Over the past few decades, the international phenomenon of counterfeiting of modern currency has slowly acquired such alarming proportions that it has turned into a serious problem for Governments the world over. In order to control this international criminal activity and protect the currencies of their respective countries, Governments around the world have been effecting changes in their currency notes from time to time.

The worldwide increase in the incidence of the production of counterfeit currency is taking place owing to the availability and advent of new technology in the form of powerful consumer image editing software, high-resolution scanners and other necessary computer equipment at very low prices. Such technology has made it very easy for the counterfeiters to prepare duplications of the designs and images imprinted on the modern currency. Taking up the challenge of tackling the growing threat of counterfeit currency very seriously, the Governments around the globe are taking firm steps to both control as well as prevent such duplication. Here, we talk about some such measures that are being undertaken worldwide.

The United States government in the late 80s issued 20, 50 and 100-dollar denominations with a “security strip” inside the bill. The security strip made of fluorescent plastic was embedded in the bill itself. The strips run from top to bottom and can be easily read under a fluorescent light bulb. The denomination of the bill was written on the strip, to prevent counterfeiters from “upgrading” lower denominations of the bill to higher denominations by “washing” the ink from the paper and reprinting the graphics of the bill using dye sub or laser printers.

Another method used by the United States government was the water marking system. The latest bills issued by the treasury have images embedded in the currency’s paper. The watermark image can be viewed under a light source.

The image in the watermark should match the image of the president on the bill. The $100 bill has Benjamin Franklin as the standard and the watermark image. Some currency notes such as the $5 bills have been counterfeited to $100 bills. This bill is a carbon copy of the genuine one, but under scrutiny, the watermark image will reveal Lincoln’s face as per the $5 bills and the true colors of the fake currency.

The latest counterfeit prevention technology put into use is the usage of special inks that appear to be different colors at different angles. Viewed from the left it would reveal the color green, and from the right the color would be black. These color-changing inks are very difficult to reproduce as they use a special compound that is next to impossible for the counterfeiters to manufacture.

These, then, are some of the latest security measures in practice in the United States to control the rising incidence of counterfeit US currency. However, this battle is far from over, as the counterfeiters keep on finding new and better ways to ensure the continuation of their illegal trade with the help of the latest technology. Keeping this in mind, we shall continue our research in this direction in order to keep you posted about the fresher challenges faced by the US Government in this battle and how they measure up to the efforts of the counterfeiters in ensuring the victory of the genuine US dollar.

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Much of outer space has the same density and pressure of a near ideal vacuum. Which literally means that it contains almost no friction, however the characteristics of a “perfect” vacuum are unknown. A perfect vacuum is state that cannot almost be obtained in a laboratory or in outer space, BUT, a perfect one does not exist to our knowledge. If a humans was exposed to a space vacuum, they would lose consciousness after a few seconds and would die within a couple of minutes from asphyxia. However, the real picture of death would not be as graphic as we see on movies and t.v. Scientist Robert Boyle was the first person to ever show that vacuum would kill small animals. The symptoms that occur are as follows: blood and other body fluids will boil and the vapor pressure may be so large that it will bloat the body to twice its normal size. It will also slow down circulation, but elastic like tissues of the body are flexible enough to prevent bursting. This does not happen to astronauts because they wear a fitted elastic piece of clothing called the Crew Altitude Protection Suit (CAPS) which prevents embolism and asphyxiation. However, even though embolism is avoided, there are still small amounts of evaporation taking place which can cause rapid cooling of the skin that will create frost, especially in the mouth. This however, does not pose a serious threat to the astronauts health.

Animal experiments have shown that rapid recovery is the normal if the animal is exposures for less than 90 seconds, but longer full body exposures are always fatal and recovery has never been successful. Obviously, there is limited data available about human exposure, but it is safe to say that it would be relatively close with the experiments from animals.. Limbs can be exposed for much longer periods of time compared to the entire body, but only if breathing is not impaired. If a person holds his breath during the decompression process, the fragile interior of the lungs may be damaged and result in death. Eardrums may be damaged by this, which will cause bleeding, stress and then lead to asphyxiation.

Space vacuum experiments were used by the Nazi’s in world war two on death camp prisoners. They would expose people to high altitude conditions to see how much speed and pressure the human body could withstand. Of course, this inhumane experimentation process was discontinued after the war, and all space vacuum experiments now are done theoretically or on animals.

Before we discuss carpal tunnel syndrome treatment it is first important to learn how this condition occurs. The carpal tunnel is a narrow passage of both bone and ligaments in your wrist. The median nerve passes through this passage. For most people there is never a problem with this nerve passing through this small tunnel. However, continuous wrist and hand movement puts stress on the tendons, and may even cause them to swell. This swelling logically limits the space in the tunnel and can eventually put pressure on the median nerve. The pressure has the undesired effects of numbness, pain and limited movement. There are many activities that contribute to these overuse injuries.

