RV Security

Many people don't realize how important it is to install security devices on their RV or motor home. Think about it just for a second- which makes a better target for thieves, an older-model car, or an expensive-looking motor home stocked with electronics, jewelry, and other high-value possessions? For a criminal, the choice is easy. How can you protect your RV from the range of security threats that may befall it?

First, install door and window alarms on all access points to the RV. These alarms will let off a loud beep when they are opened without first disarming them. This will quickly alert you to anyone trying to break in.

Although many people keep their RV near their home, others opt to keep it in a storage facility when not in use. Always investigate the security offered by the facility. Are identities checked before people are allowed to enter the storage area? Are there security officers who routinely patrol the RV storage area? For the best security, look for secure storage surrounded by high fences and protected with security cameras, bright security lights, and a gate that is passcode-protected.

RV security doesn't stop when you leave home. While traveling in your RV, there are additional security precautions to consider. Be very cautious where you choose to park your RV. Avoid staying overnight at rest stops, which tend to be deserted, making them an attractive place for criminals. If you stop at a rest stop, make it a short break during daylight hours. Lock the RV, even though you aren't going very far from it, and always leave someone in or close to the RV. Don't open the RV door for everyone, even if they are wearing an official-looking uniform.

Many RV travelers make the mistake of leaving their RV unlocked, and even the keys in the ignition and their wallet in the center console, when they get out at a gas station or rest stop. Remember, an RV is even less secure than your regular car because it is so attractive to thieves. Get in the habit of locking the door anytime you leave the RV.

This same principle applies to the RV when you have reached your destination. Whether you're in a deserted campground or a large RV park, everyone is a stranger. Your neighbors won't look twice at a stranger entering your RV, because they have no idea who belongs there and who doesn't. Whenever possible, travel in groups so that you'll have more people around to keep an eye on your RV and your belongings.

Even if your RV doors are locked and you don't see anyone suspicious around, keep the curtains or blinds closed, and all valuables out of sight. When you're camping, it's all too easy to leave your jewelry sitting on a counter in the RV, the door unlocked, and the window wide open. As much as we like to believe that campgrounds are 100% safe and secure, this is not a good idea. The same goes for any camping equipment that people often leave lying around outside their RV. These should all be kept inside the RV, with all doors to storage locked and alarmed.

Although RVs are statistically safer than a house or apartment, this doesn't mean that they are immune from the threat of break-ins. An RV typically has no security devices installed except for the lock on the door, which is all too often left unlocked. Consider these safety precautions whether traveling in your RV or storing it over the winter months.

The History of 3D Technology

3D technology can be traced all the way back to the beginning of photography. In 1844 David Brewster invented the Stereoscope. It was a new invention that could take photographic images in 3D. Later, Louis Jules Duboscq took that invention and improved on it. Louis took a picture of Queen Victoria using the improved technology and displayed it at the Great Exhibition in 1851. This picture became very well known throughout the world. Steroscopic cameras started to catch on and became fairly common for personal use by World War II.

In 1855 the Kinematascope, a stereo animation camera, was invented. It was able to create 3d motion pictures. In 1915 the first anaglyph movie was produced. Anaglyph technology used 3d glasses with 2 different color lenses that would direct an image to each eye. In 1890 William Friese-Greene, a British film pioneer, filed a patent for the 3D movie process. In 1922 the first public 3D movie, "The Power of Love", was displayed. In 1935 the first 3D Color movie was produced. The use of the technology would remain dormant for over a decade.

In the 1950s, 3D technology made a come back. During this era, TVs had become extremely popular and had started appearing in many households. In the 50s a number of 3D movies were being produced. In 1952 "Bwana Devil" by United Artists was shown across the United States. This was the first 3D movie of the 50s. The film was shot using a process called Natural Vision. This process was pitched to Hollywood studios but they all passed. A year later, in 1953, "House of Wax" was released in 3D. "Dial M for Murder" was originally planned to be released in 3D, but Alfred Hitchcock decided to release the movie in 2D to maximize profits. Not all movie theaters were equipped with the 3D technology. 3D films were also being developed outside of the United States. In 1947 The Soviet Union released their first full length 3D movie, "Robinson Crusoe".

