Monday 8 February 2010

Garmin eTrex Venture HC

Garmin eTrex Venture HC is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Despite of a low price tag, this satellite navigation system is housed with plenty of features that can truly guide you through any deep canyons and heavy covers.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC handheld GPS measures 2.2 inches wide, 4.2 inches high and 1.2 inches thick. It weighs around 156 grams. The yellow chassis gives eTrex Venture HC an attractive look. But, it is a little bulky to hold in hand. The buttons are positioned on the either sides of the system. This enables the user to operate this Garmin GPS system with single hand. Besides, the front side of the unit becomes solely dedicated to the display due to this. The buttons are large and comfortable to press.

The display of Garmin eTrex Venture HC Satellite Navigation System is colour TFT. With a resolution of 176 X 220 pixels and a support of 256K colours, this display provides a vivid view of the routes and maps. It is comfortable to view under heavy sunlight as well.

Since, Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS System is equipped with a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, it locates position almost instantaneously. There is a 24MB internal storage for the device. Unfortunately, the memory is not expandable. However, you can load around 10 tracks, 50 routes, 500 waypoints and map details to it, using a USB cable.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC handheld GPS is waterproof and can withstand an accidental dunk in the water. Some outdoor GPS games, fish calendar, and sun and moon information are the other additions in this Garmin GPS. Several features such as barometric altimeter, automatic re-routing, electronic compass, touch-screen and so on are not found in this. However, you cannot be expected these in a cheap GPS system. The battery of Garmin eTrex Venture HC stands for a time of 14 hours on a single charge.

Overall, Garmin eTrex Venture HC Waterproof Handheld GPS is a budget friendly choice, with some positives such as built-in maps and quality screen.

Saturday 6 February 2010

Venture capital firm adviser's estate lists in Boca Raton

The estate of David Nichinson has listed for sale a three-bedroom, three-bath home at 6742 Woodbridge Dr. in Unincorporated Boca Raton for $649,000.

The 2,370-square-foot house was built in 1984 in the Boca West Country Club neighborhood. Ken Reichle of Lang Realty is the listing agent for the home.

Nichinson served as an adviser at Weiss, Peck and Greer, a venture capital firm. He started his career as a staff member at M.I.T's Radiation Laboratory. He later served as president and chief executive officer of Kollsman Instruments and as president and Aiken Industries.

He earned his degree in mechanical engineering from M.I.T. He also attended Boston Latin School. He died in Sept. 2008.

According to BlockShopper.com, there have been 1,658 home sales in the Unincorporated Boca Raton during the past 12 months, with a median price of $164,000.

Why should you get a wedding film?

Over the last little while, I’ve had people ask me the same questions about { First Kiss Films } time and time again. So, I thought it might be helpful to post some answers here.

Why should I get wedding film?
Investment. You hear that word a lot but having just gotten married last year I’ve learned that one of the most important decisions you can make is to have your wedding day artfully documented. The day is over so quickly and there are moments that you will surely miss. Your wedding is truly only one day but it is your images that are captured that day that will last a lifetime.

Why shoot on film?
There is a reason film has stuck around for over 100 years. Film is unmatched by any other medium and nothing compares to the beautiful, rich and warm image it creates. Just watch the online sample and see for yourself.

I’ve already hired a photographer, do I still need a wedding film?
Yes! One cannot replace the other. A wedding film captures the subtle nuances and emotions you’ll experience, not just single moments in time. Both will be cherished as loving memories, but the static frame alone cannot contain the energy and beauty that exists on that day.

What makes you as a wedding filmmaker unique?
1) You are hiring a true artist. I’ve been an active film artist producing and exhibiting my work worldwide since 1997.

2) I use high-quality materials. I also not only shoot Super 8mm but also with 16mm film which is four times the resolution of 8mm and creates a stunning image that is still used by many film and television producers.

3) My gender. Filmmaking is still a male-dominated profession. But I feel being a woman gives me an advantage. I understand what a bride is looking for in her wedding day images and how to create the most flattering imagery. Another bonus: I can be with the bride the entire day and blend in as just one of the girls leaving everyone at ease. I adore what I do and just love making couples happy.

What got you into filmmaking?
I think creativity is one part genetics and one part environmental. Both my parents are creative and they encouraged us (and continue to do so) to be creative. And it paid off. Both my sister and I are artists and our creativity flows effortlessly.

My dad is the reason I make wedding films. He experienced much of our lives through a camera lens and documented our early years on Super 8mm film and then transitioned to video. He taught us the joy and importance of recording the big and little moments in life.

How long have you been shooting weddings?
Since I was fourteen years old. Obviously not full-time since then and I’ve used various mediums to document people’s weddings over the years (video, 35mm film, & later motion picture film). While I was a teenager my dad began shooting weddings just because he loved to do it (gosh, it is genetic!) and it gave him a chance to play with new technology.

The first time I shot a wedding was with my dad and I was working as the second camera unit for a huge Italian wedding. I helped him shoot weddings for a few years and then while attending university when I got really into still photography I began using the still frame to capture weddings.

And today? You could say I have combined the above experiences with my work as a film artist by using the medium that I love love love working with to make wedding films. It’s been a fabulous but long road to get here but I am thrilled that I’ve found my true calling.

Will you travel?
Indeed! Plus I don’t charge anything extra for travel other than the basic cost of transportation and accommodation.

Thursday 4 February 2010

Idaho Dems propose break for venture capitalists

Democrats want anybody who takes an ownership stake in a small Idaho business to be eligible for a 50 percent tax break when they unload their share of the venture for a profit.

