by: James Felton

People in the United Kingdom are being urged to place bowls of salt in their windows this winter, in an attempt to prevent damp conditions and mold. But is that really good advice?

When water vapor in your home or vehicle hits a cold surface, such as your windows, it changes back into a liquid state, creating condensation.

“Condensation is not a matter of one particular temperature but of a difference between two temperatures: the air temperature and the dewpoint temperature,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains. “The dew point is the temperature at which dew can form – it is the point at which air becomes saturated and can not hold any more water vapor. Any additional cooling causes water vapor to condense.”

You can do all sorts to deal with condensation, which can lead to problems like damp and mold, and can damage your window frames. In a car, you can blast the windows with air to prevent condensation, replace the air with less humid air from outside, and use the air conditioning.

“The most efficient way to remove moisture from the air is to use the vehicle’s air conditioning system,” Toyota explains. “This system draws air from the cabin through an evaporator, which causes moisture in the air to condensate in a controlled way and drain out of the vehicle.”

In your home, condensation buildup can be a little trickier to deal with, but the principles are the same.

One way that has been suggested to deal with condensation is to place a bowl of salt near your window during the colder months.

“Salt has the ability to naturally absorb moisture from the air and essentially dries it out so that when it does come in contact with the glass, there are less droplets of condensation that will form,” Andy Ellis, home and garden expert at Posh.co.uk said in a statement seen by the Mirror.

“It’s a really easy trick that requires no effort at all. Simply fill a shallow bowl or a small jar with some salt – this can be table salt or rock salt. The amount you use will vary depending on the size of the window you’re placing it next to. Of course, generally speaking, the larger the window the more salt you’ll need, though usually one small bowl should be fine.”

So should you start doing this? It is true that salt can remove moisture from the air.

“A particular example of hygroscopic behavior is deliquescence which is exhibited by many water-soluble solids, including inorganic salts (e.g., calcium chloride),” chemical engineer John Francis Richardson explained on Thermopedia.

“At a given temperature, the vapor pressure of a saturated salt solution will be lower than that of pure water and, if it is less than the partial pressure in the atmosphere, moisture will be transferred to the surface of the solids, part of which will dissolve to form a saturated solution. When all the solids have dissolved, the process will continue until the partial pressure of the now unsaturated solution equals that in the atmosphere. In some cases, the formation of a hydrate or higher hydrate of the salt may precede the formation of a liquid phase. Liquids (e.g., sulfuric acid) may also be deliquescent.”

However, it is unclear that this will have much of an effect, especially compared to other methods of preventing condensation build up. This is because salt only begins to absorb water vapor at relatively high humidity.

“At up to 74 percent relative humidity and 20°C [68°F], salt does not absorb any appreciable quantities of water vapor,” the German Transport Information Service explains. “The critical water content of sodium chloride (NaCl) is 0.5 percent at 74 percent relative humidity, which is the flow moisture point at which salt begins readily to absorb water vapor, and increases such that, at 75 percent relative humidity, the salt dissolves.”

Houses in the UK are generally less humid than this, tending to be between 30 and 60 percent humidity, though especially humid houses can go above 70 percent. Different areas of the house can have different humidity levels (think bathrooms or kitchens) so salt may help a little with the situation.

However, to really deal with the problem, like in your vehicle, ventilation is key. In houses, you can use vents often built into windows, or simply open them a crack to deal with the moisture. As well as letting the more humid air out, airflow helps to prevent water vapor from building up on the cold surface, preventing you from needing to put out little bowls of salt by the windows every morning, like some offering to the god of high blood pressure.

All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text, images, and links may be edited, removed, or added to at a later date to keep information current.  

The post Why Are People Being Asked To Put Bowls Of Salt In Their Windows This Winter? appeared first on Good News!.

Maker Media is a global platform for connecting makers with each other, with products and services, and with our partners. Through media, events and ecommerce, Maker Media serves a growing community of makers who bring a DIY mindset to technology. Whether as hobbyists or professionals, makers are creative, resourceful and curious, developing projects that demonstrate how they can interact with the world around them. The launch of MAKE Magazine in 2005, followed by Maker Faire in 2006, jumpstarted a worldwide Maker Movement, which is transforming innovation, culture and education. Located in Sebastopol, CA, Maker Media is the publisher of MAKE Magazine and the producer of Maker Faire. It also develops “getting started” kits and books that are sold in its Maker Shed store as well as in retail channels.

SOURCE RadioShack Corporation
Analysts and Investors Contact: Bruce Bishop, +1-817-415-3400, Bruce.Bishop@RadioShack.com, or News Media Contact: Media Relations, +1-817-415-3300, Media.Relations@RadioShack.com
Maker Media Press Contact: Vickie Welch, +1-415-806-0999, vwelch@makermedia.com

The post RadioShack Expands Partnership with Maker Media, appeared first on Good News!.

