How is a round bluebird like an upside down airplane

Maybe you have heard of the "upside down airplane." It's one of the most sought-after collectible postage stamps in the world. The two-color stamp gets its name from the fact that it depicts an airplane flying upside down, relative to the stamp's text and decorative border. The "upside down airplane" was the result of a printer's error, if you're wondering.

In the world of vintage radios, the equivalent of the upside down airplane stamp, in terms of collector desirability, is the Sparton Bluebird. Unlike that famous postage stamp, though, the Bluebird was not created by mistake. Far from it. Having an unlikely shape and appearance for a radio of its day, it was the carefully thought out product of one of the top designers working in the 1930s (as well as the 1940s and '50s), Walter Dorwin Teague.

Teague's Bluebird is considered by many to represent the pinnacle of industrial design in the art deco mode. The outstanding feature of this radio is a 14-inch round mirror that is tinted a cobalt blue and accented with streamlined chrome strips and knobs. The radio parts themselves are hidden in a housing situated to the rear of the mirror, and having a forward-facing speaker. Everyone who sees a Bluebird radio is struck with its astonishing yet simply stated beauty. Some Bluebirds have even been displayed in museums.

The original 1936-vintage Sparton Bluebird sold for between forty and fifty dollars. Today you would have to pay $3,000 to $5,000 to acquire one. People have been known to bid more than a thousand dollars on eBay for a non-working Bluebird!

Due to the fragility of the radio's mirror, it is thought that many if not the majority of Bluebirds ever sold may have been damaged at some point and ultimately discarded. If you ever come across an intact one for sale, consider yourself lucky--and snap it up!

Originally, Bluebirds came with a 14-inch round platter that was made from a mirror matching that of the radio. The Bluebird would be set on the platter as a way to display it to greatest advantage. Finding a Bluebird that still has the platter with it is an especially rare occurrence.

Replica Bluebirds have been produced from time to time. Some of these replicas are quite lovely in their own right, but don't be fooled by them if you are wanting to get your hands on the genuine article. If you find what appears to be a Bluebird, look for the Sparton name on it and the model number 506 or 566.

Walter Dorwin Teague's bold designs made a powerful impact on the industrial and commercial landscape of the middle part of the 20th century. He and his firm designed cameras for Eastman Kodak, a passenger aircraft interior for Boeing, and a Steinway piano for the 1939 New York World's Fair. The design company he founded continues today.

For all his achievements, though, Walter Dorwin Teague will always be hailed by radio collectors and enthusiasts for one thing: the Sparton Bluebird, a marvel of the art deco era.

Where to look for reliable data entry jobs

Data entry workers are expanding at an incredible rate across the nation, and for obvious reasons. It is extremely easy labor and the pay can actually be fairly decent if you put in the time and effort. However, because of the type of work that is done, data entry jobs are simply not for everyone.

Data entry jobs are popular amongst many people because it is easy to do and it allows you to work from home. There are various positions available, but most require you to either copy and paste information over and over or fill out forms. It is this kind of no-brain type of work that intrigues many people because of the simplicity.

While there are several types of work at home jobs on the internet to choose from, data entry jobs are on the high-rise more than most opportunities. In a society where most professions require some kind of degree, data entry jobs require no special education or degree at all. And despite this, there is still a decent amount of money that can be made.

All over the internet you will find data entry stuck in the category with things like work at home scams and type at home scams. Unfortunately, this is not exactly the case. There are some data entry positions that claim to offer more than they can actually pony up. But if you can find the right opportunity, you can actually do fairly well.

So how do you go about finding an honest and reliable data entry job? The first tip is to hang around webmaster forum. These forums are great because webmasters are constantly looking for people to do their monotonous busy work for them, and are willing to pay a lot for you to do it. By hiring you to do their busy work for them, they can spend more time on advertising and updating their website. Therefore, there is a high demand for quality data entry jobs with webmasters.

Another place to look is at Craig’s List. Craig’s List is now the largest online classified website on the internet. You probably are familiar with Craig’s List as a company that buys and sells goods, but they also have an outstanding section for writing gigs. This is a reliable company that is always looking for data entry positions to be filled.

