DROBO REVIEW

UPDATE!

I have a long history with Drobos now! Here’s the super-short-version. Now, I like Drobo again! They are back on my Nice list and off my Naughty list.
LATEST PRICES

Check the latest prices on the Drobo Systems!
QUICK HISTORY

I used to have 3 Drobos (for example: DROBO 5DT )with the USB/Firewire connection. They were slow, but I didn’t know any better until I got the Promise Pegasus Thunderbolt drive. That blew me away. The speed, performance, and storage was beyond compare. Just recently, Drobo put out a thunderbolt version too, and they sent me one to play with… And it’s really amazing! It’s fast and stable and all the things I want with a backup system.


WHAT IS THE DROBO, ANYWAY?

Oh, let’s take a step back here before we get into the full review. I find that a lot of people out there in the world still have not heard of Big External Drives that are easy to use. People are scared by words like “Raid Arrays” and this sort of thing. But, really, you can think of the Drobo as a giant thumb drive that can hold many terabytes of information (instead of the megabytes you used to with a thumb drive).

You will plug this into your computer and it will act as a giant storage device. Now, there are many kinds of Drobos from the ultra-portable Drobo Mini to the sit-on-your-desk-forever Drobo 5D. You can pick and choose one based on your lifestyle.

The portable Mini Drobo can effectively hold about 2.7 TB of data. The bigger Drobo 5D can hold effectively 14.5 TB.
WORD TO THE WISE

Okay, here’s something you won’t want to hear, especially if you are on a budget.

You’ll need to really think about buying not one, but TWO of the Drobos. Here’s the logic. These things have a ton of space – terabytes and terabytes. Chances are that you’ll start to fill up your backup drive over time, and then, it’s not REALLY a backup anymore, is it? We mistakenly call these Drobos a “backup drive” — but that is not accurate if it is actually holding the ONE and ONLY version of a file, right? So, you should really buy TWO of them so that you actually have a backup!

I recommend you bring your second Drobo in once a month and make a new backup, and then take it back off-site. This is really the safest and smartest way to backup your data. Of course, there is an extra expense, but you may just need to get your head around the idea that Your Data Is Worth A Lot of Money.
THE BIG DROBO

The Drobo 5D (one of the many systems I have) is the perfect workhorse for me. My current one holds up to 16TB, but this is configurable based upon one kind of drives you put inside. And this is one of the cool things about the Drobo. It allows you to swap out and replace drives at any time as your needs change. Also, sometimes 1/5 drives may fail. Your data isn’t gone, because it’s mirrored across the other 4 drives. You can then take out the bad drive and put in another good one. Simple! (and quite satisfying, frankly!)

If you fill your Drobo 5D with 4TB drives, here’s how you end up! It holds 20 TB, but the only space you can actually use is 14.52 TB.
MANAGEMENT TOOLS

The tools have come a long way too! It’s kind of cool to play with these and check out the status of all your data. Here is an example:
FIELD TESTING

I’ve been using this for about a month. I’ve had no real problems except for one of the 5 hard drives failing. Note that it is not Drobo’s fault — probably just a bad drive. But I simply swap out the bad drive for a good one, then everything is okay again. This is exactly the way things are supposed to work!
CURRENTLY…

As of right now, I am using my Drobo with 5 3TB drives as a Time Machine backup for everything… it’s behaving flawlessly.

Best Pressure Washer Pump

The Annovi Reverberi 2.2G24 Pressure Washer Pump is our best pressure washer pump. At 2,400 PSI of max pressure, this pressure washer pump delivers unmatched quality and power as an accessory to the best pressure washer. It has the capability of spraying up to 2.2 gallons per minute or 7.6 liters per minute in its excellent build and great powerful flow rate as a pressure washer pump. There is also a rear load feature for this pressure washer pump for easy access. Its bolts are under the engine due to the pump’s design as a vertical mounting system and it has also been equipped with a helpful thermal relief valve to prevent your unit from the instance of overheating and the like.

