Other Topics

January 21, 2008 revision adds information on "Do-It-Yourself" (DIY) Projects

• Becoming Human.
  Reconstruct the path our ancestors took via archaeological finds, expert essays, and artist renderings.

• Best Dog.
  A fun, yet comprehensive guide to help you select a breed well suited to your needs and lifestyle.

• bored.com
  Links to many games and entertainment sites.

• BrainPop
  Inquiring minds will find lots of information about science, health and technology subjects. This site is written for young people (grandchildren, etc.)

• classmates.com
  A source of locating former classmates, friends, etc.

• The Complaint Station
  The purpose of The Complaint Station (TCS) is to provide you with a central location to complain and file your complaints or research previous complaints. Example, pick a letter like "N", scroll down and you will find about 207 entries for NetZero.

• The Cross Country Ski Association.
  This site includes daily snow reports for cross-country ski areas across the US, and other valuable XC information.

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• Digital Television (DTV) Transition
  The U.S. Congress has passed legislature requiring all conventional ‘analog’ TV Broadcasting to stop on February 17, 2009. Viewers of this type of Free Over-the-Air TV Programming will see their TV screens go Dark.
  
  The DTV Transition Coalition
  
  Many people are not aware of the DTV Transition deadline. A group of industry organizations have formed a coalition whose purpose is to educate and make the public aware about the DTV Transition. The group has a website which includes a deadline countdown clock.
  
  The URL for DTV Transition Coalition is:  DTVT
  
  This website Home Page has helpful links to a DTV Glossary, Information about the Coalition and three (3) Main Categories:
  1. How to Transition (What You Need to Know)
  2. Resources (Learn More DTV, HDTV, Antennas, etc.)
  3. About the Transition (FAQ’s)
  
  Another perspective on DTV Transition can be gained by listening or watching a recent Analysis Program on thePBS NewsHour called TVs Prepare for Transition to Digital Signals.¹
  
  Over-the Air TV Reception
  Most of the nation’s commercial and public broadcast TV stations are simulcasting both Analog and Digital signals now. Therefore, a viewer can see his programs either on a new digital equipped TV or an older analog TV set.
  The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) states that 1600 TV stations in 211 Markets are now delivering DTV transmission.²
  Your local TV broadcaster will make only Digital Television ( DTV) transmissions after the 02/17/09 date. In order to view the Over-the-Air Digital Programming on your present analog TV set, the viewer will need a combo: A capable antenna and a set-top converter box capable of decoding the digital signal.
  It has been estimated that this shut-off of analog TV signals will affect over 20 million households that rely solely on Free, Over-the-Air TV Broadcasting.³ The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has estimated that:⁴
  1. There are over 40 million TV sets in these households that rely on these over-the-air broadcasts. This number would also indicate that there a lot of secondary TV sets located in various parts of a household and these sets are also affected by this change-over.
  2. There about 85 million U.S. households that receive there TV via Cable or Satellite Services and should not be effected by this DTV transition.
  
  Why Is DTV Being Mandated ?
  
  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gives three (3) main reasons.⁵
  1. DTV is more flexible and efficient than today’s more widespread ‘Analog’ broadcast technology.
  2. DTV provides picture resolution, interactive video, and data services that easily surpass the capabilities of ‘Analog’ technology.
     You gain the capability to multicast: Each local station can provide several different program streams from using the digital spectrum. This means expanded program coverage.
  3. The use of DTV will free up parts of the scarce and valuable broadcast spectrum. This freed-up analog spectrum can then be made available to be used for other important public services such as Police, Fire, and Emergency Rescue.
  