Overuse injuries are very common in occupations that include keyboarding, playing musical instruments or even workers on an assemble line. It is the repetition with the hand and wrist that exposes oneself to this sort of inflammation and discomfort. The most common form manifests itself in the wrist. Additional symptoms include pain, weakness, burning, numbness or even tingling in the hand. If you are experiencing any of these feelings then you need carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. The good news is that there is help that you can do from home as long as your pain and discomfort are only moderate. This moderate discomfort accounts for the vast majority of all cases. However, without a lifestyle change and any treatment your pain and mobility can progress to severe. For more severe cases you will need to consider surgery or even physical therapy treatment.

For moderate cases cold pack therapy will provide just the relief you need. Gel ice packs will not only lessen the pain they will also help reduce the swelling and pressure on the median nerve and provide immediate, temporary relief around the wrist. Of course this form of carpal tunnel syndrome treatment must be applied appropriately. We recommend applying cold therapy in 10 to 20 minute increments. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. This cannot only cause pain and discomfort due to the cold, but could eventually lead to damage. There are numerous ways to avoid this direct contact. The most common technique is to use a towel to serve as both a container and a barrier. However, this method does not treat the entire wrist, can be messy and will involve another hand or some bandage to hold it in place. Not a big deal, but it will prevent you from accomplishing anything else, and may take more time if you decide to rotate the ice around each side of the wrist. Fortunately, companies have finally started to make sports medicine cold pack therapy products just for this condition. I recommend purchasing one of these ice wraps made especially for the wrist. They are very inexpensive, often less than $25.

Custom ice wraps are extremely comfortable and provide effective carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. The concept is very simple. Manufacturers begin with gel ice packs. This gel is a special substance that freezes quickly and feels comfortable when applied. The packs are then sealed in plastic or rubber before being placed in a special material that is perfect for many physical therapy applications. Once such material is neoprene, but there are others. Neoprene adds the perfect amount of insulation and padding without preventing the cold pack therapy process from working. Now you have a finished ice wrap that is a perfect carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. They can be put right back into the freezer for multiple applications. The nice thing about these ice wraps is that they may be used over your clothes without creating a mess when the ice thaws.

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Computers:

First Computer Invented:

Most people when they think of first computer invented they think Bill Gates. This, however, is not true, for the computer was invented long before Bill Gates was around. Bill Gates only revolutionized the computer, buy creating a more compact and useful form of the computer and making it available to everyone with a job.

There are many people out there who would say that the first “computer” was the abacus, invented in Asia about 5000 years ago. I however, wouldn’t.

The first of the “modern” computers was invented during World War II, in 1941 by a German engineer named Konrad Zuse. Its name was the Z3 and it was used to help design German airplanes and missile’s. Then in 1943, the Allied forces developed a computer called Colossus. It helped decode German messages.

The Mark I, designed by Howard H. Aiken, an engineer working with Harvard and IBM. The Mark I was positively huge, taking up half of a football field. It was useful though and it helped to create ballistic charts for the US Navy during the war.

Shortly after this, came the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC), developed by John Presper Eckert and John W. Mauchly, working with the government and the University of Pennsylvania. ENIAC was about 1000 times faster than The Mark I but no smarter.

The Use of transistors, ment computers that could store memory and even run programs. Soon after computer languages were invented so that people could change the programs run by the computer. Finally computer research brought us smaller, more useful computers, and eventually the kinds of computers that we have today.

First Laptops Invented:

Although it is a little hard to determine what the first portable or laptop computer was, and when it was invented, we can however say that there is more than one claim to laptop fame. There was even signs of laptops dating back as early as 1979. Designed by a Briton, William Moggridge, for use by NASA in early 1980’s. IT was one fifth the weight of any model equivalent in performance and was a 340K byte bubble memory lap-top computer with die-cast magnesium case and folding electroluminescent graphics display screen.

Since then notebook PC’s released in 1981 lay clam to being the first. It was the Epson HX-20, a battery powered portable computer, with a 20-character by 4 line LCD display and a built-in printer that started the new widespread desire for these laptop computers.

In January of 1982, Microsoft’s Kazuhiko Nishi and Bill Gates begin discussions on designing a portable computer, based on using a new liquid crystal display or LCD screen. LCD technology in 1982? Yeah that’s right! Believe it or not we had the technology to make the LCD tvs and monitors that you’ve seen only recently over 22 years ago. But that’s another story in itself.

First PDAs Invented:

First of all PDA stands for personal digital assistants in case you didn’t already know. In 1993, Apple Computer Inc. released the very first PDA(personal digital assistants) “The Newton®”. For the next three years, PDA sales dwindled, and were almost off the charts. Then, in March 1996, Palm™, Inc. delivered the industry’s first truly compelling handheld computer, the PalmPilot. Today there are to many PDA companies and products to even bother mentioning.