“ACCESS” MUSIC FOR LESS WITH SONY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S MUSIC UNLIMITED SERVICE
New Subscription Tier Unlocks Entire On-Demand Cloud-Based Music Library for Under €5
BERLIN, Aug. 29, 2012 – Sony Network Entertainment International today announced that its Music Unlimited service now offers a new subscription tier, “Access,” opening its entire on-demand cloud-based music catalog for €4.991 (US$4.99) per month. The service’s new subscription tier gives users access to millions of songs via PCs (including Mac computers) and the PlayStation®3 (PS3) computer entertainment system.
“Digital music subscription services represent a huge shift in the way people listen to music and our goal is to provide users with easy and convenient access to songs they love,” said Tim Schaaff, President of Sony Network Entertainment International. “The growing list of compatible devices and new subscription opens the Music Unlimited service library to more people around the world at a very attractive price.”
In addition to the new subscription plan, the service is offering a 14-day, no credit card Premium service trial for new customers2. Also, new customers2 who own a compatible Sony device3, including the new Sony Xperia smartphone or tablet introduced today during IFA, are eligible for a 60 day free Premium service trial of the Music Unlimited service4. Both free trial offers, which are available for a limited time, give users unrestricted access to the Music Unlimited service, including all the great songs and full array of compatible devices5. Visit https://music.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com for further details.
For users who desire the full Music Unlimited service experience across the entire range of compatible devices, the service offers a Premium subscription for €9.996 (US$9.99) per month. In addition to access via personal computers and the PS3 system, the Premium subscription features the ability to link the Music Unlimited service to Sony Xperia smartphones and tablet (as well as other Android smartphones and tablets), Apple® iOS devices including iPhone® and iPod touch®7, and PlayStation®Vita. Premium subscribers can also link their account to a number of other Sony connected home entertainment products including BRAVIA HDTVs, Sony Blu-ray Disc players and home audio systems.
About the Music Unlimited service
The Music Unlimited service is a cloud-based digital music service that hosts a global catalog of over 16 million licensed songs8 including all major US labels, leading independent labels, and major publishers worldwide. Originally launched in December 2010, the Music Unlimited service now reaches 17 countries and is available on a wide range of Sony and non-Sony connected devices. With its breadth of available devices and regional reach, along with the depth of its music catalog, the Music Unlimited service is the ultimate music subscription service for users who want to play their music whenever and wherever. For more information, please visit: http://sonyentertainmentnetwork.com/music-unlimited.
About Sony Entertainment Network
Sony Entertainment Network is the ultimate destination for digital music, movies, games and more. All through the convenience of a single account, Sony Entertainment Network is a global comprehensive network platform that unifies Sony’s digital entertainment experience across a growing ecosystem of Sony and non-Sony devices. Additional information blog.sonyentertainmentnetwork.comabout Sony Entertainment Network can be found by visiting: blog.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com, www.facebook.com/sonyentertainment, and www.twitter.com/sonyentnet.
Bravia®, “Sony Entertainment Network,” “Music Unlimited” logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
PlayStation is a registered trademark, and PS3 is a trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
“Xperia” is a trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Mobile Communications AB
Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
iPhone® and iPod Touch® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.
Blu-ray disc is a trademark of the Blu-ray Disc Association

Samsung Sound Dock, http://www.samsung.com/us/video/home-theater
Roku Breaks the Smart TV Mold
New Roku Streaming Stick Integrates “Smart” Experience into TVs Instantly

Saratoga, Calif. – Jan. 4, 2012 – Building on the success of the award-winning Roku streaming players, Roku® today unveiled a new solution to make a better Smart TV. The new Roku Streaming Stick is a wireless device about the size of a standard USB flash drive that will plug into a TV to instantly transform it into a Smart TV. The Roku Streaming Stick will feature built-in WiFi, processor, memory and software to deliver Roku’s growing collection of streaming entertainment. With the Roku Streaming Stick, these new Smart TVs allow consumers to enjoy a fully integrated high-definition streaming experience.

“Insignia is proud to be among the first manufacturers to pair the Roku Streaming Stick with a TV,” said Scott Jacobi, director of Exclusive Brands at Best Buy. “The Roku Streaming Stick provides an elegant and easy over-the-top streaming solution for customers who want the full experience of a Smart TV without adding an external set box, HDMI cable and power adapter to their TV. Insignia looks forward to rolling out our first MHL-enabled TVs compatible with the Roku Streaming Stick in 2012 at Best Buy.”

“Roku was the first to deliver movies and TV shows streaming over the Internet from Netflix to TVs and since then has been delivering a great experience to Netflix members,” said Greg Peters, vice president of product development at Netflix. “The Roku Streaming Stick offers another innovative option for our members to enjoy the Netflix experience.”

Today’s Smart TVs become outdated in just a couple of years because as software evolves the hardware needs to be upgraded to keep pace. While short hardware product cycles are expected with mobile devices such as smart phones, consumers generally keep their TVs for six to eight years. By moving the streaming platform to a stick that’s easily replaceable, consumers no longer have to worry about their large-screen Smart TVs becoming obsolete before their time.

“The Roku platform has been extremely successful as a stand-alone streaming device,” said Roku Founder and CEO Anthony Wood. “Extending the Roku streaming experience through the Roku Streaming Stick to Smart TVs is a natural next step for the market.”

