Author Archive
Thursday, April 24th, 2008
My GPS
A friend asked recommendations for a no frills handheld GPS, for rural use rather than nivigation. I have a Garmin GPS60. It’s simple, rugged and very accurate. It has a USB computer connection, so you can easily upload and download data to the computer.
Comments Off on My GPS - Posted in General,Tools by Happy
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Solar thermal power might solve all our problems
Those interested in solar thermal clean power might be interested in this article. http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/04/14/solar_electric_thermal/ The raw numbers suggest it might have significant advantages over wind power in many parts of Australia, but it’s not cheap. Based on the Cloncurry model:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloncurry_solar_power_station To supply 10% of Australia’s power would take something like 150 sq km ofdesert and […]
Comments Off on Solar thermal power might solve all our problems - Posted in Economics,Science by Happy
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Solar designs web site
Friend of mine has started up a business installing solar photo-voltaic power systems. Here is the Web site. http://www.solar-designs.com.au/promotion.shtml Tell ’em a little hurkle sent you!
Comments Off on Solar designs web site - Posted in General by Happy
Sunday, March 30th, 2008
How come 15 years of economic growth?
Australia has had 15 years of economic growth. How come? Was it: superb economic management by JH? hard work and greater productivity? free trade? China and the commodity boom? none of the above? And of course the answer is (5). We have just been through the longest, uninterrupted period of debt-funded economic expansion of all […]
Comments Off on How come 15 years of economic growth? - Posted in Economics by Happy
Monday, March 24th, 2008
The credit crunch is coming here
There is a non-zero possibility that, within the next 3-12 months, the international credit crunch will hit Australia. If so, the consequences could be: For banks and other lenders: They are unable to roll over their debt facilities, or the terms are much worse. Some fail or are bailed out, and the entire sector becomes […]
Comments Off on The credit crunch is coming here - Posted in Economics by Happy
Friday, March 14th, 2008
US taxes illegal drugs
For a long time the US constitution was interpreted to ensure a right to ingest whatever you like. Nixon was the first to be explicit about banning drugs: the “War on Drugs”. Interestingly, many US states actually sell tax stamps with specific tax rates for all kinds of illegal drugs. If you sell drugs on […]
Comments Off on US taxes illegal drugs - Posted in Economics,Social by Happy
Monday, March 3rd, 2008
Domestic violence is not just men beating up women
There is a widespread and deep assumption that domestic violence means men beating up women. The reality is that violence by women against men is about as common as the other way around. And although men may do more physical damage, the system is more likely to punish men than women, no matter who was […]
Comments Off on Domestic violence is not just men beating up women - Posted in Social by Happy
Monday, March 3rd, 2008
Iridium flares
Have you ever seen an Iridium flare? It’s amazing how many people have never even heard of them, but they are amongst the easiest and most impressive man-made celestial phenomena. And anyone can see them with the information on this site. http://www.heavens-above.com/
Comments Off on Iridium flares - Posted in Science by Happy
Friday, February 29th, 2008
Cholesterol is bunk
Have we been conned about cholesterol? by MALCOLM KENDRICK http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_articl e_id=430682&in_page_id=1774&in_page_id=1774&expand=true A leading researcher at Harvard Medical School has found that women don’t benefit from taking statins at all, nor do men over 69 who haven’t already had a heart attack.
Comments Off on Cholesterol is bunk - Posted in Health,Science by Happy
Thursday, February 28th, 2008
The world is under-nourished
Just to emphasise the point that much of the world is undernourished, I ranacross this article. http://www.inteldaily.com/?c=172&a=5326 There are lots of factors, but capitalism, unsustainable agriculture, droughts,energy shortages and ethanol production are all contributors. Global warmingis probably not an important factor so far. This is one of the reasons I worry less about climate change […]