The weather here? Sucks. (And by “sucks” I mean the high today was 8 degrees. Yesterday? The high was 2 degrees. So yeah.)

So no snow pictures yet. Hopefully soon.

Anyways, here’s some pics of the kids and the pitiful tree. Enjoy.

Putting ornaments on the tree:

The kids after we were done:

M2:

M1:

And, finally our tree:

Today, the battle for the iPhone market in Singapore officially starts as Starhub and M1 joins Singtel in the race for a share in the iPhone market. The price plan wars have already begun as each telco tries to attract consumers by offering low monthly plans, high data bundles and the whole lot of freebies. I have created a table for future iPhone users to compare and decide for themselves which telco they should go for. Here you are:

These are just purely the basic price plans without the freebies included. For more information on freebies you can visit M1, Starhub and Singtel. As for me, I shall just wait and see which telco will emerge victorious.

VIDEO-streaming from YouTube and access to other sites in the United States will be smoother – and less prone to disruption – for StarHub users when a new undersea cable system starts operations next month.

The US$500 million (S$696 million) Asia-America Gateway (AAG) will increase the Singapore telco’s overseas Internet bandwidth by 30 per cent and is designed to provide a capacity of up to 1.92 Terabits per second of bandwidth.

Built over three years by StarHub and a consortium of 18 other telcos, including America’s AT&T and Malaysia’s Telekom Malaysia, the cable system stretches 20,000km from the eastern part of Singapore to the Philippines, then directly across the Pacific Ocean to the US.

StarHub chief executive Terry Clontz said the cable system avoids the ‘volatile and hazardous Pacific Ring’ – which existing Internet submarine cables connecting Singapore to the world run through – which is prone to earthquakes and other natural disasters that could damage the cables.

Damage to submarine cables in that region in 2006, when a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan, cut off Internet connectivity between Southeast Asia and the rest of the world. Online economic activity in the region ground to a nearhalt.

Traffic was re-routed through other cables, but it took almost two months to restore full capacity.

While StarHub has invested in other submarine cables, it will route most of its current network capacity to the AAG, said a spokesman.

As the AAG offers a more direct route to the US, through fewer routers – which are devices that forward data packets – access to US-based Internet websites, the main online destination, will be quicker.

Mr Clontz said that it was hard to measure the improvement precisely as factors like the number of users trying to access the websites also matter.

Industry analyst Adeel Najam said that the AAG’s increased bandwidth would not necessarily translate into a vast improvement in broadband speeds, adding: ‘The bottleneck in Internet traffic for users here mostly occurs within Singapore itself…not in cables linking Singapore to overseas.’

Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Manpower Lee Yi Shyan, at the official launch of the AAG at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia yesterday, stressed that Singapore’s connectivity must continually improve as IT and media technology evolve rapidly.

Another submarine Internet cable to the US, being built by SingTel, PacNet, Google and other telcos, is expected to be ready in the first quarter of next year.

Something to look forward to next year, when streaming speeds increase. Since most popular sites are based in the US, this submarine cable should increase internet speeds for most people when they surf websites. Too bad it’s for Starhub only – when are we gonna get upgrades too, M1 and Singtel?

SingTel has sent a service message to iFlexi customers this morning that they will be receiving 12GB of free data, up from 1GB. Excess data charges will also be capped at $30. This was right after M1 launched their iPhone with 10GB of free data. Don’t you just love competition?

Edit: StarHub has bumped their free data bundle to 12GB as well. M1 is now offering the least data. What will happen next?

Again, don’t you just love competition?

We at CCO would like to welcome you to a special Holiday Burst of News. It’s pretty much the same as any other Burst, except our hearts are filled with the unique form of adrenaline brought on by massive amounts of Thanksgiving food, Black Friday debt, and ChristmuHanuKwanzaa excitement/stress. So you’ll excuse us if we occasionally pause to scream our heads off.

Our first gift this holiday season, however, comes from the good folks at Lamborghini. According to company sources speaking to CarsUK.net, Lambo is summoning up their very own hypercar capable of competing with the Ferrari Enzo and the rest of the highest echelon of automotive performance. Rumor has it the car, which will be based off the Murcielago-replacing Jota, will be named Urus, after the enormous primordial ancestor of modern cattle. (That’s not a joke.)

They really could just cut and paste the Reventon body on the Jota chassis, and I don't think any of us would mind.

While the Jota’s suspected 700+ horsepower 6.0 liter V12 and carbon fiber/aluminum chassis mean it probably won’t be much of a slouch, the Urus should blow it away, thanks to intensive weight-reducing strategies and the introduction of an 800+ horsepower V12. Price hasn’t been announced, but if you’re hoping for less than half a million bucks, you’d be better off praying for JFK’s resurrection.

