POLICE hope these photos will show the danger of cycling without lights before they launch another crackdown.
Officers will be stopping riders in Bournemouth this autumn and issuing 30 fines, which are cancelled if offenders buy lights within seven days.
In the first photo, the rider has no night-time gear and is very hard to spot.
The second shows a typical commuter with lights, and also a high-visibility jacket and helmet – the latter are not mandatory, but are recommended by the Highway Code.
And in the final photo, the cyclist is wearing the latest and most complete reflective clothing.
PC Rob Hammond said: “The clocks go back at the end of October and this makes it darker in the evening.
“Many cyclists are unaware of the danger they present by not making themselves visible.
“Now is the time to make yourself as safe as you can be.”
The Echo’s photos show cyclists at 14 metres from a car’s headlights – the stopping distance at 30mph.
Police last year began a series of operations with a presence a Bournemouth Cemetery Junction in December.
Officers stopped 33 riders in two hours and issued fines. They plan to carry out another series of operations in the next few months.
Last winter, they concentrated on Wallisdown Road, a busy commuter spot that also includes the most accident prone spot for cyclists in the whole town, the roundabout which joins to Wimborne Road.
PC Hammond said: “Cyclists can change how they look to motorists relatively simply and cheaply – after all, how much is your life worth?”
Monday, 31 October 2011
Sunday, 30 October 2011
New light on Night Watch
Royal Philips Electronics announced that starting on October 26, one of the world's most renowned paintings will be bathed in a new light. Philips, Founder of the renovated Amsterdam Rijksmuseum, presents Rembrandt van Rijn's Night Watch in innovative LED light, bringing out the best of the painting's color palette while offering increased sustainability and energy efficiency. Through the project, the two Masters of Light are reinforcing their intensive collaboration aimed at joint innovation in the area of LED lighting, setting the new standard for museum lighting.
The 5-year extension of the partnership was sealed this afternoon in the Rijksmuseum by Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips, and Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum. The Night Watch was relit for the occasion by Philips, combining innovative LED lighting with an advanced light control system. The new lighting will help reduce the Rijksmuseum's energy consumption.
LED technology has been developed to the point that the Rijksmuseum felt it needed to adopt this innovation. The new lamps ensure optimal color rendering, lending an even greater expressive quality to the objects. In terms of light quality, the LED solution easily outstrips the halogen spot, praised for its warm color and broad spectrum.
A key element in the partnership between Philips and the Rijksmuseum lies in the intensive exchange of knowledge between the two parties with regard to the development of LED solutions for lighting art and architecture.
As Founder, Philips has been involved since 2001 in the biggest restoration and renovation project in the 126-year history of the Rijksmuseum. During the renovation, the highlights of the Golden Age have been on display in the Philips Wing, attracting an average of 950, 000 visitors a year since it opened in 2003. Starting in 2014, major exhibitions will be held in the wing, which will be permanently named the Philips Wing. From 2013 onward, the Rijksmuseum expects to welcome about 2 million visitors each year.
The 5-year extension of the partnership was sealed this afternoon in the Rijksmuseum by Frans van Houten, CEO of Philips, and Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum. The Night Watch was relit for the occasion by Philips, combining innovative LED lighting with an advanced light control system. The new lighting will help reduce the Rijksmuseum's energy consumption.
LED technology has been developed to the point that the Rijksmuseum felt it needed to adopt this innovation. The new lamps ensure optimal color rendering, lending an even greater expressive quality to the objects. In terms of light quality, the LED solution easily outstrips the halogen spot, praised for its warm color and broad spectrum.
A key element in the partnership between Philips and the Rijksmuseum lies in the intensive exchange of knowledge between the two parties with regard to the development of LED solutions for lighting art and architecture.
As Founder, Philips has been involved since 2001 in the biggest restoration and renovation project in the 126-year history of the Rijksmuseum. During the renovation, the highlights of the Golden Age have been on display in the Philips Wing, attracting an average of 950, 000 visitors a year since it opened in 2003. Starting in 2014, major exhibitions will be held in the wing, which will be permanently named the Philips Wing. From 2013 onward, the Rijksmuseum expects to welcome about 2 million visitors each year.
