There's No Fool Like An Old Fuel - Breeder Reactors

Taken from a verse in the Bible's Book of Job "The aged aren’t always wise, nor do the elderly always understand justice." Today, the foolish behavior of an older person (with education and wisdom) seems especially foolish as they are expected to think and act more sensibly than a younger one. For many decades, eastern Idaho’s Arco desert was known as an isolated, wide-open and windswept haven for sagebrush, antelope and rattlesnakes. All that changed with the construction of the National Reactor Testing Station, now known as the Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. Since its creation, more than 50 nuclear reactors including the first Experimental Breeder Reactor or EBR-I—were designed and built at the Idaho site. What do we fission in today's reactors, and what are "Breeder Reactors"? In the previous 75 years America built some fantastic breeder reactors. The EBR-I represented a departure from weapons research. Argonne National Laboratory concentrated on developing peaceful uses of the atom, especially in nuclear power plants. Argonne-West was established in Idaho to test designs and theories developed at Argonne-East in Chicago. The nation’s first breeder reactor ushered in a new era in nuclear history when it became the first reactor to generate useable amounts of electricity from nuclear energy. It accomplished this feat on December 20, 1951 by lighting four light bulbs. What do we really know about the sources of radioactive material on our planet? Did you know that California’s geothermal plants in the Imperial Valley produce more radioactive waste than nuclear? Why didn't you hear that from the anti-nuclear coalition? I'd ask why and ask more questions about Fossil Fuels? Yes, they do release a lot of naturally occuring radioactive materials into the environment, but that all goes unmonitored and unreported to the public. I can't see the slightest distiction beteen natural and man-made radiation exposure when it comes to health. Safety concerns about the plants construction to be safe and accident-free hours of operation aside, it wouldn’t be fair to tell you how much the public normally gets exposed to one but not the other. Did you know that the estimated radiation doses ingested by people living near the coal plants were equal to or higher than doses for people living around the nuclear facilities? At one extreme, the scientists estimated fly ash radiation in individuals' bones at around 18 millirems (thousandths of a rem, a unit for measuring doses of ionizing radiation) a year. Doses for the two nuclear plants, by contrast, ranged from between three and six millirems for the same period. And when all food was grown in the area, radiation doses were 50 to 200 percent higher around the coal plants. While well-intentioned, the "Atoms for Peace" program was also criticized for facilitating nuclear proliferation by spreading dual use nuclear technology, i.e., technologies and materials, such as highly enriched uranium, used in early civilian nuclear programs that can also be used for the production of nuclear weapons. Some believe that Atoms for Peace set nuclear aspirants, like Iran, on the path to acquiring necessary technologies and materials for the development of a nuclear weapons program. In addition to helping nations like Iran start their own peaceful use for atomic energy, the “Atoms for Peace” project helped develop a second and more powerful breeder reactor. The EBR-II was a passively safe pool-type design that combined a metal alloy fuel. That is, the reactor could safely shut down, without operator assistance, even if safety systems had failed. This safety feature was not dependent on control rods or computer monitoring, but on the laws of physics. This reliance on natural physical properties is the ultimate backup safety system for a nuclear power plant. This would make nuclear incidents, such as those that occurred at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, nearly impossible to duplicate. This was demonstrated in 1986, when EBR-II underwent a series of IFR safety tests. These tests simulated accidents involving loss of coolant flow. Even with the normal shutdown devices disabled, the reactor safely shut down without reaching excessive temperatures anywhere in the system. A dangerous design? No. The one we didn’t build was closer to my childhood home in Tennessee. The Clinch River Breeder Reactor Project was first authorized in 1970 during the Nixon administration initially conceived as a major step toward developing liquid-metal fast breeder reactor technology as a commercially viable electric power generation system in the United States. President Nixon established this technology as the nation’s highest priority research and development effort as a prototype and demonstration for a class of such reactors, called Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactors (LMFBR). However, the Clinch River project was controversial from the start, and economic and political considerations eventually led to its demise. President Carter, a consistent opponent of the Clinch River project explained his 1977 veto of a bill to authorize funding for the project continuation, it would be "large and unnecessarily expensive" and "when completed, would be technically obsolete and economically unsound." Congress persisted in keeping the Clinch River project alive over the President's objections, and Carter repeatedly chastised Congress for its actions. In a speech in 1979, after the House Science and Technology Committee had voted to proceed with the project over his opposition, he said "The Clinch River breeder reactor is a technological dinosaur.” Instead of investing public resources in the breeder demonstration project, Carter urged attention to improving the safety of existing nuclear technology. U.S. Congress terminated funding on October 26, 1983. Yes, I say that when you don’t like the science behind nuclear, it must be "unnecessary and wasteful". Nobody said it was dangerous. Why do anti-nuclear organizations say: "We don't need to invent anything new, we just need to stop wasting time with distractions like nuclear power." Science fact: A nuclear bond contains over 1 million times the energy of a hydrocarbon bond. That is the potential of atomic power. With better nuclear reactors we can realize that potential. Remember Carl Sagan’s Cosmos? His description of nuclear fission was introduced at the very basics. Electrons, Protons, Neutrons. Elements and Isotopes. Fissile material and Fertile material. “A pound of uranium, which is less than the volume of your fist, contains the energy equivalent of 5,000 barrels of oil, or about 200,000 gallons of gasoline. Uranium is a tremendously concentrated energy source, that's why you can make bombs out of 10 pounds of it, we only extract about one percent of that energy. With just a little bit of arithmetic, uranium could supply all the electricity in the United States for at least 300 years." If the world ever got out of the nuclear weapons production business, then using Thorium as a fuel would make perfect sense. What do you know about using Thorium as fuel? In the thorium cycle, thorium-232 breeds by converting first to protactinium-233, which then decays to uranium-233. If the protactinium remains in the reactor, small amounts of uranium-232 are also produced, which has the strong gamma emitter thallium-208 in its decay chain. Similar to uranium-fueled designs, the longer the fuel and fertile material remain in the reactor, the more of these undesirable elements build up. In the envisioned commercial thorium reactors, high levels of uranium-232 would be allowed to accumulate, leading to extremely high gamma-radiation doses from any uranium derived from thorium. These gamma rays complicate the safe handling of a weapon and the design of its electronics; this explains why uranium-233 has never been pursued for weapons beyond proof-of-concept demonstrations. Solve the nuclear waste problem by using the nuclear waste as fuel. Historically, most of the public is unaware. Some of the predictions of nuclear energy were true, others were changed in a way that made them acceptable of those more dangerous reactors that could also be used to keep the weapons grade plutonium cycle going for national security, and some were never developed at all. Global Warming is still going to be a problem for generations if we can’t find methods that control green-house gas emissions. Can you be an environmentalist and be 100% anti-nuclear? Before you say yes, have you seen Pandora’s promise, a documentary was created in favor of nuclear energy? In "Pandora's Promise", the voice is that of Stewart Brand, the Whole earth catalog, a longtime environmentalist and entrepreneur who's become a supporter of nuclear power as a way to cut coal use and stem global warming. Maybe it's a message we need to hear about what we could do with the excess nuclear weapons? Better to light a home than curse the darkness of a post-apocalyptic nuclear winter.

