Tuesday, July 25, 2006

The Best Reward Credit Cards

gas, groceries, drug stores: 5% Citi Dividend Platinum Select, Chase Rewards Plus, Chase Cash Plus
restaurant, bookstores, record stores, movie theaters, and video rental stores: 5% Citi mtvU
5% Discover Card Get More Program
others: 2% Fidelity 529
all: 3% Chase Subaru
all: 5% GM Card

Cup of Finance: Credit: The Best Reward Credit Cards
Pragmatic Finance - Putting my Financial House in Order
FatWallet Forums - 5% Reward Cards.... 34 and counting!
Fatwallet Forums - Updated: Current Summary of Good Cashback Credit Cards - did I miss any?
Fatwallet Forums - And the nominee for best credit cards are...

Shure's Microphone Techniques for Studio Recording Section One: Acoustic String and Fretted Instruments - WikiRecording

Shure's Microphone Techniques for Studio Recording Section One: Acoustic String and Fretted Instruments - WikiRecording Microphone Placement
Shure Mic Techniques for Studio Recording
Shure Mic Techniques for Live Sound Reinforcement

Monday, July 24, 2006

cheap mixers

TAPCO Mix.60 for all balanced IO
Alesis MultiMix 6FX for additional effects
Soundcraft Compact for additional features

MIXERS / POWERED MIXERS - UB SERIES MIXERS - EURORACK UB802 : Ultra Low-Noise Design 8-Input 2-Bus Mixer with Premium Mic Preamplifiers unbalanced outputs
UB502 mixer does not supply phantom power
UB802 and UB1002 have the same size.
UB802 $40 has 2 mono and 2 stereo channels, no lo cut filter
UB1002 $50 has 2 mono and 4 stereo channels, no stereo equalizers
UB1204-Pro and XENYX 1204 (4 mono, 4 stereo) $140 have electronically balanced outputs, mono unbalanced aux
UB1002FX $90 cheapest mixer with 100 mono-stereo effects

TAPCO mixers have z-balanced outputs (resistively)
Mix.50 $45 1 microphone, 2 stereo does not supply 48v phantom power
Mix.60 $60 2 microphones, 2 stereo, mono balanced aux

Peavey PV(R) 6 $90 4 mics, z-balanced outputs, phantom power

Soundcraft Compact 4 $100 2 mics, stereo inputs are not balanced, balanced outputs, phantom power, 3 stereo buses, insert on individual channel, hi-z guitar input

Alesis MultiMix 6FX $100 2 mics, balanced outputs, phantom power, mono aux, digital effects

USB mixer
Phonix Helix Board 12 $150 16bit 44.1k
Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 new 4 mono, with 100 effects, Cubase LE

Alesis NanoVerb $100 digital effects processor

E-MU 0404 $200 USB 2.0 24-bit 192khz, no stereo analog inputs

Digidesign Pro Tools MBOX $300 most popular computer interface

Microphone

Microphone - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

*AKG C414 C214 Top Studio Condenser
*AKG P420 Instrument Condenser
AKG Acoustics - Perception 100 is nice 1" large-diaphragm true condenser microphone, 48v phantom power, 3-pin XLR $100
AKG Acoustics - C 1000 S standard 9 V battery $200

SonyStyle.com | One-Point Stereo Microphone ECM-MS907 Electret Condenser Stereo, AA battery, Directive angle 90 or 120, -56dB, Max 110db, Dynamic Range 80dB, 100-15k, $74
Azden Corporation - ECZ-990 Shotgun Microphone Super cardioid electret condenser, narrow and wider, AAA battery, Shoe Mount, 3.5 plug, 150-18k, sensitivity 55db, 75db, Max. SPL 100db, S/N 40db, $64
Audio-Technica : ATR55 : Cardioid Condenser Shotgun Microphone battery, normal cardioid, tele supercardioid settings, camera-mount, pistol-grip stand clamp, 3.5 mini plug with 1/4" plug converter, 70-18k, sensitivity -45db, -56db, $49

Amazon.com: MXL MXL 990 Condenser Microphone with Shockmount: Musical Instruments cheap 3/4" diaphragm condenser microphone
Amazon.com: MXL MXL 57 1006 Shockmount: Musical Instruments cheap shockmount
MXL DESKTOP RECORDING KIT (D.R.K.) $89

MXL Desktop Recording Kit Review
PcMus Tips: Condenser Recording Mics Mics which use a single AA battery are normally an electret, battery powered gold diaphragm mics tend to use 9 volt batteries.

