Do you listen to the Radio or TV in your home office? If so, then you need this cool gadget!

Are you tired of hunting for your TV or Stereo remote when a business call comes in?

Well worry no more, because I have found a really cool gadget called the TV Silencer, that will automatically mute your TV or stereo, or even pause your DVD/CD/VCR player when the phone rings.

If you run a business out of your home office and you like to listen to radio or tv while you work, then you know the hassle of quickly turning down or muting the radio so you can take that all so important call. After all it is a business call right.

I have spoke with a number of people who work for call centers out of there homes, and they like to have background music while they work, but they know that they are supposed to make the calling customers think that they are in an office environment, so they must quickly turn off or mute there music while they talk.

This device is so versatile that it can send 2 IR commands to anything when the phone rings. That means that you can send 2 different commands out to 1 device, or 1 command to 2 separate devices at the same time.

To make this device even sweeter is that in now sells for only $39.99. Go check out the TV Silencer for yourself, and make your home business experience a little bit easier.

Nano Technology is finaly comming out of the lab with real world potential

Nano Technology has been a thing of science fiction for far to long, and it's about time it has come out of story books and failing lab tests to the real world from proven lab results and actual production materials that can possibly change the world for the better.

Ben Wang, director of Florida State's High-Performance Materials Institute said that they have actually demonstrated materials made from nanotechnology, called Buckypaper, that are capable of being used on flying systems.

It takes upward of five years to get a new structural material certified for aviation use, so Wang said he expects Buckypaper's first uses will be for electromagnetic interference shielding and lightning strike protection on aircraft.

Electrical circuits and even natural causes such as the sun or Northern Lights can interfere with radios and other electronic gear. Buckypaper provides up to four times the shielding specified in a recent Air Force contract proposal, Wang said.

Typically, conventional composite materials have a copper mesh added for lightning protection. Replacing copper with buckypaper would save weight and fuel.

Wang demonstrated this with a composite model plane and a stun gun. Zapping an unprotected part of the model caused sparks to fly. The electric jolt, though, passed harmlessly across another section shielded by a strip of buckypaper.

Other near-term uses would be as electrodes for fuel cells, super capacitors and batteries, Wang said. Next in line, buckypaper could be a more efficient and lighter replacement for graphite sheets used in laptop computers to dissipate heat, which is harmful to electronics.

The long-range goal is to build planes, automobiles and other things with buckypaper composites. The military also is looking at it for use in armor plating and stealth technology.

"Our plan is perhaps in the next 12 months, we'll begin -- maybe -- to have some commercial products," Wang said. "Nanotubes obviously are no longer just lab wonders. They have real world potential. It's real."

The scientific discovery that led to buckypaper virtually came from outer space.

In 1985, British scientist Harry Kroto joined researchers at Rice University for an experiment to create the same conditions that exist in a star. They wanted to find out how stars, the source of all carbon in the universe, make the element that is a main building block of life.

Everything went as planned with one exception.

"There was an extra character that turned up totally unexpected," recalled Kroto, now at Florida State heading a program that encourages the study of math, science and technology in public schools. "It was a discovery out of left field."

The surprise guest was a molecule with 60 carbon atoms shaped like a soccer ball. To Kroto, it also looked like the geodesic domes promoted by Buckminster Fuller, an architect, inventor and futurist. That inspired Kroto to name the new molecule buckminsterfullerene, or "buckyballs" for short.

For their discovery of the buckyball -- the third form of pure carbon to be discovered after graphite and diamonds -- Kroto and his Rice colleagues, Robert Curl Jr. and Richard E. Smalley, were awarded the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 1996.

Separately, Japanese physicist Sumio Iijima developed a tube-shaped variation while doing research at Arizona State University.

Researchers at Smalley's laboratory then inadvertently found that the tubes would stick together when disbursed in a liquid suspension and filtered through a fine mesh, producing a thin film -- buckypaper.

The secret of its strength is the huge surface area of each nanotube, said Ben Wang, director of Florida State's High-Performance Materials Institute.

"If you take a gram of nanotubes, just one gram, and if you unfold every tube into a graphite sheet, you can cover about two-thirds of a football field," Wang said.

Now carbon nanotubes (CNT) are getting in on the act with nanotechnologists working out how to grow nanotube reinforcements for polymers in an ideal manner.

Researchers from Trinity College have developed a scalable inexpensive technique to grow grid patterns of nanotube arrays. To maximise the effect of CNT reinforcement on a polymer thin film, while minimizing nanotube content, a controllable way of varying the volume fraction of CNTs within the composite is needed. In order to do this, the inter-grid spacing can be tailored as required giving a simple method of controlling the volume fraction of nanotubes grown on substrates.

The research work by Werner J. Blau, Dr. Emer Lahiff, Andrew I. Minett and Dr. Kentaro Nakajima is expected to lead to incorporation of CNTs in polymer matrices within flat panel displays, sensors, flexible electronic devices and actuators.

Troy, N.Y. - Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created robust quantum models to compare key characteristics of copper and CNTs.
"If you go to the nanoscale, objects do not behave as they do at the macroscale," said Saroj Nayak, an associate professor in Rensselaer's Department of Department of Physics, Applied Physics, and Astronomy, who led the research team. "Looking forward to the future of computers, it is essential that we solve problems with quantum mechanics to obtain the most complete, reliable data possible." "Given the data we collected, we believe that carbon nanotubes at 45 nanometers will outperform copper nanowire."

"Other researchers have developed ways to produce hydrogen with mind-boggling efficiency, but their approaches are very high cost," says Craig A. Grimes, professor of electrical engineering. "We are working toward something that is cost effective."