In the 1960s a new technology called Space-Vision 3D was released. This technology took two images and printed them over each other on a single strip. Unlike previous 3D technologies, it required a single projector with a special lens. This new technology removed the need to use two cameras to display 3D movies. Two camera systems were difficult to use, because it required that the two cameras were perfectly synced. The first movie to use this technology was "The Bubble". The movie was panned by critics, but the 3D experience still brought huge audiences. It became a profitable movie, making the new technology ready for promotion to other studios.

In 1970, Allan Silliphant and Chris Condon developed Stereovision. This was a new 3D technology that put two images squeezed together side by side on a single strip of 35 mm film. This technology used a special anamorphic lens that would widen the picture using a series of polaroid filters. The first movie to be released in Stereovision was a softcore sex comedy called "The Stewardesses". The movie cost only $100,000 USD to make and it earned an amazing $27 million in North America.

In the early 1980s many movies were released in 3D using the same process as Space Vision. Some of the movies that were released were Amityville 3-D, Friday the 13th Part III, and Jaws 3-D. In the mid 1980s, IMAX began producing documentary films in 3D. IMAx's 3D technology emphasized mathmatical correctness and this eliminated the eye fatigue that was seen in previous 3D technologies. In 1986, Canada had developed the first 3D movie that used polarized glasses. It was called "Echos of the Sun" and was created for Expo 86.

During the 1990s, many films were released in IMAX 3D. The most succesful IMAX 3D film released during this time was "Into the Deep". The first IMAX 3D fiction film, "Wings of Courage" was released in 1996.

During the 2000s, many big studio movies were released in 3D. In 2003, James Cameron released Ghosts of the Abyss. This was the first full length 3D IMAX feature film. This movie used the latest IMAX 3D technology called Reality Camera System. The technology used the latest HD video cameras and was developed by Vince Pace. This same technology was used in "Spy Kids 3D: Game over", "Aliens of the Deep", and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D". In 2004 the first full length animated 3D movie was released. It was called "The Polar Express". This movie was so succesful in 3D that it prompted a great interest in 3D animated films. The 3D version of the film earned 14x as much per screen as the 2D version. In 2005, The Mann's Chinese 6 theater in Hollywood became the first commercial movie theater to have the Digital 3D technology. In 2007 Scar 3D was released internationally and it was the first film to be filmed using a completely digital workflow.

In 2010 Sky UK made a big push towards 3D television. On January 1st, the first 3D channel began broadcasting in South Korea. The channel displays educational shows, animated shows, sporting events, documentaries and musical performances all in 3D, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We should expect that the use of 3D technology will continue and expand in to the normal household. Most major electronics manufacturers are planning the release of their 3D television lines. As the technology ages, expect prices to go lower and lower, and as they prices drop, more and more people will purchase 3D television sets.

Why Is Body By Vi Better Than Other Diets?

For those of you who have been looking to lose weight fast, you have probably tried every weight loss plan out there. There are many out there and while there are some that allow you to lose weight, there are some that are just a scam. From pills to cookies, you have tied them all and have failed or have not gotten the results you wanted. The newest weight loss trend to hit the market is called the Body By Vi 90 day challenge. This diet plan is a great new way to lose weight.

There are many of you who are wondering what makes the Body By Vi weight loss plan different that all the other plans out there that promise you will lose weight? There are a few things that make this diet plan different from the rest.

This weight loss plan was designed to help you achieve results rather quickly. This is why most people on this plan remain motivated. You lose weight both safely and steadily each and every week. The main component to this diet is the Vi Shape Shake along with the other products found with this diet plan. The ingredients that are found in the shake are very hard to get in plain foods. If you compared all the nutrients found in these shakes it would equal to well over $100 worth of groceries.

Another thing these shakes contain are nutrients to help with other health benefits. Heart health is promoted as well as joint health, digestive health, energy is increased, and your appetite is curbed as well as nutrient absorption. There are many more things these Body By Vi shakes can do for your body. This makes it different from other dietary plans. Not all dietary plans can do all of this. Moist of them leave you tired and feeling hungry in a short period of time of eating.

How to Download Games To PSP

So you just got your new PSP and you want to download games but you're not sure what to do or where to go? Well this article will show you how download games to your PSP.

