Students teases the future of home automation with Microsoft Research’s HomeOS

OdryIZ19    Latest News, Microsoft, Windows 7     future, istartedsomething, microsoft, microsoft-research, speedo-plus, university, video, washington, Windows 7

Less than a year ago, Microsoft Research began tinkering with the idea to create an “operating system” for the home dubbed “ HomeOS “. In the months since, it turns out students from a number of US universities have spent their semesters prototyping some pretty cool applications for such a platform. In the video above, students of the University of Washington demonstrate five such applications including: Improving security with camera on a door a doorthat senses the presence of visitors and notifies users with an image of the person on the PC or phone.

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Students teases the future of home automation with Microsoft Research’s HomeOS

Engineering Windows 7 for a Global Market

admin    Windows 8 RC     engineering, global, market, windows

Microsoft has been a global software company for a long time and has always put a lot of effort into engineering our products for a global customer base.  It is also an area where the engineering is complex—probably a lot more complex than many might think—and one where we are always trying to learn and improve.  Building global software is a responsibility for everyone on the team.  We also have feature teams dedicated to developing both global and market specific features—whether it is font handling or doing East Asian language input as two examples.  We of course have a significant engineering effort that goes into localizing (“translating” is not quite accurate) Windows into nearly 100 languages. Julie Bennett represents the global development and localization teams and she and John McConnell on her team collaborated across the team to author this post that provides an overview of engineering for a global market. –Steven

 

Many of the readers of the e7 blog are located outside of the United States or speak a language other than English, so we thought it would be useful to share the international and multi-lingual improvements in Windows 7. Our goal for Windows 7 is to deliver exciting features that benefit users worldwide as well as features that make Windows feel local to every user. Like Windows 7′s focus to improve the fundamental scenarios of performance and reliability, we improved our processes to allow us to deliver a great customer experience in every language and every country we serve, including delivery of Windows 7 as close to simultaneously as possible worldwide. This blog entry discusses some of the new features and improved processes that we believe make Windows 7 a great worldwide release.

 

Features

 

The international features of Windows 7 are pervasive across the system, from such low-level aspects as the supported characters in NTFS file names (now upgraded to match Unicode 5.1) to such high-level aspects as the selection of backgrounds and themes (now including locally-relevant photos). But there are certain features which are intrinsically critical for proper support of the world’s many languages and cultures, and we will describe some of those here.

 

Fonts

 

Language and writing are at the heart of any culture and thus support for fonts is essential to supporting international users. Windows 7 significantly increases both the range and quality of fonts. We have added fifty new fonts:

 

 

As you might guess from the font names in the above table, many of the new fonts are for non-Latin scripts. In fact, Windows 7 will be the first version of Windows to ship with more fonts for non-Latin scripts than for Latin-based scripts. One major area of improvement is for the languages of India. To the nine (9) fonts for Indian languages that shipped in Vista, Windows 7 adds forty (40) more. Windows 7 will now include multiple fonts (often in multiple weights) for each of the official languages of India.

 

Aparajita: A New Devanagari Font in Regular, Bold, Italic and Bold-Italic

 

Besides new fonts, we have also improved many of the existing fonts. For example, we have added over two thousand (2,000) glyphs to Consolas, Calibri, Cambria Bold, and Cambria Math. But the most dramatic improvements have been to some of the non-Latin scripts. For example, Windows 7 does a much better job rendering the common Lam-Alef ligature in Arabic (see the illustration below) and in the placement of vowel marks.

 

Left: Lam-Alef Ligture in Vista Right: Lam-Alef Ligature in Windows 7

 

Changes to fonts (even clear improvements) are always tricky because of backwards compatibility issues. For example, if a character changes width or position, it may cause existing documents to reflow (repaginate), which is unacceptable. Therefore, whenever we change a font, we must run extensive verification tests against the changes to ensure the font metrics and other tables are unchanged. In the case of the Lam-Alef fix shown above, we discovered that there were existing applications that relied on the (undocumented) order of the glyphs within the old font. These applications would break if we simply replaced the glyphs. The font team worked closely with the international application compatibility team to ensure that changes we made did not affect the order of glyphs within the font, thus providing backward compatibility.

 

Font Control Panel

 

With so many new and expanded fonts for Windows 7, we also wanted to help users manage their fonts more easily. For the first time in years, we have done a complete overhaul of the font control panel.

 

The first picture below shows the font control panel with the large icon view. The most obvious change is that the font icons now convey much more information about the appearance of the font. The content of the icon gives a hint as to the glyph repertoire of the font. The style of the icon matches the style of the font. Non-Latin fonts show typical glyphs from the script for the font to see how it is designed. A more subtle change is that some font icons are faded to indicate fonts that are installed, but hidden. Hidden fonts will not show by default in the ribbon and font dialogs. Users can now use the font control panel to tune the fonts that they regularly use. By hiding fonts they never use, users can simplify choosing the correct font within applications. By default, only fonts supporting languages that can be written with the users installed input locales (keyboard layout plus language) will be shown. For example, users with English and French input locales will see only the Latin fonts, whereas users with the Japanese input method installed will see only the Japanese fonts. Users can override these defaults by right-clicking on any of the fonts in the control panel. Hidden fonts are still installed so an existing application that uses a hidden font will behave identically.

