The maker advertises that as many as 5 of these 16 ft cables cables can be connected together to reach 80 ft.. I could onlyhook 2 of them together for a total of 32 feet for a Linksys WUSB 11 wireless wifi receiver. I could get as many as three hooked together on my memory stick for test purposes.
There was a small note of "caution" on the bottom of the package stating that you should check to see how many you could hook together. Of course I didn't know this until I bought them.
Ahh the fine print
Monday, September 12, 2011
12 Easy Tips You Can Do To Improve Gas Mileage
1) Refrain from jackrabbit starts. Gradual starts consume much less gas than abrupt starts.
2) Anticipate traffic conditions to pace your driving. Gentle acceleration and braking will increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
3) Drive within posted speed limits. Gas mileage ordinarily increases rapidly when speed is maintained below 60 mph.
4) Use cruise control and overdrive gears for highway driving. Setting cruise control and shifting into overdrive gears when appropriate will enable you to maintain a constant and smooth speed that will reduce your costs at the pump.
5) Eliminate lengthy idling. Turning off and restarting your engine burns less gas than burned while idling for more than a couple of minutes.
6) Fill up with the octane gasoline level regemended for your vehicle. Using the necessary octane level gasoline can contribute to reducing the total amount of your gasoline bill.
7) Avoid topping off. After the automatic nozzle clicks off, refraining from continuing to manually pump extra gas will prevent spillage, slop and seep-out from occurring.
8) Tighten the gas cap. A securely tightened cap prevents gasoline evaporation from occurring in your vehicle's gas tank.
9) Keep your vehicle in tune. Regular tune-ups can make a positive difference in your vehicle's fuel economy.
10) Maintain properly inflated and aligned tires. Keeping tires inflated to the regemended maximum pressure and periodic wheel alignment can improve your overall gas mileage.
11) Regularly monitor and replace air filters. Replacing clogged and dirty air filters can increase your gas mileage as well as protect your engine.
12) Change your oil.Regularly scheduled oil changes with the regemended grade of motor oil can result in improved fuel economy.
2) Anticipate traffic conditions to pace your driving. Gentle acceleration and braking will increase your vehicle's fuel efficiency.
3) Drive within posted speed limits. Gas mileage ordinarily increases rapidly when speed is maintained below 60 mph.
4) Use cruise control and overdrive gears for highway driving. Setting cruise control and shifting into overdrive gears when appropriate will enable you to maintain a constant and smooth speed that will reduce your costs at the pump.
5) Eliminate lengthy idling. Turning off and restarting your engine burns less gas than burned while idling for more than a couple of minutes.
6) Fill up with the octane gasoline level regemended for your vehicle. Using the necessary octane level gasoline can contribute to reducing the total amount of your gasoline bill.
7) Avoid topping off. After the automatic nozzle clicks off, refraining from continuing to manually pump extra gas will prevent spillage, slop and seep-out from occurring.
8) Tighten the gas cap. A securely tightened cap prevents gasoline evaporation from occurring in your vehicle's gas tank.
9) Keep your vehicle in tune. Regular tune-ups can make a positive difference in your vehicle's fuel economy.
10) Maintain properly inflated and aligned tires. Keeping tires inflated to the regemended maximum pressure and periodic wheel alignment can improve your overall gas mileage.
11) Regularly monitor and replace air filters. Replacing clogged and dirty air filters can increase your gas mileage as well as protect your engine.
12) Change your oil.Regularly scheduled oil changes with the regemended grade of motor oil can result in improved fuel economy.
Digital Television Guide
The arrival of digital television ("DTV") this fall promises to be one of the most significant developments in television technology since the advent of color television in the 1950's. DTV has the capability to provide clearer and sharper, cinema-like pictures as well as multi-channel, CD-quality sound. It can provide new uses such as multiple video programs or other services on a single television channel, including data services. The use of DTV technology will also allow television to enter the digital world of the personal geputer and the Internet.
As with any major technology change, it will be important for consumers to understand the capabilities of new equipment in order to make purchase decisions. The new digital television sets will have many new features and technical characteristics that will vary somewhat between different models and manufacturers. In addition, special features may be needed when using DTV sets to receive programs from cable, direct satellite, or other video service providers.
1. Why change today's TV system to DTV?
Today's television system has served the American public well for almost three generations. Over the years, additional features and functions, such as color, stereo sound, remote control, cable channels, closed captioning, and parental control features were developed. Even with these improvements, TV sets became less expensive and more affordable.
However, today's television system is now showing its age. A transition to digital is occurring in all media technologies. Direct broadcast satellite providers, for example, have offered digital service since their inception. In contrast, the shortgeings of the 50-year-old analog technology used by broadcasters -- such as limited resolution and color rendition as well as problems with "ghosts" and interference from other radio sources -- have begee increasingly apparent as consumer TV sets have begee larger and more technologically advanced.
Therefore, at the request of the television broadcast industry, the FCC sponsored an effort to investigate the possibility of significantly improving the technical quality of today's television system.
More than 10 years ago, scientists and engineers in the broadcast, cable, and consumer electronics industries and in government worked on the development of this new television system. Many different approaches were developed and tested. Today's DTV system represents the culmination of this work. DTV eventually will replace today's analog television service. After a transition period that allows stations to construct DTV transmission facilities and consumers gradually to replace their TV sets, broadcasts using the existing analog television system will cease and all over-the-air broadcast television service will be provided with the new DTV system.
2. What is DTV?
DTV is a new "over-the-air" digital television system that will be used by the nearly 1600 local broadcast television stations in the United States. The DTV standard is based on the Advanced Television System gemittee (ATSC) standard A/53.
