Test, report, track. Make it cheaper so hand-crafted makers can afford to comply.
http://www.handmadetoyalliance.org/
Among other things, the CPSIA bans lead and phthalates in toys, mandates third-party testing and certification for all toys and requires toy makers to permanently label each toy with a date and batch number.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Wood Pecker Deterrent
Wood peckers cause damage to wood siding when they bore holes. The bird makes a distinctive noise when digging the wood.
Create a device to listen for the repeating knocks on the wood. After a few of those patterns are heard then emit something to scare away the bird - maybe high frequency.
--------------------------------------
2009.03
Small device that is weatherproof. Powered by solar cell or hard-wired. Device listens for wood-pecker knocking, then sends ultrasonic noise.
If using multiple devices that can target the output sound, add wifi-type networking to central processing unit that triangulates to determine bird location. Central unit then tells outside mounted devices in which direction to target the sound, thus providing increased power from the effect of multiple devices to the spot of the bird.
--------------------------------------
2010.04
Targeting mosquitos with lasers.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/using-lasers-to-zap-mosquitoes/?hp
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/03/16/1339217/New-Laser-System-Targets-Mosquitoes
--------------------------------------
2010.04
Can remote knock (vibration/sound) sensor hear the noise and broadcast alert w/ sensor location?
--------------------------------------
2013.05
http://www.havahart.com/store/electronic-repellents/5266
$69.99
Motion-Activated Water Repellent Sprinkler 2.0
Infrared Sensor Yes
Avg Battery Life 1 Year
http://www.wingscapes.com/birdcameras/birdcam-20
$159.95
BirdCam 2.0
Infrared Sensor
Power Supply 4 D-cell Batteries
Battery Life 12 weeks average
Create a device to listen for the repeating knocks on the wood. After a few of those patterns are heard then emit something to scare away the bird - maybe high frequency.
--------------------------------------
2009.03
Small device that is weatherproof. Powered by solar cell or hard-wired. Device listens for wood-pecker knocking, then sends ultrasonic noise.
If using multiple devices that can target the output sound, add wifi-type networking to central processing unit that triangulates to determine bird location. Central unit then tells outside mounted devices in which direction to target the sound, thus providing increased power from the effect of multiple devices to the spot of the bird.
--------------------------------------
2010.04
Targeting mosquitos with lasers.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/using-lasers-to-zap-mosquitoes/?hp
http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/03/16/1339217/New-Laser-System-Targets-Mosquitoes
--------------------------------------
2010.04
Can remote knock (vibration/sound) sensor hear the noise and broadcast alert w/ sensor location?
--------------------------------------
2013.05
http://www.havahart.com/store/electronic-repellents/5266
$69.99
Motion-Activated Water Repellent Sprinkler 2.0
Infrared Sensor Yes
Avg Battery Life 1 Year
http://www.wingscapes.com/birdcameras/birdcam-20
$159.95
BirdCam 2.0
Infrared Sensor
Power Supply 4 D-cell Batteries
Battery Life 12 weeks average
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Minimum Pricing Web Checks
Tiny firms like NetEnforcers Inc. -- with only 56 staffers jammed into a dim, spare cubicle farm here in Arizona -- wield economic power far beyond their size. These companies scour hundreds of thousands of Web sites daily, looking for retailers offering bargains below the "minimum advertised price," or MAP, set by manufacturers on an array of consumer goods.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Local Dem/GOP tracking
In some states, the county-wide Dem/GOP groups do a lot of tracking of people. This is particularly true in caucus states where people show up to vote and the attendees and outcome are recorded.
The recording is done on paper or home-grown software. A website could provide infrastructure to support the general needs and some reporting.
The recording is done on paper or home-grown software. A website could provide infrastructure to support the general needs and some reporting.
Political Issues Site
A mix of meetup and Campaign For Liberty.
Like CFL, granular down to precinct level allowing leaders and working issues.
