#best remote control power wheels

[boxboxblog]

How Do F1 Cars Work?: Braking, Cooling, Sensors

I never know how to start these posts. Let's dive in.

Braking and Cooling

Brakes are an incredibly important part of any car, but most especially in F1. With the speed and power the cars have a sensitive, sturdy, and strong braking system must exist. In the case of modern cars, F1 uses an extremely efficient and durable carbon-carbon disc brake system. This allows the car to screech to a halt in a split-second, and allows drivers to use their speedy reaction times to the best of their ability. When the driver steps on the brake pedal, it compresses two master brake cylinders, one for the front wheels and one for the rear, which generate fluid pressure.

For the front tires, the fluid pressure is delivered directly to the front brake calipers (part that houses brake pads and pistons). Inside each caliper, six pistons clamp pads against the disc and it is this friction that slows the car down. For the rear tires it is a bit different.

At the rear, the car can brake by three separate sources: friction from the brakes, resistance from the spinning engine (engine braking) and electrical braking that results from harvesting energy from the MGU-K . Although the driver can adjust each of these on his steering wheel, when he presses the brake pedal, the three systems work together via the Brake By Wire (BBW) system.

When the driver presses the pedal, the fluid pressure generated in the rear braking circuit is picked up by an electronic pressure sensor. The signal from this sensor represents the overall rear braking demand from the driver and is passed to the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) where it is turned into a series of commands to brake the rear of the car. The ECU distributes its efforts to the three systems according to the the set up of the car and this is altered by the way that the driver has adjusted the switch settings on the steering wheel. This is what teams mean when they say changing the setting on the car.

Going hand-in-hand with braking, cooling is another important part of the car, especially for brakes. Basically, there is a series of systems that cools the power unit, brakes, and electronics. If the car overheats, it can lead to damage and lack of performance. There are a few ways to cool. Radiators cool the engine and hybrid system. Intercooler cools the air that the turbocharger compresses before it enters the engine. Brake cooling ducts bring air to the brakes in order to stop them from overheating.

2. Electronics and Sensors

So i'm sure many of you have looked at the steering wheel and been baffled that this thing that looks like a Nintendo Switch steers that car. The F1 steering wheel is incredibly complex and has a variety of buttons, screens, and knobs. For example, on the steering wheel is an area for strat settings, where their plans for all eventualities are mapped out. There is also a rotary knob for MGU-K settings, where drivers can switch around when faced with possible failures. The menu allows drivers control over every setting in the car. Beyond that there is the pit lane speed button, gear change buttons, race start button, energy recovery button, and brake balance knob, among others. It really tells you how much drivers do in a race beyond racing.

Other than the steering wheel, there is also the telemetry, over 300 sensors which gathers race data and sends it back to engineers on the pit wall. This way, engineers can either remotely alter settings and strat, or advise the driver on what to do.  F1 uses a customized mesh wireless network system based on WiMax 802.16 at each racetrack. The sensors record data, which is then temporarily stored in the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), which controls functions like engine performance and power steering. That sensor data then travels wirelessly to a centralized location managed by F1. F1 then sends the data to the relevant team, of course very securely. Teams then use a system called Advanced Telemetry Linked Acquisition System (ATLAS) to view and analyze sensor data.

The final pretty important electronic devices on an F1 car is the many many cameras. The most recognizable camera is found in the "T" structure that sits atop of every F1 car. It gives viewers that top-down, forward facing view used often by broadcasters. this is also how viewers often distinguish between cars of the same team. One driver will have a yellow camera, the other has black. The two nose cameras provides a view of the front wing and low circuit. The 360 camera is on top of the chassis and provides a wide view of the race track, and everything else around the car. The driver facing camera is pointed directly at the driver and helps keep track of how they are doing, and in the event of the crash helps marshals and rescuers figure out the best way to help. The two rear cameras are settled on a rear facing structure, and allows the pit wall to see what is going on directly behind the driver and advise. Beyond these ones, drivers also have cameras inside their helmets, showing exactly what they see. Can't get away with much in an F1 car.

3. How They Work Together

So, we now know the basics of most parts of the car. But these parts all must work together before that car will go anywhere. How do they do it?

One of the more obvious relationships is between aerodynamics and power. The better the aerodynamics, the more usable the power is. They also work in tandem around different parts of the track. On corners the aerodynamics keep the car stable while the power peters off. On straights the power keeps the car boosted. Suspension and tires are also very connected. It is the suspension that keeps the tires on the ground. A good suspension will also mean that the tires are easier to manage, something any driver knows is highly important. Brakes and ERS are also connected because the brakes help recover ERS, pretty simply. Also the cooling system works with most of teh car, cooling engine, tires, and brakes. The biggest connection is probably between all the sensors on the car. They are connected to every single part, and even a small bit of damage can destroy them. The non-sensor components have to accommodate for the sensors and work perfectly with them in order for proper data to be sent back.

The ultimate goal of engineers is to create a car that works in harmony all together. The integration of the engine to the chassis is highly important. There have been cars that the parts were fantastic on their own, but the minute they were put together stopped working completely. Its why teams that produce their own engines have such a leg up over non-manufacturers. Its also why sometimes you will see a car that is running poorly until one small thing is changed, and then suddenly its brand new. Car harmony really is terribly important.

Alright, done! While I covered most of the important stuff, as always if there is any particular part of the car anyone wants me to dive deeper into, please let me know.

Cheers,

-B

[popculturebuffet]

Superhero Wedding Special III: The Wedding of Wally West and Linda Park

Happy belated valentine's day all you happy people! And it's time once again for my favorite tradition on this blog: the superhero wedding special.

For those just joining us I love a good wedding "episode", wether it be a good tv wedding like Adventure Time or Community, a good wedding movie like Father of the Bride or a good old fashiond superhero wedding. And since there are both so many comic book weddings and so many I haven't covered, for the past three years i've let my patreons each pick one, picked one myself, then put all four in a poll for you fine folks to choose from. First year was a tie between Rogue and Gambit's stolen wedding and Aunt Man and Doc Ock's near marriage that ended in a nuclear explosion off the coast of Canada, and last year Hulking and Wiccan had a quick wedding via mid crossover flashback among friends, then had another celebration for the whole superhero community post crossover.

Both races were tight: one was a tie and last years eeked out a win against the Batman/Catwoman wedding fiasco. So this year was a bit diffrent. Not only did I use Tumblr's minty fresh new poll system.. but the results.. weren't even remotely close.

Yeah Wally and Linda won HALF of the 18 votes for this poll, beating out Emma's choice of Lex Luthor's Space wedding, Kev's roulette wheel choice of the recent Emma Frost Tony Stark Wedding, and Brotoman.exe's runner up Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. All good choices.. but it's clear what the people wanted. Ya'll REALLY love Wally West on here, love him even more with Linda and I wholeheartedly agree. While I didn't see this landslide coming, I'm pleased as punch it happened.

So before we introduce our couple, as is tradition let's track how we got to these nuptials.

Wally was in a weird place when he met Linda, both in and out of universe. In universe.. he'd been turned into a porcupine man somehow and was being hunted by Captain Cold during his stint as a bounty hunter.

Point is he met Linda as a newswoman. Out of universe Wally had a bit of a creative rough patch in the 80's. Wally started the 80's in one of the most influental and important books of the decade and one of it's best, The New Teen Titans. And he was easily.. the weakest member of the team.

See while his teamates were either fresh new characters Wolfman and Perez refined as they went (Starfire, Raven, Cyborg) or ones who had long since needed a new coat of paint and got a second act out of the deal (Dick Grayson, Donna Troy and Beast Boy), Wally.. was the odd man out. The team tried to make him the token conservative and a reluctant hero: one who knows he has a duty but is just.. tired of it and wants to retire. NOthing wrong with that, it can be a good angle. The problem is Wally spends the book either whining about not wanting to be a hero instead of just being honest with his friends, who have plenty of power without him, or declaring raven evil out of hand. And he does have a leg to stand on in not liking her, she made him love her. But instead of focusing on that he just assumes any time she looses control slightly she's evil now and stops carring about her because of something that, unlike the brainwashing thing, was entirely out oc her control. You can read more about all this here in this mammoth I did on the series.

The takeaway is that Wally sucked. Then Crisis on Infinite Earths Happened and Barry died heroically sacrifcing himself. Wally swore at the end of that series he wouldn't become the flash... but one year later with the next crossover Legends he did.

So Wally got his own brand new solo written by Mike Baron who reworked Wally's character.. and somehow made him MORE insufferable, making him into an egotisticla impulsive ladies man who cheated on his girlfriend, let his mother walk all over his new girlfriend, a married woman he was having an affair with. He also was a giant dick to Chunk, a neurotypical genius with black hole powers and planned to exploit him. He also won the lottery, a thing that sure did happen and sure was necessary and not a cheap gimmick no one asked for yes sir.

THe baron run.. was a mess. With Wolfman and perez I can at least see what they were going for and tha tit simply failed. Here I don't know what the fuck Baron was thinking.

Thankfully soon after William Messner Loebs took over, and while i've only read a smidgen of his run and wish more was collected, it's an instant improvment: Wally looses his fortune and becomes more of a relatable every man, the "you could have a beer with him" sort whose just at home at a hockey game as he is fighting snake themed terrorists.

So with Wally's new personality came a stable love intrest in Linda. Linda was just what Wally needed: someone who saw through all his bullshit, that all the swaggering and screwing around was compensating for the mountain of issues he refused ot work through.

Linda ended up seeing enough of Wally's good nature to start dating him casually, which lasted into the Mark Waid run, where the two were truly fleshed out as a couple.. and which i've read a solid chunk of. Mark Waid is seen as the man who truly made wally the flash and it's hard to argue that as Wally grew as a person bit by bit over the run. He was still impulsive, down to earth and quippy as fuck, but the overcompensation, horn doggery and assholishness were gone. He also gave wally his full backstory, and helped him finally get over comparisons to barry, making his speed limit that internalized imposter syndrome I mentiond: he was scared of replacing Barry.. but more scared of letting THIS BASTARD DO IT.... god I gotta cover the Return of Bary Allen sometime.

So through all this growth for Wally, he and linda grew as a couple: When Linda asked just how serious they were Wally balked, then got caught up on a flash thing... before speeding his way on a train to ask her to stay. The two have great chemistry: Linda likes Wally's fun nature, down to earth stylez and the fact he dosen't treat her like she's made of glass.. most of the time (Some incidents shook him up a bit), while Wally loves her no nonsense atittude, the only thing that often cuts thorugh his bullshit when he hyperfixates on his latest problem. She's his rock, he's her roll, and they need that ballance. She keeps him grounded.. and not just in the speed force, as discovering it nearly caused wally to loose himself.. but her love anchored him back.