Shure SM58 Vocal Microphone most popular live stage dynamic microphone
Shure Woodwinds PG81 condenser
Shure X2U XLR to USB

Electro-Voice RE20 Variable-D Broadcast Announcer Dynamic $500

Sennheiser Wind Instruments

DPA Bassoon application

Microphone Buyer's Guide
Mic Muff Web Info

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Track Spikes

Niddle, Pyramid, Christmas Tree, Cam Lock, Tartan, Blank
Ceramic Track Spikes
Dick Pond Athletics - Victeri Sports Metal Replacement Spikes
Track Spikes - Replacement Track Spike - Track and Field - Pyramid Spikes - Needle Spikes - Tartan - Blank - Javelin
Champ Track Spikes
Ten Seconds - Track Spikes
Everything Track & Field - Replacement Track Spikes
Holabird Sports - Track Spikes

extendable inline skates

Rollerblade Junior Micro 72mm/80A, ABEC 3, 12-2, 2-5, 4-7, $80, TFS $100. Flash Jr 3-pack. Pro Jr 3 Pack.
K2 SKATES - Junior Athena [T:9] ABEC 3, 72mm, 80A, US S (11-2), M (1-5), L (4-8) $80. MISSY ABEC 3 72mm 80a, 11-2, 3-6, 6-8, Jette Hearts, Merlin Junior Set
Roller Derby Youth Z-90 ADJUSTABLE, MODEL i-133, 70mm, ABEC-5, Med. 13-3, Lrg. 3-6 $50. Coyote10-12. Pro-360, Deluxe, Cruiser
Bladerunner heel low toe high design, kid dynamo girls 72mm, Abec 1, 11-1, 1-4, 4-7, $40, Twist 06
Ultrawheels Transformer girls 70mm (sizes 1-4,5-8) 64mm (size 10J-13J) Abec 1 $25, Flutter 70mm ABEC 3 $40
Barbie Adjustable Inline Skates Bravo Sports, 64mm, 10-13, 1-4, $25

Track and Field Athletes Spike Shoes

Recommanded Spike Lengths and Rules
On outdoor synthetic surfaces the IAAF and USATF allows spikes of 4 mm diameter and up to 9 mm length for the part that is above the shoe surface in all event but high jump and javelin where it allows 12 mm long spikes. On non synthetic surfaces the maximum length is 25 mm long. spikes with a maximum diameter of 4 mm. USATF have the further restriction that on synthetic surfaces, that the meet organizers may set the spike length. For indoor tracks the IAAF has a maximum length of 6 mm for all events.

Running Shoes
Nike Spike Shoes Zoom Shift Fly, Super Shift 10 spikes.

Eastbay - Track & Field/XC > Men's > Shoes

Beynon Sports Surfaces

Track and Field Catalog 2007

ASICS
adidas adiStar, Supernova, adiZero, Response, Ultra Tech Running Warehouse Adidas
Brooks
Mizuno
New Balance
Nike
Puma
Reebok
Saucony

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Track and Field Records

北加州華人文化體育協會 Northern California Chinese Athletic Federation 華體
金山灣區華人運動大會 Taiwanese & Chinese American Athletic Tournament of San Francisco Bay Area 華運

60m 7.28 7.53 7.57 7.62 Louis Zhang WG, Yong Guo TH, Benjamin Eeo WG
400m 60.53 60.53 72.16 72.66 Jian Tao Huang TH, Benjamin Eeo WG, Qinghai Wang WG
110mH 16.47 16.47 18.47 18.52 Wen Gao, Wen Hua Zhao CT, Xiaodong Zhai CN
1500m 4'55 5'06 5'45 Jian Tao Huang TH, Gong Peng TH
4x100m 47.60 51.23 52.47 54.48 WG, TH, CN
100m 11.50 11.81 12.22 12.33 Benjamin Eeo WG, Hao Tao Huang IN, Yong Guo TH
800m 2'22 2'22 2'34 2'41 Jian Tao Huang TH, Michael Song IN, Geroge Lo IN
200m 25.30 26.45 26.61 27.50 Hai Tao Huang IN, Benjamin Eeo WG, Yong Guo TH
3000m 11'05 11'05 11'46 12'28 Jian Tao Huang TH, Yu Guan TH, George Lo IN
4x400m 4'19 4'19 4'29 TH, WG

