Why the difference between USA and UK?

Mom of E a

In my search to find the perfect bottle/pacifier/breastpump/crib/baby monitor/etc. I have noticed that several companies sell the same exact product in the USA and UK, but by different names. Also, I have found that on American websites they show something neat that I would like to try only to find out it is only sold in the UK. I wonder why they do that? Any thoughts? :)

Answer
This is likely due to the difference in consumer product safety restrictions between the two regions. I have provided links to the respective organizations in each country.

Is there a good landline phone, with LOUD volume & LOUD speakerphone, that works with Hearing Aids?

Dubber

I've heard there are telephones out there for the hearing impaired but what I am looking for is a land line telephone for my parents who wear hearing aids but refuse to wear them when using the phone. Both say they get ringing and feedback when using a cordless phone while wearing hearing aids, but when they remove them the volume of the phone isn't sufficient.

So...I am looking for a land line base phone, with speaker phone, and better than average volume and sound clarity. If possible, the phone system would come with one or more cordless phones, also with exceptional volume and sound clarity. Oh, I should also mention that they, and I, are very limited financially so can't spend a lot on this.

If a phone with these features doesn't exist, is there some sort of device that can be attached to the phone to increase volume and sound clarity?

Somewhat related, can anyone define a few things for me:

What is the difference between a 5.8 GHz, DEC 6.0, 9 GHz, and some other numbers and acronyms I can't recall atm.

Thank you for your help!

Kay

Answer
there are plenty of hearing aid compatible telephones http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/PNAEndecaSearchCmd?N=779832047&No=0&Nr=12001&Ns=&Ntk=MainSearch&URL=vShopSearch&cmTag=true&catalogId=13401&storeId=15001&Ntt=hearing+aid+compatible&cm_sp=SiteSearch-_-MainSearch-_-Consumer

DECT - Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications these phones operate in the 1.9Ghz frequency range - an unlicensed spectrum that the FCC has set aside strictly for cordless telephones.. this is the latest and greatest in cordless phone technology...

5.8Ghz operates in this unlicensed spectrum, there are some other consumer wireless devices that operate in this spectrum, but it is one of the least crowded frequencies - however since it is the highest frequency cordless phone on the market, it also has the least range from handset to base (some 5.8 cordless phones also operate on the 2.4 Ghz spectrum)

2.4 Ghz operates on this unlicenced spectrum with many other consumer wireless devices such as WiFi routers, microwave ovens, wireless video cameras, etc...

900 Mhz phones operate on a crowded unlicensed frequency with many other consumer wireless devices, such as baby monitors, wireless speakers, garage door openers, car alarms, etc... also unless the phone has DSS then it is insecure and can be monitored by a radio scanner... (DECT, 2.4 and 5.8Ghz phones all have some form of DSS, or FHSS)

DSS - Digital Spread Spectrum - a form of encryption to prevent eavesdropping...

FHSS - Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum - a form of encryption that also continuously searches for the best channel, and keeps changing to the best channel between the handset and base (normally these phones will not have a channel button, because the phone is constantly changing channels on its own)

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

has anyone used the Respisense clip on baby monitor?

troubledin

I asked this last night but no one had used or knew about this type of monitor. It clips on the baby's diaper and is supposedly more reliable and easier to use than the sensors that go on top of or under the crib mattress. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Here is the website: http://www.respisense.com/en/index.php
"Respisense monitors the breathing efforts of a baby. If the breathing effort stops, slows down too much, or becomes too shallow, the built-in stimulator the Tummy Tickle will gently stir baby to breathe, failing which a loud alarm will alert the nearest adult. Respisense monitors are particularly suitable for babies at home, but can be used almost anywhere. No other baby monitor allows the freedom of movement that Respisense does. The award-winning and patented invention is so compact and light that it can be used wherever your baby may fall asleep."