First you will need:

Sony PSP with firmware 1.0 or 1.5
PSP Memory Stick Pro Duo

1. Go to the website and pick the game that you want to download.

2. Download the game to your computer making sure that it will work with the version of firmware that is on your PSP player. Make sure the file ends with PSP

3. Insert the memory Stick into your PSP player

4. Connect the PSP player to your computer via the USB cable

5. Copy the game onto your PSP player making sure to place them under the "PSP", "GAMES" folders on your memory stick. If these folders don't exist on your memory stick you will need to create them.

That's it now you are ready start playing your games.

The best way to get a lot of games but for the least amount of money is to purchase a membership to a website. Purchasing a membership will allow to get unlimited access to all the latest games, movies, music, videos and more for your PSP player. You only pay a one time fee and you get unlimited access for life.

Downloading games to you PSP is as simple as inserting your PSP and clicking a few buttons. For more information on how to download games to your PSP visit [http://www.shons-psp-review.com]

Losing Your Virginity - A Girl's Guide To The First Time

If you are reading this, and fit the situation, then the subject is already a consideration on your mind.

You may have read something on the subject, spoken to a girlfriend who has passed through the experience recently, and heard about it in school. We hope to help you here, with a short guide. It is for you.

First of all, you must feel it is the correct thing to do. You must NOT be pressured into it, or the experience will fail to bring you the pleasure and good memories you expect and deserve. You are in charge of your life and body. You must really feel ready for it.

If you have been masturbating, you probably had clitoral orgasm, so you know what is possible in terms of feelings. You must also, know your own anatomy.

You know you have some outer lips that cover the vulva, and some inner lips which are very flexible. If your hymen is intact, you are also going to tear that, with the accompanying sensations and bleeding. Find out.

In the second consideration, do not have sex if you have over-drunk alcohol. You can become drunk and lose a great deal of your judgment after even one drink.

The third consideration is INSISTING on the use of a condom with your partner. The reasons for this are well known, and certainly there is no excuse for not using it. You must be protected. This is a health concern, a very good way to prevent conception, and generally a good idea as it will help to slow down your partner by desensitizing him a bit.

So to begin.

You cannot have too much foreplay. This should take the form of mutual kissing, erotic massaging, exploring each other's bodies, seeing where each of you are sensitive and have erogenous spots. Don't rush. It will be over soon enough as it is.

All the while as you have foreplay, your womb will be producing the all important moisture that is required. Believe us, the wetter the better. You cannot be too wet for the first time. If you are a bit adventurous, ask you partner to give you cunnilingus, and if you can, give to your partner some fellatio. These are wonderful signs of showing affection.

Getting into it.

Make sure after your foreplay (and perhaps fellatio) put on the condom if you haven't already. The partner may make the first move to go directly into the standard missionary position. Bad idea. It is the worst position to lose your virginity. You are not in control, and it will be more painful and you cannot do anything but lay there and take it.
Instead, try the girl on top position. Here you are in control. Your vagina has never had anything in it before (like a penis) and it must accommodate it slowly...and it will.

If you are losing you hymen, you are the one determining the speed and pressure with which it occurs. You will not suffer, and if you are still not wet enough, you can apply some water-based vaginal lubricant (such as K-Y). The deed is soon done, and you can get down to thrusting.

At first, have your partner move without thrusting, just applying pressure while fully inserted in your vagina. As it begins to feel natural, you can your self start thrusting.

At this point you can change positions (assuming your partner has lasted) and go onto your back. However, do not settle for the simple missionary position, but tilt your pelvis slightly up, and ask your partner to suspend himself on his arms and not lay on you...this when thrusting will stimulate both your clitoris and G-spot.

There are a lot of variables here, but lose you virginity as we suggest, and you will have in your mind pleasant memories instead of feeling unfilled, or used.

Greek Mythology Hercules - The Mortal Who Became a God

When Hercules was born to Alcmene, she named him Herakles. But in Roman, Herakles is pronounced Hercules, which is the name we use for Hercules to this day. Hercules in Greek mythology is a great figure of valor and muscle strength. Hercules bravery earned him a place among the gods. After he left the mortal world, he found a position on Mount Olympus, the gods' dwelling place.

Zeus, the King of the gods was an unfaithful husband. He had a weakness for worldly pleasures. He fell in love with Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon. In a short time, Alcmene conceived Hercules. This angered Hera and she tried to kill Hercules. Hercules survived his first fatal assault with a miracle.

