Ken Dabkowski

ExOfficio’s line of products are very nice and I just tried out their new Give -N-Go boxer briefs. Very comfortable and soft, the breathable wick dry fabric keeps you dry. Protected by the Aegis microbe shield, the quick drying and lightweight fabric is odor resistant. Best of all, you can wash it and from fully soaked, the fabric can dry in 2-4 hours. Downside, they are the most expensive underwear around. Give them a shot here: http://www.exofficio.com

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Science/2008/09/28/6913491-ap.html

BugE Review

The BugE has a fresh future/retro look that is both simple but interesting, yet is based on reliable off the shelf components. It is a human scaled vehicle that you get into and onto as well. The term “CycleCar” describes it well.The Bodywork is nicely formed and the canopy is beautiful. The tires have a neat road race tread pattern, and the wheels are powder coated cast aluminum.

The BugE is powered by a 5.5″ ADC series wound motor, a 300amp Alltrax NPX controller, and four Exide AGM lead acid batteries with onboard Soneil chargers that can plug into any 110v wall outlet .

Inside a BugE

Entering the BugE involves lifting the Fairing, which pivots neatly around the front wheels, then placing one leg into the footwell, sliding down into the seat, then placing you other leg inside. The fairing/canopy is supported by the front axle, so holding it up is fairly easy. The Test BugE had a prop to hold the fairing in any case.

This BugE also had a slider to adjust the seat for the driver, since many people try out the vehicle at shows. The seat pivoted on a hinge and rubber bumpers to absorb bumps and vibration. In the stock kit, the seat is simply bolted on, in a comfortable position for the owner, however all the options above can be added by the builder.

The handlebars are fairly well positioned, but this too is an adjustable personal choice. A thumb throttle applies the power although an optional motorcycle twist grip could also be substituted as in this unit.

The brakes are a bit unusual in that each lever operates one front brake. You can “brake steer” with this set up, and compensate for left/right traction, but if you apply both brakes together, the BugE stops straight and smoothly. There is also a rear wheel parking brake.

The headlights are also individually operated, with the right light being the “low beam” and both lights on for “high beam”. The handlebar controls also include turn signals and horn buttons.

There are no foot pedals, transmission or clutch.

A simple battery meter indicates available power, and tracks how much power you are using as you drive.

The front “trunk” holds a lot more than you might think, but the opening is only about a square foot. You can also hang a backpack off the seat too, which is handy, plus there is a little tray in front of the seat.

Visibility out is excellent, with very little distortion though the aerodynamic canopy. However the test BugE had a split canopy enabling the rear portion to be removed in hot weather. This feature however requires a frame over the canopy that interferes with the view a bit. The Fairing sides also block the view over the shoulder, so placement of the rear view side mirrors is important.

The steering column is mounted on a long tube designed to bend in an impact, but it flexes a bit too much.

Driving the BugE

Steering effort is rather high at low speeds or when turning tight, but feels much better at speed. The BugE tracks well and feels stable, but side winds can buffet the BugE around like the light vehicle it is.

Acceleration off the line is smooth but controlled, however acceleration builds quickly and the BugE pulls strongly all the way to top speed, accompanied by the rising whine of the torquey ADC Series wound motor. Lots of mid range power for traffic. Once moving the BugE is very responsive and quick.

The suspension is harsh at low speeds especially if you clunk into pot holes and over railroad tracks, much like riding a recumbent bicycle. In addition the Fairing jiggles and bounces since it is attached to the front axle. At higher speeds though, the ride smooths out and the BugE takes bumps much better. A single motorcycle shock suspends the front axle and the rear end has a rubber bumper/swing arm in a simple but clever system that pivots under your seat.

Handling is limited by the narrow tires with only so much traction which makes the BugE feels zippy and light weight but still pretty stable and very maneuverable.

The Fairing is effective at deflecting the wind and rain, and the only turbulence, around the arms and shoulders, is fairly mild. You still need to dress for the weather however since there is no heater of course.

On the road, rain beads up and streams off in the wind, with interesting special effects. RainEx works well, but drizzle is distracting in any case. Another aspect of the BugE you have to get used to.

Its not quiet inside at any speed, since the chain drive and motor noise is trapped in the cockpit with you. The sound is very kinetic, much like a large battery powered tool ( which it is actually). You either love the electro-mechanical sound effects, or you don’t.