 

Font Control Panel with Large Icon View

 

The next picture below shows the font control panel with the detailed view. Now users can see much more information about the font. For example, the user can sort fonts by style, whether they are hidden, and information about the creator of the font. Font files generally contain information only in the design language of the font (e.g. a Japanese font might contain only information in Japanese). In Windows 7, we needed a solution that would work for all languages and for all fonts, so we created a hybrid approach that combines information from the font itself with metadata (an XML file that provides the information about the fonts on the system).

 

Font Control Panel with Detail View

 

Local Packs

 

Windows 7 has increased opportunities for personalization. New themes, backgrounds, and sounds make it easy to customize Windows 7 to match your personality. To the extent that our preferences are influenced by our language and location, Windows 7 reflects this with the introduction of Local Packs. Local Packs provide customized Windows 7 visual themes for a specific region. These visual themes contain locally relevant wallpaper images, custom aero glass colors, and regional sound schemes. Windows® Internet Explorer® Favorites and RSS feeds may also be updated when the Local Pack is activated on an end user’s computer. For example, adding and enabling the Local Pack for France will add a market-customized theme for France to the end user’s Personalization control panel and a number of links to useful French Public Sector websites and RSS Feeds to the user’s profile.

 

Customized Themes in the Personalization control panel

 

The Local Pack content provides users with seamless local experiences right out of the box. Users are never exposed to Local Packs per se, they just select their Location as normal during Windows Welcome, and appropriate local content is exposed to them based on that setting.

 

Users looking for visual themes for other countries, or indeed any otherareas of interest, can find them on the Windows Online Gallery, which is accessible via the “Get more themes online” link in the Personalization control panel.

 

Other Features

 

Other new features include five (5) new locales (bringing the total number of locales supported to two hundred and ten (210)), twelve (12) new input locales, and improvements to sorting for traditional Chinese characters. Also, we have generally updated our system databases to the latest version of the Unicode Standard (5.1). There are also interface improvements that should allow developers to create better globalized applications. Extended Linguistic Services (ELS) is a cool new feature we describe below in the International Timeliness and Quality section.

 

Perhaps one of the most important improvements outside the core international features has been in Search, which now recognizes more languages. For example, Windows 7 desktop search now recognizes Russian morphology (the rules

Microsoft….?

admin    Microsoft     microsoft

Question by arfenundred: Microsoft….?
when they are proven world leaders why do people deny them there credit…

Best answer:

Answer by thedude8543
because microsoft is kinda stupid they are making people buy vista after june 30th i think because they are stopping selling and giving support on windows xp and a lot of people hate vista

What do you think? Answer below!

The science behind Bing Vision 2D object recognition

ropupehi    Latest News, Microsoft, Windows 7, Windows 8     beauty, istartedsomething, media, microsoft, speedo-plus, toronto, video, windows, Windows 7, windows 8, windows-phone

If you haven’t seen or tried Bing Vision, it’s pretty cool stuff. Even though iPhone users have had the privilege for more than six months now, Windows Phone Mango users (in some regions ) will soon too be able to search book, CD and DVDs by just scanning its cover.

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The science behind Bing Vision 2D object recognition

Microsoft Crm Web Based Crm Software System Major Features And Performance Factors Meet Most All The Industry Standards Of A Top Crm System

admin    Microsoft     Based, Factors, features, industry, major, Meet, microsoft, Most, performance, Software, standards, System

