Tag: Eco Gadget
Gadgets News
by pyred.com on Sep.10, 2010, under Cool Gadgets
Dvorak Vs Qwerty
When you read this Gadgets News, maybe it is also the first time you hear about Dvorak. Dvorak is alternative keyboard layout, beside the well know “qwerty” keyboard. To my surprise, this layout already been around for decades, long before the Eco Gadget issue came up, yet is very little know (this is the first time I heard about it as well). To its devotees, Dvorak layout is passionately embraced. The main reason is this layout allows them to type at much faster speed (110 words per minute, while with QWERTY layout the average is 40 words per minute), while at the same time reduce strain on wrists and hands. According to Dvorak users, on this layout, the mostly used letters are arranged on home row, allowing them to type faster and more natural compared to conventional layout.
The first keyboard layout of modern typewriter developed in 1860 by Christopher Sholes was originally arranged in alphabetical order. The problem came when two adjacent keys typed in rapid sequence; they stuck. The layout was later rearranged, separating most frequent used letters apart. That was how the initial “qwerty” layout was born. The name was taken from the six letters located on the upper left of the keyboard. Meanwhile, Dvorak layout was design in 1932 by an education professor at Washington University, August Dvorak, to increase and typing speed. Therefore he placed most common used letters, such as vowels, on home row and removed less common used letters from that row.
Widespread access to Dvorak layout was not available until the age of personal computers. In 1980s, third-party programs was developed to accommodate Dvorak layout in personal computers and included as a standard setting in the Microsoft Windows operating system in early 1990s, later followed by Apple for their Mac computers. It does not need special keyboard to use Dvorak layout. The only thing that needed to change is the computer setting. It does change the keys settings, but since Dvorak users type based on memory, it does not bother them. Dvorak layout is less complicated, much easier especially for dyslexic to learn. It takes only 20 minutes to memorize Dvorak layout. For conventional layout it takes 45 minutes.
Since the beginning of its invention, Dvorak devotees have to struggle for respect. It need decades of time for Dvorak layout to be officially recognized as the alternative layout to the conventional QWERTY by the American National Standards Institute. Now a new platform emerged, smartphones. Where typing is a crucial factor for this new platform, Dvorak users find themselves in similar situation. Dvorak layout is ignored again.
Up to now, most smartphones developers ignored Dvorak layout to be used on their devices, forcing Dvorak users to improvise their own solution by creating application that allow iPhone users to add Dvorak layout to their device. But by doing so, they cancel their warranty since this application is developed by third party.
Below is the comparison between both layouts:
- Gadgets News
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Green Gadget
by pyred.com on Aug.20, 2010, under Eco Gadgets
Volkswagen Milano
Green Gadget
Taking a taxi in Europe seems will be more and more pleasing with this brand new Green Gadget Volkswagen Milano taxi, with solid Eco Friendly Gadget design and electricity as power source will be launched in Hannover, Germany. In addition to the pampering function and design for its passengers, this taxi is also environmentally friendly since it is using electricity as main power source. Volkswagen Milano is able to reach top speed 120 km/hour, produced by electric engine with topmost power of 85 kilowatts, stored within its lithium ion battery, with a capacity of 45 kilowatts per hour. That way, Volkswagen Milano is able to roam the streets of Milan up to 300 kilometers, depends on driving style. As will be exhibited Volkswagen this September on Hannover Trade Show in Hannover, Germany.
As quoted by the official Volkswagen site on Wednesday (21/04/2010) Taxi MPV Milano is tailored to the needs of city taxi drivers and passengers in many innovative details, such as sliding doors that open in the front and touch screen. Two tone color; green and black are used as a tribute to Milan as the metropolitan city of fashion. Later, these choices of colors can be adjusted with the character of the city. Passenger security elements are not forgotten. The designer deliberately eliminating one rear door, leaving only one door, therefore ensuring that passenger will come and exiting on pavement side. Thanks to the development of kinematic mechanisms with two axes, the door can be opened wide offering wide entrance. Sliding door is also extended until rooftop, so that also offers convenience in the terms of altitude.
Technical specifications
Type : Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Machinery : electric motors with a lithium ion battery
Peak energy : 85 kilowatts
Maximum speed : 120 km per hour
(continue reading…)
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High Tech Gadget Compromise Driving Safety
by pyred.com on Aug.11, 2010, under Cool Gadgets
High Tech Gadget
High Tech Gadget is now inseparable from automotive industry. At today’s auto shows, the latest gadgets are not only a complementary to the vehicle. They now have now become an integrated system to the car itself, even though most of them are not Eco Gadget that can help to reduce car emission. Chrysler has U-Connect, the integrated multimedia system for navigation, engaging phone conversation through mobile phone, music player, television and even internet. These features are accessible through voice command, touch screen display, or switches located behind the vehicle’s steering wheel. Ford has Sync, an in-car system for connectivity that transmits all information sources to navigation screen, starting from phone call, to text message and emails. It can provide the closest gas station with the cheapest gas price. It can obtain sports information, movie lists, and all the latest news. It has Doppler weather radar as well.
When a High Tech Gadget is added to vehicles, they are surely entertaining and also convenient to use. But safety has become neglected by car manufacturers when they add these gadgets to the dashboard of their vehicles. Most of these gadgets are intended for entertainment purposes, and driving is something that certainly not accounted for. During conversation using mobile phone, the risk of having car accident increase four times. That great increase of risk resulted only by one gadget. If other risks factors were added, the outcome would not only be endangering, it would be lethal. Currently, there are no legal regulations regarding the usage of these gadgets. It is all depends on our discretion on how these gadgets are used. (continue reading…)
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