A greener, less expensive method to produce hydrogen for fuel may eventually be possible with the help of water, solar energy and nanotube diodes that use the entire spectrum of the sun's energy, according to Penn State researchers.

Currently, the steam reforming of natural gas produces most of our hydrogen. As a fuel source, this produces two problems. The process uses natural gas and so does not reduce reliance on fossil fuels; and, because one byproduct is carbon dioxide, the process contributes to the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the carbon footprint.

Grimes' process splits water into its two components, hydrogen and oxygen, and collects the products separately using commonly available titanium and copper. Splitting water for hydrogen production is an old and proven method, but in its conventional form, it requires previously generated electricity. Photolysis of water solar splitting of water has also been explored, but is not a commercial method yet.

Grimes and his team produce hydrogen from solar energy, using two different groups of nanotubes in a photoelectrochemical diode. They report in the July issue of Nano Letters that using incident sunlight, "such photocorrosion-stable diodes generate a photocurrent of approximately 0.25 milliampere per centimeter square, at a photoconversion efficiency of 0.30 percent."

"It seems that nanotube geometry is the best geometry for production of hydrogen from photolysis of water," says Grimes.

The photoelectrochemical diodes function the same way that green leaves do, only not quite as well. They convert the energy from the sun into electrical energy that then breaks up water molecules. The titanium dioxide side of the diode produces oxygen and the copper titanium side produces hydrogen.

Although 0.30 percent efficiency is low, Grimes notes that this is just a first go and that the device can be readily optimized.

"These devices are inexpensive and because they are photo-stable could last for years," says Grimes. "I believe that efficiencies of 5 to 10 percent are reasonable."

Grimes is now working with an electroplating method of manufacturing the nanotubes, which will be faster and easier.

There is still far more Nanotech materials coming out of the labs and into reality, I just wanted to shed some light on the subject in general. I really believe in the idea and concepts that nanotechnology can bring us into a much brighter and cleaner future.

DIRECTV to Offer HD Local Channels In 121 Markets by Year-End

With Launch of 44 New HD Markets More Than 88 Percent of U.S. Television Homes Will have Access to Local HD Channels from DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., July 28, 2008 - DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to strengthen its HD presence with the addition of 44 new HD local channel markets. By the end of 2008, DIRECTV will provide local HD broadcast channels in 121 cities, representing more than 88 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV will begin the roll-out of the new HD local markets in August and continue through the end of the year. The new markets include:

Augusta, Ga.	Harrisonburg, Va.
Bangor, Maine	La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wis.
Baton Rouge, La.	Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.
Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas	Lincoln-Hastings, Neb.
Boise, Idaho	Macon, Ga.
Burlington Vt.-Plattsburgh, N.Y.	Mobile AL-Pensacola, Fla.
Butte-Bozeman, Mont.	Myrtle Beach-Florence, S.C.
Champaign-Springfield-Decatur, Ill.	Norfolk-Newport News, Va.
Charleston, S.C.	Palm prings, Calif.
Chattanooga, Tenn.	Peoria-Bloomington, Ill.
Colorado Springs-Pueblo, Colo.	Richmond-Petersburg, Va.
Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo.	Rockford, Ill.
Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island, Ill.	Rochester, N.Y.
Dayton, Ohio	Savannah, Ga.
Des Moines-Ames, Iowa	Sioux Falls, S.D.
Dothan, Ala.	South Bend-Elkhart, Ind.
El Paso, Texas	Springfield-Holyoke, Mass.
Evansville, Ind.	Syracuse, N.Y.
Fort Smith, Ark.	Tallahassee, Fla.
Fort Wayne, Ind.	Toledo, Ohio
Greenville-New Bern-Washington, N.C.	Traverse City-Cadillac, Mich.
Harlingen-Brownsville, Texas	Youngstown, Ohio

With the rollout of 44 new HD local markets, DIRECTV continues to strengthen its position as the leading provider of quality HD programming among cable and satellite competitors nationwide," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "Our DIRECTV 11 satellite has recently begun operations and significantly expands our capacity for more national and local HD channels. And as we have with the SuperFan® service for MLB EXTRA INNINGS® and NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ and our multi-screen coverage of US Open golf, we will continue to use HD to enhance our unique interactive services to provide our customers with more of what they want and expect from us - the best television experience available."

DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC - where available and authorized, to customers who subscribe to any CHOICE® programming package that offers local channels. DIRECTV HD customers will continue to pay only a $9.99 access fee, allowing them to receive DIRECTV's premier HD technology and all channels broadcast in HD that are tied to their particular base programming package.

Customers should visit directv to learn more about the full complement of DIRECTV's HD programming lineup including existing channels, new channels, details on equipment required for the new DIRECTV HD services and updates on when the new markets will launch.
For new subscription sign-ups with the best possible promotions visit: http://www.directv.ws

With the DIRECTV 11 satellite just introduced to the fleet and the launch of the DIRECTV 12 satellite next year, DIRECTV will have the capacity to deliver 200 national HD channels and 1,500 local HD and digital channels in addition to new advanced programming services for customers nationwide.

This post updated 10/26/08

Increase your companies bottom line in an economical slump.

Is today's economy crunch hurting your companies bottom line? Has your number of sales decreased? Are you looking for a new and better way to increase sales and bring in some fresh faces? Do you think the problem is your sales staff, your ad copy, or maybe the economy?

Think again its really pretty simple when the value of a service or product exceeds the price your customers are paying for it, then and only then will the customer become sold.