H Jump 1.65 1.57 1.50 Patric Wu TH, Jun Shan YR
L Jump 5.49 5.48 5.30 5.21 Wen Gao IN, Louis Zhang WG, Xiao Dong Zai IN, John Qian CN
T Jump 10.83 10.50 9.75 9.64 John Qian CN, Jian Tao Huang TH, Wen Hua Zhao CT
S Put 13.73 13.73 12.57 11.36 Yu Wang IN, Shve John IN, Zhijun Jiang IN

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

6MP Compact Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 5 cameras: Digital Photography Review

Digital Cameras Side-by-Side, 5 cameras: Digital Photography Review
6MP small cameras
Pentax Optio S6 is the smallest and lightest
Canon PowerShot SD600 has fast continuous drive
Casio Exilim EX-Z60 is cheap with MP4 video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX9 has image stabilization
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX01 has 28mm

Saturday, July 15, 2006

How to compare shipping rates

ShipGooder FedEx USPS
Shipping Sidekick Compare Shipping Rates, US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx
iShip UPS USPS Airborne
Golden State Overnight GSO

RedRoller dead DHL USPS FedEx
Pak Mail container

USPS price list 

Priority Mail domestic zone charts zone 8 to Virginia or Cleveland, $50 free insurance
large $21.9 792(36/$) 835(38/$)
medium $15.5 514(33/$) 546(35/$)
small $8.45 75.3(9/$)

USPS Taiwan parcel
0 - 0.5lb: First Class Package International up to $13.25
0.5 - 2lb: First Class Package International up to $22.25
2.lb - 3lb: First Class Package International up to $33.25
2.lb - 4lb: small flat-rate box Priority Mail International $34.95
3.lb - 4lb: First Class Package International up to $53.25
3.lb - 20lb : Priority Mail International $57.60

First-Class Package International postage limit 4 lb.  group 6, 8oz - 4lb

Air Post 
Global Express, 1-3 days, group 3, max 70lb
Priority Mail Express International 3-5 days, group 6, max 33lb
Priority Mail International. 6-10 days, group 6, max 44lb
flat rate box:
- small box 4lb $33.20, 8 5/8'' x 5 3/8'' x 1 5/8'' = 75.3 in^3
- padded envelop 4lb $32.25, 12.5"x9.5" = 8.5"x4.5"x4"
- legal envelop 4lb $32.25, 15"x9.5" = cylinder 6" diameter, 9" long = 254 in^3
                                                        = box 10.25"x4.75"x4.75" = 231 in^3
- medium box 20lb. $72.15, good for > 6 lb and fit 11"x8.5"x5.5" = 514 in^3, 13 5/8x11 7/8x3 3/8 = 546 in^3
- large box 20 lb. $91.15, good for >12 lb and fit 12"x12"x5.5" = 792, (23+11/16)x11.75x3 = 835
-1 lb = $43.46, <=10lb $3.76, 20 lb $113.34, max 70 lb

Package Information, Item description, weight for each item.  
Enter 3 items to fit in 1 printing page, AES Exemption 30.37(a)

Maximum length: 42 inches, Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches
Price List

Tracking Confirmation

Taiwan Post Postage
中華郵政 國際快捷/包裹資費查詢
國際快捷郵件簡明資費表 4-5 days to USA, 4.5kg $1650, 9kg NT$2820
國際包裹資費表 10-13 days to USA west coast, 4.5kg NT$1500, 9kg NT$2940
包裹郵件查詢

address postal zip 中文地址英譯寫法

Friday, July 07, 2006

Voice Recorders

Professional balanced inputs recorders

Olympus Voice Recorder Home : Digital Voice Recorder - Dictation - Microcasette Recorder

Best choices are DS-30, DS-40, WS-331M for 128kbps WMA

Digital Recorders:
DS-40 (512MB) WMA $152
DS-30 (256MB) WMA $105
ST XQ: 128kbps, ST HQ: 64kbps, HQ: 32kbps, SP: 16kbps, LP: 8kbps
STXQ/STHQ/HQ: 44.1 kHz /SP: 22 kHz /LP: 8kHz
STXQ: 50-19000Hz/ STHQ: 50-16000Hz/ HQ: 50-13000Hz/ SP:100-8000Hz/ LP:100-3000Hz

DS-2 (64MB) WMA, DSS(SP, LP) $88
SHQ 44.1kHz:128kbps, SSP 44.1kHz:64kbps, HQ 44.1kHz:32kbps, SP 12kHz:13.7kbps, LP 8kHz:6.3kbps
SHQ 100-17000Hz, SSP 100-8000Hz, HQ 100-7000Hz, SP 200-5000Hz, LP 200-3000Hz