Continuing Galileo's Leaning Tower of Pisa Experiment

According to history, Italian Scientist Galileo having dropped two objects of differing sizes and weights found that the heavier ball hit the ground first, but only by a little bit. Except for a small difference caused by air resistance, both balls reached nearly the same speed. And that surprised him. It forced him to abandon Aristotelian ideas about motion. Galileo discovered through his experiment that the objects fall with the same acceleration, proving his prediction true, while at the same time disproving Aristotle's theory of gravity (which states that objects fall at speed proportional to their mass). Because Galileo died, he never finished his work, I became part of a human endeavor to continue these experiments. I managed to conduct a few science experiments serving in engineering spaces at sea in my time. After having properly set the initial conditions for the experiment, I postulated that anyone: - either standing on a machinery room platform that was suspended over any inaccessible area of engine room bilge or machinery room foundation, or transiting between same, - who was handling a small metallic object, such as a nut or a writing pen, - would suddenly lose their grip on that object at the precise moment they reached apogee. Defining the apogee as the highest distance between the object and the bilge. The experiment showed that the descent of this object would occur in such a manner to avoid a straight path: - taking at least 4 ninety-degree turns during the descent, and - finally coming to rest in a location of the where no light was shining or - where water in the bilge was at its deepest. The object would not be located until: - you had spent countless hours looking for it everywhere else, - had missed an entire meal, or - had given up all hope for its recovery, or - managed to acquire a suitable replacement. While I served in the Navy, it was proven to my satisfaction that this experiment was repeatable. My understanding is that experiment had been continued by countless others.

Remember Everyone Deployed

To mention Remember Everyone Deployed or R.E.D. I'll stick with my union label, Navy. Did you know that just before Christmas of 2020, the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), its escorts and its embarked air wing began its second deployment in a year? Yes. It's a so-called double-pump deployment, that highlights how the Navy carrier’s force is under strain with too few hulls available to meet the demands of combatant commanders. This year, carrier operations are at their highest rate in a decade with several carriers unable to deploy currently in maintenance availabilities. The strike group and the air wing have been in isolation since mid-November ahead of the deployment. The TR CSG is deploying with two escorts from the earlier 2020 deployment – guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (DDG-52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG-59) as part of Destroyer Squadron 23. The CSG will also include the destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113). On the East Coast, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group plans to deploy early next year for its own double-pump deployment. At least they were in port for Christmas and New Year’s.