So their marriage was inevitible and while I coudln't find the proposal issue, it's no suprise it happened: the two loved each other deeply and there's a reason they got so much love in this poll, and it's nice the two are back solidly as a couple with no signs of more ediotial fuckery making one of them not exist or forget the other or whatever.

So with that we're at the wedding. It came towards the end of Mark waid's run, right before Geoff Johns also super special awesome run, with Johns getting to define their married life more. It also begins a bit of a weird arc i'll talk about when we get to the end of the issue btu for now it's a blessed day for a blessed couple under the cut.

Since the wedding itself is supervillain free, we open with a big action set piece. Said set piece is excellent: Waid really knows how to write a flash story and sneakily choose villians who were key to Wally and Linda's history: Kobra

I had to and Mark waid had to know what he was doing introdcuing a snake themed terroist group. Kobra is a cult/terriorst group ran by Kobra with a K. They nearly destroyed Keystone City during the Terminal Velocity arc, with Wally forced to go as fast as he possibly could to save Linda, nearly loosing himself in the process. This is where the anchor thing happened. What I really like is the story.. dosen't bring this up. He just mentions he's "tussled with them" before, so newer readers don't have to get an info dump, but people who've been reading a while get the continuity nod.

It's a fun opener too as Wally zooms around, interogates a guy by shaking him real hard, and finds out Kobra's hiding at Broome Plaza, a nice nod to Wally co-creator John Broome. Kobra can teleport so he nopes out, but wally uses a neat trick: since he's faster than sound, he can catch up to what their saying.. and thus evacuate city hall before their bomb goes off. Said attack annoys wally a little but he's able to catch his marriage certificate. It's a good cold open that gives us some flash action.. and allows the rest of the issue to just be a simple plain clothes wedding.

Granted no wedding is simple and Wally reacts to hearing the cake may be off.. is to kidnap a chef from paris.

I.. I want to know how Wally knows this guy, and why he can just kidnap Pierre at a moment's notice. Did he kindap a random chef or do they have a history? Who was he fighting in paris? he WAS part of Justice League Europe for quite some time so it's plausable but dammit I want this story told Mark.

Linda rather than overreacting.. is greatful she has a soon to be husband whose so kind and considerate he'd run al lthe way to paris to kidnap her a baker. The two get down on the floor but before they can get doooowwnwnnn on the floor Linda's parents walk in. Thankfully their quickly distracted though Wally notices something's off: while Linda's had nothing resembling cold feet she freezes up a bit when Wally brushes off his parents, not even having checked if their coming. As you'll soon se he has every reason not to give a shit.

What he does give a shit about is Linda making Bart, aka impulse the ring bearer. Impulse was Wally's equilvent to kid flash and eventually his kid flash, before Wally became Wally's kid flash more recently. That wasn't a typo, there are two of them, it's not important to any of this.

For those less familiar with my boy, Bart is a hyperactive mess, having been raised in virtual reality simulation in the future and thus having trouble slowing down, not helped by being a speedster whose all but said to have ADHD. Wally's relationship with bart's a contrast to Barry's with him: While Barry was a fair mentor and the father Wally needed, Wally.. simply dosen't have the patience to actually train his young ward. Wally and Bart are too much alike, both impulsive, both running a mile a minute, and thus Bart was trained instead by Wally's own secondary mentor Max Mecury, a golden age speedster who has nothing BUT patience and when Max went into comic limbo, the almost as patent first flash Jay Garrick took the reigns. It's a detail I like as it not only set up Bart's own series well but makes sense: Wally can help Bart in small doses and dosen't abandon him, but simply can't handle the kid. It's telling that noawadays while he's taken a roll in mentoring his cousin, Wallace is both way calmer and Wally's matured enough from being a parent to actually handle being a mentor.

Thankfully Linda has patience for both of them and takes care of bart in a really clever way

Sadly the good times can't last and Wally's parents arrive and we see WHY he was so aphrensive about them showing up.

Yeah besides the .. questionable gifts, Waid does a godo job showing WHY he dosen't like them without getting into their histories: Wally's dad gives him a cheap gift and brings a date younger than his own son, and Wally's Mom's every action towards him is some veiled crticisim. Their awful and waid has never sugacoated that, and their constant baggering may explain New Teen Titans era wally in canon: Wally was less himself at the time because he was BADLY trying to be what they wanted and once he got the freedom of being the flash, he snapped back into being who he truly was.

Wally gets them to go away by playing "LOOK A RELATIVE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR INHERTIANCE" and linda tenses up again, not getting at WHY she keeps doing that. Wally is quickly distracted by this hair crime

Oh all the ways i'm going to have fun with this. Okay for starters Dick, your the son of the world's greatest detective. Bruce has taught you better wig game than that and you damn well know it. 80's metal hair is not Nightwing level disguise work Richard.

Second... how is the "Theodore Logan" look less conspcious than the adopted son of a millionare being friends with a public figure?

Third: All this is going to do is have papparzi asking "Whose Wally West's Best Man?". Does Dick have a cover identity all set up for this or did he only think of this plan the 5 minutes it took to buy a "babies first winger costume" wig.

Fourth: right after the rest of the titans show up, and Donna herself is a public figure, having taken pictures of starfire and being a high profile fashion photographer, Roy himself is ward of a billionare and Garth has no secret identity. how is "bruce wayne's son" any less conspcious.

And fifth WHY of all the wigs did he choose a perm that resembles their teammate jericho they watched get stabbed in front of them not a year ago probably in universe. Maybe two.

To my shock by the end Joey was apparently fronting whitesnake so what the hell dick. Why remind all your many friends present "oh yeah remember our friend who got stabbed in the chest in front of us".

So the rest of the titans arrive and somehow don't razz Dick for this hair crime, though even through that perm dick can sense somethin'gs off with linda. We get mor ehints why as Wally dosen't intorduce the titans to his family: Linda was the one to invite them and while he's glad they came he's not really.. close to any of them. The people he is make a bit more of an intrance, as the JLA arrive, with Superman worried about paparazzi. I mean dick will never live down that perm if they see it.

Wally kept the location on the DL.. which won't really stop paparazzi , even 90's paparazzi, and just makes Dick's hair somehow more rediculous. Any more and it'll become a force unto itself.

Thankfully more of Wally's REAL family shows up: Iris. for those wondering why this is a big deal at the time Iris was living in the future: she's from the 30th century, it's a long story, point is she stayed there after Barry's death both to raise her kids and to avoid spoiling the future. Ironically she'd come back full time during the next run as the future changed enough she had no idea what to expect, but for now Wally's worried she'll give her dad a heart attack.. only for her to explain she already went and saw her dad and explained stuff. Family is important.

This finally snaps Linda's bugging into focus for Wally: family. Wally's been icing his out and THAT'S what linda keeps being nervous about. So , not supposed to see the bride be dammned, he goes to iron this out in a beautiful scene that both explains WHY he's like this to his family, something we've clearly seen, and why Linda's in no danger

IT's really well done, and I like that Wally acknowledges his extended family.. did nothing wrong. He was just so determined to keep his parents away he accidently kept them away too and geninely wants to work on it. I don't think he DOES, but the comic both changes gears then changes writers after this, and I can't blame Geoff for not following up on this. He was never scared of her.. he just has bad parents.

I also like that the comic has the aseop that it's ENTIRELY okay Wally wants to push his parents away and wants nothing to do with them. There are far too many bits of media that ar elike "Oh your birth family is important, you shouldn't pusht hem away. Your parents mean something".. but forget that sometimes parents are abusive shit stains. I was lucky to get a wonderful mom and a dad I can at least talk to, but not everyone has a good relationship with their parents or wants to be around them. WE've seen how little they actually care about wally or his big day, and how much having them there throws him off. Yet we've also subtly seen.. wally HAS family. He's found family with the titans, with the League. You don't need blood to be a family. You just need love, to respect one another and to be there.. and Wally and LInda have that.

So it's time for the ceremony with the wedding party apparently only consisting of Beavis, Jesse Quick (Close ally of Wally's and fellow speedster) and Bart. It's then Wally realizes something and handles it like the responsible about to be married man he is.

Yeah the fastest man alive, who was hovering over his wife as she planned this ceremony... forgot his vows. it's so wally it hurts and i'm here for it. Thankfully he's the fastest man alive and after thinking back on their history, the good, the bad, and how she's always made him feel... he simply says his vows from the gut, which really is again the most wally west thing imaginable and i'm still here for it.

It's a beautiful speech that sums up their relationship, what they mean..and is also something Wally REALLY shoudl've thought through. You'd think after a decade as a superhero, at least he'd know not to tempt fate as suddenly.. Linda dosen't exisit. Wally finds something with her name, asks dick about it, Dick assumes wally horny Richard, and Dick dosen't even question the haunted wig in his apartment. Linda is trapped and yeah that's how the issue ends.

Yeah, the big milestone wedding.. ends with a fucking kidnapping and leads into an arc I haven't gotten to. And look i'll do a LOT for reasearch, I just covered 20 some issues of Transformers Robots in Disguise so I could cover the crossover with More than Meets the Eye next month, entirely so i'd do it right.. but even i'm not so through that i'd read 18 issues of the flash in an arc i'm eh about reading some day but will probably get to complete the mark waid run for a one and a half issue review.

So the short version of what you missed: Wally disappeared into time and space without LInda to anchor him. Replacing him was Wallace West, an angsty wally from another timeline who replaced him for a while, a storyline I mostly know about because it leaked into JLA for a bit, with Wally revealing his identity to a few people to get their trust. Wallace was the darker and edgier flash no one asked for, fought crime, fell in love... and then Wally came back and rescued LInda, who it turned out had been kidnapped by his old nemisis Abra Kadabra, a magician from the 60th century who as you can tell by how elaborate and dickish this plot is, has a flair for both trying to ruin wally's life and the dramatic. Hilaroiusly, as I read, Wally gets him to undo it.. by pointing out no one knew what he did. So Wallace was supposed to go back and go back miserable because fuck him for wanting to be happy I guess. Can you kinda.. see why I have no real intrest in this storyline outside of Wally and LInda? Maybe pick that up?

So for expediency's sake and to give us a better ending we WILL be covering the flash #159.. but just the wally and linda parts as we don't really need Wallace's dramatic exit.

We do start on it though as the League demands he go home and can't take his girlfriend with him. He picked up a girlfriend it's a thing. Superman is being an uncharactristic super ass while Wally is being less than helpful.. albeit given Wallace DIN'T have his memories of Linda erased and could've been helping them, I can't say I blam ehim.

So once Wallace leaves to have one last good day, Bart, having the tact of a tornado on roller skates, asks when the wedding resumes. Wally decides right the fuck now and speeds into actoin to get everything: catering, her parents farmhouse ready again, the lisence.

