Phipps Wins Prestigious Green Good Design Award for the Center for Sustainable Landscapes
Phipps conservatory in Pittsburgh (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pittsburgh, Pa. — Receiving international recognition for its innovative building practices, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pleased to announce that it has been named as a recipient of a Green Good Design™ Award from The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design. Established to identify and raise awareness about the globe’s most important examples of sustainable design, this honor is part of an awards program established in 1950, making it one of the oldest and most prestigious worldwide.
Judged by members of The European Center’s Internal Advisory Committee, a group of worldwide leaders in the design industry, Phipps was chosen to receive a Green Good Design Award from a pool of hundreds of applicants, the winners representing 22 nations. Starting in September in Athens, Greece, a traveling exhibition showcasing selected projects, including the CSL, will kick off and run throughout November. More details and a list of recipients can be found here.
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Tech talk: Understanding ‘the cloud’ and what it can do for you
Windows Live SkyDrive (Photo credit: ??)
(BPT) – News headlines, commercials and chatter between colleagues – recently there has been a lot of hype around “the cloud,” but the term can be complex and confusing. What exactly is the cloud, and furthermore, what does it mean for you and the way you use technology? Although the concept feels relatively new, it’s simpler than you may think.
You’ve probably heard a lot about storing and sharing information on the cloud, but did you know there’s a good chance you’re already utilizing the cloud regularly without even knowing it? Every time you check or send an email online, you’re sending information through the cloud, in other words, through a network of servers, software and services in a remote location.
Much like connecting your television to a cable connection, you connect your tech device to the Internet to access content stored in the cloud. When you use cloud storage, what you can do with your technology devices – from desktop to tablet to smartphone – expands greatly.
The cloud isn’t just for tech elites – it can make life easier no matter how tech-savvy you are. Whether you’re heading a global conglomerate or are simply the head of your kid’s soccer team, the cloud can help streamline what you need to do online. Beyond checking email, the cloud lets you work with other people online with documents that can be edited simultaneously, store large files so you don’t have to keep them on hand, and easily access and share important photos and personal documents, like travel plans.
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Click & Grow’s New Grow Light Enables Smart Flower Pots to Spring up in Dark Places
Palo Alto, Calif. – June 13, 2013 – Click & Grow, designer of indoor smart gardens, continues to develop technologies that enable people to grow food in less ideal environments and bring the outdoors inside with the introduction of their new Grow Light.
“The advanced growth medium we use in each Smart Flower Pot, combined with our new Grow Light brings the joy of growing plants to everyone, anywhere, using clever technology.” said Founder Mattias Lepp. “The Grow Light has a pre-programmed timer that allows users to activate the system in coordination with their personal schedule.”
The Grow Light’s safe LED technology only requires 3 watts of energy which equates to a marginal 2-3 dollars a year of additional electricity. This is the perfect addition to our Smart Flower Pot, a high-tech and self-watering smart gardens that make growing plants indoors easy and carefree. Click & Grow’s nano tech growth medium supplies plant roots with the right amount of oxygen, water and nutrients at any time. Mimicking the organic decomposition cycle of nature, Click & Grow’s growth medium is hormone-free, pesticide-free and fungicide-free.
For users with a sweet tooth, Click & Grow also adds a Sugar Leaf refill to their product lineup. The leaves of this new refill can be used as a natural sweetener and contains steviol which is 300 times sweeter than sugar and completely safe. Sprouting can be expected within 7-14 days of installing the plant cartridge and its lifespan may vary from 10-18 months.
Click & Grow’s new Grow Light and Sugar Leaf Refill are now available at www.clickandgrow.com for $49.00 and $19.99 respectively. Order now and receive free shipping until June 18th for all orders over $39.00.
For more information and to purchase a Click & Grow starter kit, visit www.clickandgrow.com.
Grow Light Technical Specifications:
- Light output: 3W
- Operating voltage: 5V DC
- Operating room temperature range: 10-30°C / 50-86°F
- 198-gram weight (excluding cable)
- 210mm (Length) x 130mm (Height) x 60mm (Width)
- Digitally regulated output – maintains constant brightness
- 16/8 hour digital ON/OFF timer.