Another Christmas Carol

Imagine the life a Boiler Technician at Christmas as seen through a child’s eyes. Here's one I'd call USS Midway's Christmas Carol. The USS Midway is now a museum in San Diego. Some say the ship is haunted by the Ghosts' of Christmas Past. T’was the night before Christmas …as USS Midway is conducting night flight operations. While steaming with Condition III watches set, and her Battle Group in formation somewhere in the South China Sea, one of the Operations Specialists in CIC reports a target bearing of 180 astern of the ship to be designated as skunk Charlie. The Air Ops Officer tells the tower that a Friendly inbound could be Santa Claus, there was a note from CTF 77 and Seventh Fleet in the Air Plan on Christmas Eve. Given that information, the TAO evaluates the contact as friendly and is status updated for the Battle Group using NTDS, and since he recognizes Santa’s IFF is squawking code 7600 in Mode 3, the TAO lets him inside the perimeter of Midway’s BARCAP. He hums the tune of Silent Night while ordering Weapons Tight. Warning White. Now, everyone in CIC is excited. They all know that Santa’s call sign is HO3 (standing for Ho-Ho-Ho) and CATCC now has the skunk Charlie identified as a friendly, given permission and instructed on a special landing procedure. The crew in Pri-Fly are amazed by the AIR BOSS to hear that CAG already knows that NATOPS has a procedure for a sled to make an arrested landing when it has no tail hook to land. The OOD maintains Fox CORPEN. On the flight deck, as a precaution the barricade is rigged, but it’s not needed. Santa steers his reindeer like a centurion, as the CATCC uses signal lights as the LSO directs him to use a Case III approach. Rumors fly around the Airwing that Santa has never bolter’d in the history of Naval Aviation. Like magic, Santa stays on perfect glide slope, and his sled catches the two wire, and he is directed by a Yellow Shirt over to the area just forward of the Crash and Smash crew. The Handler on station at the OUIJA board in Flight Deck Control puts Santa’s sleigh on deck in Fly 2, just outside the foul line. The Purple Shirts are ordered to get something to feed his reindeer. Oddly, they notice that Santa has three reflective letters “FTG” that are written across his back. As his sled gets chocked and the tiny reindeer each get chained with tiny chains to the deck by the Chain Gang in Blue Shirts, Santa leaps from his sled and flies to top of the island, where Santa finds himself and his red duffle bag perched on the top of the funnel. The Ordnance Handling officer exclaims “Well, at least he isn’t here to inspect our ordnance program” so the Weapons Officer lets him go without escort. The signalman standing watch on the 08 level sees Santa. Surprised, he just watches Santa for a signal. A wink of his eye, and placing his finger next to his nose, Santa enters the uptakes and snakes his way down to the seventh deck where one of boilers is cold-iron, down for cleaning. He emerges seconds later in the Fireroom 3A and finds the asbestos-lined stockings carefully hung across the burner front. He then walks over to the 3M system preventative maintenance system (PMS) schedule and sees that almost everyone in the fireroom has completed the PMS. But Santa sees that there is one of those monthly PMs that haven’t been completed by Fireman (FN) Timmy and it will go out of periodicity today. Santa frowns because he knows that a missed check would certainly keep the ship from getting the Battle “E.” Checking it twice to find out who was naughty or nice, he reads the names of the sailors from the tagout log. Here, Santa is again disappointed to find that FN Timmy hasn’t even properly tagged out the system. Reaching into his bag, Santa gets out a pen, then fills out a PMS spot check form, and leaves it in the Stocking of FN Timmy for him to sign. Santa then checks the naughty list and adds FN Timmy’s name to it. A wink of his eye, and placing his finger next to his nose, Santa exits the fire-room through the uptakes and snakes his way back to the top, and returns to the sled waiting on deck. He is directed by another Yellow Shirt, taxis his reindeer over to Number #2 CAT, as the reindeer hooves throws sparks across the deck at night as they are brought up to full-military power, he gives a crisp salute. The Catapult Officer returns his salute, and then gently touches the deck. As the catapult fires, Santa quickly disappears on his way to another ship in Midway’s Battle group. It’s now Christmas morning. As the 04-08 watch is relived, FN Timmy arrives in the fireroom to stand his watch as the Messenger. The BTOW, BT1 Burns sees those gifts that Santa has given his watch. Happily, it looks like Santa gave everyone a brand new pair of nice leather work gloves, that will keep their hands from being burned by heated valve handwheels that tend to get hot while steaming. Everyone that is, except for FN Timmy. FN Timmy reaches into his stocking and produces the PMS Spot Check form that Santa left. Bad news. FN Timmy is told by BT1 Burns to report to main control. Soon, the B-Division Officer, LT Waters, who is standing watch as the EOOW, has read Santa’s PMS Spot Check report. The Lieutenant is very displeased and the Main Propulsion Assistant (MPA), Lieutenant Commander Whitesteam, is notified. The MPA places FN Timmy on report. Handing the papers to Commander Hammer, the Chief Engineer (CHENG). FN Timmy’s chain of command is notified about his lapse in completing his PMS and the improper use of the tagout procedure. CHENG tells the XO, Commander Flyington, and they both understand that Midway’s competition for AIRPAC Battle E is all but lost. The XO calls up the ship’s CO, Captain Krampus and delivers the bad news. Within the hour, they all gather on the Forecastle to sing Christmas Carols with the Chaplain as a planned event to boost morale. The singing continues until Captain Krampus arrives. He doesn’t like to hold Mast on Christmas but this will be an exception. Captain Krampus is in a bad mood about the Battle E and says that he wants to get this over, quickly. FN Timmy’s case is heard right away, judgement is past, non-judicial punishment is awarded. He orders his Legal Officer that a lesson be given by taking some of his FN’s money. FN Timmy is awarded a reduction in rate to E-2, forfeiture of half a month pay for a month, and he is sentenced to confinement in the brig, to be placed on rations of three days Bread and Water. The Personnel Officer in Admin makes a page 13 entry in the Service Record for FN Timmy. As they walk off the Forecastle to have dinner, the SUPPO has prepared quite a feast for them all. The Master-At-Arms escorts Timmy to Medical where he gets a pre-confinement physical, and then they all go to the brig. Later, FA Timmy sits alone in his cell very sad. Only given Bread and Water rations for a Christmas dinner instead of the fine meal the rest of the crew enjoys. The thin pieces of bread Timmy can eat have been cut into snowflake shapes by some of cooks in the Bake Shop. While standing in his cell of Midway’s Brig, Fireman Apprentice Timmy wears his dungarees as he considers this year’s Christmas gift…and the Marines that are guarding him help by singing “Blue Christmas” This story you have just read is not true. The information may have come from reliable accounts, but the names and circumstances have been changed to amuse the innocent. It closes with this Holiday greeting. Merry Christmas to all.

