Info-Leeches and other E-Invertebrates

In 2005 The Presidential Initiative to establish a Lunar Colony in stages and to use that as a launching platform to Mars was announced. A new appointment to become the head of NASA was made and the transformation of our Space Shuttle program efforts to a greater cause beyond the International Space Station was established. Mankind will return to the moon, mine materials on the moon for a self-sustaining energy system, production of gases for life support and propulsion as well as gathering metals, moon dust and elements to make spacecraft parts, concrete material and the colony its self. Currently the vision is clear, the Lunar Colony will be come a jumping off point for mankind to boldly go where no man has gone before. It will be a platform void of the gravitational effects holding us down in our efforts to seek the forward progression of the species and go to the next step.

In 2006 we will continue to see a push from the bottom up with our next generation thru education and contests in schools and colleges to produce future engineers, mathematicians and scientists to see this mission thru. In 2006 we will see more NASA education systems and public relations from both the government and the emerging privatization of space commercial sector. We will see additional investment and venture capital flows into BioTech, NanoTech, Material Sciences, Robotics, Aerospace and other industries which push the Space Agenda forward in hopes of collecting some of the money flows from research grants and eventually the bigger prize of Space Tourism, Mining and Exploration. All of this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

In observing Killer Bee Swarms it appears that the Bees produce a buzzing sound and during this sound they confuse their targets and then quickly move to overwhelm them. What is fascinating about this is that the buzzing for the most part comes from the wings when bees swarm, other species may make a sound another way. But in all of this noise there maybe more method to the madness than once thought.

At least that is what one online think tank member believes and suspects, as Warren Powers states; “There are at least two components of sound energy as it may possibly relate to 1. bee wing geometry, 2. the bee swarm signal.”

Could be more. For instance there could be sound coming from the body of the bee itself. And other swarming critters might do it differently. And we discussed the flapping speeds for resonance. That could change when in a big group? Also it is not just the shape of the wing but the way in which the wing is used we discussed that too. Also we discussed the pushing of air, thickening and possible bubble affect. All this affects the sound energy and therefore it is not just about wing geometry it is about angle of incidence, angle of attack and all the movements in-between during flapping. Shape of the wing is only one component, besides it bends, flexes and morphs during movement. It is not a simple shape, which stays as it is like a helicopter blade or current fixed wing airfoil. But sure we can talk about your two-factors if you wish; the Bee Wing Geometry and the Swarm Signal Affects.

Disruption of either changes the dynamics of the swarm whether or not much sound is being used to propel flight, although that too seems to be a factor. Are the bees using sound waves to aid in flight? Consider all this next time you hear a bee buzzing around? What do you think it is all about?

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

The chaos and order debate came up again recently in an online think tank and this time is was nothing like the regular debates, no, this time it was with regards to locust plagues and the question was is the locust swarm a chaotic mess or is their a method to this highly evolved creatures madness? One researcher who is an expert in Locust Swarms; Mr Warren Powers thinks that there is a remote possibility that in the locust swarm there might actually be more going on than we assume and so he asks the question;

“The other idea is that the whole of the swarm is in synchronicity, meaning that all the wings are moving down at exactly the same instant, up at the same instant. This is such a startling idea that surely it would have become obvious to the first slow motion study of the wing motion of a swarm, this would have already been common knowledge.”

It could be possible actually and remember that if the swarm is 5 miles wide every 900 feet or so that the locusts would be on a different stroke, due to the speed of sound even if they were in unison. Like a column of marching soldiers; but sense the swarm could be miles across and miles wide, where does it start? And does it go outwards in all directions or are there swarms and groups within the overall swarm flapping in cadence with their local sub-swarm? Net-centric like; A swarm of swarms? And before I get too Sci Fi like here let me tell you why I say that.

Because if the swarm were to have cadence and it started from the front of the pack it would travel around the edges and sides and thru the middle and outward. Then when it reached the back there would be a conflict with cadence, due to the distance from the front to back and the difference around the sides. So then if they are all in unison then it would make sense that the heart or most center mass of the swarm was the original cadence moving out in all directions.

And unless you were inside the swarm as a participant; I am thinking micro-Mav robotics solution is needed to observe this; then you could not know the answer to the origin of the cadence command and control if there was one? From a far away observer you would not notice any of this, it would look chaotic, when it very well could be very uniform. Just a thought.

So if this were the case then the swarm shape looks like an ocean wave on a cad cam, so does the wave curl onto itself as it moves like an ocean wave and what determines the motion of the ocean within the swarm for the individual participant. Remember 400 million years of evolution behind the locust would seem that there is more to this than some chaotic mess that we assume we observe?

Thinking out loud, because I do not know the answer to any of these questions. But for the future of swarming systems from a micro-MEMS standpoint, I would like to know as mimicking nature is often the fastest way to success until you find an advantage for your mission that evolution had not consider due to a different mission which it fulfilled in its niche. If that makes sense? So perhaps some more thought is needed on the chaos or order issue with Locust Swarms. Indeed consider all this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

How to Convert YouTube videos to iPod-compatible MP4 format.