  How To Cope With the DTV Transition
  
  Here are two (2) approaches:
  1. Purchase a separate Set-Top Converter Box and use this Box to interface your current analog TV.
     The U.S. Congress passed a law in Yr05 which provides an initial $990 million and up to $1.5 billion to help people buy converter boxes that would keep their old analog TV sets working when the DTV transition finishes. These converter boxes will be available in retail stores during the transition and are expected to cost between $40 and $60 each. Congress has directed the National Telecom & Inform Administration (NTIA) which is part of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce (DOC) to setup a program.⁶
     1. It would offer two (2) coupons worth $40 each to eligible households to pay for two (2) separate converter boxes.
     2. All U.S. Households not just the Poor will be eligible for this government subsidy while the first $990 million is available.
        (Note: The above amount of money allows for the conversion of only 24.75 million TV sets if the consumer so chooses to do this. Once this money has been spent, the consumer eligibility for this program will be limited.)
     3. These coupons become available between 01/01/08 and 03/31/09. These coupons have a 3-month life after issue and must be presented to the retailer at time of purchase of the converter box.
        The specific rules addressing the implementation of the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon program will be made public in later 2007. This will address how the consumer can go about requesting these coupons.
     4. If the NTIA requests the additional $510 million authorized by Congress, then coupon requests during this time period will be limited exclusively to over-the-air households.
     
     It should be noted that interfacing a Set-Top Converter Box to your present analog TV WILLNOT display the full features that DTV is capable of providing. Your set will display the broadcast content – but your TV viewing experience will not be enhanced.
     
     
  2. Purchase a new TV set that has a built-in DTV tuner. This eliminates the need for the separate Set-Top Converter box. It should be noted that as of March 1, 2007, any TV produced with an analog broadcast tuner must also have a DTV Broadcast tuner built-in or marketed to retailers with the set.⁷
  
  The Flip Side of TV Reception
  
  How does DTV effect the 85 million households that watch TV via service provided by cable or satellite? Local TV broadcasts are usually picked up by the cable or satellite service provider at a central location and then made available. It is likely that these service providers will continue to provide local broadcast programming (LBP) even after there is the change in broadcast transmission from analog to digital.⁸
  
  That Maybe True! However What If………?
  
  
  The Cable TV Service Provider
  
  Your cable provider may decide to go ALL DIGITAL in his means of delivery once DTV takes effect. If this happens, the cable subscriber might need new DTV equipment to view this type of programming. It would best to ask the cable provider what equipment is necessary and when.
  Here are some probable approaches:
  1. Lease from the cable company a ‘Set-Top Box’ to interface your TV with their DTV system.
  2. Purchase a Digital Cable Ready (DRC) TV. This type of television should have:
     1. A Built Digital Broadcast Tuner capable of receiving HD signals over-the-air.
        This provides the user the LBP capability in case certain over-the-air broadcasts are not carried on cable.
     2. The ability to be plugged directly into the cable jack and receive cable TV signals. If the viewer wants to receive premium service programming, (Including HDTV Channels) the viewer will need to obtain a CableCARD (CC) from the cable provider. The DCR provides a slot for the CC. A Set-Top Box is not required in this type of installation.
  
  Satellite TV Service Provider
  
  It is suggested that the user contact their satellite provider and determine what type of new DTV equipment will be necessary to receive and view High Defintion TV( HDTV) programs.
  
  DTV Types & High Definition (HD) Capabitlity
  
  There are several versions of DTV sets that are presently on the market if the user decides to this route. The cost of DTV sets varies depending on screen size, display technology, and other features. As with most new consumer electronics, these products enter the marketplace at a high price to recoup their development and marketing expense and then begin to decrease in price to capture the public’s product acceptance and most important their pocketbook.
  Here is a short list of TV Types and their High Definition (HD) Capability.⁹
  The reader can gain additional insight into DTV terminology by referring to the DTV Glossary located in the DTV Transition Coalition website.
  
  1. TV TYPES
     

     TV TYPES

     TV Type	Display Type	Screen Size
     Flat Panel	Plasma	37” – 65”
     	LCD	15” – 65”
     Projection	DLP	42” – 72”
     	LCD	42” – 62”
     	LCoS/SXRD	50” – 70”

     
     
  2. High Definition (HD) Capability
     
     1. HDTV.Top-of- the-Line. High Definition TV. This set displays 1080p picture. These TV’s are capable of receiving and displaying over-the-air digital HDTV broadcasts (When connected to a quality antenna.)
     2. EDTV.This stands for Enhanced Defintion TV. This set displays a 480p picture.
        This is DVD –Quality, but not as detailed true HD. There is also a price differential between ED and HD.
     3. HDTV –Ready.This type of TV can display a HD picture ---- but does not include a tuner for receiving digital broadcasts.
     4. Digital Cable Ready (DRC). Previously described.
  