Some Things You Can Do On A PDA:

Get a Wireless Connection
Surf the Web
Play Music and Video Files
Watch movies Using PocketTV
Play a Game
Use Your Pocket PC as a backup device
Update Office Documents
Download and read E-books
Listen to Audio Books
Connect to Windows servers using Terminal Services
Use Messenger Tools
Change the theme of your Pocket PC
Project the Pocket PC screen onto your desktop
Study
Do Your Taxes

Some PDA Software:

Medical/Drug Resources PDA Software
Medical Calculators PDA Software
Learning Tools PDA Software
Patient Tracking PDA Software
Document Readers PDA Software
Medical Equipment PDA Software
Databases PDA Software
Printing PDA Software
News and information PDA Services
Street Finders and Maps PDA Software
Bible Study PDA Software
Voice Command PDA Software
Language Translator PDA Software
Tax PDA Software

Home Entertainment Technology:

Home Entertainment really is just a collaboration of all our entertainment technologies into a package that surely will not disappoint us. Home entertainment systems have many different parts that together give us the feeling of being at the movies.

Plasma TV
LCD Panel TV
DLP Rear Projection TV
Video Projectors
Surround Sound Audio Systems
Speakers
DVD / CD / VCR Players
Accessories and Furniture
Satellite Television
Media Center HTPCs

First Television Invented:

The first signs of a tele date back to the 1862 when Abbe Giovanna Caselli invents his “pantelegraph” and becomes the first person to transmit a still image over wires. In 1900, at the World’s Fair in Paris, the 1st International Congress of Electricity was held, where Russian, Constantin Perskyi made the first known use of the word “television.” In 1930 Charles Jenkins broadcasts the first TV commercial. The BBC begins regular TV transmissions.

Then throughout the years the inventions came one after another. In 1950 the FCC approves the first color television standard which is replaced by a second in 1953. Vladimir Zworykin developed a better camera tube - the Vidicon. In 1956 Robert Adler invents the first practical remote control. In 1973 giant screen projection TVs are first marketed. Followed by Sonys release of the first home video cassette recorder in 1976.By time 1996 came around there was a billion TV sets world-wide.

First DVD/Player Invented:

We can only assume the transition over from cd’s and cd players over to dvds and dvd players wasn’t that hard. The technology was already there for them. So the dvd player was surely invented before or right after the dvd was invented. DVDs are the work of many companies and many people. The DVD evolved from CD and related technologies. Companies such as Sony, Philips, Toshiba, Matsushita, Time Warner, and others announced the new “high density” dvd in September of 1995.

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Spoofing refers to the ability to disguise the originating caller identification number when placing a telephone call. The calling party may select an alias or dummy number to appear on the called party telephone display.

Proponents of this technology laud its uses for law enforcement and private investigators. They claim the technology protects agents from being discovered in undercover operations. Agents can freely make pretext calls to criminal elements by using caller ID spoofing. A pretext call is one that allows law enforcement to solicit information over the telephone by representing themselves as someone else.

Caller ID spoofing is now marketed by a number of websites to any business or individual who wishes to subscribe to the service. Individuals can hide or mask the call origin with whatever number they desire. This guarantees anonymity. Collection agencies or government tax agencies often find it difficult to reach defaulters. This service could help these companies contact an individual using call screening.

Critics of the caller ID spoofing claim that using this VoIP phone service makes it easy for scam artists to make it appear that they are calling from another phone number.

Jokesters could masquerade their caller ID as The Oval Office, Ed McMahon or Paris Hilton. Hackers and con artists could utilize spoofing to break into unsecured voice mail boxes that rely on caller identification for authentication. For example, Secure Science Corporation discovered that hackers could use caller ID spoofing to break into the voice mailboxes of over 15 million subscribers of wireless service provider T-Mobile. The company scrambled to add an optional pin code authentication to thwart tampering.

Criminal elements could utilize caller ID spoofing to reverse the tables on law enforcement, harass victims and break into interactive voice response systems that use the caller’s phone number as authentication. A child molester could contact a home and disguise number as a parent’s work number. An alarm company or emergency response dispatch could be contacted and reassured of false alarm by a burglar breaking into a premise.

Methods and kits on how to emulate and display spoofed caller ID messages are now available on the Internet. Anyone with a general understanding of the concept and a compatible modem can construct a device that will provide caller ID spoofing.

In the end, caller ID spoofing, like any other technology does have some merit especially for law enforcement. However this technology is very easy to use unethically and perhaps criminally. The lesson here is don’t trust caller id display. If you are unsure of the caller id information of a suspicious caller, take the number down, return the call or alert authorities.

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