Answer
after my older twin died from SIDS, we had my younger son on a monitor. it was annoyingly loud, and he was always fine, they set it wrong at the hospital.

if your baby isn't at risk for SIDS (newer research links it to a damaging of ear sensors for CO2 at birth, which fits the bill in my son's case) and if you take the precautions, its not worth the money or the worry.
but if your diaper wrapping techniques are tight, and you want to have nightmares involving beeping horribleness, and if you believe your child is at risk for breathing difficulties, by all means use it. you might try punching the name of the product in combination with 'reviews' or consumer feed back into your favorite search engine.

Why the difference between USA and UK?

Mom of E a

In my search to find the perfect bottle/pacifier/breastpump/crib/baby monitor/etc. I have noticed that several companies sell the same exact product in the USA and UK, but by different names. Also, I have found that on American websites they show something neat that I would like to try only to find out it is only sold in the UK. I wonder why they do that? Any thoughts? :)

Answer
This is likely due to the difference in consumer product safety restrictions between the two regions. I have provided links to the respective organizations in each country.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

I'm trying to live a simple lifestyle?

I'm trying to live a simple lifestyle?

best baby monitor consumer search image

Sam

I'm trying to be more natural and eco-friendly any tips?

Answer
There are a gazillion things to do.

I've really been trying to cut electrical use over the last year. We've replaced every bulb in our house with Compact Fluorescent or regular fluorescent bulbs. We've planted trees near windows, installed room darkening shades, weatherstripping, and window tint to keep rooms from heating up so the AC doesn't run as often. We bought a 7 day programmable thermostat so we can have the AC adjust throughout the day automatically so we're not needlessly cooling when no one is home. We're diligent about turning off the computer every night, turning off lights, keeping doors and windows open during nice weather, and turning off fans when no one is in the room (fans don't make the room cooler, they just make it feel cooler - a sort of wind chill factor).

We bought a remote control power controller called Bye-Bye Standby from Amazon. With a click of the remote you can kill the phantom power used by your electronics. I can turn off all my electronics and then kill the power with this thing and hear the electronics really turn off. Of course this uses batteries, but our outlets are not reachable behind our freecycled entertainment center, but I guess you can't win 'em all.

Prior to doing all these things, our previous low on our electric bill was right about $100. We've since had electric bills in $60-$70 range, and once even hit $50 right on the head. So, obviously we're using less electricity. Most all these changes don't cost a whole lot and actually pay for themselves in the long run.

I mentioned Freecycle before. Search for a Freecycle group in your area. This is a recycle program in which people give away stuff to each other for free, no strings attached. Our local Freecycle is actually run through a Yahoo group. We've given away old pots/pans, clothes, baby stuff, a computer monitor, etc. and have gotten stuff like a lamp and a basketball hoop. So, instead of this stuff ending up in the landfill, it's still being used and it was all free.

Also, go to the library to get videos and books, rather than buying them or renting them online. Because you are borrowing from the local library fewer of the videos and books need to be produced so less paper or less plastic is used and it saves on transportation costs. Our library is about 2 miles away. Netflix, Amazon, etc. are several states away so to get something from them requires a lot more fuel to get the same thing to me. Best of all, the library is free.

Shop at a local fruit and vegetable stand if possible. We go to one that is about 6 miles round-trip out of my way. However, the prices are cheaper than the local grocery store and most of the produce is local, unlike the grocery store which is more international. So I'm saving money and it's better for the environment because the products don't have to be shipped as far prior to consumption.

Complete the recycle circle. When possible, buy 100% post-consumer paper, or paper-packaging. Buy things made out of recycled plastic like plastic "wood" boards rather than pressure treated/chemical treated wood.

Buy things made out of bamboo, which is a fast growing, rigid grass that can be used like wood and in place of wood, so fewer slow growing trees need to be chopped down.

Have illicit drug addiction/usage rates increased or decreased over the years?