Digital Books or Paper Books?

I would prefer to read a paper book, but it's great to have a digital book to read when the moment allows.

Final Countdown or Top Gun?

The movie "The Final Countdown" filmed on USS Nimitz was more than just that aviation fueled “Top Gun” movie that was filmed on USS Enterprise, because at that time we really gave the “Bear a Scare” in the Med. It was known that our ship’s engines could provide at least the 30 knots of wind over deck to launch and recover, and every BTU of catapult steam was brought to you by those people down in the ship’s Reactor and Engineering Departments.

What I've been Up To Lately

Consistent with my blog, I haven't been acquiring new technology per se... More like using the same technology in a more secure computing environment. While I could say that Windows 8 and 8.1 were a complete bust, the Windows 10 idea is at least focused more on security.

The Day the iPod Died

Apple devices are pretty reliable. I was annoyed when my iPod sometimes disconnected or the speakers “cut out” while driving using the Infiniti audio connector. Infiniti Help to the rescue! I found that tech bulletin recommended to replace cable if iPod cuts out during playback intermittently. I looked carefully, in the user manual for your vehicle. I ordered a cable, but I should have double checked it for warnings and checked it after it arrived! The right one I intended to use was Nissan/Infiniti (2007 onwards) with the part "284H2-1BA0B" in the vehicle user manual, but it turned out to be the ordered one was the wrong one; it was a "284H2-ZT50A" and wiped my iPod. This was the original 6th Generation iPod classic 160 GB, originally purchased as a refurbished for $249 from apple after they lowered the price added a 1 yr warranty, and free shipping. The iPod wiped when wrong cable used! Bummer! It could cost me alot of money, depending on what it takes to fix it. They just discontinued making and selling them from Apple, so I'm buying a refurbished model and considered sending my busted iPod in for a refurbished one to spare. Moral of this story: If you are not sure or the user manual doesn't call anything, please check it with your local dealer. The Business: On September 9, 2014, Apple discontinued the iPod Classic. The sixth generation 160 GB iPod Classic was the last Apple product in the iPod line to use the original 30-pin iPod connector and the Click Wheel. According to Tim Cook speaking at WSJD Live, the iPod Classic was discontinued because the parts were unavailable and a redesign was unwarranted given the small amount of consumer interest in the product. According to speculation by Wired, the 6th generation was, as of 2014, expected to be the final form of the iPod Classic that helped Apple achieve its success in the 2000s. Ars Technica speculated in 2011 that the iPod Classic was nearing its end, and the site’s readers generally agreed it would not still be produced in 2013.The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference in 2013 revealed no new iPod Classic and Apple was not expected to produce another one. Production of the iPod Classic continued in low volumes as a stop-gap measure to clear out and monetize inventory of unused stand-alone parts. However, three months after its discontinuation, the sixth generation iPod Classic has seen its price increase by up to four times its original retail price on eBay due to increased demand by music fans. iPod classic 6th generation 160GB model support requested from Apple Customer Care: It looks like your product is not covered for complimentary technical support. Pay us $29 just to chat with someone about repairing it at Apple. My thoughts--no way I'll do that. I guess the good news is I had to get a new iPod Classic 160 GB, so I purchased a refurbished for $275 on Amazon. Added a 3-year warranty from Square Trade, another $29. At least it's better than spending it on a chat with Apple Care. To me, it's worth it since just a Mainboard replacement for iPod Classic 7th Gen, costs $189.99. To get a replacement main board for the iPod classic 7th gen 160 GB model and has a moderate difficulty level to install. Now what to do about the "old one". I got a Ca$hPod Quote and they would buy this non-functional ipod for $50. I decided that I could accept it could be sold for more if fixed. Went for a diagnostic service. Order the diagnostic testing service from our website by adding to your cart. Only charged for return shipping. Sent the iPod device to aRepair Service Center using my own packaging for $8.A computer technician determined the problem with the iPod, a logic board and battery. The repair quote was 2-3 days after they received it. Other repairs to consider: Mainboard for iPod Classic A1238 costs $99. This has a moderate difficulty level to install. Get a replacement battery for the iPod classic $20, the 160Gb has a 850mAh package. This has a moderate difficulty level to install. More battery life on a maximum charge! 1-year warranty with a 30-day return policy, as Self-Installed part or for Professional installation. If I did not approve the repairs, they offered to buy the device for salvage value or send it back. In the Seventies, the Don McLean Album "American Pie" had a song, "The Day the Music Died" about some music artists Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper, the subjects of the song, who 56 Years ago, were killed in a Plane Crash. This was 1959, when Rock and roll was just getting started when it suffered its first tragedy. Three of the biggest and brighest stars — Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson, known as the Big Bopper — were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. As the story goes, on a package tour, Holly, after one of the shows on Feb. 3, 1959, Buddy Holly decided to charter a plane from nearby Mason City to Fargo, N.D., just across the state line from their next gig in Moorhead, MN. The plane, a Beechwood Bonanza, had room for only three passengers — Holly and his band — and the pilot, Roger Peterson. Holly’s bass player, future country legend Waylon Jennings, gave up his seat to Richardson, who was ill. According to Jennings’ autobiography, Holly teased his bass player by saying, “Well, I hope your ol’ bus freezes up.” Fatefully to which Jennings responded, “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes.” There are conflicting stories as to how Valens wound up in the third seat. Tommy Allsup, Holly’s guitarist, claimed that he lost a coin flip to Valens in the dressing room. Dion was one of the opening acts, and won the coin toss, but balked at paying the $36 for the flight — and gave Valens the seat. Then around 12:55AM on Feb. 3, the plane carrying Holly, Richardson and Valens took off in a snowstorm with strong winds. But the plane traveled only a few miles before crashing, killing all four men instantly. The federal investigation would rule that even though the weather played a large role it was due to pilot error.

