Odds & Sods
Google search tools
Google has become synonymous with the words 'internet search'. Probably now, many people don't even consider that there are other search engines. It is so common and easy to use that most are unaware of many of its features (eg "my search phrase" will search on that exact string of words, rather than including the words individually in the search).
To start with you can click on the cog and adjust settings. For serious searching, an important one is to show 100 results per page (turn instant predictions off to allow this). Otherwise it is easy to just look at the first page with the top 10 results. Often I find I have to scroll well into the top 100 to find the information I am after.
Google searches tools:
Eg: ‘population paris’ will return the latest census total.
Eg: ‘2 x 3’ will return 6, and show a scientific calculator.
Eg: ‘45 cubic inches to cc’ will return the volume in cubic cm.
Here is some additional tips on the Goggle Cheat Sheet:
To start with you can click on the cog and adjust settings. For serious searching, an important one is to show 100 results per page (turn instant predictions off to allow this). Otherwise it is easy to just look at the first page with the top 10 results. Often I find I have to scroll well into the top 100 to find the information I am after.
Google searches tools:
- Use Find (Apple-F) to find your keyword in the document
- Use Advanced Search
- Use ~ to search for synonyms (eg ~fast food)
- Use 'define' (eg define: credit derivative) for definitions
- Add context (eg Superconductor beginner)
- Stop unwanted results (eg autumn leaves –youtube)
- Use Filetype (eg Billie Holiday filetype: ppt)
- Use data limits (Advanced Search> Date, usage rights, region, and more …)
Eg: ‘population paris’ will return the latest census total.
Eg: ‘2 x 3’ will return 6, and show a scientific calculator.
Eg: ‘45 cubic inches to cc’ will return the volume in cubic cm.
Here is some additional tips on the Goggle Cheat Sheet:
googlecheatsheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 97 kb |
File Type: |
Environmental Impact of Building Materials - CO2 emissions
With the rapid upswing of building in Christchurch I have noticed a trend toward steel framing of houses.This type of construction has been popular in some parts of Australia for some time and this is due to a relative shortage of forest (both countries have around 2 million hectares in timber plantations), and the fact that steel is termite-proof.
Here are some comparisons of wood vs steel framing:
NZ made: mostly no for steel, mostly yes for wood
cost: wood is relatively cheap and stable in price, metal prices fluctuate
rust: although gavanised, cut ends can rust
rot: poor design and lack of treated timbers can lead to problems with wood
thermal insulation: steel conducts heat 400x better than wood, so special insulation is required
electrical insulation: steel framing must be earthed, possible short circuits in wiring
straightness: steel will be true, always some variation with wooden framing
behaviour in fire: steel will warp at a lower temperature than is required to destroy wood
cellphone reception: steel framing can deteriorate wireless communications
Several studies have been done on the CO2 emissions for different building materials (typically wood, steel, and concrete). The outcome of these reports seems to vary, particularly with regard to the 'greenness' of wood. One significant factor is the type of energy used in production of the material. Burning fossil fuels adds to emissions. Another factor is whether the amount of CO2 'sequestered' by trees is added to the calculations. The best research information for NZ contains data about the NZ situation (where sustainable pinus radiata logging is occuring).
