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Preventing Gps Disasters

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 00:30:26 +0000

Preventing Gps Disasters

If your GPS device told you do drive off a cliff or ford a raging river, would you do it? You may respond, of course not, that’s stupid. Unfortunately, many people substitute technology for common sense, often with tragic results.

Satellite navigation systems are changing the way in which we navigate from place to place by land, sea or air; in remote wilderness areas or through congested urban streets. The GPS system has been called the greatest advance in outdoor navigation since the invention of the compass and has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, a useful tool for map-making, land surveying and recreational navigation. An estimated 50 million navigation devices, including in-car systems, handheld or portable units and smart phones, will be in use in the United States this year.

Whether you’re prospecting, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing, or taking a hike in the back country, a GPS receiver can help you reach your destination and return safely – but only if you know how to accurately use it and recognize its limitations.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a complex network of more than 30 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. The GPS network, also called NAVSTAR, was originally intended for military applications, however when Korean Air Lines Flight 007 was shot down in 1983 after straying into the USSR’s prohibited airspace, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making GPS freely available for civilian use as a common good. The GPS works all the time, in any weather condition, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Powered by solar energy, the numerous satellites that make up the GPS space segment orbit at approximately 12,000 miles above the earth. Moving constantly at speeds in excess of 7,000 mph, the satellites each make two complete orbits of the earth in less than twenty-four hours. The GPS satellites are kept on track by small rocket boosters. Primarily operated on solar power, the satellites also employ backup batteries in anticipation of power loss during a solar eclipse.

The first GPS satellite was sent into orbit in 1978, with a full constellation of satellites achieved in 1994. Weighing approximately 2,000 pounds, each satellite is about 17 feet a
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cross with the solar panels extended and is built to last about ten years. Replacement satellites are constantly being built and then launched into orbit.

GPS signals can be affected by multi-path issues, where the radio signals reflect off surrounding terrain such as tall buildings, mountains or large obstructions. This increases the travel time of the signal and can cause inaccuracy. The number of satellites visible, or the more satellites a GPS receiver can “see” will also affect accuracy. Electronic interference, buildings, terrain or sometimes even dense foliage can block the signal reception and cause positioning errors or prevent a position reading at all.

Anomalies like high static discharge during lightning storms, humidity, ionized air and barometric pressure can definitely cause false information, data error or miscalculations. A satellite signal slows as it passes through the atmosphere. Ionosphere and troposphere delays may cause distortion. GPS units normally will not work indoors, underground or underwater.

In automotive GPS receivers, metallic features in windshields, such as window tinting films or defrosters elements can degrade reception inside the vehicle. Receiver clock errors are also common. This type of error occurs because a receiver’s built in clock is not as accurate as the atomic clocks onboard the GPS satellites and will reflect varying timing errors. These distortions can result in positioning errors of hundreds of miles.

Unreliable data is also a major contributor to GPS errors. With an incalculable number of roads and millions of miles of ground to cover, it is impossible for any data system to be 100% accurate. A road network is a constantly changing entity; roads are diverted or closed, construction reroutes traffic while weather affects road conditions. The data feed used in GPS units is dated. Fresh updated content may not be available for several months. It is important to remember that this data is updated quarterly at best and in some cases only released twice a year.

Although GPS Navigation is becoming increasingly popular, these units have the ability to highlight human error. A GPS devise will attempt to advise you depending on the destination your have entered. An incorrect address or a mistake in spelling are common errors. Instead of making our lives easier, some of these devices are so technologically enhanced they are very difficult to use. User mistakes account for the majority of GPS errors, however a GPS receiver has no way to identify and correct these mistakes.

GPS technology isn’t perfect! It’s imperative to pair its directions with a healthy dose of common sense. Many drivers exhibit a surprising willingness to rely on gadgets instead of experience. They are finding that satellite navigation may replace paper maps, however following the GPS’s not always reliable directions, many users are getting hopelessly lost, hitting dead ends or road closures and even swerving into oncoming traffic.

Even if you are not blindly following erroneous, computer-generated instructions, research studies tell us that “using GPS while behind the wheel is actually more distracting and less safe than unfolding a paper map and using it to find your way”. A large portion of drivers, according to the study, relied exclusively on their GPS unit for directions, “rendering them completely oblivious to the world around them”.

By: wildlily44

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Marlene Affeld has a passion for the environment

and all things natural. A seasoned traveler,

Marlene enjoys sharing her experiences with

others. Visit Marlene’s site at Nandu Green for Eco-Friendly
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living options.