Thursday, 27 October 2011
Lights on the Lake to open a week early
The Christmas lights are coming a week early to Onondaga Lake Park.
Wegmans Lights on the Lake, the holiday season light show that draws thousands of visitors annually, will kick off with walk-throughs Nov. 14 and 15 and a dog walk Nov. 16. Cars can begin rolling in the night of Nov. 17, launching a seven-week run, officials announced this morning.
Record attendance last year led to the decision to open the show early, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said. She attributed the boost to the county’s collaboration with partner Galaxy Communications and sponsor Wegmans.
Lights on the Lake features animated light displays along the park’s paved walking, biking and skating trail from the Salt Museum to Long Branch, a stretch of about 2 miles. Residents whose homes back up to the trail frequently decorate their yards, too, adding to the fun.
Entry is from Onondaga Lake Parkway.
According to the county Department of Parks and Recreation, 38,554 vehicles toured the display during its 2010-11 run.
This year, the pedestrian-only walks are scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 15, followed by a dog walk 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16.
Drive-throughs 5 to 10 p.m. nightly will begin Nov. 17 and continue through Jan. 8.
Admission will be $8 per car Monday through Thursday, $12 per car Friday through Sunday.
Visitors who present Wegmans Shoppers Club cards on Mondays and Tuesdays will pay $6; those with Driver’s Village or Burdick Automotive license plate frames will pay $6 on Wednesdays.
Also, $6 advance sale tickets will go on sale Tuesday at Wegmans and at the Griffin Visitor Center at Onondaga Lake Park. They will be available through Nov. 16 and will be good any night of the show except New Year's Eve, Dec. 31.
The park will play host New Year’s Eve to the second annual First Night CNY. New Boyz is scheduled to perform. Visitors also will be able to play laser tag and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf outdoors or play video games and sing karaoke under heated tents. A ball drop at midnight and fireworks over Onondaga Lake will cap the event.
Wegmans Lights on the Lake, the holiday season light show that draws thousands of visitors annually, will kick off with walk-throughs Nov. 14 and 15 and a dog walk Nov. 16. Cars can begin rolling in the night of Nov. 17, launching a seven-week run, officials announced this morning.
Record attendance last year led to the decision to open the show early, Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney said. She attributed the boost to the county’s collaboration with partner Galaxy Communications and sponsor Wegmans.
Lights on the Lake features animated light displays along the park’s paved walking, biking and skating trail from the Salt Museum to Long Branch, a stretch of about 2 miles. Residents whose homes back up to the trail frequently decorate their yards, too, adding to the fun.
Entry is from Onondaga Lake Parkway.
According to the county Department of Parks and Recreation, 38,554 vehicles toured the display during its 2010-11 run.
This year, the pedestrian-only walks are scheduled for 5 to 9 p.m. on Nov. 14 and 15, followed by a dog walk 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16.
Drive-throughs 5 to 10 p.m. nightly will begin Nov. 17 and continue through Jan. 8.
Admission will be $8 per car Monday through Thursday, $12 per car Friday through Sunday.
Visitors who present Wegmans Shoppers Club cards on Mondays and Tuesdays will pay $6; those with Driver’s Village or Burdick Automotive license plate frames will pay $6 on Wednesdays.
Also, $6 advance sale tickets will go on sale Tuesday at Wegmans and at the Griffin Visitor Center at Onondaga Lake Park. They will be available through Nov. 16 and will be good any night of the show except New Year's Eve, Dec. 31.
The park will play host New Year’s Eve to the second annual First Night CNY. New Boyz is scheduled to perform. Visitors also will be able to play laser tag and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf outdoors or play video games and sing karaoke under heated tents. A ball drop at midnight and fireworks over Onondaga Lake will cap the event.
