My System Journal

Newly-restored version of “The Wizard of Oz” hits theaters, shelves

September 24, 2009 – 4:37 pm
For most people, a slide and negative scanner can be used to preserve family memories. But in Hollywood, they are using tools more advanced than the average 35mm slide scanners to save memories of a different kind: film classics. In late September, a newly-restored version of “The Wizard of Oz” debuted on DVD on Blu-Ray. In addition, movie theaters around the country screened the new version of the 1939 family classic to packed houses. The new version was done to commemorate the film’s 70th anniversary. According to the Los Angeles Times, restoration work involved a pin-registered digital film scanner scanning three separate film negatives at 8k, a much higher resolution than was previously possible. “In finding the 1939 nitrate Technicolor print, we got a different look for the film than we previously had,” says Ned Price, vice president of mastering at Warner Bros. ...

Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Custom pressure transducer buying tips

September 16, 2009 – 5:23 pm
If you are looking for a custom pressure transducer for applications such as the gas and oil industries, you might have a lot of questions about what to look for when making a purchasing decision. Getting through the technical jargon and marketing claims to find the pressure transducer that meets your needs can be tricky. Here are a few things to look for when making a purchasing decision: Application usage: Is this going to be a downhole transducer? If so, you will need a pressure transducer that is rugged enough to withstand the strain of extreme heat, pressure and other factors. Environmental factors: If you need pressure transducers to fit into specific areas, you will want to pay extra attention to its size and weight. Specialized sizes might need to be custom made. Performance issues: You might require a specific output ...

Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Who to Buy From?

July 22, 2009 – 4:22 pm
Purchasing a gaming PC isn't quite the same as buying a computer for more standard everyday use. Most people use computers for tasks such as editing documents, browsing the web, and enjoying media such as music or movies. This type of user doesn't particularly require high-end hardware. However, if you're a gamer who loves cutting edge graphics that will push your system to the limit, gaming computers are the only way to go. While many of your big-name computer manufacturers make models that have been specifically designed with the gamer in mind, there are plenty who choose instead to buy from smaller companies that might not be household names, such as Digital Storm.  Why? These are companies that specifically focus on custom gaming PC configurations, addressing the needs of this subset of users beyond just the hardware specs. These companies ...

Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Electrical Equipment Reconditioning

July 15, 2009 – 10:57 am
When companies have a problem with their Siemens circuit breakers or other electrical products, it’s often a very specific issue with one small component of the part. However, most suppliers will recommend replacing the entire product rather than just the malfunctioning piece. This can cost you money and force you to take important pieces of equipment off-line while you wait for a full replacement unit. Instead of doing this, why not refurbish your existing equipment? RELECTRIC specializes in fixing circuit breakers, switchboards, transformer and other electrical equipment. They will look at your malfunctioning equipment and recommend services such as cleaning or part replacement. To learn about this time-saving and money-saving service offered by RELECTRIC, please visit them at www.relectric.com.

Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Using a Multiport Serial Card

May 27, 2009 – 10:41 am
A multiport serial card is installed in on the ISA or PCI bus of a PC. The card is helpful to the user because it provides many serial ports in the place of one, and so many computer users now use numerous external devices, such as video cameras, digital cameras, and scanners. Additionally, others use work-related equipment such as video-editing applications, faxes, or special printers for desktop publishing. At one time, serial cards were mainly used for connecting up many modems to serial ports. Today, several modems can now be built into an internal card. For this reason, multiport serial cards are not used as commonly as they were before. Each multiport card has a number of external connecters (DB-25 or RJ45) so that one may connect up a number of devices (modems, terminals, etc.). Each ...

Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Benefits of EDMS

May 7, 2009 – 1:10 pm
If your business is drowning in paper, it might be time to look into purchasing an electronic document management system (EDMS) for your company. Advances in technology and programming mean that managing all of the important documents that you need to run your company is far easier than it ever was in the past. Choosing the right document management software can save your business both time and money, as well as reduce your footprint on the increasingly fragile environment. If you receive a multitude of documents via fax or mail, take a few minutes to consider all the benefits of having a system to transfer and store documents. Instead of having to print each and every document, distributing them around the office (or mailing them to other offices), and manually stored in bulky file cabinets, they can be distributed quickly and easily to anyone who has access to ...

Posted in Technology Articles | No Comments »

Buying a New Computer

February 4, 2009 – 11:29 am
Whether you're building a top-of-the-line home office, you're a gamer looking for a system that can handle the latest releases, or you simply need a machine that can play your music collection and browse the Internet, buying a new computer can be a confusing and expensive prospect. With so many companies and models out there, how do you know which one is right for you? Make sure you take some time to read up on the different specs so you know what you're buying. Likewise, devoting time to comparison shopping can help you save a tidy sum of money. See what coupon codes are available before you buy. With the right HP coupons and deals, you could end up saving hundreds on a new laptop or desktop. If you aren't committed to purchasing a particular brand, browse the selection at one of the ...

Posted in Retail & Ecommerce | No Comments »

NLP Therapy

November 25, 2008 – 11:39 am
NLP therapy programs exist for individuals who would like another approach to traditional therapy sessions. An NLP training course introduces the individual to techniques and approaches that are designed to bring about change and success in a relatively short period of time. The core belief behind these programs is adaptation. This means that people can only do the best that they can with the resources they have available at the time, and that the overall intention of a behavior is usually a positive one. So instead of focusing on the negative behavior, they find new ways to express the same intention. In addition to NLP therapy for the general public, a licensed therapist can also choose to learn NLP techniques for their own clients. NLP coaching can bring new insight into the work of an existing therapist or coach. NLP is geared to achieve results more quickly than typical therapy sessions. ...

Posted in Education | No Comments »

Changes in Timesheets Over the Years

July 25, 2008 – 11:13 am
If you work in an office in today's business world, chances are that you fill in some sort of timesheet for your payroll or human resources department.  While the concept of the timesheet was originally used by employers solely for payroll purposes, their scope has drastically increased over the years, thanks in part to the ease of organizing information in the digital age.  Many companies use timesheet software that is capable of recording a wide range of data.  Some companies keep track of the starting and ending times for certain tasks their employees perform.  Others simply record the duration.  Many times, more than simple numbers are taken into consideration.  A timesheet may include notes that detail the specific tasks accomplished during a time period or a project.  The information recorded in time and attendance software can be utilized for payroll, project management, and client billing purposes. Whether a business uses an ...

Posted in Website Reviews | Comments Off

December 18, 2007 – 11:12 am
From time to time I will be reviewing websites that I like and post them here. If you have an interesting website that you would like me to review, please contact me.

Posted in Website Reviews | Comments Off