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Latest eco living news – Improving your front door

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:25:07 +0000

I hope you’ve been enjoying my posts lately. I thought I might do something different today and rustle up a few bits of info from around the WWW. These are some of the news items and blog posts that have been popular over the last few weeks. Leave me your thoughts.

Improving your front door

Eco Friendly Living. Living the Green Life Each Day. Home · Privacy Policy · More Goodies. Jun 02. Improving your front door · Naturally Add comments. Your front door is a room of its own. It is the first impression people have of your …

Top eco festivals of 2010 | Hello Eco Living

Thinking of heading off to a festival this summer? Choose one with eco credentials.

Eco Tips | Green Living Guide – Tips, Guide, Energy Savings

One of the best ways to preserve your state parks is to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. Use these tips while you travel and at home to reduce.

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

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Eco Home Give It An Artistic Touch

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 00:30:07 +0000

Eco Home Give It An Artistic Touch

Eco home, is slowly gaining its importance of late, due to its cost effectiveness. An eco friendly home is other wise shortly known as eco home as its built keeping in mind the environmental factors, with its prime intention of environmental conservation. It is in the welfare of the nature and environment causing no harm to the environmental balance. In complete tandem with the environment to put it in simple words.

Making use of building materials which uphold the concept of nature and environment, and causes no harm to the environment at any given time. It is not only environment friendly, but is cost effective and gives a very homely and cosy feeling to your house. With an additional aesthetic appeal to the building. Also considered is the fuel, which is less harmful and leaves no fumes in the environment and plastic that won’t decompose in the environment if thrown away, if used it will be disposed in a safe manner so that it doesn’t affect the environment in any way. Enough care will be taken in case plastic is used. In addition to this, eco home products are used in some houses, which not only looks good, but also does good. Such as cork stool instead of plastic ones, alpaca cushions, buckram light, organic sheep skin.

Eco homes basically highlight the concept of sustainable building design and emphasizes on sustainable lifestyles. Such homes are carbon neutral; and make use of power (from a number of different green sources) efficiently and imaginatively; with beautiful furnishings.

Create a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary within your home. With eco friendly items from around the world, makes your eco living a real pleasure. The key aim behind such eco homes is conservation of environment and revolves around the concept sustainable building design and sustainable lifestyles. With limited resources around the world, one should consider conserving the environment which is endangered and is heading towards depletion. Take enough care when you build your homes and reach out to eco home experts, and be a fully aware citizen who is takes responsibility towards his own environment and creates that aesthetic appeal that his or her house deserves. You feel good about your house and make the environment also smile with no
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harm caused to it.

The rising population of the world has a very important role to play in this. This is where living in homes that are friendly to the environment becomes important. That is because these homes are saving what the world has so that the future generations won’t feel the pinch. Take a step towards building an eco friendly home!

By: Kirthy S

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Expert author, Platinum status. Eco home help:

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Latest eco living news – Tiny House Design , Archive » Living like it’s 2050 – Pickards …

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 12:30:37 +0000

Tiny House Design , Archive » Living like it’s 2050 – Pickards …

The folks at fair companies have been making a lot of great videos that focus on sustainability and simple living. This video was filmed in North Carolina at the Pickards Mountain Eco-Institute, which is dedicated to exploring ways …

naturalliving: Eco friendly affordable washing machine

Eco friendly affordable washing machine. I need one, BADLY!!! Mine died back in Feb, and for a while it was a pain but not a big deal. I could do some clothes at mom's(or drop it off, yay) and do towels/blankets/socks and all the other …

How To Begin Your Personal Blog With Minimal Funds

Eco Friendly Living. Living the Green Life Each Day. Home · Privacy Policy · More Goodies. Jun 02. How To Begin Your Personal Blog With Minimal Funds · Naturally Add comments. For first time bloggers, a free running a blog web website …

Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

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Lose Weight Living Your Eco-Friendly Diet

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:35:24 +0000

Today everyone aspires to do everything possible to help our planet, our lives and the future of generations to come. People today are conscious of the ecological impact modern living has on nature and on societies and its no wonder abundant laws exist to monitor our environmental course.

We have significantly awakened awareness of our role as caretakers and our responsibility to support nature. That awareness includes both the tangible and intangible, from things to thoughts on the custodial spectrum. Our attitude matters and we want to do our part as good citizens of the world to honor, respect, revere, appreciate and love our gift of life in every facet of its magnificence.

