Monday, January 27, 2014

Monty Python Will Reunite For One Night Only

…And now for something completely different.


Members of the British comedy group ‘Monty Python’ will reunite for a one-off live show next July. According to a press conference given by the comedy legends, the group wants to see if they are “still funny”.


Original members Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones will perform together for the first time in over 30 years.


According to the group, the show’s content will include “some of Monty Python’s greatest hits, with modern, topical, Pythonesque twists”. However, John Cleese has promised that there will also be some new material.


‘Monty Python’s Flying Circus’, a surreal, DaDa inspired comedy sketch show, first hit British screens in 1969 and remained extremely popular with audiences until it ended in 1974. The show acted as the voice of a new generation, with a fresh approach to comedy and an irreverent, sometimes controversial, edge. Many of the group’s most famous sketches have become treasured parts of British popular culture.


The group released their first feature film ‘And Now For Something Completely Different’ in 1971, but it wasn’t until 1974’s ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’ that they filmed an entire movie of new material. The film is an enduring comedy classic, as is its sequel, the controversial ‘Monty Python’s Life of Brian’ (1979). The group’s third feature film ‘Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life’ (1983) was a jet black comedy that was closer in style to the sketch show format of the series, but did not fare as well critically or commercially, despite garnering strong fan support.


In 1989, founding member Graham Chapman sadly passed away from cancer, which put any future reunions in jeopardy.


Following Chapman’s untimely passing, Eric Idle famously stated, “We would only do a reunion if Chapman came back from the dead. So we’re negotiating with his agent.”


Since then, the Pythons have occasionally reformed, with the shows usually featuring an urn containing the ‘ashes’ of Chapman (in reality, his ashes were scattered on Mount Snowdon, Wales by his partner David Sherlock). The urn was, in one instance ‘accidentally’ knocked over on stage before being vacuumed up with a Dust Buster. 


The new show is going to feature classic sketches that have never been performed live. Idle, who is also the show’s director, has said that it is going to resemble “a huge musical” in style, whilst John Cleese warned, “The main danger we have is that the audience know the scripts better than we do.”


During the aforementioned press conference, Michael Palin stated that the group “still enjoy getting together to be very silly”.


“After you turn 70, you can be absolutely shameless,” joked Terry Gilliam.


Prior to this news, the troupe’s most recent live performance took place at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in September 1980, but it has been 40 years since the Pythons last performed on stage in the UK.


 The most expensive tickets have been announced at £95, but the cheapest seats will costs just £26.50, with Idle quipping that it was “only £300 cheaper than The Stones”


“I hope to be able to pay off my mortgage!” said Terry Jones.


The show will also be made available on DVD & Blu Ray later in the year.


SOURCES


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25031520



Monty Python Will Reunite For One Night Only

Google are starting the robots race

Google has officially announced that it has acquired seven robotics companies in the last six months, with the ultimate aim of creating a Google robot.


As far-fetched as it might sound, the firm’s takeover of companies like ‘Bot & Dolly’, ‘Industrial Perception’, ‘Autofuss’ and ‘Redwood Robotics’ is a clear sign that Google has big plans in this area.


Andy Rubin, who (perhaps ironically) oversaw the development of the Android operating system, is in charge of the project. He has stated that Google has a “10-year vision” for its robotics interests.


“We’re building hardware, we’re building software. We’re building systems; so one team will be able to understand the whole stack”.


Meka S2 robot head


However, despite rumours to the contrary, Google has explicitly stated that it does not plan to create any kind of robot for consumer purchase, leading some to speculate that the resulting Google product will be used to handle deliveries, thus going head-to-head with Amazon’s proposed Prime Air Project (which would use unmanned drones to deliver goods to customers by air).


The company itself has remained cagey regarding details. The official word so far is that “Any description of what Andy and his team might actually create are speculations of the author and the people he interviewed”


That’s what we get for asking nicely.


The project will operate between offices in Palo Alto, California and Japan.


The companies taken over by Google specialize in an esoteric mixture of robotics-based sciences. For example, Japanese acquisition ‘Schaft’, taken over earlier this year, specialize in the creation and operation of humanoid robots, while American company ‘Holomni’ work mainly with caster wheel modules that can accelerate a vehicle’s motion in any direction.