Wally spends the day even more hyperactive than usual... which is somehow indeed possible. The superheroes around Linda assure her it's fine, with Donna being the only one to make sure things haven't changed. Linda still LOVES wally.. but she can see something's wrong. And unlike with her on the previous wedding day, Wally's FAR less subtle about it so I don't know why no one else is like "okay maybe we shoudl check on him.

We get to the wedding itself.. and Linda holds it, not wanting to Marry wally while he's having what's clearly a barely supressed emotoinal breakdown.

I love this because it really.. boils down their dynamic: Linda loves wally, who he is and dosen't doubt that for a second.. but she's also 9/10 the one who pulls his head out of his ass. Wally's a good guy, we've seen it here.. but he acts first asks later, and LInda's one the remind him that you have to slow down every once in a while and have a conversation. Also yeah, between Dick's wig and Clark's super pope hat he's bummed he didn't get to wear to this because you bastards didn't ask him to officiate, they've seen weirder.

Wally agrees, yeah that's it. He saw a version of himself who went down a dark path.. and really wasn't THAT diffrent. All it took was loosing linda, which is WHY Walter is an edgelord for the record. Linda.. isn't amused, especially since Wally implies part of this is to widen the gap between them. Wally's friends are.. less than sympathetic. Well okay Roy is. It's just roy actually, Max is worried and Jay knows they just need to work it out and will. But roy well..

That is both a perfect exchange for those two.. and entirely why Roy isn't invited to weddings that much. I only think he got into this one as Donna's +1.

Wally however.. assures her that's not the case and once again gets a fantastic speech in

It's a heartfelt speech and get's linda to just.. skip to the i dos, the two kiss and one of the most solid marriages in all of comcis begins. It's a beautiful speech.

As for the issues themselves.. their okay. Yeah for such a great couple and with so many great moments, the first issue feels a bit short, like we needed more time for the wedding and the whole stupid kidnapping plot means we get cheated out of a reception, which as we've seen from both Rogue and Gambit and Teddy and Billy's nuptial's, is often some of the best stuff, allowing a bunch of characters to bounce off each other. Instead since the circumstances are dire after the intital wedding and dire right before the makeup, with our heroes recovering for it, we don't really get to have FUN with this. There's good moments, but these weddings are a bit of a disapointment and I don't know what Mark Waid or Ediotiral was thinking with this. It's still JUST good enough to not be a complete waste of your time, I recommend at least 142, but it still coudl've been SO much better and it's a shame this is the first wedding for this feature I just. .haven't been that jazzed about. I wanted to like it. the art for the first issue does not help, being all kinds of rediuclous and giving us the enternal shame that is Dick Grayson's perm.

So where did Wally and LInda go from here? Well honestly.. marital bliss at first. As I said Geoff Johns run, a brilliant followup to what Mark Waid did that brought back the Rogues after Waid wrote them out and redefined Captain Cold, follows them as newlyweds: they deal with space, moving, and LInda going back to college for a subplot that ultimately goes nowhere outside of one kidnapping by a prince from another dimension. Story for another time.

The two were solid for the most part and even had an unexpected suprise: TWINS. The two were happy to start their family... but unfortuantely Wally's freshly minted new arch enemy Zoom undid the babies out of his warped thinking tragedy makes better heroes. Which it often does, but feels like a critqiue on piling on tragedy because "that's what sueprheroes are". Granted Geoff Johns isn't innocent of this, but it's still a good lesson.

Afterwards Hal Jordan wiped everyone's memories of wally's identity and after re learning it Linda disappeared before coming back, the babies were restored, and the two had a happy marriage again with kids till infinite crisis. Then wally was put through the SHIT for nigh on a decade until a recent return, a wonderful run you should check out by Jeremey Whitley and a sci fi run I haven't that sounds neat by by my Boy Simon Spurrier. The two aren't without conflict. .but they have a love and understanding that makes them get past it. Wally and Linda have a beautiful relationship and I can't wait to see them again on this blog some day.

For now thanks for reading.

[carolinekatze]

Lord of the Rings Characters Playing Mario Kart

Inspired by the fact the my father literally begged me to play Mario Kart with him last night.

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Aragorn-Honestly is very bad and can only come above last place with the bumpers on, but still has fun. Gets excited when he gets a cool power up like Bullet Bill or whatever that thing is that makes you rainbow. He throws a lot of blue shells cuz he's always in last.

Merry-Horrible winner. He's really good and will let you know. Convinces everyone else to turn the bumpers off. Has literally no self control during Mario Kart, will say or do anything. If someone does manage to beat him he is a sore loser. Always plays as a classic character like Mario or Luigi.

Pippin-Insufferable if he manages to win or even comes in the top five. He's really obsessed with those mini battle games and will make everyone play them because he's good at them. Plays as Cat Peach

Frodo-Pretty average and doesn't take the game too seriously. He only uses the cars that look like real cars. Always uses the same character and that character is Lakitu

Sam-Sam is that guy that acts like he doesn't really know how to play and then kicks everyone's ass. He's very humble about it and sometimes lets other people win cuz he feels bad. Uses Shy Guy

Gandalf-Would rather be playing Sonic Riders (does anyone else remember this game or just me???) Yoshi enjoyer. Comes from behind for the win.

Boromir-Thinks that playing with the bumpers on is cheating and ruins the game. Picks his car by actually looking at the stats. Probs plays as Bowser.

Legolas-Really chill and very good at pelting people with items. Plays as Isabelle from Animal Crossing cuz that's his favorite game.

Gimli-Angry, enjoys Wario's Gold Mine. Will yell at someone for throwing a shell at him. Constantly runs into his own banana peels. Has thrown a remote and suffered the consequences

Faramir-Mid Mario Karter. Usually would rather just hang out and watch than actually play. He gives good commentary. When he does play he's always Koopa Troopa

Éomer-Has no idea what is happening. Has never played this game before. Falls off of the edge constantly because he doesn't know how to turn the bumpers on.

Éowyn-Only uses the baby characters. Kicks Merry's ass. Best trash talker. Always in the top three at least.

Arwen-Picks her vehicle based purely on how cute it looks. Not at all interested in stats, doesn't want to hear about it, leave her alone. Enjoys speeding past Boromir on her Yoshi scooter with button wheels.

[lazeecomet]

Thinking back on it, I did some really clever shit in my tenure as a field service engineer at the warehouse robotics company, that could have only worked because there were so many unsecured doors in the software

The V3s we had deployed when I first joined communicated with us over WiFi. We used Putty to remote in and run a long command to run the bootloader and start the main process

But you could also just run the main program without the long command. If you did that you could send opcodes to the motor controllers and get the wheels to turn or actuate functions. We were supposed to use this to run bench tests on test stands to ensure the robots were fit to put in production and home the motors

We did

But I also taught everyone how to send opcodes to manually drive the bots back to charging locations so we didnt have to push them. The only thing you had to be careful of was not putting a robot into production when it was running the program in the foreground as we called it. The long command to run in the background was needed as if you closed your putty window then the foreground program would stop

We did have someone crash a robot this way when they logged out while it was moving

But for being WiFi connected, this system was safer then you think as opcodes sent from a user could only be interpreted in foreground and system opcodes only received in background. Halting and restarting the program while the system was online would thow an error on the main command and control server that would put the robot out of service

Shit got wild when we upgraded to V4

Gone is the wifi in favor of 2.4 ghz radio. The robot also automatically runs the bootloader on power up. Foreground and background modes are a thing of the past. Now any commands sent on that radio channel, from the user or the command and control server, are accepted, no matter what

Granted, doing that while the system is on will desync the robot physically from what the system thinks is going on but it's smart enough to put the robot into ESTOP when the robot moves when it shouldn't

I however had different uses

There was several errors I encountered where I eventually diagnosed that the reason why a feature we had wasn't working was because the robot was given the opcode to move before it had been given the opcode to get ready to move

So the robot would try to move, fail to move, go Into ESTOP and then I'd step in. Id clear the estop on the robot locally with the estop clear opcode and send the opcode for getting ready to move. The robot, having gotten a command when it shouldn't, re-enters ESTOP and now everything is synced back up. I can now clear the estop normally and when the estop clears, the command server retries the last failed command. Now that the robot is ready to move, It drives away like nothing happened and operations resume

V5 shut down all my clever tricks. Maintenance mode is a physical switch that has to be pressed to do manually commands and pressing it power cycles the bot. Probably for the best tho

[ymishraofficial]

Top 10 Projects for BE Electrical Engineering Students

Embarking on a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electrical Engineering opens up a world of innovation and creativity. One of the best ways to apply theoretical knowledge is through practical projects that not only enhance your skills but also boost your resume. Here are the top 10 projects for BE Electrical Engineering students, designed to challenge you and showcase your talents.

1. Smart Home Automation System

Overview: Develop a system that allows users to control home appliances remotely using a smartphone app or voice commands.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino or Raspberry Pi)

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module

Sensors (temperature, motion, light)

Learning Outcome: Understand IoT concepts and the integration of hardware and software.

2. Solar Power Generation System

Overview: Create a solar panel system that converts sunlight into electricity, suitable for powering small devices or homes.

Key Components:

Solar panels

Charge controller

Inverter

Battery storage

Learning Outcome: Gain insights into renewable energy sources and energy conversion.

3. Automated Irrigation System

Overview: Design a system that automates the watering of plants based on soil moisture levels.

Key Components:

Soil moisture sensor

Water pump

Microcontroller

Relay module

Learning Outcome: Learn about sensor integration and automation in agriculture.

4. Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Overview: Build a prototype for an electric vehicle (EV) charging station that monitors and controls charging processes.

Key Components:

Power electronics (rectifier, inverter)

Microcontroller

LCD display

Safety features (fuses, circuit breakers)

Learning Outcome: Explore the fundamentals of electric vehicles and charging technologies.

5. Gesture-Controlled Robot

Overview: Develop a robot that can be controlled using hand gestures via sensors or cameras.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino)

Motors and wheels

Ultrasonic or infrared sensors

Gesture recognition module

Learning Outcome: Understand robotics, programming, and sensor technologies.

6. Power Factor Correction System

Overview: Create a system that improves the power factor in electrical circuits to enhance efficiency.

Key Components:

Capacitors

Microcontroller

Current and voltage sensors

Relay for switching

Learning Outcome: Learn about power quality and its importance in electrical systems.

7. Wireless Power Transmission

Overview: Experiment with transmitting power wirelessly over short distances.

Key Components:

Resonant inductive coupling setup

Power source

Load (LED, small motor)

Learning Outcome: Explore concepts of electromagnetic fields and energy transfer.

8. Voice-Controlled Home Assistant

Overview: Build a home assistant that can respond to voice commands to control devices or provide information.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Raspberry Pi preferred)

Voice recognition module

Wi-Fi module

Connected devices (lights, speakers)

Learning Outcome: Gain experience in natural language processing and AI integration.

9. Traffic Light Control System Using Microcontroller

Overview: Design a smart traffic light system that optimizes traffic flow based on real-time data.

