Have You Ever Heard Of Manufactured Real-Estate?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

A part of the world is banking on the success of artificially created real-estate, quite literally, since for some time now, developers have been smiling all the way to the bank. And artificial real-estate doesn’t refer to just buildings --- no, no --- we’re talking about man-made islands in the Persian Gulf where development incorporates natural habitat and ecosystems. This is referred to as terraforming; and the most outrageous whims can be developed and accommodated for those where money is no issue. 

Replicas of lost civilizations as well as breath-taking 5-star themed hotels, high-rise malls, a sea-world and exclusive retail outlets, jut outward, literally, over the Arabian Gulf waters, staking their unusual real-estate claims.

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A world-class golf course lies among private homes, which are scattered throughout, flanked by fresh-water streams flowing alongside them. A myriad of architectural styles used for these homes reflect ancient designs from various areas of the world including the Orient, Middle-East, Mediterranean Africa, Europe or even quaint sea-village homes built on stilts. One has the option of designing one’s own home that would reflect a unique style indigenous to any culture of the world.

According to developers, the real-estate market is booming due to the Dubai government maintaining low interest rates and ‘low’ property costs to encourage foreign investment and residency. And supposedly, Dubai is having a difficult time keeping up with the demands from those who are financially able to take part in these outlandish real-estate projects.

‘The World’:

This is only one of many themed real-estate pieces; and it is located 2.5 miles off the coast of Dubai and is made up of 300 individual islands shaped like the earth’s continents - England, Shanghai, Tasmania and many more--with micro-versions of each continent’s unique offerings such as castles, an African game preserve, full-scale, replicated Caribbean ships, etc., created for private ownership. And if you have a yearning to possess your own island, have your checkbook handy since there are still some available for sale.

Official water patrols provide security; and posh water taxis continually ferry guests between each ‘water world’ environment day and night.

A Sinking Dream?

It needs to be stated, however, that financial experts maintain that development has slowed down due to the 2008 financial crisis. Local developers deny that assertion inspite of the fact that property values on Dubai’s mainland have fallen 58% from their peak in the fourth quarter of 2008. It is, also, being alleged the synthetic islands are slowly sinking into the sea. This has been confirmed by geological surveys and many homeowners, living in this once-unquestioned piece of paradise, are furious regarding this sinking revelation. And any sinking issues may or may not have anything to do with the unarguable fact that many investors have reconsidered and backed out and some have asked for, and have received, investment reimbursements. Some argue for the more familiar real estate investments as seen on Dunhill Homes.

Whether this manufactured real-estate is losing value or whether islands are truly sinking, as of mid-July 2012, properties have continued to open - but one has to wonder: For how long?

SEE ALSO: 3 Best Tools For Construction Project Management

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*by andreascy*

Inner Workings of High Speed Internet

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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The term "Internet" has many meanings depending on what network a person uses. No one person, no one government, no one entity owns or controls the Internet. Instead, it consists of many networks cooperating and making alliances all over the world. 

Each organization monitors and maintains its own network. A group known as the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) sets standards, oversees research, and gives guidance for many areas of the network. Best of all Tim Lee Burns who oversaw the majority of work on the early Internet is part of that group.

Managing Traffic

High speed on the Internet happens from local, regional, and international networks communicating on needs and hardware. Each group contributes to the internal structure of the Internet in a variety of ways. Companies lay down the infrastructure that carries the bits and bytes cable, satellite, fiber optics, and wireless. Organizations and governments create guidelines on use, bandwidth, and standards. Of course, most of the work is finding ways to make the bits and bytes flow as quickly as possible between home and the site a person is accessing. As a human enterprise, it ranks as the first global cooperation created solely for offering a means of communication for anyone anywhere.

Internet 2

A living breathing ecosystem comes as one of the best ways to describe the Net. It has an overarching framework that everything else connects on. It has niches for specialized needs in the ecosystem. What affects one part or section of the Net has effects on the rest of the Net. It changes daily and reacts differently every day. It is all determined by human interaction and communications with others either directly or indirectly.

Not for profit research since 1996 in 200 universities and 115 companies across the globe have been testing advanced network technology daily. All require high speed networks. Many of the wonders of technology a person experiences today came out of these universities and companies. Other entities pick the technology up, adapt it, and make money with it. Online books, music, movies, and magazines started out as ideas and seeds for use at the not for profit research facilities. Presently, these places are working on high definition video, quicker ways to resolve network problems, and enhanced detection of any problems.

Connection

What high speed Internet providers give to a consumer is an access point, not the Internet itself. A provider may have their niche and personal network where they give their brand of news, weather, financial data, games and storage. It pays to determine your needs and shop around. These providers come at different levels. An ISP (internet service provider) may cover a specific geographical area and offer the initial connection to that area. National ISP exists and serves cities and towns in a nationwide network.

Another access point is OSP (online service providers). OSP is like a club where one must become a member. It functions more as a large gateway to the Internet. These entities regulate what services members have access to. It customizes a version of the web to its companies vision and needs.