But while Lamborghini is trying to out-muscle Ferrari’s old hypercars, the folks in Maranello are working on something quite different. The company confirmed last month they are developing an electric-powered all-wheel-drive system for their future vehicles.

That’s right, folks. Not only will the Ferrari of Tomorrow have four-wheel-drive…it’ll be a hybrid.

The 458 probably won't get the hybrid system. We just wanted to look at it again.

Company insiders told AutoCar the system’s first use will be driving the front wheels of the company’s front-engined GTs, effectively giving each axle a separate powertrain – the electric motor up front, and a gasoline-powered V12 powering the rear. But the system is designed to improve handling and acceleration, not fuel economy – so we don’t have to worry about Ferrari drivers getting all smug or anything.

The system will probably first be used in the successor to the 612, which will probably be breaking cover sometime in the next year or two. Don’t expect to see any hybrid Ferraris on the streets until 2014 or so, which still sounds ridiculously futuristic whenever we think about it. When they do come, the hybrid system will probably add a hefty tithe to the Monroney – but if you can afford a four-seat Ferrari, you probably ain’t too worried about it.

Speaking of mansion-priced cars, Rolls-Royce is hoping to take the wraps off an electric version of its Phantom uber-sedan sometime in the next year or so, also according to AutoCar. The Powers That Be at Rolls want to have the car on the road by 2012, in time for the London Olympics – which, entirely coincidentally, happen to be sponsored by Rolls-Royce’s parent company, BMW!

While it appears stoic, the Phantom is silently judging you for being too poor to afford it.

Rolls employees claim they aren’t particularly concerned about the added mass of the lithium-ion batteries needed to hold the car’s juice, as the conventional Phantom already pushes three tons. And while you could certainly argue a 6,000 pound sedan decorated with twenty-seven cows’ worth of leather and more wood than a freshman class trip to the Playboy Mansion is hardly eco-friendly, don’t bother telling the electric Rolls’ owners – because while they can certainly hear you, they just don’t care.

If you’re in the market for a more modest luxury sedan, however, there’s no need to fret. BMW and Audi both have unveiled the newest members of their families in the last couple weeks – BMW brought out its new 5-series, while Audi rolled out the new A8.

First up: the 5, which continues BMW’s recent trend back towards more conventional styling. The “flame surfacing” of the Bangle years admittedly remains, but at least the front end no longer appears surprised and the rear no longer frustrated.

Here in the States, only two models will be available at launch – the 550i, powered by a 407-horsepower version of Bimmer’s blissful turbocharged 4.4-liter V8, and the 535i, which comes with the latest turbocharged, 306-horsepower version of the company’s equally sweet 3.0-liter inline six. The best-selling-yet-least-arousing 528i will arrive a couple months later; however, BMW makes up for it by boosting power to 258 horses and 228 lb-ft of torque – gains of 28 for both figures over the current models. ZF’s new eight-speed automatic comes standard on the 550i, and optional on the six-cylinder models.

After debating it over several rounds of drinks at the local bar, we here at CCO ultimately came down in favor of the new 5er’s looks. (Also, we unanimously agreed that “Livin’ On A Prayer” is, like, the greatest song in human history.) While it seems almost a tad forgettable from certain angles (at least in pictures), it certainly bears a strong resemblance to the 3- and 7-series – and given that that was presumably the idea, it’s safe to call this one a success.

However, we aren’t particularly fond of the look of Audi’s new A8.  From the front, the car seems oddly reminiscent of the current Hyundai Sonata, and the LED running lights – which lend the A4/A5 family a futuristic strength, like the glowing eyes of Iron Man – angle down in just the wrong place, giving the A8 a strange resemblance to Droopy Dog. Audi is trumpeting the new A8 as the front line of its new designed theme, dubbed “Vorsprung durch Technik;” while our German is a little rusty, we can only assume said phrase translates to, “Let’s just make the A4 bigger and go pound a beer.”

"I always come to mope in front of the Brooklyn Bridge, because I'm artsy."

Thankfully, though, the interior looks like all you’d expect and more from Audi’s most luxurious model. The design is beautiful, and while we’ve heard some mixed opinions on the Interwebs about the A8’s handlebar shifter, we rather like it. And considering that shifter connects to the same eight-speed automatic as in the 5-series – and that the transmission connects all four wheels to a 372-horsepower 4.2 liter V8 – the A8 ought to be a pretty sweet drive for such a large car.

