I have recently purchased a Dell Axim x5 Pocket PC to use as a E-Book Reader, And I will tell you it was a pretty good choice. I can read e-books of all formats except for Amazon’s Kindle Version. But MobiPocket.com Amazon’s Sister company I can, So I can pretty much read any type of E-Books out there. The Pocket PC also can surf the web and play both mp3s and Videos (Not on the web due to lack of flash and will update if I fix this issue) which most E-Book Reader Devices can not do. Size is also a plus for me, It fits in your hand and still has a large enough screen to make reading enjoyable. Though I think the Kindle and Sony‘s E-book readers may give you a better experience in the amount of text you can read per page. Price is what sold me, now days you can get pocket pcs used for around $40 – $70 on both amazon.com and eBay.com .
With the new trend in E-Books and readers there is many sites out there offering both free and purchasable EBooks. From amazon to MobiPocket and software from both of them to enable both your pc and your mobile devices to read e-books it seems the way of paper and ink are becoming like the way of cds and dvds. The possibilities are grand for the new digital trend especially in the education sector. Just imagine the collage student can carry all of his or her books in one SD card or on her laptop. This could also lower the cost of books for both the university/collage and the k-12 schools.
Though I have a feeling the publishing companies will either try and squash the possibilities of E-books for schools or make the cost of them the same to make it less advantageous to go digital. Either way I believe E-books will eventually be the norm both in ones house and in the schools across America.
Below are a few links that might be helpful to those interested in E-books.
Just Passing on a Email from a friend I thought everyone would enjoy.
Original Author M. Barr
Okay I decided to pass along a few secrets I have discovered that help me get through each day.
Wake up.
Find something to smile about. To this end. I do what Paul (New Testament) says. If there is anything noble anything good anything of good report, dwell upon these things. I find it simple to just remember things I have enjoyed doing in my life and think upon them.
Whatever is in your mind is what you will focus on. Whatever you think about will reflect in your attitude. If you find yourself hung up on a thought that upsets you or brings you down. Try listening to music that is up beat and singing along with the song. This one is important. Its takes effort but the reward is simply a better attitude. With your every thought you create the world as you believe it to be.
Stop comparing yourself to others. What you will find is that there are those below you and those above you. Do not look down on anyone and try not to envy those that have more material things than you. All you really need is in you at this very moment. So many people are looking for happiness when it is as simple as believing you’re happy and you ARE.
Find something you enjoy and do it!
Forgive the world and move on. Stop looking for negative things to justify your negative mood. Get over it. Forgive the event and make peace with yourself about whatever it is and pick up the pieces and carry on. Stop carrying around that piece of shit baggage and put it down. Put it down right now and every time you pick it up gently remind yourself to let it go.
I find myself meditating 70% of the day. Meditating is simply thinking upon a thing. Sometimes I think about nothing at all. Just content to be in the moment. After all is said and done the moment is all there really is, the past and the future are untouchable but can be accessed through thought.
I have often pondered on if there is a God and he loves us then why does evil exist and suffering? The answer to each of those questions vary with whom you ask them. My thoughts are as follows, God allows evil to exist in order to allow us to enjoy the gift of freewill that he gave us. Thus the majority of the evil in this world if not all of it is solely our responsibility. Human beings are the source of evil here on earth as well as the source of goodness. If Evil exists here on earth it is due to our free choice to allow it to be a part of our lives. Unfortunately being such a large population it would be next to impossible to stamp out all evil in our society. The only way would to try and enlighten everyone and promote love, peace and understanding on a global scale. This is something I fear could never happen due to the people in power would reject and obstruct such a global movement. War one of the greater evils of mankind is the most profitable and is the thing most governments support as long as its not on their soil.
Far as suffering, it is no more than a side effect of the evil man creates. Greed and the lust for power fuels the leaders of our world either consciously or subconsciously. There may be many politicians and political leaders that are not evil by nature but fall to the wayside as a necessity to gain position or favor. So why does god allow all of this? Well its all the freewill thing, He gave us the reigns and only intercedes if asked or if necessary. Man must learn on his own that Sin, wickedness and evil are the enemy of life. Being a human myself, I face many faults within myself and fall to sin. The nature to be selfish and to be self satisfying seems to be a embedded part of human nature. To resist and to control it is a choice that one must make.
Well that’s my thoughts on the issue, right or wrong its here for all to see.
Will the congress keep being partisan and make a congress that is in permanent gridlock or will they man-up and work together for the good of our country? Will party and personal agendas stand in the way of the changes in policy that is needed to further and maintain this country’s well being? Will big business and lobbyists control the direction our country is heading in or will the congress finally listen to we the people? Only time will tell, but if they keep with status Quo then they will ignore the pleas of the citizens and bow to big business or lobbyist like always. They will be more interested in the agendas and the status of their own party than the well being of our country.