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino)

LED lights

Sensors (for vehicle detection)

Timer module

Learning Outcome: Understand traffic management systems and embedded programming.

10. Data Acquisition System

Overview: Develop a system that collects and analyzes data from various sensors (temperature, humidity, etc.).

Key Components:

Microcontroller (Arduino or Raspberry Pi)

Multiple sensors

Data logging software

Display (LCD or web interface)

Learning Outcome: Learn about data collection, processing, and analysis.

Conclusion

Engaging in these projects not only enhances your practical skills but also reinforces your theoretical knowledge. Whether you aim to develop sustainable technologies, innovate in robotics, or contribute to smart cities, these projects can serve as stepping stones in your journey as an electrical engineer. Choose a project that aligns with your interests, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your professors and peers. Happy engineering!

[parieha-aaa]

( continued from here . ) @godsbox

( geto had always hidden the fact that swallowing a curse was an experience full of personal agony , a sacrifice at the altar of humanity , bloody and wretched . a shaman's entire reason for living was to save people , to save HUMANS , at the expense of whatever was on the table : life , limb , anything was game . everything was temporary for a shaman , they couldn't even live for themselves , they had to sign away their fate to ungrateful , callous humans who didn't even recognize them , and who were unlikely to care even if they did . that was a curse , that was death . suguru hadn't been alive for months , merely dragging his body from place to place , gathering curses in his spare time in remote areas of japan , the powerful ones , the dangerous ones , and he was thanked a grand total of zero times . the static inside of his head grew rapidly assimilating those terrible curses . damned , unabashedly rotten things . like him , like them . ) the chances of getting out of this job alive were looking gradually slimmer by the day , and it wasn't like suguru had the power his best friend did . satoru was always making the impossible a reality , the honored one , the special one , so special that this partnership had disintegrated & geto wondered if satoru even noticed . what if he didn't ? ❝   . . . i know , but if it were a method they hadn't tried . you know they're so stuck in their ways . . . there's got to be something i can do . . . i refuse to believe those old bastard's have exhausted all their options . they benefit too much from our deaths to truly look into it .  ❞ ( yu's corpse , in the forefront of his mind , yes , there were benefits to their deaths , but none the victim would ever see . ignorance rears its head in the form of new students , able to be controlled and lied to , forced foolishly into giving away their lives for a farce . that's what this was : a farce , a facade . this school was a lie , a paragon of bygone values . ) they were all at the endless bottom of the wheel of fortune , forever groveling at their scraps of happiness , praise , and admiration . logic constituted that eventually , there would be an end . . . but this game's been rigged from the first flare : if nothing was done , they'd be here forever . if nothing was done , they'd all die there . this endless parade of horrors had to cease , one way or the other . ❝     . . . there's got to be another way . . .      ❞

[thequeenofthewinter]

As Quiet as a Mouse

The Library is peaceful. Or at least the only place left thus far where Lisinia has been able to find any traces of what could even remotely be considered peaceful.

She licks one of her fingers as she turns the page of a dusty old tome on primal glintstone magics—something entirely unheard of before until she met Sellen. Hm. At the very least it is an interesting alternative to the mess the Carian Royal family made of its sorceries. Blasphemous really to think that one should be able to control the stars or have any power over anything natural at all. Wasn’t this what started this whole thing? Absolute power? Playing god? Lofty, empty-headed pursuits put on display as demi-gods fight over the last scraps of nothing?

At any rate, Lisinia can see with her own eyes the effects of dabbling in that which is better left alone. Corruption, ignorance. It’s all lunacy to her.

She wets her finger again, fingers touching the page in a soft caress as she turns it over. An intricate diagram is displayed before her: complicated lines connecting and weaving their way through detailed depictions of stars and constellations until they converge on two points: one, a large glintstone pillar, and the other, a sketch of a humanoid body. A solid line in shimmering gold ink joins them, the meaning clear enough to her. So, this is what her tutor is on about all the time during their lessons. It would seem that with focus one could—

Suddenly, the chilling sensation of phantom fingers causes the hairs on the nape of Lisinia’s neck to stand to attention. She leans back in her chair, eyes narrowing as they sweep cautiously over every cobweb infested corner and shadowed recess of her current position. Perhaps it is time that she left. She’s been in here long enough anyway and does not want to be caught like the last time. 

Somehow she had backed herself into a corner and managed to maneuver herself onto a water wheel. At first, she thought she was rather clever as it pulled her up and away from the scores of undead bodies which followed her; however, later it deposited her directly into the path of with one of those so-called “abductor virgins”. Who would create such a dreadful contraption anyway? Their unnatural machinery would seem to run on pure malice with more than a heavy dose of spite. Overkill in her opinion and in the most dramatic sense of the word at that. It took just about all of her cerulean tear flasks to make it out alive.

 If there is one thing Lisinia is, it is not stupid, and she never makes the same mistake twice. Best to leave. Now.

Taking in a deep breath to quiet her nerves, Lisinia haphazardly shoves the book she is reading along with 5 others into her pack—who knows when next she’ll be able to navigate herself back here. It’s a wonder that any more will fit, but the information here is too valuable for her to lose out on and the risk well outweighs any consequences. That much Sellen has made abundantly clear to her. In order for her studies to be successful and for her to finish her work in becoming the Elden Lord, she will need every scrap of information she can get her tiny hands on.

Breathe, Lisinia. You must do this and then you can go back to—What was that?

Whispers of silk robes swish from behind as her sweaty fingers grip the cold metal of Lusat’s staff, its dark crystals glinting in the low candlelight. Darting eyes desperately search the upturned tables, half-broken chairs, and piles of books cascading every which way onto the marbled floors of Rennala’s domain. It’s hard to see anything anywhere in this place with how dim everything is let alone with all the rubble and debris obstructing her vision.

A flash of bright blue sparks comes to life in the periphery of her vision, and Lisinia quickly rolls to the left under a table to avoid the spell’s tracking.

Gods be damned if there are any left!

Lisinia crawls on the floor towards the back of the room, shards of glass and wooden splinters lodging their way into her hands as she tries to find an opening for her to cast. A quick glance to her right tells her that it’s another student—or was another student of Raya Lucaria. It would be hard to call these mindless husks by any sort of living name now.  

Ever since the Shattering, they have been left here in the hallways, victims to Rennala’s whims as they patrol the school to serve whatever purpose she has for them. If there even is one to begin with. Lisinia has seen what she has done to them—sweetings. Her brain crawls at the very thought. She will not allow that fate to befall her. Her mind is the most powerful muscle she has in her body, and if she doesn’t have that, then, what is left?

Finally, the other end of the library is in sight. While there is plenty of space for Lisinia to cast there, it will also leave her vulnerable. She’ll have to do so quickly. Not a problem. A half-grin appears on her face as she pushes back a strand of hair from her brow, a dark smear of red appearing there. 

Breathe and connect yourself with the universe. Reach out and feel the pull of the stars.

Her heart beats in double-time, the thud almost reverberating through her body as adrenaline surges forth. She is ready. Despite what her body would tell her—the nerves, the panic—she does not fear. Calm certitude is a mask she wears well. Besides, these are rather unnecessary emotions which will only serve to stand in her way. Lisinia will not allow it.

Standing and turning quickly to the front of the room, a clammy hand reaches for her staff, lifting her chosen weapon to pull dark blue light from the cosmos and beckon the very stars from the heavens onto herself. Her willpower and determination burn twice as hot as any empty shell left in this sorry excuse for an academy, and she will show them. You do not control the stars—you channel them through you, becoming one with them as you weave your life-force into their essence.

Light swells, power winking in and out of existence, until it hits critical mass and she can take no more. Lisinia lets go and a stinging rush of power flows through her with a wave of her staff, the sorcerer in front of her dissolved into nothing but dark grey ash.

[campbelltownhobbies]

Affordable High-Speed Fun: Best Budget Electric RC Cars

Introduction to Fast Electric Remote Control Cars

When choosing the ideal RC car for your needs, there are various key factors to take into account. These include the power source, size, construction quality, and brand reliability. Additionally, keep in mind that the intended use of the car - whether for on-road or off-road racing - greatly affects its overall speed and maneuverability.

Here are a few other aspects to keep in mind.

Although the excitement of racing RC cars at high speeds is unquestionable, prioritising safety should always be a priority.

It is important to carefully select designated areas for operating these cars, keeping them away from crowded places to avoid potential accidents.

Additionally, ensuring that your RC car receives regular maintenance and inspections is crucial in guaranteeing safe and enjoyable use. By routinely cleaning, lubricating, and inspecting your car, you can prolong its lifespan and improve its performance.

Upgrading key components such as the motor, battery, and tires can also enhance its speed and overall functionality, maximizing the value of your investment.

Consider installing a more powerful motor, adjusting the gearing ratio, and opting for high-capacity batteries. Additionally, upgrading the tires and suspension can enhance the car’s grip and stability, leading to improved speed and performance.

It’s essential to note that while modifications can enhance performance, they may also increase wear and tear on the vehicle. Therefore, regular maintenance and careful tuning are crucial to ensure both speed and longevity.

Top Brands and Models in the Fast Electric RC Car Market

The ARRMA Infraction 6S BLX Brushless 1/7 RTR Electric 4WD Street Bash Truck is capable of a top speed of 80+ mph.

The LOST RC Car has a top speed of 52 kph or 32.3 mph.

The Redcat Racing Lightning EPX Drift Car can reach speeds around 10-15 mph.

The Arrma Infraction 1/7 scale can reach speeds up to 130 kph or 80.7 mph.

The Traxxas Bandit VXL can reach top speeds of 70+ mph.

The Team Associated RC10 B74 can reach top speeds of around 40+ mph.

The Losi DBXL-E 2.0 can reach top speeds of up to 50+ mph.

The Traxxas X-Maxx Monster Truck can hit top speeds of up to 45+ mph.

The Kyosho Inferno GT2 can hit top speeds of up to 50+ mph.

The Maisto Rock Crawler can reach top speeds around 10-15 mph.

The ARRMA SENTON 4X4 3S BLX Brushless 1/10 RTR Short Course Truck has a top speed of 50+ mph.

The WLtoys 14401 RC car can reach speeds up to 60 kph or 37.2 mph.

The Redcat Volcano EPX can reach top speeds of 20+ mph.

Maintenance and Care for High-Speed RC Vehicles

Regular maintenance and servicing are essential for maintaining optimal performance of any RC car.

Despite their sturdy design, proper upkeep is necessary for these cars. This includes basic tasks such as cleaning, checking screws and bearings, greasing them, and replacing worn out parts.

After driving, it is crucial to clean the car thoroughly. For dusty conditions, compressed air or a soft brush and damp cloth can be used. Extra care should be taken when cleaning around the bearings to prevent faster wear and tear caused by dirt and dust.