In conclusion

The BugE is not for everyone, and not for everywhere.
This isn’t for freeways or heavy traffic. Its much more at home buzzing around the neighborhood or over to the mall. Short range trips in the grid.
You are an active participant like riding a motorcycle (which is is) rather than automobile passenger. It feels alive and responsive and intense.
Like some sort of electronic pet Bug…E.

The Verti-Gro Systems provide for very high density production for the Commercial Grower and space saving for the hobbyist or casual home Gardener. Whether for the purpose of small farms, large scale agricultural operations or research, the space saving is significant in our growing units.

Anyone can assemble and operate Vertical Gardens and grow Hydroponic Strawberries, Lettuce, Tomatoes…

Verti-Gro is the best source for Vertical Hydroponic Gardening, and Commercial Greenhouse Vertical Production Systems, as well as smaller Hobbyist Greenhouse, Shadehouse and indoor/outdoor growing systems.

Depending on what happens in the next few years, we can probably agree that the economy is in rough waters and the climate is producing weather patterns that we’re not used to. Right now we’re getting our water from a complex system of reservoirs, treatment plants and pipes. How can we increase our water security if things get bad? I’ve posted about rain barrels before. Large cisterns are also an option. But if you can’t get one, can’t afford one, or need something quick, why not use your swimming pool? Granted, you won’t be able to use it for swimming till you clean it out well, but in the meantime, you could redirect your rain gutters to fill the pool up. If it’s dry most of the time, catching the sporadic heavy monsoon type rains would last you for awhile. It would then be possible to use gravity setups and drip soaker hoses to water your garden, wash your car, you get the idea. If you put a little off spout in the line, you could have a separate catch basin for drinking/showering water. Just an idea that you might use if it gets rough out there.

As the economy tries to get its act together, many people are worried. Depending on our attachments, there may be certain things to worry about. If we’re able to adapt however, release , grow, and be leaders, we cannot retreat to fear. We must be emboldened in the opportunity presented by our morphing system. More eloquently:

Our Greatest Fear
Marianne Williamson
from her book ‘A return to love’

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light , not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of god. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make and manifest the glory of god that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

As our current economic paradigm is flushed down the abyss, a new economy has the hopes of emerging. If anyone is looking for a macro model of what economic emergence could occur, check this out.

EU Parliament Speech (Click here for PDF)

Our current economy may seem to be in ashes and a being creative during this turmoil is difficult. There is however, a multi-level solution available - one is macro and one is micro. First, we must look out for ourselves, our family and our community. We will have to band together and conserve our local food and energy supplies. Losing some modern convenience may seem difficult, however it won’t be too hard. Think of it like turning off your tv - peaceful and relaxing. We will not only conserve, we will create local infrastructure and rebuild our connection to the ground while developing a community bond that has been sitting on the back burner. We will resuscitate practices of old in combination with inventions of tomorrow. And we must look ahead - now as part of the global community rather than as the lone superpower.

In the macro world, we need to meld together an industrial and knowledge economy into something that works in tandem with the micro model. We must get back to innovation and creativity, for we used to be good at it and have lost our edge. With the technology we have available at our fingertips, it will not be difficult - the Library of Alexandria awaits. We must simply walk through the doors, sit down together and begin doing it for ourselves. It may seem daunting, but it’s really hard to fail when you try hard. It’s easy to fail if you sit back and take it. What we don’t know might surprise us. What we learn will empower us. In the words of someone smarter than I, “If you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right!”

In recent years, there has been a substantial growth in the number of hospital-acquired infections globally—a problem that has become especially worrisome as antibiotic resistance worsens. Medical devices have been implicated as part of the problem, because, after they are removed from their sterile packaging, they can transmit bacteria found in the air or on a patient’s skin. Luckily, a Dabkowski has solved the problem! Read more about Jeff Dabkowski’s research here: http://www.devicelink.com/emdm/archive/08/09/008.html

I came across this site sent to me today from my friend Alex. It’s a great solution to some systems thinking around farm technology and offers an integrated collaboration space to share ideas, management and innovation. Take a look here:
http://openfarmtech.org/index.php?title=Main_Page

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