My business had been hurting for a number of months, I was willing to do what I had to in order to turn this around and make it happen for the customer and for us, keeping in mind it must be a win – win situation, so I spent months looking into what I call “the black hole”, putting programs together ordering different items from wholesalers to better my leverage on the market of today, then I discovered a better way to promote my products and services.

Promotional Gift Cards! I know this isn't exactly a new concept, and for most it sounds too good to be true, but hear me out for a minute.

I understand what the mentality is behind handing out these promotional gifts and how it works. In the prospects mind they are getting more than what they are paying for, or at least for the most part, in concept anyways.

You've seen them all, from Pins & Pens to Coffee Cups & Sweat Shirts. The problem is that most people don't really care about, need, or want the promotional item being handed out. I know some items are cute, neat, or even useful, but most are just more clutter.

Well, we have something bigger, better, and more appealing for today's consumer and it has an exceptional benefit and attractive value in today's market, especially with the economy the way that it is. What is this wonderful savior of a gift you might ask? How about the wonderful gift of Cash! No, I'm NOT talking about sales discounts, coupons, or mail in rebates that you have to wait for months to receive or anything like that. I'm sure not talking small amounts like a dollar or even five, ten, or twenty dollars. I'm talking hundreds of dollars. Yes I said $100's (hundreds.) In some cases maybe even over a thousand dollars. Let me say that again, over $1000 dollars in all.

I know what your thinking about right now if your still reading, knowing most people your in a reaction mode, Programmed by your past experiences to disbelieve, Saying "yeah right, another scam, another useless web page with a bunch of drawn out hype about how I could get rich by buying into this."

Okay I'll give you that punch, after all most things to good to be true are, Right? Personally I guess what it boils down to is how much you know, and how well you can put something together, for me personally I have been self employed 2/3rds of my life and when I see a deal the first thing that comes to mind isn't what most would think, but more as a engineer would think looking at a 1 mile high building sure looks impossible. But is it?

Okay, with that said I'll say this "you're looking for a deal maker right?" And based on my own experiences of over two decades this is what is working today for me and my company.

Now you could be asking yourself, "Yeah But I only make $xx.xx per sale as it is! How in the heck am I supposed to afford to give away that kind of cash?" I know. I've actually heard that out loud and in my face many times over. Well, at least at first anyways.

What if I told you that it could cost you, the business owner, or manager mere cents on the gift dollar to give away hundreds, or even up to fiftenn hundred dollars to one client. It's a Win, Win, Win situation for everyone involved.

Don't believe me? The Red Cross, Banks all over the country, The Bunny Ranch in Nevada and some Satellite Retailers are doing just that. Some customers are getting two years (24 months) of paid television service for around $750 - $950, but then they get the $1000 gift and the deal is made and both parties are happy and it pays for the service and more. When I first found out what they were doing, I got excited and thought "Wow, what a concept". It ate at me as to how they could do this. I know how much they make per sale, and there is no way they can afford this. So I did a lot of research and found the answers I was looking for.

The answer is “Retailer Loyalty Gift Cards”. What is this? Retailers are willing to pay for consumer loyalty. So they sell predetermined prepaid gift credit cards at a great discount to other retailers as promotional gifts. Let's take the Gas companies for example. They sell us a $500 gift card certificate and we give one away either in a raffle, for a donation, or to close the deal on a sale. The client must then register the certificate and promise to use only one gas station brand (7-11, Marathon, Citgo...) for 20 months. If they do so, then for every hundred dollars in gas receipts they send in, they will get a $25 prepaid gift credit card. The Gas stations win because they are betting that while the client is getting gas, they are also buying drinks, snacks, cigarettes, or what ever. And over the course of 20 months, the client will have spent well over $500 at that one brand gas station. The same works for other retailer gift cards as well. They are buying consumer loyalty.

Ok, so you’ve peeked my interest! So how do I get some of these gift cards for my customers? Herein lays the problem. The retailers want you to buy a minimum of 10,000 certificates in one order. And it was after much deliberation with them to get that small of an order. In order to get them to agree to that small of an order, I had to agree to order once a month for a year. So I did. I really needed these for my business. But at the time I did not get that many new customers per month to support the numbers. So I opened up another business to resell these certificates in smaller quantities. I got the certificates I needed, and other businesses got them in smaller quantities. Again, Win - Win.

It did not take too long before I was actually ordering a second batch before the end of the month. Once word spread that I was offering $500 gift cards for each new order, I had so many new clients that I had to hire 5 new people just to keep up. I don't even advertise anymore and now I have a constant flow of new clients because they spread the word for me.

If you don’t believe me, then ask dishnetwork.ws, or direct-tv.ws how there business has increased since they started offering these great customer incentives.

Once you get your answer go on over to http://4towers.ecrater.com today to order some certificates for your clients, and watch your business boom. You advertising department will wonder where your new head of marketing is hiding.

Get $1000 Dollars back on your Satellite Progamming order!

As you may recall on an earlier Post that I mentioned that on July 21, Dish Network Satellite TV retailer DishNetwork.ws announced that it will be offering $500 in free gas for all qualifying new Dish customer signups. Well they have outdone themselves on there latest promotion. Today October 15th 2008 , Dish Network retailer DishNetwork.ws announced that for a limited it will be offering $500 in Grocery Gift Cards as well as $500 in Free Gas for all qualifying new Dish customer signups! Thats Huge!!! You get $1000 back from DishNetwork.ws with your order. But you must request both offers at time of signup (additional shipping and handling fees apply) otherwise you only get one offer or the other.