Of course, if you’re not thrilled with the A8’s styling and are willing to sacrifice a bit of space for it, Audi will be more than willing to take a deposit on their upcoming A7 four-door-coupe. According to AutoCar, the long-rumored A6-based pseudo-coupe will be unveiled at the Moscow Auto Show in August 2010.

When the A7 hits the U.S. streets sometime in late 2010 or early 2011 to engage the Mercedes-Benz CLS and BMW X6 in a Teutonic battle of “Bizarro-world coupes,” expect it to come equipped with similar engines to the A6 – naturally aspirated and supercharged V-6s, and if Audi’s feeling generous and gas is still cheap, the 372-hp V8 from the A8. According to Audi design director Stefan Sielaff, there will even be an S7 – likely featuring a turbo/supercharged V8 – for those of you who like testing the patience of law enforcement.

This is Audi's Sportback Concept. Expect the A7 to look like this, except with more Orange Country trophy wives behind the wheel.

Rumor has it U.S. prices should start somewhere around $46,000, but since the A6 starts at $45,200, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the A7 on the painful side of $50K when it hits our shores. Mercedes and BMW both charge significantly more for their faux coupes than the sedans/SUVs they’re based on, so Audi will probably follow the same logic – even if AutoCar claims there will only be a “small price premium.”

But while Audi is chopping up the higher end of the luxury car market into ever-smaller slices, BMW wants to slot yet another model into its rapidly burgeoning M line. According to AutoCar (who seem to have more anonymous sources than Seymour Hersh), someone in BMW’s high-performance division claims creating a more affordable model to slot in under the M3 is a top priority.

Details are few and far between at this point, but since the car would be based on the next-gen 1-series, there’s plenty of time for info to leak out. However, we do know two things: the car will (hopefully) be priced in the mid-$40K range, and BMW may dust off the old M1 badge for it. We’ve got our fingers crossed for a 365+ horsepower version of the company’s turbo I6 under the hood…

Of course, if Audi and BMW are hard at work crafting fun new toys for us to play with, the good folks at Mercedes-Benz can’t be far behind. In this case, rumor has it the company is working on whipping up a smaller sports car based on the new SLS.

At least from this angle, we don't have to look at its ass.

According to PistonHeads, the new model would be designed to compete against the Porsche 911. The ‘Heads claim the follow-up to the SLS – can we call it the SaLT? – will use a V8 of somewhere between 5.8 and 6.2 liters, complete with cylinder cut-off. Given that AMG spent a shit-ton of cash developing its current 6.2 liter engine and said engine has proven suitable in everything from C-class compacts to R-class megawagons, it’s probably safe to assume the Salt will just use a revised version of that engine. Expect to see the finished product in about five years.

Finally, we have another piece of tragic supercar news to round out this update. After a year of service, the Italian State Police’s Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 was totaled a couple weeks ago near the northern city of Cremona. Thankfully, neither of the officers inside were injured when the Lambo swerved to avoid a car and slammed into a group of parked vehicles.

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

(Photo courtesy autoblog.it)

Before the accident, the Gallardo was primarily used to provide rapid response to accidents and for high-speed organ transport – because while a helicopter might be faster, the doctors wouldn’t be able to say, “They’re driving your new heart here in a Lamborghini.” No word yet on whether Lamborghini will replace the vehicle, but here’s hoping they will. In fact, here’s hoping automakers here in the States decide to follow suit and donate some choice vehicles to our local police forces. How ’bout a couple Corvette ZR1s for the Michigan State Troopers?

The start of another day! Actually awoke at 5.25 this morning, thats 35 minutes before the alarm was due to go off! that i am not impressed with at all! Decided to wait around for that alarm to go off then get up. lol lazy i know.
usual morning rituals, coffee, iron, coffee, shower, coffee in travel mug and out of the door! i was heading for Harrogate this morning, only the second time i had ever visited the town or a school there! and guess what? i was glad i did!      As soon as i pulled onto the M1 “there has been a major collision on the M62 heading Westbound between junctions….3 lanes closed, queuing for at least an hour….” (thats the way i usually go to my other schools!) Wahey! i missed that one! so happy!

Arrived in harrogate after missing the junction on the M1 yet again! but i suppose it saves me time by not driving through Wetherby. The school i was teaching in today! fantastic, brilliant, incredibly friendly! was welcomed by the head teacher on arrival. shown the important things (staff room, kettle and classroom). today began with a Y5/6 mixed class which is always fun to do, with the  differentiation involved in the lessons.