references:
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AND THE NEW ZEALAND HOUSE - Alcorn (2010)
The Influence of Construction Materials on LifeCycle Energy Use and CO2 Emissions of Medium Size Commercial Buildings - Fernandez (2008)
Embodied Enegy and CO2 Coefficients for NZ Building Materials - Alcorn (2003)
Wood-Based Building Materials and Atmospheric Carbon Emissions - Buchanan & Levine (1999)
negative CO2 emissions
Timber - Your Building Choice
The Benefits of Wood in House Construction
Facts about Wood
Cellphones and Metal Framed Houses
Here are some comparisons of wood vs steel framing:
NZ made: mostly no for steel, mostly yes for wood
cost: wood is relatively cheap and stable in price, metal prices fluctuate
rust: although gavanised, cut ends can rust
rot: poor design and lack of treated timbers can lead to problems with wood
thermal insulation: steel conducts heat 400x better than wood, so special insulation is required
electrical insulation: steel framing must be earthed, possible short circuits in wiring
straightness: steel will be true, always some variation with wooden framing
behaviour in fire: steel will warp at a lower temperature than is required to destroy wood
cellphone reception: steel framing can deteriorate wireless communications
Several studies have been done on the CO2 emissions for different building materials (typically wood, steel, and concrete). The outcome of these reports seems to vary, particularly with regard to the 'greenness' of wood. One significant factor is the type of energy used in production of the material. Burning fossil fuels adds to emissions. Another factor is whether the amount of CO2 'sequestered' by trees is added to the calculations. The best research information for NZ contains data about the NZ situation (where sustainable pinus radiata logging is occuring).
references:
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AND THE NEW ZEALAND HOUSE - Alcorn (2010)
The Influence of Construction Materials on LifeCycle Energy Use and CO2 Emissions of Medium Size Commercial Buildings - Fernandez (2008)
Embodied Enegy and CO2 Coefficients for NZ Building Materials - Alcorn (2003)
Wood-Based Building Materials and Atmospheric Carbon Emissions - Buchanan & Levine (1999)
negative CO2 emissions
Timber - Your Building Choice
The Benefits of Wood in House Construction
Facts about Wood
Cellphones and Metal Framed Houses
An interesting article about CFLs
Finally, there is some sense on this issue... firstly the National Govt. saw fit to throw out the legislation that would have made incandescent bulbs illegal (thereby forcing everyone to use CFLs). This was all based on PC nonsense, as most of NZs electricity is generated by hydro-electric means, so the reduction of carbon emissions would be diddly-squat. What we need is for the environmental lobbies to loosen up a bit so further hydro-electric power stations can be built. That is the real answer to our winter energy crises.
If you bother reading the above article you'll discover just how inferior CFLs really are. To be built to an acceptable price (eg $3), they are compromised. I have some Philips ones from when they first appeared in the 1980s and they were quite expensive (around $35 - a lot back then). They were really well made, and are still in regular use. Today's consumer ones are made so cheap they are bound to fail long before the expected lifetime. Many run too hot and this dries out components (and if they are put in recessed fittings is a fire hazard). Then there is the problem of mercury. More than just glass to worry about if a CFL gets broken (change if to 'when' if there are teenagers in the house). Furthermore, millions of expired CFLs being dumped gives cause for serious environmental concerns (hey, the very thing the politicians were trying to avoid). Then there is the poor power factor, which means they use more than the stated power. So, not off to a good start, but how does it fair as a lightbulb (apart from the improved efficiency)? Pretty badly, actually - the colour is unnatural, they cannot easily be used with dimmers, and there is a startup phase with reduced light for several minutes. This has serious safety implications in some places. They don't do well in the cold so they're not too good as an outside light. And because we like to switch lights on and off a bit the lifetime is considerably reduced. Many people don't understand the difference in the tubular and spiral types, so that lighting levels are compromised when an incandescent bulb is replaced.
Now (in 2011), there are alternatives. In a new installation (or at least with a new light fitting) halogens can be used. These started as 12v types that require a transformer, and heavier cabling (a 50W bulb will be drawing 4 amps). More recently, affordable 230v types have become available, so they are no more fuss than an incandescent. Now we are seeing halogen bulbs in a B22 fitting (ie the same as a bayonet-fix incandescent), so they can be used as a direct replacement bulb. These guys beat CFLs hands down. There is no electronics involved - it is a 230v halogen lamp inside a standard lightbulb. Mercury content is zero. Power Factor = 1. They go to full brightness in a fraction of a second. The CRI is 100. The number of switch cycles is 8000 (more than double a CFL), and they are dimmable.
