Talking to plants will make them healthier, so the belief says. But what if they can also talk back and say what they need and express their gratitude? I mean not literarily but through a ring in your phone! That would be interesting, and oh.. odd!
Botanicalls.com has merged plant care with telecommunications, through it new system where your plants can call you on the phone when they need water, when they haven’t gotten enough, and to thank you when they’re no longer thirsty.
How does it work?
Each plant on the Botanicalls system is equipped with sensors connected to an Arduino microcontroller which contains code particular to that plant type. When a plant’s microcontroller determines that the plant needs to make a phone call based on current sensor information, it sends data through an Xbee wireless radio to an Xport gateway. This gateway connects to the internet, where it contacts a PHP script with the plant’s ID number and type of need. PHP then packages this information and passes it on to Asterisk, an open-source telephone system, which generates the call. When the call is placed, a prerecorded audio file is played, expressing the particular desire of that plant.
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Odd News, Research, Science, Technology Odd News, Research, Science, Technology
The National Telecommunications had imposed a law about penalizing giant cellphone companies for sending unsolicited text messages composed mainly of advertisements and promotions. Smart Telecom was penalized a total of P20,800 and Globe of P12,200 for unwanted messages.
But the penalty imposed has not prevented these companies from sending spam text messages. I am a SMART subscriber and spam messages about the company’s latest promotions and offers, especially right after I reload my account, have been regular annoyance at my inbox, some of which, I admit, are tempting. Since these are spam, which rhymes with scam by the way, I do not easily succumb to them.
Why was this measure not effective? These maybe are few of the reasons:
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Current Events, In the News, Politics, Technology Current Events, In the News, Philippine-Politics, Philippines, Politics, Spam, Spam-Filter, Technology
It seems that the health care crisis continues to be a problem in the Philippines. We have been running out of health manpower as nurses, midwives and doctors go abroad. It seems that we have another thing to be afraid of – the Philippines is also running out of hospitals!.
The Philippine Medical Association (PMA), based on a survey, reported that the number of hospitals, both private and public, in the country has dropped by 55 percent in the last 20 years – from a total of 2,000 in 1987 to only 890 at present.
Further, the new government policy that prevents private hospitals from “detaining” patients until they settle their hospitalization bills will worsen the situation. It may lead to bankruptcy of more hospitals which may lead to a more deteriorating health care system.
To probably mask this worsening situation, the Department of Health denies the claim that this problem exist.
What do we really need to solve the health care problem? Simple, we need a sustainable solution. As I have observed, the government is always acting on impulse. The worsening education status of the Filipinos, for example, was thought can be solved by offering student loans. Although, this seems a promising solution, it will not really address the root of the problem – which is poverty. I think it will work, but only as supplementary aid for the purpose of defeating lack of education.
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Health, Personal, Politics, Social Issues Health, Personal, Politics, Social Issues
I was tagged by Edward and Jhay to reveal 8 random facts about me. (Thanks to them)
1.0 In the 8 facts about [name], you share 8 things that your readers don’t know about you. At the end, you tag 8 other blogger to keep the fun going. Each blogger must post these rules first.
2.0 Each blogger starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3.0 At the end of the post, a blogger needs to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4.0 Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog..
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Blogging Blogging
Web 2.0 sites such as social networks, blogs and wikis have been subjects of malicious attacks recently. MySpace.com had several phishing attacks few months ago where dozens of user accounts were hijacked and used to attack visiting computers. Blogspot.com was also a subject of attacks few months ago when spam accounts had been made for phishing.
Websense Inc. has developed HoneyJax, a threat detection system designed to spot Web 2.0 attacks soon after they are launched. The system will root out attacks on social networking sites, blogs and wikis, and then update the company’s Web Security Suite to protect users from malicious Web sites or pages.
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Internet Internet
A study found out that emissions from office laser printers can be as unhealthy as cigarette smoke. Smoking ban in some country are already taking its effects but it seems that people has new reason to worry.
The average printer releases toner particles that can get deep into the lungs and cause respiratory problems and cardiovascular trouble, according to Morawska’s team, part of the International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, and specialists in atmospheric particles. CNET news
The researchers tested 62 laser printer models and found that 17 of them were “high emitters” of toner particles. Although these particles have not had examined for chemical contents but these were considered carcinogens [agents causing cancer].
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Computer, Health, Research Computer, Health, Health Tips, Research
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