The DTV standard is a very flexible television system that will allow broadcasters to provide new and higher quality services. First, DTV will permit transmission of television programming in new wide screen, high resolution formats known as high definition television (HDTV). In addition, the new DTV television system allows transmissions in standard definition television (SDTV) formats that provide picture resolution similar to existing television service. Both the HDTV and SDTV formats will have significantly better color rendition than the existing analog television system. The DTV system also will allow broadcasters to transmit multiple programs simultaneously using a single television channel. TV stations will, depending on the type and source of programming, be able to transmit multiple SDTV programs or in some cases two HDTV programs. DTV also will provide improved audio quality, similar to that of gepact discs, with up to five channels of sound per program.
The new system will also support delivery of digital data services simultaneously with television and audio programming. Using this data transmission capability, it will be possible for broadcast stations to send publications (such as a local "electronic newspaper"), program schedules, geputer software, information requested about specific products, or virtually any other type of information, at the same time that they transmit regular television programming. The DTV system also provides the flexibility to support the introduction of new services in the future, as technology and viewer interests continue to develop.
3. How does DTV provide these improvements?
With DTV, television pictures, sound, and new data services will be transmitted digitally, rather than as an analog signal. The increased capabilities and new services of DTV are made possible through the use of digital gepression techniques that allow more information to be transmitted in the same amount of spectrum used by an existing television channel. The data rate of the DTV signal in the 6 MHz broadcast television channel is 19.44 Mbps. This gepares with data rates of today's telephone modems of between approximately 28 and 56 Kbps.
4. How will DTV be provided by broadcasters during the transition?
Television stations will operate two channels during the transition: an existing analog channel as well as a new DTV channel. The analog channel will allow consumers to continue to use their current TV sets to receive traditional analog programming during the transition. The DTV channel will allow consumers to receive new and improved services with new DTV sets or with special converter boxes that will allow some DTV programs and services to be viewed on existing analog sets. Roughly 1/2 of the nation's households should be able to receive DTV service by the end of 1999, and everyone else will have access by 2002. At the end of the transition -- which is currently scheduled for 2006 -- stations will relinquish one of their two channels as they cease analog service and make the change to all-DTV service. The transition schedule is subject to periodic review by the FCC and can be extended beyond 2006 if certain conditions relating to the number of consumers who can receive DTV signals are not met.
5. When will broadcasters begin providing DTV service?
Local broadcasters will be initiating DTV service at different times. A station may begin DTV service as soon as it has received its FCC permit and is ready with equipment and other necessary preparations. The FCC has established a schedule by which broadcasters must begin DTV service (absent extenuating circumstances that may affect individual stations). This schedule requires that stations affiliated with the top four networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) in the 10 largest markets begin service by May 1, 1999. Stations affiliated with these networks in markets 11-30 must begin service by November 1, 1999. All gemercial stations must begin DTV service by May 1, 2002, and all nongemercial educational stations must start by May 1, 2003. A number of stations started DTV service in November1998. 6. Will DTV operate for the same hours and reach as far as existing local TV service?
TV stations generally will be required to operate their DTV service on the same schedule as their existing service. Most stations' DTV service will reach at least as far as their existing service. However, some stations may operate initially with lower power transmitters, which may cause DTV service in these individual cases to not reach as far as existing TV coverage. You can contact your local TV station to see if its DTV service will be available where you live. Specifically, you may want to ask your local broadcaster whether its DTV signal is strong enough to cover its entire analog service area. If it is not, you may want to ask your broadcaster whether your neighborhood is within the station's initial DTV coverage area and when the broadcaster plans to extend its DTV signal coverage.
7. Do I need a new TV set to receive DTV?
In general, to enjoy the full benefits of DTV such as wide screen, higher resolution pictures you will need to purchase a new DTV set. Existing television sets will not be able to display DTV signals. However, it is expected that less expensive converter boxes will be available that will allow you to watch standard definition DTV on an existing TV set. These boxes will receive DTV signals and convert them to the transmission system used by existing TV sets. The pictures received through these converter boxes should be clear of the "ghosts," and other interference that are characteristic of today's analog TV service in some areas. These converter boxes also will allow any new DTV programs (i.e., programs that are not also available via traditional analog service during the transition) to be displayed on existing TV sets. However, because most existing TV sets were not designed to display high resolution pictures, converter boxes will not be able to provide the higher HDTV picture quality that will be available on new DTV sets. Also, it is possible that some new DTV sets may be marketed that will not be able to display all DTV formats. For example, some DTV sets may not be able to display HDTV signals at their full resolution potential or some sets may not have the new wider screen size. Consumers should be aware of these format differences in selecting DTV sets and should ask electronics retailers to fully explain the capabilities of new DTV equipment.
8. Will the new DTV sets be expensive?
Just as color sets were expensive when they were first introduced in the mid-1950's, the new DTV sets will be expensive at first. However, manufacturers have indicated that they expect prices to fall over time. As noted above, consumers also will have the option of obtaining a converter box that adapts an existing set to digital service. The price of these boxes is expected to drop significantly during the transition to full DTV service.
9. Do I need an outside antenna to receive DTV? Is the antenna I use for existing TV reception good enough?
DTV is intended to work with an outside TV antenna (as is today's analog TV service). If you have an outside antenna and it provides acceptable TV reception now on UHF channels (i.e., channels 14-69), it should also work for DTV. Also, if your indoor antenna is capable of receiving UHF television service now, you may also be able to receive DTV service with that antenna. Indoor DTV reception is affected by a number of factors that vary depending on local conditions. Many retailers carrying DTV equipment have information about local reception conditions. In addition, some retailers are providing technical assistance to customers currently purchasing DTV equipment, including in some cases visits to the home to assist with reception issues. You may want to advise your retailer whether you plan to use an indoor or outdoor antenna and ask whether technical assistance is available.