While it can be easy money for the type of labor that is being done, data entry jobs certainly are not for everyone. They can be boring and monotonous, but most people know this heading into the job. Therefore, do not force yourself into a job like this because it will be difficult to motivate yourself to work. But if you can handle the task in front of you, data entry jobs can be a great way to pick up some extra cash.

Exploring the apple ipod

In a generation that has no recollection of 8-track cassettes, music has always been a convenience able to be carried around in your pocket. But for those of us who still covet our vinyl record albums, the advent of the Apple iPod is revolutionary; who would have ever imagined that we could store thousands of songs on one portable piece of equipment no bigger than a pack of gum? But iPods have quickly become a staple in today’s society; just as lightweight and necessary as a cell phone.

The Apple iPod, a digital music player, launched in 2001 and quickly found its place among a society on the go. Different series of the model allowed for the capability of holding a set number of songs. But what was originally just a music player has now morphed into a comprehensive piece of equipment, capable of holding music, video, games, and calendars.

Today’s Apple iPod comes in a variety of styles and with just as many capabilities. The iPod Nano offers a lightweight, sleek design that’s extremely portable and easy to use; the iPod Shuffle is a slighty more basic style than its more comprehensive cousins and holds less songs but its affordable price makes it great choice for teenagers; today’s fifth generation Apple iPod offers video capability. But what makes the Apple iPod so remarkable is its ability to interface with all Apple products. Users can plug in and download songs from Apple iTunes directly onto their iPod; and the newer models allow for information to be transferred from the computer into the iPod and vice versa. As technology continues to advance, the Apple iPod will surely continue to evolve as an essential sidekick.

The best part for consumers is the fact that as the Apple iPod continues to make changes to its original design, its prices continue to fall. Those interested in purchasing an iPod can often do so at a deep discount when a newer model has been launched. But don’t forget the accessories when it comes to the Apple iPod; the convenience of using this amazing piece of equipment lies in the supplemental equipment that makes it so portable. In addition to headphones, iPods have docks that allow it to play through your computer, in your car, and through special speakers anywhere you choose.

User friendly, convenient, and cutting-edge, the Apple iPod has brought music into our lives in a way that nothing else has been able to do; and there’s no going back. Now that such technological advancement is right at our fingertips we will continue to look for ways to utilize its power.

Laptop accessories you can t live without

Now that you’ve spent several hundred dollars or more on your laptop, it’s time to look into accessories and add-ons that you shouldn’t be caught without. Some are necessary for your computer’s well being, while others simplify your life through ergonomics or another means of simplifying things.

You could spend a few hundred dollars on these accessories and add-ons, but that’s okay. Depending on how you use your laptop, this additional investment could actually make you more productive, thus giving you an increased earning potential – or at least a little more free time to spend with the family.

- Internet security software. This is vital for high-speed connections, especially those of the wireless variety. They are the most vulnerable to hackers and data thieves, so pick a reliable and trustworthy security suite.

Firewalls or all-in-one package products are both good options, but if you go with the former you should complement it with antivirus and spyware protection. Either way, you’re reducing intrusions of all kinds, which will give you more freedom to enjoy your portable Internet connection.

- Data backup solutions. The CD burner that came with your laptop is a good way to save multiple copies of your important data, but there are faster and more portable options.

One option is to buy and use a flash drive. Most use USB 2.0, which means that they save and retrieve data as fast as you need them to read and write. They’re basically tiny hard drives that can fit into your pocket or on a keychain.

Another good choice is an external hard drive. This can be left at home or the office so that you can back up all of your data once a week or so and leave it there. You’ll appreciate not having all of your data in the same place if something catastrophic, like a flood or fire, happens.

- Accident coverage insurance. Okay, so YOU might be the world’s most cautious and conscientious person, who’s never had any sort of accident with any electronic product, but what about the people around you? Not everything is within your control, but with accident insurance you won’t have to worry about the consequences of your daughter-in-law accidentally knocking your brand-new laptop off the kitchen counter.

Most insurance is offered when you purchase your computer, but third-party coverage can be found for a reasonable price. Do Web searches or ask your laptop-enabled friends and coworkers: odds are someone will know what you need.

- Warranty coverage. This should be purchased when you get the laptop. It’ll cover just about anything that goes wrong, from broken keyboards to display problems.

