Tech Time: Vehicle Tracking

As we continue to look at technology from the Consumer Electronics Expo, the next big thing was vehicle tracking.

Utilizing GPS technology, originally developed by the US Defense Department, local companies can install a device in your car to let you know where it is, 24 hours a day. The service is offered by a number of local security companies and comes with a wide range of features including:

· Online monitoring
· Limited remote control

In business, vehicle tracking is commonly used for fleet management. In private applications, usually used to monitor the driving habits of a teen. In all cases, vehicle tracking can be used to help facilitate recovery of a stolen vehicle.

Costs include a onetime installation cost and then a monthly monitoring fee, which can be quite high.

There are some disadvantages too, like black spots, warranty voiding and tampering.

And then, there is the concern of the security of the security. If you can track you vehicle online, what stops the criminals from doing the same. Local security companies offer different solution to this problem. Most provide a password protected website through which you can track the vehicle. Notably, one company tracks the vehicle at their secure monitoring centre and then feeds the information to you or the police as appropriate.

There are vehicle tracking systems that you can install and monitor yourself, using GPRS technology. Basically a specialised phone with a GPS device.


Would you want a tracking device in your car?


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Traditions and Taboos

What was tradition, is now taboo. What was once taboo is now tradition. It’s amazing how time can transform our views on issues and activities … such as reparation, tattooing and acupuncture.

First up, we had Professor Barry Chevannes from the Committee on Reparations outline the history of reparations worldwide. Reparation can take many forms from a simple apology to monetary compensation. The current Committee is in infancy stage, so a policy on the issue has not yet been established, but Chevannes made his own views on the issue clear; Jamaica must establish “a relationship of dignity” with our former slave masters. There is sure to be spirited debate on what form, if any, repartitions should take.

There was a time when sporting a tattoo meant snubbing the establishment, not no so anymore. Tattoos are fairly common and easy to acquire. Even Neville has a tattoo. Tattoo artiste Phillip Shaw demonstrated his skills on Sheldon Reid. Sheldon was getting his 13th tat. Working with “ink and blood”, Phillip first sterilized all his equipment, drew an outline on the skin in pen then penetrated the skin with ink.

Of course, tattooing has practical applications too – like identifying pets. In our weekly Pet Tales feature, Dr. Latoya Brown explained different methods of identifying pets. On the low tech end, tags can be placed on a pet’s collar and critical contact information can be engraved on the tag. Stepping it up a notch, many pet owners may opt for tattooing pets. High tech pet owners also have the option of implanting a tracking device under the skin of their pets. The DNA Chip (Disposable Needle Assembly) is fast, painless and reliable for the life for the pet.

Speaking of needles, the ancient art of acupuncture can be used to relive pain. With me as a guinea pig, Dr. Patrick Lewis carefully inserted an acupuncture needle in my hard to illustrate the practice. I could feel my hand slowly going numb. Dr. Lewis studied dental acupuncture on Cuba and is the only dentist on the island employing the method. Acupuncture is a much cheaper alternative to anaesthetic, but it takes significantly longer to take effect.

Norkobe’s Hair is a new, locally produced magazine dedicated to showcasing the diversity of black hair. Colourful and complete, the publication is the brainchild of Sophia Brown. The magazine is distributed by Novelty Traders and available in bookstores island wide.

IP Cameras

The Digital Consumer Electronics Expo at the Hilton Hotel last weekend was fun. Lots of booths made the event a feast on the eyes and ears. Some booths were truly dynamic while others stuck to presenting the bare facts. Information was available everywhere, not just in the booths. There were countless Expo only or “while stocks last” offers. And, there were cars (yes, cars with an s) in the ballroom!

Before we explore all the good in greater detail, two quick bad things I feel compelled to mention. First, they only accepted cash at an electronic expo and second, too many booth holders were lazy, letting interested customers walk by without at pitch.

That said, special shout outs go to these outstanding reps:
· Dave Hardy, Sound City
· Mark Miller, Digi View
· Warren Sherman, King Alarm
· Douglas James, Guardsman

Many booths covered similar technologies including:
· Personal surveillance, vehicle tracking and security
· Personal entertainment (home, car, boat audio and theatre systems)
· Gaming
· Gadgets

Most popular, IP cameras. In simple terms, IP cameras are CCTV cameras that use the internet to transmit the images to you. Significant benefits include:
· Cheaper than traditional CCTV camera overall and much more flexible
· Many have digital zoom and progressive scan capabilities
· Easy to record and transfer recordings
· Some can use “power of Ethernet” so no additional power required
· Some have wireless capabilities
· Motion sensors make camera record only when necessary
· Can transmit signals to you anywhere there is an internet connection; that means computer at the office, in your hotel room on vacation and in some cases to your phone

How would you use your IP camera?

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Gambling Their Lives Away

Rise Life Management commissioned a study on the prevalence of gambling by children. The study revealed some disturbing results. Conducted by Hope Enterprises, the study exposed the fact that kids are betting on almost everything. Cards, Marbles, Bingo, Cash Pot, “Lastics” and Money Football are among the most popular games that our children bet and lose real money on. Further, the children and many adults don’t really see some games as gambling. Programme Coordinator for Counseling Services with Rise Life Management, Richard Henry urged parents to take responsibility for the actions of children.

Another important move that parents can do to protect children, is to secure adequate life insurance. As Eric Hosin, Senior VP Individual Life at Guardian Life explained, life insurance protects and can provide protection for your family from financial ruin if you pass away. Sobering information, but valuable nonetheless.

