Posted by Nirav Ashara in Are hybrid cars slower than regular cars? on Sunday, May 31, 2009
Are hybrid cars slower than regular cars?
Part of America's love affair with cars is the desire for speed. Sure, we're attached to automobiles for several other reasons -- they get us comfortably from one point to the next, and we're even willing to sit through grueling traffic jams in them just to get to work or to the grocery store. But the rumble of the engine, the whine of the gears shifting upwards and the wind flowing through an open window is a common, iconic image. It's probably no coincidence that lots of American road movies include montages that attempt to convey that sort of feeling.
The rising popularity of hybrid cars within the auto industry, however, is changing that familiar perception. For one, most fuel-efficient vehicles don't necessarily rumble. In fact, most employ a function that allows the gasoline engine to stop running while sitting in traffic, coasting or even when the car is driving at lower speeds. Instead, a hybrid vehicle uses a quieter electric motor to conserve fuel and produce fewer emissions.
But despite being known for having good fuel efficiency and promoting eco-friendly driving, some have criticized hybrid vehicles for a variety of reasons. Some have questioned, for instance, the reliability of hybrid battery packs, claiming that they tend to be faulty and that they're expensive to replace. This is largely untrue, and nearly every car company producing a hybrid vehicle guarantees their battery pack for the life of the car.
Other critics, at least those that have grown accustomed to faster speeds associated with modern gasoline-powered cars, have noted that hybrid cars are typically slower than regular automobiles. The claim is that by focusing on fuel-efficiency and lower emissions, hybrid cars are sacrificing higher speeds and more power, slowing down their performance. Because this doesn't gel with the typical image of the fast American car, some drivers are a little turned off by this.
So, are hybrid cars really slower than regular cars? Why is this? And is that really the point for someone concerned about green driving?
Hybrid Engine Performance
When most people buy a hybrid car, they usually do so with the understanding that there's going to be some kind of compromise between power and eco-friendly driving. The reason hybrid vehicles have become such a buzz topic and a go-to model for the auto industry recently is because of that compromise. As concerns increase over global warming, caused in part by carbon emissions resulting from vehicle fuel consumption, the power provided by a gasoline engine coupled with the fuel-saving qualities of an electric motor seem like the best possible combination.
But are fuel-efficient vehicles significantly slower than regular cars? To see if hybrid cars crawl on the road rather than zip along, we have to look into hybrid engine performance. Generally speaking, the engine in a hybrid car is almost always smaller than the engine in a comparable non-hybrid car. Smaller engines usually equal less horsepower and less torque. To get good fuel efficiency, hybrids operate from a standing start using only the electric motor, which typically provides much less horsepower and torque than a gasoline-powered engine. These two systems work together, however, to ensure hybrids can save fuel in the city and drive at faster speeds on the highway or even climb steep hills.
In short, hybrid cars won't be maxing out at 45 miles per hour (72 kilometers per hour) on the highway, endangering -- or at the very least, angering -- other drivers on the road, but they won't go quite as fast as most regular cars, either. While many all-electric vehicles have significantly lower top speeds and some are even a little bit unstable on the highway, hybrid cars get enough power from the gasoline engine to go as fast as 100 miles per hour (161 kilometers per hour). The real matter for hybrids is in acceleration. Since the smaller electric motors that most automakers use don't produce much horsepower, a relatively fast hybrid car can go from zero to 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in about six seconds, while a more typical hybrid car's zero to 60 time hovers around the 10 second mark. For some people, that's a little too slow.
How are the carmakers responding? Well, some are developing faster hybrid cars with larger, V-6 engines and more powerful electric motors. Hybrid technology developer Frazer-Nash Research and Italian design firm Italdesign Giugiaro, for instance, worked together to build the Namir, a concept plug-in hybrid that can go from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 187 miles per hour (301 kilometers per hour). The Namir's range is also 1,200 miles (1,931 kilometers), so anyone with the need for speed and an itch for green driving should look toward Italy.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in Record-Breaking Pizzas
Record-Breaking Pizzas
Most expensive: Scottish chef Domenico Crolla created the “Pizza Royale 007” (in honor of James Bond) for a fundraiser. It cost 3,000 euros ($4,437) and featured high-end toppings like edible gold, lobster marinated in cognac, champagne-soaked caviar, venison medallions and smoked salmon [source: BBC].