The measure, introduced Thursday in the House Revenue and Taxation Committee for a full hearing later, is part of the minority party's six-bill package aimed at helping revive the state's lagging economy.

The bill seeks to stimulate investment from venture capitalists in companies with 20 or fewer employees, but it would also allow any family members to take stakes in relatives' companies, then get a 50 percent break on gains once they sell.

Operative earnings wouldn't qualify for the break.

Rep. Bill Killen, the Boise Democrat sponsoring the measure, says he wants to make such investments more attractive "by offering a little sweetener in the Idaho tax code."

Wednesday 3 February 2010

Craft Venture: Photo makeover, part I

I’m Brenda from Phydelle and Phydeaux Designs, back for another Craft Venture! We talked last week about revisiting your pricing, all part of our January series on post-holiday shop clean up and makeovers. You can’t have a makeover without new photos, which is what we’ll talk about this week!

I’ll start this week with an immediate disclaimer: I am by no means an expert in photography! But I can tell you without equivocation that when it comes to shopping online, we shop with our eyes first. The stronger and more appealing your photographs are, the more traffic you will have draw to your online shop.

Before you pick up your camera, spend some time working your way through a couple of crucial steps.

First step is to critically look at your photos! Are they a bit stale? Still have some Christmas, Halloween or even Fourth of July photos in your shop? Are you baffled about why your fantastic and beautiful widget just isn’t pulling in visitors? Or maybe you are rebranding your shop, building consistent styling across your photos? Ask someone for constructive criticism of your current photos (I recommend asking a successful online seller with fantastic photos for that kind of feedback, rather than your best customer or mom or spouse!).

Next step is to think about your brand, your customers, the story you want to tell with your photos and descriptions. You can tie all of this into how you style your photos!

Growth Economy Venture Challenge - Nokia announces $1m competition for mobile apps designed for poor

Nokia announced a $1 million competition for developers to make mobile applications to improve the lives of people living on less than $5 day. The winner of the Venture Challenge will be announced in June and receive a $1 million investment from the Finnish maker of mobile phones. President and Chief Executive Olla-Pekka Kallasvuo made the announcement at the morning keynote on this second day of the Consumer Electronics Show, turning the talk from the latest gadgets to upward mobility in emerging markets. The message was a refreshing dose of humility at a conference often relentlessly focused on making people buy bigger televisions. "I want to put our money where our mouth is," said Kallasvuo. "We want you to come up with new ways to improve people's lives and encourage upward mobility around the world." Details of the competition can be found at the link above. The deadline to enter is April 18.

A New Venture for Old Hats

Jim Hoovens rang in 2009 with some serious concerns about his job. It was quickly obvious to him that T-shirt screen printer T.J. Sales Co. Inc., where he worked 15 years, was struggling to stay afloat.

"Benefits were cut, salaries were cut, hours were reduced, all to help save the company money and try to save it from foreclosure," said Hoovens, the former operations manager.

The foreclosure came down in November. Guaranty Bank purchased the company's property and equipment at 545 S. Union Ave. for $494,316, according to Greene County records, and Hoovens, nine other workers and business owner Timothy J. Loudis were out of jobs.

By Dec. 30, however, Hoovens and two former co-workers, print operator Shawn Meredith and graphic artist George Swope, were back working in the Union Avenue building. This time it was as employees of startup Wiseguys Screen Printing.

Scott Bottorf, owner of embroidery service Sapphire Mills LLC, 4311 S. Timbercreeek in Battlefield, purchased T.J. Sales' screen printing equipment from Guaranty Bank for an undisclosed amount and signed a 90-day lease on the property. T.J. Sales had been a contract client of Sapphire Mills, Hoovens said.

Armed with the equipment and connections with veteran staff members, Bottorf - and investor partners Jeff Salyers of Play It Again Sports and Brian Wilmsmeyer of Elite Promotions Inc. - formed Wiseguys Screen Printing under JBS Co.

"There was a staff that was experienced, and the opportunity to buy the equipment at the right price," Bottorf said, noting he'd been considering adding screen printing to Sapphire Mills' services.

Mike Mattson, executive vice president and chief lending officer at Guaranty Bank, said the Union Avenue building is under contract for sale to another, undisclosed party, which would assume the Wiseguys lease and negotiate an extension or move in when the lease expires.

Wiseguys would likely move to southwest Springfield, since Bottorf said he plans to split his time between the screen printing and embroidery businesses. He's looking for space to lease, but in three to five years, he would like to expand the Sapphire Mills building, which he owns, to bring both businesses under one roof, he said.

Bottorf said he expects the Wiseguys client base to be similar to that of Sapphire Mills, which consists primarily of contract work. He also hopes to pick up orders from former T.J. Sales clients.

Salyers, a co-owner of Play it Again Sports in Springfield, said the embroidery and screen printing he orders for groups such as school and Little League teams makes up approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of his business.

He's ordered embroidery work from Sapphire Mills for more than 10 years, he said, and ordered screen print work from T.J. Sales for nearly 15 years.

"We were in limbo there for a couple of months," Salyers said of T.J. Sales closure. "When (Bottorf) took over, we knew him and what he brings to the table."

Loudis declined to comment on the new business. He said he's been doing some consulting work, but is still looking for permanent employment.

Hoovens said he expected to one day be back in business with colleagues Meredith and Swope.

"In January, when basically all hell broke loose, the three employees began talking about what if. We had plans to open our own shop," Hoovens said. "We were able to supply the talent, Scott brought the financial stability, and we made it work."