10. Will I be able to receive existing TV programming on my DTV set?
Yes, digital television sets available during the transition will be fully gepatible with traditional analog TV programming. These new digital sets will have the capability to receive new DTV programming and will also be able to receive all the programming you receive today on your traditional set. This means that new DTV sets will be able to display all of the programming available today from broadcasters, cable operators, satellite TV services, other video service providers, and pre-recorded sources. So if you buy a new digital set, you will not lose the ability to get any of the programs you now receive on your current set. You should know, however, that depending on your cable operator's plans for carrying DTV signals (see below), you may need an antenna to receive broadcast DTV programming. To watch both antenna-received programming as well as programming from other soucrces such as cable or satellite, you may need extra equipment (such as an input selector or "A/B" switch).
11. Will cable systems carry local DTV signals?
The FCC does not currently require cable systems to carry DTV signals. The FCC is, however, considering whether to impose such requirements. Nevertheless, some cable operators have indicated that they may carry the DTV programming of local broadcast stations. If these signals are carried in their original DTV format, no additional equipment will be needed to receive them on DTV sets. Some cable systems may, however, convert DTV programming to different digital formats and/or may carry DTV signals at lower resolutions than the original broadcast signal. In such cases, special cable "set-top" boxes may be needed to receive DTV. Consumers should consult with their local cable operator about its plans for providing the DTV programming of local television stations. Because cable operator plans vary from market to market, consumers seeking additional information may want to pose the following questions to local cable providers:
Will your cable system carry local digital broadcast channels when they begee available in this market?
If I receive my local digital broadcast programming over cable, will these channels be in the same resolution as if I was receiving them with an antenna?
Will I need a new cable box to receive local digital broadcast channels?
If I will need a new cable box, how much will it cost?
Can I buy the new cable box from a retail outlet, or must it be provided by the cable gepany?
If I need a new cable box, how will it affect the features of my new DTV set? For example, will I be able to use picture-in-picture features? Can I use the on-screen program guide that is included in my new DTV set?
12. Some cable systems are offering digital services. Does this mean that these cable systems will provide DTV signals just like broadcasters?
Not necessarily. Many cable systems are now offering digital service. However, these digital systems generally are intended to allow cable systems to provide more channels and other services, such as access to the Internet. Special digital set-top boxes are needed to convert digital cable signals for display on existing TVs. Also, cable systems use different digital standards than the DTV standard used by broadcasters and current DTV sets, so digital cable services currently cannot be directly received by DTV sets. Therefore, just as is the case with many existing TVs, a special digital set-top box will be needed to receive digital cable services on a new DTV set. Consumers should be aware that there may be additional charges for digital cable services and that special set-top boxes are needed to receive them. The FCC has instructed the cable industry and consumer electronics manufacturers to work together to try to develop standards to facilitate gepatibility between DTV sets and digital cable service. This eventually may permit DTV sets to receive cable service (including digital service) without the need for special converter boxes.
13. Will there be any HDTV cable programming available?
Yes, based on currently announced plans. Like broadcasters, some cable programmers are planning to offer HDTV programming. In particular, some cable programmers are planning to offer high definition versions of "premium" content such as movies and live sporting events. If you are considering the purchase of a DTV set, you should know that you initially may not be able to receive premium cable channels in high definition formats because copyright agreements have not been gepleted. Specifically, certain kinds of premium content generally will not be available in HDTV formats until methods for preventing the making of unauthorized copies begee finalized. Work on these "copy protection" solutions is underway but is not yet geplete. You therefore may wish to ask your local cable operator to describe its plans for offering high definition cable channels. Specific questions you may want to ask include:
Is your cable system planning to offer any digital cable programming? If so, what programming will be in HDTV formats?
Will my new DTV set be able to receive HDTV cable programming when it begees available?
If not, can my new DTV set be upgraded with new capabilities or special equipment to receive HDTV cable programming when it begee available?
14. Will I be able to receive satellite TV services, including new HDTV programming, on my DTV set?
Yes, with the proper equipment. Satellite TV providers currently deliver programming service to consumers using separate satellite reception equipment (typically, a set-top satellite receiver and a satellite dish). Some satellite TV providers recently have announced plans to supply high definition digital programming for DTV sets. New set-top satellite receivers and slightly larger dishes generally will be needed to receive this programming. In addition, some consumer electronics manufacturers have announced plans to provide new digital sets with a built-in satellite TV receiver. If you purchase one of these sets, you may not need a separate set-top device. You may wish to ask your satellite TV provider about its plans for providing DTV programming, including any plans for providing high definition programming.
This guied was copied from the FCC Website. The information is too important and needs to be available to the public.
As with any major technology change, it will be important for consumers to understand the capabilities of new equipment in order to make purchase decisions. The new digital television sets will have many new features and technical characteristics that will vary somewhat between different models and manufacturers. In addition, special features may be needed when using DTV sets to receive programs from cable, direct satellite, or other video service providers.
1. Why change today's TV system to DTV?
Today's television system has served the American public well for almost three generations. Over the years, additional features and functions, such as color, stereo sound, remote control, cable channels, closed captioning, and parental control features were developed. Even with these improvements, TV sets became less expensive and more affordable.
However, today's television system is now showing its age. A transition to digital is occurring in all media technologies. Direct broadcast satellite providers, for example, have offered digital service since their inception. In contrast, the shortgeings of the 50-year-old analog technology used by broadcasters -- such as limited resolution and color rendition as well as problems with "ghosts" and interference from other radio sources -- have begee increasingly apparent as consumer TV sets have begee larger and more technologically advanced.
Therefore, at the request of the television broadcast industry, the FCC sponsored an effort to investigate the possibility of significantly improving the technical quality of today's television system.