Followed by a run through of the school christmas show! < I’ve got to say, visiting lots of different schools during this period means i can see lots of different rehearsals for school plays /shows / nativities and some of the effort the children and the teachers put into the shows is phenomonal! i mean truly amazing! they really do try to present shows in new and original ways!

then onto some VCOP work! another good lesson! it’s fantastic how many different words can be used instead of said! and they were all thought of by the children! “whispered, shouted, murmured, squeaked, boomed, etc.”

After lunch which consisted of eating in the staff room, getting to know the staff, a conversation about the headteachers spreadsheet and a conversation about the different meanings of the coloured rubber bands that have recently come back into fashion in schools. it was back to lessons! brilliant science lesson planned of measuring childrens heart rates while resting and stationary, then measuring them again after 20minutes excercise!

children really enjoyed this and were able to comment on why their heart rate increased, a talk about healthy diets, discussion on excercise, right amount per day and right type of excercise.

Thats it, my day had ended… or so i thought. on my way home i was insistant on folllowing my SAT NAV as i still didn’t know the area, yet the SAT NAV had different ideas and insisted on telling me to turn around because i was driving backwards, sending me down roads that were dead ends, and generally getting ratty with me. i wasn’t impressed. i think she was having an off day! (the woman who tells me which way to drive, perhaps a late night at the SAT NAV christmas party?)

Whilst driving i recieved a phone call, from my agent! (teaching agent that is) informing me that i had been moved out of the school i was previously booked in for tomorrow and into another one who had asked for me and said they only want me! yay! i love it when i’m wanted! it means i’m doing something right! so looking forward to going back to that school tomorrow now!

I remembered on my way home that i was going to try out a cub scout group in my local area tonight  and decided if i want to become a leader again. the answer is a definate YES! i can’t wait to get back into it

what a long and exhausting day! well i’m looking back now and wondering where the day has gone? considering i was up early and now to bed late it seems to have gone by very quickly!

Oh well i’ve nearly written 800 words, i think that means it’s off to bed for me!

Just one thing to think about tonight. Where would we be with without our homes this Christmas? somebody mentioned today about the people in the Lake District, whose houses had been ruined in the floods last month, and it got me thinking, what if i didn’t have anywhere to go over christmas? what if i didn’t have the comfort of my own house or my parents house… it just makes you think!

In an almost immediate response to Starhub’s announcement, M1 will also begin selling Apple’s iPhone this Wednesday 9th December. The launch party will be held at Paragon, Orchard Road and sales begin 9th December morning, midnight!

M1 will be offering 4 different subscription packages starting at $36 to $198. A minimum data bundle of 10GB is included with the lower 2 tiers and the other 2, more expensive tiers, will receive unlimited data. Student /NSF benefits apply.

M1 iPhone data plan

M1 will also be offering a 20% discount on Apple Protection Plan and will be available at $79.20.

I have no clue on what Starhub’s plans are and I don’t care…

Both Starhub and M1 has announced that it will launch iPhone 3GS in Singapore on 9 December 2009. With the launch of the phone both companies are offering a range of new 3G mobile plans tailored for iPhone customers.

Click on this link http://bit.ly/7BgxEJ to see the comparison of the mobile plans and handset price offered by the three telcos.

I’ve been away for a while. I didn’t realize it. I honestly, forgot about this blog, and haven’t had time to keep going on it, either.

But, now I do. School will be over next week. I’ve got A’s right now, which is good. I’m stressing about finals.

The munchkins are good, and we’re (The Hubs and I) still together after all the hurt, anger and tears. I’m trying to forgive him for hurting me.

He’s trying to forgive me too.

Time marches on.

~StressedOutMommy

Everyone is trying to figure out why this 70’s BMW is in prototype covering.  My bet is that its a guerrilla marketing technique to wet the mouths of BMW fanboys.  I have a feeling a production prototype of the M1 will be seen soon.

This BMW mule was caught on video while parked on a street in Munich. Covered in the usual black and white psychedelic camouflage, the body is curiously that of the old 1978 M1. The interior is also covered up.

In 2008 BMW revealed an M1 Homage car, a move that sparked speculation of a future BMW supercar or at least a
revival of the M1 name. Its design was a clear hark to the original M1 inspired by the 1972 BMW Turbo show car and designed by Giugiaro. It was essentially a racer that customers could also be able to drive on public roads.

Lamborghini had initially been tasked with developing the chassis and for manufacturing but its financial position at the time hampered the project such that BMW ended up retaking control. Ultimately only 456 units of the M1 were ever produced, making it one of the rarest BMWs ever built. The car did not completely disappear when the last one rolled off the production line in 1981 because the first-generation M5 featured a modified version of its 3.5-litre engine.
Perhaps the mule is another Homage model or just simply a public showcase of the older car.

via Mystery BMW M1 Mule Spotted.