Please note: Do not clean the car with running water. Once finished, be sure to inspect all components for any looseness, particularly the screws on the servo arm, steering linkage, lower shock absorbers, suspension arms, and upper links.

These screws are subject to movement while driving and may become loose. Gently tighten them using the appropriate tool - over-tightening can cause damage to the threads.

After inspecting the bearings, it is important to also check their condition. Pay attention to any excess play in the wheel bearings, as this can cause the tires to wobble.

If you notice an increase in play after driving, it may be a sign of wear and tear on the bearings. This can lead to decreased spinning of the wheels and put strain on the motor.

To prolong the life of your bearings, make sure to regularly clean and lubricate them, especially after wet driving conditions. A few drops of oil is all that is needed for proper greasing. Keep in mind that outer bearings tend to wear out quickly and should be replaced promptly when necessary.

Additionally, you can test the drive train bearings by gently wiggling the outdrive and observing any play between them. Rolling the chassis on a desk should also be smooth and quiet without any resistance or noise.

Superficial cleaning and inspection are enough with the electric components. It’s good to check that the speed controller’s fan works and can spin freely. Also check that all the components are not coming loose. Check that all the wires are undamaged and that they’re not getting in the way of the drivetrain.

Conclusion

At Campbelltown Hobbies, we're passionate about bringing you the thrill of high-speed electric RC cars without breaking the bank. Our curated selection of budget-friendly models ensures you get the best performance and value for your money. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned racer, our expert team is here to help you find the perfect RC car to suit your needs. Visit us today and discover the joy of affordable high-speed fun!

Happy racing! 🏎️💨

For more information, check out our website or visit our store. At Campbelltown Hobbies, your next adventure is just a drive away.

[heymrsandman]

Wanna Try Star Trek? 3 - The Joy of Jeffrey Combs

John Startrek here, reporting in for our third entry in this beginner friendly series of Star Trek episode summaries, designed to help show all you curious tumblr users just how fun this silly little franchise can be. Conveniently enough, the Great Wheel of Trek has selected for us today a third new show for us to look at, Star Trek Enterprise. So whether you’re new to Trek, or an old hand, replicate yourself a raktajino and settle in.

Star Trek Enterprise, known simply as Enterprise in its first two seasons, is a prequel to the rest of the franchise. It’s set in the early years of human interstellar exploration, back before the formation of the United Federation of Planets to which Earth will one day belong. Our Captain this time around is Johnathan Archer, played by Scott Bakula. There’s no manual for how to handle all those Trek-y situations yet, so Archer’s figuring this stuff out as he goes.

Enterprise had an even more rough production history that Voyager did, and has never really had the best reputation. But as the years roll by, the show is being increasingly reevaluated in a positive light. This was only my second time watching this episode and yeah, it’s definitely better than I gave it credit for at the time.

So let’s get started on season 1 episode 14 Shadows of P’Jem.

We open with Soval, the Vulcan Ambassador to Earth, having a rather tense discussion with Admiral Forrest over the events of a previous episode, The Andorian Incident, in which Archer made an unscheduled visit to a Vulcan monastery and uncovered a secret spy station. It was being used by the Vulcans to keep tabs on Andorians, with whom they’re currently in a state of cold war.

Soval makes a fair point that Archer is having a destabilising effect on the region after only six months, and implies that he should be removed from his post as captain of the Enterprise. Forrest responds by pointing out that the Vulcans are actually guilty of the spying the Andorians were accusing them of. He further asserts that Vulcans do not appoint Starfleet personnel, and Soval leaves to go back to Vulcan in a huff.

Science Officer’s Note: Vulcans are one of the most important and popular alien races in Star Trek, and you probably know them from the deeply logical and deeply gay Spock. In order to suppress their powerful emotions, Vulcans practice a philosophy of strict logic and emotional suppression. In Enterprise, they’re trying to act as stuffy den mothers to humanity, who by and large are not fond of the mollycoddling.

On Enterprise, Archer is having a nice dinner in his quarters with his Chief Engineer, Charles “Trip” Tucker III, a good old Florida boy. He’s talking about their next destination, an inhabited planet called Coridan. He ribs Trip that he’s not going to take him along, leaving Trip to have the most kicked puppy look on his face.

But things can’t stay happy forever, and they’re interrupted by a call from Admiral Forrest, who tells Archer what happened at his meeting with Soval. Apparently the monastery at P’Jem was bombed by the Andorians shortly after Enterprise left.

Science Officer’s Note: The Andorians are blue and have antennae, which made many of the people working on Trek to think they were too silly to be brought back after the original series until they finally showed up again in an important role on Enterprise. In contrast to the stoic and logical Vulcans, Andorians revel in their fiery tempers. Also, their antennae move like a cat’s tail to symoblise their mood thanks to an impressive blend of prosthetics and remote control work.

There’s some additional bad news, which Archer decides to deliver to T’Pol in person. T’Pol, a Vulcan who was assigned to Enterprise as the Science Officer and second in command, is being recalled to Vulcan to be reassigned. Now, Archer doesn’t like Vulcans very much, to the point of bigotry. But over the course of this season he’s grown attached to the frosty Vulcan. For her part, T’Pol doesn’t let her mask of Vulcan stoicness falter, though she does admit to feeling like the destruction of P’Jem was her fault.

After a short scene of Archer telling Trip he can’t go to Coridan for real this time so he can take T’Pol with him, we arrive at the mess hall where the ship’s Doctor Phlox tries to coax T’Pol into fighting her transfer. T’Pol remains unmoved.

In a shuttle ride to the planet, Archer tries to start up some small talk but T’Pol’s not the chattiest. She does, however, ask why she was chosen for this mission. Archer makes a decent point, that Vulcans do business with this planet but they’ve never met humans before, so a Vulcan is well suited to introduce the two peoples. He also says that if she really doesn’t want to go, they can always turn around. 

T’Pol’s excuse for staying on mission to spend some time with Archer is that it would be illogical to waste fuel by turning back now. The nice moment is broken by somebody shooting at them, which isn’t very nice. They try to fight back, but get shot down and captured.

We go right into Archer and T’Pol tied up in a cell, where they banter about Houdini until their captors show up to interrogate them. Their leader claims they’re a rebel faction, acting against a corrupt regime held in power by the Vulcans. 

He asks about their sidearms, which Archer replies are called phase pistols. When questioned about the Enterprise, Archer gives them some lip and gets smacked across the face for it. T’Pol claims that Archer is the ship’s cook, and they’re here to cook a banquet for the planet’s chancellor. The captors assume she, therefore, is the captain.

Speaking of the chancellor, Trip is third in the chain of command and so has assumed command of Enterprise while Archer and T’Pol are away. He’s on a call with Coridan’s chancellor, who doesn’t take kindly to Trip’s assertions that they should have been warned about the rebels and that the Coridans have failed to protect a pair of diplomatic envoys. He gets cut off for his troubles, and the crew look into ways to track Archer and T’Pol.

Ship Counsellor’s Note: This is followed up by a scene of Archer & T’Pol trying to escape that isn’t really worth going over in detail, except to talk about the sexualisation of female characters in Star Trek. See, in this scene, they do the whole guy falling over and ending up with his face in a woman’s boobs gag. 

While the original 60’s show was actually pretty progressive for including the miniskirt, a symbol of women’s liberation at the time, and TNG/DS9/VOY had been pretty good about this stuff, they weren’t perfect. Deanna Troy famously spent most of her screentime in low cut dresses despite being a Starfleet officer, and Seven of Nine was explicitly added to the show to look good in tight catsuits. Enterprise is the nadir of the franchise in this respect, with T’Pol not only donning her own set of catsuits, but the show contriving a lot of excuses to see its two female stars in various states of undress over and over.

Back to the plot, Malcolm Reed, Enterprise’s Security Officer, thinks he’s located the shuttle in a shanty town just a few kilometres from the planet’s capital. He wants to take an armed team in to investigate, but Trip tells him to hold fire. Just then, the rebels called Enterprise to demand 40 phase pistols or they’ll kill their hostages. Not two minutes after they hang up on him, a Vulcan ship hails Enterprise to say they’re here to pick up T’Pol. Trip gets annoyed at them too, and the captain, Sopek, gets all haughty and says they’ll take over the investigation.

Cut to later on the Enterprise, with Sopek on board, where the Vulcan captain insists on storming the compound. Trip accuses him of not caring about the safety of Archer & T’Pol, and conveniently forgets to tell Spoke their location when asked. He then tells Reed to fire up the shuttle to go rescue them themselves.

A guard brings food for Archer & T’Pol, and because of the way they’re bound, Archer is forced into a degrading position to eat anything. T’Pol refuses to follow suit until Archer orders her to do so. I know what the Counsellor said earlier about sexualisation in the show, but this isn’t really an example of that. The reason we’re talking about this scene is that Archer finds a doodad in his meal with a blinking light. Looks like somebody’s on their side.

The ship’s Communications Officer, Hoshi Sato, is on Enterprise for the customary “sorry my parents aren’t home” call when Sopek realises another shuttle has left Enterprise, and cuts him off with static.

In the shanty town, Trip & Reed have barely gone twenty feet from the shuttle when they themselves get captured. It’s not the rebels though, it’s Commander Shran, the Andorian from the incident in The Andorian Incident. He says they’re there to aid the rebels in overthrowing the Vulcan-backed government but after P’Jem, he owes Archer a debt and is planning to rescue him. Trip & Reed insist on coming along.

Ship Counsellor’s Note: Jeffrey Combs is something of a Star Trek legend. As an actor, he’s been in many projects over the years, but Trekkies love him for his two recurring roles on DS9 as Weyoun and Liquidator Brunt. He’s a very charismatic actor who commits hard to the role, and Shran is one of the highlights of the show.

The glowing doodad is a communication device, which lets Trip explain the plan to Archer & T’Pol. While the rescue is pretty successful, they’re interrupted by the Vulcan raid. Shran tells Archer hsi debt is repaid, but on their way out the Vulcans and Andorians run into each other and enter into a standoff. It’s resolved when a wounded rebel tries to shoot Sopek, only for T’Pol to jump in front of the shot.

Back on Enterprise, everyone’s crowded around T’Pol’s bed in sickbay. Sopek is clearly concerned about her, and Phlox says that her prognosis is not good. Archer tries to commiserate with him, and asks him to put in a good word for T’Pol at Vulcan High Command so she can stay on Enterprise. Sopek can’t take T’Pol with him while she’s wounded, but he does have a meeting with the High Command soon, and might have time to bring it up with them.

When a shaken Sopek leaves, Phlox revives T’Pol from her induced coma and tells her she’s not to leave sickbay for 24 hours. When Archer tells her he thinks he’s managed to sort out that whole T’Pol being transferred issue, T’Pol said he shouldn’t have interfered. Archer says she’s free to go chase down Sopek if she really wants to tell him not to. T’Pol chooses her excuse this time to be that she can’t, as that would be disobeying doctor’s orders.