Like meetup, allow posting and messages and calendar.
Generic to any issue, the site could be infrastructure used by any group with any issue in the political realm.
Like CFL, granular down to precinct level allowing leaders and working issues.
Like meetup, allow posting and messages and calendar.
Generic to any issue, the site could be infrastructure used by any group with any issue in the political realm.
Privacy Clothing
Shield from see-through devices at airports, while also providing beneficial shielding from other frequencies.
Create clothing from this fabric.
Woven 132/inch mesh polyester fibers coated with blackened copper for better corrosion resistance. Very easy to handle, but not suitable for prolonged skin contact. VeilShield is a high performance mesh style shielding fabric designed to be highly transparent. Combining high performance (40 dB or better), ultra light weight, and flexibility. 70% light transmission. 0.1 ohm/sq resistivity. 58 inch wide.
________________________________
November 21, 2010
Underwear invention
... his invention uses a powdered metal that protects people's privacy when undergoing medical or security screenings.
________________________________
October 2012
The need for privacy under-garments is becoming more noticeable.
http://gizmodo.com/5923980/the-secret-government-laser-that-instantly-knows-everything-about-you
Create clothing from this fabric.
Woven 132/inch mesh polyester fibers coated with blackened copper for better corrosion resistance. Very easy to handle, but not suitable for prolonged skin contact. VeilShield is a high performance mesh style shielding fabric designed to be highly transparent. Combining high performance (40 dB or better), ultra light weight, and flexibility. 70% light transmission. 0.1 ohm/sq resistivity. 58 inch wide.
________________________________
November 21, 2010
Underwear invention
... his invention uses a powdered metal that protects people's privacy when undergoing medical or security screenings.
________________________________
October 2012
The need for privacy under-garments is becoming more noticeable.
http://gizmodo.com/5923980/the-secret-government-laser-that-instantly-knows-everything-about-you
Pine Beetle Block
Retail $10 - $15 each. 2 - 3 per tree.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena/news/news_releases_08/04_22_08.pdf
"...beetle block verbenone and MCH capsules for the prevention of mountain pine and Douglas Fir beetles..."
Pheromone packets, Beetle Block, are a recently approved eco-friendly alternative. They need to be placed on trees before the beetles fly. Both AgBio (303-469-9221) and Pherotech International (1-800-665-0076) sell them.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/06/speakout-synthetic-pheromone-packets-a-safer-way/
"Though relatively less successful than carbaryl, Beetle Block is not toxic."
Verbenone Pouch info from manufacturer.
US Forest Service site
Boulder County site
Front Range Mountain Pine Beetle Information site
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena/news/news_releases_08/04_22_08.pdf
"...beetle block verbenone and MCH capsules for the prevention of mountain pine and Douglas Fir beetles..."
Pheromone packets, Beetle Block, are a recently approved eco-friendly alternative. They need to be placed on trees before the beetles fly. Both AgBio (303-469-9221) and Pherotech International (1-800-665-0076) sell them.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/06/speakout-synthetic-pheromone-packets-a-safer-way/
"Though relatively less successful than carbaryl, Beetle Block is not toxic."
Verbenone Pouch info from manufacturer.
US Forest Service site
Boulder County site
Front Range Mountain Pine Beetle Information site
Children Sunglasses
Affordable, stylish, UV-blocking sunglasses for children.
Potential company names:
affordable eyes for children
small eyes
little eyes
Essi homegrown sunglasses. Retail $30.
Manufacture/color picture: http://www.essieyewear.com/imagee/dngla.jpg
China manufacturing children sunglasses around USD 3 each, with minimum order sizes. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/206671303/Kids_Sunglasses_FY35_2.html
Potential company names:
affordable eyes for children
small eyes
little eyes
Essi homegrown sunglasses. Retail $30.