Microsoft Customer Relationship Management System Marketing Automation: Creates a regular effusion of new business leads by having all of an organization’s marketing activities on regular procedures! The Microsoft Web-based Contact Management system includes the creation of new accounts and management of any contacts associated with each account. A first-class CRM system presents to user’s detail of actions such as group meetings, calls tasks, notes with attachments, emails, account, lead, opportunity and case. A sophisticated Customer Relationship Management system also aids you to more effectively manage the leads and sales prospects throughout the sales cycle. Craft and coordinate multi-step marketing events that include email, direct mail, fax, voice broadcast and tasks. Let a powerful marketing system follow-up with your customers and prospects automatically! * Feature Set Rating for effectively improving Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for effectively executing Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for successfully improving CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Initiatives Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Making sure you completely utilize all the best features of a Sales Force Automation System: With the Microsoft CRM system you can increase your direct sales methods by tracking all of your leads by using a fully customizable sales pipeline. Also within a sophisticated Customer Relationship Management system, vital statistics of the sales functionality must be supplied in a simple to use dashboard. The sales opportunities pipeline, lead sources and event outcomes must all be seen from a complete graphical dashboard. This dashboard must generate a summary view of the top opportunities, appointments, open cases, leads, open tasks, sales pipeline graph, monthly calendar, and a quick contact view. This functionality must also have the power to set up sales teams, automatically distribute leads and build automated triggers into your sales process to ensure that your leads are being followed up appropriately and on time. It is critical the information about the customers and prospects are prearranged within a one central database. Key information about the sales opportunities, accounts, and individual business contacts can be obtained from the central database. The arriving and departing email messages and appointments are robotically allied with the business contacts, business opportunities and accounts. The tasks, notes, files and phone logs can be attached to the accounts, business contacts or sales opportunities, giving the performance to be retrieved swiftly. * Feature Set Rating for effectively improving Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for successfully implementing Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for successfully improving CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Initiatives Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Simple Email Administration: Employ email as an effective application to promote your business. Manage newsletters, auto-responders and a lot more with powerful email tools should come with the system. The users can compile HTML emails and send them to specific records from the Microsoft CRM system. Take advantage by using the Microsoft CRM system’s superior email deliverability applications to make certain emails bypass spam filters and get delivered instantly to the inbox! Stay in front of your prospects and customers with automated and personalized follow-up marketing campaigns and sequences through the Microsoft CRM System. * Feature Set Rating for effectively enhancing Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for effectively carrying out Five Step (5) CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for effectively enhancing CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Projects Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 7 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Microsoft Contact Management Software System’s Customer-Centric Connectivity: Utilizing a customer-centric approach to contact management will enable you to track all of your emails, faxes, appointments, tasks and phone correspondence in one place so you can close more sales by keeping a more appropriate relationship with your prospects and customers. A top Customer Relationship Management system offers a calendar view of the corporate activities associated task list. There should be a shared calendar for viewing additional user’s calendars which aids to prevent scheduling conflicts. The customer material can be shared with other co-workers like for example business owner, another sales person, the administrative assistant and others. * Feature Set Rating for successfully enhancing Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for successfully performing Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for effectively enhancing CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Projects Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Web Based Lead Capture Forms: With this feature in a first-class Microsoft Web-based Contact Management system you can turn your brochure-style internet site into a lead creating machine! Using a top Customer Relationship Management System’s unlimited web forms abilities, you can catch lead material from your website(s), automatically segment your leads and customers, and initiate marketing sequences and other automatic actions. Manage the flow of information thorough your business more efficiently. The users can be given tasks through automatic email notification. Offline response forms can be used to capture offline reactions to your advertising and marketing and will also automatically segment your contacts and initiate automated actions, marketing sequences and other automated actions. * Feature Set Rating for successfully improving Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 7 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for effectively carrying out Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for successfully enhancing CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Initiatives Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Use Automated Email Tracking Links: As Elements Of a first-rate CRM system you should be able to effortlessly produce tracking links to insert in your template emails to monitor click-through and conversion rates. You should have the ability to instantly initiate a series of actions when a prospect or customer clicks on the tracking link within your emails. For instance: add to sub-list or multiple lists, remove from list, start multi-step sequence, stop campaign, send further-targeted email, generate a task to prepare a live phone call, and more. * Feature Set Rating for successfully enhancing Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for successfully executing Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 5 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for effectively improving CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Initiatives Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Marketing Investment and Strong ROI: Within a first-class Customer Relationship Management system it should have features that allows tracking of important selective information such as status of sales opportunities, revenue potential, probability of closing, and expected close date for securing a sound sales forecast. Further, it sorts out and filters the most important contacts and sales opportunities. Instantly track your marketing investment and specify dollar amounts to advertising campaigns and individual Marketing Templates. Track how much you spend on marketing to individual prospects, how much it costs to win over a prospect to a customer, and how much a sequential marketing or follow-up campaign costs you to perform (including the advertising, direct mail pieces, faxes, voice broadcasts, live phone calls, etc.). * Feature Set Rating for effectively enhancing Customer Retention in a Recession for Microsoft CRM System: 6 Stars out of 10 Stars ** Component Set Rating for effectively performing Five (5) Step CRM Implementation Process for Microsoft CRM System: 7 Stars out of 10 Stars *** Feature Set Rating for successfully improving CRM Implementation Success Rate & Reducing Risk & Why Projects Fail Rate for Microsoft CRM System: 7 Stars out of 10 Stars 

Discover more selective information here at: http://www.crmsoftwarefreetrial.com/index.html for CRM Software Free Trials.

It can be said with confidence, we have found no one single factor is ample enough to substantially enhance the odds of a successful Customer Relationship Management implementation; to reach a solid return on investment; companies must do a good job on numerous fronts. The difference between success and failure of a CRM system project is not a roll of the dice, but rather a consequence of the way a company approaches the commitment. The key to success is placed in the awareness and ability you and your

Microsoft takes flawless lead in tech company Starcraft 2 tournament

ROSARoy21    Latest News, Microsoft, Windows 7     australia, facebook, istartedsomething, microsoft, starcraft, twitter, windows, Windows 7

I knew that one day my two obsessions, Microsoft and Starcraft 2, would finally weave together. With the Starcraft 2 After Hours Gaming League, it has and the Microsoft team is competing surprisingly well against the likes of Facebook and Google

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Microsoft takes flawless lead in tech company Starcraft 2 tournament

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit (Full) System Builder DVD 1 Pack

admin    Windows 7     64bit, builder, Full, Home, pack, premium, System, windows

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 64-bit, English, 1 Pack, DSP OEI (PC) (This OEM software is intended for system builders only)

• Minimum hard disk space: 16000 MB
• Minimum RAM: 1024 MB
• Minimum processor: 1.0GHz
• Minimum system requirements: DirectX 9
  WDDM 1
• Mac compatibility: N

IBM Thinkpad Laptop – 14 ” screen – WiFi, Windows XP

admin    Windows XP     laptop, screen, thinkpad, wifi, windows

Windows XP eBay auctions you should keep an eye on:

LINUX XP & Ubuntu compatible with windows 7 vista XP

GBP 0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Friday Jan-27-2012 11:24:03 PST Bid now | Add to watch list

GBP 4.00 End Date: Friday Jan-27-2012 11:28:30 PST Buy It Now for only: GBP 4.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Fulton FA-3-101 Airphibian (airplane / passenger automobile)

admin    Windows 8 RC     Airphibian, airplane, automobile, Center, FA3101, Fulton, passenger, steven, UdvarHazy

Check out these Windows 8 RC images:

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Fulton FA-3-101 Airphibian (airplane / passenger automobile)


Image by Chris Devers
Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Fulton Airphibian FA-3-101:

Designed by Robert Fulton Jr., the Airphibian in 1950 became the first roadable aircraft approved by the Civil Aviation Administration. It could fly to an airport and then, after disengaging wings, tail, and propeller, become a car. Other roadable aircraft, such as Waldo Waterman’s Arrow/Aerobile and William Stout’s Skycar (both in the Museum’s collection), had been built but none earned certification.