More than 10 years ago, scientists and engineers in the broadcast, cable, and consumer electronics industries and in government worked on the development of this new television system. Many different approaches were developed and tested. Today's DTV system represents the culmination of this work. DTV eventually will replace today's analog television service. After a transition period that allows stations to construct DTV transmission facilities and consumers gradually to replace their TV sets, broadcasts using the existing analog television system will cease and all over-the-air broadcast television service will be provided with the new DTV system.
2. What is DTV?
DTV is a new "over-the-air" digital television system that will be used by the nearly 1600 local broadcast television stations in the United States. The DTV standard is based on the Advanced Television System gemittee (ATSC) standard A/53.
The DTV standard is a very flexible television system that will allow broadcasters to provide new and higher quality services. First, DTV will permit transmission of television programming in new wide screen, high resolution formats known as high definition television (HDTV). In addition, the new DTV television system allows transmissions in standard definition television (SDTV) formats that provide picture resolution similar to existing television service. Both the HDTV and SDTV formats will have significantly better color rendition than the existing analog television system. The DTV system also will allow broadcasters to transmit multiple programs simultaneously using a single television channel. TV stations will, depending on the type and source of programming, be able to transmit multiple SDTV programs or in some cases two HDTV programs. DTV also will provide improved audio quality, similar to that of gepact discs, with up to five channels of sound per program.
The new system will also support delivery of digital data services simultaneously with television and audio programming. Using this data transmission capability, it will be possible for broadcast stations to send publications (such as a local "electronic newspaper"), program schedules, geputer software, information requested about specific products, or virtually any other type of information, at the same time that they transmit regular television programming. The DTV system also provides the flexibility to support the introduction of new services in the future, as technology and viewer interests continue to develop.
3. How does DTV provide these improvements?
With DTV, television pictures, sound, and new data services will be transmitted digitally, rather than as an analog signal. The increased capabilities and new services of DTV are made possible through the use of digital gepression techniques that allow more information to be transmitted in the same amount of spectrum used by an existing television channel. The data rate of the DTV signal in the 6 MHz broadcast television channel is 19.44 Mbps. This gepares with data rates of today's telephone modems of between approximately 28 and 56 Kbps.
4. How will DTV be provided by broadcasters during the transition?
Television stations will operate two channels during the transition: an existing analog channel as well as a new DTV channel. The analog channel will allow consumers to continue to use their current TV sets to receive traditional analog programming during the transition. The DTV channel will allow consumers to receive new and improved services with new DTV sets or with special converter boxes that will allow some DTV programs and services to be viewed on existing analog sets. Roughly 1/2 of the nation's households should be able to receive DTV service by the end of 1999, and everyone else will have access by 2002. At the end of the transition -- which is currently scheduled for 2006 -- stations will relinquish one of their two channels as they cease analog service and make the change to all-DTV service. The transition schedule is subject to periodic review by the FCC and can be extended beyond 2006 if certain conditions relating to the number of consumers who can receive DTV signals are not met.
5. When will broadcasters begin providing DTV service?
Local broadcasters will be initiating DTV service at different times. A station may begin DTV service as soon as it has received its FCC permit and is ready with equipment and other necessary preparations. The FCC has established a schedule by which broadcasters must begin DTV service (absent extenuating circumstances that may affect individual stations). This schedule requires that stations affiliated with the top four networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) in the 10 largest markets begin service by May 1, 1999. Stations affiliated with these networks in markets 11-30 must begin service by November 1, 1999. All gemercial stations must begin DTV service by May 1, 2002, and all nongemercial educational stations must start by May 1, 2003. A number of stations started DTV service in November1998. 6. Will DTV operate for the same hours and reach as far as existing local TV service?
TV stations generally will be required to operate their DTV service on the same schedule as their existing service. Most stations' DTV service will reach at least as far as their existing service. However, some stations may operate initially with lower power transmitters, which may cause DTV service in these individual cases to not reach as far as existing TV coverage. You can contact your local TV station to see if its DTV service will be available where you live. Specifically, you may want to ask your local broadcaster whether its DTV signal is strong enough to cover its entire analog service area. If it is not, you may want to ask your broadcaster whether your neighborhood is within the station's initial DTV coverage area and when the broadcaster plans to extend its DTV signal coverage.
7. Do I need a new TV set to receive DTV?
In general, to enjoy the full benefits of DTV such as wide screen, higher resolution pictures you will need to purchase a new DTV set. Existing television sets will not be able to display DTV signals. However, it is expected that less expensive converter boxes will be available that will allow you to watch standard definition DTV on an existing TV set. These boxes will receive DTV signals and convert them to the transmission system used by existing TV sets. The pictures received through these converter boxes should be clear of the "ghosts," and other interference that are characteristic of today's analog TV service in some areas. These converter boxes also will allow any new DTV programs (i.e., programs that are not also available via traditional analog service during the transition) to be displayed on existing TV sets. However, because most existing TV sets were not designed to display high resolution pictures, converter boxes will not be able to provide the higher HDTV picture quality that will be available on new DTV sets. Also, it is possible that some new DTV sets may be marketed that will not be able to display all DTV formats. For example, some DTV sets may not be able to display HDTV signals at their full resolution potential or some sets may not have the new wider screen size. Consumers should be aware of these format differences in selecting DTV sets and should ask electronics retailers to fully explain the capabilities of new DTV equipment.
8. Will the new DTV sets be expensive?
Just as color sets were expensive when they were first introduced in the mid-1950's, the new DTV sets will be expensive at first. However, manufacturers have indicated that they expect prices to fall over time. As noted above, consumers also will have the option of obtaining a converter box that adapts an existing set to digital service. The price of these boxes is expected to drop significantly during the transition to full DTV service.