Most extravagant: Though it is hard to top Crolla’s creation, the “Luxury Pizza” at Nino’s Bellissima restaurant in New York City is covered with fresh lobster, crème fraiche, chives and six types of caviar. At $125 per slice and $1,000 per 12-inch pizza, this entree is certainly a delicacy [source: Reuters].
Largest ever made: According to Guinness World Records, this feat was accomplished on Dec. 8, 1990, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The pizza measured 122.7 feet (37.4 meters) in diameter and required 1,102 pounds (500 kilograms) of flour, 1,764 pounds (800 kg) of cheese and 1,984 pounds (900 kg) of tomato puree.
Largest ever made and eaten: Guinness World Records credits the city of Havana, Fla., with hosting this accomplishment on Oct. 11, 1987. The pizza tipped the scales at 44,457 pounds (20,165 kg). The pie was divided into 94,248 slices and devoured by 30,000-plus spectators.
Longest pizza delivery: Lucy Clough of Domino’s Pizza is arguably the world’s most dedicated pizza delivery person. On Nov. 19, 2004, she traveled 10,532 miles (16,950 kilometers) from London to Melbourne, Australia, to set the record for longest pizza delivery, as recognized by Guinness World Records.
Domino's Pizza Legends
If you visit urban legend Web site Snopes.com and type in "pizza," you'll notice that most of the results are related to Domino's Pizza. Here is a rundown:
- Legend: The "30 minutes or less and it's free" promise was discontinued because a rushing delivery driver fatally hit a child with his car.
- Truth: Domino's reportedly settled out of court in a few cases involving automobile accidents with drivers, one of which killed a woman. Domino's never said that the time limit was a factor and instead blamed weather and road conditions. The chain now emphasizes quality with the "Made Fresh, Arrives Fresh" guarantee.
- Legend: Domino's Pizza provides financial assistance to anti-abortion group Operation Rescue.
- Truth: Domino's does not contribute financially, but founder Tom Monaghan is a champion of pro-life causes. Monaghan doesn't even own Domino's anymore -- he sold it in 1998 for $1 billion. Which brings us to our next legend…
- Legend: The founder of Domino's is building an all-Catholic town in Florida.
- Truth: This one is actually right. Monaghan is currently heading up the development of Ave Maria, Fla., which is about 90 miles from Miami. The city will ban practices frowned upon by Catholicism, such as pornography, birth control and abortions. Eventually, the city will be home to more than 30,000 residents, including 5,000 students at a new Catholic university.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in How Pizza Works on Saturday, May 30, 2009
How Pizza Works
Pizza is one of the most popular foods on the planet. In fact, it's so popular that you would think it has been around forever. But actually, it's relatively new to the stomachs of the Americans who treasure it.
Despite its relatively short tenure in the United States, pizza has become a staple in the diets of many. In fact, it's so beloved that each person in North America puts away an average of 23 pounds of it each year [source: Domino's Pizza]. More than 3 billion pizzas a year are sold in the United States alone, resulting in about $37 billion in revenue, according to the National Association of Pizza Operators.
The beauty of pizza is that, no matter what your tastes, there are so many ways to make it and so many topping possibilities that virtually anyone can create a pizza to suit himself. Not too keen on cheese? Just sprinkle it on or leave it off entirely! Can't decide between macaroni and cheese and pizza? That's OK -- some places actually serve the two kid-friendly dishes combined!
In its simplest form, pizza consists of three main ingredients: bread, tomato sauce and cheese, but the options are almost limitless from there. In this article you'll learn more than you ever thought you could about pizza, including its history in Italy and the United States, how dough is made, and topping trends around the globe.
We'll also describe in mouthwatering detail the different types of pizza and what makes each of them special. And you might want to keep a phone handy -- in case you're tempted to order one while reading this.
Pizza History
Italians are usually credited with the development and spread of pizza around the world. Much of that credit is accurate, but the concept of putting stuff on hot bread probably dates back to the days of cavemen. Actual pizza probably made its debut in ancient Greece. The Greeks baked round flatbreads (similar to what we know today as foccacia bread) that they decorated with a variety of spices, seasonings, oils and other toppings.
The word "pizza," meaning "pie," was coined sometime around A.D. 1000 near Rome and Naples, Italy. In the 18th century, flatbread pizza became a popular and cost-effective meal for the peasant population in Naples. People were just beginning to realize that tomatoes, which had been brought over from the New World in the 16th century, were actually not poisonous. By the end of the 18th century, the residents of Naples -- and tourists -- began to top the bread with tomatoes, essentially creating pizza as we know it. Street vendors sold the dish in the poor areas of Naples before the opening of the world's first pizzeria, Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba, in 1830. And pizza is sold today from the very same spot.