Veeco's Q3 growth suppressed by slowdown in TV demand and China push-outs
“Veeco has continued to execute within the challenging overall business environment, particularly in China, where customer facility readiness and credit tightening remain significant issues,” says CEO John R. Peeler. Since opening in May, the number of engineers trained at Veeco’s China Training Center is now more than 200 and should be over 300 by the end of 2011. “Veeco’s new MaxBright MOCVD system represented nearly half of the quarter’s MOCVD revenue, including broad-scale customer acceptance at tier-one LED manufacturers,” he adds.
Gross margin was 46.6%, down on 49.6% a year ago and 51.1% last quarter due to a high concentration in the revenue mix of MaxBright MOCVD systems (for which first shipments carry higher costs). “We’ll begin to see cost improvement early next year,” notes executive VP & chief financial officer David D. Glass. Non-GAAP net income was $53.3m, down from $63.4m last quarter and $65.4m a year ago, but at the high end of the guidance range of $41.3–57.7m.
During the third quarter, Veeco purchased $154m in stock at an average price of $38.63 per share, completing a $200m board-authorized share buy-back program initiated in August 2010. The firm also used $31m of cash in contractual settlements for closure of the CIGS Solar Systems business. With working capital changes roughly offsetting the positive cash flow generated from operating income, during the quarter Veeco’s cash and short-term investments hence fell overall from $633m to $449m.
“Veeco’s third quarter orders were impacted by weak near-term LED industry demand [particularly from the TV sector], low MOCVD equipment utilization rates in Asia [50-70%], and decreased business activity in China [due to credit tightening and funding availability],” says Peeler. “In addition, negative global macro-economic data points caused customers to slow or cut their capacity expansion plans.”
In particular, by application sector, of Veeco’s MOCVD system shipments in Q1-Q3/2011 of more than 280 (versus more than 330 for full-year 2010), 54% were for lighting (up from just 28%) and just 11% were for backlighting (down from 43%).
Third-quarter bookings were $133m, down 57% on the record $311m last quarter and down 52% on $278.2m a year ago. Of total bookings, 16% came from Data Storage orders of $21m, down 44% on $37.5m last quarter and down 39% on $35m a year ago. Of the other 84%, LED & Solar orders were $112m, down 59% on the record $273.3m last quarter and down 54% on $243.2m a year ago. This includes MBE (molecular beam epitaxy) orders of $9m (down on a strong $24m last quarter) and MOCVD orders of $103m, down on $250m last quarter. After recording backlog adjustments of $34m during the quarter (due mainly to several MOCVD customers who cancelled or pushed out the dates for tools on order), total order backlog has fallen from $558.2m to $389m (about $303m of which is for MOCVD).
Gross margin was 46.6%, down on 49.6% a year ago and 51.1% last quarter due to a high concentration in the revenue mix of MaxBright MOCVD systems (for which first shipments carry higher costs). “We’ll begin to see cost improvement early next year,” notes executive VP & chief financial officer David D. Glass. Non-GAAP net income was $53.3m, down from $63.4m last quarter and $65.4m a year ago, but at the high end of the guidance range of $41.3–57.7m.
During the third quarter, Veeco purchased $154m in stock at an average price of $38.63 per share, completing a $200m board-authorized share buy-back program initiated in August 2010. The firm also used $31m of cash in contractual settlements for closure of the CIGS Solar Systems business. With working capital changes roughly offsetting the positive cash flow generated from operating income, during the quarter Veeco’s cash and short-term investments hence fell overall from $633m to $449m.
“Veeco’s third quarter orders were impacted by weak near-term LED industry demand [particularly from the TV sector], low MOCVD equipment utilization rates in Asia [50-70%], and decreased business activity in China [due to credit tightening and funding availability],” says Peeler. “In addition, negative global macro-economic data points caused customers to slow or cut their capacity expansion plans.”
In particular, by application sector, of Veeco’s MOCVD system shipments in Q1-Q3/2011 of more than 280 (versus more than 330 for full-year 2010), 54% were for lighting (up from just 28%) and just 11% were for backlighting (down from 43%).