How this works is you get $25 back on your monthly Gas purchases and 1 - $25 Visa/Master Card Gift Card per Month for 20 months, in redemption towards monthly purchases at your store of choice. That equates to $50 per month back in your pocket for over a year and a half. Considering that the most popular Satellite TV packages are around $39.99 - $49.99 per month, it's like getting your programming free for 20 months.

On a side note, sister companies Direct-Tv.ws , a DirecTV Satellite TV retailer, and HughesnNet.tv, a HughesNet Satellite Internet retailer, both announced that for a limited time they will be offering the same promotions as of today.

DirecTV To add Fox News in HD

DirecTV announced that it will be adding Fox News HD on channel 360 starting 10/17/08.

Dish Network Expands Local High Definition Markets

DISH NETWORK EXPANDS LOCAL HIGH DEFINITION MARKETS

Englewood, Colo., Oct. 9, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider and the digital transition leader, today announced the addition of high definition local channels in five markets: Florence – Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Fort Myers – Naples, Fla.; Greenville – New Bern – Washington, N.C.; Madison, Wis.; and Wilkes Barre – Scranton, Pa. DISH Network® now offers local channels in 70 markets reaching 71 percent of U.S. TV households.

Consumers can sign up for the best high definition programming and service in the industry with DISH Network’s new TurboHD programming packages, the only all-HD packages on the market, starting at $24.99 per month. TurboHD is available in three separate tiers and includes special “turbo-charged” features and benefits such as DISH Network’s award-winning and industry-leading technology, the highest quality HD available including 1080p resolution where available, and the most-watched HD channels that may be viewed on any TV – analog, digital or high definition.
Current DISH Network customers looking to add the industry’s best high definition experience can get a “turbo-charged” HD package for as little as $10 more per month.
For more information about DISH Network’s 1080p programming, new HD channels and TurboHD system and packages, visit http://www.dishnetwork.ws or call 1-877-7-Dish-HD (1877-734-7443) or existing DishNetwork customers call 1-800-333-3474.

Email Forwarding Advisory

Here is a nice little tidbit of information that came my way this morning.

Something we should all be aware of.

Note: most of us do not forward emails and here is why.
By the way, this is simply an advisory.

So if any of you are wondering why someone didn't return something to you that said something like "if I don't get this back I'll....or, "See how many flowers you can get back", or " Forward this to 10 people in the next 5 minutes or something bad will happen to you", etc.

The following is why you shouldn't send them back.

Advice from Snopes. com ..

1) Any time you see an E-Mail that says forward this on to '10' Of your friends, or sign this petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck, or whatever, it almost always has an E-Mail tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and E-Mails of those folks you forward to.

The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active' E-Mails to use in SPAM E-Mails, or sell to other spammers.


2) Almost all E-Mails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards.

All it was, and all any of this type of E-Mail is, is a way to get Names and 'cookie ' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers - - to validate active E-Mail accounts for their own profitable purposes.

You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor (PLEASE) By sending this information to them; you will be providing a service to your friends, and will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam E-Mails in the future!

If you have been sending out (FORWARDING) the above kinds of E-Mail, now you know why you get so much SPAM!

Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how inviting they might sound! You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT in the long run.

Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later! Plus, we are helping the spammers get rich! Let's don't make it easy for them!

Also: E-Mail petitions are NOT acceptable to Congress or any other organization. To be acceptable, petitions must have a signed signature and full address of the person signing the petition.

If something is that good and you want to send it. Open a new page and cut and paste.

For more info, read the full story here:
http://www. snopes. com/inboxer/petition/internet. asp..

Top court stays out of DVR patent fight

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court is refusing to disturb a $74 million judgment against Dish Network Corp. for violating a patent held by TiVo Inc. involving digital video recorders.

The justices denied Englewood, Colo.-based Dish's appeal Monday without comment.

In January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit agreed with a lower court that DVRs distributed by Dish, formerly known as EchoStar Communications Corp., violated the software elements of Alviso,Calif.-based TiVo's patent. The ruling overturned the lower court's finding that Dish also infringed on the patent's hardware elements.

TiVo sued in 2004, alleging that EchoStar, a satellite broadcaster, infringed on TiVo's patented technology that allows viewers to record one program while watching another. EchoStar Communications changed its name to Dish in late 2007.

TiVo pioneered digital video recorders that allow viewers to pause, rewind and fast forward live television shows.

The lower court had ordered Dish to shut down the 3 million digital video recorders used by its customers because they use TiVo's technology, but that order was put on hold pending appeal.

Dish Network has said that the ruling would not affect its customers because the company had developed and distributed new DVR software that "does not infringe the Tivo patent at issue in the Federal Circuit's ruling."

Pace International Becomes National Content and Hardware Partner of DISH Network(R)

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Oct 06, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the digital television leader, announced today that it has signed national content and hardware distribution agreements with Pace International and newly-formed Pace CSO, Inc. Pace will offer DISH Network content, set-top boxes and hardware, system design, marketing, technical support, customer support and billing to triple-play communities throughout the United States.

Pace International, a leading national distributor in the direct broadcast satellite commercial and multi-family business has expanded its operations to encompass this partnership with DISH Network. Pace will offer the full lineup of both DISH Network content and hardware to operators targeting triple-play communities. This comprehensive approach will allow Pace to "capture the community" as a single turnkey solution, including billing for properties and operators offering triple play.

"DISH Network and Pace are perfect complements to each other. Together, we've created the DBS industry's first scalable multi-family business model. This offering is a cost-effective way to help providers grow their subscriber base," said Vern Swedin, President of Pace. "With its MPEG-4 optical network and 1080p technology, DISH Network has shown clear vision about offering video content and services that customers want. We are positioned perfectly to provide those industry-leading services to multi-family communities."