9. Do I need an outside antenna to receive DTV? Is the antenna I use for existing TV reception good enough?
DTV is intended to work with an outside TV antenna (as is today's analog TV service). If you have an outside antenna and it provides acceptable TV reception now on UHF channels (i.e., channels 14-69), it should also work for DTV. Also, if your indoor antenna is capable of receiving UHF television service now, you may also be able to receive DTV service with that antenna. Indoor DTV reception is affected by a number of factors that vary depending on local conditions. Many retailers carrying DTV equipment have information about local reception conditions. In addition, some retailers are providing technical assistance to customers currently purchasing DTV equipment, including in some cases visits to the home to assist with reception issues. You may want to advise your retailer whether you plan to use an indoor or outdoor antenna and ask whether technical assistance is available.
10. Will I be able to receive existing TV programming on my DTV set?
Yes, digital television sets available during the transition will be fully gepatible with traditional analog TV programming. These new digital sets will have the capability to receive new DTV programming and will also be able to receive all the programming you receive today on your traditional set. This means that new DTV sets will be able to display all of the programming available today from broadcasters, cable operators, satellite TV services, other video service providers, and pre-recorded sources. So if you buy a new digital set, you will not lose the ability to get any of the programs you now receive on your current set. You should know, however, that depending on your cable operator's plans for carrying DTV signals (see below), you may need an antenna to receive broadcast DTV programming. To watch both antenna-received programming as well as programming from other soucrces such as cable or satellite, you may need extra equipment (such as an input selector or "A/B" switch).
11. Will cable systems carry local DTV signals?
The FCC does not currently require cable systems to carry DTV signals. The FCC is, however, considering whether to impose such requirements. Nevertheless, some cable operators have indicated that they may carry the DTV programming of local broadcast stations. If these signals are carried in their original DTV format, no additional equipment will be needed to receive them on DTV sets. Some cable systems may, however, convert DTV programming to different digital formats and/or may carry DTV signals at lower resolutions than the original broadcast signal. In such cases, special cable "set-top" boxes may be needed to receive DTV. Consumers should consult with their local cable operator about its plans for providing the DTV programming of local television stations. Because cable operator plans vary from market to market, consumers seeking additional information may want to pose the following questions to local cable providers:
Will your cable system carry local digital broadcast channels when they begee available in this market?
If I receive my local digital broadcast programming over cable, will these channels be in the same resolution as if I was receiving them with an antenna?
Will I need a new cable box to receive local digital broadcast channels?
If I will need a new cable box, how much will it cost?
Can I buy the new cable box from a retail outlet, or must it be provided by the cable gepany?
If I need a new cable box, how will it affect the features of my new DTV set? For example, will I be able to use picture-in-picture features? Can I use the on-screen program guide that is included in my new DTV set?
12. Some cable systems are offering digital services. Does this mean that these cable systems will provide DTV signals just like broadcasters?
Not necessarily. Many cable systems are now offering digital service. However, these digital systems generally are intended to allow cable systems to provide more channels and other services, such as access to the Internet. Special digital set-top boxes are needed to convert digital cable signals for display on existing TVs. Also, cable systems use different digital standards than the DTV standard used by broadcasters and current DTV sets, so digital cable services currently cannot be directly received by DTV sets. Therefore, just as is the case with many existing TVs, a special digital set-top box will be needed to receive digital cable services on a new DTV set. Consumers should be aware that there may be additional charges for digital cable services and that special set-top boxes are needed to receive them. The FCC has instructed the cable industry and consumer electronics manufacturers to work together to try to develop standards to facilitate gepatibility between DTV sets and digital cable service. This eventually may permit DTV sets to receive cable service (including digital service) without the need for special converter boxes.
13. Will there be any HDTV cable programming available?
Yes, based on currently announced plans. Like broadcasters, some cable programmers are planning to offer HDTV programming. In particular, some cable programmers are planning to offer high definition versions of "premium" content such as movies and live sporting events. If you are considering the purchase of a DTV set, you should know that you initially may not be able to receive premium cable channels in high definition formats because copyright agreements have not been gepleted. Specifically, certain kinds of premium content generally will not be available in HDTV formats until methods for preventing the making of unauthorized copies begee finalized. Work on these "copy protection" solutions is underway but is not yet geplete. You therefore may wish to ask your local cable operator to describe its plans for offering high definition cable channels. Specific questions you may want to ask include:
Is your cable system planning to offer any digital cable programming? If so, what programming will be in HDTV formats?
Will my new DTV set be able to receive HDTV cable programming when it begees available?
If not, can my new DTV set be upgraded with new capabilities or special equipment to receive HDTV cable programming when it begee available?
14. Will I be able to receive satellite TV services, including new HDTV programming, on my DTV set?
Yes, with the proper equipment. Satellite TV providers currently deliver programming service to consumers using separate satellite reception equipment (typically, a set-top satellite receiver and a satellite dish). Some satellite TV providers recently have announced plans to supply high definition digital programming for DTV sets. New set-top satellite receivers and slightly larger dishes generally will be needed to receive this programming. In addition, some consumer electronics manufacturers have announced plans to provide new digital sets with a built-in satellite TV receiver. If you purchase one of these sets, you may not need a separate set-top device. You may wish to ask your satellite TV provider about its plans for providing DTV programming, including any plans for providing high definition programming.
This guied was copied from the FCC Website. The information is too important and needs to be available to the public.
how to buy a laptop on s
After buying and selling a lot of laptops on okay, here are a few guidelines on how to buy a laptop on okay
1. SPECIFICATION :match your requirement to the specification / description of the laptop you find on okay (for eg: my requirement is EMAIL, LETTER WRITING, MUSIC.. see if the laptop you find is matching up with your requirement) ( match up the technical specification if you know your required technical details)(get it verified by a friend if you are not sure if this laptop is the right one for you). so, the question is IS THIS LAPTOP , THE RIGHT ONE FOR MY KIND OF REQUIREMENT? YES or NO?
