The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The GPS uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, that enable GPS receivers to determine their location, speed, direction, and time. GPS was developed by the United States Department of Defense. Its official name is NAVSTAR-GPS. Although NAVSTAR-GPS is not an acronym^[1], a few backronyms have been created for it^[2]. The GPS satellite constellation is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing.

Similar satellite navigation systems include the Russian GLONASS (incomplete as of 2008), the upcoming European Galileo positioning system, the proposed COMPASS navigation system of China, and IRNSS of India.

Following the shooting down of Korean Air Lines Flight 007 in 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued a directive making the system available free for civilian use as a common good.^[3] Since then, GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, and hobbies such as geocaching. GPS also provides a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks.

The GPS satellite system

The 24 satellites that make up the GPS space segment are orbiting the earth about 12,000 miles above us. They are constantly moving, making two complete orbits in less than 24 hours. These satellites are travelling at speeds of roughly 7,000 miles an hour.

GPS satellites are powered by solar energy. They have backup batteries onboard to keep them running in the event of a solar eclipse, when there’s no solar power. Small rocket boosters on each satellite keep them flying in the correct path.

Here are some other interesting facts about the GPS satellites (also called NAVSTAR, the official U.S. Department of Defense name for GPS):

• The first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
• A full constellation of 24 satellites was achieved in 1994.
• Each satellite is built to last about 10 years. Replacements are constantly being built and launched into orbit.
• A GPS satellite weighs approximately 2,000 pounds and is about 17 feet across with the solar panels extended.
• Transmitter power is only 50 watts or less.

source:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS
http://www8.garmin.com/aboutGPS/

Samsung LN-T2332H LCD Television Review

Model: Samsung LN-T2332H LCD TV
Description: 23 Inch LCD TV High Definition
Resolution: 1360 X 768
Dimensions with Stand: 26.5”W X 18.3”H X 8.9”D
Dimensions without Stand: 26.5”W X 16.1” H 3.1”D
Includes: Non Detachable Speakers, table top stand, 2 HDMI Inputs, Computer 15 Pin VGA Input
Color: Black lacquer finish surrounds most of the unit and the stand. Matt black speakers and bottom.
Power Consumption: 100 watts

VALUE RATING: 87

Price Considerations: At $549.00 the Samsung LN-T2332H is a fair deal in the LCD televisions marketplace. There are not many choices from top tier manufacturers in this small size LCD range. Of course, the 720p resolution LCD panel contains more than enough capacity for an LCD TV of this size.

Quality Comparison: Overall quality is solid at this price point. The picture is not stunning but its weaknesses are non-offensive for the most part and more commonly related to LCD TV issues in general

Google and Microsoft want to do the same thing for personal health that software such as Quicken has already done for people’s personal finances.

Google Health, which was released in May, and Microsoft HealthVault, which launched last October, allow consumers to store and manage their personal medical data online.

Google Health puts you in charge of your health information. It’s safe, secure, and free.

• Organize your health information all in one place
• Gather your medical records from doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies
• Keep your doctors up-to-date about your health
• Be more informed about important health issues
• Google stores your information securely and privately. We will never sell your data. You are in control. You choose what you want to share and what you want to keep private

You can try this here

Microsoft will also offer links to third-party services like medication reminders and programs that track users’ blood-­pressure and glucose readings over time. Microsoft® HealthVault™ is designed to put you in control of your health information. A free HealthVault account helps you collect, store and share information with family members and gives you a choice of applications and devices to help manage your fitness, diet and health. Here’s how it works.

See how hospitals will be able to connect with HealthVault in the future.

Our Health Privacy Commitment

• The Microsoft HealthVault record you create is controlled by you.
• You decide what goes into your HealthVault record.
• You decide who can see and use your information on a case-by-case basis.
• We do not use your health information for commercial purposes unless we ask and you clearly tell us we may.

Users will be able to gather information from doctors, hospitals, and testing laboratories and share it with new medical providers, making it easier to coördinate care for complicated conditions and spot potential drug interactions or other problems.

What Google and Microsoft promise to do with electronic records is also a radical departure, both conceptually and in practice. Those patients who do currently have electronic access generally use portals maintained by doctors or health-care systems. Typically, patients can view information such as prescriptions, lab results, and diagnoses; sometimes they can e-mail doctors or make appointments online. In most cases, though, patients do not control their own data, so they cannot transfer it electronically to a different health-care provider or plug it in to third-party applications.

With HealthVault and Google Health, however, consumers will have fundamental ownership of their medical data, much as they do with financial records.

USB Super 16 ports Hub allows you to connect 16 USB devices quickly and easily. You can enjoy high speed access to your USB devices such as USB thumb drives, USB lights, fans, and other USB accessories. USB hub can be connected to two computers, so that you can switch the USB devices between the two. In addition, it builds in 22.5W power supply unit, no need to worry about the power issues

price : $139

Features:

• USB 2.0
• 16-Port hub: Up to 16 hubs are provided for USB connection like printer, digital camera, card reader, MP3 player…etc
• Up to 2 PCs can be connected to the hub and share the sources. PC can be selected easily with a simple switch (Two PCs cannot be used at the same time)
• The power supply (22.5W) is built in so an extra AC adapter is not necessary
• Voltage: 100V-240V
• Dimension: 116 x 67 x 63mm (approx.)
• Weight: 373g

Package Contents:

• USB Super 16-Port Hub
• USB Cable
• Power Cord

This Product can be bought here

As expected, Garmin has gone official with their new Oregon 200, 300, and 400 nav units. To make things extra confusing, the Oregon 400 includes the 400c, 400t, and 400i. The outdoor-friendly PNDs are waterproof, feature high-sensitivity receivers, and sport 3-inch touchscreens. As for the various 400-series units, it’s all about your outdoor poison. The 400c is for sea anglers with chart coverage for the coastal US and Bahamas, the 400i is for fresh-water fishers with depth contours and boat ramps for U.S. inland lakes and rivers, and the 400t if for you land-lubbers with preloaded US topographic maps in 3D. Meanwhile, the 300 features a worldwide basemap with shaded relief and the 200 provides just your basic basemap. The units weigh in at just 6.8 ounces, run on AA batteries, and support microSD cards. Pricing is set at $479.99 for the 200, $533.32 for the 300, and $639.99 for the 400.