"Pace will continue to support its existing customers and properties with hardware and turnkey solutions," added Swedin. "We are committed to our loyal customers, who can expect the same high quality products and service they've enjoyed since 1972."

"DISH Network is excited about its partnership with Pace International and the opportunity to expand our business," said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of Sales & Distribution for DISH Network. "Partnering with Pace will give us valuable resources and infrastructure to provide more and more consumers in multi-family living environments with the best entertainment experience in the country."

Pace has delivered hardware and content solutions through its operator base to hundreds of thousands of units in commercial, SMATV, and MDU markets as a leading satellite distributor. Pace now extends its expertise to deliver DISH Network products, including the newly introduced TurboHD.

Crystals Imagination

I know this is way off topic here, but this is for my sister, so I'm going to post anyways.

Crystals Imagination Tea Light Candle Holders

Let Crystals Imagination inspire you with her beautifully handcrafted Tea light Candle Holders.

She work's full time. In her free time She came up with the idea of making tealight candle holders. She have been making these candle holders for about 2 years now. She have been selling these unique candle holders, and has customers come back at every holiday, birthday, weddings, births, etc. to purchase them.

Check them out at:
http://crystals-imagination.ecrater.com/

Also check out her myspace page:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=395275598

One of the largest ISP's, Comcast, starts inevitable change

Comcast Cable company, one of the largest Internet Service Providers, announced publicly that they will begin to invoke there Fare Access Policy (FAP) as of September 1st 2008. What this means is that the consumer will have a monthly cap on download usage. Once this cap is reached, the account will be suspended until the beginning of the next month. If this cap is reached twice in a six month period, the account will be terminated for at least one year. Comcast has always had a usage cap in print in there contract, but has not been enforced until now. Comcast says this change must be made in order to allow fare access to all of it's customers to the limited available bandwidth.
Though HughesNet, and Wild Blue currently have similar FAP policies, Comcast's decision to make this leap with there immense customer base, has been touted as the Start of an inevitable change that most ISP's have been talking about for a few years now, but were affraid to enforce it.
We realize that this will make a lot of people angry, but this will allow us to offer higher speed packages to most customers.
To this point, Michiana Wireless, and other similar ISP's are testing certain area's offering up to 100mbps connection speeds enforcing there FAP, and are finding that so far, there customers are happy to abide by the policies given there new incredibly fast connection speeds.

Hughes Net steps up to the plate with higher speeds.

HughesNet announced on Friday August 15th that they are now offering much higher packages of up to 5mbps download speeds. That's nearly double there previous highest speeds available.

HughesNet has been known to be the The Leader in Secure Satellite Internet services providing high speed internet services to commercial business's, home based business's, and residential customers alike with high speed internet connectivity.

EchoStar Provides Transponder Service for SkyWay Broadband

EchoStar has done a deal to provide transponder service to support SkyWay USA’s satellite broadband Internet service, officials said Monday.

Through the agreement, EchoStar will provide SkyWay USA with domestic Ku-band satellite bandwidth.

“We are pleased to enter into this agreement with SkyWay USA to provide them with critical bandwidth to support their rural satellite internet solution,” Dean Olmstead, president of EchoStar Satellite Services, said in a prepared statement. “With EchoStar’s U.S. fleet of powerful Ku and Ka-band satellites, we were able to provide an immediate solution to help SkyWay USA expand its customer base.”

EchoStar’s capacity will be used by SkyWay USA to provide high-speed satellite Internet services to rural America. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity together with satellite-related products and uplink support services.

“We are very excited about our multi-transponder, long-term agreement with EchoStar,” SkyWay USA CEO Dwayne Hay said in a prepared statement. “Our agreement with this strategic partner gives SkyWay the green light to rapidly deploy our hybrid satellite internet platform while not being concerned about satellite capacity for the next several years.”

AT&T Takes U-verse to Hometown of Fighting Irish

Telco Launches Triple Play in South Bend, Ind., Area

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News

AT&T is lining up against Comcast in the Midwestern town that Notre Dame calls home, as the telco launches its U-verse triple play in South Bend, Ind., and three surrounding communities.

Customers can currently order AT&T U-verse TV, Internet and voice services in parts of four local communities: Granger, Mishawaka, Roseland and South Bend. The company said it will make U-verse services available to more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis.

“With the launch of AT&T U-verse TV, South Bend-area customers are finally getting a better choice to break free from cable,” AT&T general manager for Indiana and Michigan Bob Nixon said in a statement. “And we're taking it even further by making your services work together and offering cool features you can't get anywhere else.”

AT&T cited the statewide cable-franchise legislation Indiana enacted in 2006 for allowing the U-verse rollout in the area.

In the South Bend area, AT&T is offering more than 45 high-definition channels. Its DSL-based Internet service provides a maximum downstream speed of up to 10.0 Megabits per second and upstream speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.

AT&T is providing information on U-verse online, through a toll-free phone number and at two retail locations in Mishawaka, Ind.

Tired of high GAS prices? Get $500 free GAS!

Could you use $500 in Free Gas? July 21, Dish Network retailer DishNetwork.ws announced that it will be offering $500 in free gas for all qualifying new Dish customer, or Hughesnet satellite internet signups! But you must request this promotion at time signup, and additional shipping and handling fee's apply.

Wow! The Free Gas may be distributed in $25 increments, but if you do the math, it's still a great deal.

AT&T Terminates Reseller Deal With Dish

AT&T will stop reselling Dish Network satellite TV services on Dec. 31 under the terms of the two companies’ 2003 agreement, but the telco said it’s still “evaluating” its options on whether it would offer DirecTV or Dish service in 2009 and beyond.