In our 10 Minutes to Your Health feature, Lupus survivor Chrisendeen Douglas and her doctor, James Peart shed some much needed light on the very mysterious Lupus disease. Chrisendeen’s personal story of illness and remission thanks to a combination of medical science, prayer and faith was compelling. Dr. Peart’s explanation of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of the disease was easy to understand. A support group for Lupus patients and their families has been formed in Portmore, making it easier for members to access information and assistance.

On a lighter note, we chatted with Smile Jamaica's regular guest, Desmond Ellis of Pets Unlimited. The aquarium he set up for display was filled with baby sharks!

Dancin' Dynamites beauties Jenny Jenny, Sutania Williams and Kerry-Ann Henry joined us on set to promote the series finale this Sunday night at 8 PM on TVJ.



Contacts:
Rise Life Management: www.risejamaica.org
Guardian Life: 876.927.4105
Dr. James Peart: www.peartmedicalcentre.com
Desmond Ellis: petsunlimitedpets@yahoo.com

Shop Jamaica

Continuing in our series on cool websites, here are some sites to shop in Jamaica or for Jamaican products.

www.creativetvjamaica.com
CPTC online store
Sells DVD’s with Jamaican content, a celebration of culture
Ships around Jamaican and to the US, Canada and UK

www.virtualmalljamaica.com
Provides turnkey solutions for local businesses to get online
Host of stores in one location, craft, health and beauty, home and garden and more

www.petsuppliesjamaica.com
Cool, clean interface with nice colours
Has bulletin board to help you advertise or find lost animals
Free delivery in Kingston, delivery island wide
Prices quoted in Jamaican Dollars
Pay with credit card or PayPal

www.superplus.com
Buy vouchers redeemable for anything (but cash) or specific grocery items
Prices quoted in US dollars
Assign a recipient

www.shoptvcarib.com
Anyone can place ads online, FREE
You state your price and location
Locally based interested buyers contact you by email
You can just have small classified listing or a whole store
Lots of categories
But, must have an account to list

www.eshopjamaica.com
Really cool Jamaican products like tams, flags and cups
Personal favourites flag bikini and 3 star ratchet knife
Requires you to sign up
Very little customer support, but nice product line

www.jamaicathings.com
Food, coffee, craft, music even Ting
Can pay by credit card or PayPal
Nice interface and good support
Shipping only to US and must register

www.shopusfromja.com
Will source anything
Allows you to pay online or at specified location


www.jamaicanautoshop.com
Allows you to buy or sell a car, find a dealer, parts, loans or insurance
Had car reviews
But under construction

Tell us about it using the internet:
Interface with us:
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On email: famefm@rjrgroup.com
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Sexual Harassment the Cultural Norm?

Executive Director of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs, Faith Webster certainly opened our eyes as a guest on the show. The Bureau has been working assiduously to educate women (and men) of their rights regarding sexual harassment in the workplace. Sexual harassment, defined as unwanted or unwelcome sexual advance which can poison the work environment. New legislation is being considered to levy serious financial sanctions against both offenders and enablers.

Other serious topic we looked at was the national budget and the financial assistance afforded by the European Union (EU). Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi Alemanni indicated that the EU is Jamaica’s largest trade partner and the EU has been supporting Jamaica with developmental and financial assistance for 33 years. Support is expected for many more years to come.

33 years of financial assistance works out to be a big figure, but not too big for the 2008 DPH Math Champion Demario Knight. DPH sponsors the annual Math competition in the hope of improving Math grades islandwide. Neleen Lesile and Eulie Mantock joined Memario on set to outline the competition.

In our 10 Minutes to Youth Health feature, we explored the very serious and often misunderstood affliction, Asthma. Dr. Terry Baker debunked some myths and provided valuable information every parent of an asthmatic child should know. According to Baker, all of Jamaica’s hospitals are well equipped to deal with both young and adult asthma patients.


I learned a lot from Rohan Ambersley and Carlyle Anderson of Gas Pro. They shared several safety tips on how to purchase, install and maintain the traditional gas tanks that many persons use for cooking.

On a much lighter note, we chatted with award winning author and publisher Rowena Campbell about her current book, Whirlwind of Love and her upcoming works. Then actress Deon Silver of the hugely popular play, Bashment Granny 2 gave us the details on the play’s final local performances.


Contacts:
European Union in Jamaica: www.deljam.ec.europa.eu
Gas Pro: 1-888-4-GAS-PRO
Bureau of Women’s Affairs: 876.754.8575
Rowena Campbell: dawnthompson@yahoo.com

Websites Every Parent Should Know

Continuing in our series on cool websites, here are some sites for parents. There are lots of great sites to help parents do just about everything. But we’ve decided to focus on health, education and having fun.

So, let’s start with health:

www.webmd.com
www.kidshealth.com
www.familydoctor.org
www.nas.org.uk

Then, let’s look at education:
www.education.com
www.familyeducation.com
www.choicesmagazine.com

Can’t leave out fun:
www.ziggityzoom.com
www.parentstalk.com

Finally, two great all purpose sites include:
www.parenting.ivillage.com
www.parents.com

Parents can’t be there all the time, so when you can’t be watching consider:
http://www.parentalcontrolbar.org/
http://www.contentpurity.com/
http://www.netnanny.com/
http://www.cyberpatrol.com/

Of course, nothing replaces tender loving care.



I was looking for great local sites to help parents help kids prepare for GSAT, CXC and other local exams. Tell me about the best sites you know for exam preparation.


Tell us about it using the internet:
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Next on Tech Time ... Great Jamaican shopping websites