Third-quarter bookings were $133m, down 57% on the record $311m last quarter and down 52% on $278.2m a year ago. Of total bookings, 16% came from Data Storage orders of $21m, down 44% on $37.5m last quarter and down 39% on $35m a year ago. Of the other 84%, LED & Solar orders were $112m, down 59% on the record $273.3m last quarter and down 54% on $243.2m a year ago. This includes MBE (molecular beam epitaxy) orders of $9m (down on a strong $24m last quarter) and MOCVD orders of $103m, down on $250m last quarter. After recording backlog adjustments of $34m during the quarter (due mainly to several MOCVD customers who cancelled or pushed out the dates for tools on order), total order backlog has fallen from $558.2m to $389m (about $303m of which is for MOCVD).
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Learning about climate change
ENERGY saving light bulbs and more than 200 fruit trees were distributed in Orange Farm yesterday to mark International Day of Climate Change.
This initiative was led by the City’s environmental department, City Power, Joburg Water, City Parks and emergency management services under the theme “Mobilising Joburg citizens to act today and save tomorrow.”
International day of climate change focuses on raising awareness about the effects of global warming. The day was introduced by 350.org, an international environmental pressure group, in 2009. The goal is to build a global grassroots movement to raise awareness and slow down the rate of global warming.
With Joburg in the grip of a heat wave, it was an opportune day to observe the issue. In yesterday’s sweltering heat, City officials bearing banners reading “Go green” and “Save energy” spoke to people about the consequences of global warming.
They also handed out energy saving light bulbs and trees to residents. The campaign generated a lot of interest among the people of Orange Farm, who asked many questions about global warning.
The City’s managing director of climate change and air quality, Barney Kgope, said immediate action needed to be taken against climate change. “Global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Just a few degrees [difference] in temperatures can completely change the world.”
Several initiatives would be organised throughout the city to raise awareness of climate change. “We need to change our lifestyle completely to stop harming the environment.”
Sipho Ndlovu, an Orange Farm resident, thanked the City. “I am going to choose a nice spot at my home and plant this tree immediately.”
The activities were also part of the build-up to the 17th Conference of the Parties which will be held in Durban from 28 November to 9 December. More than 20 000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend this important international conference.
This initiative was led by the City’s environmental department, City Power, Joburg Water, City Parks and emergency management services under the theme “Mobilising Joburg citizens to act today and save tomorrow.”
International day of climate change focuses on raising awareness about the effects of global warming. The day was introduced by 350.org, an international environmental pressure group, in 2009. The goal is to build a global grassroots movement to raise awareness and slow down the rate of global warming.
With Joburg in the grip of a heat wave, it was an opportune day to observe the issue. In yesterday’s sweltering heat, City officials bearing banners reading “Go green” and “Save energy” spoke to people about the consequences of global warming.
They also handed out energy saving light bulbs and trees to residents. The campaign generated a lot of interest among the people of Orange Farm, who asked many questions about global warning.
The City’s managing director of climate change and air quality, Barney Kgope, said immediate action needed to be taken against climate change. “Global warming is happening faster than ever and humans are responsible. Just a few degrees [difference] in temperatures can completely change the world.”
Several initiatives would be organised throughout the city to raise awareness of climate change. “We need to change our lifestyle completely to stop harming the environment.”
Sipho Ndlovu, an Orange Farm resident, thanked the City. “I am going to choose a nice spot at my home and plant this tree immediately.”
The activities were also part of the build-up to the 17th Conference of the Parties which will be held in Durban from 28 November to 9 December. More than 20 000 delegates from around the world are expected to attend this important international conference.
LED lighting moving towards patent-dominated market
The big LED lighting pie has been attracting many firms to enter the market, heating up competition between traditional and new firms. Fierce competition can lead to patent wars as the top five LED firms in the world have been expanding the range of patents. These patents will become obstacles to small- and medium-size firms' survival in the long-run.
Currently, Europe-based large-size lighting firms Philips and Osram have been issuing patent permits on LED technologies. According to Philips, when LED lighting customers buy LED light source components from Philips, within the range of the patent permit, customers do not have to pay patent fees. Osram and Philips have also reached an agreement that the former can obtain patent permit from the latter in the future, which means customers of Osram can also enjoy such privilege.