The Pizza Industry
Although the product may not closely resemble the pizza that originated in Italy, pizza delivery and dine-in chains are wildly popular. Some quick facts:
- Pizza Hut is the largest chain pizza restaurant in the world. The company has nearly 6,600 locations in the United States and more than 4,000 in 100 other countries.
- Domino's Pizza leads the market in delivery. The company boasts about 9,000 stores in more than 55 countries.
- Papa John's, despite being a relative newcomer to the industry, is the third-largest pizza company in the world.
Sometime around 1889, Italy's royal couple, Queen Margherita and King Umberto I, toured their kingdom. The Queen took note of the large, flat bread being consumed. She tried it and loved it. She called Chef Rafaelle Esposito to her palace, where he created a variety of pizzas for her. In honor of her, he designed a pizza with toppings in the colors of the Italian flag (red tomatoes, white mozzarella and green basil). This pizza became her favorite and is known to this day as the Margherita. Her love for pizza made her incredibly popular among her subjects -- most royals would never have dined on peasant food, much less encourage its spread [source: A Full Belly].
Pizza appeared on the American scene quietly in the late 19th century with the mass arrival of Italian immigrants. It was mostly sold on the streets of large Italian neighborhoods in such cities as Philadelphia, Chicago and New York City. Pizza soon became available in cafes and grocery stores, but it pretty much remained exclusive to Italian neighborhoods until after World War II. At this time, soldiers returning from Italy increased demand for the dish. Pizza's popularity spread like wildfire, and pizzerias began popping up all over the United States, followed quickly by chain restaurants like Shakey's Pizza and Pizza Hut.
Everybody Loves Ray's Pizza
Apparently, pizza tastes better when it's made by a guy named Ray. At least that's what New Yorkers seem to think -- more than 30 pizzerias use the name "Ray" in New York City alone. Here is a brief timeline of the Ray trend:
- Ralph Cuomo opened Ray's in 1959 in Little Italy.
- He opened another on 54th Street and Seventh Avenue in the early 1960s.
- Rosolino Mangano bought the second Ray's and changed the name to Famous Original Ray's, even though it wasn't technically the original.
- Mangano, who now goes by "Ray" himself, opened up more Famous Original Ray's across the city.
- Mangano sold a store to a new owner, who began using other variations of the Ray name in his stores.
- Cuomo decided to trademark the name (he had to have been in cahoots with the other two owners in order to make this happen, though).
The three Rays went after other people using the name, including Joe Bari, who had operated Ray Bari Pizza since 1973. It's now called RayBari Pizza.
Pizza Making
The Dough
Accomplished pizza chefs consider the dough-making process an art form. The specifics of dough-making vary depending on whether the final goal is a thin, crispy crust or a thick, soft one. The mandatory ingredients in pizza dough are flour, water and yeast. Shortening, salt and sugar are also included in many basic recipes. These extras provide more taste and texture options.
- Flour is the "meat" of the dough recipe. Chefs use high-gluten flour because gluten makes the crust tough enough to stand up to the water and other ingredients.
- Water is vital to the recipe because it brings all the ingredients together. It encourages the production of gluten and works with starch in the flour to bind the gluten. This is what makes a pizza crust nice and firm. The amount of water used in a pizza dough recipe varies. The dough can be made to be pliable or stiff, as desired by the chef.
- Without yeast, pizza crusts would lose pretty much all texture and softness. Yeast, a leavening agent, makes the dough rise. A living, single-celled plant from the fungi family, it ferments (digests) sugars and starches. Fermentation causes the dough to rise by trapping gas bubbles inside it. It also makes the dough more pliable and easy to maneuver.
- Salt provides extra flavor. It also slows the fermentation process.
- Shortening increases the pliability and moisture of the dough by providing lubrication. Some chefs use canola or olive oil to add a little extra flavor.
- The amount of sugar changes the fermentation rate. More sugar equals quicker fermentation. Sugar also helps the crust to brown and keeps water inside the crust.
- Mixing: Blend dry ingredients with a mixer. Dissolve yeast and sugar in water and add to the mixture. Mix until dough "slaps" the sides of the mixing bowl. At this point, the dough should look nice and smooth, not wet and sticky.
- Balling: Use your hands to roll balls of dough. The skin should be tight, not cracked. Place balls on an oiled sheet pan.
