Category Technology

Rainforest Connection – Phones Turned to Forest Guardians

Mike Hope Leave a comment

Hi all,

I have been checking this out and find it fascinating on how we can use old phones to potentially stop illegal deforestation of the rain forests, in both Africa and South America. This illegal logging speeds the extinction of endangered species and significantly adds to the effects of global climate change!  This ultimately effects every one of us as we share this planet with many other creatures all of which have a right to survive.  Take a moment to check it out and I think you’ll appreciate what these guys are trying to do. They can also use a little help to get this great project well and truly off the ground.  Great work guys and you’ve got my support!!!

Here is a an extract from their site – the project is supported by KICKSTARTER…

See what Neil Young, Environmentalist, Musician, Inventor, has to say...

Watch the Video

Technology to stop illegal logging and poaching on-the-spot. It’s our answer to climate change & mass extinctions.
Rainforest Connection - Kickstarter

Rainforest Connection – Kickstarter

How will it be done…
Rainforest Connection

Rainforest Connection

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What is Rainforest Connection?

 

Rainforest Connection (RFCx) transforms recycled smartphones into autonomous, solar-powered listening devices that can detect and pinpoint signs of environmental destruction activity—such as chainsaws, gunshots and animal distress calls—at great distance.

Current detection systems rely on satellites which show rainforest destruction days or weeks too late. Our system provides  the world’s first real-time logging/poaching detection system. We can pinpoint deforestation activity the moment it begins, while simultaneously streaming the data openly and immediately to anyone around the world.


Rainforest Connection - Kickstarter

Rainforest Connection – Kickstarter

With the Rainforest Connection mobile app, any interested person from around the world can listen-in on the rainforest anytime, from anywhere…

Taking it one step further: the Rainforest Connection mobile app

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PLAY 

 

In late 2014,  web & mobile apps will be released to let backers stream the LIVE sounds of the rainforest in Africa and the Amazon. Just click Play above to hear the sounds of the rainforest as captured by the RFCx system in Sumatra.

Rainforest Connection - Press

Rainforest Connection – Press

 

Listen to the cry of the forest!

Rainforest Connection

 

Learn more…

 

VIDEO

 

I really appreciate you taking a moment look at this as it’s using technology for a great cause! I like it a lot…

Mike-Hope

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COSMOS -A Spacetime Odyssey

Mike Hope Leave a comment

Have you been watching  Cosmos 2014 with Neil DeGrasse Tyson? This is quite amazing and a real tribute to Carl Sagan who co-wrote and presented the original awesome series!! If you haven’t seen this series you should check it out the production is amazing and the logic flawless.  The last enthralling episode will help many of us understand more fully the causes and consequences of global climate change. For some this may be an eye opener and for all it should be a call to action!! You can check it out on-line at COSMOS: A Spacetime Odyssey

Ancestors

“We are alive thanks to our countless ancestors who have survived for over 3 billion years”

“Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there-on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam. Carl Sagan

Let’s turn Carl Sagan’s vision and Neil DeGrasse Tyson’s tenacity into reality. We can make this into a “Garden of Eden“, we have the power if we have the will!! The strength of humanity is in it’s common bond and that common bond can drive us to great things. As it says on the web photo “We are alive thanks to our countless ancestors who have survived for over 3 billion years” To reflect on this, just for a short time, makes us realise that hardships and sacrifices they all went through to bring us to this point in our long and turbulent history. Let’s not forget our heritage and do what all those millions of voices would be imploring us to do! After all it is their world too…

Thanks for stopping by,

Mike Hope

 

Fujifilm XM1 review | Cameralabs

Mike Hope Leave a comment

Hi All,

Here is a pretty good review and comparison on the Fujifilm XM-1. It compares quality, build, response and etc. wth the Olympus PEN E-P5 and the Panasonic Lumix GF6. A pretty thorough review with interesting results. Let’s see how pricing goes over the next few months!!

Fujifilm XM1 review | Cameralabs.

FUJI XM-1

FUJI XM-1

 

Check it out and let me know what you think. I am still enjoying the Canon EOS-M with a few old FD primes!!

New FUJIFILM X-M1 Camera + Pricing

Mike Hope 1 Comment

Hi all,

Hey, I just read that Fuji has come out with this retro camera, the all new FUJIFILM X-M1, 16M with interchangeable lenses and a 3.0 inch tiltable LCD!!! Real cute, and now a serious contender for the other mirrorless cameras out there. I have owned an X-20 and was really impressed with the build and quality. The things which did not hold up for me was the manual focus and pixel quality (12M pixels) apart from that when I review the pictures the color and general quality was great. I still miss it! Overall, l and can see myself trying out the new X-M1.  Perhaps Fuji will finally lure me away from Canon (Talking lens adapter here).

The Suggest Retail from Fuji is :

The FUJIFILM X-M1 (body only) will be available in black and silver in July 2013 for $699.95.

The FUJIFILM X-M1 and XC16-50mm (24-76mm) F3.5-5.6 OIS lens (kit) will be available in July 2013 for $799.95.

The FUJIFILM X-M1 (body only) will be available in brown in August 2013 for $699.95.

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Here is the brief spec and you can check out more on the Fujifilm site 

  • The quality of a digital SLR in a compact body.
  • The large APS-C 16M “X-Trans CMOS” & “EXR PROCESSOR II” realize impressive color reproduction and high resolution.
  • Easy-to-use One Handed Operation & The 3.0-inch, 920K-dot Tilt LCD screen.
  • Be versatile with interchangeable lenses.
  • Wireless Image Transfer allows instant sharing via mobile devices.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Mike Hope

Fujifilm FUJIFILM X-M1 press release link

Earth: The Sequel—The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming

Mike Hope Leave a comment

Earth: The Sequel—The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming!

Discovery Channel has made a television special out of Fred Krupp’s best seling book Earth: The Sequel. This really follows on from Al Gores, documentarys and is a must see for those who are concerned about the future of our environment and the use of energy. You can tune in to the program on Wednesday March 11th at 10 pm EST. Pledge to watch the program and show your support at the Environmental Defense Fund

earth: the sequal

You can also send the link on to your friends. Here is how the Discovery Channel lists it:

“Discover a definitive look at the green energy revolution. Driven by profiles of inventors and entrepreneurs who are making saving the planet a viable, and even profitable venture, examine the “good news” about the earth’s future”.

Pledge to watch Earth: The Sequel.

I think it is a must watch!! Give it a try tell me your thoughts and tell your friends, and don’t forget to check out the Environmental Defence link

Thanks,

Hermosaman

Computer Technology Review Blog – Darryl Llyod

Mike Hope Leave a comment

A couple of good friends of mine, Darryl Llyod and his wife Judy Llyod, have just launched their new Computer Technology Blog. Darryl and Judy are a marketing communications firm that truly carry out some innovative and effective marketing campaigns. I worked with them for many years and their service was invaluable at getting our company maximum exposure in the Technology markets. Here is a snippet from their new site:

“Recently, Computer Technology Review invited Judy and Darryl Lloyd, of Darryl Lloyd, Inc., to begin a marketing blog for tech companies.  We are a small marketing communications firm, located near Los Angeles, and we’ve worked with many technology companies.  We thank CTR for this opportunity to present our viewpoints”.

Every tech company has a Website.  Why?  Bottom line, the people who run the company think a Website will help them make more money. read more…

darryl_llyod