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Friday, March 29, 2013

BlackBerry Z10 (T-Mobile)

T-Mobile's version of the BlackBerry Z10 ($99.99) is very similar to the AT&T version. Read our full review of the AT&T BlackBerry Z10 and BlackBerry 10 OS for an in-depth look. There are a few unique considerations for those considering a BlackBerry on T-Mobile, though. Most notably, the Z10 is the first T-Mobile LTE phone that's comfortable to use in one hand. At press time, the only two handsets confirmed for T-Mobile's new LTE network are the Z10 and the Samsung Galaxy Note II, which is more of a tablet than a phone.

Here's the thing, though: That doesn't matter. Because T-Mobile's HSPA+ network is so fast, and its LTE network is so unformed, you shouldn't be making T-Mobile buying decisions based on LTE yet. Using speedtest.net on the BlackBerry Z10, I got 10-13Mbps down and around .8Mbps up. That matches the download speeds I expect to see initially on T-Mobile's 5x5 LTE network. Upload speeds will be much faster on LTE, but the HSPA+ and LTE experiences will be more similar than on any other carrier.

Since T-Mobile has so little LTE, I'm very happy to see that there's an LTE toggle under network settings. Even better, you can mix and match whichever networks you want. Want 2G only? Sure. LTE and HSPA+ but not EDGE? I have no idea why you'd do that, but go for it.

Unfortunately, the Z10 is missing two of T-Mobile's most compelling network features: Wi-Fi calling and HD Voice. The lack of Wi-Fi calling may hurt for older T-Mobile BlackBerry owners, who've become used to the feature protecting their phone calls in rooms with no T-Mobile signal. The lack of HD Voice is just a missed opportunity. Like the AT&T Z10, the T-Mobile version is a very good voice phone. But HD Voice adds a richness to calls that could have helped set this device apart.

As expected, the T-Mobile Z10 benchmarked exactly the same as the AT&T model. I tested battery life on the HSPA+ network and got 7 hours, 33 minutes of talk time, pretty much exactly the same as I saw on the AT&T Z10. The 1800mAh battery just isn't quite enough for a day of heavy use.

T-Mobile will offer the lowest monthly cost in the U.S. for a BlackBerry Z10, but not always by much. For a Z10 with unlimited talk, text, and 2.5GB data, the carrier will charge $60 per month with no contract, and if you buy the phone for $99.99 with no contract, you'll have to pay $18 per month for 24 months to cover the subsidy. Unlimited data will cost $70 a month, plus $18 per month for 24 months. Verizon charges $60 per month for unlimited talk, text, and 2GB data, with each additional 2GB adding $10 a month. This all compares favorably to AT&T's monthly plans, where 450 talk minutes, unlimited text, and 3GB of data costs $89.99.

Everything I said about the AT&T Z10 still applies here, possibly even more so because the Z10 lacks the T-Mobile differentiators of Wi-Fi calling and HD Voice. While the Z10 is a good phone with many positive aspects, the Android, Apple, and Microsoft ecosystems are all more compelling overall. BlackBerry has a better chance with the Q10, with a hardware keyboard that's relatively rare in the industry and which really plays up BlackBerry's superior messaging prowess.

Several phones I want to recommend on T-Mobile aren't quite here yet: the BlackBerry Q10, the Samsung Galaxy S4, and the HTC One are all coming in the next few months. For now, the LG Nexus 4 is the best bet on the carrier, and at an unbelievable $49.99 right now, it's an absolute steal. While it doesn't have LTE, the Nexus 4 has excellent HSPA+ performance and the latest version of Android, which is at the moment, a much more well-developed ecosystem than BlackBerry 10.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ziffdavis/pcmag/~3/aK_Q6XEgInQ/0,2817,2416857,00.asp

