Forget “the box.” Think another dimension to access your creativity

silicontlesEDMONTON, AB, Dec 7, 2013/ Troy Media/ – Life can be pretty hectic. We often find ourselves running 18+ hours a day, and being electronically connected doesn’t make it any easier. So sometimes, when we are looking for a new idea, a solution to a challenging dilemma or maybe just have a desire to unlock one of life’s mysteries that’s been dogging us for eons, we tend to return to where we started, to the familiar and the comfortable, stuck in our current reality.

We think we’re starting fresh, perhaps with a clean sheet of paper. We might do some mind-mapping, a little brainstorming, throwing ideas around, capturing thoughts on coloured sticky pads. Maybe we resort to contorting pipe cleaners or squeezing the life out of stuffed toys to spark creativity or desperately hit up Google for some inspiration. It works, but only sometimes. It becomes our vicious cycle, being stuck on the same track, the same treadmill. But there’s hope.

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Nokero Solar light bulb a sight for sore eyes

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Nokero 180-Start

EDMONTON, AB, Dec 3, 2013/ Troy Media/ – In early 2010, Steve Katsaros, a mechanical engineer and former ski racer had a brilliant idea: to develop a simple, yet inexpensive solar light bulb that could be used almost anywhere. His idea has recently come to fruition as his company, Denver-based Nokero, launched the world’s most affordable solar light bulb.

The new light bulb will certainly be a sight for sore eyes (pardon the pun) for the over 1.3 billion people, about 20 per cent of the world’s population, who, according to the a International Energy Agency (IEA), live without access to electricity. That number has certainly grown because of natural disasters such as Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

READ FULL STORY AT TROY MEDIA

Go-Taxi app allows you to quickly, safely and easily catch a cab

The Go Taxi app was developed by Edmonton, AB-based Tim TuxworthThe Edmonton, Alberta Go-Taxi app is currently available inHong Kong, Jersey Shore, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Florida and North Carolina

EDMONTON, AB, Sep 30, 2013/ Troy Media/ – When two Boston women, in two separate incidents, each hailed what they thought was a cab, the last thing they expected to happen was to be assaulted by the drivers. While reports so far indicate police are saying these incidents of “fake” cabs are unrelated, it begs the question: how safe is it to hail a cab?

The best way to ensure safety is to use a licensed cab company. While regulations vary by municipality, the cab, or taxi industry is generally highly regulated, and drivers are vetted, including criminal record checks, licensed, bonded and required to adhere to codes of conduct.

Even so, you need to ensure the actual cab is legit. In Boston for example, all licensed cabs, historically called Hackney Carriages, are approved by the Police Commissioner and have its identification medallion on the rear trunk. There are also other identifying decals specifically placed on the rear passenger door window and on the Plexiglas partition between driver and customer. The driver will also have his Hackney license displayed.  READ MORE AT TROY MEDIA

Apple sells 9 million iPhones sets new record

Gold Card

While it has only been a year, but it seemed to be a long time coming as the world anxiously awaited the arrival of a new iPhone. Critics said Apple was way behind and quickly losing market share, but after the first weekend, when the dust settled, Apple sold a record breaking number of new iPhone 5S and 5C models in just 3 days after its initial launch this past Friday, September 20th.

“This is our best iPhone launch yet―more than nine million new iPhones sold―a new record for first weekend sales,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “The demand for the new iPhones has been incredible, and while we’ve sold out of our initial supply of iPhone 5s, stores continue to receive new iPhone shipments regularly. We appreciate everyone’s patience and are working hard to build enough new iPhones for everyone.”

Analysts had predicted that the company would sell 5-6 million iPhones in the first weekend, but easily surpassed that figure.

Read FULL STORY AT TROY MEDIA

How to save on currency exchange when travelling to Mexico

File:50 pesos series D obv.jpgEDMONTON, AB, Sep 11, 2013/ Troy Media/ – If you are a Canadian travelling to Mexico, you might not need to rush out and get U.S. dollars before you leave home. While smaller denominations of U.S. currency are widely accepted, Mexico’s official currency is the Peso (MXN), so there are better ways to get a better bang for you buck, or should I say, Loonie. Of course, I had to learn this the hard way.  READ FULL ARTICLE AT  TROY MEDIA BONVOYAGE    (photo: Wikipedia) – updated

Affordable luxury alternatives to all-inclusives in Cabo San Lucas


CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico, Aug 31, 2013, Troy Media/ – When I think of travelling to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, the first thing that comes to my mind is all-inclusives.

Sure, all-inclusives, in which all your meals, as well as many activities and possibly even your beverages are included in one-price, might be a great idea for a couple or for people who want to eat and stay at the same place for a week or two and don’t mind crowds. They may not, however, be the ideal choice for those groups and larger families who prefer choice, convenience, privacy and even luxury.  READ FULL ARTICLE AT TROY MEDIA (updated)

Focus on the message, not the medium, when public speaking

Got butterflies? Then focus on the information you want to convey rather than on yourself

Greg-Gazin-digitallyspeakinEDMONTON, AB, Aug 27, 2013/ Troy Media/ – Speaking to employees, vendors, customers or even the general public is not easy. In fact, public speaking can cause havoc to our systems.

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld once said. “According to most studies, people’s number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two . . . this means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you’re better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.”

Scary, isn’t it? When speaking publicly, we lack confidence; we feel our stomachs churning, chests thumping and hearts fluttering like it’s the end of the world.

Although there are many remedies for curing the butterfly jitters, one stands out above the rest: “Focus on the message and not the medium”.

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19th century camera technology still relevant today

The Petzval lens, old and new

 

EDMONTON, AB, / Troy Media/ – If 19th century University of Vienna Mathematics Professor and inventor Joseph Petzval were alive today, I wonder how surprised he’d be to see how far camera technology has advanced. But I’d really like to witness the look on his face if he knew that a lens he created in 1840 was getting a new lease on life almost two centuries later. Read More at Troy Media.

Effective use of repetition

July 12, 2013

EDMONTON, AB, Jul 12, 2013/ Troy Media/ – “Your call is important. Please stay on the line and someone will be with you shortly.” After hearing that for the 27th time, it starts to become annoying, doesn’t it? If you’re like me, you probably dream hearing it in your sleep.

It might even become your worst nightmare.

Repetition can be monotonous – like having to make it through summer reruns on TV or listening to verbal filler such as “Like I said,” or “Did I tell you this already?” which occurs when not having enough to say or simply stumbling over your words. And  when it happens in conversation or during a presentation, it can detract from getting your point across. However, when used effectively, repeating what you have to say can actually enhance your message.

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The world’s first Wi-Fi-enabled digital window shade

SONTE Film controls the amount of light that passes through your window

SONTECompare

EDMONTON, AB, Jun 26, 2013/ Troy Media/ – My house faces south, so mid-afternoon, especially in the summer, I like to shut my blinds to keep the living room cool. I also like my privacy.

But what happens if you left blinds open while you were out, only to find out that you might get home later than usual? You can control your lights and appliances in the house remotely from your smartphone, so why not the light shining through your windows?

Well, with SONTE Film, you can. And it has nothing to do with having motorized window coverings. Sonte is the world’s first Wi-Fi-enabled digital shade that controls the amount of light that passes through your window.

Read full Article at TROY MEDIA