This is not as good an episode as our previous two. It is one of the better ones in Enterprise’s first season, which is not really a great season of television. Something you might have noticed from this summary is a number of times when a scene transitions from one part of a discussion, to that same discussion happening at a different time or location. Take Sopek’s call to Enterprise, for example. What was really accomplished by Sopek coming aboard that couldn’t have been done over the video call?

It’s also not entirely clear whether Archer & T’Pol’s scenes or Trip’s scene really constitute the a-plot of the episode. Both have scenes that don’t really need to be there, like Hoshi’s call with Sopek, or the boobs-in-face scene. The potentially intense and complex political situation of the Vulcans and Andorians fighting a proxy war via Coridan is something DS9 could have handled in its sleep, but Enterprise passes over the opportunity.

So is this a bad episode of television? No, it’s just a bit of an underdeveloped one. Like much of Enterprise, it’s a bunch of unrealised potential with some moments of undeniable charm.

Speak to me, oh Great Wheel of Trek. Please, grant unto us some TNG. so we can go four for four on this.

Well, would you look at that. Ask and you’ll receive I guess.Now tell me, oh Great Wheel of Trek, should I buy a lottery ticket next week?

[hirocimacruiser]

Mitsubishi Debonair V AMG version.

AMG is a tuning manufacturer in West Germany that specializes in German luxury cars. Its technical capabilities are widely recognized and highly evaluated by the general public. 3000 Royal AMG is a full-fledged European sporty sedan forged by this prestigious tuner.

■AMG aero parts consist of front bumper spoiler, front grille, side step panel, door protection panel, rear spoiler, rear bumper spoiler, rear end panel, and wheel cut molding.

A form that further refines the aerodynamics of the original body. The impression of its styling can be said to be a splendid fusion of personality and sporty image. Equipped with low-profile tires and aluminum wheels and electronically controlled suspension to support fast and safe driving. From the day you own this car, highway dominance will be yours. The interior also features an AMG-designed steering wheel. The Debonair V3000 Royal AMG is full of Senmou's European spirit in both its exterior and interior.

Body Color: Sarajevo White

■ Seat color: Gray (optional leather seats are beige)

■ Interior base color: Gray

Pictured from left: AMG design steering wheel, AMG design aluminum wheels & 205/60R15-89H tires, dual exhaust pipes.

Debonair V3000 Royal AMG Cyclone V6 3000 engine ELC 4-speed full automatic with OD Main equipment Air conditioning & audio remote control switch Cruise control Auto lighting control 205/60R15-89H tires

Front 5-layer laminated glass (bronze) Electric retractable door mirror Soft touch heater control AMG aero parts Driver's seat power seat Rear power seat AMG Steering wheel ELR seat belt with electric tension reducer Dual auto air conditioner (microcomputer)

MITSUBISHI DEBONAIR V 3000 ROYAL AMG

The Debonair V3000 Royal AMG, which gives the image of driving on the European autobahn. The exterior, suspension, and equipment all feature high-quality specifications unique to this car.

ENGINE BOX

Unprecedented responsiveness and quietness. Advanced driving with Cyclone V6 engine.

What the times demand from engines is not just high power or low-speed torque. It is the response performance that can pick up the power you want when you need it, and the quietness that makes you feel the high quality. In other words, it can be said that it is a high-performance car that truly values ​​the sensibilities of the rider. Mitsubishi's cyclone engine was born by refining everything to meet such demands. And the Cyclone V6 3000 engine of the Debonair V3000 Royal AMG is a proud power unit that stands at the top of them. Achieved new performance and excellent quietness in the entire range from low speed to high speed while achieving compactness and weight reduction. In addition, ECI-MULTI (Multi-Point Injection), which always supplies the best air-fuel mixture and controls accurate fuel injection timing and appropriate ignition timing for each of the six cylinders, is also adopted. Also, in each process of intake, combustion and exhaust, advanced technologies such as manifolds with optimal shape and diameter, dual exhaust system and compact combustion chamber are incorporated.

BOTTOM INFO SECTIONS FROM LEFT

door-linked high-tilt steering,

Light operability created by ELC4A/T with OD.

A driver's seat that secures a wide field of vision and enhances safety. The electronically controlled power steering employs door-linked high-tilt steering that hops up when the driver's side door is opened to facilitate boarding and exiting. Equipped with a cruise control that automatically maintains the set vehicle speed, an ELC 4-speed full automatic transmission with OD that electronically controls for smooth shifting, and a steering audio remote control switch that allows remote control of audio from the steering wheel. As an option, a hands-free car telephone is also available, which allows you to talk without having to use both hands.

The spaciousness of the interior of the FF and its excellent quietness make it a truly relaxing place to live.

Debonair V achieves top-class spaciousness in the interior and trunk room with the FF (front wheel drive) system. Beneran instrument panel pads with a leather touch and urethane-injected floor mats that create a soft feel further enhance the quality of living. The driver's seat and rear seats are equipped with electric power seats that can be adjusted steplessly. In addition, the adoption of a flush body and triple weatherstripping achieves excellent quietness, and is equipped with a high-power audio system with Diatone ASS that adds value to a quiet space.

Optional leather seats are also available.

Safety and reliability brought by electronically controlled suspension and 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes.

Equipped with an electronically controlled suspension that automatically controls suspension characteristics and vehicle height to provide stable driving with consistently high marginal performance. The braking system is equipped with 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes with excellent heat dissipation. The body uses high-quality paint to improve durability and rigidity, integrally molded doors, and new anti-corrosion steel plates. In addition, the front five-layer laminated glass that reduces the impact on the driver in the event of an accident, and ETACS, which electronically controls various timers and alarms, protects irreplaceable safety from all angles.

Door-linked high-tilt steering (with memory) Auto door lock High-power audio with Diatone ASS (B speaker Audio steering remote control switch Electric suspension AMG aluminum wheels Electronic control power steering 4-wheel pentillated disc brakes

[veymax]

What skills do you need to master when riding electric skateboards instead of transportation?

E-skateboards have become the choice of transportation for more and more people. It is environmentally friendly and convenient, but in order to ride electric skateboards safely and efficiently, we need to master some skills. Let's take a look at what needs to be paid attention to when riding an e-board.

1. Keep your balance. Electric powered skateboard is a kind of personal transportation tool based on skateboard. The speed is usually controlled by a wireless handheld throttle remote control, which requires us to maintain a stable body position when riding. When going up and down slopes or corners, we must be very careful to keep the center of gravity of the body stable and control the strength of the skateboard to avoid overturning or falling.

2. Master the skills of braking and accelerating. Different models of electric longboards may have different braking systems. We need to be familiar with and master the position and strength of the brakes to ensure that we can stop in time. Similarly, when accelerating, the response speed of the skateboard must be mastered to avoid being too hasty or incoherent, which will affect the stability of driving.

3. Master turning skills. When turning, we need to change the direction of the skateboard by fine-tuning the body or pointing the hand. Be careful not to use too much force or turn too sharply, so as not to cause unnecessary imbalance and accidents.

4. Reasonably plan the itinerary and choose the appropriate route. In areas with complex road conditions and traffic congestion, we should try our best to avoid them and choose roads with relatively few people and vehicles. At the same time, you must abide by traffic rules, do not run red lights, do not jaywalk, and ensure the safety of yourself and others.

5. Maintain good maintenance and charging habits. Regularly check whether the components of the skateboard are in good condition and whether the inflation of the tires is appropriate. In addition, charge the electric skateboard in time to ensure that travel needs are met. Choose safe chargers and sockets when charging to avoid charging accidents.

In general, riding e-skateboards requires some skills, including maintaining balance, mastering braking and acceleration skills, flexible steering, reasonable planning of travel and maintenance of charging habits. Only by mastering these skills can we safely and efficiently ride e-boards for transportation and enjoy a convenient way of travel. I hope that everyone can keep these skills in mind when riding electric skateboards to travel safely.

[shy-magpie]

RQG 167

So storm time? With Zolf in peril and everyone else trapped in a cell together because when we asked for them to be forced to actually talk a finger curled on Alex's monkey paw.

Bryn just advised them to go into full rebellion if Alex tries to slam cut them past bits they want to do but he had a definite laugh in his voice. Alex responded by implying he'd bribe them with swords and cool jackets. So I think this is run of the mill guy stuff rather than actual power games like the bowling alley ads. I mean if Alex was serious he has to know that slam cut to cyberpunk/anime future is nothing compared to slam cut to wings right?

Movie advert voices from the boys as they add on to Alex's "last time on RQG".

Will save, hm just general principle or is it to resist having their heads messed with by the storm?

Will Save, hm just general principle or is it to resist having their heads messed with by the storm?

The Cohort are rolled as one, but they do better than Skraak.

Ok the magic levels vary so they won't be stuck in the cell the whole time.

Azu sits next to Kiko, her little finger is on Kiko's in "an unspoken pinky swear everything is going to be okay". Alex really does know when to indulge us. The players take this as proof Alex is going to take Kiko away from Helen/Azu. Well yes after a fashion, we've known from the beginning she is probably going to side with Earhardt in the near inevitable mutany. Have to let Azu & Kiko properly bond for it to hurt properly when that doesn't change.

Aw Hamid checks in with Azu because he remembers her claustrophobia.

The sense motive isn't on Azu, but with only an 8 Alex doesn't tell us what it was.

Cel wants to improve the box, but can't find anything but busy work. Cel is mostly just going over it with a fine tooth comb for minor improvements.

Bryn wasn't entirely joking about them just taking control of the camera at the beginning of the episode apparently and circles back around to his check on Azu when Alex makes moving on noises. Azu appreciates it.

Zolf time. Big broad question from Alex: survival check or profession sailor for what style Zolf is steering the ship. Ben doesn't let him finish the question before saying he will stick with Sailor since it has the higher stat. He then gets 28 on his first roll and Alex accuses him of sounding smug; which the rest of the table protests. Yeah it was more pleased/satisfied than lets say "she can't one shot me I'll take the hit".

Weird energy from Alex & the players, not sure if its they are in a weird mood to face the storm or having the storm scene put them in a weird mood. Either way hope its not the podcast part pressuring them to go forward on a session they would have rescheduled in a regular game. A lot of Alex's suggestions from the sensitivity special were things like snack breaks that don't work in remote sessions. Whatever, I'm just a listener, I need to trust them to know when to call it and keep my analysis on the characters not the players.

Zolf has to sail straight through it. Not seeing any metaphors in "the best way out is through" (my phrasing not a quote) nope.

Huh the Ursa Major seem to have left their bodies on peaks to be as high as possible. Smart enough to be magic worshipers maybe?

Borealis makes light wobbly like a cartoon heat haze. The lines of color are tangible bits the ship can touch.