Cree also has an agreement with Osram for the mutual use of LED patents. This agreement includes patents over technologies such as blue LED chips, white LED and items such as phosphor, packaging, LED light bulbs, lighting fixtures, and LED lighting control systems. Cree and Osram also have agreements with Japan-based Nichia and Toyoda Gosei.
According to industry sources, the agreements over patents can help accelerate the growth of LED technologies in applications and lower the risk of infringing on other companies' patent rights.
Philips, Osram, Cree, Nichia and Toyoda Gosei make up the top five LED firms in the world. These firms have long used patented technologies as competitive advantages. But as LED applications have been expanding, the old patents are no longer sufficient to fend off newcomers. Hence the cooperation between these firms.
Nevertheless, the top five firms have been facing challenges from firms such as Samsung, and LG. Osram was the first to file patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung over white LED patents. Samsung and LG returned with a lawsuit against Osram to prevent the sales of any automobiles that are equipped with Osram products in China and South Korea.
Taiwan-based LED packaging house Everlight recently won a lawsuit against Nichia for invalidation of patents.
Small- and medium-size Taiwan-based LED firms are likely to suffer more than strongly funded Samsung and LG if they trip over the landmines of lighting patents owned by large-size international firms. Paying patent fees seems inevitable.
Currently, Europe-based large-size lighting firms Philips and Osram have been issuing patent permits on LED technologies. According to Philips, when LED lighting customers buy LED light source components from Philips, within the range of the patent permit, customers do not have to pay patent fees. Osram and Philips have also reached an agreement that the former can obtain patent permit from the latter in the future, which means customers of Osram can also enjoy such privilege.
Cree also has an agreement with Osram for the mutual use of LED patents. This agreement includes patents over technologies such as blue LED chips, white LED and items such as phosphor, packaging, LED light bulbs, lighting fixtures, and LED lighting control systems. Cree and Osram also have agreements with Japan-based Nichia and Toyoda Gosei.
According to industry sources, the agreements over patents can help accelerate the growth of LED technologies in applications and lower the risk of infringing on other companies' patent rights.
Philips, Osram, Cree, Nichia and Toyoda Gosei make up the top five LED firms in the world. These firms have long used patented technologies as competitive advantages. But as LED applications have been expanding, the old patents are no longer sufficient to fend off newcomers. Hence the cooperation between these firms.
Nevertheless, the top five firms have been facing challenges from firms such as Samsung, and LG. Osram was the first to file patent infringement lawsuits against Samsung over white LED patents. Samsung and LG returned with a lawsuit against Osram to prevent the sales of any automobiles that are equipped with Osram products in China and South Korea.
Taiwan-based LED packaging house Everlight recently won a lawsuit against Nichia for invalidation of patents.
Small- and medium-size Taiwan-based LED firms are likely to suffer more than strongly funded Samsung and LG if they trip over the landmines of lighting patents owned by large-size international firms. Paying patent fees seems inevitable.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Light making a bid as Republican candidate for 38th Senate seat
The bitterness of recent campaigns hasn’t stopped the flow of negative campaigning, but the public reaction to the political divisiveness that has characterized a new political party — the Tea Party. Their positions aren’t very sexy to a national media that likes either-or situations like National League versus American League, left versus right, evil and/or good versus good and/or evil.
That said, Tea Party members don’t appear to really care about what the national or local media thinks about them. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate in his unsuccessful race for president against President Barack Obama in 2008, doesn’t seem to care about what her candidacy might mean to a national campaign. Although he’s running as the Republican candidate in Virginia’s 38th Senatorial District, Adam Light is the Tea Party guy in Virginia’s 38th Senatorial District race.
In his opening statement to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial board, Light, 41, a Buchanan County native who now lives in Pounding Mill, Tazewell County, Va., Light said he wanted to focus on the three fundamental aspects of his campaign, jobs, education and taxes.