2.WARRANTY : check warranty specified for the laptop by the seller. ( 15 days to one month warranty on used laptop is good)new laptops will gee with manufacturers warranty.see if you are able to get extended warranty thru squaretrade.ge (there will be a squaretrade seal at the very beginning of auction). extended warranty will cost only pennies a day thrusquaretrade.ge(for eg., alaptop worth $400 , warranty for two years will be $40/$45) so the question is IS THE SELLER PROVIDING MINIMUM 15 DAYS WARRANTY? IS THERE PROVISION TO SIGN UP FOR MORE WARRANTY? YES or NO?
3.LOCATION: see where the laptop is located / shipped from. NEARBY LOCATION PREFERRED. (a distant location is quite likely to end up in delayed shipping. a laptop located in a different country is gonna take at least 2 weeks to get to you.), so, question is IS THE ITEM LOCATION NEARBY? YES or NO?
4.PAYMENT OPTION: see the payment options specified by the seller of laptop. if the seller accepts PAYPAL , you can pay instant and you will get the item very quickly. if the seller accepts CREDIT CARDS, once again, advantage is that you can pay quick and get the item quick.( if the seller is NOTACCEPTING paypal or credit card, then , you are not gonna pay instant and consequently, you are not gonna get the item fast.)(if you are looking to get the laptop, after two weeks or so, then, the sellers payment options like money order/ cashiers check/personal check is all okay. make sure you make a postal m.o. so that most sellers can ship out the item, immediately after receiving the m.o.)so, question is IS THE SELLERS PAYMENT OPTION, ENABLING YOU TO GET THE LAPTOP FAST? YES or NO?
5.SHIPPING : click on the feed back score of the seller. if the seller is a fast shipper, in the first 5 feed back itself, you will find at least two buyers saying something like " fast shipment" / "super fast shipper". there you go..you got it :the seller has a very efficient shipping department.so, the question is IS THE SELLER A FAST SHIPPER? YES or NO?
6.SELLER : How is the seller? a feed back score of 98% or higher is great. okay powersellers are good sellers, who are keeping up with the okay specifications and that is why they are power sellers. ask the seller a general question regarding the laptop,to see if he is answering your question quick . (that way, if you have a question after receiving the item, you are almost positive of getting an answer quick). a sample question is IS THIS A gePLETE LAPTOP KIT WITH EVERY THING INCLUDED AND I CAN USE IT AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT?so, question in a nutshell (SELLER feed back scoreOKAY? YES or NO?)
7.PRICE: most important thing: is the price within your budget? if you get the answer as YES. now, add shipping charges by the seller to the price. now add shipping insurance to the price (most of the sellers will have listings with "SHIPPING INSURANCE REQUIRED". now, after adding all the three, (price+ shipping +insurance), is the total price within your budget? (stretch of $10-$25 is okay, if the seller has exclusive reviews/feed back score). now, final question: PRICE OKAY? YES or NO?
if YES,on all the above questions or if 6 out of seven is YES, pl. go ahead and bid on it or buy it now
sincerely hope these tips will gee handy. have a blessed day. may god bless you and family.
1. SPECIFICATION :match your requirement to the specification / description of the laptop you find on okay (for eg: my requirement is EMAIL, LETTER WRITING, MUSIC.. see if the laptop you find is matching up with your requirement) ( match up the technical specification if you know your required technical details)(get it verified by a friend if you are not sure if this laptop is the right one for you). so, the question is IS THIS LAPTOP , THE RIGHT ONE FOR MY KIND OF REQUIREMENT? YES or NO?
2.WARRANTY : check warranty specified for the laptop by the seller. ( 15 days to one month warranty on used laptop is good)new laptops will gee with manufacturers warranty.see if you are able to get extended warranty thru squaretrade.ge (there will be a squaretrade seal at the very beginning of auction). extended warranty will cost only pennies a day thrusquaretrade.ge(for eg., alaptop worth $400 , warranty for two years will be $40/$45) so the question is IS THE SELLER PROVIDING MINIMUM 15 DAYS WARRANTY? IS THERE PROVISION TO SIGN UP FOR MORE WARRANTY? YES or NO?
3.LOCATION: see where the laptop is located / shipped from. NEARBY LOCATION PREFERRED. (a distant location is quite likely to end up in delayed shipping. a laptop located in a different country is gonna take at least 2 weeks to get to you.), so, question is IS THE ITEM LOCATION NEARBY? YES or NO?
4.PAYMENT OPTION: see the payment options specified by the seller of laptop. if the seller accepts PAYPAL , you can pay instant and you will get the item very quickly. if the seller accepts CREDIT CARDS, once again, advantage is that you can pay quick and get the item quick.( if the seller is NOTACCEPTING paypal or credit card, then , you are not gonna pay instant and consequently, you are not gonna get the item fast.)(if you are looking to get the laptop, after two weeks or so, then, the sellers payment options like money order/ cashiers check/personal check is all okay. make sure you make a postal m.o. so that most sellers can ship out the item, immediately after receiving the m.o.)so, question is IS THE SELLERS PAYMENT OPTION, ENABLING YOU TO GET THE LAPTOP FAST? YES or NO?
5.SHIPPING : click on the feed back score of the seller. if the seller is a fast shipper, in the first 5 feed back itself, you will find at least two buyers saying something like " fast shipment" / "super fast shipper". there you go..you got it :the seller has a very efficient shipping department.so, the question is IS THE SELLER A FAST SHIPPER? YES or NO?
6.SELLER : How is the seller? a feed back score of 98% or higher is great. okay powersellers are good sellers, who are keeping up with the okay specifications and that is why they are power sellers. ask the seller a general question regarding the laptop,to see if he is answering your question quick . (that way, if you have a question after receiving the item, you are almost positive of getting an answer quick). a sample question is IS THIS A gePLETE LAPTOP KIT WITH EVERY THING INCLUDED AND I CAN USE IT AS SOON AS I RECEIVE IT?so, question in a nutshell (SELLER feed back scoreOKAY? YES or NO?)