All I want for Christmas...

Said many times. When I was young, it seemed that a new toy could keep me happy on Christmas Day. Then I grew older and wanted to have toys like my friends, so we could all play together. They made a lot of money doing exactly that. I wonder how true this was to the spirit of Christmas then, and if it's still true today?

A shiny new piece of Chrome

A new kind of operating system in a laptop form that brings together hardware, software, and a simple design inspired by innovation. Google claimed it’s A new type of computer with everything built-in. Curiosity got the best of me, so I acquired at awesomely low price, an Asus C300-EDU model with 4GB RAM and a 32GB SSD. The C300 Chromebook boots-up in seconds and stays fast, requires almost zero setup or maintenance, and comes with virus protection built-in. Best of all, it stays up to date with seamless updates every few weeks. I was impressed how easy it was to start using. It’s tight integration with the Chrome Web (using a PC) and Android Platforms (Tablet or Phone) makes this a very accessible and secure option for most users. No java allowed. If you don’t have a Google account, you may want to stop reading this here, because most of the functionality you have as a guest is limited to web and temporary storage using native apps during a one-time sand-boxed session. With a Google account on the chromebook, everything is awesome…and when using my new Chromebook for surfing and entertainment, I could do alot. I further enhanced my Chromebook with extra web applications (apps, for short) and features for the browser (also known as extensions). The apps are used like regular software programs for desktop computers. Native Google along with many other applications are fully functional, and when they get installed for use on a chromebook, they may have versions that can work offline (with offline documents, mail, or media) or if you have a Gigabit Ethernet or Wi-fi connection, they run entirely on the web. Extensions provide custom features and functionality for the Chrome browser. You can find both apps and extensions through the Chrome Web Store, a site dedicated to resources developed specifically for Chromebooks. You can use a Chrome cast device to easily display on a big screen inside the same wi-fi network or keep it connected without wi-fi to a local display using the HDMI port. Use a full-size secure digital (SD) card port for more storage or offline expansion, or you can sign up to get 15GB on Google Drive storage…and now through January 31, 2015, they are offering 1TB of Google Drive storage, for 2 years free, with the purchase of a new, eligible Chromebook. So I have taken quite a shine to this new little piece of chrome.

Is 8 enough?