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Thursday, March 28, 2013

Home Performance with ENERGY STAR Sponsors Honored at 2013 ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. ? March 27, 2013 ? (RealEstateRama) ? The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized a select group of manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, home builders and other organizations at the 2013 ENERGY STAR Awards for their contributions supporting energy efficiency activities during a ceremony on March 26, 2013. Of the 118 awards, 14 were presented to sponsors of the Building Technologies Office?s Home Performance with ENERGY STAR (HPwES) program, a nationwide program administered by the Department of Energy in conjunction with EPA. The HPwES Program helps homeowners improve the comfort and energy efficiency of their homes through a whole-house approach, focusing on how different aspects of a home can work together to increase energy efficiency. Collectively, the 14 HPwES Sponsors have made significant strides in supporting residential energy efficiency activities by overseeing local program implementation and managing the performance of participating home improvement contractors to ensure that quality standards are met. The local programs deliver energy and cost savings to homeowners, engage specially trained home improvement contractor forces, and promote initiatives to inform homeowners of the benefits of energy efficient homes.

The 2013 ENERGY STAR Awards ceremony is hosted annually by EPA and the Department of Energy to honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to saving energy and protecting the environment through energy efficiency. HPwES Sponsors were honored in three award categories: Partner of the Year ? Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year, and Award for Excellence. The 14 organizations recognized with this year?s Partner of the Year Awards support participating contractors that conducted thousands of energy assessments and completed nearly 40,000 home energy efficiency projects in 2012. The energy assessments and improvements help consumers to save on their utility bills and increase the comfort of their homes. HPwES Sponsors also led numerous workforce development and training activities for participating contractors contributing to a growing workforce of more skilled home improvement specialists.

This year?s HPwES awardees include:

? Arizona Public Service, Arizona

? Austin Energy, Texas

? The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund with United Illuminating and Connecticut Light & Power, Connecticut

? Constellation Energy/Baltimore Gas & Electric Company, Maryland

? ComEd, with Illinois Home Performance, Illinois

? Dominion East Ohio, Ohio

? Entergy Texas, Texas

? Focus on Energy, Wisconsin

? FSL Home Improvements, Arizona

? Long Island Power Authority, New York

? New Hampshire CORE Utilities, New Hampshire

? New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York

? Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Oklahoma

? South Carolina Electric & Gas, South Carolina

There are currently 50 HPwES Sponsors nationwide, including utilities, states, municipalities, non-profit-organizations and financial institutions that promote energy efficient and renewable energy. Since 2002, HPwES Sponsors have helped homeowners complete more than 250,000 projects across the country.

USAA Real Estate Company Earns EPA?s ENERGY STAR? for Superior Energy Efficiency
March 18, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- USAA Real Estate Company has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency?s (EPA?s) prestigious ENERGY STAR, the national symbol for protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This signifies that the building performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency. USAA Real Estate Company?s accomplishments will be recognized at an...

Energy Value Housing Awards Recognize Several High Performance SIP Homes
February 9, 2011 - (RealEstateRama) -- During an awards ceremony held at the International Builders? Show in Orlando, Florida, the NAHB Research Center recognized twelve of the nation?s leading energy-efficient builders and remodelers with the Energy Value Housing Awards (EVHA). Now in its 16th year, the EVHA challenges builders to elevate standards for energy-efficient construction. Winners are selected from projects...

EPA RECOGNIZES USAA REAL ESTATE COMPANY WITH 2012 ENERGY STAR? SUSTAINED EXCELLENCE AWARD
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 6, 2012 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded USAA Real Estate Company a 2012 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency. USAA Real Estate Company?s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012,...

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Gay marriage at high court: How a case can fizzle

Wyatt Tan, left and Mark Nomadiou, both of New York City, kiss in front of the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, prior to the start of a court hearing on the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In the second of back-to-back gay marriage cases, the Supreme Court is turning to a constitutional challenge to the law that prevents legally married gay Americans from collecting federal benefits generally available to straight married couples. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

This artist rendering shows Deputy Solicitor General Sri Srinivasan addressing the Supreme Court, including Justices Samuel Alito, left, and Elena Kagan, right, in Washington, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, as the court heard arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). (AP Photo/Dana Verkouteren)

Allan Hoyle of North Carolina, with the large white sign, center, speaks out against gay marriage across from the street from the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, March 27, 2013, after the court heard arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) case. The U.S. Supreme Court, in the second day of gay marriage cases, turned Wednesday to a constitutional challenge to the federal law that prevents legally married gay Americans from collecting federal benefits generally available to straight married couples. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Late in the oral argument over same-sex marriage in California, Justice Anthony Kennedy made a startling comment, given the months of buildup and mountain of legal briefs that have descended on the justices.