While a technical success, the Airphibian did not become a marketable design. The weight of its automotive parts caused sluggish performance in the air, a problem with all aero cars-average speeds were 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour in the air and 89 kilometers (55 miles) per hour on the road. A former company officer donated the Airphibian in 1960 and Robert Fulton III restored it in 1998.

Gift of Joseph J. Ryan

Manufacturer:
Robert E. Fulton Jr.

Date:
1947-1953

Country of Origin:
United States of America

Dimensions:
Aircraft
Wingspan: 10.2 m (34 ft.)
Height: 2.34 m (7 ft. 8 in.)
Length: 6.76 m (22 ft. 2 in.)

Car
Wheel Base: 1.8m (72in)
Height: 1.5m (5ft)
Length: 3.8m (11 ft 6 in)

Weight:
Empty 680.4 kg (1,500 lb) 496 kg (1100 lb)
Gross: 947 kg (2,100lb) 510 kg (1700 lb)

Materials:
Fuselage: steel tube with fabric covering

Physical Description:
NC74154. Bright red, single engine, two place roadable aircraft (or flying car) with Franklin 6A4-165 B3 engine. In 1950, the Airphibian became the first roadable aifcraft to receive a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration.

• • • • •

Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Lockheed 1049F-55-96, "Constellation":

In June 1938, Lockheed began design work on an airliner to satisfy a Transcontinental Western & Air (later Trans-World Airlines) (TWA), requirement for a non-stop transcontinental airliner with a 3,500-mile range and 6,000 lb. payload capability. Construction of a prototype began in 1940. The U.S. was soon involved in the Second World War and all transport production was directed to military needs and consequently the prototype first flew on January 9, 1943, as a military aircraft. Hydraulic-powered controls were used, full feathering and reversing propellers were also installed. First known by its civil designator as Model 049, it soon became better known during wartime by its military designation, the C-69 Constellation. Improvements were steadily made, beginning with the L-649, which was the first Constellation built as a commercial type and the L-749 which was the long-range version of the 649.

The next stage in development led to the L-1049 Super Constellation. The first prototype Super Constellation was a "stretched" version of the original Model 049 (C-69), modified by lengthening the fuselage from 95’ 2" to 113’ 7", adding more fuel capacity, more powerful engines, higher gross weight, and increasing its tourist-class seating from 69 to 92. These L-1049 aircraft were powered by four 2700 hp Wright engines. The prototype aircraft was first flown on October 13, 1950. The production version of the Model L-1049, of which fourteen were built for Eastern Airlines, and ten for TWA, ended up with a strengthened fuselage, stiffened outer wing panels and rectangular windows instead of the Constellation’s round ones. This production version was first flown on July 14, 1951, and the type entered service on December 7, 1951, with Eastern Airlines (EAL). The last Model 1049 produced was delivered in September 1952. Passenger accommodations on the 1049 varied – 88 for Eastern; 65 over water or 75 domestic for TWA, with adaptation to 102 in high density configuration. The flight crew consisted of three, with two cabin attendants.

The Model 1049 was followed by an A version (military WV-2, WV-3, and RC-121D) the B version (USN R7V-1, USAF RC-121C, the presidential VC-121E), and the C version, the first commercial transport certificated with turbo-compound engines. These Double Cyclone Wright engines had three "blow-down" turbines, which converted the heat energy of exhaust gases into additional power, with a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.

The engine produced 3,250 h.p. for take-off for which the aircraft weight had been increased to 133,000 lb. The Model 1049C, Turbo-Cyclone-powered Super Constellation began flight trials on February 17, 1953. A convertible model, the 1049D was built for Seaboard and Western Airlines in 1954. They were fitted with reinforced flooring and they had main deck cargo loading doors on the part side of the fuselage, fore and aft of the wings. They could carry either 18 tons of freight or up to 104 passengers. Maximum take—off weight was 135,400 lb. A Model 1049E was delivered between May 1954 and April 1955 which was identical to the 1049C but with the increased take-off and landing weight of the 1049D. Next on the model list was the Model 1049F, which was Lockheed’s designation for 33 C-121C cargo/personnel transports built for the USAF and fitted with stronger landing gear. The F was followed by a "G" model which was determined to be the most successful version of the Super Constellation. It was powered by 3,400 h.p. engines, it had longer range than the E, and the maximum take-off weight was increased to 137,500 lb. with some models modified to 140,000 lb. Often known as Super Gs, 42 of these aircraft were delivered to domestic carriers (20 to TWA, 10 to EAL, and 4 to NW), and 50 to foreign carriers. The final version to the Super Constellation was the Model 1049H, a combination of Model 1049D, and the convertible and improved Model 1049G.

