite poor, means that Whitehaven stands out as being a near perfect test region.

Not all of the local population knows exactly what is to come, but it is certainly no disaster. Many people understand that they’ll be able to use satellite television to watch digital TV after the switchover date, and that’s fine, but they might not be aware that every television set will require a digital connection. Set top boxes will become the obvious and easiest choice, and many people will also be buying new LCD TVs with integrated tuners. Help and information is available, it just needs to be communicated better. Only having one digital receiver will also mean that people will no longer be able to record something on their VCR whilst watching something else. A solution around this would be to buy a DVD recorder with a built in digital tuner, allowing you to continue this pastime.

Although the transition from analogue technology would appear to be somewhat troublesome, the benefits of digital TV should outweigh the hassle substantially. As running analogue signals alongside digital ones would be economically unfeasible, the space vacated by the analogue signals can be redistributed to enhance the digital signals, allowing for more channels or can be used for other technologies such as mobile TV, mobile phones and high definition TV. Digital TV is seen by many as the future, albeit one that is available today and it will pave the way for further developments.

It’s faster than the speed of gas – and more economical, too.

A small revolution is happening regarding kitchen cook tops, as induction hobs are slowly developing into a serious contender to the traditional gas hobs. The environment and modern lifestyles will surely demand the newcomer to become more prominent.

As society turns to a more environmentally friendly attitude in the face of further global warming issues, a new technology is becoming more and more prominent in a bid to save the planet. The art of induction cooking might have appeared to have been lost, but as gas and electric hobs begin to find their grips on the market loosened, induction hobs have appeared as the catalyst of this slip.

Cooking purists will always hold gas hobs very close to their hearts, and it is unlikely that any other hob will ever change that easily. The traditional method of heating up a pan and cooking with it is simple, especially with the high degree of control over the heat available to the chef. However, we are living in an ever changing world, where people are increasingly dependant on technology to make tasks more convenient. Induction hobs can do just that, especially as they are almost twice as fast as gas equivalents when it comes to cooking. Speed has been king for a long time, in many different aspects of everyday life, and now there’s an improved method to allow for quicker cooking, saving more time in general life.

Induction hobs are also said to be considerably more energy efficient than gas hobs, using up to 90% of the energy produced in comparison to 55%, making them more economical. This could well be something of a false economy, seeing as the equipment required to use it is more expensive. However, as induction cooking becomes increasingly mainstream, the prices will tumble in accordance. Market experts believe that it is only a matter of time before induction hobs will begin to challenge gas hobs for market share, and over the next 5 years they expect induction hobs to double or even treble their 5-7% of the market. Just like the DVD replaced the VHS cassette, induction hobs look set to overtake and replace their gas counterparts.

As we saw with DVDs, the induction equipment is expensive in comparison to gas. In addition, regular pots and pans will not work on induction hobs. Pans made from a ferrous metal are required, in order to pass through the electro magnetic currents created by the induction hobs. Once the ferrous pan is in contact with the induction hob, heat is generated in the pan, rather than from the hob. The temperature can be controlled by adjusting the electric currents from the hob. All of this means that the hob itself won’t heat up, it will only be the pan so there are safety advantages to be had too. Do not be put off by the fact that ferrous pans are required – it just means that your pots and pans will need to be made from steel or iron, rather than traditional Pyrex or aluminium. The required equipment is readily available from both the high street and from online stores, and there are different levels of quality with a wide range of prices to suit.

The hobs themselves are also more expensive than both the traditional gas hob and standard electrical ones. However, the technology involved in using them to cook is one of the reasons why. As previously stated, the hobs themselves don’t heat up; they simply provide a source for the pan to heat up. Beneath the ceramic surface lies sophisticated set of electronics that make up the element, which in turn power a coil to produce a high frequency electromagnetic field. This action does not generate heat, but it is the circulating electric current that occurs when a ferrous object comes in to contact with it that does. As a result, even though the ferrous object will invariably transfer some heat to the cook top, it is by no means hot enough to burn, and will very quickly return to normal temperature. Temperature control during cooking is also as good as instantaneous, as it is simply a case of altering the electric current.

The future of induction hobs looks pretty secure, and could become even more readily available. Currently, German manufacturers such as AEG, Bosch and Siemens are the dominant forces in the induction hob market, and Smeg are also big players. Japanese companies are also beginning to develop induction technology that can be used with standard pots and pans, although this is probably a few years away yet, but the general consensus is that induction hobs will fall in price, and will then be much more accessible to all. The benefits of induction cooking will also become more apparent as its popularity increases with the public.

In terms of maintenance, induction hobs are much easier to clean than gas hobs. Because the heat only occurs with the pan, it means that spillages do not get baked on top. It’s also a continuous surface, so there are no obstacles to clean around. There’s no energy wastage either, as the electromagnetic field transfers its energy directly to the pan. The hobs also begin to cool down as soon as the pan is taken away, meaning that they are very safe to touch. In comparison to gas, there are no emissions, and hence no fears about any gas leaks.

Gas hobs are still very much the choice of the majority of people, but it seems that it is only a matter of time before induction equivalents will be looked upon as a serious everyday alternative to the traditional option. The evidence of the benefits are there to be seen, but change won’t happen quickly. As induction hobs gain more popularity, prices will fall, and perhaps they will become the norm. With the environment becoming a bigger issue and people’s lifestyles getting even busier, induction hobs could even be promoted by more advocates sooner rather than later.