- Proofing: Cover the dough with wax paper and let it sit at room temperature until it doubles in size.
- Retarding: Place the dough balls in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours to slow yeast activity.
If these steps are completed properly, the dough stays usable for approximately three to five days.
Unconventional Pizzas -- Creative or Just Silly?
We know that taste buds vary. Otherwise, there would be no place for the minced mutton on pizzas in India. Other than the Italian law governing the purity of Neopolitan pizza, there don’t seem to be any rules in the pizza industry. But do so-called “unconventional” pizzas even qualify as pizza? Probably not, if you want to be strict about the "bread, cheese and sauce" rule. However, if you don't mind messing with tradtion, you might enjoy some of these concoctions:
- dessert pizzas with Oreos and chocolate-chip cookie dough
- tiny bagel bites topped with miniscule amounts of cheese and toppings
- macaroni-and-cheese pizzas
- Mexican pizzas -- thin tortilla crusts topped with refried beans, cheese and olives
Baking
You can bake pizza in a variety of ovens. Chefs use a peel, a long, paddle-like utensil, to slide pizzas into electric deck ovens. The pizza is baked directly on a screen or hot bricks. Conveyor belt ovens are used primarily in large chain restaurants. Gas canister ovens position stone bricks directly above the heat source. "Brick-oven pizzerias" use coal or wood-fired brick ovens, which often lend a smokier taste.
Sauce and Cheese
Pizza sauce is usually tomato-based. However, the list of unconventional pizza sauces includes pesto, alfredo, ketchup and barbecue. "White pizza" recipes often eliminate the sauce entirely, replacing it with garlic butter.
Traditional pizza is made with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on tomato sauce. Many chefs like to experiment with blends of cheeses, herbs and seasonings like oregano and basil.
Pizza Styles
People have strong opinions about pizza -- in terms of passion, it seems to rank right up there with politics and religion. Some pizza lovers treasure the taste of true Chicago-style pizza so much that they have it shipped across the country. Neapolitan pizza purists in Italy lobbied recently to pass a bill protecting the style and restricting pizza vendors from using the Neapolitan name unless they meet specific guidelines (see sidebar). But those of us who enjoy variety certainly have plenty of pizza styles to choose from, including:
- Neapolitan: Features a very thin, bubbly crust. Basil and mozzarella do not cover the sauce, as is common in many American pizzas. Instead, they accent it. It is usually cooked in a brick or wood-fired oven.
- New York: Also thin-crusted, an authentic New York pizza features sweet tomato sauce topped with a layer of cheese. New York pizza enthusiasts don't ruin the purity of the slice by asking for a lot of toppings.
- Chicago: The opposite of New York and Neapolitan pizzas in many ways, Chicago-style pizza boasts a thick crust that is baked in a pan, rather than directly on the bricks or on a sheet. The application of cheese and sauce is also reversed. Cheese goes on the bottom, followed by toppings. Sauce finishes off the creation, which is so thick that a fork and knife are necessary.
- Greek: Greek pizza is also baked in a pan. One trademark characteristic is an oily crust. It is often topped with traditional Greek toppings like spinach, feta cheese and olives.
- California: Superthin crusts and seasonal toppings are trademark components of California-style pizzas. They're typically topped with whatever veggies are in season in the Golden State.
- Sicilian: There are Italian and American versions of this style. The American involves a thick square or rectangular crust. Toppings are placed on top of the dough. The version made in Sicily actually places the toppings, such as pecorino cheese and anchovies, inside the crust, rather than on top.
Topping Trends
It probably won't come as much of a shock that pepperoni is the No. 1 pizza topping in America. According to the National Association of Pizza Operators (NAPO), Americans consume almost 252 million pounds of pepperoni every year. Other perennial favorites are extra cheese, sausage, mushrooms, green peppers and onions. Americans also enjoy ham, bacon, ground beef, chicken, artichoke hearts, bell peppers, eggplant, olives, spinach, tomatoes and broccoli.
On the flip side, NAPO reports that anchovies consistently maintain their place as the least popular pizza topping, although they are very popular in some countries. In fact, the world has decidedly eclectic taste in toppings.
- India: pickled ginger, tofu and minced mutton
- Russia: "mockba" (a blend of tuna, mackerel, sardines, onions and salmon)
- Japan: squid and a combination topping called "mayo jaga" (mayonnaise, bacon and potato)
- Brazil: green peas
- Costa Rica: coconut
Neapolitans Mean Business
Few foods have their own personal watchdog agency, so Neapolitan pizza must be pretty tasty! The True Neapolitan Pizza Association holds very strict pizza standards, recognizing only the Marinara (topped with tomato, garlic, oregano, extra virgin olive oil and sometimes basil) and the Margherita as authentic pizzas.