At this point in time, despite lots of media interest, just what Google plan to do in the field of robotics is anybody’s guess, however it should be noted that the science of robotics has come along in great leaps over the past several decades. Perhaps it is time for a Google Android in every home?


During a recent interview with the New York Times, Mr. Rubin described robotics as “A green field” and it will certainly be interesting to see what grows from this.


SOURCES:


 


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25212514



Google are starting the robots race

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

How Large are the Batteries in a Typical Bluetooth Earpiece?

The size of the battery actually depends on the Bluetooth earpiece. Some of the more basic earpiece models run on a single AAA battery, the kind that you can find in any shop. Others, however, operate on a Lithium Ion Polymer battery. This battery is usually just a little smaller than the main body of the earpiece itself.


The battery is often (but not always, as you will read below) small enough to fit inside the earpiece itself, so they tend to only be about an Inch in total length and only a couple of millimetres in diameter (yeah, I know, I mixed my measurements, get off my case already…).  The external batteries I’m talking about below are a little bigger, but even they are typically not much bigger than 2-3 Inches long.


Now, the received wisdom regarding rechargeable earpiece batteries is that you cannot change the Lithium Ion batteries once they give out. It is also said that you cannot improve battery life by adding better batteries to your earpiece, both edicts are actually untrue. If (for whatever reason) you are emotionally (or physically, hey, I’m not judging) attached to your earpiece and you don’t want to buy a new one, then it is actually possible to replace the battery. It’s a bit tricky, but this is how it’s done.


First, you have to obtain a new Lithium Ion battery (obviously). Then, you remove the outer casing of the earpiece itself.


Inside most Bluetooth earpieces, you’ll find a circuit board, which is attached to the earpiece’s own internal Lithium-Ion battery (usually by a couple of wires). Nudge the board and the battery loose until they are separated and easily accessible. Next, cut the wires carefully, severing the link between battery and board.


Now, carefully solder the remaining wires together with the new battery’s wires (or the new battery itself, depending on what model you happen to be using) and fold the whole thing back together just as you originally found it. If you’ve gone for a better battery, your new external battery ought to work just as well as the old one did, except with a far greater battery life and thus, far better talk time. The external battery can be a bit of a pain, so I don’t recommend this procedure unless you are absolutely sure that you want it.


If you’ve opted for the same battery again, then the approach detailed will also work, but you’ll be without the added annoyance of having a much bigger earpiece.



How Large are the Batteries in a Typical Bluetooth Earpiece?

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Robot Rugby League,

 This is a games of Robot Rugby League, the english commentator has a slightly different take on the rules and game of american football. I laughed!!!!




Robot Rugby League,

What is Ham Radio & How Does it Work?

Ham radio (so called because its operators were originally derided as being ‘hammy’ in the 19th century, when the technology first emerged) is a term that applies to any form of amateur radio broadcasting.


 


There are designated radio frequency spectra available solely for public use. Uses range from recreation to communication and the non-commercial exchange of ideas. ‘Hams’ take advantage of these frequencies in order to transmit any number of things


 


Strictly speaking, there should not be any money involved in amateur radio (hence the term ‘amateur’). Although the majority of Ham radio practitioners are actually extremely knowledgeable about radio technology (don’t let the ‘ham’ part fool you), they are not considered professionals because they do not profit from their endeavours. Conversely, commercial broadcasting involves (a lot of) money: royalties are paid, producers and performers are paid and the whole thing is ultimately a commercial exercise.


 


Hams use a large amount of frequency bands from all across the radio spectrum, but the majority of frequencies are to be found just above the AM band.


 


A lot of hams, however, use VHF FM, operating hand-held transceivers that send on one frequency and receive on another. Local radio clubs set up FM Repeaters (which borrow space from other broadcast devices such as towers and, in doing so, amplify the radio signal’s strength hundreds of times over), so that hams can communicate with each other wirelessly over a distance of hundreds of miles.