When Hercules reached adulthood he became a famous warrior. He also fell in love with a beautiful woman called Megara. Megara became the mother of Hercules' children and together they made a happy family. However, things were to be different. Hera took a vow to irritate Hercules during his lifetime. She tricked Hercules into a wild rage. In his rage, the mortal god Hercules killed his family. This was exactly what Hera wanted!

When Hercules returned to his normal state of mind, he saw things were beyond remedy. He prayed to Apollo to get rid of his crime. Apollo was the sun god who could read into the future. We find in Greek Mythology that Hercules requested his advice. Apollo assigned him ten important tasks (later it was turned to twelve) as the way of purifying his soul.

The Delphic oracle sent him to Tiryns where the king Eurystheus ruled. Hercules was expected to serve him as laborer for twelve years of his life. However, the difficult service was not fruitless. Apollo promised him immortality. He was to become a god. However, the great Hercules of greek mythology had one problem, Hera. She actually kept her promise to make Hercules' life as wretched as she could. Nevertheless, with the assistance of Hermes and Athena, Hercules pulled off his term of twelve years with excellence. In addition, he became the greatest mortal on the earth to become a god.

Hercules In Greek Mythology - What Made Him So Special?

The honorable penance of Hercules and his eventual success is what makes him so special. His success brought him immortality, which would have been unthinkable for ordinary mortals. Hercules' first task was to peel off the skin of the horrifying Nemean Lion after capturing one. His next task was to kill The Lernean Hydra. The Lernean Hydra was a serpent with nine heads, which never gave peace to the lives of those around it. The third task for him was to bring a Hind (a sacred red deer) from Ceryneia to the king. The deer was the pet of Diana, the Moon goddess.

The fourth task for Hercules was to bring a live Erymanthian Boar. It was very dangerous to men and animals living around the mountain Erymanthus. Then Hercules was asked to clean up King Augeas' stables in one day. Are you thinking what is so great about it? King Augeas had an awesome amount of cattle of cows, bulls, goats, sheep and horses. Hercules proposed to King Augeas that he would clean the stable only if he rewarded Hercules with a tenth of his cattle.

After this success, Eurystheus was planning to make something tougher for Hercules. He commanded Hercules to force out an enormous flock of birds, which assembled at a lake near the town of Stymphalos. Goddess Athena helped him with a pair of bronze krotala, an item similiar to castanets. The Cretan Bull was an easy task for Hercules. Hercules wrestled the bull, and then delivered it back to King Eurystheus.

The eighth task was to bring the Man-Eating Horses of Diomedes. It was followed by the battle against the Amazonian female army to get the belt of Hippolyte, the queen. The tenth labor was an awesome one. Hercules had to go around the world, to bring the cattle of the Monster Geryon. It had three heads and three sets of legs all attached at the waist.

The tricky assignment was the eleventh one. Eurystheus asked Hercules to get the Apples of the Hesperides. These were the golden apples gifted by Hera to Zeus. These apples were strictly guarded by a hundred-headed dragon, named Ladon, and also by Hesperides, daughters of Atlas. The other obstacle was that Hercules had no idea where these apples of Hesperides were located. Eventually, Hercules found the location from Nereus whom he seized until Nereus gave him the location of the apples of Hesperides.

Then Hercules found out through Prometheus, whom Hercules had helped, that he would have to have Atlas retrieve the apples. Hercules agreed to hold the sky and the earth while Atlas retrieved the apples. When Atlas returned with the apples, he told Hercules that if he would hold the sky and earth for the rest of time, that he would take them to Eurystheus himself. But Hercules fooled Atlas by asking him to hold the earth until he padded his shoulders. Atlas took Hercules place holding the earth, and Hercules picked up the apples and ran.

After making the great Hercules do all sorts of unbelievable errands, Eurystheus made sure that he did not succeed the last time. So, he ordered Hercules to abduct Cerberus, the underworld beast. Did you ever hear a living man visiting the Hades? However, Greek mythology tells us Hercules was no ordinary man. He was a hero.

He eventually did complete all the tasks, purified his soul and rescued the princess of Troy from a ravenous sea-monster. He also facilitated Zeus to beat the Giants in a great battle for the control of Olympus. He married again, to the charming Deianira. She presented him a cloak, which was coated with what she mistakenly thought to be a magic love potion. She was told that the balm would make the person love her forever.

