Technology Business Academy

Every time the computer industry tries to make inroads into the home entertainment center by offering products that are designed to use the home TV screen as a computer screen, consumers offer a lot of resistance. Yet, the computer industry persists as evidenced by Intel’s Viiv technology and the fact that the media center version of Microsoft’s Windows XP operating system and several versions of the Vista operating system are designed to make computers a part of the home entertainment center.

While consumers have been busy resisting the incursion of the home computer into the home entertainment center, computer equipment has been sneaking in anyway. This covert incursion can be seen in the form of newer forms of TV technology. DVD players, digital TV converters, satellite receivers, DVR’s, and video gaming systems are all computers in some form or another.

One of the side effects of having all of this new technology so thoroughly computerizes is that there is an unprecedented level of compatibility between computers and the Internet, and the home entertainment center. For example, there are a variety of devices that take advantage of Internet connections to provide their users with more options. The TiVo is a good example of this. TiVos download their program guide information from the Internet and are even capable of being programmed to record specific TV shows from another location over the Internet. Some of the newer TiVos are even capable of downloading movies from the Internet to be shown on TV sets. Other devices that can do this include some versions of Sony HDTV sets, the Vudu, the Slingbox, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, and several others. The Apple TV can fetch video from the home computer(which can get the video from the Internet or from a digital video camera), and the ability to download movies directly from the Internet is expected to be coming soon to the Play Station 3 from Sony.

Another interesting result of the overlap between computers and TV is the introduction of portable video devices. A portable video device is a hand held, battery powered portable device that can store video on a built in data storage system and then display it on a TV screen or its built in screen. These devices come in a variety of sizes and capacities. For example, there are versions with only two gigabytes of storage space and such small screens that you have to wonder why anyone gave them the capacity to play video. At the other end of the extreme are devices that have amply sized screens, the ability to store over a hundred hours of video, access the web over a WiFi connection, and even record video that’s being played off of other devices and store it on their own hard disks. The data storage systems use either flash memory or more conventional hard disks, and the screens can either be conventional LCD technology or energy saving OLED screens. Some of these devices can even download video from some Digital Video Recorders if all of the compatibility issues are taken care of.

All of these devices show the benefits that computer technology can have when applied to home entertainment.

I think a piece of paper is one of the most powerful resource you have. It can be a great source of innovation and motivation.

For some reason, when we write our thoughts down on a piece of paper, the thoughts and our vision becomes more alive and complete.

I’m not sure why that is. Maybe it goes back to the days before we had paper or writing instruments. Imagine cave men counting on their fingers instead of just counting with their head.

The act of visualizing and seeing your thoughts, create more clarity and create more meaning.

Using a piece of paper and a writing instrument have help humanity advance to where we are act today.

When you are writing something down, you make connections that you haven’t seen before when the thought was just in your head.

I encourage you to write down your thoughts and ideas. You should never be more then a hand grab away from a pen and paper.

Some tips on innovative writing,

1) Write till your brain is empty. Do no critique your ideas, or ’spell check’ your words while writing for ideas. There are no wrong answers or ideas in the brain storming stage.

Often times the crazier the ideas the better. It’s much better to “go out of this world”, then bring it back home, then to have mediocre ideas from the start.

2) Have a healthy supply of pen and paper. Nothing worst then running out of paper. If you don’t have much writing room, your brain automatically shuts down and don’t come up with as much ideas.

So always have a healthy supply of writing canvas to come up with your ideas. Have a writing utensil that works.

3) Let the mind wander while brainstorming. Wherever your mind takes you, go for it. Get deep within your thought trails, there’s creative ideas to be uncovered.

One of the most important components on your mountain bike is your tires. They grip the ground and provide the traction you need on different surfaces. Most mountain bike riders look for light weight, strength and traction in a tire and many advanced riders even have multiple sets of tires for different riding conditions.

So what tire is right for your mountain bike and riding style? With so many different manufactures and models to choose from which one is right for you? These are not easy questions to answer so hopefully we can provide some insight to get you moving in the right direction. Mountain bike parts are not cheap and you want to make the right decision.

Tire Construction:

Consider a Kevlar bead or folding tire – A Kevlar tire weighs an estimated 60-80 grams less then a conventional none folding tire. It does not sound like much of a weight savings but multiple that number by two and then consider the rotating weight. For an extra couple of dollar, in my opinion, it is worth spending the extra money.

Terrain and Tread patterns:

Determine where you are going to ride and how you are going to use the bike. As an example will you be riding on the local trails that are hard packed dirt or on slick rock?





For hard packed terrain consider a narrower and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is 1.8 to 2.0 wide.





For hard packed terrain with a good mix of rocks you might want to consider a wider and smooth tire. As an example a tire that is wider then 2.0.





For loosely packed terrain consider a knobby tire. Choose a tire with a really aggressive pattern as this will help you gain maximum traction in the dirt. You might also want to consider tires that are designed for the front and rear of the bike.





For muddy terrain consider a narrow tire. Narrow tires will reach the bottom of the mud and create less resistance when turning making it easier for you to move forward.





For all terrain tires there are so many choices to consider. Many of the major tire manufacturers make very good tires that are great for all conditions.





Riders Body Size:

Consider your body size. If you are heavier you might want to consider a wider tire.

Where to buy:

You can buy your tires at a bike store, order them from an online website or from an individual sell tires posted on a mountain bike classifieds website.

The information above is a rough guide on what to consider when buying new mountain bike tires. Many bikes stores that have bikes for sale and bike parts can also give you their opinion. Talk to your friends and read online forums to see what other riders like and don’t like. The more information you have the better.

See you on the trail.