Windows 8 is the current release of the Windows operating system, produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets, and home theater PCs. Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's platform, primarily focused towards improving its user experience on mobile devices such as tablets to rival other mobile operating systems, along with other changes and performance improvements. Windows 8 also introduces a new shell and user interface based on Microsoft's "Metro" design language, featuring a new Start screen with a grid of dynamically updating tiles to represent applications, a new app platform with an emphasis on touchscreen input, the new Windows Store to obtain and purchase applications for the system, and the ability to synchronize programs and settings between multiple devices. ..But is losing the desktop and the multiple views of applications in a real Windows environment along with a very attractive graphical user interface we had in Windows 7 really an improvement? I don't think so. I'll be trying out my free copy of Windows 8, but when, or if I consider it an upgrade remains to be seen.

Using the AT&T Skyrocket, a real blast for Independence Day

The Samsung Galaxy S™ II Skyrocket was provided for work to replace an aged Blackberry Tour 9630. The Office folks added the Good Messaging support to replace much of the mail and exchange server functions that our Blackberry smart-phones supported. The AT&T marketed version of the Skyrocket has a beautiful 4.5-inch Super AMOLED Plus display along with a dual-core 1.5GHz processor, an NFC chip, and support for AT&T's LTE network. It shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread, and has 16GB storage memory and 1GB RAM onboard, 8-megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash with 1080p video capture that supports 1080p video recording. The 2-megapixel front facing video chat is only supported over a Wi-Fi connection. This model is a GSM-banded world phone with Bluetooth, microSD card support, and enhanced audio. Inside the box includes battery, SIM card, charger, headphones, USB cable. the office folks supplied an Otterbox Defender case with screen-protector and belt holster that doubles as a stand and can be used as a ballistic shield in hostage situations. You'll need to download the software from Samsung if you want to connect to a computer and copy files, but it supports and Over-the-Air (OTA) exchanges using Kies Air. I've heard some bad results from users who made the leap to "ICE-CREAM SANDWICH" the Android 4.0 Kernel provided as an upgrade to this phone. I have the Android Kernel version that was updated in April 2012 to 2.6.35.11, Build number GINGERBREAD.UCLA3. Listed enhancements for this update: Improved performance from several Qualcomm patches and other refinements, User interface updates such as the new screen unlock swipe, ability to reply all to MMS messages, Exchange ActiveSync wipe to remove all content from the device and microSD card, Improved battery indicator icon accuracy.

If the lower tax rates expire at the end of 2012, what are you waiting for?

Tax hikes ahead? A slew of tax breaks are expiring and some new taxes taking effect. See what’s in play. A Roth IRA The only thing certain about the tax code these days is, well, the uncertainty of it all. If Congress doesn’t take action before the end of the year, federal tax increases will go into effect next year, raising levies on income, capital gains, dividends, wages, gifts, estates, and more. Here’s an overview of some of the key tax policy issues to keep on your radar screen. Then for specific strategies to consider in preparation, read Viewpoints: Prepare for tax changes. 1. Lower tax rates are set expire at the end of 2012 -- Most observers agree that Congress is going to have a hard time addressing tax and budget issues before the November elections, says Shahira Knight, Fidelity’s vice president of government relations. "More likely, action will wait until a lame-duck session of Congress, or 2013, and that’s unsettling for investors and the markets,” she notes. “It may be a roller-coaster ride as key deadlines approach.” So where does that leave you as a taxpayer and investor? “A good approach is to be prepared for a range of possibilities, and to start now,” says Jim Buza, vice president of guidance and advice for Fidelity. “That’s really what you should do in any climate, but it’s especially critical now.” To get started, use our tax calculator to the right to estimate how you might be impacted. The tax cuts enacted by Congress in 2001 and 2003—often referred to as the Bush tax cuts—provided a broad range of tax relief, including lower tax rates on income, long-term capital gains, and qualified dividends. We dodged the expiration of these lower taxes back in 2010 when Congress extended the tax cuts for two years (through 2012). Now cuts are set to expire on December 31, 2012, and any action will likely come down to the wire as it did in 2010.

Cars and Technology

Ever wonder what would happen if you put your computer in a car in a useful way? Well apparently technology has found some interesting ways to get behind the wheel. I just purchased an almost new Infiniti G Sedan, and with an impressive technology package, you could almost take your hands off the wheel and it would drive by itself. Almost.

I have a satellite radio with video display, 6 CD player with a built in iPod interface with a Bose studio on Wheels, a keyless entry system that remembers my steering, mirror and seat positions, hands-free blue tooth, and some of the nicest controls for comfort, safety, and operations that all use a very intuitive interface that doesn't get in the way of driving the car.

All the possible features in this model are listed below as an example, so you can easily see that machine and technology blend nicely in the models sold today.