And we do only now it’s also time to turn that awareness inward to help save, preserve and prosper your body by treating it with environmentally friendly actions that nurture good health, good weight, fitness, and alertness. Love and care for your body as you love and care for your planet.

Would you dump trash in a river or stream or discard motor oil in a lake? Never. Yet you jump at every opportunity to indulge in heart attack eating that clogs up your blood flow. There’s hardly much difference in creating pollution outside you from creating pollution inside you, is there?

It’s contradiction and polarity when you wouldn’t dream of trashing the world outside you yet think nothing of trashing the world inside you. True?

Realize all that’s going on and the divisiveness of it. If you care for the environment, are you not part of that environment? Shouldn’t your mindset include caring for yourself too? If you love and respect nature and our planet, then it means loving and caring for yourself as well because you cannot separate who you are from what you do. You are in or out of harmony with all that is as a way of life, an expression in humanity’s fabric and when you disrespect yourself, you disrespect all. There is no distinction or separation.

Reassess your choices with an awakened mind and know that the balance and harmony you wish for the world outside, emanates from the world inside. You are that world and your own keeper of exquisite life. Why not recognize and remember it. Act with reverence and gratitude and direct your environmental efforts inward to do all you can to support, nurture and love the life you are in all your glory!

My best to you,

Rosemary Hershey

Rosemary invites women who want to lose weight and end the diet trap to read a free chapter of “Diet-Bailout”. Why? Because it gives tools, tips and techniques to find the magic formula to live life on your terms.

Find your triggers to overeating, your elusive driver, that insatiable hunger you keep trying to fill. Re-purpose all of it and get happy with life and with yourself. For mature women only who want diet-freedom and happiness, get your how to chapter now by visiting: http://www.diet-bailout.com

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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rosemary_Hershey

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Earth Day turns 40: An animated tribute – Yahoo! News

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:26:15 +0000

Earth Day turns 40: An animated tribute – Yahoo! News

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YouTube – EcoLiving Expo – Benita

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 00:20:19 +0000

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Environmentally Friendly Products For Eco-Friendly Living

admin — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:25:43 +0000

The buzz nowadays is about eco-friendly living. There are many of us who wonder what this entails and how to go about it. Continue reading to know more about green living tips. The best place to start is by going green at home. How one should do that, you might ask. The easiest way is to start using environment-friendly products.

Environment-friendly products are basically all such products that do not cause damage to the already fragile eco-balance on Earth. Such products are made with the technology that uses renewable energy resources of our planet, thus reducing pollution, aiding in the rejuvenation of the planet, and making our world a better place to live in.

Women have a crucial role to play in this process. The fairer sex has a wide array of environment friendly products to choose from. Going green has never been as easy as it is now. From soaps and shampoos to body care products, clothes, organic food, environment, the list is endless, as it is exotic, affordable, and most importantly, green. One doesn’t have to change one’s life radically; a small step at a time is a better way to doing so. Why not buy organic shampoo the next time you are out of a hair cleanser? Or opt for organically grown rice the next time you are out grocery shopping. Though small, these changes are sure to help you go green. Most environment-friendly products use free energy available from nature. This helps in the following ways:

conserve energy and resources
reduce waste
reduce pollution
save the environment by reducing the discharge of harmful substances

The earth is the only home that we have. Years of rampant consumerism have resulted in depleting natural resources, extinction of various species of flora and fauna, and a rapid increase in pollution of the air, land, and water. It is time to change, and environment-friendly products will help us change our lives for the better.

Contribute towards conserving environment. Use only natural products. These eco friendly products reduce pollution and save eco system of harmful chemicals.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Albertina_Belmont

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Is Custom Furniture The Answer For Those Not Of Average Height? by Kenneth Fonville

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 07:00:37 +0000

The design of furniture has evolved over time with the study of ergonomics that has, mostly through trial and error, but with some study, listed a number of dimensions that most designers use when creating furniture to fit the human body.

Automobile and office furniture has benefited from a great deal of research and further benefits by being user adjustable for that “perfect fit”.

Residential furniture, since very little of it is adjustable, has been designed and manufactured over the years to fit the “average” person, and to avoid the cost of making things in multiple sizes like the clothing manufacturers must do. There are specifications for sizing most types of residential furniture—from beds, chests, tables, and dresser drawers to dining chairs, sofas, accent chairs and to entertainment centers. They have evolved as a result of successful designs that are functionally successful as well.