Q. I am having trouble finding comprehensive statistics regarding drug use that go back a number of years. Any sources of information would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
The two surveys that cover this are Monitoring the Future and the Household Survey on Drug Abuse. An internet search will turn up various links to them. You will probably not find extensive stats that predate the Internet age.

Before you look for them, you should understand that there are a number of problems with the surveys.

The first is that people are not likely to answer a question honestly when someone asks them if they have recently engaged in criminal activity.

The second is that it depends on what you mean by increased or decreased. Drug use goes through various cycles and use of one drug may go up while another goes down.

The third is the time frame in which you ask. Again, drug use goes in cycles so you can expect to see rises in the use of some drugs for a while, with later falls in the same use. Depending on which years you pick, you would get an entirely different answer.

You should also note that when people attempt to answer this question it is often because they have a political agenda so they will pick whatever numbers suit their political point. If the numbers don't suit their political point, then government officials are prone to just make up numbers to suit them.

If you look at the really long term there is an interesting picture. Prior to 1914, all of these drugs were legal and sold over the counter in the US without restrictions. Kids could buy the drugs as easily as they buy aspirin today and heroin was even included in baby colic remedies. Even under those conditions the rates of addiction were not substantially different than they are today.

If you want to understand the subject, the best place to start is the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm This book details the history of the laws and describes the biggest single cause of drug epidemics. It is the one book to read it you read only one.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

How do you figure out what you want to do ?

best baby monitor consumer search image

Jake Abrah

As a career? How do you decide what you will go to school for, what school, and what career you will like?

Answer
Go online and look at the websites for several colleges-state colleges, big and little state and private schools, and then look at the majors thaT those colleges offer. I didn't even know till I met my freshman roommate that you could major in speech and hearing theraspy and be a speech therapist.
You'll be surprised at all of the choices. Then, think about what your strengths are. If you're good at math and science, you might choose a chemistry or biology major. If you're good at writing, consider an English major. If you want to live in a foreign country-major in a foreign language.

Whatever you major in in college will lead you toward a certain career field.

Another suggestion, check out books from the library that include descriptions of careers and see what careers suit your personality.

Last--do your homework. Here's some info I just found by just searching the key term "top careeers of the future" in Yahoo.

Yahoo lists the info below as some of the best future career fields:

Best Careers 2011: Technology Jobs
Next to healthcare, there’s no industry with greater opportunity than technology
By Alexis Grant

Posted: December 6, 2010
Print
Share ThisRelated Articles
The 50 Best Careers of 2011
Tips for Landing Jobs on Our Best Careers List
20 Industries That Are Bouncing Back
10 Smart Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search
There's an "app" for everything these days, as technology plays an increasingly important role in consumers' daily lives. Computer software engineers make much of it possible, while computer systems analysts and support specialists—the latter is a new addition to our list this year—get companies on the road to technological efficiency.


[See our full list of The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]

Information technology intersects plenty with environmental and medical science in today's growth careers. Biomedical engineers apply the science of engineering to the problems of the human body and medical care. Meteorologists and hydrologists use increasingly sophisticated technology to monitor the earth—whether its water or its weather.

Our picks in the technology and science category this year:

• Biomedical engineer

• Civil engineer

• Computer software engineer

• Computer support specialist

• Computer systems analyst

• Environmental engineering technician

• Environmental science technician

• Hydrologist

• Meteorologist

• Network architect

Best Careers 2011: Healthcare Jobs
Helping care for an aging baby boomer population is a sure way to land a steady paycheck
By Alexis Grant

Posted: December 6, 2010
Print
Share ThisRelated Articles
The 50 Best Careers of 2011
Tips for Landing Jobs on Our Best Careers List
10 Smart Ways to Use Social Media in Your Job Search
20 Industries That Are Bouncing Back
Healthcare continues to offer excellent opportunities for job seekers, and not only positions that require a medical degree. Occupations that call for fewer years of study and offer more moderate salaries—like physical therapist assistant and lab technician—are also in demand. Many of the occupations on this list rank at the top of the Labor Department's growth projections for 2008 to 2018, largely because millions of aging baby boomers will continue to place heightened demand on healthcare providers.