The Super Constellation and its derivatives represent, along with the Douglas DC-7, the ultimate step in the development of longer range, more capacity and more powerful piston-engined aircraft to meet the needs of both commercial and military aviation. Eastern Air Lines, the first airline to order Super Constellations, introduced the type on its New York-Miami route on December 15, 1951. It was able to take advantage of the 1049s additional capacity to absorb an increased holiday seasonal demand. A decade later on April 30, 1961, Eastern inaugurated its revolutionary air shuttle, no-reservation service, Washington-New York-Boston with Super Constellations. Incidentally, as it turns out, the last use of the Super Constellations by a major U.S. domestic airline was a backup for the shuttle until February 1968.

TWA, a co-sponsor with EAL on the design of the Super Constellation, first used the Model 1049 on its domestic network in September 1952, and when it received the higher performance "C" version, it began scheduled non-stop transcontinental service on October 19, 1953, a first for the industry. On its trans-Atlantic routes, TWA made use of its early Super Constellation models, but on November 1, 1955, it could offer improved service, using its newer Model l049Gs which enabled it to operate non-stop most of the time, at least in the eastbound direction.

Over the Atlantic and other long distance routes, the Super Constellation was also operated by several former Constellation operators, until Lockheed was again challenged by Douglas and its DC-7C, the first aircraft capable of flying non-stop in both directions over the North Atlantic. To compete, Lockheed responded by mating the Super Constellation’s fuselage and tail surfaces with an entirely new wing, resulting in a major redesign. The outcome, the Model 1649A Starliner, which entered service on June 1, 1957, it was the most attractive of the Constellation series, but its success was short lived for in six months it was overtaken in 1958 by the faster, turbine-powered (Bristol Britannia) and jet aircraft (the Boeing 707-120) which finally made all propeller-driven aircraft obsolescent in October 1958. A total of 44 Lockheed L-1649As were built, 29 went to TWA, 10 to Air France, 4 to Lufthansa.

When the age of piston-powered passenger transport aircraft was coming to a close, Lockheed offered to carriers a convertible Model 1049H, suggesting that when they were no longer competitive in the passenger market they could convert to carrying cargo. This second hand market did materialize briefly with the H model but the market for 1049s soon dried up as they were becoming too expensive to operate and maintain. The engines were giving problems not only in the Lockheed Super Connies, but also in the Douglas DC-7s, and the aircraft were becoming known as the "world’s best trimotors." A total of 579 Super Constellations were built but by the end of 1980 only four Super Constellations remained in airline service.

The Museum’s Lockheed C-121C (1049F-55-96), with former Air Force serial number 54-177, and now registered N-1104W, is one of the thirty-three C-l2lCs delivered to the USAF and the Atlantic Division of the Military Air Transport Service at Charleston AFB, South Carolina. This airplane arrived there in March 1956 and was assigned to the 1608th Air Transport Wing. Its original configuration was that of an over-water cargo/passenger transport, having eight crew members and accommodations for up to 80 passengers.

While with the 1608th ATW, the "Super Connies" flew throughout the Caribbean, made crossings of the North and South Atlantic to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and as far east as India. They participated in the Hungarian airlift during 1956-57, carrying refugees from Eastern Europe to the U.S. and flew troops to Lebanon during the crisis there in 1958. In general, this "Connie" and others of the unit flew a variety of transport missions including cargo, passenger, medical evacuation, and humanitarian support.

On October 30, 1962, the Museum’s C-121C left the regular USAF and was transferred to the 183rd Air Transport Squadron of the Mississippi Air National Guard. This unit was re-designated the 183rd Military Airlift Squadron as of January 1, 1966. While with the 183rd, it flew transport, evacuation, and support missions across the North Atlantic. It remained with the Guard unit until April 19, 1967, at which time it was transferred to the West Virginia ANG and the 167th Military Airlift Squadron. This and other C-l2lCs of this unit flew across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and to South America, taking part in operation "Creek Guardlift" in Europe from June 1971 to March 1972.

This Super Constellation served with the 167th until 1972 and was again transferred, this time to the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare (TEW) Squadron, Pennsylvania ANG, at Olmstead AFB, Middletown, Pennsylvania. This squadron had one other C-121, an electronic countermeasure configured aircraft. Together they took part in many exercises and training missions such as "Reforger VI," "Flintlock" and "Northern Merger" in 1974. While operating out of Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, they took part in "Gallant Shield" and "Solid Shield," both in 1975.

This "Connie" remained with the 193rd and operations with the ANG until November 1977, when it was retired after 21½ years of military service, thousands of flying hours, and countless ocean crossings, which for propeller driven aircraft were long endurance flights often exceeding 12 or 14 hours. When taken out of service, it was transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC), at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, for storage. It remained there until August 1981, at which time it was sold at auction to Ascher Ward of Classic Air Inc., and flown to Van Nuys Airport, California, where the new company was forming. As a civil aircraft in a hoped-for new career, it was assigned FAA registration number Nll04W. It retained its 193rd TEW paint scheme of a royal blue cheat-line outlined in gold, with a white cabin roof and empennage, and pale blue under surfaces. It carried its small serial number on the left side under the stabilizer and a U.S. flag on the center fin.