Hallo ihr Lieben,

da in der M1-Klausur mit Sicherheit wieder Fragen gestellt werden wie:

• “Welche der nachfolgenden Personen sind Vertreter einer geisteswissenschaftlichen Psychologie?” oder
  
• “Welche Personen lassen sich dem psychoanalytischen Paradigma zuordnen?”

möchte ich euch meine Karteikärtchen nicht vorenthalten, die mir damals für die Vorbereitung zur Klausur sehr geholfen haben. Auf der einen Seite stehen jeweils die bedeutenden PsychologInnen, auf der anderen Seite die zugehörige Strömung,  psychologische Schule, ihre revolutionäre Rolle für die Psychologie etc.

Einfach nur ausdrucken, ausschneiden und zusammenkleben und los geht`s

Karteikarten: Bedeutende PsychologInnen

Viel Erfolg und liebe Grüße,

eure Meli

An audacious plan for a multi-million pound futuristic tourism and gambling development could be about to transform the fortunes of Dundalk.

A planning application for the €430m ‘Altitude’ will be lodged with Louth local authorities within the next month with the project earmarked for a site just off the M1.

The plans, which were unveiled earlier this week and are scheduled to roll out over the next seven years, include proposals to build everything from an all weather ski slope, huge indoor concert arena and cinema, to ten-pin bowling alley, swimming and sports centres, shops and restaurants.

Does anyone remember the Ballymac Designer Village which was unveiled with similar fanfare several years back, what ever happened to it?

Batten down the hatches and prepare for the monsoon, people. The storm clouds are gathering and we’ve lost site of land.

Here Is Why The Dollar Is Now Effectively Worthless

Tyler Durden on 11/23/2009

August 21st 2009, the bridge over the Broadmeadow Estuary collapsed moments after a Commuter train went over it. As a result, over the past 3 months, there has been  bus replacements and endless traffic jams. On the 16th of November 2009, the Northern Commuter and Belfast line reopened.

(c)www.rte.ie

I thought as soon as this would happen, bus users like my good self wouldn’t have to endure half as much traffic. I FORGOT, I DON’T LIVE IN AN IDEAL WORLD. Monday morning, the M1, one of the most important road networks in the state had roadworks, resulting in the 120km/h limit being reduced to sod all km/h. I honestly could of walked faster. I thought, maybe when the trains return, there will be less people on the road. NOOOO!! There is as many now.

So it does look as if I am going to have to move out in Feburary as I really cannot hack this travelling to and from college. For example, yesterday I was in at 10am for lectures, had various Club & Soc stuff, went to the DCU Drama LOAFS (which were very very good) and was in the studio learning  radioy thing from Nessy (link to her blog on the right hand side) , and after all this I went to the bar afterwards. Got home at 11.40! And was back in at 9am this morning. Horrible. If I lived near campus, I wouldn’t be half as dead as I am now,  but instead I am almost dead.

And whilst I’m ranting, how disgusting is it that I must pay €7.70 for a day return ticket on Bus Eireann, yet the Dublin Bus 5 Day Student Rambler is €15, which you can get on a bus at 6am and stay on the bus all day until 11pm and not pay anything more than €15.  Total robbery I tell you.

So in short, my rant of the day, based as usual on transport: Bus Eireann are a rip of; there shouldn’t be roadworks during peaktimes on the M1, the trains should try not to go into the river, and I need to begin finishing my essay.

Adieu

Hallo liebe M1ler,

gerade habe ich mich daran zurück erinnert, wie schwierig es für uns war, das Leib-Seele-Problem in seinen Grundzügen zu erfassen. Daher habe ich mal meine Notizen dazu hervorgekramt und möchte euch diese nicht vorenthalten:

• Leib-Seele-Problem
• Konzept des kausalen Filters

Links, die ich zu diesem Thema gefunden habe:

• Das Leib-Seele-Problem
• Bedeutung_des_Leib-Seele-Problems
• Warum wir das Leib-Seele-Problem nicht lösen können

Viel Erfolg beim philosophischen Tüfteln ,

eure Meli

I have to admit that buying home automation products as a holiday gift can be difficult. You would have to know someone well — I mean, really well — to be able to buy them the right HAI accessory for their Omni automation control system, or the tool they need for their AirVac central vacuum system, or the appropriate sensor for their ELK M1 security system. Yes, finding stocking stuffers for these elaborate automation system can be a challenge.

So the Christmas elves at Home Controls have been busy compiling a list of products that can make your holiday shopping much easier. We’ve put together a Christmas Gift Guide that would make even Santa proud. Our collection of gifts are perfect for everyone, whether they save an integrated home automation system or not.