Ironically, it was poison, which burned Hercules skin. Hercules, not being able to endure the pain asked his friends to kindle a fire. Then Hercules placed himself on the fire to be burned up alive. But the gods looked down, and Zeus thought that Hercules had suffered enough. So he asked Hera to end her anger toward Hercules, which she did. Then Hercules was brought to Olympus in Athena's chariot by Zeus' request.

This Greek mortal Hercules is undoubtedly the greatest hero of Greek Mythology. Hercules is still considered to be the perfect mythical character.

A Review Of The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

Looking for a great, high megapixel camera that will meet practically all of your everyday photography needs? Well, look no further than the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. This camera looks great and you could mistake it for a D-SLR camera. What's really incredible about the SX40 HS is its long 35x zoom range, coupled with that 12-megapixel camera resolution. Yes, you read that right - a 35x zoom range - which translates to a very powerful camera with telephoto reach. Read on and find out more about it.

1. Design and Construction
What does the SX40 HS look like? Well, as you can see from the picture, the unit itself is neither compact nor light. Its dimensions are 3.6 by 4.8 by 4.2 inches (HWD) and it weighs in at 1.3 pounds. It's competitor, the Nikon Coolpix P500 is slimmer and lighter by comparison.

The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS comes with a metal body with a few plastic elements. I like the fact that there's a very deep handgrip which lets you hold the camera firmly. Throw in the SX40's optical stabilization system and it means you can get a sharp photo at the extreme end of its zoom range. I tried zooming almost 35x on the SX40 HS, without a tripod or monopod, and my pictures still came out pretty good and sharp.

2. Optics and Resolution
When it comes to long range zoom, very few non-digital SLR type cameras can match the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS. The 35x zoom range is better than many digital SLRs equipped with telephoto lenses and is certainly one of the selling points of the camera.

With its 12 megapixel resolution, you'd expect that photos taken with the SX40 HS to be exceptionally sharp. Incidentally, I got to know about the Imatest software suite - which can be used to measure cameras' performance in terms of image sharpness and noise. So here's what I did - to evaluate sharpness, I shot several photos of a test chart and analyzed them using a center-weighted algorithm. The SX40 HS averaged 1,836 lines per picture height, which surpasses the 1,800-line benchmark that qualifies an image as being acceptably sharp.

I've tried many cameras in the past, including the Kodak EasyShare Max Z990 which packs a 30x zoom lens, records a slightly higher 1,946 lines. So in terms of image sharpness, the SX40 HS is not the best - but I think its other features more than make up for that.

3. User Controls
Many cameras have very obscure or weird control placements. The Canon PowerShot SX40 HS doesn't have this problem. There are ample control buttons on the SX40's body - a top-mounted dial lets you change between shooting modes, and there's a neat rear four-way jog wheel to scroll through menus, adjust ISO, set exposure compensation, activate the self-timer, and so forth.

The Canon designers obviously got the design of the menu system correct. In fact, the Canon SX40 HS menu system is one of the best I've seen around - comparable even to the top end DSLR cameras. You can quickly access most of the common controls you'd encounter in a digital camera, without having to click all around menu after menu. I also like the fact that the SX40's pop-up flash is manually operated. All I need to do is flip it up when you'd like to use it. Enthusiasts who want a better flash can fit in units like the Canon Speedlite flash, using the dedicated hot shoe.

4. Battery Life
The Canon PowerShot SX40 boasts a very good and long lasting battery life. I could be outdoors shooting photos like no one's business and the battery would still be OK. This contrasts strongly to some of the older Canon cameras I have, where the battery just dies on you when you're lining up for a very important shot.

5. Storage and Transfer
OK, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS supports all manner of media cards - Secure Digital, Secure Digital High Capacity and Secure Digital Extended Capacity. The camera records 1080p24 QuickTime video - which in my opinion, looks quite good. To copy photos and video into your PC, you can plug the camera into your computer via mini USB to copy the files. Alternatively, you can connect the camera to an HDTV via mini HDMI. My family loves to do that - plug a digital camera to a huge TV and enjoy the photos and video.

6. Shortcomings
I feel that the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a great camera - but it falls short in a few areas. For one thing, the camera isn't cheap! And although it has a powerful 35x zoom lenses, I could tell that it's performance in low light is not so good - especially compared to its competitors like the Nikon Coolpix P500, which captures clean images in as little as one quarter the light as the SX40.