Manufacture/color picture: http://www.essieyewear.com/imagee/dngla.jpg
China manufacturing children sunglasses around USD 3 each, with minimum order sizes. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/206671303/Kids_Sunglasses_FY35_2.html
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
PC Power Save
Powersave application to idle computers. They have a rebates page that says some utilities rebate some/all of the cost of $14.40/year.
Claimed electric bill savings of $25 - $50/year per computer.
Intelligent Configuration Settings
# Definitions can be based on CPU, disk, keyboard, mouse and application activity
# Shutdown without the loss of user productivity
Flexible Scheduling
# Options to turn off the monitor, and standby, hibernate or shutdown the computer
# Schedule Wake-on-LAN, shutdown, or restart events
# Schedule Power Save configuration updates for a single, daily, weekly, or monthly occurrence
# Schedule a temporary window where Power Save will not enforce energy management policies
Compatibility Options
# Customize the deployment as well as update and control the client workstations
# Recognizes and accommodates to Deep Freeze maintenance schedules
# Localized in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese
Customized Inactivity Definitions
# Employ energy saving actions when CPU or disk activity falls below a defined level
# Prevent the workstation from employing power saving actions when a particular application is running
Enterprise Control
# Faronics Core Console provides unified workstation management capabilities
# Workstation grouping makes managing large deployments easy
# Disable and override a workstation’s operating system energy management settings
Savings Reports
# Generate enterprise power consumption and savings reports through Faronics Core Console
# Detailed workstation utilization reporting allows you to see how much power you are saving based upon your regional electricity cost
# Audit mode provides a baseline measure of the energy being consumed, making it easy to determine the true value of the savings generated when Power Save's features are enabled
--------------------------------------------
http://weblog.infoworld.com/sustainableit/archives/2008/09/pc_power_manage.html
I spoke with the CEO of Autonomic Software, Tony Gigliotti, today. His company offers its ANSA suites, which uses an intelligent agent for such tasks as vulnerability management, asset management, and, in line with the subject at hand, PC power management. He told me that Autonomic's Software costs around $33 per license for the first year, then $10 per license per year after that. (Notably, Autonomic isn't the only player in this space; BigFix, Verdiem Surveyor, KACE KBOX, and 1E NightWatchmanoffers offer competing solutions.)
The deal can becomes even sweeter if you happen to be served by a utility that offers rebates for purchasing PC power management licenses. PG&E, which serves Northern California, is one such utility. It offers a $15 rebate for each PC power management software license your purchase, according to Gigliotti.
-----------------------------------
PowerOut
http://www.visionsoft.com/product.asp?prod=PO
Normal Price £90
Volume Purchase Discount £36
Total Price £54
--------------------------------------------
http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/2852
An occupancy sensor via a webcam.
___________________________________________________
2010 March/April
Review of software applications to idle/sleep/shut down PCs. Software Equals Savings
Claimed electric bill savings of $25 - $50/year per computer.
Intelligent Configuration Settings
# Definitions can be based on CPU, disk, keyboard, mouse and application activity
# Shutdown without the loss of user productivity
Flexible Scheduling
# Options to turn off the monitor, and standby, hibernate or shutdown the computer
# Schedule Wake-on-LAN, shutdown, or restart events
# Schedule Power Save configuration updates for a single, daily, weekly, or monthly occurrence
# Schedule a temporary window where Power Save will not enforce energy management policies
Compatibility Options
# Customize the deployment as well as update and control the client workstations
# Recognizes and accommodates to Deep Freeze maintenance schedules
# Localized in English, French, German, Spanish and Japanese
Customized Inactivity Definitions
# Employ energy saving actions when CPU or disk activity falls below a defined level
# Prevent the workstation from employing power saving actions when a particular application is running
Enterprise Control
# Faronics Core Console provides unified workstation management capabilities
# Workstation grouping makes managing large deployments easy
# Disable and override a workstation’s operating system energy management settings
Savings Reports
# Generate enterprise power consumption and savings reports through Faronics Core Console
# Detailed workstation utilization reporting allows you to see how much power you are saving based upon your regional electricity cost
# Audit mode provides a baseline measure of the energy being consumed, making it easy to determine the true value of the savings generated when Power Save's features are enabled
--------------------------------------------
http://weblog.infoworld.com/sustainableit/archives/2008/09/pc_power_manage.html
I spoke with the CEO of Autonomic Software, Tony Gigliotti, today. His company offers its ANSA suites, which uses an intelligent agent for such tasks as vulnerability management, asset management, and, in line with the subject at hand, PC power management. He told me that Autonomic's Software costs around $33 per license for the first year, then $10 per license per year after that. (Notably, Autonomic isn't the only player in this space; BigFix, Verdiem Surveyor, KACE KBOX, and 1E NightWatchmanoffers offer competing solutions.)