“What we do best in Southwest Virginia is mine coal, drill for gas and cut timber. We use our natural resources,” Light said. After saying he thinks the jobs of the future are there, Light shifted the content of his opening statement to explain that the region needs to put an emphasis on vocational education.
“We shouldn’t train everyone to go to college,” he said. “That way, you have kids that are going to college and a bunch of square pegs left over that can’t fit into a round hole. I was one of those square pegs, but I was fortunate because I have vocational education so I could get a job.”
Light graduated from Richlands High School in 1988, and earned a certificate in electronic technology along the way. He won a state championship in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America job skills demonstration competition and, after marrying his wife Jennifer, worked several jobs including warehouseman and vacuum cleaner salesman in the Tri-Cities area. The family returned to Richlands, and Light got a job as a rodman on an underground survey crew.
Some of Light’s campaign billboards, direct mailing items and radio spots appear to link his opponent with President Obama who didn’t make many friends in the coalfields with his positions on coal mining. In response to a question about advertising linking his opponent with the president, Light said: “It’s negative only if you supported (Obama). Did you campaign for him? Did you donate to his campaign? I wouldn’t want to be tied to him.”
Light said that the present boom in the coal mining industry is unprecedented, “but I think the demand for energy will increase,” he said. “I don’t see it bottoming out.” He said that schools in the region should work to prepare students with technical skills they need to be successful in the energy-related jobs.
“A lot of young men who come out of high school and don’t go to college feel lost,” Light said. “They get caught up in drugs and it limits their futures. We need to reach these kids before they finish high school and get them in a vocational education program and work with some of these coal companies to get them into an apprentice program. If we’re all doctors and lawyers, who’s going to build houses, run the wiring and install the plumbing?”
That said, Tea Party members don’t appear to really care about what the national or local media thinks about them. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate in his unsuccessful race for president against President Barack Obama in 2008, doesn’t seem to care about what her candidacy might mean to a national campaign. Although he’s running as the Republican candidate in Virginia’s 38th Senatorial District, Adam Light is the Tea Party guy in Virginia’s 38th Senatorial District race.
In his opening statement to the Bluefield Daily Telegraph editorial board, Light, 41, a Buchanan County native who now lives in Pounding Mill, Tazewell County, Va., Light said he wanted to focus on the three fundamental aspects of his campaign, jobs, education and taxes.
“What we do best in Southwest Virginia is mine coal, drill for gas and cut timber. We use our natural resources,” Light said. After saying he thinks the jobs of the future are there, Light shifted the content of his opening statement to explain that the region needs to put an emphasis on vocational education.
“We shouldn’t train everyone to go to college,” he said. “That way, you have kids that are going to college and a bunch of square pegs left over that can’t fit into a round hole. I was one of those square pegs, but I was fortunate because I have vocational education so I could get a job.”
Light graduated from Richlands High School in 1988, and earned a certificate in electronic technology along the way. He won a state championship in the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America job skills demonstration competition and, after marrying his wife Jennifer, worked several jobs including warehouseman and vacuum cleaner salesman in the Tri-Cities area. The family returned to Richlands, and Light got a job as a rodman on an underground survey crew.
Some of Light’s campaign billboards, direct mailing items and radio spots appear to link his opponent with President Obama who didn’t make many friends in the coalfields with his positions on coal mining. In response to a question about advertising linking his opponent with the president, Light said: “It’s negative only if you supported (Obama). Did you campaign for him? Did you donate to his campaign? I wouldn’t want to be tied to him.”
Light said that the present boom in the coal mining industry is unprecedented, “but I think the demand for energy will increase,” he said. “I don’t see it bottoming out.” He said that schools in the region should work to prepare students with technical skills they need to be successful in the energy-related jobs.
“A lot of young men who come out of high school and don’t go to college feel lost,” Light said. “They get caught up in drugs and it limits their futures. We need to reach these kids before they finish high school and get them in a vocational education program and work with some of these coal companies to get them into an apprentice program. If we’re all doctors and lawyers, who’s going to build houses, run the wiring and install the plumbing?”
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