Our step-up pick is the Annovi Reverberi 3000-Psi Pressure Washer Pump and it has an RPM of 3,400 so it can out-perform other brands of pressure washer pumps out there. This pressure washer pump has a horizontal design with a measurement of 3/4 inch and it comes with an injector valve for chemicals or soap so it is a great and reliable pressure washer pump for its features. At 2 1/2 gallons per minute, it is able to provide you with a great amount of spraying power due to its unmatched flow rate of water and its thermal relief protection valve also adds to its durability and prolongs the life span of your motor or power washer / pressure washer. Also TROY-BILT company produces the best TROY-BILT PARTS like washer pumps
The budget pick is the Homelite 2800-PSI Universal Pressure Washer Pump and it is able to spray as much as 2.5 gallons per minute on its water flow rate. It has a vertical shaft feature and design as a pressure washer pump and it can also fit on a lot of models of pressure washers out there so it is very versatile and universal in its build. This pressure washer pump can run as much as with 2,800 PSI of pressure for a maximum performance every time. A motor with a power of about 5 HP will be just fine for this pump for driving power. It comes with the needed thermal relief valve which can be installed in the opposite direction of the fitting of the inlet.

The Annovi Reverberi 2.2G24 Pressure Washer Pump is our best pressure washer pump. At 2,400 PSI of max pressure, this pressure washer pump delivers unmatched quality and power as an accessory to the best pressure washer. It has the capability of spraying up to 2.2 gallons per minute or 7.6 liters per minute in its excellent build and great powerful flow rate as a pressure washer pump. There is also a rear load feature for this pressure washer pump for easy access. Its bolts are under the engine due to the pump’s design as a vertical mounting system and it has also been equipped with a helpful thermal relief valve to prevent your unit from the instance of overheating and the like.

Our step-up pick is the Annovi Reverberi 3000-Psi Pressure Washer Pump and it has an RPM of 3,400 so it can out-perform other brands of pressure washer pumps out there. This pressure washer pump has a horizontal design with a measurement of 3/4 inch and it comes with an injector valve for chemicals or soap so it is a great and reliable pressure washer pump for its features. At 2 1/2 gallons per minute, it is able to provide you with a great amount of spraying power due to its unmatched flow rate of water and its thermal relief protection valve also adds to its durability and prolongs the life span of your motor or power washer / pressure washer.

The budget pick is the Homelite 2800-PSI Universal Pressure Washer Pump and it is able to spray as much as 2.5 gallons per minute on its water flow rate. It has a vertical shaft feature and design as a pressure washer pump and it can also fit on a lot of models of pressure washers out there so it is very versatile and universal in its build. This pressure washer pump can run as much as with 2,800 PSI of pressure for a maximum performance every time. A motor with a power of about 5 HP will be just fine for this pump for driving power. It comes with the needed thermal relief valve which can be installed in the opposite direction of the fitting of the inlet.

Two Tips Of Choosing A Roof

What physical and other components influence the roofing companies NYC system choice?

After identifying the aims and mission of a facility, it is time to evaluate the building itself. You need to begin by looking at the building's location as well as the features of its surrounding area. You need to test building codes, weather trends, topography - much how the building faces.

The physical qualities of the construction are also crucial: size, shape, layout, height, and age.
You also ought to look at the construction materials used to construct the facility and the location of HVAC and fire protection equipment, particularly if either or both of these are partially or totally housed on the rooftop.

When it comes to roofing company NYC replacement, you want to list the attributes of the roofing contractors NYC area. It's best to detail the roofing contractor NYC dimensions, shape, slope, deck construction, edge detailing, protrusions, rooftop access and existing roofing company NYC system. In addition to this basic information, you want to find out why the original roofers New York is no longer sufficient.

3. What are flexible-membrane NYC roofing contractors alternatives available?

SPRI, the institution that represents sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial commercial roofing NYC industry, identifies three major categories of membranes: thermosets, thermoplastics, and modified bitumens.