For change to happen it takes the development of the minds and hearts of those in power. They need to wake up to see that the true agenda of a government should be the wellbeing of both the citizens and of the country itself. Businesses will be born and shall go bankrupt that is a part of the free enterprise system. Not to say I am totally against bailouts, but how many mom and pop small business failed since the beginning of this recession and how many could have thrived if they too were considered for bailouts. Mom and pop businesses are the true backbone of America, unfortunately the government does not recognize them as small businesses because they do not make enough money to qualify.
Congress needs to grow up and stop bickering amongst each other and see they are all one family in the scheme of things. They all represent us and should stop making decisions based on party bias and more on if it would help both the citizens and the country grow. They may be Republicans and Democrats, But they are servants to the public and government first and foremost.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a
more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defense, promote the general
Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the
United States of America.”
As we sit in our houses and buildings made of stone,brick,wood and steel looking out the windows seeing a concrete jungle surrounding us we miss out on all the wonders of nature and the beauty of this world we live in. Species after species of animal fade into extinction along with their habitats as mankind builds more and more cities. Progress and industry overrides the survival of both man and animal in this modern world we live in. So much we have lost on our journey through civilization and towards modernization. So much is missed and so little saved in the name of progress and conquest.
The once plentiful forests and bountiful oceans our grandparents enjoyed are slowly becoming diminished and are heading to the point of no recovery. No recovery in mankind’s timeline that is, once our natural resources are gone man will either become extinct by his own hand or will have to venture out into the cold of space in search of a new home. We can however save and or slow the devastation of our home called planet earth. This will of course not be an easy task and many decisions will have to made that may not be the most economical or popular. In the long run the choices will become an economical boom and benefit all that live here on this planet.
As a precaution maybe mankind should gear up our space exploration and concentrate on finding another inhabitable planet or invest in the technologies that would make it possible to implement terraforming. Space stations are fine for a starting point but to be able to sustain life for any length of time in such an environment would be a hard task due to limited resources available in the emptiness of space. Mankind’s number one priority should be the survival of his race and then the preservation of his home. Though the likeliness of another inhabitable planet in the universe is highly probable, with the lack of technologies to reach such a planet in a human lifespan makes it an unlikely option for the time being.
The human race is a very inventive and adaptable species so we have a good chance of escaping total extinction if we are wise enough to be aware of such a danger. The biggest obstacle in the way of true human progress is our inability to cooperate with each other for any given length of time. Our difference of beliefs and opinions stands in our way for the most part, The differences we have also make us a very unique and gave us our ability to thrive. So that which makes us strong also can be our worst enemy if we do not learn to cooperate for the common good of our species.
So the natural world of earth slowly changes and dies as we adapt our environment to suit our liking. We ignore the facts and take no responsibility for the damage we have done nor the consequences that we will have to face. It is this ignorance and arrogance of mankind that may be our undoing. Luckily not all of mankind is blinded by ignorance and arrogance, but unfortunately the ones that are usually are the ones in power. The destination of mankind is in the hands of the people not the few in power. The voices of many will eventually overpower the voices of the few.
In this modern world mankind is heading away from faith and belief in a creator and or god. Seems to be two forces at work and in battle for the hearts and minds of mankind.Which side will be the victor, the side of logic and science or the side of miracles and faith? Depends on the individual you ask, Faith is a very strong teacher and healer but so is science. Though many think science and religion are incompatible with each other they compliment each other quite well at times. Religion is pretty much a constant, the basic belief system and the scriptures remain pretty much the same through time. Science on the other hand is ever changing and evolving as we learn more and dismiss scientific theories of the past. So what science sees as truth one day could be dismissed as false on the next.
Science has been doing this for as long as it existed, from the belief the earth was the center of our solar system and universe to the world being flat. This is not to discredit science in any way, one must learn to crawl before one can learn to run. Science must change and adapt as our species increases its knowledge and understanding. Religion on the other hand teaches principles and morals that never go out of date. What is wrong or right never changes, just the public opinion of what is right or wrong does. Thing is mankind has the inclination to lust for and do what is wrong while we desire to do what is right. Sometimes I wonder which is harder for us, To do what is right or to abstain from what is wrong.
Familiarity breeds acceptance and indulgence, To be surrounded by immoral acts and mentality will eventually lead to the declination of the moral fiber in almost any person. The more we are exposed to something the more we become numb and accepting of it. Very few strong willed individuals may be able to resist the effects of being in a pool of immorality. Those will be very few and far in-between. Being social creatures by nature we tend to follow the crowd and strive to indulge ourselves in what the crowd sees as right and or popular. This is also true in the opposite, what the crowd views as wrong or inappropriate one will adopt as their own belief.
Seems humans are very susceptible to the mob mentality and easily get enthralled by any group mentality. I guess this is a leftover from our primal and survival instincts that linger in our subconscious. It is very similar to stampedes in cattle where danger incites fear then a mass fleeing reaction. Fight or flight instinct is the main cuprite behind this kind of behavior in humans and animals alike. The main difference between a human and an animals is that usually a human can override and or ignore their instincts. We have the mental capacity to be an individual and choose to or not to follow the group and or mob.