The newly formed company Classic Air Inc., which intended to operate two or three passenger—carrying "Connies" between Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada, failed to receive FAA approval and the airplanes remained dormant. At this time the National Air and Space Museum was seeking a Super Constellation. Mr. Darryl Greenameyer soon became a party to this transaction as he had acquired two of the Constellations from Air Classics. He negotiated a trade with NASM a C-121C, NllO4W in exchange for two Grumman HU-16 Albatrosses drawn from the remaining holdings of spare Albatross belonging to the Smithsonian, and which had been used in support of one Albatross that was operated by the Museum of Natural History.

Gift of Mr. Darryl G. Greenamyer

Manufacturer:
Lockheed Aircraft Corp.

Country of Origin:
United States of America

Dimensions:
24 ft. 9 in. High 116 ft. 2 in. Long 72,815 lbs. Weight 123 ft. Wing Span

Physical Description:
123ft. span, 116ft. 2in. long, 24ft. 9in. high; 72,815lbs. empty weight.

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center: Fulton FA-3-101 Airphibian (airplane / passenger automobile)


Image by Chris Devers
Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Fulton Airphibian FA-3-101:

Designed by Robert Fulton Jr., the Airphibian in 1950 became the first roadable aircraft approved by the Civil Aviation Administration. It could fly to an airport and then, after disengaging wings, tail, and propeller, become a car. Other roadable aircraft, such as Waldo Waterman’s Arrow/Aerobile and William Stout’s Skycar (both in the Museum’s collection), had been built but none earned certification.

While a technical success, the Airphibian did not become a marketable design. The weight of its automotive parts caused sluggish performance in the air, a problem with all aero cars-average speeds were 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour in the air and 89 kilometers (55 miles) per hour on the road. A former company officer donated the Airphibian in 1960 and Robert Fulton III restored it in 1998.

Gift of Joseph J. Ryan

Manufacturer:
Robert E. Fulton Jr.

Date:
1947-1953

Country of Origin:
United States of America

Dimensions:
Aircraft
Wingspan: 10.2 m (34 ft.)
Height: 2.34 m (7 ft. 8 in.)
Length: 6.76 m (22 ft. 2 in.)

Car
Wheel Base: 1.8m (72in)
Height: 1.5m (5ft)
Length: 3.8m (11 ft 6 in)

Weight:
Empty 680.4 kg (1,500 lb) 496 kg (1100 lb)
Gross: 947 kg (2,100lb) 510 kg (1700 lb)

Materials:
Fuselage: steel tube with fabric covering

Physical Description:
NC74154. Bright red, single engine, two place roadable aircraft (or flying car) with Franklin 6A4-165 B3 engine. In 1950, the Airphibian became the first roadable aifcraft to receive a type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration.

• • • • •

Quoting Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum | Lockheed 1049F-55-96, "Constellation":

In June 1938, Lockheed began design work on an airliner to satisfy a Transcontinental Western & Air (later Trans-World Airlines) (TWA), requirement for a non-stop transcontinental airliner with a 3,500-mile range and 6,000 lb. payload capability. Construction of a prototype began in 1940. The U.S. was soon involved in the Second World War and all transport production was directed to military needs and consequently the prototype first flew on January 9, 1943, as a military aircraft. Hydraulic-powered controls were used, full feathering and reversing propellers were also installed. First known by its civil designator as Model 049, it soon became better known during wartime by its military designation, the C-69 Constellation. Improvements were steadily made, beginning with the L-649, which was the first Constellation built as a commercial type and the L-749 which was the long-range version of the 649.

The next stage in development led to the L-1049 Super Constellation. The first prototype Super Constellation was a "stretched" version of the original Model 049 (C-69), modified by lengthening the fuselage from 95’ 2" to 113’ 7", adding more fuel capacity, more powerful engines, higher gross weight, and increasing its tourist-class seating from 69 to 92. These L-1049 aircraft were powered by four 2700 hp Wright engines. The prototype aircraft was first flown on October 13, 1950. The production version of the Model L-1049, of which fourteen were built for Eastern Airlines, and ten for TWA, ended up with a strengthened fuselage, stiffened outer wing panels and rectangular windows instead of the Constellation’s round ones. This production version was first flown on July 14, 1951, and the type entered service on December 7, 1951, with Eastern Airlines (EAL). The last Model 1049 produced was delivered in September 1952. Passenger accommodations on the 1049 varied – 88 for Eastern; 65 over water or 75 domestic for TWA, with adaptation to 102 in high density configuration. The flight crew consisted of three, with two cabin attendants.

The Model 1049 was followed by an A version (military WV-2, WV-3, and RC-121D) the B version (USN R7V-1, USAF RC-121C, the presidential VC-121E), and the C version, the first commercial transport certificated with turbo-compound engines. These Double Cyclone Wright engines had three "blow-down" turbines, which converted the heat energy of exhaust gases into additional power, with a 20% reduction in fuel consumption.

The engine produced 3,250 h.p. for take-off for which the aircraft weight had been increased to 133,000 lb. The Model 1049C, Turbo-Cyclone-powered Super Constellation began flight trials on February 17, 1953. A convertible model, the 1049D was built for Seaboard and Western Airlines in 1954. They were fitted with reinforced flooring and they had main deck cargo loading doors on the part side of the fuselage, fore and aft of the wings. They could carry either 18 tons of freight or up to 104 passengers. Maximum take—off weight was 135,400 lb. A Model 1049E was delivered between May 1954 and April 1955 which was identical to the 1049C but with the increased take-off and landing weight of the 1049D. Next on the model list was the Model 1049F, which was Lockheed’s designation for 33 C-121C cargo/personnel transports built for the USAF and fitted with stronger landing gear. The F was followed by a "G" model which was determined to be the most successful version of the Super Constellation. It was powered by 3,400 h.p. engines, it had longer range than the E, and the maximum take-off weight was increased to 137,500 lb. with some models modified to 140,000 lb. Often known as Super Gs, 42 of these aircraft were delivered to domestic carriers (20 to TWA, 10 to EAL, and 4 to NW), and 50 to foreign carriers. The final version to the Super Constellation was the Model 1049H, a combination of Model 1049D, and the convertible and improved Model 1049G.