The Italian Ministry of Agricultural Politics recently passed a law governing how the pizzas must be made if they want to bear either of these names:
- Must be round and no more than 13 ¾ inches in diameter
- Center must be less than one-tenth of an inch tall
- Crust must be three-quarters of an inch thick or less
- Dough has to be kneaded entirely by hand
- Must use very specific and traditional types of salt, flour, tomatoes and yeast.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in How tall can a tree grow?
How tall can a tree grow?
In 2008, a study proposed that the maximum height for a Doug las fir -- one of the world's tallest trees -- is about 453 feet (138 meters). But why is there a limit? Trees are sup posed to be nature's skyscrapers, impossible to hem in. This cap exists because trees can only pull water so far up their trunks.
The transporters in question are pitted dead cells, called tracheids, that move water from one cell to the next. The diameter of these all-important pits shrinks as you ascend into a tree's upper reaches, complicating water transport. Eventually the flow of water reaching the leaves and branches near the top dwindles off or stops, and the struggling sections experience "drought stress." They become dehydrated and die, establishing a de facto maximum height for that tree.
Researchers think these progressively narrowing tracheids help trees to survive. Height poses the problem of air bubbles. The taller the tree, the more likely it will develop a xylem embolism, a process in which air bubbles block the passage of water. (Xylem is the tissue that makes up a tree's vascular system and allows it to transport water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant.) A xylem embolism, then, is similar to a human air embolism, in which air enters the bloodstream and causes potentially severe complications. The tracheids try to prevent such air bubbles and withstand the increased pressure, but that protection comes at a price: less water and, the researchers suggest, a cap on how tall trees can grow.
Another tree height study, published four years prior, posited the maximum height of a tree at 426.5 feet (130 meters) [source: Amos]. The study examined coast redwoods, or Sequoia sempervirens, currently the world's tallest trees, and based the projection on factors like existing weather conditions, photosynthesis levels, water flow and carbon dioxide levels. Not surprisingly, "healthy" factors, like water flow and photosynthesis, decreased in the higher portions of the massive trees, while unhealthy factors, like carbon dioxide, increased. But ultimately, as with the firs, it all comes down to xylem.
These redwoods pull water up through their trunks as other trees do, although they can absorb some water from the fog that often surrounds them in their native California and Oregon environments. Before attaining their maximum height, they shoot up about 9.8 inches (25 centimeters) annually.
Next, we'll consider other ways of addressing tree size and talk about what may be the world's largest organism.
The World's Biggest Trees
Tree size is often much more than just height. General Sherman, a giant sequoia -- one of two types of redwood found in California, the other being the taller, skinnier coast redwood we just mentioned -- is the world's heaviest and most voluminous tree at around 6,167 tons (5,595 metric tons) and 52,000 cubic feet (1,487 cubic meters). Located in California's Sequoia National Park, General Sherman is 274.9 feet (83.8 meters) high, but it's not the tallest tree. That honor belongs to a coast redwood named Hyperion, which clocks in at 379.1 feet (115.5 meters) tall [source: Leff]. General Sherman has a trunk circumference of 102.6 feet (31.1 meters), but it's narrower than a tree called El Arbol del Thule in Oaxaca, Mexico, that has a maximum circumference of 178 feet (54 meters.
So there are many ways of looking at tree size, just as there are various ways of looking at what is the largest living organism. Some scientists consider massive reefs like Australia's Great Barrier Reef to be giant living organisms. There are also huge fungi out there, such as a 1,500-acre (607-hectare) fungus discovered in Washington, which was once considered the world's largest organism (at least in terms of area).
But the world's most massive living organism is likely one group of quaking aspen trees located in Utah's Wasatch Mountains and nicknamed Pando (Latin for "I spread"). Pando is considered one organism because the trees in the group share an identical genetic code and a common, interconnected root system.
The Pando trees are basically clones of one another. New trees are made as stems spread out as far as 100 feet (30 meters) from the base of the original tree and then periodically take root, creating new, genetically identical, connected trees. The process repeats itself with the clone trees, weather and other conditions permitting. The process, known as vegetative reproduction, is how strawberries and many other plants reproduce.