Zolf is nervous whistling and casts Resistance which lasts for a minute right as the ship touches it. Bryn reminds him that Hamid cast Heroism last session.

Zolf ties himself to the wheel as the Borealis effect of the world smearing like a water color and going back to normal only to do it again approaches.

The box makes a pleasant bell sound as the effect reaches them.

The effect happens to Zolf's body. The chiming sound can be heard coming from the

Hamid proposes "two truths & a lie" to pass time. He has to explain it to them.

Carter goes first

Hamid points out there are plenty of Egyptologists in Egypt when he tries to claim he is the best in the world.

Zolf feels powerful urge to sleep.

Wilde is back on form and when Hamid suggests he or Miek (I think, one of the Cohort?) go next he asks who defines the truth. Hard to tell the degree to which he actually doesn't get it vs is focusing on Hamid's actual goal by drawing attention and distracting everyone. This is painfully in old!Oscar's wheelhouse, but after that Earhardt sex joke I am not sure if he can keep up a line of patter without it blowing up somehow. People like him often mistake being able to smooth things over after they've crossed the line with a knack for not crossing it in the first place.

Yeah this is going to go well/sarcasm: his first statement is that he had genuine feelings for Bertie. Because we really need the party to process tonight that, even only knowing of him second hand, everyone has seen through him except Hamid. Alex better not bring Aziza into this.

Second point: Oscar was shy as a child to the point of wearing disguises.

Third point: He loves Harrison Campbell novels.

Well now I don't know which I want to be the lie: the second one is painful for a truth to trust them with; Hamid having his feelings about his friend being seduced and embarrassed in the paper being brought up might clear the air either way; if even Oscar likes the books Hamid might let go of his attitude about them but it might be better if he has someone who isn't an active fan. Just as there is nothing wrong in liking them, there is nothing wrong in not liking them as long as you aren't judgy about it and Hamid is pretty good about keeping his opinion of them to himself.

Alex has them roll a perception check. The Kobolds are asleep, if the storm encourages them to sleep through it rather than stress that is a gift horse I am looking right in the mouth.

Hamid asks Cel's help to draw a curtain around them out of respect for their taboo on people knowing where they sleep. Cel points out it would be safer to be able to see everyone. I am pleased Hamid suggested it, but have to side with Cel, its a good thought but they did fall asleep in plain view which was either a decision or proof we need to keep an eye out for things making decisions for them. Hamid yields quickly. Poor Cel sounds scared something will go wrong with the box.

Hamid goes back to the game. Wilde frowns and says they've been spending to much time together when Hamid says the lie was Oscar being shy as a child and that his genuine feelings for Bertie were negative. Which I believe means he loves Harrison Campbell novels.

Zolf is still having more problems with pressure to sleep and has a spell (owl's wisdom) to deal with it. Engines seem to be off but the ship is still moving: elementals asleep?

Barnes, Carter, and Earhardt fall asleep. Everyone else starts to notice they are feeling tired, Alex leaves it to the players if they notice its supernatural.

Ah Hamid "I guess people weren't enjoying the game very much". Ok if it wasn't supernatural then it would be a sign he kept stress down enough for them to fall asleep surrounded by people in a strange situation, that's a pretty good sign for morale.

Azu asks for his 2 truths and lie, only for Bryn to call the break. Alex sounds impressed and Bryn is laughing so yeah this is bonding rather than a proper rank fight. Hm could just be a "delegate damn it" thing since Alex does have a lot on his plate... No I'm doing it again, all I need to know is that it doesn't sound like an actual problem.

Hamid's statements:

Are interupted by Wilde pointing out he knows Hamid well, which hints at reciprocation for Hamid knowing him well enough to call his truths. Whether he means that friendly or is trying to get his own back after being seen through is hard to say. Hamid points out he did research before hiring the team and he volunteers to sit out if he knows.

1)never lived in Mainland Europe

2) Never visited Sub Saharan Africa

3)Never won an academic prize

Wilde sits out in favor of a nap. Hamid starts feeling very weary as Azu asks about his statements.

Ouch Azu thinks he was quite good at school & academic achievements. Hamid falls asleep as she speaks, dodging that discussion. I wonder if it would be better or worse if he got a prize after he made an effort in Prague before the incident. I don't think Azu would get weird on him about not being good in school itself but I can't remember how much she followed of his running with bullys.

Back to Zolf: Zolf realizes the ship is moving before he tells it too. Zolf tries to fight it mentally, and is able to over rule the ship by making minor changes to the course while it tries to keep to the true course.

In the box everyone except for Cel and Siggif are asleep. Azu and Kiko fell asleep in eachother's arms.

Cel is so distracted "fixing things" they didn't notice until now; Sigguf is muttering to himself and when Cel checks on him he says he has bad dreams. He has a heart breaking crossword he clearly keeps redoing.

Cel has figured out its unnatural and tries to wake them up, Sigguf follows their lead. No luck.

The ship has started to tack itself, and started to maintain itself. Which could go either way especially since half the reason he keeps most of the NPCs alive is that they are needed to run the ship.

A good ep, even if Alex did duck developing the Kobolds again.

[collinthenychudson]

Day 20: GE Evolution Series

Info from Wikipedia:

The Evolution Series is a line of diesel locomotives built by GE Transportation Systems (now owned by Wabtec), initially designed to meet the U.S. EPA's Tier 2 locomotive emissions standards that took effect in 2005. The first pre-production units were built in 2003. Evolution Series locomotives are equipped with either AC or DC traction motors, depending on the customer's preference. All are powered by the GE GEVO engine.[4]

The Evolution Series was named as one of the "10 Locomotives That Changed Railroading" by Trains Magazine and was the only locomotive introduced after 1972 to be included in that list.[5]

The Evolution Series locomotives are some of the best-selling and most successful freight locomotives in United States history.

Currently, six different Evolution Series models have been produced for the North American market. They are all six axle locomotives and have the wheel arrangement C-C (AAR classification) or Co′Co′ (UIC classification), except for the ES44C4 which has an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement and the meter-gauge version developed for the Brazilian network ES43BBi which is B-B-B-B.

The ES44DC (Evolution Series, 4,400 hp, DC traction) replaced the Dash 9-44CW model in the General Electric catalogue. Primary users are BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, and Canadian National Railway. Pilbara Iron in Australia ordered a lengthened, international version designated ES44DCi. The extra length is used for a larger radiator to increase cooling capacity in the Australian outback.

The ES44AC (Evolution Series, 4,400 hp, AC traction) replaced the AC4400CW model in the General Electric catalogue. These locomotives have been ordered by every Class I railroad in North America: Union Pacific Railroad (who refers to these locomotives as the C45ACCTE), BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern Railway, Kansas City Southern de Mexico, Ferromex, Canadian Pacific Railway, and Canadian National Railway.

The ES44C4 (Evolution Series, 4,400 hp, C to denote 3 axles per truck, 4 traction motors) was introduced in 2009. While similar to the ES44AC, the ES44C4 has two traction motors per truck, instead of the conventional three such as on the ES44AC. No ES44C4s with DC traction were built. The center axle of each truck is unpowered, giving an A1A-A1A wheel arrangement. BNSF Railway is the launch customer for this model, ordering an initial batch of 25 units numbered 6600–6624.

The ES44C4 was initially only built for BNSF. The 4200s and units 7921-7999 are certified as Tier 4 Credit units, while the others are Tier 2 or Tier 3. On 30 January 2014 Florida East Coast Railway announced that they would buy 24 ES44C4s, to be numbered 800–823, for heavy haul service and intermodal traffic. All were delivered by the end of 2014, in order to beat the EPA's deadline on exhaust-emissions standards for new-built Tier 3 locomotives.

A feature of these units is a variable traction control system in their computer systems. One of the differences between an ES44AC and an ES44C4 are the air cylinders and linkages on the truck sideframes of the ES44C4; these are part of the traction control system. Every time a variation in grade, traction, or wheel slip occurs, the computer adjusts the pressure in these cylinders to maintain sufficient adhesion, by varying the weight on the drive axles.

The ES44DCi (Evolution Series, 4400 horsepower, DC traction, international version) was built for the Rio Tinto railway in Australia. The ES44ACi was built for the Roy Hill and Rio Tinto Group.

Rio Tinto's units can be remotely driven, meaning nobody has to be in the cab as they can be controlled from a control center.

The ES44ACi/DCi is essentially an ES44AC/DC in a GE AC6000CW's body, with the radiator at the end protruding out over the rear deck in the same way the AC6000CW does. The locomotive's large radiator allows it to handle the Australian outback's extreme temperatures.

Roy Hill has ordered 21 ES44ACi locomotives, and is currently in possession of all 21 locomotives (numbered 1001 "Ginny"-1021). Rio Tinto ordered 100 ES44DCi locomotives and has all 100 (numbered 8100–8199) and 21 ES44ACi locomotives (numbered 9100–9120) and more are on order.

Ferromex also acquired 50 ES44ACi. As the construction of these locomotives was subsequent to the new environmental laws of the US, GE cataloged them only as ES44ACi, although in the external technical specifications of the locomotives say ES44AC). These locomotives can no longer reenter the US operating.

The ET44AC (Evolution Series Tier 4, 4,400 hp, AC traction) replaces the ES44AC model. These locomotives have been ordered by most of the Class I railroads in North America, including Union Pacific, CSX Transportation, Norfolk Southern and Canadian National Railway. BNSF Railway will be receiving similar ET44C4 locomotives, which have no traction motor on the middle axle of each truck. CSX designates their ET44ACs as ET44AH, due to their locomotives being heavy-ballasted.

The TE33A is an export 1520 mm gauge locomotive in the GE Evolution Series.

The Evolution Series locomotives are visually similar to the AC4400CW, although small differences are evident. The most noticeable difference is the radiator section at the rear of the locomotive is larger to accommodate the GEVO's Air to air intercoolers. As with the AC6000CW, the radiators project beyond the end of the hood. On the ES44ACi and ES44DCi models, the radiator extends in the same way as the AC6000CW, protruding out over the rear deck. For the other Evolution Series locomotives, the radiator does not protrude completely over the rear deck, but rather sits nearly flush with the rear of the engine hood. Unlike previous GE locomotives, the grills under the radiator are at two different angles. The increase in radiator size is due to the necessity for greater cooling capacity in the locomotive in order to reduce emissions. The other major difference between the Evolution Series and earlier models are the vents below the radiators, which are larger than those on previous GE locomotives.[11] Also, all Evolution Series units have air conditioners mounted below the cab on the conductor's side.

In 2002, GE and UGL Limited launched the Evolution Series locomotive, and in 2009, continued their partnership for another 10 years for UGL to distribute and sell GE locomotives in Australia.

Transnet Engineering in South Africa has a license to manufacture 233 4,200 hp (3,100 kW) 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Cape gauge ES40ACi locomotives for Transnet Freight Rail, with core components including GEVO-12 engines supplied from the United States.