[See the full list of The 50 Best Careers of 2011.]

Additions to this year's list include massage therapist and athletic trainer, both rooted in preventative medicine. Veterinarians are also very much in demand.

Our picks in the healthcare category this year:

• Athletic trainer

• Dental hygienist

• Lab technician

• Massage therapist

• Occupational therapist

• Optometrist

• Physician assistant

• Physical therapist

• Physical therapist assistant

• Radiologic technologist

• Registered nurse

• School psychologist

• Veterinarian

I'm trying to live a simple lifestyle?

Sam

I'm trying to be more natural and eco-friendly any tips?

Answer
There are a gazillion things to do.

I've really been trying to cut electrical use over the last year. We've replaced every bulb in our house with Compact Fluorescent or regular fluorescent bulbs. We've planted trees near windows, installed room darkening shades, weatherstripping, and window tint to keep rooms from heating up so the AC doesn't run as often. We bought a 7 day programmable thermostat so we can have the AC adjust throughout the day automatically so we're not needlessly cooling when no one is home. We're diligent about turning off the computer every night, turning off lights, keeping doors and windows open during nice weather, and turning off fans when no one is in the room (fans don't make the room cooler, they just make it feel cooler - a sort of wind chill factor).

We bought a remote control power controller called Bye-Bye Standby from Amazon. With a click of the remote you can kill the phantom power used by your electronics. I can turn off all my electronics and then kill the power with this thing and hear the electronics really turn off. Of course this uses batteries, but our outlets are not reachable behind our freecycled entertainment center, but I guess you can't win 'em all.

Prior to doing all these things, our previous low on our electric bill was right about $100. We've since had electric bills in $60-$70 range, and once even hit $50 right on the head. So, obviously we're using less electricity. Most all these changes don't cost a whole lot and actually pay for themselves in the long run.

I mentioned Freecycle before. Search for a Freecycle group in your area. This is a recycle program in which people give away stuff to each other for free, no strings attached. Our local Freecycle is actually run through a Yahoo group. We've given away old pots/pans, clothes, baby stuff, a computer monitor, etc. and have gotten stuff like a lamp and a basketball hoop. So, instead of this stuff ending up in the landfill, it's still being used and it was all free.

Also, go to the library to get videos and books, rather than buying them or renting them online. Because you are borrowing from the local library fewer of the videos and books need to be produced so less paper or less plastic is used and it saves on transportation costs. Our library is about 2 miles away. Netflix, Amazon, etc. are several states away so to get something from them requires a lot more fuel to get the same thing to me. Best of all, the library is free.

Shop at a local fruit and vegetable stand if possible. We go to one that is about 6 miles round-trip out of my way. However, the prices are cheaper than the local grocery store and most of the produce is local, unlike the grocery store which is more international. So I'm saving money and it's better for the environment because the products don't have to be shipped as far prior to consumption.

Complete the recycle circle. When possible, buy 100% post-consumer paper, or paper-packaging. Buy things made out of recycled plastic like plastic "wood" boards rather than pressure treated/chemical treated wood.

Buy things made out of bamboo, which is a fast growing, rigid grass that can be used like wood and in place of wood, so fewer slow growing trees need to be chopped down.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Have illicit drug addiction/usage rates increased or decreased over the years?

best baby monitor consumer search image

Q. I am having trouble finding comprehensive statistics regarding drug use that go back a number of years. Any sources of information would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
The two surveys that cover this are Monitoring the Future and the Household Survey on Drug Abuse. An internet search will turn up various links to them. You will probably not find extensive stats that predate the Internet age.

Before you look for them, you should understand that there are a number of problems with the surveys.

The first is that people are not likely to answer a question honestly when someone asks them if they have recently engaged in criminal activity.