Pando is 47,000 trees spread across 106 acres (43 hectares) and may be up to 80,000 years old [source: Grant]. But in testament to the massive size of California redwoods, this batch of 47,000 trees weighs about 6,600 tons (5,987 metric tons), only a few hundred tons in total more than General Sherman.
Individual quaking aspens have narrow trunks and grow up to 100 feet tall. Owing to their reproductive process and ability to thrive in harsh environments, quaking aspens are the most common tree in the United States.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in How did the Internet start? on Friday, May 29, 2009
How did the Internet start?
Mention the history of the Internet to a group of people, and chances are someone will make a snarky comment about Al Gore claiming to have invented it. Gore actually said that he "took the initiative in creating the Internet" [source: CNN]. He promoted the Internet's development both as a senator and as vice president of the United States. So how did the Internet really get started? Believe it or not, it all began with a satellite.
It was 1957 when the then Soviet Union launched Sputnik, the first man-made satellite. Americans were shocked by the news. The Cold War was at its peak, and the United States and the Soviet Union considered each other enemies. If the Soviet Union could launch a satellite into space, it was possible it could launch a missile at North America.
President Dwight D. Eisenhower created the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1958 as a direct response to Sputnik's launch. ARPA's purpose was to give the United States a technological edge over other countries. One important part of ARPA's mission was computer science.
In the 1950s, computers were enormous devices that filled entire rooms. They had a fraction of the power and processing ability you can find in a modern PC. Many computers could only read magnetic tape or punch cards, and there was no way to network computers together.
ARPA aimed to change that. It enlisted the help of the company Bolt, Beranek and Newman (BBN) to create a computer network. The network had to connect four computers running on four different operating systems. They called the network ARPANET.
Without ARPANET, the Internet wouldn't look or behave the way it does today -- it might not even exist. Although other groups were working on ways to network computers, ARPANET established the protocols used on the Internet today. Moreover, without ARPANET, it may have taken many more years before anyone tried to find ways to join regional networks together into a larger system.
In the next section, we'll look at how ARPANET joined with other networks to create the Internet.
Early Networks
In 1973, engineers began to look at ways to connect ARPANET to the packet radio network (PRNET). A packet radio network connects computers through radio transmitters and receivers. Instead of sending data across phone lines, the computers use radio waves. It took three years, but in 1967 engineers successfully connected the two networks [source: SRI].
Technicians joined the Satellite Network (SATNET) to the other
two networks in 1977. They called the connection between multiple networks inter-networking, or the Internet for short. Other early computer networks soon joined. They included USENET, BITNET, CSNET and NSFNET.
In 1990, Tim Berners-Lee developed a system designed to simplify navigation on the Internet. In time, this system became known as the World Wide Web. It didn't take long for some people to mistakenly identify the Internet and the Web as the same thing. The Internet is a global interconnection of computer networks; the World Wide Web is a way to navigate this massive network. In sailing terms, it's like comparing an ocean to a ship.
A Matter of Protocol
The first four computers in ARPANET all used different operating systems. The system's designers had to come up with a common set of rules the network would follow in order for the computers to communicate with each other without crashing the system. These rules are called protocols. The first set of protocols was collectively called the Network Control Protocol (NCP). In 1983, ARPANET switched to the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol suite (TCP/IP), the same set of rules the Internet follows today.
Most early Internet users were government and military employees, graduate students and computer scientists. Using the World Wide Web, the Internet became much more accessible. Colleges and universities began to connect to the Internet, and businesses soon followed. By 1994, Internet commerce had become a reality.
Today, the Internet is more complex than ever. It connects computers, satellites, mobile devices and other gadgets together in a massive network millions of times more intricate than the original ARPANET. And to think, we owe it all to a silver beeping ball that once orbited miles above the Earth's surface.
Taming the Internet
Several organizations and committees formed to help shape the Internet into what it is today. They included the Internet Activities Board, the Federal Research Internet Coordinating Committee and the Federal Networking Council among others. These groups worked to establish the rules and standards that make it possible for different computer networks to work together.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in Is there really a face on Mars?
Is there really a face on Mars?
We earthlings have always been fascinated with the idea of finding life on other planets, and we've been captivated particularly with the possibility that life exists on one of our closest celestial neighbors -- Mars. Books, television shows and movies have all arrived at their own interpretations of what Martians might look like, from H.G. Wells' tentacled, squidlike aliens in "The War of the Worlds," to Looney Tunes' Roman helmet- and skirt-wearing M arvin the Martian. In response to all of this postulating about life on Mars, scientists would explain that the atmosphere on the red planet couldn't support life as we know it.