"You might address why you think we should take and decide this case," Kennedy said to lawyer Charles Cooper, representing opponents of same-sex marriage.

One might have thought the court had already crossed that bridge.

But now the justices were openly discussing essentially walking away from the case over California's Proposition 8, a voter-approved ban on gay marriage, without deciding anything at all about such unions.

Indeed, this case offers a rare glimpse at the court's opaque internal workings, in which justices make cold political calculations about what to do and Kennedy's often-decisive vote can never be far from his colleagues' minds.

The court on Wednesday concluded two days of arguments involving gay marriage. In the second case, a constitutional challenge to a portion of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a majority of the court appeared likely to rule that legally married gay couples should be able to receive a range of benefits that the law currently reserves for straight married couples.

The decision to hear the DOMA case was easy. The Supreme Court almost always has the final word when lower courts strike down a federal law, as they did in this case.

Proposition 8's route to the Supreme Court was not as obvious. The appeals court ruling under review by the justices seems to have been written to discourage the high court from ever taking up the case because it applies only to California and limited a much broader opinion that had emerged earlier from the trial court.

And yet in December, the court decided it would hear the case. It takes a majority of five to decide a case a particular way, but just four justices can vote to add a case to the calendar. And the court does not disclose how the justices vote at this stage.

It seems apparent after the argument, though, that it was the conservative justices who opted to hear Proposition 8. It also seems that one factor in their decision was that this could be their last, best opportunity to slow the nation's march toward recognition of gay marriage at a time when only nine states and the District of Columbia allow gays and lesbians to marry ? despite a rapid swing in public opinion in favor of gay marriage.

From their comments and questions Tuesday, Justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia indicated they preferred what they called the cautious approach: allowing the debate over gay marriage to play out in the states and not overturning by judicial fiat the will of California voters who approved Proposition 8 in 2008. Justice Clarence Thomas, as is his custom, said nothing during the argument, but he and Scalia were dissenters in the court's earlier two gay rights cases in 1996 and 2003.

Chief Justice John Roberts also had tough questions for lawyers for the same-sex couples who sued for the right to marry, and for the Obama administration.

Scalia sought to counter Kennedy's comment, and a similar one from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, that maybe the court should get rid of the case.

"It's too late for that, too late for that now, isn't it? I mean, we granted cert," Scalia said, using the legal shorthand for the court's decision to hear a case. "We have crossed that river, I think."

Once or twice a term, occasionally more often, the justices do dismiss cases after they have been argued, without rendering opinions and establishing a rule for the whole nation. The language they use is the wonderfully vague "dismissed as improvidently granted." Roughly translated, it means "sorry for wasting everyone's time."

That is one potential outcome, discussed publicly by Kennedy and Sotomayor.

Another possibility would be a decision limited to the technical legal question of whether the Proposition 8 supporters have the right to defend the measure in court. If they don't, the court can't reach the broader issues in the case.

On this point, Roberts' view seemed more in line with questions from some of the liberal justices.

So why would a justice who appeared favorably inclined to California's ban on gay marriage want to rule that the case should not even be in front of the court?

The answer is that Roberts might want to dispose of the case in this narrow way if he saw a decision in support of gay marriage emerging and wanted to block it. Or, he might choose this route if the justices appeared unable to reach a decisive ruling of any kind.

Narrowly based decisions sometimes seem more attractive to the justices than fractured rulings.

One example is the court's 2009 decision in a voting rights case in which eight of the justices agreed to sidestep the looming and major constitutional issue in the case after an argument in which the court appeared sharply split along ideological lines.