Use Need4 YouTube Converter to download YouTube videos to iPod-compatible MP4 format.

Convert and save any YouTube video stored on your computer to iPod fast and easy.

Step 1. Launch

To begin with you will need a You Tube converter program, such as the Need4 YouTube Converter?

Step 2. Add Link to YouTube Video To Convert

• Copy a URL of the YouTube video you want to convert to Clipboard.
• To add the URL to Need4YouTube Converter,
• click the URL button.
• The copied URL will be automatically added to the Add URL field.
• Hit Add to add the URL to the List of opened files below.

Step 3. Select Output Format

• In the Profile field, select MPEG4 (iPod, MP4) .
• From the Presets drop-down menu, choose iPod (320240) or iPod 5G (640480).
• The presets will provide the best setting to convert YouTube video for your model of iPod.

Step 4. Specify Folder to Save Video

• In the Output Directory field, specify the folder where to store converted videos “
• click the folder button to browse a necessary directory for the output video folder.

Step 5. Hit Convert to Save Your Video to iPod MP4

• Make sure the added YouTube video is checked in the list of opened files and hit Convert to convert it to MP4 for iPod.

Step 6. Transfer Converted Movies to iPod

• After conversion is successfully completed, open iTunes.
• Drag-and-drop converted videos from your Output folder to iTunes Video folder.
• Attach your iPod to the computer and synch it with iTunes.
• To play the movie on your iPod, select Videos then Movies from the iPod Main Menu.
• You will see an alphabetical list of the available movies. Click on the desired movie to play it.

In 2005 we witnessed the Mars Rover just keep on trucking like the Energizer Bunny, putting even the famous “takes licking and keeps on ticking” Timex Watch commercials to shame. Robotics have certainly made incredible strides here on Earth with robotic surveillance aircraft, autonomous cars cruising driverless through the harsh desert, vacuuming your home and even in factories building the next generation of hybrid automobiles.

But Robotics have also made their mark on Martian Soil, on the Surface of Mars with tiny tracks from six mechanical wheels moving over hills and dales and rough terrain. 2005 was a year when our robotic scientists proved to this world and the next that there is nothing that humans cannot do, once they put their innovative minds to it and use their human intent to press on. Truly 2005 was an amazing year for robotic researchers to strut their stuff.

In 2006 we will see new designs in robotic exploration robots, once which will be spherical and use haptics methods for propulsion moving the inside center of gravity to move along. We will also see protruding spiked wheels to power up steeper terrain and systems, which can lift the rovers over rocks and steep embankments. We will also see self-assembly techniques for moving over rock formations, crossing gullies and assisting in Lunar Colony, mining manufacturing plant and life support construction for later human arrivals. We will see these concepts put forth in realistic terms. So, think on this in 2006

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

If a space colony fails, that is to say it is leaking air, has a material breach or has a major systems failure and the inhabitants will soon perish they will need a fully enclosed escape capsule to leave with. It must be completely fueled in advance to get to the next nearest orbiting craft, colony, safe Planet or back to Earth.

However this may not always be possible thus, the true space pioneers will be heroes just for going and should be respected for doing so. Although this will be a risk, it is one we must take and not shy away from. All too often the political correctness of safety beyond all else is killing our space program and in the end we do not seem to be saving any more people, as our loss ratios are still noticeable.

Sure they are better than before but it was in the 70’s that we sent men to the moon and it is 2006 now and whereas we have a lot to show for our progress, indeed we have really lost the main thrust of our Space Momentum. Can we get it back? Well apparently we are working on just that, as we prepare to put a colony or base camp on the Moon and eventually a Martian Colony you see? Nevertheless we should attempt to build cheap inexpensive space capsule escape pods perhaps based on the Russian Souz design only big enough for more human inhabitants?

The question will be if we cannot build an escape pod do we still have astronauts with the Right Stuff? Well sure we do, but do we have a public which can accept such a risk if things get tough and the tough cannot get going with no where to go and no way to get there? Consider this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

In the time before Internet and broadband services, when you wanted to rent video games, you would need to go to the mall, dig through shelf after shelf of titles to see the one you actually wanted, and then race it back the following day in order to avoid incurring overdue charges. With the new availability of web computer game rentals, this is finally relegated to the past. This new variety of service permits you a greater freedom to have fun playing your favorites choices repeatedly without these restrictions and irritations. To take full advantage of the range of your subscription, find following a number of useful suggestions When you start to rent video games on the internet, you’ll be asked to determine the type of subscription you’ll need. You don’t want to select too small an option and run out of gaming time prior to the conclusion of that rental period, however you should positively avoid laying out more than you want to, as well. First off decide on the amount of games and the average volume of playing time desired every week.

Next, choose the added benefits of each package. In many cases you can obtain an unrestricted package or select the option to retain the titles for as long as possible. This will make the excess money you spend on a subscription each month well worth it.