The second is that it depends on what you mean by increased or decreased. Drug use goes through various cycles and use of one drug may go up while another goes down.

The third is the time frame in which you ask. Again, drug use goes in cycles so you can expect to see rises in the use of some drugs for a while, with later falls in the same use. Depending on which years you pick, you would get an entirely different answer.

You should also note that when people attempt to answer this question it is often because they have a political agenda so they will pick whatever numbers suit their political point. If the numbers don't suit their political point, then government officials are prone to just make up numbers to suit them.

If you look at the really long term there is an interesting picture. Prior to 1914, all of these drugs were legal and sold over the counter in the US without restrictions. Kids could buy the drugs as easily as they buy aspirin today and heroin was even included in baby colic remedies. Even under those conditions the rates of addiction were not substantially different than they are today.

If you want to understand the subject, the best place to start is the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm This book details the history of the laws and describes the biggest single cause of drug epidemics. It is the one book to read it you read only one.

has anyone used the Respisense clip on baby monitor?

troubledin

I asked this last night but no one had used or knew about this type of monitor. It clips on the baby's diaper and is supposedly more reliable and easier to use than the sensors that go on top of or under the crib mattress. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Here is the website: http://www.respisense.com/en/index.php
"Respisense monitors the breathing efforts of a baby. If the breathing effort stops, slows down too much, or becomes too shallow, the built-in stimulator the Tummy Tickle will gently stir baby to breathe, failing which a loud alarm will alert the nearest adult. Respisense monitors are particularly suitable for babies at home, but can be used almost anywhere. No other baby monitor allows the freedom of movement that Respisense does. The award-winning and patented invention is so compact and light that it can be used wherever your baby may fall asleep."

Answer
after my older twin died from SIDS, we had my younger son on a monitor. it was annoyingly loud, and he was always fine, they set it wrong at the hospital.

if your baby isn't at risk for SIDS (newer research links it to a damaging of ear sensors for CO2 at birth, which fits the bill in my son's case) and if you take the precautions, its not worth the money or the worry.
but if your diaper wrapping techniques are tight, and you want to have nightmares involving beeping horribleness, and if you believe your child is at risk for breathing difficulties, by all means use it. you might try punching the name of the product in combination with 'reviews' or consumer feed back into your favorite search engine.

Powered by Yahoo! Answers

Have illicit drug addiction/usage rates increased or decreased over the years?

Q. I am having trouble finding comprehensive statistics regarding drug use that go back a number of years. Any sources of information would be greatly appreciated.

A. The two surveys that cover this are Monitoring the Future and the Household Survey on Drug Abuse. An internet search will turn up various links to them. You will probably not find extensive stats that predate the Internet age.

Before you look for them, you should understand that there are a number of problems with the surveys.

The first is that people are not likely to answer a question honestly when someone asks them if they have recently engaged in criminal activity.

The second is that it depends on what you mean by increased or decreased. Drug use goes through various cycles and use of one drug may go up while another goes down.

The third is the time frame in which you ask. Again, drug use goes in cycles so you can expect to see rises in the use of some drugs for a while, with later falls in the same use. Depending on which years you pick, you would get an entirely different answer.

You should also note that when people attempt to answer this question it is often because they have a political agenda so they will pick whatever numbers suit their political point. If the numbers don't suit their political point, then government officials are prone to just make up numbers to suit them.

If you look at the really long term there is an interesting picture. Prior to 1914, all of these drugs were legal and sold over the counter in the US without restrictions. Kids could buy the drugs as easily as they buy aspirin today and heroin was even included in baby colic remedies. Even under those conditions the rates of addiction were not substantially different than they are today.

If you want to understand the subject, the best place to start is the Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs at http://druglibrary.org/schaffer/Library/studies/cu/cumenu.htm This book details the history of the laws and describes the biggest single cause of drug epidemics. It is the one book to read it you read only one.

Original Question

has anyone used the Respisense clip on baby monitor?