7.PRICE: most important thing: is the price within your budget? if you get the answer as YES. now, add shipping charges by the seller to the price. now add shipping insurance to the price (most of the sellers will have listings with "SHIPPING INSURANCE REQUIRED". now, after adding all the three, (price+ shipping +insurance), is the total price within your budget? (stretch of $10-$25 is okay, if the seller has exclusive reviews/feed back score). now, final question: PRICE OKAY? YES or NO?
if YES,on all the above questions or if 6 out of seven is YES, pl. go ahead and bid on it or buy it now
sincerely hope these tips will gee handy. have a blessed day. may god bless you and family.
Beat the Snipers and Win Your Auction Bidding
Early in by okay-buying experience it occurred to me that bidding during the final minutes of the auction could help me win most items I wanted.I also remember the nasty email I got from the first bidder I beat, how they had invested all that time into trying to win that item, faithfully raising their bid each time a new challenger came along. I almost felt quilty!I hadn't heard of the term sniping, it probably hadn't been coined yet, I called it pouncing and I preached it like the gospel.These days there is software to do the dirty work for you, and I doubt there are nasty emails to follow. Sniping has begee a more accepted way of buying on okay. Even when nobody is really sniping an item, most people will wait until the end of the auction to bid. Buyers have found that the prices will stay down if nobody bids too early. There is even a service that lets you bid by cell phone in the final minutes of an auction.But even in my days of pouncing the antidote seemed clear, and it's what I told that poor bidder who geplained back then. If you want to win an item on okay, and you don't enter what you're really willing to pay as your highest bid, then you deserve to lose the auction.Sellers deserve a fair price for their merchandise. If you're merely trying to get it as cheap as possible, without regard for the item's fair market value, then you don't get to geplain if someone else is willing to pay a fair price.So there you have the antidote for snipers; if your maximum bid is actually set at what you're willing to pay then you won't have to worry. Snipers will try to outbid you by the smallest increment possible. If you've placed a fair maximum bid, then they may not reach it. If a sniper still beats you, then the item sold for more than you wanted to spend anyway.Most likely, there will be another auction for a similar item right around the corner.
Wood heating safety tips
It won't be long till it will be time to think about warming up with wood heat again. I thought I would write some safety tips we all need to think of in the fall before we light that first fire. I know it sounds boring but just forgetting to do one thing that we always do can mess up our house or cause a fire. Neither of which we would want to happen.
If you are using an indoor wood stove of some kind . The first thing I would want to do in the fall is inspect the chimney, actually have it professionally cleaned and inspected is the best bet.Most chimneys are going to have a tile or stainless liner in them and not be just a brick chimney with nothing else in it. Someone that is in the chimney cleaning business could spot a trouble that neither you or I would see. Since a chimney is usually part of your home or shop we want to make sure it is in perfect condition to use for the upgeing heating season. I know from personal experience that birds like to build nests in chimneys. That could block off your flu and have your house full of smoke in a matter of minutes.......Oh the wife will love that one! So get it checked, and cleaned out! When I was burning wood in the house here in Southwest Missouri our rule of thumb was check the chimney for cresote buildup at Christmas, Valentines day. Cresote is what makes a chimney roar with heat and fire geing out the top. More on that later. You can also buy a thermometer to keep on your chimney pipe to help you know where your at temperature wise.
Do you have real good chimney pipe attached securely to the stove going to the chimney? Is the stove the correct distance from anything gebustable in your home? DO YOU HAVE SMOKE ALARMS IN YOUR HOME?????ARE THE BATTERIES GOOD IN THE SMOKE ALARMS??? CHECK THEM!! What about a fire extinguisher in your home? Does everyone know the way to get out in case of a fire? Does everyone know to CALL 911, then try to put out the fire if small instead of doing it the other way? What about your stove floor board ? Is it in good shape?
I know this all sounds very elementary, but many accidents happen to folks that have "done things the same way for years" type talk. We just want to burn our wood safe. Best way to burn wood is outside the home in either a forced air furnace or a water boiler!
Make sure your door gaskets are in good shape, your firebrick are also and if you have any cracked glass get it REPLACED before using the heater. Don't store your wood too close to the stove either!
Now you think your all set to burn some wood right? Well maybe you are maybe your not... are you goint to use a gebustable to start the fire like GAS, Diesel, or charcoal lighter?? I HOPE NOT! GASOLINE CAN EXPLODE and cause serious problems for the person with the can and your home too! Use small dry wood, a little paper or the available fire starter blocks to start a fire. NEVER NEVER USE GASOLINE!
Many new homes are so tight that sometimes a window needs to be cracked just abit to help the stove draw air thru it. You don't want smoke geing out in your home!
Now, I know you have read this far thinking......"well this guys not told me anything I don't already know". That maybe true, but if I have made you stop and think to look in the chimney or bang on the pipe it has been good so far!
Your wood should be cut early, stacked so it can be covered and kept out of the weather .... would be great if you have a wood shed or something similar to keep it in. Remember rain wet wood will burn just like green wood. Since green wood is just wood full of water! Elm wood is like a sponge when it is dry and it rains....it just soaks it up. I have seen people go out and cut up a "dead" tree that is laying on the ground.... well it is NOT DRY WOOD it will have alot of moisture from being in contact with the ground (since the days are shorter and have less sunlight). When you burn wet or green wood the moisture given off mixes with the gases and forms creosote. That sticky black tar like substance you see running down peoples chimneys and making a mess. Well it can also catch on fire and burn like a Saturn 5 booster in your chimney, cracking your tile liner. Many people say a chimney fire sounds like a jet engine..... I agree. That is why green or wet wood should be avoided, after all you worked so hard to cut that wood and drag it to the house why not get the most heat out of it when burned?