Before you buy the warranty, though, you should make sure that you are familiar with its terms as well as any options that you might have. It’s important to know how long the manufacturer’s original warranty is in place as well as what differs between its coverage and that of the extended warranty that you’re thinking of buying. You should also know what you’ll have to go through to make a claim as well as how much, if anything, you’ll have to pay of your own money.

- A security system if you travel with the laptop. These can be found at any computer store or online. The price range is very broad, so research before you buy. You need to know exactly what sort of locking/security system you need to keep your laptop from being stolen. It’s worth the investment even if your insurance covers theft. Even if you have replacement coverage, your warranty won’t replace the data on the stolen computer. It’s best to protect it as much as possible.

- A padded travel case. This is important if you travel anywhere with the laptop. It helps protect it from exterior scratches and provides a little padding if you accidentally drop it. This won’t do much good if it falls down eight flights of stairs and hits a cement floor at the bottom, of course, but a smaller and less horrifying accident can be made less traumatic with a little padding. And with the case, you also have a convenient place to store other computer stuff, like your extra battery and the charger.

- A cooling pad if you intend to use your laptop as an actual laptop. If your computer is on your lap, odds are you’ll have nicely toasted upper legs when you’re finished. Even with today’s technology, portable computers can become very warm to say the least. A cooling pad or stand will provide a buffer between your legs and the computer. It’ll also give you another sweet accessory to brag about in computer forums and company meetings.

- An external keyboard to plug in to a USB port. This is important if you’re stationed in, say, your home office with the laptop and want to do lots of typing. Most laptop keyboards can become uncomfortable after long-time use, but a “regular” ergonomic keyboard will offer plenty of comfort. You’ll also have the advantage of picking out an external keyboard with Internet hot keys and other features that the laptop’s model won’t give you. And your laptop’s keyboard will last longer if you don’t use it when you can use the external one.

- Better yet, invest in a docking station so that your laptop can become a desktop when you’re at home or in the office. You’ll have to buy a desktop monitor to go with it, but you’ll appreciate not having to hunch over the laptop the entire workday. You can also position the desktop monitor basically wherever you want for improved comfort and visibility. Or, if you’re busy with an online poker tournament when you’re supposed to be working, you can arrange your docked desktop so that your boss can’t see it.

- Retractable USB cables. These are great for people who don’t want to trip over a tangle of cords when they have three or four USB devices hooked up to the computer. These cords are also very easy to store (say, in your nice leather traveling case) because they compact easily.

- A better battery. This is especially important for traveling users. Many of the batteries that come with laptops will only work for 45 minutes to one hour. Invest in a larger, better battery so that you won’t have to run around in circles looking for a power outlet.

With the above accessories, however, you’ll be able to relax and play or work with your computer – instead of having to constantly worry about what-if situations. There are countless other accessories on the market, with new ideas and technologies emerging almost every day. You should keep up to date with trends and new designs by visiting computer forums or reading computer magazines on a fairly regular basis. You might find some new accessory that you can’t live without.

What is spyware and what does it do

Spyware has become a primary big threat for Internet surfers as it spies on them and gather their personal information by monitoring and tracking their Internet usage habits. Spyware is not to be confused with spam and virus.

As the name implies, spyware is software that spies on computer users and glean the information on their Internet browsing habits and at times, track their personal information once installed. Spywareware is also called Trojans, Worms, Dialers Hijackers and Keyloggers

Besides the frustrating by-product consequences, the trouble with spyware is that users frequently encourage the dangerous applications into their systems by entering into spyware fixed websites and unwillingly permitting the evil-ware to trace their computer usage habits.

Spyware, once installed, can broadcast the private information of the user and download ads 24X7 while getting hold of the browser settings like search or home page. So some forms of spyware and infections are more dangerous than others.

Recognizing spyware is a challenge in itself as people notice programs when they cause performance concerns into their computers, like the computer might hang repeatedly or slowdown drastically, Internet Explorer (IE) might work inappropriately. If your computer started to suddenly slow down or do have begun to see pop-up windows, even when you're not browsing the Internet? You may be then the victim of spyware or other unwanted software. Removing spyware is also a major concern area but identification of spyware remains a more crucial and complicated part.

