Friday, May 3
Consumer Reports Frowns Upon Latest Portable Air Conditioners
13Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Business

Consumer Reports Frowns Upon Latest Portable Air Conditioners

Many Americans are turning to portable air conditioners this summer, as unseasonably low temperatures cause many people to decide that full HVAC installations aren't necessary; but homeowners may want to think again. Consumer Reports has recently released data, based on tests of eight different portable air conditioners, showing that performance levels of portable air conditioners are surprisingly low. Most of the air conditioners couldn't even cool a room from 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees within 100 minutes -- despite the fact that 78 degrees is considered the borderline for keeping indoor rooms comfortable. Why do people choose portable units? Many residents think that "portable" means the unit can be placed anywhere in the room, and they also assume that a smaller temporary...
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HP Crafts ‘Machine’ to Help Solve Data Storage Space Concerns
13Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Business

HP Crafts ‘Machine’ to Help Solve Data Storage Space Concerns

As the world of cloud computing continues to expand, so does the need for cloud service providers to add racks on racks on racks of bulky data servers that consume massive amounts of electricity. However, most cloud service providers are finding that their available space for servers is finite, and using standard data servers to store information on the cloud might not be sustainable. This is one of the main reasons why computer manufacturer HP is taking steps now to find a more sustainable means of data storage. “Toward the end of this decade, data growth will come at us at a rate that surpasses the ability of our current infrastructure to evolve to ingest, store and analyze it,” HP said in a statement. “A step change in computing technology is required.” According to a July 6...
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Not Enough Children in the U.S. Receiving Pediatric Dental Care Under New Enrollment
13Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Lifestyle

Not Enough Children in the U.S. Receiving Pediatric Dental Care Under New Enrollment

When small dental problems like cavities are allowed to fester, big health issues can develop, especially for kids. For this reason, the U.S. government decided to incorporate pediatric dental care into the "essential benefits" of the new health laws. However, recent data suggests that reality hasn't been holding up to this promise, and the government is failing to deliver. Many parents, it turns out, did not choose to purchase dental coverage during the online enrollment period of healthcare. Health experts are foretelling that no good will come from children not receiving regular dental care. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists reports that about 60% of U.S. children have, or have had cavities by the time they're five years old. While many children receive dental coverage...
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Utah Senator Dismisses Non-Contraceptive Uses of Birth Control
10Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Lifestyle

Utah Senator Dismisses Non-Contraceptive Uses of Birth Control

A controversial Supreme Court ruling earlier this week allows employers to deny women health insurance plans that include birth control, if they object on religious grounds. A Utah Senator expressed his support for the Supreme Court decision, stating that women -- from his point of view -- use birth control for "largely recreational purposes." Many, however, believe that it is unfair to say that women use birth control for recreational purposes only. "The overwhelming of women report using contraception for economic and medical reasons. Sixty-two million women in the U.S. are currently in their childbearing years and most -- 99 percent -- use birth control to prevent pregnancies, the National Women’s Law Center finds," ThinkProgress.org writes. Another study concludes, "Sixty-three perc...
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Residents Across the Country Gear Up to Fight Invasive Bermuda Grass Once More
10Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Local

Residents Across the Country Gear Up to Fight Invasive Bermuda Grass Once More

With good landscaping comes a sometimes difficult pest to control: invasive species. According to Chillico the Gazette, many people will need to gear up to fight back against Bermuda grass this summer. The invasive weed is important to fight in its early stages -- sprayed early, it can be eliminated. Wait too long, though, and the plant goes dormant, rendering sprays ineffective. The Bermuda grass has muddled many a once-beautiful landscape. They can quickly take over first lawns, then shrub and flower beds. Bermuda grass is anchored by a strong root system that can go many feet down into the soil -- and it's the root system that makes the plant difficult to eliminate once it has established itself. Few herbicides have much effect on this green invader. Bermuda grass is currently ...
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Biologists Urge People to Buy Firewood Locally, Prevent Spread of Invasive Species
10Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Local