- The light arm is made of steel
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About Click & Grow:
Click & Grow is the leading creator of easy-to-use electronic smart gardens that grow plants without watering and fertilizing. The company’s smart technology controls all the necessary parameters and doses an exact amount of water, fertilizer and air, according to the plant’s needs. Click & Grow’s specially developed and patented growth medium enables users to grow fresh herbs, vegetables and plants in homes and offices around the world. Since the company’s inception in 2010 over 50,000 smart gardens have been sold worldwide. To learn more about Click & Grow’s comprehensive line up of products and plants, visit www.clickandgrow.com.
New Epson Expression Home XP-410 Small-in-One Offers Powerful Performance with Complete Wireless Solutions
LONG BEACH, Calif. – June 11, 2013 – Epson America, Inc. introduced today a new addition to its Expression® line – the feature-rich Epson® Expression Home XP-410 Small-in-One® for families and students. Designed as a complete wireless solution, the compact, sub-$100* Small-in-One delivers the ultimate convenience with Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ n1, Wi-Fi Direct™ and Epson Connect™ for mobile printing from an iPad®, iPhone®, or Android tablet or smartphone.2
Satechi USB Portable Humidifier Attaches to Most Water Bottles to Increase Moisture in Hotel Rooms, Cars, Homes and More
SAN DIEGO – June 13, 2013 – The Satechi USB Portable Humidifier, available now, is the perfect travel companion to ensure a soothing, comfortable environment wherever you go. The user-friendly humidifier attaches to the top of most water bottles and the filter extends downward into the water. Powered via USB 2.0 or 3.0, the USB Portable Humidifier draws water through the filter, dispensing it into the air as vapor, providing relief to cold, cough and flu symptoms, itchy dry skin, chapped lips, headaches and more. http://www.youtube.com/
The versatile USB Portable Humidifier when used with cold water also acts as a mister to cool users off during a hot summer. It can also be used as an aroma diffuser. Simply add liquid fragrances or essential oils into the water for a relaxing, soothing environment. Lastly, the humidifier also provides a dim blue light perfect to use as a nightlight.
The compact USB Portable Humidifier fits easily into any purse, laptop bag or suitcase allowing users to take it with them anytime, anywhere. The environmentally friendly humidifier allows users to recycle water bottles, uses only 2 watts of power and automatically shuts off after 8 hours. It can be conveniently charged through the included USB cord via laptop or USB-based phone charger, and it comes with two filters which should be changed about every 3 months depending on usage.
The Satechi USB Portable Humidifier is available now for an introductory price of $22.99 at Satechi.net and Amazon.com.
For more on the USB Portable Humidifier and all of Satechi’s award winning products, “like” Facebook.com/Satechi and follow @Satechi.
About Satechi:
Established in 2005, Satechi is fully committed to offering unique accessories that people can integrate with their electronics in their homes, cars, and on the go. Satechi offers a broad selection of accessories from FM transmitters, battery chargers and speaker systems to car mounts, stands and keyboards. For more information, please visit www.Satechi.net.
What makes a good hosting company review?
While trawling the Internet, as I often do, I happen across a lot of review and coupon sites. Let’s face it, there are a lot of them out there.
What do you look for in a review though?
Do you want a huge dissertation? Do you want a full and detailed breakdown? Do you look for a brief, more personal, “hey, I like this company and this is why” kind of a review?
I found a HostGator review, and I thought it rather good (check it out here). It may be brief, but it is helpful. I’ve heard that HostGator isn’t a bad hosting company too but actually seeing people write about it always helps, right?
Tips for setting up your home theater viewing space
Home cinema setup Sony KDL-40W2000 LCD TV. Full HD, 1080p, intergrated DVB-T and analogue tuners (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
(BPT) – Few things are more disappointing than turning on your new TV for the first time only to discover the picture doesn’t look as good as it did in the store. Or the audio balance is so far off that you feel like you’re listening from inside a tunnel.