Then in 1976, NASA's Viking 1 spacecraft was scouting out a potential Mars landing site for its sister spacecraft, Viking 2, when it came across something unexpected. While the craft was snapping pictures of a region of the planet called Cydonia, Viking 1 captured what looked like an enormous human face staring up at it. The "face" measured nearly two miles across and had what looked like deep-set eyes and a clearly delineated nose and mouth.
The tabloids, television shows and movie studios were quick to jump on the image, calling it real evidence of life on Mars. Writer and conspiracy theorist Richard Hoagland was one of the biggest proponents of the face on Mars idea. He claimed the face was an artifact of an ancient alien city, built by an intelligent Martian race.
Despite the apparent clarity of the face, NASA was quick to explain away the image as nothing more than an optical illusion. Shadows caused by the angle of the sun were merely creating the illusion of eyes, a nose and mouth across a natural formation, according to scientists.
True believers were equally quick to fire back: NASA was trying to cover up the evidence of life on Mars. It was a conspiracy.
New Images of the Face on Mars
Though scientists didn't believe the image captured of Mars back in the 1970s showed a real face, they did want to get a better look at it. Once photographic imaging techniques had improved, they went in for a closer shot. In April 1998, the Mars Orbiter captured a picture 10 times sharper than the original photos. In these more detailed pictures, what had appeared to be eyes, nose and a mouth vanished into nothing more than what scientists had originally surmised -- a natural rock formation.
However, those who were convinced that this was a real image of a face were not appeased. Richard Hoagland claimed the image had been intentionally enhanced so much that the face disintegrated. So in 2001, the Mars Surveyor returned to take even higher resolution photos. By shooting the formation from different angles, it was able to put together a 3-D image. When NASA scientists analyzed the structure's height and dimensions, they found that it actually resembled a rock formation here on Earth -- the flat-topped mesa commonly found throughout the Southwest.
Though the photographs seemed to negate the idea of a face on Mars, they were nonetheless fascinating to geologists. Scientists say the formations may have sat on the edges of what was once a Martian ocean. They could have been formed by glaciers sliding slowly across the surface of the red planet. Or they could have been the result of wind and water erosion, just as rocks have been shaped here on Earth.
Martian enthusiasts may never give up on the idea of life on Mars, but s cientists undoubtedly still have much more to learn about the red planet.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in 5 Extravagant Car Amenities, Top 5s
5 Extravagant Car Amenities
5: Televisions
Granted, mini built-in TVs are becoming more and more common as backseat babysitters in minivans for families with impatient kids. But the TVs we're talking about are meant for adults with chauffeurs. The quality of these TVs might surmount those you have at home. Take Bentley's Arnage RL, which includes not one, but two 15-inch, flat-screen LCD televisions -- one built into the back of each front seat.
And what's a TV without something to watch? As if built-in DVD players weren't enough, Rolls Royce even offers broadcast TV via an antenna that picks up the local signal. Satellite radio company Sirius also started offering Sirius Backseat TV, a TV feed of various networks meant for viewing in the car.
4: Over-the-top Sound Systems
There's nothing like turning up the music in the car and rocking out to your favorite songs. But for some, this experience needs to be so powerful and high-quality that the minimum, factory-installed speakers are simply not enough. We've all been stopped at red lights next to a car equipped with a trunk full of speakers, exuding deafening bass and blasting music loudly enough to be heard hundreds of feet away in all directions.
But for those who want to keep the space in their backseats and trunks for groceries and suitcases instead of filling it with monolithic speakers, there are more luxurious options. Audi, for instance, offers a Bose surround sound system with 14 speakers, including a subwoofer. There's even a microphone that picks up on the noise level in the car so that it can automatically adjust the volume louder to compensate for background noise [source: Audi]. And, not to be outdone, Lincoln even started incorporating THX-certified (basically, movie-theater quality) audio systems in their luxury cars.
3: Expensive and Unique Paint Jobs
Every fashion-savvy woman knows that color-coordinating accessories are the key to a great ensemble. And, of course, well-chosen colors can express your personality. The same goes for your car. Those buying a 2009 Maybach 57 can request the color of the car to match a particular color of a purse, pair of shoes or just about anything else for nearly $20,450 on top of the price of the car.
Those with the money to get a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano might also be interested in coughing up a cool $22,000 for a red paint job. But this isn't just any red: it's an exclusive Rossa Monza paint of deep red known as Rossa Corsa.