Conclusion
All in all, the Canon PowerShot SX40 HS is a great camera with a powerful 35x zoom range. It has a host of innovative features which allow you to take picture after picture with ease. The quality of the photo shots are way above average and is certainly one of the better digital cameras in its class. Do check it out!

Motorcycle Intercoms - How to Choose the Best Motorcycle Intercom For You

Without a motorcycle intercom, motorcycle riding is a solitary experience. When you're riding alone it's a good way to clear your head or get your thoughts together. But if you've got a passenger, or you're riding with another biker, inevitably you'll want to talk to them. Motorcycle intercom systems that mount in your helmet let you do that.

The problem is that there are so many to choose from in such a wide price range. It's hard to decide which one to choose. And given that motorcycle intercoms have to work in an extremely difficult environment, choosing the right one can make the difference between enjoying your new purchase or hating it. This motorcycle intercom review will hopefully make your decision easier.

Let's start with a broad overview of the types of motorcycle intercoms available.

Acoustic Motorcycle Intercom

The most basic form of motorcycle intercom is the acoustic intercom. By acoustic I mean that it doesn't use electronics at all. It just uses hollow tubes that your voice travels through. They're like the old ships where the captain yells down a tube to the engine room to tell them to "give it more steam."

These systems have rubber-tipped tubes that insert in your ear the same way an earplug would. There is also a mouthpiece tube for you to talk into and all the tubes connect into a junction box.

One of the positives is that there are no batteries or electronics to mess with. That makes them very dependable. However, there is no amplification which means there is no way to adjust the volume or filter out wind noise. So at higher speeds, it will be more difficult to hear. Another problem is that some people find the "earplugs" uncomfortable in their ears for long periods.

Obviously these acoustic intercoms only work for rider-to-passenger and not bike-to-bike.

Wired Motorcycle Intercom

The next step up is wired intercoms. These systems have wires that run from the rider and passenger into a central control box that houses the electronics and battery.

Just like the acoustic intercom, with a wired system you don't have to worry about any external interference like you do with wireless technologies, unless you add a radio handheld communicator for bike-to-bike talking to your system. Some wired units let you plug in an FRS/GMRS radio, which is described in the wireless technology section below. The radio requires voice activation for it to work.

One of the issues some people have is that the wiring can be a little bit of a pain. Every time you and a passenger get on and off the bike you have to remember to unplug the units. Depending on how you have it set up, this could be two or three plugs.

Wireless Intercom Technology

There are four types of radio technologies used in the U.S. for motorcycle intercoms. They are GMRS, FRS, FM, and Bluetooth. There are also wired intercoms that enable you to plug into a handheld Citizens Band (CB) radio that has voice activation.

Frequency Modulation (FM) radio is similar to the FM radio you listen to, but for motorcycle intercoms a narrower frequency is used. Like FM radio, these systems can produce clear sound, as long as the distance between them isn't too great. FM radio works best when there are no obstructions such as hills between the transmitter and receiver. If long range is the most important feature, then GMRS intercoms will provide better performance.

The Family Radio Service (FRS) and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) are the modern equivalents to the old walkie talkies you may have had when you were a kid. FRS radios typically have a maximum range of two miles with few obstructions in between, while GRMS radios communicate up to several miles. Like FM, these are public frequencies so other people can hear your conversations and vice versa. In some heavily populated areas these FRS/GRMS radios are heavily used, while out on the open road you should have fairly private conversations.

One nice thing with the FRS and GMRS radios is that you can go to your local discount store and purchase a cheap handheld radio that will communicate with these units. If someone were following you in a car, or they had a wired motorcycle intercom system that lets them plug in an FRS/GMRS handheld radio, they can communicate with you. The downside of this was just mentioned in that there are millions of these radios out there so in heavily populated areas you'll pick up lots of other transmissions. Also GMRS radios require an FCC license for legal use.

Bluetooth is the latest technology to hit motorcycle intercoms. Not only can these systems communicate totally wirelessly from rider to passenger, they can be used to communicate from bike to bike. Although with these systems the range is not in miles, it is in hundreds of feet. Since you are likely riding close to your buddies, this is not usually a problem. Although, range can be as much as 800 to 1600 feet.