This post highlights gifts that make everyone’s life more convenient – products that solve a unique need in your home, or I admit products you didn’t know you need, but can’t live without:

Leviton Anywhere Switch ~ less than $30! Adds the convenience of an extra indoor wall switch wherever needed, without installing additional wiring. The LV6696 Anywhere Switch is ideal for use in stairwells, entrance ways, garages, children’s rooms and basements. It can be placed at a low height for convenient light control from bedside, chairside or wheelchair. Excellent for Universal Design applications! The control signal passes through walls and floors, operating receivers up to 50 feet away. Choose from Ivory or White.

Garage Laser Park ~ less than $20! Maxsa Innovations designed and built this infrared device to help prevent damage to your car and your garage from faulty parking. The MX37310 assists you in parking your car in the exact right spot every time. Very easy to install! Just attach to your garage ceiling with included hook-&-loop tape or screws. No wiring necessary. Automatically activates when your vehicle enters the garage. Also available for a two-car garage for less than $30!

16 in 1 Security Screwdriver ~ less than $25! The only screwdriver you’ll need for the security system installer’s tool box! Quality tool at a great price! The 16 in 1 Security Screwdriver is an industrial quality screwdriver which includes 16 hardened steel security bits. The bits store in the handle and are easily removed and replaced with the rotating spring loaded cap. Extra long nose piece for additional reach.

Internet Camera System ~ less than $185! This is an extremely cost-effective solution for video recording and remote monitoring — over the internet! The iCamDVR2 converts wired/wireless cameras into internet cameras, and turns your computer into a Digital Video Recorder. This all-in-one kit includes 2 cameras, the wireless receivers and the iCamDVR. It even includes the PC software for recording, playback and remote monitoring. A great Do-It-Yourself gift!

X10 Powermid IR Remote Set ~ less than $55! Use your remote to control DVD players, cable boxes, even stereo equipment in cabinets in another room with Powermid’s whole-house infrared remote control extender! Lets you control your audio/video products from anywhere in your home. Powermid Transmitter converts your IR signal to RF and transmits up to 100′ through walls to a Powermid Receiver, which converts RF back to IR to control your equipment. The transmitter and receiver (both included in this kit) are tiny at only 5″ high!

We have a lot more gift ideas online at HomeControls.com, or you can check out our blog throughout the holidays as I feature other great home automation, security and networking products.  And, in case you do need some help finding the perfect gift for an Omni, AirVac, M1 or any other elaborate system, feel free to call our holiday helpers in our Tech Support at 800-266-8765 — they offer free technical service and product advice year ’round!

Pernah bertanya-tanya di mana motor-motor juara diabadikan? Karena Yamaha baru saja dimahkotai oleh M1, R1, R6 dari Rossi, Spies dan Crutchlow di tahun 2009, Yamaha pikir ini akan menjadi ide yang baik untuk mengungkapkan kepada publik ruang sensasional tempat para motor juara berasal. Ini merupakan salah satu strategi PR yang cukup mengesankan, membuka pintu untuk publik bisa melihat isi nya motor juara-juara Yamaha.

Well, mending liat dulu gimana rasa kalo ada kesempatan naikin motor para juara 2009 dari YAMAHA M1, R1 and R6…hihih =P

Selama bertahun-tahun, balap Yamaha berpusat di Belanda, namun pertumbuhan eksponensial Italian penjualan serta penandatanganan Valentino pada tahun 2004 telah memindahkan pusatnya ke Italia Yamaha Gerno di markas besarnya di Lesmo, Italia. Tata gedung yang modern dan kompleks serta mengesankan terletak tepat di sebelah sirkuit Monza, sebelah utara Milan.

Respect! A 1959 YDS1R production racer reminds Valentino’s 2004, 2005 and 2008 Championship winners where it all began.

Last emperor in the 990 dynasty, Valentino’s 2005 championship winner. By this point the engine had totally changed. Vertically stacked gearbox, central gear cam drive (chain and gears mix on the right side before), rear shock anchoring to the cases and, if you could peek inside, you’d see the 90 degree staggered crank pins adopted by the R1 this year.

The full line-up of 990 MotoGp engines covering the years 2002-2006 was on show. Seeing them one next to the other was a really rare opportunity. It was quite fascinating to be able to follow the development of the different mechanical features and motor architectures.

Compared to the carbon enclosed M1s, the simplicity of the 250 racer is remarkable. The YDS1R was Yamaha’s first production racer and was based on the successful works “Mount Asama” racers.