Thermoset membranes are created from rubber polymers. The most common are EPDM, often referred to as "rubber roofing company NYC" These membranes are ideal for withstanding the potentially harmful effects of sun and the common compounds found on New York roofer. They may be identified on the rooftop. Just examine the seams. Thermoset membranes require tape or liquid adhesives to make a watertight seal at the overlaps.
Thermoplastic membranes are based on plastic polymers. The most common is the PVC, which is made elastic by adding plasticizers. Thermoplastic membranes have stitches which are most commonly formed using heat welding. Most thermoplastic membranes are produced using a reinforcement layer, usually fiberglass or polyester to provide increased strength and dimensional stability.

Hypalon thermoplastic begins as a thermoplastic but cures over time to become a thermoset. As with other thermoplastics, Hypalon substances are heat sealed at the seams.

Another thermoplastic hybrid is a thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), which combines the features of EPDM and PVC. TPO membranes do not cure after exposure to the components and remain hot-air weldable during their service life. Many TPO membranes are reinforced with polyester, fiberglass or a combination of both, however, un reinforced TPO membranes are all readily available.

Modified bitumen membranes incorporate the formulation and prefabrication benefits of flexible-membrane New York roofing with a number of the conventional installation techniques utilized in built-up roofing company NYC. Modified bitumen sheets are factory-fabricated, made up of asphalt which is modified using a rubber or plastic polymer for increased flexibility, and combined using a reinforcement for added strength and stability.

Fidget Spinners Are Now Exploding

After transitioning out of an obscure fascination into a ubiquitous annoyance in recording time, hand spinner fidget eventually finished the 21st-century novelty cycle this season, becoming something which could potentially burn down your home. According to local news reports, at least 2 Bluetooth-enabled hand spinner fidget have burst into flames while charging, could God have mercy on us all.

Mothers in Michigan and Alabama shared remarkably similar stories regarding the toys, both of which had inner batteries to power Bluetooth speakers (because of course, they have these now). In every instance, the device was plugged into an outlet when it caught fire, massaging the hand spinner fidget and scorching the outside beneath.

"We're about five or 10 minutes from leaving the home daily. [My son noticed it burst into flames and he started crying," Kimberly Allums of Gardendale, Alabama, informed WBRC. "I was and all I heard was, 'fire, and fire' The spinner fidget toys was not smoking, it was in flames"

Allums explained the spinner was charging for under 45 minutes. When she attempted to identify the manufacturer of the faulty spinner fidget, the mom only found that the words "Made in China" on the box it came in.

Much like hoverboards (and actually all unregulated devices with batteries) before them, digital spinners fidget dash to advertise and absence of security criteria have almost definitely increased the danger of harmful failures like these. Contrary to hoverboards, the very small hand spinner may easily be mistaken for benign trinkets--but the fire is fire.

"They're just easy, small things you spin and I love to play them" Michelle Carr, the other mother whose spinner toy exploded, told WEYI. "I am aware there are a lot of kids who wish to go get them, but if you plug them in, just keep from and make sure it's charged and it will not grab."

In an Announcement to Gizmodo, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said that it is investigating these incidents and Advocated users "stay with products that have batteries when they are charging":

Never charge a commodity with batteries when you're sleeping. Always follow the manufacturer's directions and use the device from the maker that is designed especially for your device.

CPSC can be investigating reported incidents involving children and hand spinner fidget toys. We advise parents to keep hand spinner away from young children, as they can choke on small pieces. Warn older children not to place hand spinner inside their mouths.

Consumers who experience security issues with hand spinner fidget are advised to report the events at SaferProducts.gov.

LP-208 ERD Portable Mobile Charger Review: an excellent 11000 mAh capacity power bank

Are you looking for a high capacity power bank ( for example: GOAL ZERO SHERPA 50 SOLAR RECHARGING KIT ) to recharge your mobile phone and tablets on the go? Read this review of LP-208 ERD Power Bank review.