Q. I asked this last night but no one had used or knew about this type of monitor. It clips on the baby's diaper and is supposedly more reliable and easier to use than the sensors that go on top of or under the crib mattress. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Here is the website: http://www.respisense.com/en/index.php
"Respisense monitors the breathing efforts of a baby. If the breathing effort stops, slows down too much, or becomes too shallow, the built-in stimulator the Tummy Tickle will gently stir baby to breathe, failing which a loud alarm will alert the nearest adult. Respisense monitors are particularly suitable for babies at home, but can be used almost anywhere. No other baby monitor allows the freedom of movement that Respisense does. The award-winning and patented invention is so compact and light that it can be used wherever your baby may fall asleep."

A. after my older twin died from SIDS, we had my younger son on a monitor. it was annoyingly loud, and he was always fine, they set it wrong at the hospital.

if your baby isn't at risk for SIDS (newer research links it to a damaging of ear sensors for CO2 at birth, which fits the bill in my son's case) and if you take the precautions, its not worth the money or the worry.
but if your diaper wrapping techniques are tight, and you want to have nightmares involving beeping horribleness, and if you believe your child is at risk for breathing difficulties, by all means use it. you might try punching the name of the product in combination with 'reviews' or consumer feed back into your favorite search engine.

Original Question

Looking for a video camera with good audio... any suggestions?

Q. I have a piano recital coming up, and I need a suggestion for a fairly cheap camera with good audio recording capabilities, as the last camera we used recorded the sound absolutely horribly ( i assume it was because the camera was made to only capture the human voice's spectrum ).

I just want something that can capture the full span of sound that a piano can emit without hisses or cracking noises- or if there is no such camera, share some ideas for best recording the event (e.g. maybe a suggested external mic or whatever)... I have one month. Thanks :)

A. Camcorder microphones aren't usually professional level, but they aren't bad, either. What they are is poorly located to get audiophile level recording. Way too far away far away from the source of the sound, they'll pick up noise and chatter from close to the camera. If you're filming at the 3-6 foot range, most camcorder audio will work fine. Farther away requires more effort. Bottom line is that proper microphone placement is critical for good recordings.

Depending on the stage setup (if any) at the recital, see if one of the following options is feasible:

1) If the piano is miked into a PA/speaker system, recording the line output of that device onto a CD or other recorder gives some of the clearest possible sound. If you leave your camcorder running continuously during the performance, it's fairly easy to sync the CD audio to your digital video in any of the movie editors and get top notch audio and video. Leave your camcorder running so you only have to sync one spot, not at every scene. Once synced, you can then cut out boring sections of the video. (~$0 expense if they have a CD recording system already in place)

2) If the piano isn't miked, you can use a digital audio recorder. The good ones aren't cheap, but you'll get baby monitor quality sound if you go cheap. Place the recorder in a good location near the piano (test before the recital if at all possible). These small devices are unobtrusive, and can get quality recordings if placed properly. You could use this recording to supplement/replace your existing camera's audio as described above ~ $150 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/599284-REG/Tascam_DR_07_DR_07_Portable_Digital_Audio.html)

3) You can buy a camcorder with an external microphone jack and get a wireless mic system or a shotgun mic (think teleaudio to match your telephoto zoom). Unfortunately, you tend to get what you pay for on this. Decent ones start at $75 and you still have to figure out where to position the microphone. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=15708&N=4290441573+4293345063&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0
Shotgun microphones (the zoom version of a microphone) are very directional in it's pickup pattern, removing much of the side noise captured by built in microphones. $60+ http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3646-REG/Azden_ECZ_990_ECZ_990_Super_Cardioid_Shotgun.html
Unless your existing videocamera has an external mic jack, you'll have to factor in the additional cost of a new camera with a microphone input. External microphone jacks have been removed from the feature list of most consumer camcorders. HD cameras with the external microphone jack tend to be ~ $800-$1000

Original Question

Powered by Yahoo! Answers