M1s have always useD 4-2-1 exhaust systems, but the old debate about which cylinders should be joined was alive within Yamaha R&D. The 2005 engine in the foreground has cylinders 1&2, 3&4 linked, while the 2004 version in the background has cylinders 1&4, 2&3 joined. What works best then?

The main corporate meeting room has a nice piece of dynamic sculpture. The Racing headquarters is also the place were contracts are negotiated and strategies decided.

The main space in Yamaha’s racing HQ is actually the loading area. The lines numbered 1 to 4 are where the huge rigs park to load and unload their precious wares. Yamaha Racing, together with some loyal local collectors, put together a very fine show. The maintenance labs, sorry, I meant workshops, can be seen through the windows on the right side.

Two strokes galore! From a 1962 250 TD1, through an 80’s TZ125 up to the gone-but-not-forgotten, all-mighty, YZR 500 (ex Noric Abe). Unlike archrival Honda, Yamaha’s history was written with burnt oil, and there were plenty of strokers on show. The only missing ingredient was the sweet smell of castor oil in the air.

Not so sure that Vale really likes the idea, but Biaggi’s 2002 steed shared space with his 2008 Championship winner. Many forget now that Max achieved the runner-up spot in the single year he rode the M1 and was instrumental in it’s early development.

Dalam kasus M1, terlihat jelas ketepatan dan kompleksitas dari bagian-bagian mesin, merupakan karya yang datang langsung dari Jepang hanya setelah mereka uji tentunya. Oleh karena itu, Yamaha Racing Eropa HQ terutama hanya berkaitan dengan pemeliharaan, bukan pembuatan. Setelah mendengar banyak kisah mengerikan tentang kehancuran rutin mesin protoype, ternyata Yamaha tidak mengirimkan begitu banyak mesin lama tersebut ke tempat penghancuran. Beberapa mesin masih disimpan di tempat ini. Thank God…=P

Vodafone ha comunicado que 360, los nuevos servicios de Internet para el móvil que anunció hace poco más de un mes, ya están disponibles en España. Vodafone 360 incluye prestaciones específicas diseñadas para los nuevos terminales de Samsung H1 y M1, que empezarán a llegar a las tiendas el lunes 2 de noviembre, pero muchos de los servicios también estarán disponibles en otros smartphones. El lanzamiento de Vodafone 360 incluye nuevas tarifas de acceso a Internet móvil de la operadora.

La principal novedad de Vodafone 360 es que no depende de las aplicaciones instaladas en el teléfono porque, al ser un servicio ofrecido por el operador, los datos está unidos al usuario y éste puede acceder a Vodafone 360 desde cualquier terminal que sea compatible, sin perder sus datos (contactos, fotos, direcciones de correo, estado en redes sociales, etc.)

Por 15 euros al mes, los clientes de Vodafone tendrán navegación por Internet sin límite y acceso a todos los servicios de 360 entre los que se encuentran:

Vodafone People: Unifica todos los contactos del usuario en un único espacio desde el que administrar, no sólo cuentas de correo y agendas, sino todos nuestros contactos de redes sociales. Los datos de People se sincronizan también con nuestro ordenador, incluso aunque sea un Macintosh. Está previsto que en el futuro esté disponible para clientes de otras operadoras.

Tienda de aplicaciones: Ya hay 300 aplicaciones disponibles y la previsión es que haya muchas más en breve, porque la plataforma de creación es abierta, basada en estándares de Internet, para que cualquier desarrollador pueda crear aplicaciones para Vodafone 360.

Mapas: Acceso al servicio de navegación GPS sin coste adicional, pero también el usuario puede compartir su posición con sus amigos o incluso marcar sus sitios favoritos.

Música: Vodafone Music también está integrado en 360 permitiendo el acceso a un millón de títulos que el usuario se puede descargar. Las descargas también están incluidas en el precio.

Por supuesto también está incluido el uso del correo electrónico, chat y toda la navegación por Internet que el cliente quiera. Las velocidades que comunica la operadora son de hasta 7,2 Mbps en bajada (descarga) y 2 Mbps en subida. Eso sí, como suele ser habitual, está excluido el uso de los terminales como modem para conectar un ordenador a Internet.

Los nuevos terminales de Samsung son exclusivos para Vodafone y son los primeros que han sido diseñados para sacar partido al cien por cien de las posibilidades que ofrecen los nuevos servicios 360. El H1 tiene pantalla táctil de 3,5 pulgadas, GPS, 16GB de memoria interna, cámara de 5 mega píxeles y tecnologías HSDPA y WiFi. El M1 tiene pantalla táctil de 3,2 pulgadas, HSDPA, GPS, cámara de 3 megapíxeles y memoria ampliable de 1 GB.