Mobile phones are getting power hungrier than ever before, due to the plethora of features and new sensors being added to them. In the olden days, you can charge your feature phone once and use it for many days. However, with the new devices like LG Optimus G2, you need to recharge your phone almost everyday since the new generation phones are not just phones but are handy devices to help you with navigation, calendar, entertainment, emails, browsing and so on. You can run out of power any time of the day and you may not have quick access to a power outlet to recharge your phone. Or, you may not be comfortable travelling with a 2-meter power chord with your phone!

Power Banks, a.k.a portable mobile chargers are very handy for people who need to recharge their mobile devices like smartphones, tablets etc on the go.

Portable Mobile Chargers are small devices that can store power, just like a UPS. Once it is charged, you can connect USB/microUSB cables to charge your small devices. They come with various capacities. The more capacity it has, the more times you can recharge your smartphones or other devices. For example, if you have a portable mobile charger with 5600mAh capacity, you can fully recharge a smartphone 3 times, assuming the battery capacity of the phone is 1800mAh.

Portable Mobile Chargers are not limited to smartphones. Depending on the output types it provides, you can recharge a variety of devices. For example, if the device has a USB output, you can use any device that has a USB charger.


Review of LP-208 ERD Portable Mobile Charger


LP-208 is a high capacity power bank from ERD Infotech Private Limited, which is an ISO 9001: 2008 certified company. ERD was established in 1997, manufacturing various chargers and other accessories under the brand name "ERD".




ERD offers a range of power bank products, starting from 2100mAh to 11000mAh. The LP-208 is the top end model from their product line, with the highest capacity. In fact, 11000 mAh capacity is not very common in portable mobile rechargers.

LP-208 is a sleek model, but bit heavy for its size, due to the high capacity batteries used in them. The white body is made of high quality plastic, complemented with gray borders on the sides.

The included cables are just 8 inches, which I thought is too short. But on a second thought, I realized this is a travel charger and long cables will be a real pain to handle on travel.

There are 2 USB outputs, one with 1 Amp and another one with 2.1 Amp power. You can connect any chargers that has a USB charger. This device comes with 2 cables - one for iPhone 4/4S/5 series and another 3-in-1 cable with microUSB, Mini USB, Nokia pins.

4 LED indicators double as charging and discharging status indicators. You can charge 2 devices at the same time, but charging of devices is not possible while the LP-208 is being charged. One drawback of this device is, it doesn't come up with a power chord to charge directly from the power sources at your home. You can charge it directly from your computer using the provided cable. However, you may use an external micro USB power cable to charge it from any other power sources.

According to the official website of ERD, there is a Built In LED Torch in the LP-208 model, but I couldn't find any such torch in the unit I have! I called the company asking about the torch feature and they said they will call me back within half an hour.


Price and Warranty


LP-208 mobile recharger comes with 6 months warranty. The warranty card is included in the package. The retail price printed on the package is, Rs 2799.00 but it is available at 20% discount in their online shoppe. You can buy it from ERD website at Rs 2,239.00.


Overal review of LP-208 travel charger


It has been just one day since I received the unit. I have already charged my Google Nexus 4 and Moto G using it. I am very impressed with this portable mobile charger and I would recommend this device for anyone looking for a value-for-money power bank. Few features that make it a cool gadget:


Sleek and elegant design

High capacity (11000 mAh)

Included cables with iPhone 4/5 pin, mini USB, Micro USB and Nokia connectors.

LED indicators

Two USB outputs

Reasonable price and value for money

Quick charging

Collector Profiles: George Bamford of Bamford Watch Department

By now, most collectors have probably heard of George Bamford, the founder of Bamford Watch Department. Known for his beautifully executed custom variations of prestigious luxury watches from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe (among others), Bamford is a polarizing figure—especially to the brands whose watches he modifies—but he has brought a level of legitimacy to the world of watch customization that could not be found in years past. Of course, those in charge of the aforementioned brands still take issue with the customization industry, as we learned after running our Watch of the Week coverage of a Bamford Daytona, but there is no denying the ever-growing call for bespoke services in horology, and if the brands themselves will not provide an option, then operations like Bamford’s will continue to flourish.

