HIH Studios

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Cleaning wipes for you electronics, review

The Garbage:
Endust
On the can, it says "Pre-Moistened, Dries Streak-Free". That is when the can is new (unopened), two weeks after this can was purchased from Fry's Electronics there was no moisture left anywhere in this can. And yes after taking a wipe out the cap was closed tight. Also even when the wipes were wet at the very beginning, a wipe will completely dry out in about 10 seconds after taking it out. Endust wipes also leave very visible streak of residue. And if that is not bad enough, the wipes also leave behind an enormous amount of lint particles, so after you have "cleaned" with a Endust wipe, you still have to clean your electronic/s




The Okay:
Windex
Even two months after purchasing this Windex wipes from the local Ralphs grocery store, they are still well moist. The Windex wipes tent to leave slight streak of residue on the screens of electronics, as well as break some tint particles loose.










The Best:
Read Right
The Read Right (RR) package offers 10 twin packs, 10 wet and 10 dry pads. This wiping pads, are by far the best, after 8 different brands were used. The tight seal of the packages keeps the wet pads wet for months, the moisture is gone almost immediately from the screens, leaving it clean and streak free, with no residue, and also no lint particles are left behind. This pads have been used on laptop screen, regular monitors, touch screen smart phones, LCD TVs, etc. and are simply amazing wipes.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

How to to get out of your cell phone contract

First of all, the major cellular companies are legally required to have at least a 14-day grace period (used to be 30 days) allowing you to get rid of the contract without Early Termination Fee (ETF). You will still have to pay the activation fee. Smaller or regional cell carrier, often have month-to-month plan without the long term contract. If you are passed your trial days, and a contract with a big cell phone company, there is still hope.
Last year Verizon Wireless increased the “regulatory fee” from 13 cents per month to 16 cents per month. While this increase was neglected by virtually all Verizon members, Consumerist.com, a subsidiary of Consumer Reports, stated that even this 3 cents increase is enough to void a contract.
“It doesn't matter if it's $50, a penny, or in this case, 3 cents. It's still materially adverse,” noted the report.
Many member who called Verizon faced resistance, customer service representatives have said that this increase of 3 cents was immaterial. Other subscribers who were more persistent had difficulty getting out of their contracts without paying the ETFs, other users were given substantial amount of credits toward their account, while others received forgiveness on overage charges.
If you want to get out of your contract because of defective device or poor network signal near your work or place of living, and your cell phone carrier doesn't cooperate, contact the Federal Trade Commission or Better Business Bureau. Valid claims might convince the carrier that it is easier to let you free.
Websites like Celltradeusa.com and Cell Plan Depot people trade their cell phone contracts. You need to state the carrier, manufacturer, model and specific plan details like minutes, data options, and time left on contract, and how much is your monthly payment.
The big four companies try their best to discourage early termination. Although most will cut the fees by $10 for every month you were a member, even towards the very end of your contract, you will still have ETF of about $100. Towards the very end carriers will offer discounts on new/upgraded phones (with a new contract of course).
AT&T has early termination fee of $325, minus $10 per month of service used. For instance if you have been using the phone five months then decide to end your contract, it will cost you $325 minus $50 (plus any fees you have accrued).
Read this articles by the FCC on ETFs, Early Termination Fee, FCC blog post, Early Termination Fees Made Simple.

Airbus A380 worth more than a human life!

Photo By � Gonzalo Fuentes / Reuters/Reuters
Although new cracks were found in the wings of the world's newest and largest passenger jetliner Airbus A380 superjubmo, Airbus insists that the A380 is safe to fly, though an engineering union has said that Airbus was downplaying the issue and some Asian airlines have stated that they would develop inspection programs.
This is the second time in few weeks that hairline cracks have been discovered inside the mammoth double-decker jet, which began service four years ago, these finds are expected to lead to expanded safety checks.
Airbus said the cracks were found on numerous of "non-critical" brackets inside the wings of two aircraft during routine two-year inspections, after similar flaws were found in five other aircraft in early January. Airbus have also said that the cracks did not prevent the A380 from flying safely, however the Australian engineering body which makes routine servicing and engine checks on the A380 operated by Qantas Airways said Airbus's reaction was concerning.
"They (Airbus) have described these as tiny cracks, but every crack starts off as a tiny crack and they can grow very quickly," stated Stephen Purvinas, Federal Secretary of the Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association. " I would be worried that Airbus aren't taking seriously the ever increasing number of cracks being found in the wings of their A380 aircraft. Put it this way, I wouldn't put my family on an A380 at the moment" he said.
In November 2010 in a flight from Singapore a Quantas A380 was damaged by an engine blowout shortly after take off.
All this makes me curious about how much exactly is the price tag of a human life according to Airbus, and why the company has not grounded any of the superjumbos for a complete check?