Illegitimate spyware generally fixes on computer stealthily by two methods:

By duping users to click a link that installs it and the links to the spyware can be deceiving. For instance, a website intending to place spyware on a user’s computer might open a window resembling a Windows dialog box and then dodge the user by installing while closing the dialog box by clicking the Cancel button. At times, spyware places a false title bar in a vacant window and then installs spyware when user attempts to close it.

The spyware is often also installed when the users add a free file-sharing program that secretly installs spyware on their systems.

Unfortunately, spyware has emerged as a major threat to the computer users while browsing the Internet. With the mounting problem, probability of users remaining “spyware free” is being narrowed down.

Most spyware functions mutely on the computer without leaving any traces or signs of the information pilferage. Though anti-virus tools are significant to use, external software like antispyware is even more indispensable to track spyware as the virus programs cannot trace the spyware files.

Installing spyware protective programs is the most successful technique to recover privacy by eradicating spyware infections. Antivirus offers only insufficient protection against spyware. Antispyware tools are explicitly designed to trace, eliminate, or fix spyware-infected files. But discovering an authentic spyware removing tool might be hard due to infinite list of programs. The user can decide over the best tool by reading reviews and researching online. Most tools offer a 30 days trial period for evaluation purposes.

Wireless security cameras can catch your idiot neighbor in the act

Wireless security cameras offer the flexibility that wired cameras do not provide. These are easy to install and uninstall. What’s more, these can be hidden effectively to lull intruders and nosy neighbors to carelessness. So catch them on camera.

Living Next Door to Impossible People

It is terrifying to live next to an idiot neighbor who goes goes berserk on your property while you are away. There are also those next door kids who make such a ruckus every night playing basketball that you can’t sleep.

Why some people behave this way is perplexing. To catch them in their own game, you either return the same favor or record their shenanigans on your wireless security cameras and present proof of their behavior to the police to settle the issue.

There’s this case of man who had to endure a broken window, a bashed mailbox, and other destruction caused by an unknown entity. He suspected nobody in the neighborhood. But these rampages only happened on his property and the nearest neighbor was a jobless man who always stayed at home.

Unknown to the neighbor, he installed covert wireless security cameras in the back and front yards. He also made sure that he had cameras facing the side of the suspect neighbor’s house.

On target, the wireless security cameras caught the crazed neighbor dumping garbage on his front yard. The evidence was presented to the police and the neighbor was charged for trespassing and vandalism. That settled the issue right there and then.

Let Them Think Twice

People always think twice before doing anything rash when they know they are being observed. Visible wireless security cameras mounted outdoors can warn intruders and destructive neighbors that they are being watched.

If you are new in the neighborhood, the best thing you can do is protect your property by installing security cameras indoors and outdoors. As long as these cameras are used for home and office security, there is no legal catch here.

Creative Surveillance

There are several varieties of wireless security cameras. These come in different shapes and sizes and you can place them anywhere around the house. Slip these into inconspicuous apertures or ordinary household items and toys to fool everybody to complacency.

When installing them, place them in areas where signals cannot be blocked when these cameras transmit the signals to the computer, TV, or console they are linked to.

You can fool intruders by placing dummy cams in obvious places (where these are usually mounted), or give them the impression that you’ve got several wireless security cameras.

You can imagine them freezing when they notice dummy cams thinking it’s the real thing. Whether it’s the real McCoy or not, people will think twice before behaving rashly or foolishly.

For a small unwired thing, these wireless security cameras can record in the dark and in color too. But this is just the beginning. Technology will be improving these security cameras to provide newer and more efficient features. For now, catch that idiot neighbor rampaging on your property.

How best to go about choosing your digital video camera zoom lens

Okay, so you finally decided to get that digital video camera you’ve been saving for. You have enough money to buy a kick-butt video camera. But have you considered the most vital part for the camera? The part that comes into play with every video shot. The digital video camera zoom lens. Without a proper digital video camera zoom lens, your prized video camera isn’t all it could be. You would be much better off if you spend equal amounts on the camera and the digital video camera zoom lens. The lens is that important. Your choice of lenses can distinguish between a good camera and an outstanding camera.