The last time we spoke with George, it was evident that he had quite an obsession with used Invicta watches, so when the opportunity arose to drop in on Bamford headquarters in London, we opted to have a sit-down with Bamford to learn more about the man behind the business, what fuels his passion for horology, and what his outlook is on the industry as a whole.

George Bamford: At a personal level, it started with an old Breitling Navitimer I picked up back in 1995. That’s what really fired up my fascination with watches, and where I started collecting vintage. It was beat up, it had the wrong hands on it, but I loved it. Shortly after buying it, I set myself to tearing it apart and had it all into bits in about a week. Putting it back together was another story. I think it took me about a month to get it all back together and running properly. After that, it was the black Rolex Daytona you see here that was the trigger for starting my business. I was so excited to own that watch, and I was out for dinner with the family, and next thing I knew, I spotted the same watch on the wrist of a half dozen or more folks in the room. I was gutted. I loved the watch, but I wanted a Rolex that was different than everyone else’s. I decided to make a black Rolex GMT Master, and after wearing it around for a summer I wound up with 25 orders and the business was born.

The Internet Economy

We are living in an era of bundling. The big five consumer tech companies — Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft — have moved far beyond their original product lines into all sorts of hardware, software, and services that overlap and compete with one another. But their revenues and profits still depend heavily on external technologies that are outside of their control. One way to visualize these external dependencies is to consider the path of a typical internet session, from the user to some revenue-generating action, and then (in some cases) back again to the user:

When evaluating an internet company’s strategic position (the defensibility of its profit moat), you need to consider: 1) how the company generates revenue and profits, 2) the loop in its entirety, not just the layers in which the company has products.

Craigslist, Wikipedia, and the Abundance Economy

You’ve heard it before. Maybe you’ve even said it. “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.”
“You can’t get something for nothing.”

“Somebody has to pay.”

People recite these sayings with confidence, as though they were quoting Newton’s Laws of Motion.
But history has shown: you often can get something for basically nothing.

And even when somebody has to pay, that somebody doesn’t have to be you, and the amount doesn’t have to be very much at all.

In some cases, the benefits so vastly outweigh the costs that it is — for all practical intents and purposes — a free lunch.

How we eradicated Polio from the face of the Earth

The Shut-In Economy

Angel the concierge stands behind a lobby desk at a luxe apartment building in downtown San Francisco, and describes the residents of this imperial, 37-story tower. “Ubers, Squares, a few Twitters,” she says. “A lot of work-from-homers.”

And by late afternoon on a Tuesday, they’re striding into the lobby at a just-get-me-home-goddammit clip, some with laptop bags slung over their shoulders, others carrying swank leather satchels. At the same time a second, temporary population streams into the building: the app-based meal delivery people hoisting thermal carrier bags and sacks. Green means Sprig. A huge M means Munchery. Down in the basement, Amazon Prime delivery people check in packages with the porter. The Instacart groceries are plunked straight into a walk-in fridge.

This is a familiar scene. Five months ago I moved into a spartan apartment a few blocks away, where dozens of startups and thousands of tech workers live. Outside my building there’s always a phalanx of befuddled delivery guys who seem relieved when you walk out, so they can get in. Inside, the place is stuffed with the goodies they bring: Amazon Prime boxes sitting outside doors, evidence of the tangible, quotidian needs that are being serviced by the web. The humans who live there, though, I mostly never see. And even when I do, there seems to be a tacit agreement among residents to not talk to one another. I floated a few “hi’s” in the elevator when I first moved in, but in return I got the monosyllabic, no-eye-contact mumble. It was clear: Lady, this is not that kind of building.