siesta

Weather Balloons Boost Broadband

Weather balloons floating in the Earth's atmosphere at the moment could possibly be used to provide mobile phone and broadband services to Rural Britain.

An American company, Space Data, has had success with an innovative idea, whereby it attaches small phone masts to weather balloons. This then provides isolated areas with wireless internet access.

The Arizona based group has provided military and commercial clients for four years and are now prepared to link their idea with telecoms and broadband companies in order to bring their idea to the masses.

The working behind the novel wireless provider is that a very small transceiver is attached to the weather balloon that then rises to a total altitude of 100,000ft. According to the company, one balloon can produce a signal that is as strong as 80 mobile phone towers and could therefore enable a lot more people to have broadband internet connections. The company also believe that for the entire United States, 70 balloons would be all that was needed to provide everyone with wireless internet.

The balloons are released by local farmers and other land workers who are paid to deploy them. The balloons are released in areas that have not had wireless internet connections due to the companies who provide them considering it uneconomic, as there are few people in the area.

Around 20% of the United States is out of range for any wireless connection, and it has long been an issue in Britain that many rural areas are unable to receive a wireless signal or are expected to pay over the odds in order to get one, therefore, meaning that they have no option for cheap broadband. Consequently, if this idea was to take off, there would be a large number of people who would benefit.

Space Data are very productive at the moment and release around 10 balloons a day from places in South America that do not receive a wireless signal and is interested in providing its service for the UK. This service is one of many that have seen the potential and the financial benefits that the rural wireless connection market could offer.

Space Data have said that companies that are not offering rural areas a wireless connection are missing out on hundreds of millions of dollars a year. The group have said that they have tapped into a business that is potentially worth $10 billion market.

It would appear that there is a solution to the wireless connection problem, however, not a very long-term one, as the balloons last 24 hours before they burst. The expensive equipment then has to be retrieved; this is done using GPS devices. Environmental groups have said that they fear that the burst balloons could prove a threat to any animals that may eat the latex.

The limited time that the balloons last could prove expensive and difficult, however, if the company could arrive at an idea that would enable the balloons to last longer, then the skies the limit.

Space Data has decided to link their weather balloon idea with telecoms and broadband companies.

The weather balloons could mean that more people are able to receive wireless broadband connections.

Some rural areas in Britain are unable to get a cheap broadband connection as they have to pay over the odds just to receive a basic connection.

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 1:57 AM 0 comments

Self-Directed Learning - Discover 7 Reasons Why Self-Directed Learning Will Bring You Freedom

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes, which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness, for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning. Carl Rogers

More and more people around the globe are starting to pursue an independent modality of education. The Internet has made it possible. Now that we are in the Information Age, a good education is literally at the tips of our fingers. Only 10 or 20 years ago concepts like e-learning, distance learning, self study and informal learning were unthinkable of.

Nevertheless, independent ways of learning are as old as humankind.

And they are by far the most effective.

Why?

Because self-directed learning brings freedom!

Here are 7 reasons why:

1.- Freedom to engage in an area of your own choice rather than following a curriculum designed by another. Each one of us has a distinctive, God-given blend of talents and gifts that need to be exploited individually.

2.- Freedom to pick your mentor and enjoy one-on-one attention from him or her. This is the way kings were educated! Throughout history the tutorial education method has forged great men and women.

3.- Freedom to design your own schedule. Imagine yourself getting up in the morning. No running, no stress. You can sit in front of your computer in your pyjamas, sipping a cup of coffee while you study out your favorite subject!

4.- Freedom to delve into the subject of your choice with passion and joy. There are no limits as to what you can learn once you are enraptured with your own learning process. Education will never be boring again.

5.- Freedom to gain a level of excellence. After a season of studying and developing your skills and talents, you will be an expert and people will come to you for help.

6.- Freedom to pursue God's plan for your life. Have you ever wondered if that dream that comes to your mind every now and then, is really from God? Maybe it is time to seriously pursue it!

7.- Eventually self-directed learning will lead you to financial freedom. Your passion can become your career!

I'd like to invite you to go for it! Visit http://www.Self-DirectedLearningForSuccess.com for tips and tools for creating and growing in your own learning process. Learn how to teach yourself in my FREE e-book: "The Power of Self-Directed Learning", and my FREE e-course: "Seven Steps to Consistently Change Your Life."

From Bettina Langerfeldt, who teaches people how to pursue their God-given gifts and talents by designing their own education with self-directed learning.

2008 Freedompioneer

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 1:48 AM 0 comments