TurboHD by Dish Network

TurboHD by Dish Network, The Only 100% HD Service! 17 new channels 1 August! We're going BACK to Bronze, Silver, Gold! The new channels are the HBO, Starz/Encore ones (Encore HD launches likely next week, "middle of this month" stated) plus Lifetime, LMN HD (and a delay to 21 July for Cox's Lifetime HD rollout means Cox still gets it first!), one Cinemax channel, Planet Green HD, and CBS College Sports HD.

Also August 1st seems to be MPEG-4 Day for dumping MPEG-2

Dish HD Locals

Dish HD locals planned to launch by 30 July: Abilene, Fargo, Greenville NC, Madison, Myrtle Beach, Sherman-Ada, South Bend, Waco, Wichita Falls, Northeast Pennsylvania (Scranton, Wilkes-Barre).

Also this summer: Columbia-Jefferson City, Des Moines, Joplin, Omaha, Lincoln NE, Quincy, Topeka.

A new value option is called the Welcome Pack, which includes 20 channels among which are Food Network, TBS, MSNBC, and the Weather Channel. (really lame name alert). There's also a Dish Latino flavor. You can get locals OR the Welcome Pack (and in DL flavor for the same price) for $9.99 or both for $14.99 beginning 1 August.

30 new HD channels on DirecTV

On August 14 30 new HD channels will appear on DTV, some of which are premium channels. Some are in the works for Dish or are there already: Planet Green HD, ABC Family HD. Additional PPV channels and 23 regional sports networks are also coming - and when DirecTV 12 comes to life next year, it will push the number up to 200!

DirecTV launches Eurocinema

August 1st is a red-letter day for DirecTV as it launches Eurocinema, which is a foreign-film on demand service, on its DirecTV On Demand platform.

1080p available on DishNetwork

Get ready for a software update! This one will enable 1080p resolution on Dish Network, but given how everything's either 1080i or 720p, it might not work. They will do movies in 1080p, such as I Am Legend

DishNetwork TurboHD is on!

A slew of channels became available on DishNetwork on August 1st. Lifetime, LMN, CBS College Sports are stretchovision, but the latter is reported to be having HD college football soon. Dish Network channel 6799 changed names to "TURBO". In the early morning hours, a Turbo-charged HD timer countdown (EPG "Turbo Upgrade in Progress" appeared on several channels, including ESPN2HD, ESPN, A&E, Showtime, Bravo, TBS, and HBO. MPEG2 HD will not be upgraded. Encore HD on for AT250 Ultimate and reported to be on the Essentials package.

GOL TV has departed from DishNetwork

GOL TV has departed from DishNetwork. GOL TV's website says that it is no longer available on Dish Network "despite efforts" to keep it. Other sources note that Setanta Sports has replaced GOL TV.

Cant get high speed internet? Try a WISP!

If you live in a rural area (or even some smaller towns) and you cant get any kind of traditional high speed internet (like Cable or DSL) then you should consider a WISP before you call for Satellite Internet. The startup and monthly cost is much lower then satellite internet, and the speed packages are much better too.

What is WISP you say? A WISP is a Wireless Internet Service Provider.

WISP FAQ'S

• Q: What is wireless broadband connectivity?
  A: Fixed wireless broadband provides high speed Internet access without cable, fiber or phone line connections. Data is securely transmitted wirelessly for two-way communications capable of data, video and voice.
• Q: How do I get connected to the Internet?
  A: The WISP installs a small antenna and radio unit on the roof or side of your house or building. The antenna is then aimed towards one of there Internet broadcasting towers. This establishes your wireless link to the Internet. Your computer or network is then connected via a cat 5 (Ethernet) cable drop to the radio unit.
• Q: How long does it take for installation?
  A: Basic installs take around two hours to complete. Not all installs are equal and some may require more or less time to complete.
• Q: Does rain, snow, fog or other weather affect service levels?
  A: No WISP services are not directly affected by the weather.
• Q: If my bandwidth needs grow can I increase my bandwidth speeds?
  A: Yes! You can always increase your service levels based on your growing needs. The bandwidth adjustment can be done remotely and does not require a site visit.
• Q: DSL and or CABLE internet is not available in our area, will that prevent us from getting fixed wireless internet services?
  A: NO! Fixed wireless services do not use fiber or any other terrestrial land links to connect you to the Internet and there for WISP's are not constrained in offering there services based on availability of these facilities.
• Q: Why is fixed wireless service better than cable or DSL?
  A: Cable services speed and performance are based on how many users are using in your area. A cable connection will slow down with each additional user on the network. DSL service quality depends on your distance from the nearest central office. If you are further than 18,000 feet you do not even qualify. Fixed Wireless Internet is not affected by any of the above downfalls. Most fixed wireless services are also a symmetrical service which means your upload speeds are as fast as your download speeds. Cable and DSL or Asymmetrical services, they allow you fast downloads while your uploads are allot slower than your downloads.

Fixed Wireless Service providers are all over, just pick up your phone book and see who might be in or close to your area. Keep in mind that a lot WISP's tend to venture quit far from there home town. they can bounce there signal from tower to tower ever expanding to areas that have the most demand for there services. So even if you don't see a WISP advertised in your local home town, look to see if there might be a WISP in a neighboring town. They generally have there base or home office in a larger city where they can make there final connection to the internet backbone providing you your high speed service.