Make A List Of Your Favorite Net Game Rentals When renting video games on the net, the service functions around your personal circumstances instead of pushing you to conform to the provider’s schedule. It is very uncomplicated and cheap to use, and employing these easy to follow suggestions you’ll be able to get the very best value out of your net video game rental service.

For those who have sat and watched in horror as a Locust Plague came over head in a dark cloud of solid insects thundering across the landscape; they know the devastation that takes place as an entire seasons crop can be gone in a matter of minutes. As temperature increases so to will the balance between insects and their food chain, meaning more locust plagues and other insect swarming events.

What can mankind do to stop these locust plagues? Well I propose we use a hanging zap net or bug zapper from a C-130 Cargo Aircraft. If we take five C-130 aircraft and fly them in a “V” pattern with giant nets with holes in them about 4 inches wide full electrified from portable generators in the back. We can zap the locusts in the swarm as the nets pass by them. We know locust usually fly under 180 feet above the ground, so if we fly at 220 feet above the ground and lower a net 200 feet out the back then it will zap them all.

The net strands will be shaped like airfoils so the net actually flies and aligns its self at about an 80-degree angle. Surely not all bugs will get zapped but most will and thus we can reduce the swarm by 75-90% and eliminate some of the devastation. A few passes and we could perhaps shave off another 5% to 10% of the total and call it a successful mission. Think on this in 2006.

“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/

High definition DVD players give the customers home entertainment system a high quality picture and sound. High definition DVD players work better with high definition DVDs that store up to two hours of 720p or 1080i. High definition DVD players can play discs that are both MP3 and JPEG format. The output can be in two different formats, like Dolby digital and DTS digital. New high definition DVD players are designed to play almost all kinds of discs.

The increased room of high definition discs will soon bring an end to single movie multi disc sets. It may be possible to fit an entire season of a television show onto one single disc.

The normal input source of a DVD is 480i.480p. The output remains the same when played on a standard DVD player. When played on a High Definition player, output is scaled up to 1080i/720p, giving you a crystal clear picture and perfect sound.

High definition DVD players provide playbacks of CDs and MP3s, and are WMA compatible. Sound quality in the high definition DVDs are excellent. Naturally high definition DVD players offer crystal-clear Dolby Digital sound. All other features like parental controls, various on-screen menu functions, digital photo viewer, progressive scan, replay and skip are also in this player.

When buying a high definition DVD player, make sure that it has all accessories like digital virtual interface jacks attached to them. HD DVD come in three different formats, HD DVD-ROM for read-only, HD DVD-R for write-once discs and HD DVD-R.

If you know a student who utterly lacks motivation
and interest for school, keep reading. Taken from our
Quickest Kid Fixer-Uppers Books, here are
novel, unexpected ways to turnaround apathetic, bored,
unmotivated, disinterested, at risk, negative students.
Once you’ve used these methods, you may find that
you are finally working with motivated, hopeful,
interested students who recognize the incredible

value of school.

*** If Life Were This Easy: Use this intervention with
students who think your services are a waste of time.
To use this intervention, read or show one sentence
of the following text, one sentence at a time. Allow students to laugh and snicker at each sentence before revealing the next phrase. This intervention
works really well, and is fun. Enjoy!

Here’s your new, high-paying job– and you can never
be fired from it!

Here’s your new, beautiful spouse, who is always
cheerful, never sick, and has tons of money!

Hope you like your new home. It’s your dream house
and it’s paid for, and will never need repairs!

Here’s all the possessions you’ve ever wanted, and,
of course, they are already paid for!

If life were this easy, you wouldn’t need us!

*** Sign This: Use this intervention with
students who think your services are useless. This
device is especially designed for older, harder-
edged kids, and is not appropriate for younger
kids and other youth. Please be thoughtful about
using it as it is very surprising and unusual– but
powerful and effective. Be sure this device is
appropriate to your site and community.

The next time you are having students signing forms,
and completing paperwork tasks, simply include the
text from the document below in the stack of papers,
then put that paper away until another time. The
next time a student tells you for the “hundredth”
time that your school or agency is a waste, have
the child review the following contract they signed.

This rather wordy document essentially says: “I
don’t want to be allowed to do anything I like,”
(or use other similarly surprising content.) When
the child says that they wouldn’t have signed
the document if they’d understood it, you can
respond: “Then maybe we still have something
to offer you here.”

The undersigned agrees to never attempt any
participation, commitment or interest in any
event, sport, past time, etc. that is a favorite
or preferred selection. The undersigned wishes
to never perform any favored activities including
but not limited to use of electronics, telephony,
etc. for the next millennium or longer.

Get much more information on this topic at
http://www.youthchg.com. Author Ruth
Herman Wells MS is the director of Youth Change,
(http://www.youthchg.com). Sign up for her free
Problem-Kid Problem-Solver magazine at the site and
see hundreds more of her innovative methods. Ruth
is the author of dozens of books and provides workshops and training.
For re-print permission for this article, contact the author by

email (dwells@youthchg.com.)