For the purpose of this article, the discussion of custom living room upholstered fabric and leather furniture is addressed. The average height of Americans today is 5’8” (and slowing increasing!). This “average” person when seated is most comfortable if the seat height is 17-18” from the floor and the seat depth is 22-24” and the arm height is 24-25” from the floor. These dimensions provide the most support and comfort when seated.

The most critical dimension for long term comfort in seating is the seat height. If your legs don’t reach the floor, the additional pressure on the backs of your legs is tiring. If your lower legs are longer than the average seat height, there is no thigh support and the seating angle between your legs and back is unnatural and uncomfortable over time. The good news is that a relatively modest adjustment in the seating height will accommodate significant height ranges for people. For example, a reduction of 1 1/2” in seat height will make the sofa or chair more comfortable for people from 5’ to about 5’6” in height. An increase of 1 1/2” will accommodate nicely those whose standing height is from 6’ to about 6’6”. Between those ranges—the “average” sizes will be comfortable.

If you want the most comfort, there are few options available. True custom furniture is available, but the cost and time required can be significant. You can adjust the seat height of your furniture on a “do-it-yourself” basis, by trimming legs or putting blocks under legs. Seat depth can be decreased with pillows, and arm height can be increased with arm covers.

Additionally, the varying heights of the inhabitants of your home must be accommodated. The most common situation is a tall male and a shorter female. The only suggestion I have there is “his and hers” chairs, and perhaps a standard height sofa for your living or family room. Growing children are less of an issue, since they will change heights faster than your furniture will wear out, and faster than is reasonable to accommodate them. Plus, teen-agers seldom sit long anyway!

There are custom furniture manufacturers who are attempting to satisfy, not just the “average” customer, but to make furniture that is comfortable for all of their customers. This is somewhat easier to do when the manufacturer makes the furniture to your order, and doesn’t have inventory of standard pieces that he or the retailer is trying to sell. It is also less expensive for “online” manufacturers who do not have the cost of a retail operation to support to make these adjustments to their products as well.

I invite you to the website listed below to view custom hemp and leather furniture that can be height adjusted at no additional cost. Additionally there is no additional time requirement to make the sofas, loveseats, or chairs that will be custom fit to your body type.

About The Author

Ken Fonville is the president of EcoSelect Furniture, which sells eco-friendly custom leather furniture , made with eco-friendly leather and hemp fabrics. Our green living room furniture collections are made of quality leather. He has 30 years experience in the furniture industry. Positions in sales, marketing, product development, manufacturing management and senior management of furniture companies. Experience in international sourcing and marketing. Consulting for family owned companies. Currently am owner of on line retailer of custom, eco-friendly leather and hemp fabric upholstery, made in the USA. Expertise in sustainability methods of furniture manufacturing and environmental impact of processes and materials.

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Having Your Own Eco Friendly Pet and Living Together on This Planet

admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:25:31 +0000

Anyone can have their own eco friendly pet. Dogs are really a man’s best friend and they are one of the earth friendly animals. As a pet we can pamper our dogs with various environment friendly toys and their other needs.

The first thing we can do to turn our dogs into an eco friendly pet is to feed them with organic pet food. There are now organic pet foods that are available in the market or you can even make one of your own. Organic food makes us healthy and so does organic dog food. It makes their coat shinier and makes them healthier, thus promoting an overall good well being.

To even make your pet even more eco friendly, you can purchase biodegradable waste bags. The usual plastic that we used to pick up dog waste is hard to decompose. Opting for a biodegradable one can make us protect earth and this will not leave harmful wastes on our landfills.

To make your dogs even more comfortable, one can also pamper them by buying them an organic pet bed. An organic pet bed will be much comfortable and even healthier for your pet. Your dog can rest well on this organic pet bed. An organic pet bed is made out of 100% cotton. Conventionally grown cotton are full of chemical and pesticides during it’s farming needs and can leave wastes that will seep to our water system any body of water nearby. It is very damaging for the environment. That is why opting for products are made from organic cotton can help us support an industry that cares for our planet.

There are organic pet beds that are available in ember, gold, or basil and it is available in 4 different sizes. Another good thing about organic beds is that its cushion is actually made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. This can be another green point for you and your pet.

Our dogs love their toys and we can even buy one that is made of natural materials. Eco friendly toys will be a healthier choice for your dogs. It is non toxic and your pets will surely enjoy playing with it. There are a lot of options on how we can convert your dog into a great pet. It only takes a little effort and some tender loving care on your part.

Find the best eco friendly living tips from Veronica Colley, who makes it her business to stay on top of keeping our planet green and eco conscience.

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http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Veronica_Colley

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