About 7 years ago I bought an Aiptek pocket digital combination camcorder and still camera and the 60 bucks I spent on it proved to be money well spent.

This tiny unit didn't produce the greatest video in the world, and the still camera was quite limited, but my wife and I had a ball, for several years with that little "toy."

That gadget weighed nothing, used 2AA batteries and Compact Flash cards, and allowed me to grab some impromptu video and unexpected still images that ended up being priceless, at least as far as the laugh factor.

I upgraded earlier this year to a Sanyo Xacti and I still love having such a versatile gadget tucked away in a pocket for those times when you never thought you'd need a camera or camcorder.

Here's the lowdown on the newest of these compact digital camcorder - cameras..

Take a camera with you whenever possible, and look around, you'll find a picture somewhere.

Photo Source:www.besportier.com

By:  jim                        Source

Tsutaya, a japanease company has done some pretty amazing negociating with the film studios; as they have granted them licence to let HD copies of their films be downloaded, and then burnt to Blu Ray.

This is pretty amazing considering downloading films legally has barely taken off, with NetFlix being the only major streaming service, and it's only occasionally HD.

The fact that this service will allow you to download and burn to a blu-ray for you to keep perminantly is just brilliant; it's like buying a physical copy online, but without the delivery or the like. However, it does come at a price, a $40, about the same, if not a bit more than a retail copy of the film….worth it? Perhaps oneday….

Keep an eye on this.

By:  Jordan Grodecki                        Source

DataViz is an Independent Software Vendor, which develops mobile applications for a number of platforms including Palm OS, Symbian OS, BlackBerry, Java, Linux and Windows Mobile. It has released a number of useful enterprise-grade applications such as the popular mobile Office suite known as ''Documents To Go'' and wireless Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync client known as "RoadSync".

Now DataViz is working on the mobile version of MS Office suite and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync client for the Android OS. So if you are desperate about having the MS office suite or the Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync client on your Android Smartphone, then visit this link and Sign up for updates regarding the release of the above mentioned apps.

By:  Umair Khalid                        Source

JR Raphael over at The Inquisitr has a piece online today about a half billion dollar Facebook-Twitter deal that evidently fell through because the people at Twitter think they'd be better off if they just figured out how to make money on their own….

Twitter is going to make someone a lot of money one day - just as soon as they figure out how to monetize it. But as JR points out, right now it comes with some pretty hefty built-in bills and no clear revenue stream. It so many people like it, it must be worth a lot. Right?

By:  Greg Cruey                        Source

Collectors will pay huge premiums for cars once owned by celebrities. Rather amusing when you think about it! Imagine, for example, if there were two identical 1970 Hemi 'Cuda hardtops up for auction by Russo and Steele at their January Scottsdale sale. Both are matching numbers, both are similarly equipped with original 426 Hemi engine, 4-speed transmission (restored and dyno-tested), Argent shaker, black velvet paint, black vinyl interior and roof covering, rallye instrument cluster and rallye wheels. The only difference is that one was owned by Academy Award winner Nicholas Cage. And that's the very car to be auctioned by Russo and Steele in January. So how much more would you pay for a car that the actor sat in? I'm guessing that his name and fame will increase the price by at least 25%. Although I admire Cage's acting I wouldn't add an extra penny to my bid. On the other hand if Twiggy had set her petite bottom into that seat in 1970, I might be persuaded to part with a few extra bucks just to recall an era when mini-skirts beat maxi-power.

By:  Philip Powell                        Source

And yet another thank you to Jackie for contributions of both a photograph and write-up….

There are over one hundred species of Erythrina, and members of this genus can be found in Asia, Africa and the Americas. This particular species, Erythrina lysistemon, is native to southern Africa, where it can be found growing in various habitats: from dry woodlands and coastal bush to savannahs and sand dunes. A small tree, Erythrina lysistemon can range in height from 3-12m tall, depending on environmental conditions.

This particular specimen was blooming at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden, located just outside of Johannesburg, in the Gauteng Province of South Africa.

The genus name Erythrina is derived from the Greek erythros meaning “red”, while the species name lysistemon means “with loose stamen or stamens”. Stamens are the pollen producing organs of the flower, and in this species, one stamen is free while the other stamens are fused together to form a sheath.

The pale grey bark, scattered with hooked thorns prickles (see below re: comments — and thank you!), is dramatic on its own, but becomes vividly highlighted by the striking red flowers. Erythrina lysistemon, or coral tree, flowers in late winter to early spring (August to September in the southern hemisphere). The bright red flowers are held in a narrow inflorescence about 10cm long. Seeds are contained in thin black pods that can reach 15cm long. The pods remain on the tree and eventually split open, revealing bright red seeds. This small botanical drawing clearly illustrates the seedpod structure, as well as leaf and flower shape.

Leaves are produced at the end of the flowering period and are composed of three large leaflets. Each leaflet can reach up to 15cm across. The leaflets are also equipped with hooks. Aluka has a more detailed plant description of Erythrina lysistemon.

Despite the vicious appearance of this plant, it is extremely generous to its community. It provides food and shelter for a variety of animals and insects — game, such as black rhinos and elephants, eat the leaves and bark. The flowers produce a large amount of nectar which attracts insects, birds, and monkeys. Erythrina lysistemon also plays an important role in human lives; local people value this plant for both its magical and medicinal properties. Plantzafrica details more on the importance of Erythrina lysistemon.

By:  Daniel Mosquin                        Source