Spend More On The Lens

The digital video camera zoom lens determines how well your videos turn out. It, more than anything else on or in the camera affects the end products. Think about it, every shot you take goes through that lens. Really the camera is just a case for the mechanisms inside. You could make a case for reversing the spending, more on the lens and less on the actual camera. Most digital video cameras don’t come with the ability to change lenses. This fact makes it more important to purchase the best digital video camera zoom lens possible. Another piece of advice regarding the lens is too not purchase the plastic lenses. The clarity is much better from glass digital video camera zoom lens.

If you do plan on purchasing a video camera where you can change the digital video camera zoom lens then compare the options of each lens to find the one that you want. Experts recommend that you purchase brand names such as Canon, Pentax or Nikon. Be sure to check if the lens will work for your camera. Digital video camera zoom lenses are not created equal and a lens from Nikon may or may not work with a digital video camera made by Canon.

If you are a professional photographer, then you should check out Leica, Carl Zeiss and Leupold. These are specialty lens manufacturers. The quality of the videos will show if you use one of their digital video camera zoom lens. If you are just a beginner then these lenses may not be the best place to start, because of the cost. But if you want extraordinary quality, these digital video camera zoom lenses are the way to go.

Options for digital video camera zoom lenses include normal, wide angle and telephoto. The focal length of the lens has a lot to do with the type of digital video camera zoom lens choice. The quality of the lens is also determined by lens speed, a significant factor in your shoot quality. You should think about focusing distance as well as advanced features such as vibration reduction, USM or ultrasonic motor and filter thread which should be present in any good digital video camera zoom lens.

Before you make that digital video camera zoom lens purchase you should research each feature that you want and choose the lens that fulfils those wishes the best. As a rule of thumb, the more expensive lenses are usually the better choice since more of the elements in the lens with be glass, although this does increase the camera weight. In the end if you do the research and take into consideration your shooting needs and budget, you will make the right choice

Spaceway 3 satellite internet

HughesNet is the leader in Satellite Internet connectivity in the United States. It has 325,000 customers and the number is growing everyday. To meet customer’s expectations HughesNet has launched the Boeing built Space3 satellite into space. The Ka - band satellite was launched by the Ariane 5 ECA launcher from Kourou, French Guiana on 14th of August 2007. The spacecraft will maneuver in a circular orbit at a height of 22,300 miles above the equator at 95 degrees West longitude. Hughes will start using the satellite for commercial purposes in 2008. The Space3 satellite was designed and developed by Hughes because there was a need for commercial satellite to fulfill growing customer expectations. It has features such as onboard traffic switching and routing capability. Other advanced features include 10Gbps overall capacity, fast packet switching and dynamic beam forming. The satellite will help Hughes to launch bandwidth-on-demand satellite services with site-to-site, single hop networking of high performance ground terminals. The single hop communication between satellite terminals will eliminate the need for routing traffic through a central hub earth station. The Ka-band spectrum will help in high speed services for IP data and multimedia applications. The satellite has a digital processor, downlink phased array antenna, microwave switch matrix and flight hardware and software.

In the next couple of months Boeing along with Hughes will complete on orbit testing of the systems. It will also complete deployment of the satellite’s 132-foot solar arrays. An overall satellite checkout and systems acceptance testing will also be completed during this period. After completing all tests Hughes will put the satellite into commercial operation providing high-end satellite Internet connectivity to clients across America and Canada.

Hughes mission statement of ‘Connect to the Future’ through Satellite based Internet services can be partly achieved by the launch of the Spaceway 3 satellite. Like many other first’s to it credit Hughes will be able to offer high-end Satellite Internet services to customers and will move ahead of it competitor Wildblue. The Satellite Internet market has enough space to grow and the technology is being accepted by people across the length and breadth of the country. Customers in rural areas who do not get access to broadband and cable modem facilities will benefit greatly once Hughes puts the Spaceway 3 satellite into commercial use. The expected date of the start of commercial operations of the satellite can be anytime in the early part of 2008. HughesNet is a communication filed with the SEC has stated that Spaceway 3 can help address a US$ 26 billion per year market in North America. Apart from this HughesNet can offer services in Canada and Puerto Rico. The existing customers of Hughes are offered service using the conventional Ku-band satellite systems. They would need to change their existing equipment to receive services from the Ka-band Spaceway 3 satellite. There are licensing issues which Hughes needs to sort out before the commercial operation starts in early 2008. Once that is done customers can expect Satellite Internet connectivity with speeds that are comparable with any other technologies and no downtime of services

Measuring customer service performance - crm kpi

“Thank you for calling XYZ Widgets. Can I help you?” CLICK.