WS-100 (64MB) mono all WMA $68
WS-200S (128MB) stereo all WMA $93
(ST)HQ:44.0kHz/HQ:44.0kHz/SP:12.0kHz/LP:8.0kHz
(ST)HQ:100-15,000Hz/HQ:100-12,000Hz/SP:100-5,000Hz/LP:100-2,000Hz
SHQ 64kbps, HQ 32kbps, SP 16bps, LP 5.3kbps

Digital Recorders with Music Player recorded in WMA: WMA, MP3
WS-331M (2GB) $157
Stereo XQ:44.1kHz/Stereo HQ:44.1kHz/Stereo SP:44.1kHz/HQ:44.1kHz/SP:22.0kHz/LP:8.0kHz
Stereo XQ: 50-19,000Hz/Stereo HQ: 50-15,000Hz/Stereo SP: 50-9,000Hz/HQ: 50-13,000Hz/SP:100-7,000Hz/LP:100-3,000Hz

WS-300M (256MB) $108
WS-310M (512MB) $128
WS-320M (1GB) $163
Stereo HQ:44.1kHz/HQ:44.1kHz/SP:22.0kHz/LP:8.0kHz
Stereo HQ:100-15,000Hz/HQ:100-12,000Hz/SP:100-5,000Hz/LP:100-3,000Hz
SXQ 132kbps, SHQ 66kbps, SSP 33kbps, HQ 33kbps, SP 16.8kbps, LP 8.4kbps

SonyStyle.com | Digital Voice Recorder Digital Voice Editor, mp3 requires conversion

ST (52 kbps) 60-13500Hz
STLP (26 kbps) 60-6900Hz
SP (16.6 kbps) 60-7000Hz
LP (6.2 kps) 80-3500Hz

ICD-BM1A removable memory stick
ICD-SX46 128MB $118
ICD-MX20 32MB+MS $225

SANYO > Business > Dictation > Digital Systems
ICR-A125M 128MB
ICR-S700RM 256MB, 264Min 132kbps $263
ICR-S250RM 128MB, 126Min 138kbps $182

Panasonic Portable Audio > Recorders RR-US500 812 Min SP Stereo, not good in sound quality

Thursday, July 06, 2006

Innovation in Finland

Internationally best-known Finnish technology innovation is, of course, Nokia. The successful story of mobile phones, however, is only one example. Linux, Benecol, Metso, Polar Electro, Suunto, Fiskars, and Exel are all world-class brands of Finnish origin.

finnfacts Electronics and Electrotechnics Industry Firstbeat, FWRD

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Meteor Shower Calendar

List of meteor showers, Perseids, Quadrantids, Geminids

Major Meteor Showers in 2010
American Meteor Society
January: Quadrantids 象限儀座
    Time and Date 2019
    EarthSky 2019
April: Lyrids
May: Eta Aquarids
July: Southern Delta Aquariids
August: Perseids 英仙座 of Perseus constellation
    NASA Watch the Skies: Perseids
    Time and Date: Perseids Meteor Shower
    2021/08/12 12:00am (7:00UTC) Northeast Horizon azimuth 45°
October: Orionids
November: Leonids
    2014/11/18, 4:00am (12:00 UTC) southeast
    WATCH LIVE NOW: Leonid Meteor Shower Webcasts by Slooh, NASA, SloohNASA Marshall Space Flight Center
December: Geminids 雙子座
    2013/12/13, 6:00am (13:00UTC)

臺北市立天文科學教育館 天文台 天文年鑑

StarDate Meteor Showers and Viewing Tips

Sky Map for given date/time and location
Planet and Deep Sky Object Icons
Current Sky Map
Sky Report for this week

Solar System Simulator 2010-09-30 view of Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune

Astronomy Resources Calendar of Events Full Moon, Planetary Event, New Moon, Occultation, Lunar Eclipse, Conjunction, Solar Eclipse, Meteor Shower, Solar Event, Comet

Great American Eclipse 4/8/202410/14/2023 annular ring of fire, 8/21/2017

Bishop Museum - Planetarium - Astronomical Highlights Moon Phases, Solstices & Equinoxes, Daylight Savings Time, Earth Orbit, Major Meteor Showers

Eclipse Calendar in Cupertino solar, lunar with direction and altitude, path, visibility, and coverage