The first six of these Class 44-000 locomotives were built in Erie, Pennsylvania in April and July 2015. In October 2015, the first of the 227 South African-built locomotives was nearing completion at Transnet Engineering's Koedoespoort shops in Pretoria.

Models and Route by: , JointedRail Auran, and Download Station.

[mishu432]

Powerful Tools to Enhance Productivity Everywhere

Boost Your Productivity Game

Does it sometimes feel like you’re spinning your wheels without getting anywhere? We’ve all been there! The daily hustle can make us feel overwhelmed as if we’re stuck in a never-ending cycle of tasks without making real progress. The good news? Powerful productivity tools are here to rescue you from the chaos! Whether you're tackling a group project or managing your day-to-day tasks, these tools can make a world of difference. Let’s dive into the best tools that can enhance your productivity, no matter where you are!

Why Are Productivity Tools a Must-Have?

In today’s fast-paced world, productivity tools are more than just nice-to-haves they're essential! Here’s why incorporating these tools into your routine can be a game changer:

Streamline Your Tasks: These tools help you organize your workflow, ensuring that you can focus on what really matters. By having a clear structure for your tasks, you can prioritize what needs to be done first, reducing the stress of juggling multiple responsibilities.

Minimize Distractions: Let’s face it distractions are everywhere! With the right tools, you can cut out the noise and stay focused on your tasks. This means fewer interruptions and a more concentrated effort on your work, leading to better results.

Improve Teamwork: Effective tools facilitate communication and collaboration, ensuring everyone stays connected. In today’s world, many teams work remotely, making clear communication more crucial than ever. Productivity tools bridge the gap, enabling seamless collaboration regardless of location.

Must-Have Productivity Tools

Now that you know why productivity tools are vital, let’s explore some must-have options that can transform the way you work:

1. Project Management Tools

Asana: Want to keep your team organized? Asana is a powerful project management tool that allows you to create and track projects easily. You can assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities. With Asana, you can visualize your projects through boards and lists, making it easy to see what’s next on the agenda.

ClickUp: Looking for an all-in-one solution? ClickUp combines task management, time tracking, and collaboration features, making it perfect for any team. Its flexibility allows you to customize your workspace, ensuring that it fits your team's unique workflow. Plus, with built-in time tracking, you can see how much time is spent on each task, helping you identify areas for improvement.

2. Communication Tools

Zoom: Need to hold a virtual meeting? Zoom’s reliable video quality and user-friendly interface make it easy to connect with anyone, anywhere. You can host meetings, webinars, or even social events to keep your team engaged. Zoom's breakout room feature is particularly useful for team discussions or brainstorming sessions.

Google Meet: If you're already using Google Workspace, then Google Meet is an excellent choice. It integrates seamlessly with your calendar and other Google apps, allowing you to schedule and join meetings effortlessly. The user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to jump into a video call, regardless of their tech savvy.

3. Time Management Tools

Clockify: Want to see where your time goes? Clockify is a fantastic tool for tracking your activities. It helps you identify areas where you might be spending too much time, allowing you to adjust and improve your efficiency. With Clockify, you can easily generate reports to see how your time is allocated across various projects.

Focus@Will: Struggling to concentrate? Focus@Will offers specially curated playlists designed to boost your focus and productivity. The music is scientifically optimized to help you concentrate better, making it easier to get into a flow state while working on tasks.

Conclusion

Using these tools in your daily life can help you enhance your productivity and take control of your time. Imagine having a clear plan for your day, with tools that help you stay focused and collaborate effortlessly with your team. Not only will you feel more accomplished, but you’ll also reduce the stress that comes with feeling overwhelmed.

So, are you ready to boost your productivity? Start exploring these amazing tools and watch your efficiency soar! Remember, the key to productivity is not just about working harder but working smarter. Embrace these tools, and you'll be well on your way to becoming a productivity powerhouse!

[nelsonkevin8584]

Maule M-4: The Ultimate Single-Piston Taildragger for Off-Road Aviation

The Maule M-4 is a legendary aircraft in the world of taildraggers, beloved by pilots who value rugged performance and versatility. Known for its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities, the Maule M-4 is a single-piston aircraft that embodies the spirit of backcountry flying, making it a favorite among bush pilots, adventurers, and those who thrive in remote environments.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes the Maule M-4 a standout performer in the world of taildraggers and why it remains a go-to choice for pilots who crave freedom off the beaten path.The Origins of the Maule M-4The Maule M-4, introduced in 1961 by Maule Aircraft Corporation, represents the beginning of the company's long line of STOL-capable aircraft. Founded by B.D. Maule, the company set out to create a family of aircraft that could handle the toughest flying conditions while remaining affordable and relatively simple to maintain.

The M-4 was their first production aircraft, and its success laid the foundation for Maule’s reputation for reliability and ruggedness.With over six decades of production history, the Maule M-4 has evolved while maintaining its core characteristics of simplicity and backcountry performance. This longevity speaks to the enduring demand for an aircraft that can thrive in the most challenging environments.

Taildragger Advantage: Why the M-4 ExcelsThe Maule M-4 is a taildragger, also known as a conventional-gear aircraft, meaning it has a smaller wheel at the tail instead of a nosewheel. While taildraggers require more skill to operate, particularly during takeoffs and landings, they offer distinct advantages, especially for off-airport flying.

The tailwheel configuration allows for better ground clearance, making it easier to land and taxi on uneven terrain, such as dirt strips, rocky surfaces, or soft grass fields.For pilots who frequently operate in backcountry environments, this taildragger configuration makes all the difference. It provides stability and control on rough runways and allows the pilot to approach remote areas with more confidence.STOL Performance: Opening New HorizonsOne of the most impressive features of the Maule M-4 is its short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. Thanks to its lightweight design, high-lift wings, and powerful engine, the M-4 can take off in as little as 400 feet and land in similarly short distances.

This performance makes it ideal for flying in and out of small, unpaved strips, where traditional aircraft might struggle or be completely unable to operate.Pilots often use the Maule M-4 for bush flying, where quick takeoffs and landings on rough or improvised airstrips are essential. The aircraft’s ability to get airborne quickly also makes it a valuable asset for search and rescue operations, medical evacuations, and transporting supplies to isolated areas.Engine Options and PerformanceThe Maule M-4 is powered by a single piston engine, with variants offering engines ranging from 145 to 235 horsepower.

Most common configurations feature Lycoming or Continental engines, which provide a great balance between power and fuel efficiency. The different power options allow pilots to choose a model that best suits their needs, whether they’re focused on maximizing payload, fuel efficiency, or outright performance in tough environments.The aircraft’s payload capacity is also notable, with the M-4 able to carry multiple passengers, gear, or supplies without sacrificing its STOL performance.

This makes it ideal for both recreational pilots and those flying for work in the bush or remote areas.Built for Adventure: Customization and VersatilityThe Maule M-4’s versatility extends beyond its ability to handle rough terrain. The aircraft can be customized with a variety of options depending on the mission. Many pilots equip the M-4 with tundra tires, allowing for better performance on soft or uneven surfaces. For those flying in colder climates, ski-equipped M-4s are ideal for landing on snow-covered fields. Float kits are also available, transforming the M-4 into a capable seaplane for water landings.This adaptability makes the M-4 a favorite for pilots who want to tailor their aircraft to meet specific needs. Whether it’s bush flying, mountain landings, or even recreational seaplane activities, the Maule M-4 can be outfitted to handle any situation.The Pilot Experience: Mastering the TaildraggerFlying a taildragger like the Maule M-4 requires a different set of skills than flying a tricycle-gear aircraft. Taildraggers are notorious for their tendency to "ground loop" if mishandled during takeoff or landing, making them more challenging for newer pilots.

[tomaque]

Luxury on Wheels: Unveiling the Ultimate Mercedes-AMG Kids Car for Young Adventurers

When it comes to luxury vehicles, the name Mercedes-AMG is synonymous with performance, style, and sophistication. But what if we told you that this prestige and power have been brought down to size? Introducing the Mercedes AMG Car for Kids—an extraordinary ride-on toy designed to give your little ones a taste of automotive excellence. Perfectly blending the thrill of driving with high-end luxury, this miniaturized version of the iconic AMG series is more than just a toy; it’s a statement of adventure, style, and quality.

A Mini Masterpiece on Wheels

From the moment your child steps into the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car, they’re entering a world where fun meets finesse. Inspired by the real-life AMG series, this pint-sized powerhouse captures every detail with precision, from its aerodynamic body to the sleek curves that give it an authentic look and feel. It’s a striking replica that not only turns heads but also provides an immersive driving experience like no other.

High-End Features for Maximum Enjoyment

Unlike typical ride-on toys, the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car comes equipped with features that make it a cut above the rest. With LED headlights, realistic engine sounds, and a horn that mimics the original, your child will feel like they’re driving a real luxury car. It also offers an intuitive dashboard, complete with a digital display, a built-in music system, and even an MP3 player compatibility—so young drivers can cruise around to their favorite tunes.

Unmatched Safety and Comfort

Safety and comfort are paramount when it comes to children’s toys, and the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car doesn’t disappoint. Designed with a reinforced seatbelt, anti-slip tires, and a sturdy suspension system, this ride-on ensures a smooth and secure journey every time. Parents can also take control using a remote feature, allowing them to steer the car for their little ones or override the manual controls in case of an emergency.

Performance That Packs a Punch

Don’t be fooled by its size—this miniature marvel packs some serious performance. With dual motors that power the rear wheels, the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car provides smooth acceleration and a range of speed settings to cater to different age groups. Whether it’s cruising around the backyard or tackling inclines on the driveway, this car handles it all with ease.

The Perfect Gift for Aspiring Drivers

If your child has ever dreamed of driving like a grown-up, the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car is the perfect gift to bring their imagination to life. Suitable for kids aged 3 and up, it’s an ideal way to introduce them to the basics of driving while fueling their passion for cars. Plus, the stylish design and the prestigious AMG badge make it an envy-worthy addition to any toy collection.

Unleash the Joy of Driving

With the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car, every journey is an opportunity for adventure. From the thrill of turning the key and hearing the engine roar to navigating tight corners with precision, this ride-on car delivers an exhilarating experience that’s as close to the real deal as it gets. It’s not just a toy; it’s a luxury driving experience for the next generation of car enthusiasts.

Experience Luxury on Wheels In a world where even the youngest drivers deserve the best, the Mercedes-AMG Kids Car stands out as the ultimate ride-on for children who crave excitement, style, and luxury. Get ready to elevate playtime with a car that’s not just about getting from point A to point B—it’s about the journey, the thrill, and the smiles along the way.

Embrace the elegance, embrace the thrill, and watch your little one light up with joy as they embark on a driving adventure in their very own Mercedes-AMG Kids Car.