How many times has that happened? A person works through a myriad of push buttons that would puzzle the most obsessive Sudoku junkie and then, after 15 minutes of finger exercise when they finally reach an actual person the line inexplicably goes dead. Who's to blame? Is it the fault of the telephone company? Has technology once again run amok? It's more likely that the caller has been the victim of a poorly thought out Customer Service Performance KPI.

It works something like this. Call Center operators are largely unsupervised, sitting in a cubicle answering hundreds of calls a day. Even though the calls are occasionally monitored the vast majority of the time the operator knows that no one will be listening in. So what motivates the quick hang up? Because the operator knows that the monthly performance bonus is based on one thing and one thing only: how many calls are processed in a given shift? Whether the customer is actually satisfied or not is practically irrelevant. That only relevant factor is the number of calls “processed,” not whether or not those calls are effective.

A similar scenario takes place when the order comes down from the executive offices that no call should take longer than 13 minutes (or some other arbitrary number) to complete. The call center employees' performance bonus is based on clearing calls quickly and “efficiently.” That's all well and good until a major issue comes up that takes longer than 20 minutes and then, suddenly the previously helpful call center rep is doing everything possible to hustle the caller off of the line.

As long as Customer Service Performance KPI is based on the quantifiable rather than the true level of satisfaction of the Customer, these scenarios will continue to frustrate the buying public. That is why many companies have introduced a more reliable system of measuring Customer Service Performance. These new KPI more accurately reflect whether or not the Customer actually feels like they have received a level of service that meets their needs. These models look something like this: When the clients' questions have all been answered a series of questions are asked by the Customer Service rep. “Are you satisfied with the responses to your queries?” “Were your questions answered adequately and professionally?” “Is there anything else we can help you with today?” Sometimes these questions are asked by the rep themselves and sometimes a follow up call is made by a supervisor or another rep. The employees` primary KPI is based on the customers` answers to these questions.

The more often primary Customer Service KPI is based on mere quantity, the less true Customer Satisfaction is going to take place. The only accurate KPI for Customer Service Performance is the actual perception of the Customer as to whether or not they received adequate service.

Image processing bar codes - selecting the right bar code with image binarization

Documents that are scanned for image processing or storage are often captured at 8 bits per pixel. These are referred to as grayscale images in that 256 levels of gray are able to be represented in the image. The capability to represent shades of gray is required to faithfully capture photographs and graphics but is not normally needed for text. Consequently, scanned images are often binarized. This process involves the selection of a threshold value and then changing all pixel values below that threshold to black and all pixel values above the threshold to white. This compresses the image by only requiring 1 bit per pixel instead of 8 bits per pixel. For example, an 8.5 inch by 11 inch document scanned at 200 samples per inch, has its storage requirement drop from 3.6 megabytes to 450 kilobytes. Binarization also occurs when documents are transmitted by fax as images are created that are represented with 1 bit per pixel as well.

Given a proper threshold, binarized images that contain text can normally still be read by either human eye or OCR algorithms. Indeed, some OCR algorithms begin the OCR process by binarizing the image as the text is typically dark against a lighter background. However, if bar codes are present within the binarized image, they can by altered enough by the binarization process to cause difficulty for a decode algorithm. The image to the left ( omniplanar. com/_upload/CodePics/Code39-GreyscaleWeb. gif) shows part of the start pattern of a Code 39 linear bar code. The top portion shows the image represented as 8 bits per pixel, while the lower portion shows a binarized version using a threshold of 100. Note that the smooth transitions from white to black in the grayscale image have been transformed into ragged edges that have plus or minus one pixel variability. As a result, the width of each bar or space can vary by plus or minus 2 pixels. Given that the information in linear bar codes is contained in the widths of the bars and spaces, decode problems can result depending on the size and type of the original bar code symbol. The remainder of this article will focus on two issues that should be considered to improve the read rate of binarized bar codes: sample density and symbology type.