The Super Constellation and its derivatives represent, along with the Douglas DC-7, the ultimate step in the development of longer range, more capacity and more powerful piston-engined aircraft to meet the needs of both commercial and military aviation. Eastern Air Lines, the first airline to order Super Constellations, introduced the type on its New York-Miami route on December 15, 1951. It was able to take advantage of the 1049s additional capacity to absorb an increased holiday seasonal demand. A decade later on April 30, 1961, Eastern inaugurated its revolutionary air shuttle, no-reservation service, Washington-New York-Boston with Super Constellations. Incidentally, as it turns out, the last use of the Super Constellations by a major U.S. domestic airline was a backup for the shuttle until February 1968.

TWA, a co-sponsor with EAL on the design of the Super Constellation, first used the Model 1049 on its domestic network in September 1952, and when it received the higher performance "C" version, it began scheduled non-stop transcontinental service on October 19, 1953, a first for the industry. On its trans-Atlantic routes, TWA made use of its early Super Constellation models, but on November 1, 1955, it could offer improved service, using its newer Model l049Gs which enabled it to operate non-stop most of the time, at least in the eastbound direction.

Over the Atlantic and other long distance routes, the Super Constellation was also operated by several former Constellation operators, until Lockheed was again challenged by Douglas and its DC-7C, the first aircraft capable of flying non-stop in both directions over the North Atlantic. To compete, Lockheed responded by mating the Super Constellation’s fuselage and tail surfaces with an entirely new wing, resulting in a major redesign. The outcome, the Model 1649A Starliner, which entered service on June 1, 1957, it was the most attractive of the Constellation series, but its success was short lived for in six months it was overtaken in 1958 by the faster, turbine-powered (Bristol Britannia) and jet aircraft (the Boeing 707-120) which finally made all propeller-driven aircraft obsolescent in October 1958. A total of 44 Lockheed L-1649As were built, 29 went to TWA, 10 to Air France, 4 to Lufthansa.

When the age of piston-powered passenger transport aircraft was coming to a close, Lockheed offered to carriers a convertible Model 1049H, suggesting that when they were no longer competitive in the passenger market they could convert to carrying cargo. This second hand market did materialize briefly with the H model but the market for 1049s soon dried up as they were becoming too expensive to operate and maintain. The engines were giving problems not only in the Lockheed Super Connies, but also in the Douglas DC-7s, and the aircraft were becoming known as the "world’s best trimotors." A total of 579 Super Constellations were built but by the end of 1980 only four Super Constellations remained in airline service.

The Museum’s Lockheed C-121C (1049F-55-96), with former Air Force serial number 54-177, and now registered N-1104W, is one of the thirty-three C-l2lCs delivered to the USAF and the Atlantic Division of the Military Air Transport Service at Charleston AFB, South Carolina. This airplane arrived there in March 1956 and was assigned to the 1608th Air Transport Wing. Its original configuration was that of an over-water cargo/passenger transport, having eight crew members and accommodations for up to 80 passengers.

While with the 1608th ATW, the "Super Connies" flew throughout the Caribbean, made crossings of the North and South Atlantic to Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East and as far east as India. They participated in the Hungarian airlift during 1956-57, carrying refugees from Eastern Europe to the U.S. and flew troops to Lebanon during the crisis there in 1958. In general, this "Connie" and others of the unit flew a variety of transport missions including cargo, passenger, medical evacuation, and humanitarian support.

On October 30, 1962, the Museum’s C-121C left the regular USAF and was transferred to the 183rd Air Transport Squadron of the Mississippi Air National Guard. This unit was re-designated the 183rd Military Airlift Squadron as of January 1, 1966. While with the 183rd, it flew transport, evacuation, and support missions across the North Atlantic. It remained with the Guard unit until April 19, 1967, at which time it was transferred to the West Virginia ANG and the 167th Military Airlift Squadron. This and other C-l2lCs of this unit flew across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean, and to South America, taking part in operation "Creek Guardlift" in Europe from June 1971 to March 1972.

This Super Constellation served with the 167th until 1972 and was again transferred, this time to the 193rd Tactical Electronic Warfare (TEW) Squadron, Pennsylvania ANG, at Olmstead AFB, Middletown, Pennsylvania. This squadron had one other C-121, an electronic countermeasure configured aircraft. Together they took part in many exercises and training missions such as "Reforger VI," "Flintlock" and "Northern Merger" in 1974. While operating out of Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico, they took part in "Gallant Shield" and "Solid Shield," both in 1975.