Also coming along in leaps and bounds are power LEDs, so it won't be long before we see these as an alternative replacement also (with a greater efficiency than halogens). The future for lightbulb looks bright, and doesn't need CFLs.
phillips_ecoclassic_bulbs.pdf | |
File Size: | 300 kb |
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What do the band Shapeshifter, and an Emu Proteus have in common (no, the answer is not great sounds).
Send all entries to 'Name what's the Same Game', PO Box 1, Tunesville.
Who said this?
"I do believe in 'Work hard, play hard,' but 'Work hard' always comes first".
a) Abraham Lincoln
b) Winston Churchill
c) Drew Barrymore
d) Nelson Mandela
CAI
Here is my critique of some Computer Aided Instruction music software:
cai_music_software.pdf | |
File Size: | 2038 kb |
File Type: |
Multi-choice questions (time allowed 1 hour)
Q1. When a sound 180º out of phase is combined with the same sound 180º in phase the resultant wave will be:
a) A beat frequency
b) 360º
c) 6 dB louder
d) completely cancelled
Q2. To EQ track automation in ProTools:
a) Turn on WRITE
b) Go to system preferences>Automation>EQ
c) Add an EQ plugin to the automation track
d) Select Track Automation from the EQ plugin
a) A beat frequency
b) 360º
c) 6 dB louder
d) completely cancelled
Q2. To EQ track automation in ProTools:
a) Turn on WRITE
b) Go to system preferences>Automation>EQ
c) Add an EQ plugin to the automation track
d) Select Track Automation from the EQ plugin
Physics Exam
The following concerns a question in a physics degree exam at a University:
"Describe how to determine the height of a skyscraper with a barometer."
One student replied:
"You tie a long piece of string to the neck of the barometer, then lower the barometer from the roof of the skyscraper to the ground. The length of the string plus the length of the barometer will equal the height of the building."
This highly original answer so incensed the examiner that the student was failed. The student appealed on the grounds that his answer was indisputably correct, and the university appointed an independent arbiter to decide the case. The arbiter judged that the answer was indeed correct, but did not display any noticeable knowledge of physics. To resolve the problem it was decided to call the student in and allow him six minutes in which to provide a verbal answer that showed at least a minimal familiarity with the basic principles of physics.
For five minutes the student sat in silence, forehead creased in thought. The arbiter reminded him that time was running out, to which the student replied that he had several extremely relevant answers, but couldn't make up his mind which to use.
On being advised to hurry up the student replied as follows:
"Firstly, you could take the barometer up to the roof of the skyscraper, drop it over the edge, and measure the time it takes to reach the ground. The height of the building can then be worked out from the formula H = 0.5g x t squared. But bad luck on the barometer."
"Or if the sun is shining you could measure the height of the barometer, then set it on end and measure the length of its shadow. Then you measure the length of the skyscraper's shadow, and thereafter it is a simple matter of proportional arithmetic to work out the height of the skyscraper."
"But if you wanted to be highly scientific about it, you could tie a short piece of string to the barometer and swing it like a pendulum, first at ground level and then on the roof of the skyscraper. The height is worked out by the difference in the gravitational restoring force T = 2 pi sq root (l / g)."
"Or if the skyscraper has an outside emergency staircase, it would be easier to walk up the staircase and mark off the height of the skyscraper in barometer lengths, then add them up."
"If you merely wanted to be boring and orthodox about it, of course, you could use the barometer to measure the air pressure on the roof of the skyscraper and on the ground, and convert the difference in millibars into feet to give the height of the building."
"But since we are constantly being exhorted to exercise independence of mind, undoubtedly the best way would be to knock on the janitor's door and say to him, 'If you would like a nice new barometer, I will give you this one if you tell me the height of this skyscraper'."
The story that the student was Niels Bohr, who won a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1975, is not true. Still, it is a great tale, with a moral.