Sample Density

Sample density is the number of samples per unit area that an image is captured. Typical sample densities used for document processing range from 200 to 300 samples per inch (dots per inch or DPI). Fax transmission can vary from 100 up to 400 DPI. In bar code decoding, a more important parameter to consider is the samples per module, where the module size is the size of the smallest feature of the bar code. This distance is also referred to as the X dimension. This parameter includes both the sample density of the image capture device along with the size of the bar code being scanned. If a bar code decoding software toolkit requires a minimum of 1.6 pixels per module for linear bar codes in a grayscale image. From above, if the width of a bar or space can vary by 2 pixels after binarization, one can see that problems can exist in the short widths at this low sample density. Consequently, it is recommended that a typical value of 4 pixels per module for bar codes that will be binarized. For a document scanned at 200 DPI, this requires a minimum module size in the printed bar code of .020 inchs or 20 mils. Increasing the samples per module beyond 4 is also recommended for images that will go through multiple binarization processes such as documents that will be faxed multiple times.

Symbology Type

The choice of symbology used to encode data should also be considered carefully. Linear (or 1D) bar codes can be broadly classified into two distinct groups: wide/narrow codes and multiple width codes. In a wide/narrow code, each bar or space can only be either narrow or wide. The wide to narrow ratio, which gives the size ratio between the two widths, typically ranges from 2 to 3. Popular symbologies that use only 2 widths include Code 39 and Interleaved 2 of 5. Multiple width codes have more than 2 possible choices for the widths of bars and spaces. Popular symbologies that employ more than two possible widths include UPC and Code 128, both of which allow a bar or space to be either 1, 2, 3, or 4 modules. Given the same samples per module, wide/narrow symbologies typically survive the binarization process with higher read rate performance than their multiple width counterparts. This is simply due to the fact that in the presence of edge variation due to binarization, it is easier to determine if a run is X or 3X wide (where X is the length of a module and an assumed wide to narrow ratio of 3) or if it is 1X, 2X, 3X or 4X as is the case with multiple width symbologies. The table below classifies some popular linear symbologies into the two classes mentioned above.

Wide/Narrow

Codabar

Code 39

Interleaved 2 of 5

Patch Code

Multiple Width

Code 128

Code 93

RSS

UPC

While wide/narrow symbologies are preferred in applications where binarization will occur, they do not normally have as high a data density (data stored per unit width) compared to multiple width symbologies with the same X dimension. This can be an issue where limited space on the document is provided for the bar code symbol.

2D Symbologies

2D (or two-dimensional) matrix symbologies are typically presence/absence codes. They use a regular grid of possible cell positions, and the presence or absence of a cell in a grid location encodes the data. Two-dimensional symbols have much higher data density than 1D codes as information is stored in both dimensions of the symbol. In addition, they normally provide error correction to provide redundancy in case some cell data values can not be determined. When a 2D symbol is binarized with sufficient samples per module (the size of a grid position), they tend to do better than linear codes as the edge information is not as critical: it is the position of the center of the cell that is more important. Decoding software may require a minimum of 2.75 pixels per module in a grayscale image for reliable operation. If additional samples per module beyond 2.75 is provided, performance continues to improve and is a good choice for images that will undergo multiple binarizations. A sample density of 5 pixels or more for 2D matrix symbologies gives good read performance after binarization. Popular 2D Matrix codes include Data Matrix, QR Code, and Aztec Code.

PDF417 is often referred to as a 2D symbology. However, it is not a true matrix code. It is a stacked linear code, consisting of multiple rows of short linear codewords. It allows bars and spaces to have up to 6 different widths and as such it can be adversely affected by binarization at lower samples per module.

Summary

In applications where scanned documents containing bar codes are to be binarized, read rate performance can be improved by using linear symbologies that employ only wide/narrow choices for bars and spaces along with at least 4 or more pixels per module. Two-dimensional matrix codes are a good choice when binarization is used with a minimumof 5 pixels per module, and they provide the added benefit of increasing data density of the bar code symbol.

Notebook buying tips

Why notebook became so popular? It has been estimated that notebook sales has increased an average of 20% per year in the United States alone. Among the many advantages it offers, portability is one of the main reason people end up making a purchase of it. However before any purchase is made, other features should be considered as well.