This "Connie" remained with the 193rd and operations with the ANG until November 1977, when it was retired after 21½ years of military service, thousands of flying hours, and countless ocean crossings, which for propeller driven aircraft were long endurance flights often exceeding 12 or 14 hours. When taken out of service, it was transferred to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center (MASDC), at Davis Monthan AFB, Arizona, for storage. It remained there until August 1981, at which time it was sold at auction to Ascher Ward of Classic Air Inc., and flown to Van Nuys Airport, California, where the new company was forming. As a civil aircraft in a hoped-for new career, it was assigned FAA registration number Nll04W. It retained its 193rd TEW paint scheme of a royal blue cheat-line outlined in gold, with a white cabin roof and empennage, and pale blue under surfaces. It carried its small serial number on the left side under the stabilizer and a U.S. flag on the center fin.

The newly formed company Classic Air Inc., which intended to operate two or three passenger—carrying "Connies" between Los Angeles and Reno, Nevada, failed to receive FAA approval and the airplanes remained dormant. At this time the National Air and Space Museum was seeking a Super Constellation. Mr. Darryl Greenameyer soon became a party to this transaction as he had acquired two of the Constellations from Air Classics. He negotiated a trade with NASM a C-121C, NllO4W in exchange for two Grumman HU-16 Albatrosses drawn from the remaining holdings of spare Albatross belonging to the Smithsonian, and which had been used in support of one Albatross that was operated by the Museum of Natural History.

Gift of Mr. Darryl G. Greenamyer

Manufacturer:
Lockheed Aircraft Corp.

Country of Origin:
United States of America

Dimensions:
24 ft. 9 in. High 116 ft. 2 in. Long 72,815 lbs. Weight 123 ft. Wing Span

Physical Description:
123ft. span, 116ft. 2in. long, 24ft. 9in. high; 72,815lbs. empty weight.

Panorama photographers’ party in Tokyo


Image by heiwa4126
At Ginza. This party was hosted by Mr. Akira Ninomiya (His blog is here). Thanks, Akira!

Please enjoy in interactive viewers:
- interactive viewer 1 (You need Adobe Flash plug-in. Thanks to www.viewat.org/. ).
- interactive viewer 2 (thanks to fieldOfView and Aldo)

And also there’s small but quick interactive viewer here (Wrapr Beta)

- SLR camera and lens: Nikon D80 /w Sigma 8mm fisheye
- panoramic head: handheld (with Simon’s "HaPaLa 3")
- 4 pan (Philopod pitch variation [datails]).
- software: ptgui and Photoshop on MS-Windows XP

* Mr. kishimoto took pano at the same time. Please view his panorama. He took the panorama with a handheld camera and no aid equipments (He looked like something wizard.)

See where this picture was taken. [?]
[Map fo ALPSLAB]

—- —- —- —- —- —-
for Japanese. 以下日本語

これは銀座で行われた二宮章さん主催の"QTVR Diary"の飲み会です。
ありがとうにのみやさん!

インタラクティブビューアで楽しんでください。
- ここをクリックすればぐるぐる回せるよ(要Adobe Flash)。 (http://www.viewat.org/に感謝!)
- ぐるぐる回せるよ2(要Adobe Shockwave)。(fieldOfView社とオルドーさんに感謝!)

小さくて速い(でも底と天井が汚い)ビューアーはこちら (Wrapr beta に感謝)

- カメラとレンズ: 日本光學D80とシグマ8ミリ魚眼
- パノラマ雲台: 手持ち (サイモンさんの"HaPaLa 3"システムを使用)
- 4枚撮影(変形フィルポッド手法)
- ソフトウエア: ptgui と Photoshop を MS-Windows XPで

※岸本さんが同じ場所でパノラマを撮りました。こちらをご覧ください。彼はこのパノラマを素手で撮りました(まるで魔法のようだったよ)。

どこで撮ったか見る. [これ何?]
[アルプスラボ提供の地図で見る]

WareSoft Software Releases XP Smoker Pro 5.1

admin    Windows XP     releases, Smoker, Software, WareSoft


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WareSoft Software Releases XP Smoker Pro 5.1

Middletown, PA (PRWEB) March 20, 2006

WareSoft Software is announcing the release of XP Smoker Pro 5.1, it’s optimization utility for Windows XP.

What is XP Smoker Pro?

XP Smoker Pro is a program designed to help the average computer user increase the performance and stability of a computer running Windows XP with relative ease.

XP Smoker Pro includes an AutoTuner feature that enables any user from novice to advanced to tune the performance of their computer like a professional with the push of a button. In addition, there are hundreds more advanced settings for those who just want to get their hands dirty.

XP Smoker Pro will also help tame the services in Windows XP. The services can rob a lot of memory on a computer that could be used for something else, such as playing a game or using a spreadsheet program. XP Smoker Pro will automatically change the service configurations based on four presets for computer users who don’t understand the services or are afraid to mess with them.

XP Smoker Pro also can help protect settings in Windows from being changed by other users. It includes 94 security settings, most of which allow a user to restrict the changing of system settings. There is also an option to password protect XP Smoker Pro to keep other users from changing settings.

XP Smoker Pro is shareware. A free trial period is provided for 7 days or 50 uses, whichever comes first. After the trial expires, a license for XP Smoker Pro is only $ 39.95. Version 5.1 is a free upgrade to registered users of any earlier version of XP Smoker Pro.

System Requirements are very simple. It requires a computer that is running Windows XP and at least an 800×600 screen resolution.

About WareSoft Software

WareSoft Software was founded in 2003 by Danny Wareham, and has been providing shareware utilities for the past three years. WareSoft Software has also been member of the Better Business Bureau since June 2005.

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