Freewill is one of the greatest gifts God has bestowed upon man, It is also one of the gifts that can bring the greatest rewards and or penalties. Having freewill is to also have the responsibility for your actions and the effects they have upon others. Follow the golden rule and use common sense to avoid the pitfalls of having freewill. Walk with compassion and understanding towards and for all others to be a person of peace and integrity. Keep faith in your heart so that the trials of life do not wear you down and forgive both yourself and others for the mistakes or misjudgments that happen in life.
Digital Media is becoming the norm now days, with mp3/mp4 players and hdmi HD video streaming available from the net to your TV there is very little left to explore. There is of course shoutcast a long living internet radio streaming system and Orb a full media streaming system for pc and Mac. So much to choose from and so little effort required to set up almost any type of multimedia system. Places like Jamendo.com and Archive.org give people the ability to find creative commons licensed and public domain movies, music and E-books. Don’t forget about Google books another good source for free and creative commons licensed E-books.
So much to choose from with the world wide web at ones fingertips and thus a new network is growing. The World Wide Multimedia Net, Information in all media formats and entertainment at your fingertips. I foresee a struggle from cable companies and satellite providers to stop the newer form of media transmission but eventually they will adapt and turn what now is free and cheap to another expensive commercial ran entertainment venue. In time they will take over just like they did in all other previous media services and push the hobbyist and small business people out of the new market.
This had already happened in the internet radio industry, the big music companies made it almost impossible for a hobbyist to legally run a internet based radio station. They lobbied congress until a bill was passed to force hobbyist to pay high priced loyalties even if their station didn’t earn money and was for fun or not. Given time the same will happen to the video sites we enjoy and the creative commons movement if we don’t support their efforts.
Maybe if we are lucky the new media revolution on the web for video will not succumb to the same fate as the internet radio stations. Would be nice to have Internet TV that is both commercial and hobbyist in order to keep the programming affordable and diverse. But more than likely the big boys of the corporate world will once again squeeze all of the little guys out before they have a chance to grow.
Well enough Ranting for now
Peace to All
Raymond Barbier
The conflicts we suffer within us are there to serve us by giving us eventual direction in life. Morality versus Self Gratification is usually the main conflict that stirs within our inner selves. To know what is right and wrong comes with penalties, Every selfish and inhumane action we have tends to carry a heavy cost with it. But in turn the selfless and compassionate actions too carry a reward if not sometimes a price. Though I would rather pay the price for doing what is right than for what is wrong, usually my selfishness gets in the way at times. The internal conflicts within us are basically the battle between right and wrong.
Being human sometimes it is very hard to decipher what is right or wrong because there are so many fine lines between the two. Usually as a rule is if it causes harm to another person then it is considered wrong, If it benefits the other person or everyone then it is considered good and or right. Though there are some situations that these rules would not and could not be applied and that is when I myself just try to find the least hurtful and or damaging choice. I try to live by the ideal that if you make others happy along with helping them to the best of your ability while avoiding doing any kind of harm then you have chosen the right path. This includes ones own self, Respect is not to be a one way street and neither is compassion.
I guess the inner conflicts within us all will continue as long as we struggle to balance the needs and wants of the self with the needs and wants of others. Right and wrong, Good and evil are concepts mankind embraced in order to find a means in which to better society and help the progression of civilization.
The creator (GOD) gave us the code of conduct known as the ten commandments to help guide mankind to a better way of life and he also sent Jesus Christ as a teacher and savior. Jesus came to not only fulfill the law but to teach mankind forgiveness, compassion and the true spirit of love. He showed all of us by example his compassion towards the sick and the sinners he came across in his time here on earth, He taught us to forgive and to turn the other cheek along with to love one another.
To be selfish and without compassion is to allow yourself to be surrounded by those whom have little regard for you or your survival. As the old saying goes “Birds of the same feather flock together”. So you will become surrounded by others who are much like yourself and you will be treated like that which you treat others. I also belive that if you do someone harm eventualy through a chain reaction the harm will come full circle back to you. This of course works with compassion and selfless acts,they also will come around in full circle eventually. This is the concept of karma and the only problem with Karma is sometimes its instant and sometimes it takes a lifetime, but eventually what comes around does go around. So I guess there is wisdom in the old saying " Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’".
Well enough of my Ramblings for today May peace fill your heart and compassion be your guide. Raymond Barbier
Been Many of years since I have seen the Sci-Fi Series of Space 1999, Though it has that 1970’s Campy feel to it considering the special effects technology of the day and the limit of plausible scientific theories used in the show it still is quite entertaining. The computers in the series were gigantic and controlled by unlabeled rows of buttons (quite large buttons). The Time warp back to the 1970’s technology is entertaining in itself, the outfits and hairstyles make it even more entertaining. The series of course gets better when they add a character called Maya who can transform into what ever organic creature she can see.
The Black suns they use in the series we now call black holes and the nuclear explosion that supposed to propel the moon out of orbit into a high speed trek across the universe is of course not plausible but that adds to the campy charm of the series. For those sci-fi buffs looking for a classic TV Sci-fi series from the 70’s this is one of a few I would recommend.
One Lifetime Blog 
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