Notebook was first made available in the early eighties. Although much heavier and bulkier than today's notebooks, it had the unique portability feature that put this innovative product in a class by itself. Although not much of a commercial success then, it gave the computer industry a goal to pursue in manufacturing this item with better weight, size and performance ratio and making one of today's most wanted computer hardware.

Notebook size has got much smaller, however big enough to make one feel very comfortable in handling and operating computer related tasks. One can find it in sizes best categorized as: 1 - Tablet Pc has the size of paper tablet and weighs no more than 4 pounds; 2 - Ultra Portable is a little bigger than Tablet Pc and weighs around 4 pounds, no internal CD or DVD drive, display of 12 inches or smaller; 3 - Thin and Light is a mid-size notebook, 10-14" x 10", 1 to 1.5 thick, and weighs around 7 pounds, wireless network capability, 14-inch displays, combo CD-RW/DVD; 4 - Desktop replacement is the largest category of notebooks, more than 12 x 10" and weighs more than 7 pounds, 15-17 inches displays or larger, wireless network capability, combo CD-RW/DV.

Also an important feature one should look for is performance. Notebooks provide very close performance in comparison with traditional desktop computers, and should handle all computer related tasks with great ease. Whenever purchasing a notebook, make sure it has the latest cpu model, large ram memory and hard disk space. Notebook performance is directly related with cpu clock, ram memory and hard disk space. For these items, big is never enough.

Another feature one should look for is the dvd player. It can come in handy for entertainment purposes, enabling one to watch movies while traveling. Wireless connection is also a feature to look for in a notebook. Some notebooks feature an infrared port, which can be used to connect a mobile phone. Also there are other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which allows mobile phone, printers and PDA to be connected at certified public and private network. The ability to have a mobile connection is definitely a plus in today's connected world.

Expansion capability for notebooks can be done thru the use of plug-in pc cards. Although there is a new standard called ExpressCard, which is smaller and faster plug-in card that provides more features for multimedia tasks.

Notebooks have certainly become an item required for one's mobile computer related tasks, whether it is used for public, private, personal or professional purposes. Its portability and small size make an attractive all around computer hardware item. For those looking for mobile computer hardware, notebooks can certainly become a good solution at affordable prices.

Roberto Sedycias

IT Consultant

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The many different types of dvd burning hardware

Removable media have been part of personal computers since the dawn of the industry, ranging from punch cards, to tape cassette drives, to floppy disk drives and more. One of the forefronts of removable media now is the optical drive; the industry standard optical drive in today's market is the DVD burner, which has more or less supplanted the CD-burner in the market place.

DVD-burners come in a variety of makes and models, and hardware specifications; all aimed (more or less) at the same market niche: People who need to back up large amounts of data for posterity. Like CD-burners before them, DVD-burners have become something of a commodity item in computer hardware.

If you're looking at getting a DVD-burner, the best option is almost always replacing an existing CD-ROM drive. If your computer is so old that it doesn't have a CD-ROM drive, it probably can't use a DVD-burner in any case.

DVD-burners that go inside the case (internal mountings) use the E-IDE interface or the ATAPI interface. A very few use Serial ATA, for higher end DVD drives. Ones that mount externally connect to the computer through either the serial port or the USB port - external DVD-burners are most often attached as temporary fixes to laptop computers to make a backup of critical files, rather than considered part of the permanent equipment of the computer.

There are three broad standards of DVD-burner. DVD-R (which record on write-once DVDs) which are suitable for archival data, DVD+RW and DVD-RW, which are two incompatible standards for DVDs that can be written and added to after the initial write action. (While the two consortiums that set up the standards made incompatible standards, the hardware vendors have made combo drives that read and write both of them. In general, you'll want a drive with "dual format" DVD RW drives.)

For non-computer applications, like digital camcorders with "direct to DVD" recording, the camcorder has a built in DVD-R drive and burns the movie to the disk as it clears the digital buffer. Likewise, the DVD recorders that you can hook up to your television tend to be DVD-Rs.

The primary reason to take a DVD-R over a DVD-RW (or DVD+RW) device is the cost of the media - read-write capable DVDs are about five times the price of write-once devices. All of the hardware in question costs around $30 to $50, and can be installed on a computer by anyone who's comfortable with a screwdriver.