The Bluetooth range limitation actually works as an advantage since it limits the amount of outside interference you'll get. Also, since you must program two units to work together, you won't pick up conversations from other people with Bluetooth devices...and they won't be able to hear you. You won't have to worry about your conversations listened to by anyone else.

If you want Bluetooth wireless communication there is one thing to watch for. Some units that say they are Bluetooth use FRS or GMRS to communicate bike-to-bike and the Bluetooth is just used to communicate with a Bluetooth enabled cell phone or other device.

Bluetooth intercoms also usually have some other features you won't find on other types of intercoms such as:

Integrate with Bluetooth enabled cell phones and automatically answer calls totally hands free.
Enjoy your favorite stereo music from your A2DP enabled cell phone or MP3 player
Listen to the audio navigation message from your Bluetooth enabled GPS.

Some Bluetooth intercoms only have one ear speaker while others have two.

Motorcycle Helmet Intercom Features

Here are features to look for as you are shopping for an intercom to use with your motorcycle helmet:

If you may be riding in the rain, get a system that says it's waterproof and not just water resistant. Some riders will put a water resistant system in a plastic baggie and that works for them.
You can get systems that have a headset speaker for one ear or both ears. Installation and moving the intercom to another helmet is easier for systems with only one ear, but some people want to hear sound in both ears.
Most systems have voice activation of some kind to keep the headset quiet when no talking is occurring. This voice activation often has the ability to be disabled and a push-to-talk switch used instead.
Many intercoms have noise reduction capabilities with digital signal processing to help reduce the noise they pick up from the microphone. The faster you drive, or the windier it is, the more important this feature is.
If you want music, look for a system that has a built-in FM stereo radio tuner or an auxiliary stereo input for a Walkman, MP3, iPod, or satellite radio unit. You can also use this input to receive driving directions from a voice prompted GPS unit.
Some systems mount on your helmet, while others have capability to mount on your belt clip or bike. If the system is big and bulky, you may want the ability to mount it on your bike.
You can integrate some intercoms with cell phones so you can talk while you ride. They require special cables or you can get motorcycle intercoms that have Bluetooth capability so they connect to your Bluetooth-enabled phone wirelessly.

Once you find the right motorcycle intercom for you, it will really make your ride with other people much more enjoyable. You'll wonder how you got along without it. You typically get what you pay for when you buy motorcycle intercoms, but even a bad motorcycle intercom is better than none at all.

Remote View Your Home Security Cameras While Away From Home

So you have installed a home security camera system at your home, or are planning to install one. That is great news, because you can start using your camera system to prevent problems as well as provide evidence if vandalism or theft occurs. But if you are currently in the market for a home security camera system, then you might want to consider some of the added features that are available. Many home security camera systems can provide you the ability to view your cameras while you are away from home over the internet. But it is important to look for certain things when you are considering a remotely viewable home security camera system.

The most important thing to consider when you are selecting a remote-viewable security camera system is the security of your system on the network. It is important to ensure that the system you have selected has the ability to set up a password protected user account, so that you can ensure that you will be the only one that has access to your system. After all, you don't want someone else being able to watch you on your cameras.

Next, you should consider your internet connection...do you have a static IP address or dynamic IP address internet connection? If you do not know the answer to that question, then it is very likely that you have a dynamic IP address, because static IP addresses cost more on a monthly basis from your internet service provider. It is important to know this when selecting a home security camera system, because if you can avoid having to pay an extra $10-30 per month for a static IP address, then you can save a great deal of money in the long-run. So when you are selecting a remote viewable home security camera system or DVR, be sure to ask if it will work with a dynamic IP address. Most of the systems on the market will not work with a dynamic IP address, which is why our Alnet Systems PC-Based DVR Cards have become very popular for home security camera installations. This system has built-in support for the dynamic IP addresses, so that you can view your cameras remotely, without having to pay an extra monthly fee to your internet service provider.

Finally, look at the remote viewing options that the home security camera system or DVR offers you. The remote viewing ability of standalone and PC-based DVRs vary widely from basic Internet Explorer-ONLY remote viewing through a web browser, to more advanced PC-Client remote viewing that offer full-resolution access to your cameras, and even Windows Mobile PDA phone and Windows Mobile Smartphone remote viewing, like with our Alnet Systems PC-Based home security camera systems. With the PDA phone and Smartphone remote viewing, you are even able to connect in to view your live and pre-recorded video right from your cell phone, so that next time you are on the train and stressing out about whether or not you shut the garage door, you can know for sure in seconds.