Biologists Urge People to Buy Firewood Locally, Prevent Spread of Invasive Species

Could firewood be a carrier for invasive species? According to international biologists, this is often the case both locally and around the globe.On Manitoulin Island, Ontario, biologists are working to prevent the spread of invasive species, and preserve the current ecology. The crew there says that tourism has been a big part of bringing invasive species onto the island. “It can easily be transported on the tires and under the sides of recreational vehicles, bottom sides of boots, even on pets and bicycle tires,” says Eric Labelle, part of the Ontario Invading Species Awareness Program. “So it's important to try to clean these items before you got to the next region, or you could be transporting the invasive species.” One big carrier of invasive species, he points out, is firewood....
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Students Express Relief at UF’s Decision to Add Central Air Conditioning to Dorms
10Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Lifestyle, Local

Students Express Relief at UF’s Decision to Add Central Air Conditioning to Dorms

Florida is one of the hottest states in the U.S., with average summer temperatures in the 80s and 90s throughout the summer months. It might seem like Florida is one of the few states where you can expect air conditioning to be in every building, especially for places like schools and stores. For many University of Florida students, though, relief has only just arrived. According to The Alligator, a local Gainesville paper, all UF residence halls will have finally received central air conditioning by 2015. For many students, the change will provide welcome relief from the high temperatures that frequently drive students into cooler libraries and halls to study. "If these dorms change, their popularity would change because they would cater to today’s living," reflects Sara Wedeme...
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For $4,000, You Can Kick Back with a “Cuppa” at This Jane Austen-Inspired Cottage in Devonshire
9Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Lifestyle

For $4,000, You Can Kick Back with a “Cuppa” at This Jane Austen-Inspired Cottage in Devonshire

If you've ever wanted to take a vacation like an aristocrat, one estate in England is offering the chance. The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire have 24 cottages on their 35,000 acre estate, with the newly renovated Gardener's Cottage opening up at the end of June. This newest cottages, like the other 23, can be rented weekly, and depending on the season the cost to stay in Gardener's Cottage ranges from £1,197 to £2,391 per week (or $2,035 to $4,065 USD). (The cheapest option on the property, the Stone Annexe, sleeps two for four nights at £188 or $300 total.) Gardener's Cottage is considered the most luxurious cottage on the estate. It was built in the late 19th century and can sleep six. The inspiration from the decor, according the Duke and Duchess, comes from author Jane Austen....
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New Report Shows Cybercrime’s Impact on the Global Economy
9Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Business

New Report Shows Cybercrime’s Impact on the Global Economy

The Center for Strategic and International Studies has estimated that cybercrime and economic espionage likely cost the world economy an incredible $445 billion, which is one percent of the global income. Though it's not quite as staggering as the $1 trillion figure that President Barack Obama cited, this figure does put cybercrime in the same ranks as drug trafficking in terms of global economic damage. What's most troubling about the study, though, is that it suggests other problems in addition to these direct economic losses. “This is a global problem and we aren’t doing enough to manage risk,” said James A. Lewis, a senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a co-author of the report. According to the report, cybercrime most significantly affected t...
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Operating On a Conventional POS System May Be Hurting Your Business
9Jul By Daily InboxNo Comments
Business

Operating On a Conventional POS System May Be Hurting Your Business

Tech Page One has recently released an article highlighting the importance of an evolved point of sale (POS) system in the digital age -- namely, the article states, the conventional POS systems used in the past are proving to be time-consuming and financially irresponsible when compared to newer POS systems. The biggest development in POS systems -- and that which makes traditional POS cash registers seem to be from the Stone Age-- is the ability to conduct sales on smartphones and tablets. Mobile POS gives business owners all of the traditional POS capabilities while allowing for more mobility and security, and without taking up extra space or time. Perhaps most notable is the fact that mobile POS can be customized easily for big retailers and small independent businesses alike. Wheth...
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