Most WIPS's also provide other traditional ISP services as well. Like Static IP addresses, Dedicated Bandwidth Trunks, Dedicated PTP (Point to Point) (building to building or location to location) connections, VPN's (Virtual Private Networks), Web Hosting, VOIP (Voice over IP telephone service), MDU (Multiple Dwelling Units) (Apartment complexes or Hotels) Access, and so on.

Some WISP's can even offer speeds that far out shine traditional high speed internet service provers, with speeds in excess of 30 - 45 mps. Thats because they are not bound to the bandwidth limitations of copper lines. They are only bound by the limitations of the radio units they use on the towers and at the installation location, well and the quality of the signal as well, but that plays into the radio unit technology used.

So don't hesitate to call a WISP. A lot of them offer a Free site survey to see if they can get signal at your location. Even if they cant today, if enough people call from your area, they will consider expanding to your area.

How Many HD channels do you really get?

You have all heard the HD (Hi-Def) Marketing Hype out there.

DirecTV and Dish Network to have 100 HD channels by years end.....

But do you really know how many HD channels you will get out of those 100?
Probably not. The reality of it is that those numbers are a NATIONAL total including all of the local HD channels they have available for all the major markets, Premium HD channels, additional sports subscription HD channels and the like.
So if you really think about it, you really are getting a much smaller number of HD channels in any given DMA market area. If you live in LA California, you cant watch Cincinati Ohio Locals, or Chicago Illinois Locals. So, If you take away all of the local DMA market HD channels they have available (only around 25), then add your own local HD channels back in to the mix, that will give you a much more truthful number.

So the truth of it is that you will probably only get around 55 - 60 HD channels and thats if you take the largest HD package and subscribe to the premium HD channels.

Oh wait, so you don't subscribe to HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax and the like?
But what about Subscribtion sports packs? Same goes for them as well.
That takes the Total number of HD channels down some more.

When it's all said and done, if you only subscribe to the bare minimum HD package, and you don't subscribe to any additional premium or sports packages, then your total number of HD channels will probably be around 20 - 25, and thats if they even carry your Local DMA Market channels in HD at all.

Is it really worth all of the Hype? Well if you think about it, how much is the bottom dollar HD package with no additional ad-ons? Around $10 on top of your standard package price, and leasing fees and taxes. So what you are really paying is $10 for 20 - 25 channels that you already get in standard definition but now you get the privilege of viewing those 20 - 25 channels in HD, which by the way some of those channels (your HD locals) you can get for free by connecting an antenna directly to your HD TV. Depending on your distance from the local broadcast towers,
you may need to get a power boosted antenna to get the local HD channels.

Don't get me wrong, I can see the big difference between standard def and hi-def. The picture quality is awesome. But in my opinion, if you are a real HD buff, you are just ripping yourself off by only getting the bottom HD package. In order to really get your moneys worth you really need to go all out and get the top HD package and get all of the premiums and sports packs to get all of the HD channels as possible, then ask your provider to drop the standard def channels from your service to save around $30 or so. To me, thats the only way to make it worth the HD price.

WD unveils a hard drive expansion kit for Dish Network DVRs

To help Dish Network customers seeking to store even more television content when they are unable to watch it live, Western Digital today introduced the My DVR Expander USB Edition 500 GB HDD designed specifically for DVRs.

The HDD is able to store 60 hours of high-definition content or 300 hours of standard content. Users can connect the HDD to their DVR via USB 2.0 connection -- the HDD's predecessor required an eSATA port.

The hard drive stays cool and quiet because it features a no-fan passive cooling system, as WD wanted the product to be used for quiet use in the living room or bedroom.

Keeping with the "green" theme companies have adopted lately, WD implemented its GreenPower technology into this drive, which means it's designed to save at least 4 or 5 watts of power savings over competitive HDDs. In addition, WD claims this drive consumes one-third less power than a regular external HDD available today.

WD and Dish Network said the My DVR Expander can work with the ViP Series HD DVRs, and both companies expect further compatibility later.

Current Dish Network DVR users can likely use any recent model external HDD to expand their storage capacity, assuming they don't want to purchase the My DVR Expander from WD. The only requirements include that the external drive support USB 2.0, and have storage capacity between 40 GB and 750 GB. Dish Network asks users to format the HDD prior to attaching it and launching the DVR's options screen for the first time.

The WD My DVR Expander USB Edition is available now for $149.99 MSRP. Be warned, however, that Dish Network charges a one-time $40 port activation fee for external HD use.

The HD Race is on

Until last year, Dish Network offered many more HD channels than DirecTV, then DirecTV took the lead with 92 channels. The race continues, though, because it appears that Dish Network just this month upped its total to 95. Either way, each satellite service offers roughly twice as many HD channels as cable services offer.

Now the catch; 8 hours after turning on the 22 new HD channels, Dish Network shut off 15 existing VOOM HD channels. But on the flip side of that coin is that Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen stated that Dish Network is on track to offer 100 high-def channels in 100 markets this year.

Dish Network Adds HD Channels

Dish Network is scheduled this Friday to launch a new satellite that will expand its High-Definition programming capacity

Once operational, Dish is expected to begin adding high-def channels, increasing its current total to roughly 70 to 100 by year’s end.

The satcaster has said it would launch three new satellites in 2008 to expand its capacity for high-def. Dish also plans to offer local HD channels in 100 markets by year’s end.

The following HD channels will be added this year:

ABC Family; AMC; BET; Biography; Bravo; Cartoon Network; CNN; CMT; Disney; ESPN News; HBO2; IFC; MGMHD; MTV; MoreMAX; Nickelodeon; Sci-Fi HD; Smithsonian; Starz Edge; Tennis Channel; Toon Disney; USA Network; VH1; WGN; and The Weather Channel.