The decision to install home security cameras is becoming an easy one in today's society...but ensure when you do, that you select a system that can work for your needs. Consider the costs and remote viewing capabilities at the same time, because a cheaper DVR can sometimes cost you more in internet connection costs over the long run, while providing lower-quality recording at the same time. Let the remote access allow you to have better peace of mind, and stay more connected with your largest investment, your home.

Kindle Fire and iPad Comparison

If you are considering spending your hard-earned money on an iPad to improve your productivity you may be interested in knowing that there is yet another option now available. The Kindle Fire has many of the same features as an iPad but at only a fraction of the cost.

Some things to consider:
Do you really need the larger size of the iPad, or will a smaller more portable device meet your needs? The Fire is 7.5" x 4.7" vs. the larger iPad at 9.5" x 7.31". The Kindle is about the same size as a paperback novel (only half the thickness) while the iPad is closer to the size of a piece of notebook paper. A Kindle will fit much better into a purse or an inside jacket pocket and it will be much more comfortable since it weighs 31% less than the iPad.

As with most things electronic, as you lower the size or the price you can gain portability but you will inevitably sacrifice capabilities. The Kindle Fire is first and foremost an e-reader. Granted, it is an e-reader on steroids as it can play movies, music, games and run apps in Amazon's customized Android OS. The Fire has access to nearly 17,000 apps through Amazon including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and ESPN ScoreCenter. You can enjoy games, including Words with Friends, Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies and more. All apps are Amazon-tested on Kindle Fire for the best experience possible.

The iPad has access to over 140,000 apps so there is sure to be an app to fill your needs. There are apps for Business, education, entertainment, games, lifestyle, news, social networking, travel, and on and on and on. The iPad is very versatile. It will solve a myriad number of productivity goals.

As an e-reader, the Fire has access to over one million titles. The Kindle Store contains the largest selection of the ebooks people want to read including New York Times® Best Sellers. Most new releases are priced at $9.99. With Amazon's Prime membership, Kindle owners can choose from thousands of books to borrow for free - including over 100 New York Times Bestsellers - as frequently as a book a month, with no due dates.

Wow! That is a lot of available reading. Here's the catch. Remember, I mentioned that the smaller price of the Kindle sacrifices some capabilities. Amazon had to work hard to keep the price of a Kindle as low as possible and means some features had to be left out. One of those is 3G access. The Kindle is only available with Wi-fi. And it has only 8GB of internal memory (approximately 6GB available for user content). That's enough for 80 apps, plus 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books. In addition to the on board memory you will have access to the Amazon Cloud. You get 5GB of free online storage to store anything you want, and you can access it from anywhere. Just remember that you have to have your media on board before you leave your wireless hot spot.

There are over 100,000 movies and TV shows, available to stream or download, all just one tap away. Amazon Prime members enjoy unlimited, commercial-free streaming of over 10,000 popular movies and TV shows. However, there is an additional charge for Amazon Prime of $79 per year; the first month is free when you purchase a Kindle.

With the iPad you will have 16GB of storage with the options of 32GB and 64GB. The iPad is a computer vs. an e-reader. You also have the option of adding 3G connection capability. This will push your cost for an iPad from $499 for the 16GB/Wi-fi model to $829 for the 64GB/Wi-fi/3G model. With the additional cost of an iPad vs. a Kindle you do get many more features: a 9.7" (diagonal) touch screen, cameras (front and back), longer battery life, built-in speaker, and a microphone. If you are tech savvy and comfortable with the additional features this is definitely a plus.

For those who may want a simpler interface the Kindle Fire is intuitive and even first time users will quickly find the music or books they may be after. When reading, the Fire will be easier on your wrist and hand with its lower weight but when it comes to video the iPad has the advantage of a larger screen.

When comparing price, size, portability, ease of use, weight, and visual experience, hands down the Kindle Fire is the winner here, and will probably cut into Apple's iPad2 sales. With such great quality, access to nearly unlimited content, and reduced cost compared to the iPad, the Kindle Fire is THE hottest hybrid e-Reader/tablet available today.