The home entertainment center concept has evolved dramatically over the past decade, from a single “tube” TV and a DVD player to full-blown, high-definition multi-media centers. The technology today offers a more immersive experience. And with a proper set up, you can enjoy the full potential of the pride and joy of your living room.
Technologist and industry veteran Tom Campbell, who helped first launch high definition (HD) TVs and played a key role in the recent emergence of “Ultra HD,” has some tips for setting up the ideal viewing space for your home theater:
Control lighting
“While darkness is great in a big movie theater, it’s not always practical for your home theater. You’ll need to manage lighting in the room to ensure the best picture quality, whether you’re enjoying a family movie with the kids or watching the big game with friends,” Campbell says.
Choose adjustable lighting; place lights on a dimmer so that you can adapt the lighting level depending on what you’re watching. Outfit windows with shades that can easily be closed to further darken the room. For times when the lights will be on, be sure to position lights so that they won’t create glare on the TV screen. And, if possible, avoid placing your screen in direct light from outside, such as opposite a window.
Maximize TV positioning
Believe it or not, the TV’s height or the angle at which your eyes meet the screen can actually affect how good the picture looks. If you’re putting the TV on a stand, position the screen so that your eyes are level with the bottom third of the display. Generally, the center of your screen should be no more than 42 to 52 inches above the floor. If you don’t already have your TV, for the widest viewing angles you want a plasma or an LED TV with IPS technology, like LG, which ensures a good picture for off-angle viewing (both horizontal and vertical).
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Goal Zero and In-Q-Tel Sign Strategic Agreement to Develop Deployable Power Systems
SALT LAKE CITY – June 12, 2013 – Goal Zero, a leader in portable, reliable solar power, announced a strategic investment and technology development agreement with In-Q-Tel (IQT). IQT is a non-profit, strategic investor that identifies, adapts, and delivers innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S Intelligence Community.
“We’ve championed a new approach to the way consumers charge their essential devices,” said Joe Atkin, President and CEO of Goal Zero. “Being able to develop those same, easy-to-use solutions for IQT’s government customers will give us the opportunity to expand our reach to other relevant markets and continue our mission of powering the world.”
Goal Zero has engineered an innovative approach to consumer power needs by utilizing the latest in solar and battery technology. They’ve taken solar panels off rooftops and eliminated the need for charge controllers and inverters required for traditional solar power systems. Their scalable plug-and-play kits, some perfectly backpack-sized, are capable of charging anything from cellphones on a hike, to powering lights and a refrigerator during a power outage.
“Goal Zero has established a strong presence in the portable power market,” said Syd Ulvick, Senior Vice President at IQT. “The research and development that has allowed the company to make solar power scalable, versatile, and easy to use represents a valuable asset to our customers.”
Goal Zero’s solar kits have been tested and proven in some of the harshest environments possible. The company supports treks up Everest and expeditions to Antarctica, where dependable power is not just a convenience, but a life saver. After Hurricane Sandy, Goal Zero donated nearly $600,000 worth of portable power kits to residents in New York and New Jersey who had been living without power for days, even weeks.
For more information about Goal Zero and their portable solar panels, batteries and accessories, visit their website at www.GoalZero.com
About Goal Zero
Goal Zero is the industry leader for renewable and reliable solar power. Born out of the desire to empower people everywhere, Goal Zero’s products are designed to give you the freedom to go anywhere, regardless of battery life. From cellphones to refrigerators, and everything in between, Goal Zero products keep you connected and powered up in any situation. Life never stops. Why should your gear? Solar power. Perfected.
For more information, visit www.goalzero.com
About IQT
In-Q-Tel is the not-for-profit, strategic investment firm that works to identify, adapt, and deliver innovative technology solutions to support the missions of the U.S. Intelligence Community. Launched in 1999 as a private, independent organization, IQT’s mission is to identify and partner with companies developing cutting-edge technologies that serve the national security interests of the United States. For more information, visit www.iqt.org