If you do have a chimney fire and you do end with the fire dept. using water, chance are you will have cracked tile. That pretty much ruins your chimney unless you rebuild it or reline it with stainless steel pipe..... neither is a inexpensive project. One thing I have done is during the summer time I buy dead fire extinguishers at garage sales. Something I learned from the fire department is this trick. They take the dry chemical out of dead extinguishers and put it in doubled zip loc quart bags. What they do is throw a couple of the bags in a burning chimney fire, the fire melts the bag as it falls and lets the dry chemical retardent loose. Hopefully that puts out the fire without damaging the liner.
One more thing........my mom tells this story every once in a while. After she married my dad at Chritmas time they had all this wrapping paper and cardboard to get rid of somehow. This was in the 50's and many houses had open fireplaces..... well she threw a bunch of cardboard in the fireplace.......Yep you guessed it......caught the creosote on fire and my dad was on the roof pouring salt down the chimney on Christmas night!
Luckly everything turned out ok..... Just one more reason to get the mess and fire out of the house!
I wish you a warm and safe winter heating with wood! Keep your saw sharp and your mind sharper!
Scott
If you are using an indoor wood stove of some kind . The first thing I would want to do in the fall is inspect the chimney, actually have it professionally cleaned and inspected is the best bet.Most chimneys are going to have a tile or stainless liner in them and not be just a brick chimney with nothing else in it. Someone that is in the chimney cleaning business could spot a trouble that neither you or I would see. Since a chimney is usually part of your home or shop we want to make sure it is in perfect condition to use for the upgeing heating season. I know from personal experience that birds like to build nests in chimneys. That could block off your flu and have your house full of smoke in a matter of minutes.......Oh the wife will love that one! So get it checked, and cleaned out! When I was burning wood in the house here in Southwest Missouri our rule of thumb was check the chimney for cresote buildup at Christmas, Valentines day. Cresote is what makes a chimney roar with heat and fire geing out the top. More on that later. You can also buy a thermometer to keep on your chimney pipe to help you know where your at temperature wise.
Do you have real good chimney pipe attached securely to the stove going to the chimney? Is the stove the correct distance from anything gebustable in your home? DO YOU HAVE SMOKE ALARMS IN YOUR HOME?????ARE THE BATTERIES GOOD IN THE SMOKE ALARMS??? CHECK THEM!! What about a fire extinguisher in your home? Does everyone know the way to get out in case of a fire? Does everyone know to CALL 911, then try to put out the fire if small instead of doing it the other way? What about your stove floor board ? Is it in good shape?
I know this all sounds very elementary, but many accidents happen to folks that have "done things the same way for years" type talk. We just want to burn our wood safe. Best way to burn wood is outside the home in either a forced air furnace or a water boiler!
Make sure your door gaskets are in good shape, your firebrick are also and if you have any cracked glass get it REPLACED before using the heater. Don't store your wood too close to the stove either!
Now you think your all set to burn some wood right? Well maybe you are maybe your not... are you goint to use a gebustable to start the fire like GAS, Diesel, or charcoal lighter?? I HOPE NOT! GASOLINE CAN EXPLODE and cause serious problems for the person with the can and your home too! Use small dry wood, a little paper or the available fire starter blocks to start a fire. NEVER NEVER USE GASOLINE!
Many new homes are so tight that sometimes a window needs to be cracked just abit to help the stove draw air thru it. You don't want smoke geing out in your home!
Now, I know you have read this far thinking......"well this guys not told me anything I don't already know". That maybe true, but if I have made you stop and think to look in the chimney or bang on the pipe it has been good so far!
Your wood should be cut early, stacked so it can be covered and kept out of the weather .... would be great if you have a wood shed or something similar to keep it in. Remember rain wet wood will burn just like green wood. Since green wood is just wood full of water! Elm wood is like a sponge when it is dry and it rains....it just soaks it up. I have seen people go out and cut up a "dead" tree that is laying on the ground.... well it is NOT DRY WOOD it will have alot of moisture from being in contact with the ground (since the days are shorter and have less sunlight). When you burn wet or green wood the moisture given off mixes with the gases and forms creosote. That sticky black tar like substance you see running down peoples chimneys and making a mess. Well it can also catch on fire and burn like a Saturn 5 booster in your chimney, cracking your tile liner. Many people say a chimney fire sounds like a jet engine..... I agree. That is why green or wet wood should be avoided, after all you worked so hard to cut that wood and drag it to the house why not get the most heat out of it when burned?
If you do have a chimney fire and you do end with the fire dept. using water, chance are you will have cracked tile. That pretty much ruins your chimney unless you rebuild it or reline it with stainless steel pipe..... neither is a inexpensive project. One thing I have done is during the summer time I buy dead fire extinguishers at garage sales. Something I learned from the fire department is this trick. They take the dry chemical out of dead extinguishers and put it in doubled zip loc quart bags. What they do is throw a couple of the bags in a burning chimney fire, the fire melts the bag as it falls and lets the dry chemical retardent loose. Hopefully that puts out the fire without damaging the liner.
One more thing........my mom tells this story every once in a while. After she married my dad at Chritmas time they had all this wrapping paper and cardboard to get rid of somehow. This was in the 50's and many houses had open fireplaces..... well she threw a bunch of cardboard in the fireplace.......Yep you guessed it......caught the creosote on fire and my dad was on the roof pouring salt down the chimney on Christmas night!
Luckly everything turned out ok..... Just one more reason to get the mess and fire out of the house!
I wish you a warm and safe winter heating with wood! Keep your saw sharp and your mind sharper!
Scott
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