“Smart TV manufacturers have struggled to find an application platform that sticks with consumers especially since software is not their area of expertise,” said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst at Parks Associates. “The Roku Streaming Stick is a game changer for the Smart TV market. It takes the leading streaming platform and integrates into the TV in a way that no one has been able to do before.”

The Roku Streaming Stick will not require any cables or a separate power source, and can be controlled by the TV remote. Like Roku players, it will deliver the more than 400 channels found on the Roku platform today and will benefit from regular, free software updates and channel enhancements.
The Roku Streaming Stick will be available in the second half of 2012. It can be bundled with a TV in retail or sold separately for consumers to use with their own TVs.

The Roku Streaming Stick will plug into MHL-enabled HDMI ports on TVs. MHL is a new standard that uses the HDMI connector on TVs to deliver power and other critical elements for the streaming experience. MHL is currently adopted by nearly 100 hardware and manufacturing vendors including Nokia Corporation; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Silicon Image, Inc.; Sony Corporation; and Toshiba Corporation, who are the joint founders of the MHL Consortium.

About Roku Inc.
Roku is the leading streaming platform. Since launching the first Netflix streaming player in 2008, Roku has delivered entertainment to approximately 2.5 million streaming players in the U.S. Roku features more than 400 entertainment channels including Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, Pandora, Angry Birds, Crackle, NHL GameCenter LIVE and HBO GO. Roku streaming players are renowned for their ease of use, value and selection of content and are sold through leading retailers. Roku was founded by Anthony Wood, inventor of the DVR. For more information about Roku, visit www.roku.com

Roku Unveils New Roku Streaming Stick Partners
Hitachi, Mitsubishi and Others Developing New CE Devices for Roku Streaming Stick

Saratoga, Calif. – Aug. 1, 2012 – Roku® today unveiled that Element Electronics; GlobalVue International, LLC; Haier; Hitachi America, Ltd.; Insignia, a Best Buy brand; Mitsubishi Electric (TVs); Onkyo and Integra; OPPO and TMAX Digital, Inc.(Apex Digital® TVs) are among the first companies working closely with Roku to develop new consumer electronics devices for the Roku Streaming Stick. Launching in the coming weeks, the Roku Streaming Stick is an easy and cost-effective way for consumer electronics manufacturers to add the proven Roku streaming platform to a device that features Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). These new ‘Roku Ready®’ devices will display a distinctive Roku logo on their packaging, indicating they will work seamlessly out of the box with the Roku Streaming Stick. In addition, select devices will be bundled with the Roku Streaming Stick so consumers can immediately receive the full benefits of the Roku streaming platform.

Announced in January, the Roku Streaming Stick is a tiny, wireless streaming player that is the size of a USB flash drive. It features built-in WiFi, a processor, memory as well as software, updated on a regular basis, free of charge. Once plugged into a MHL-enabled device, the Roku Streaming Stick will stream video and music as well as enable casual game play from the more than 500 entertainment channels available on the Roku platform. When paired with a TV, the Roku Streaming Stick integrates the Roku streaming experience seamlessly into the TV user interface, giving the customer the ability to use the TV remote for all streaming activities.

“The response to the Roku Streaming Stick is tremendous. Consumer electronics manufacturers recognize the value in making products that stream entertainment, yet it is very difficult for them to deliver and sustain a vibrant, robust streaming platform on their own,” said Chas Smith, vice president of business development at Roku. “The Roku Streaming Stick adds instant access to the leading streaming platform with virtually no overhead from manufacturers, while giving consumers the best streaming experience available.”

“By partnering with Roku, and developing a line of new Mitsubishi TVs that will support their new Roku Streaming Stick, we will be able to offer the best big screen TVs and the most powerful internet streaming device together, bringing web-based entertainment to a whole new level for our customers,” said James Chan, vice president of marketing, Mitsubishi Electric Visual Solutions America (MEVSA), Inc.

MHL is a new standard that is seeing wide adoption by consumer electronics manufacturers. MHL resembles HDMI in appearance but unlike other connectors, it delivers power and other critical elements for the Roku Streaming Stick.

The Roku Streaming Stick will be available in the coming weeks from Roku and retailers. It will be sold separately as well as bundled with select consumer electronics devices. Pricing will be announced at a later date. For more information about the Roku Streaming Stick visit www.roku.com/streamingstick.

About Roku Inc.
Roku is the leading streaming platform for delivering video, music and casual games to the TV. Roku launched the first player to stream Netflix to the TV in 2008, and today streams more than 500 entertainment channels to millions of customers. Roku streaming players can be purchased from Roku and major retailers in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and the Republic of Ireland. Founded by Anthony Wood, Roku is headquartered in Saratoga, Calif. For more information, visit www.roku.com

Roku and Roku Ready are registered trademarks and the Roku Streaming Stick is a trademark of Roku, Inc.
Disney’s Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, http://disney.go.com/mickey/disney-epic-mickey-2.html#/video_games/disney_epic_mickey2

The post Jon Pepper, Dick Debartolo and a lot more people tell us what’s new at Pepcom. appeared first on Good News!.