The deal can becomes even sweeter if you happen to be served by a utility that offers rebates for purchasing PC power management licenses. PG&E, which serves Northern California, is one such utility. It offers a $15 rebate for each PC power management software license your purchase, according to Gigliotti.
-----------------------------------
PowerOut
http://www.visionsoft.com/product.asp?prod=PO
Normal Price £90
Volume Purchase Discount £36
Total Price £54
--------------------------------------------
http://www.ecogeek.org/component/content/article/2852
An occupancy sensor via a webcam.
___________________________________________________
2010 March/April
Review of software applications to idle/sleep/shut down PCs. Software Equals Savings
Monday, December 01, 2008
Solar Heat
Solar heat collection and transmission via air (not liquid).
These units look nice. Add a solar panel to run the fan and optionally a good filter to clean the air.
Cansolair Inc. has developed a forced convection solar heating unit called the Model RA 240 SOLAR MAX. A dwelling of 1000 square feet can have a complete air change in 1.5 hours. Working experience indicates that comfortable room temperature can be maintained in a 1000 square foot dwelling with 15 minutes of sunlight per hour.
Watch a video featuring Cansolair
CSA Approved Maintenance Free Thermostatically Controlled Forced Convection Filtered Air Environmentally Friendly Heat Energy. 240 aluminum cans comprise the core of each Model RA 240 SOLAR MAX.
Ninety cubic feet per minute of colder and relatively heavier air is drawn by a quiet and powerfull fan through a filter from near the floor.
This filtered air is pumped through the first checkvalve, the specially modified collector core, and then back into your living space through the last check valve near the ceiling. The resulting high volume air movement not only filters, but will destratify as well as directly heat the air in your home or business. One or more modules can be vertically or horizontally mounted on any South-East, South, or South-West-facing wall or roof that is free from shadow.
Each fully automatic, thermostatically controlled module can maintain average room temperature in about eight thousand cubic feet of residential or commercial space.
These units look nice. Add a solar panel to run the fan and optionally a good filter to clean the air.
Cansolair Inc. has developed a forced convection solar heating unit called the Model RA 240 SOLAR MAX. A dwelling of 1000 square feet can have a complete air change in 1.5 hours. Working experience indicates that comfortable room temperature can be maintained in a 1000 square foot dwelling with 15 minutes of sunlight per hour.
Watch a video featuring Cansolair
CSA Approved Maintenance Free Thermostatically Controlled Forced Convection Filtered Air Environmentally Friendly Heat Energy. 240 aluminum cans comprise the core of each Model RA 240 SOLAR MAX.
Ninety cubic feet per minute of colder and relatively heavier air is drawn by a quiet and powerfull fan through a filter from near the floor.
This filtered air is pumped through the first checkvalve, the specially modified collector core, and then back into your living space through the last check valve near the ceiling. The resulting high volume air movement not only filters, but will destratify as well as directly heat the air in your home or business. One or more modules can be vertically or horizontally mounted on any South-East, South, or South-West-facing wall or roof that is free from shadow.
Each fully automatic, thermostatically controlled module can maintain average room temperature in about eight thousand cubic feet of residential or commercial space.
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