  FootNotes
  
  1. PBS NewsHour Website:  PBSPastPrgms
     Scroll down to the Thursday March 01, 2007 Program Listings and Click on:
     TVs Prepare for Transition to Digital Signals. There is choice of Video or Audio.
     
     
  2. NAB Website:  NAB
     Click on Link Digital Broadcasting
     Click on Link 1600 DTV stations on air to obtain their listing.
     
     
  3. U.S. Today, 07/24/06. U.S. Proposes Limits on DTV Converter Coupons.
     
     
  4. Ibid.
     
     
  5. FCC Website:  FCCCFDTV
     
     
  6. NTIA Website:  NTIADTV
     
     Click on Link: Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program
     
     
  7. CER Website:  CERE
     
     
  8. Ibid.
     
     
  9. Crutchfield Website:  CthFd

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  Here are some web sites for do-it-yourself (DIY) projects:

  • Lifehacker is a collection of tips, tricks, shortcuts, and clever solutions. A "life hack" is a way to cut through pitfalls, road blocks and general inefficiencies to get things done quicker and easier. The site provides a wide range of activities such as working with technology, running errands, cleaning, or building something. One subsite is "Top 10 Ways to Declutter Your Digital Life"

  • Instructables are step-by-step instructions accompanied by pictures and sometimes videos on a wide variety of projects.

  • wikiHow offers a diversity of topics on do-it-yourself projects.

  • Make is a multifaceted do-it-yourself site for the technologically curious.

  • DIY:happy is a collection of other do-it-yourself Web sites.

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• Earth Calendar
  The Earth Calendar is a daybook of holidays and celebrations around the world.

• EarthCam
  Provides an easy way to search for cameras trained on subjects as diverse as penguins at New York City's Central Park Zoo and the Earth as viewed from the moon.

• Encarta Encyclopedia
  With more than 16,000 articles at your fingertips, you'll find answers to most questions by querying this online encyclopedia. Short video clips, diagrams, and pictures help illustrate the entire site. (There may be a fee to view this site).

• Games

  • Capman is a "pac-man" game knock off.

• Genealogy

  • GenHelp
    This site features genealogy articles and tutorials that cover topics such as Courthouse Research Tips, Interview Pointers, and Record Keeping.

  • Genealogy.org
    This site provides a link to investigate U.S. Immigration records, and acts as a portal with links to other genealogy sites.

  • Ancestry.com
    Provides a database for genealogy searches.

  • Genealogy Today
    Provides links and tool and tutorials.

• Global Warming: Early Warning Signs
  Map out the effects of global warming: glaciers melting, animal populations declining, and coral reef bleaching, to name a few.

• Holidays on the Net
  Holidays on the Net provides the history and ways of celebrating holidays, along with holiday calendars.

• iKnowthat.com
  An engaging array of interactive math, reading, and art activities designed for children ages 2 to 12.

• Inquiry.net
  This site contains information about Boy Scouts, and Boy Scout projects. For example, under "Winter Activities" you will find information on how to build a snow fort.

• Katz's Deli
  History fo Famous 115 year old Jewish Delicatessen on lower East Side with excellent Kosher Deli sandwiches like "the best Corned Beef in New York", Pastrami, Ruben, Salami, pickles, hot dogs, salads, etc.

• NJ Transit
  NJ public transportation route schedules, fares, rules, trip planning, etc.

• The Olympic Games have a well-earned reputation for bringing the many countries of the world together despite their sociopolitical differences. The following is a sample of Olympic sites:
  • International Olympic Committee

  • Olympics Through Time

• Quality Stuffed Animals for Grandchildren
  Quality stuffed exotic zoo animals.

• RepairClinic.com
  Dishwasher, microwave oven, trash compactor, or dehumidifier - if it's a household appliance, this site tells you how it works, figures out what is wrong with it, and shows you how you can fix it. You can even order spare parts.

• Santa's Secret Village
  Fun and activities for children, with guides for parents and teachers.

• A Sightseer's Guide to Engineering
  From dams to museums to pipelines, you'll find engineering points of interest in every state.

• Toys for Tots Foundation
  Official U,S, Marine Corps. Reserve Toys for Tots Program.

Comments, corrections and/or suggestions are invited and always welcome.