DIRECTV launches new satellite to increase DTH local sports coverage

A new satellite launched successfully from the Pacific Ocean-based Sea Launch platform on March 19 will allow DIRECTV to increase its offering to include 150 channels of HD, including significant boosts in sports programming. The satellite, called DIRECTV 11, is expected go into service in early September.

The additional capacity will enable DIRECTV to expand its delivery of local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of TV households in the United States. Another satellite, set for launch in 2009, will offer consumers up to 200 national HD channels.

The network continues to enhance the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting a number of exclusive interactive HD sports packages, like NCAA Mega March Madness, NASCAR HotPass and NFL Sunday Ticket. In addition, DIRECTV will add more HD content to its VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks.

DIRECTV 11, the 10th owned and operated satellite in the satellite operator’s fleet, is a Boeing 702 satellite and is being maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees west longitude. When tests are completed, it is expected to begin operations in early September, providing capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels.

The satellite’s spot beam transponders will also begin delivery of local HD channels to new markets across the United States, expanding the number of markets where DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast networks to more than 100 by the end of 2008. The operator currently offers 92 national HD channels and provides local HD broadcast channels in 77 cities, representing approximately 76 percent of U.S. TV households.

The DISH Network, DIRECTV’s competitor, was not so lucky with the recent launch of its new HD satellite. An SES Americom satellite (AMC-14), which DISH was leasing to expand its HD capacity, failed to reach its proper geostationary orbit in March. It is not known for how long the mishap will delay DISH’s launch of new HD channels.

Save the Pits

Are you or someone you know looking for a American Terrier (Pit Pull)?

If so, look no futher. Simply goto savethepits.org, view the pitures, pick one out, and contact them for purchase info.

These cute, adorable, lovable puppies are available.

Keep in mind that if you plan on fighting Pits, these Pits are NOT fighters, and the owners will NOT tolorate it!

Contrary to popular belief, these dogs are very trainable and lovable. This particular breed of Red Nosed Pit’s are very friendly and are bread and raised for family protection. You just have to keep in mind that this breed of dog is very territorial, especialy around other pits.
These dogs are raised around other breeds and get along just fine.

For more info on raising and training Pit’s, savethepits.org has more info.

DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR Price Drop

$100 price drop on a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR
DirecTV's most advanced receiver is now $100 less. Receive a $100 instant rebate when you order a HR21 HD/DVR Reveiver for $199.00. Record both HD and SD programming to your receiver and watch it whenever you want

Get a Free HD or DVR Receiver at DirecTV

Now you can have your cake and eat it too, with DTV's awsome deal.
All new subscribers to DirecTV can get up to 3 standard receivers and 1 HD or DVR receiver at no additional cost after a generous $99 instant rebate.

Additionaly direct tv subscribers will receive an HD Dish with free basic installation when signing up for Americas Choice (150 Channels) or higher package with HD (over 90 National HD channels) programming.

Local HD Programming in 76 Markets by Mid-2008. Continuing its commitment to deliver the very best in HD, DIRECTV will offer local HD networks in 11 additional markets by mid-2008 — bringing the total number of markets where DIRECTV offers local HD programming to 76. This means more than 75 percent of TV households across the U.S. will have access to local channels — ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC — in HD from DIRECTV.

Sci-Fi HD launching on Dish Network

Dish Network subscribers can tune in to two new HD channels as early as tomorrow. Apparently, the satellite provider has already uplinked Sci-Fi HD and USA HD, the two channels could go live to customers Friday . If all this pans out, it should be quite a nice weekend in front of the set for Dish customers.

Those who have been asking to bring them some more HD channels for Christmas may get their wish.

USA Network HD uplinked (AVAILABLE SOON!!) on channel 9431 tp 17 at 110°
Sci-Fi Channel HD uplinked (AVAILABLE SOON!!) on channel 9432 tr 17 at 110°

Watch Free Live Streamin TV at Home or Work

With the advent of new internet technology at our fingertips, we can now view live streaming satellite tv via high speed internet right on our PC or Laptop.

The nice thing is, Dishetwork.ws is offering it for free: http://dishnetwork.ws/dishnetworkblogs/

Do you need 100 Dollars?

Are you in financial distress?
Did you get hit hard durning the holidays?
Bill collectors hounding you?

Or maybe you just need a little extra spending cash.

Either way, get over to 100dollars.org to learn how to get yours today.

It's easy, it's fun, it's something the entire family can join in on.

In Cable News: Cox fees to jump $10 for some areas

Cox Communications customers who signed up for phone, cable and high-speed Internet service in 2005 will see their monthly bill increase $10 in February, officials said.

So-called bundled customers are charged $109.95, but the early adopters have been paying just $99.95.

About 20 percent of Cox subscribers in the state are affected.

By comparison, satellite-television competitor Dish Network offers 40 channels for $19.99, 100 for $29.99 and up to 285 for $89.99. All Show time, Cinemax, HBO, Encore, and Starz included!

August rankings by J.D. Power and Associates placed Dish Network ahead of Cox in pricing, listing the rates for the cable company as “average” at the time.

Want a Free Ipod?

Now for a limited time, Dishnetwork.ws is offering 2GB Touch Screen and 80GB Mp3/Mp4 Video Players Free with qualified orders for dishnetwork satellite television service.

Upon reviewing there site, I also found that they are offering 10 inch Digital Photo Frames, and Fiberglass Audio Sub boxes with qualified order as well.

These Free Gifts are offered by way of Mail in Rebate, and Shipping charges do apply.