___

Follow Mark Sherman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/shermancourt

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2013-03-28-US-Supreme-Court-Gay-Marriage/id-c2cda9e46d3b49759571c22f311674eb

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OUTDOORS CALENDAR - The Sports Desk

THE SPORTS DESK

The authority for sports coverage in the Fredericksburg region.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

March 30: Boating Safety Education Course sponsored by VDGIF and Spotsylvania County Parks and Recreation. Marshall Center, Spotsylvania, 8 a.m.?5 p.m. Pre-registration required. For details or to register, contact Dave Aitken at 540-894-0441 or aitkendk@aol.com.

April 4: James River Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society annual conservation and sportsmen?s banquet. Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, 1700 Lakeside Ave, Richmond. Reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7:15. Individual membership and dinner tickets, $65. Other specials for families, youngsters. Auctions, drawings and door prizes. For information or tickets, contact Randall Strawbridge at 804/527-2966 or rasengr@verizon.net.

April 20: Youth Turkey Hunt. Fulfillment Farms, Scottsville. Contact hunt coordinator Rick Wilks at 540/775-4625.

April 20?21: 13th annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. Waynesboro. On-stream instruction, raffles, live music, vendors, wine tastings. $20 per person each day. Open 9 a.m.?5 p.m. See vaflyfishingfestival.org.

FISHING TOURNAMENTS

March 30: Rappahannock Bassin? Trail. Hicks Landing in Caroline County. 7 a.m.?3 p.m. For details, call Earl Cooper, 804/633-9247. Next tournament: April 27.

May 3-4: 30th annual Smith Point Sea Rescue Fishing Derby. Single species (striped bass/ rockfish) event. $40,000 in cash prizes across 20 event categories. For complete details, see smithpointsearescue.com.

HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS

E?mail the information, with subject line stating ?Outdoor Calendar,?

to Ken Perrotte at outdoors@freelancestar.com or mail it to Box 1069, King George, Va. 22485.

Permalink: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2013/03/27/outdoors-calendar-19/

Source: http://news.fredericksburg.com/sports/2013/03/27/outdoors-calendar-19/

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Five Steps to Preserve Your Eyesight | Eye care Colorado Springs

Your vision is a precious commodity that cannot be replaced once it has been lost. Caring for your eyes properly can go a long way to sustain your eye health, and eye doctors recommend the following best practices.

Annual Eye Exams

The absolute best tactic in maintaining good eyesight is to have a yearly eye exam. Eye doctors are able to identify issues in their early stages and create a plan to prevent progression. This may literally mean the difference between healthy sight and blindness.

Health & Wellness

You?ve heard it all before: exercise, eat right, quit smoking. Those great lifestyle choices also help your eyesight. ?Caring for your general health translates to fitness and minimizes your chances of developing diabetes and suffering blindness. Smoking decreases your circulation and puts you at risk for optic nerve damage, cataracts and macular degeneration. Eating foods rich in antioxidants nurtures your eyesight and aids in preventing many age-related vision maladies.

Wear Shades

Even during winter, UV rays are everywhere. UV-blocking sunglasses should be a part of your wardrobe worn every day to prevent major vision woes like painful corneal sunburn, cataracts and macular degeneration. As an added bonus, sunglasses minimize squinting and deter eye wrinkles resulting from sun damage.

Protect your Eyes

One of the easiest ways to prevent eye injuries and related vision loss is by using the proper protection when performing work. Working with power tools, heavy equipment, or around automobiles means exposure to flying objects, dust, debris, and risk. Make a sensible choice to put on proper safety glasses. Choosing not to wear them can have tragic consequences that are easily avoidable. Set an example and also teach children safe work practices!

Source: http://pikespeakeyecare.com/five-steps-to-preserve-your-eyesight/

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BlackBerry Ships 1 Million Z10s, Actually Makes Money

So, how’s BlackBerry doing? Not too bad, actually. The company formerly known as Research in Motion posted fourth-quarter results (.pdf) Thursday and boasted that it shipped approximately 1 million Z10 smartphones as of March 2 and brought in $114 million. ...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GearFactor/~3/GiWy8n1T9rs/

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Simple, Easy Tips For Home Improvement Projects - My house

Simple, Easy Tips For Home Improvement Projects
Home improvement is a lot of work. The never-ending tasks transform your home into a comfortable and beautiful home. The work involved can also help to keep you fit.Here are some words of wisdom on how to do those tasks as economically as you can. You'll have an easier time if you read this article before starting your project.