Premium Package
Power sliding tinted glass moon roof with one-touch auto-open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade
Infiniti Studio on Wheels® by Bose® 10-speaker Premium Audio System, including 3-way component front door speakers with 10-inch sub woofers and a parcel shelf-mounted sub woofer, CD player with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume control
Rear Sonar System [*]
Driver’s Audio Stage
Dual occupant memory system for driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, linked to individual Intelligent Keys
Driver’s seat, steering wheel and outside mirror position synchronization
Power tilt and telescopic steering column


Navigation Package
Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, Lane Guidance and 3-D building graphics[*]
XM NavTraffic® with Real-Time Traffic information [*]
XM NavWeather™ with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast [*]
Zagat Survey® Restaurant Guide
Multimedia playback of DVD or digital file from a USB flash drive on 7-inch WVGA color display
Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio, navigation, and vehicle information systems


Requires Premium Package. Replaces compass in rear view mirror.



Technology Package
Intelligent Cruise Control [*]
Brake Assist with Preview Braking [*]
Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) [*] with auto recirculation and Plasmacluster™ air purifier
Rain-sensing, variable intermittent front windshield wipers
Front-seat Pre-Crash Seat Belts.

Android's Dungeon

Like the title? It's also the name of the Comic Book Guy's store in The Simpsons TV Show.

Have you found any New Phone features that compel you to upgrade? If you have they are probably on the iPhone or Android Platform. I am a new user on the Android Platform with a T-Mobile G2 Smartphone. I like the flexibility to add as many applications to the phone as I need to, and this makes sense when you plan to own one of these phone for two years or more.

If you lose one of these phones, you may be really sorry. I use a service called stuffbak since many finders are reluctant to snoop through address books or dial from a stored phone log. Additionally, if the phone has been locked/wiped, or if the battery has died, the external physical label is the only remaining link for a finder. Smartphone replacement costs run $200 - $500 (phones are 'free' or subsidized only with new contract commitments), and handset insurance is expensive.

Share Files and Backup Online with Sugar Sync

Step 1: Install SugarSync on all your computers

Download the SugarSync client and let them know which folders that you want always backed up and synced.

Activate via e-mail and you'll have 5GB of online storage for free.

PS: Just for fun, they'll give you an extra 250MB for free after you complete a few easy tasks to help you learn about SugarSync.

Step 2: Get the SugarSync mobile app

They've got apps for most major platforms and devices, enabling you to access your photos, music, and docs on the go!

Office 2010 and Upgrades

What is compelling you to upgrade to a new version of Office? While we all use some type of word processor, I started in Corel 5 and made the leap to Microsoft with Office 1997 while I was using Windows 95.

My job requires me to use a Windows PC, and communicate in the typical office document formats, so I have kept pace as the technology changed. My friends in Redmond have been generous, so I always seem manage to get a free version as I participate in various activities.

This time, without exception, I recieved a free version of the Office 2010 Professional Suite for participating in the Office 2010 Beta. That was nice. I have loaded the product on a Windows 7 machine and just seeing the enhancements made to outlook would be the primary reason to update. They advertise the ability to create standout reports and presentations with tools that help you capture your ideas more creatively. To stay connected to your projects, even when you’re away from your computer, with access to Office files via Web browser or Windows phone. To work efficiently with others by sharing, editing, and reviewing files at the same time—even across geographies and time zones.

Sure, there are web app versions now. There are OneNote links to practically do everything. There are PowerPoint Briefs that can be shared using your Windows live environment, but generally, it's the integration of this product with the suite features that have always made me want to upgrade.

From what I've seen so far, the version I have is a considerable improvement and the first impression is very impressive.

How do you plan to get Windows 7?

Windows 7 may be Microsoft’s most anticipated product ever. It builds on Windows Vista’s positives, and eliminates many of that OS’s negatives. It adds new functionality, too—all in a package that is less resource-hungry than its predecessor. It always seems that you hear about the good deals on these products right after they are over. I purchased an Upgrade Version of Windows 7 Home Premium back in July from Amazon.com. Happy I did since it was tax free, with free shipping and a bargain at $49.99. It came with the 64-bit and 32-bit media, so I can still chose before install. The product arrived a week after the launch.

I attended a Developer/IT professional Microsoft Launch Event for Windows 7. It was held in a large Theater and at the end of the event we all got a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate- for free! I gave mine back right away since the 32-bit OS was not as desirable to me as the 64-bit OS. The Microsoft Team will ship a 64-bit version of Windows 7 Ultimate to me within the month.

I bought a new Dell Laptop and had it configured with Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit with an Windows XP Professional 32-bit downgrade. Since it was purchased after June 26, it came with a Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit Upgrade, that will ship free from Dell.

As you can see, there are many inexpensive ways to get the Windows 7 OS product if you alreday have a Windows PC. I’m sure in the coming weeks; I will lean all about the joys of upgrading to Windows 7. My 4 year old HP Laptop is running the Windows 7 Ultimate Release Candidate without issues and the “custom” upgrade-essentially a clean install-was really painless. It expires next June, so I should be ready by then to either retire the system or buy a full copy of the new OS. Or maybe install the Home Premium version on a Netbook and use it as a Media Center.

And whether or not you're upgrading from Vista or skipping it altogether and moving up from Windows XP, you'll need to know how to make the most of it in your environment.

