Geeks Blog

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Nest: The Coolest and Hottest Gadget in One

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Just over a week ago I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me that I would be raving over a thermostat, but that’s exactly what I’ve been doing since I heard about Nest.

Nest, dubbed “the learning thermostat”, is probably one of the coolest gadgets (or hottest?) gadgets I’ve heard in quite a while. Sure, there are plenty of mobile devices that excite me, but the fact is that the demand for these mobile devices is such that you will see cool features left and right. Thermostats though are devices that seem to be stuck in time. This is perhaps one of the reasons why a new thermostat that smacks of innovation excites the geek in me; but enough about why I like the idea of an learning thermostat, and on to what it is exactly that makes this thermostat super cool.

Nest is called the learning thermostat not just for marketing purposes, but because it learns about your habits and preferences and is able to put the data it gathers into good use allowing you to save much on electricity. “Teaching” Nest to learn your habits is, however, no big deal since all you need to do is install it, answer a few basic questions (i.e. Should Nest start heating or cooling your home?), and then leave it alone to do the “learning” all by itself. Within a week, Nest should have come up with a schedule that is personalized to your needs. Even better, it adjusts the schedule to make it even more personalized as it gets more information about your daily, weekly, even monthly habits as time passes. In short, this thermostat programs itself.

You can also access Nest from anywhere using your mobile phone via the Nest mobile app, or on a PC connected to the Internet and adjust the thermostat anytime you want to. You can use the app to manage all thermostats at home if you opt to get one for each room, or even for thermostats located in different houses. And as for updates, there’s no need to do anything since Nest also automatically downloads and installs updates as long as it is connected to your Wi-Fi.

The Nest is already available for pre-order in the US for $249 with pre-orders limited to 5 units per person.

Photos courtesy of Nest

Plastics – the tough kind

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plastictrash.jpgPlastics have revolutionized the way we live on this earth ever since they were synthesized from petroleum. The good thing about them is that they are tough and can be customized chemically to contain just about anything. From acids, bases to other very hazardous chemicals, plastics have been used to hold them. There is only one very big problem though; they’re also very much indestructible. Yes, there are biodegradable plastics today yet they still lack some of the qualities of their polluting kin. Bury plastic bottles used for soft drinks in a landfill and they’ll be around for a long long time. You can’t burn them for being derived from oil, they release toxic fumes. Recycling which is the best option is still much to be seen as the way to go. There are over a hundred thousand types of different plastics on this earth and even out (on satellites and space craft) and designing recycling methods for all of them might be too costly. All the different types have to be handled differently, treat them the same and you end up with plastic that is only suitable for use in trash bags and other menial applications.
The seas of the earth is now being strangled by tons upon tons of plastics which range from discarded fishing nets, lines and other types. They pose a very real hazard for wildlife and other marine organisms and also become dangers to us when they get tangled around fishing vessels or sucked into the engines of recreational craft. Plastics that are irresponsibly disposed of in the seas, stay there, even traveling around the world as the ocean currents shift. Plastics thrown in Asia have been found in the beaches of Europe and North America which is testament to their indestructible nature. The ocean has no disposal methods for such waste and they just float around, that without action eventually end up clogging our beloved seas, rivers and streams.
Be responsible and re-use plastic bags from the supermarket. Recycle bottles and other stuff than can be for they mean less need for raw materials thus less pollution. Be Green ,Be Clean.

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Analog Format Loss Syndrome

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vinyl.jpgvhs.jpgreels.jpgcasette.jpgbwphotos.jpg
Nope, it’s not a disease, but rather the stark realization that your old vinyl records, VHS Tapes and black and white photos are fast becoming obsolete and forever destined for the garbage can. There is help though for the many baby boomers out there who do need help with such conversions in order for most analog gadgets and gizmos to have their contents converted into the proper digital format that would allow them to be used with your iPod or saved onto high quality DVD’s for eternity (well, not an eternity but as long as the DVD retains it’s ability to hold the information safe anyway for even they have life spans or expected time frames before they fail). Many technologies such as voice recordings on cassette tapes, old video on reel tapes, Black and white photos of the days of old and many other older analog technologies that have long been overstepped by the digital revolution.
For photos there are scanners that allow you to digitize them and convert them to your preferred format for storage and viewing. Old photos are sensitive and some even crumble due to time and climate conditions. Digitizing them makes them available for manipulation and restorations as well as playback as a slideshow on your PC or TV. Old VHS tapes can be digitized through several appliances you connect to the video in port or through the USB port that with accompanying software allows them to be converted into digital video formats and even DVD’s (this you’d best leave to the experts for it takes almost a day to convert a few hours of video but DIY is still possible and widely available). Old 8″ vinyl can be transferred onto your multimedia players through similar appliances that converts them to popular audio formats.
Lastly, this world is ruled by the law of supply and demand and as long as people need help with such analog to digital conversions, there will always be entrepreneurs who would provide the services necessary. Whether you aim to do it on your own or to hire a professional conversion firm, it’s up to you, but do it quick for technology changes as a very fast rate that it may again render today’s technology useless by tomorrow.