Are you wondering whether vinyl siding on your home? Vinyl siding is one improvement project that will return most of your Homeowners typically expect to gain back 80% of vinyl sliding costs through an increase in their home's value.

Be mindful of which product you select to tackle stubborn clogs. Some drain cleaners are very harsh and dangerous. Don't used drain cleaners that are crystallized; these often stick to the inside of the pipes and cause damage. Be sure to use drain cleaning products intended for use with the type of septic tank you have.

Use fans to cool your house in your home during the summer.Ceiling fans can circulate air in your room because they improve a room's circulation.

Remember safety equipment when you're picking up your home improvement supplies. Safety equipment should include safety glasses, heavy duty gloves and steel-toed boots are just the beginning.

Always remember to turn off the main water supply if you are working on plumbing projects in the bathroom or kitchen. This can help you leave it running.

Don't forget to properly replace or repair any damaged parts of your walls is a prerequisite to applying a new coat of paint.

Add some sophistication to your home with a unique addition. A wine cellar or a library are wonderful spaces in any home. This will certainly impress guests and have an elegant place to live.

Adding in a new sink can really change the appearance of your kitchen. This can instantly improve your kitchen.Sinks come in many colors and varieties, styles and shapes.

When considering a bathroom remodel, don't think too big. Replace things like light fixtures, mirrors, your light fixtures, or anything of that nature. Add some fresh paint to really spruce things up. Your bathroom is going to look modern and updated without making you broke in your pocketbook.

Use clear plastic boxes to organize items in your garage. Label these boxes and stack them.This is an affordable and easy way to get your garage cleaned while keeping pests out of your belongings.

You should drain the hot water out of the hot water heater once every six months. A well maintained hot water heater will have greater longevity and efficiency. Just put a hose on the drain and turn the water.

You will probably require a new roof if your ceiling is leaking.Allowing the leaking to continue can be quite disastrous.Look to a professional as soon as you can and have them come see your roof. Be sure that he or she is experienced professionals.

Ceramic tiles can dull over time. A mixture of vinegar and water can help looking nice again.Fill a bucket with this solution and easily mop your floors. The solution eliminates dirt and grime and leaves your floor again.

Don't buy furnishings with busy prints.You can experiment with patterns to your heart's content with pillows and throws to create a unique effect.

Don't underestimate the aesthetic power of a quality door is. Your guests will be seeing your door whenever they enter and exit through it. You may be losing a great deal of heat through a door that is not insulated. A ratty door can also be a real security concern if the frame or jiggly lock compromises home security.

If you are planning a do-it-yourself renovation, you should write down the plan you're hoping to follow, and then have an experienced contractor or builder check it for you. You don't want to miss a step when planning.

Want to create a new vibe in your dining room? Sand down your dining table to refinish it. It may not be easy to refinish a table, but with a new finish your table can look brand new. Take your time with the task and do it right for maximum impact.

Many people don't know it's possible to change their bathroom faucet can be replaced without a plumber. Faucets come with simple instructions that anyone can do the task themselves.

This will allow you see the whole home fully so you're able to figure out what needs special attention. This will also makes your home that looks great and more comfortable.

You can purchase hinges at most hardware stores. Just take apart and simply attach every side to the frame and door.

Ziploc bags are very handy for temporary storage of painting equipment. Place brushes and rollers into bags when you decide to take a break. This will prevent the paint already on the brushes from drying out before you apply another coat.

If your home improvement project involves working around gas or a gas using device, turn it off first. Just because you're not smoking in your home doesn't mean you won't end up creating a spark. Even if you're not the one who disconnected the line, you still may have let gas loose while moving things.

There is a lot of advice that you have to take in regarding your home improvement. Just do one thing at a time. This can help improve the aesthetic appeal of your home. You will be the one that fixed these things. After you have completed the projects, you can take a step back and relish in the results.

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Tagged as: attic, garage, home

Source: http://sutiknoslamet.com/simple-easy-tips-for-home-improvement-projects/

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