 


As an example of what hams get up to, here’s an excerpt from Gary Brown, of ‘How Stuff Works.com’


 


“Although a ham radio does broadcast in all directions, hams generally do not use their radios in a broadcast kind of way as a disk jockey would at a radio station. In normal AM or FM radio, one disk jockey transmits and thousands of people listen. Hams, on the other hand, conduct two-way conversations, often with another ham or with a group of hams in an informal roundtable. The roundtable of hams may be in the same town, county, state, country or continent or may consist of a mix of countries, depending on the frequency and the time of the day. Hams also participate in networks, often called nets, at predetermined times and frequencies to exchange third-party messages. In the case of disasters, hams exchange health and welfare information with other hams”.


 


To become a ham, I recommend that you join a club. You’ll need an amateur radio license, of course, but this won’t break the bank, I’m sure.


 


I hope that helps, Melissa. 



What is Ham Radio & How Does it Work?

Friday, January 17, 2014

Doctor Who Anniversary Special Breaks Record

The 50th Anniversary episode of popular British TV show ‘Doctor Who’, which aired on Saturday 23rd November, has broken the world record for largest ever simulcast of a television drama.


A simulcast is a simultaneous broadcast that is viewed via more than one medium.


In the UK alone, some 10.2 million people tuned in to the BBC show, although others still would have digitally recorded the special in order to view it at a time better suited to them.


The episode, entitled ‘Day of The Doctor’ was broadcast on TV in 94 countries, as well as being screened in 1,500 cinemas around the globe. It is also being streamed online via BBC iPlayer, for those who either missed the first showing, or would simply like to see it again.


Guinness World Records editor-in-chief Craig Glenday presented the show’s head writer and executive producer, Steven Moffat, with a special certificate in commemoration of the event, on Sunday. In response, Moffat joked that after years of preventing others from conquering the world, the Doctor had done it himself.


‘Day of The Doctor’ is the 799th episode of the long running show, which first aired in 1963. The series was cancelled in 1989, but was resurrected in 2005 by executive producer Russell T. Davies.


The feature-length anniversary episode starred Matt Smith as the titular Doctor, teaming him up with previous Doctor David Tennant and veteran actor John Hurt (who played an as-yet unseen incarnation of the character, known only to fans as ‘The War Doctor’).


The show also starred Jenna Coleman as the Doctor’s companion, Clara, Joanna Page as Queen Elizabeth I, Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart and fan-favourite Billie Piper as a variation on her previous character, Rose Tyler.


Long time fans were also especially pleased to see the return of actor Tom Baker, who portrayed the character of The Doctor from 1974 – 1981.


Via contemporary special effects and cunning use of old footage, all of the actors who have played The Doctor appeared to some degree. Viewers were also treated to a brief glimpse of Peter Capaldi (the actor positioned to be the next Doctor) in the role.


The show continues a tradition of sorts, in which returning former stars have celebrated the series’ anniversaries. The 10th anniversary of the show in 1973 featured the return of past actors William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton for a special entitled ‘The Three Doctors’. In 1983, the programme’s 20th anniversary saw the return of Troughton and Jon Pertwee for the special episode called ‘The Five Doctors’. In other instances, past Doctors have appeared in 1985’s ‘The Two Doctors’ and the 2007 BBC Children in Need Special ‘Time Crash’.


Fan response to the show was generally positive, with massive activity on Facebook, Twitter and others, but not all fans were impressed. Christopher Ritchie, writing for Dr.WhoTV.co.uk, suggested that the ending of the show devalued the impact of key events in the character’s history, going as far as to call it a “degeneration” of the relaunched series.


However, the vast majority of the show’s fans, both old and young, were hugely impressed with the episode, with multiple Tweets praising the show’s attention to its history and legacy, as well as the heaps of praise for the performances of Smith, Tennant and Hurt. Fans were sharing their favourite quotes with one another online within minutes of the closing credits.


The 74-minute special will be available on DVD and download from December 2nd.


 


SOURCES:


http://www.doctorwhotv.co.uk/time-war-no-more-the-degeneration-of-the-doctor-56179.htm


http://www.express.co.uk/news/showbiz/444886/Doctor-Who-anniversary-special-sets-world-records-as-millions-tune-in-to-Day-of-The-Doctor


http://fansided.com/2013/11/25/doctor-fans-react-50th-anniversary-special-day-doctor/



Doctor Who Anniversary Special Breaks Record