More and more wireless Internet service providers are becoming the norm. Smart phones, laptops, desktops or any device with wireless capability can access a hotspot. Some wireless access points are free, and others take a monthly fee for access. In urban areas, restaurants, colleges, community areas such as airports offer free wi-fi for the public use.

Join

Internet has become one of the major means of communicating in business, in the news, in media and among many individuals. Every day across the globe it becomes a culture of its own and part of people’s lives. The astronomical amount of data streaming through it in its many forms ensures something is available for anyone in any format if they have a need.

SEE ALSO: Online Security Education Program for Your Employees

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GPS Fleet Management - What Are Its Environmental Benefits

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Everybody wants to be a green citizen today. Being eco-friendly has gone from being a fashion statement to a necessity. More and more clients ask for products that are the result of green manufacturing processes and businesses therefore have been encouraged to go in for sustainable practices. This eco-conscience is also applicable for an owner of a fleet.

Fleet management has its own complexities and challenges but you can make it as green and environmentally friendly as possible by going in for GPS fleet management. Using a GPS vehicle tracking system for your fleet has plenty of benefits including financial. So let us take a look at the environmental benefits of GPS fleet management:

1. Optimizing fuel consumption 

By going in for a GPS fleet management system you can make every gallon of fuel count. This makes both environmental and financial sense since fuel prices are rising everywhere and is probably one of the largest expense areas for you as well. Therefore you should be able to monitor how the driver is driving in terms of speed of vehicle and route. For instance, if your vehicle has been left idling for too long or if the driver is showing erratic speeds while he is driving this could be draining revenues from your business by way of fuel wastage. Figuring out the best possible route is also useful when using GPS fleet management. It may not always be about the shortest route. It can also be a route which allows for uninterrupted driving and ergo lesser need for braking! 

2. Getting the drivers to invest in green policies

With GPS fleet management system you can familiarize your drivers with environmental principles that you would like to follow. Therefore they become more invested in reducing carbon footprint. Rather than simply dictating routes you can explain to the drivers why it is important that the driver adhere to a particular speed and go through a particular route so that they too are familiar with the higher purpose of eco-consciousness. You can also demonstrate why careful driving at a particular speed will help keep the drivers safe too. 

3. Government compliance

Depending on the country that you are in, you would be needed by the government to comply with emissions standards or carbon footprint laws. One of the ways in which you can meet these compliance frameworks is to use GPS fleet management. By reducing speed to optimum levels and by extending the life of the vehicle you can get some major “brownie points” in terms of carbon credits and certifications from government agencies as well. 

GPS fleet management system can also help manage your fleet in terms of age of vehicles. By looking at the driving history of each vehicle you can find out whether they have been performing better over a period of time or whether the time has come to trade them for newer vehicles. Tracking aspects like service history and routine maintenance for your fleet is critical to ensure that you put safe and low polluting vehicles on the road.

SUGGESTED: 5 Top Tech Toys For Your Car

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CNETTV - Ballmer: How Windows Can Capture Smartphone Middle Ground

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

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The Microsoft CEO talks to venture capitalist and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman about how Windows can win the middle ground in the smartphone wars, at a Q&A session sponsored by the Churchill Club in Santa Clara, Calif. 

"It is absolutely clear that there is an innovation opportunity on the scene between hardware and software and that is a scene that must not go unexploited at all by Microsoft," Ballmer said.

Ballmer said he still expects Microsoft's partners to build the bulk of new Windows-based machines, but this is the firmest comment the top Microsoft executive has made regarding more company-developed devices.

I see some truth in the "wild west" and "highly controlled" analogy about ecosystems. But can Microsoft really get the middle ground? Sounds promising if they can. 😊

*by andreascy*

Urban Farming Is A Green Way to Improving Cities

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

 

Urban Farming is a process of growing foods within vastly populated towns and cities. These regions use up a lot of our foods and needed resources. A meal could journey greater than 4,000 miles to get from the farm to the markets and restaurants. Growing food nearer to the areas of greater demand decreases the amount of gasoline required to transport it from start location to its final destination. 

Minimizing the number of trips saves money and time. Additionally, this strategy can decrease maintenance cost of transporting vehicles. As a result, there is less need to purchase new vehicles. Toxic gases spewed into the atmosphere is greatly reduced. Urban agriculture is not restricted to fruits and vegetables.

It calls for raising livestock in the midst of the metropolis. Our "carbon "food-print" is the amount of greenhouse gases produced as meals go through the food system. Humans contribute to nitrous oxide emission when we consume food sprayed with chemical fertilizers.

Stop being afraid to learn. Here's how!

*by andreascy*

TED Video : The Secret Life of Plankton

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

New videography techniques have opened up the oceans' microscopic ecosystem, revealing it to be both mesmerizingly beautiful and astoundingly complex. 

Marine biologist Tierney Thys has used footage from a pioneering project to create a film designed to ignite wonder and curiosity about this hidden world that underpins our own food chain. 

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*by andreascy*