1. Pick Your Edition. Most business users do not need the more expensive Ultimate Edition; stick with Professional unless you specifically need BitLocker. If you are not a business user, the Home Premium Edition will do fine.

2. Upgrading? Go 64-bit. As the second major Windows release to fully support 64-bit, the x64 architecture has definitely arrived on the desktop. Don't buy new 32-bit hardware unless it's a netbook. Now if they just could make applications for 64-bit, someday.

3. Use Windows XP Mode. Yes, it's only an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of WinXP—but it's an embedded Virtual PC with a full copy of Windows XP! This is the first profoundly intelligent use of desktop virtualization we've seen—and a great way to move to Windows 7 without giving up full Windows XP compatibility.

A Netbook is the Ideal Internet Companion.

Whether computing within your home, around town and campus, or across the country, the ultra-portable Laptops referred to as Netbooks keep you connected, supporting both built-in Wi-Fi and some even have Mobile Broadband options. The Intel Atom processor chip, graphics, and other Windows XP-based hardware provides the performance you need to surf the web and use your standard productivity software apps -- but is light enough to carry everywhere at under 3 lbs. It syncs files, photos and videos easily with your primary notebook or desktop PC whenever connected to the same network with the integrated SyncablesTM application. After initial setup, the bundled SyncablesTM software can update files between the netbook and primary PC systems in the background for a truly seamless experience.

There are many similar models from most laptop PC makers; my comments are based on the HP Mini 110:

UltraMobile Performance

Based on an architecture that optimizes internet access and basic communication, Intel Atom processors power the Mini's reliable, energy-efficient performance. The LED anti-glare widescreen display reduces both system weight and reflections that can distract from the visual experience. The 92% of full-size keyboard also improves weight without sacrificing comfort. Integrated 802.11b/g wireless LAN enables wireless access within range of a hotspot. The Mini 110 is designed to optimize ultra mobile performance.

Connection Comfort

You depend on internet access more than ever for e-mail, instant messaging, video chats, social networking, shopping, banking, research and so much more. The Mini 110 makes it easy to stay connected everywhere you go. The built-in webcam and Skype keep you close to friends and family. Its near-full-size (92%) keyboard is more comfortable for most than the thumb keys on smartphones and PDAs. The 10.1" diagonal LED widescreen display provides an expansive viewing area compared to other mobile devices. The Mini helps keep you connected and productive at your convenience.

Take a Break

Stream video or playback files loaded from your primary PC via SyncablesTM software, a USB drive or the internet. Connect to a larger display via the VGA port to share with others. Let Pandora Internet Radio lead you to artists likely to become new favorites on your playlists. Use Snapfish to share photo albums online with family and friends and to create personalized cards, memory books, posters and more in a few simple steps. Enjoy casual gaming by Wild Tangent online or off. The Mini 110 keeps you entertained everywhere you go.

Software

Security and Support
• Symantec Norton Internet Security 2009 (including 60 days complimentary live update)
• Syncables Mobile Desktop 5
• Back On Track Recovery
• LifeLock (identity protection)
Multimedia
• Adobe Reader
• eBay
• HP Document Viewer
• Windows Media Player 11
• Adobe Flash Player
• HP Games Powered by Wild Tangent
• Pandora Internet Radio; Snapfish
Productivity and Finance
• HP Battery Check
• Microsoft Works 9.0
• MS Office Home & Student Edition 2007 - 60Day Trial
• HP Help & Support
• HP User Guides
• HP Wireless Assistant
• HP Mobile Broadband Setup Utility
• Sun Java Virtual Machine
Internet Solutions
• AOL (internet portal)
• AOL AIM (instant messaging)
• Skype (instant messaging, voice & video calls)
• MSN Toolbar
• Internet Explorer 7

Are You Being Served?

What's the most under-rated Windows Operating System? It's Windows Home Server by Microsoft! I'm just starting to familiarize myself with the products functionality, but I already like what I see. I just purchased an HP LX 195 MediaSmart server and it's great.

It may help your family get control of their digital life in an affordable, easy-to-use Server. It lets you automatically back up and protect digital photos, as well as centralize digital media and content so it's easy to share. And you'll enjoy your media whether you're at home or away.

It's an Automatic backup that will automatically manage daily backups, virus protection, media collection, and power management, all behind the scenes. I'm using it to automatically back up multiple computers, running 3 different Microsoft OS versions.

It stores up to 600GB of photos, songs or hours of video. And you can get an integrated additional protection by backing up your server to an on-line back-up service like Amazon S3!

Designed for digital media, it can allow you to access your media anywhere with an Internet-connected computer, by streaming music and photos to any computer, while you're at home or away. It also helps in organizing and sharing music libraries for play throughout your home.

The setup, scheduling, and support is easy. Just plug it in, connect it to your wireless router, and load the software on your PCs. Then schedule the server to copy and centralize Windows PC media files and libraries (including iTunes and playlists).

If needed, you can expand your storage capacity by adding external hard drives via four USB ports on the back.