Apa yang terlintas di pikiran Anda saat mendengar “Semakin di Depan”? mungkin sebagian besar akan menjawab Komeng atau Yamaha. Yups…  slogan kebanggan Yamaha Indonesia dikabarkan akan menempel di motor Yamaha M1 milik Valentino Rossi dan Jorge Lorenzo pada musim depan. Hal tesebut diutarakan oleh Presiden Direktur YMKI Yoshiteru Takahashi.

Saat ini Yamaha Indonesia memang menjadi penyumbang terbesar penjualan Yamaha Global. Berdasarkan laporan dari Yamaha Jepang, Indonesia dan beberapa Asia lainnya menjadi penyelamat Yamaha dari kerugian yang terjadi akibat keadaan krisis global.

Untuk menempel sticker slogan “Yamaha semakin di Depan” di motor M1, memang tidaklah gratis. YMKI harus mengeluarkan dana extra untuk turut serta mensponsri tim yang baru saja mendapat 2 kali triple crown ini.

Senapan ini berjuluk M1 Garand Rifle atau dikenal juga sebagai Caliber .30 M1. Sudah sepantasnya jika senjata ini dimasukkan dalam kategori senapan legendaris.

Masa bakti M1 Garand merentang dari PD II, Perang Korea, hingga Perang Vietnam. Saat PD II, Garand dipakai baik di teater Eropa maupun Pasifik.

M1 Garand pertama kali dikembangkan pada tahun 1920an oleh John Garand, seorang karyawan yang bekerja di Springfield Armory. Springfield Armory ini merupakan pabrik pembuat M1903 Springfield -senapan yang juga punya cerita gemilang- yang di kemudian hari digantikan oleh M1 Garand.

Mulai tahun 1936-1957, tercatat lebih dari 6 juta pucuk telah diproduksi oleh berbagai pabrikan terkenal seperti Springfield Armory, Winchester, hingga Beretta. Senapan ini masih menggunakan kayu sebagai material utama hingga menyumbang lumayan pada bobot keseluruhan.

M1 Garand sudah mengadopsi mekanisme semi-otomatis. Ini berarti setiap pelatuk ditarik, saat itulah sebutir peluru akan ditembakkan. Mekanisme semi-otomatis ini merupakan versi lebih modern dari pendahulunya M1903 Springfield yang masih menggunakan mekanisme bolt-action.

Pada bolt-action, seorang serdadu perlu menarik kokang senjata setiap kali akan menembak. Kokangan ini terletak di bagian belakang, diatas popor senapan. Karena mesti mengokang, kecepatan menembak tentu saja akan kalah dengan senapan semi-otomatis.

Pada saat PD II khususnya di teater Eropa, mekanisme semi-otomatis yang dimiliki M1 Garand akhirnya memberikan keuntungan tersendiri. Hal ini disebabkan senapan standar prajurit Nazi yaitu Mauser 98k masih menggunakan mekanisme bolt-action.

M1 Garand dengan Cartridge/Magazine

M1 Garand memiliki magazine/cartridge yang dapat memuat 8 peluru. Cartridge ini dimasukkan ke senapan dari arah atas. Pada saat peluru terakhir ditembakkan, cartridge kosong akan ikut terlempar keluar dengan mengelurkan bunyi khas. Para serdadu menyebut bunyi ini dengan ‘ping’ karena memang suaranya yang mirip dengan logam yang berdenting.

Karena nyaringnya bunyi ‘ping’ ini, penggunanya sempat dibuat kerepotan. Pasalnya, bunyi ini juga akan jadi penanda buat musuh kalau si serdadu sudah kehabisan amunisi, sedang untuk mengisi cartridge baru jelas dibutuhkan waktu. Dalam perang yang sengit, beberapa detik bisa berarti hidup atau mati.

M1 Garand memiliki jarak tembak efektif sejauh 460 meter dengan maksimum jarak tembak mencapai 3200 meter. Berat senapan sekitar 9.5 pounds (sekitar 4.5 kilo) dan dapat mencapai 11.25 pounds (hampir 6 kilo) jika dicanteli berbagai aksesories.

Sebagai bukti kehandalannya, tak tanggung-tanggung George S. Patton, seorang jenderal kenamaan AS saat PD II menjuluki senapan ini sebagai “The Greatest Battle Implement Ever Devised” alias alat perang (senjata) terbaik yang pernah diimplementasikan dalam perang.[]

Referensi:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M1_Garand

http://www.surplusrifle.com/garand/index.asp

http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/

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