Those looking for less sport but more splash might be interested in Volvo's C30, which comes in the special print of your choice. While the option is available only in Sweden right now, stylish drivers can select a protective appliqué film with their choice of several designs. Whether you choose zebra print, rainbow strips or some other pattern, it'll cost you around $3,150.
2: Liquor Cabinets
For those who can't wait until they get to the party to break out the champagne, many luxury cars come complete with coolers for chilling wine. The Bentley Arnage R includes a wine cooler behind the center armrest in the backseat. Some models include a custom wood veneer cocktail cabinet attached to the back of the front seat. One model includes in this cabinet a complete set of shot glasses and flask.
These luxury carmakers have thought of everything -- even what to do with the champagne flutes between sips. To solve this dilemma, Bentley provides a foldout table as well. Maybach, who includes electric wine coolers in some of its models and provides champagne flutes to boot, has specially designed cupholders for champagne flutes. We should note that these alcohol features are for the backseat exclusively, meant for those with enough money to hire a chauffeur to take care of the whole driving thing.
1: Massage and Climate-controlled Seats
Feeling stressed? Let the chauffeur take the wheel and you can relax in the reclining backseat. Still not relaxed enough? How about a shiatsu massage? N o, this amenity isn't a beautiful Japanese masseuse in person, but it's the next best thing. How does a reclining backseat with massage capabilities sound? The backseat of the Lexus LS 600h L includes the option of a shiatsu or a shoulder massage, capabilities built into seats that function like electric massage chairs.
Have you ever gotten up from a car seat and had to peel yourself off the hot stickiness? Or frozen to your leather seat on a wintry day? Leather, despite all its luxuriousness, hardly ever seems to be a comfortable temperature. The people over at Cadillac have crafted a solution to this conundrum that has plagued the pampered for generations. With perforated leather, the seats of the 2008 STS Cadillac-V are ventilated with channels through which air can move, preventing the chair from getting uncomfortably hot. The carmakers also incorporated heating units under that perforated leather for those cold days as well.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in How to Clear Phone Line Noise on Wednesday, May 27, 2009
How to Clear Phone Line Noise
"Can you hear me now?"
This question has become synonymous with the reliability of a certain cell phone provider, but problems hearing people on the other end of the phone aren't limited to cell phones. Static, hissing, echoes and other noises coming from a phone line can cause equally frustrating problems for people chatting on landline phones.
People who still connect to the Internet using a dial-up connection also may feel the effects of phone line noise, which can interfere with their online surfing. Some modems are so sensitive that even the tiny beep caused by call waiting can terminate an Internet session.
As the frequently asked questions section of any telephone or Internet provider's Web site will attest, unwanted sounds on your phone line pose a common problem. Thankfully, clearing phone line noise on your landline isn't hard.
As you might guess, the first step in clearing phone line noise is to pinpoint the culprit. Faulty house wiring, long cables or the phone line itself could be indirectly disrupting your conversations. Other culprits include the following:
- Weather: Precipitation can leak into phone lines and cause disruptions. Lightning, even at a distance, can damage the connection.
- Electrical interference: Power lines, radio or television transmitters, transformers and other electronic devices may cause noise on the phone line.
- Other phone devices: Fax or answering machines, other phones and line splitters -- devices that allow two phones to fit on one phone jack -- can cause phone line noise.
- DSL services: The high-frequency signals coming from DSL (digital subscriber line) devices sharing the phone line can create problems for other technology connected to the line.
A good rule of thumb is that if the noise only happens occasionally, then weather is to blame. If it's a constant annoyance, then it's probably another offender. Learn what steps you can take to find and stop the annoying noise interrupting your phone conversations down here.
Finding and Fixing Phone Line Noise
If you're still desperately reading this article, then your landline problems probably aren't caused by weather. A simple way to determine the source of the noise is to remove each potential suspect one by one until the noise goes away. For instance, disconnect all the other phones to see if that helps. If it doesn't, see if moving the phone line away from other electronics gets rid of the static noise.
Another easy way to find the source of your woes is to listen. The type of sound could indicate your problem. For instance, static sounds tend to be caused by cordless sets, answering machines, poor weather and faulty wiring. Buzzing or high-pitched squeals, on the other hand, often result from the high-frequency signals coming from a DSL modem.
Sometimes the phone itself and its related equipment are the issue. Here are some steps you can take if you suspect your phone.
- Find out if all of your house phones suffer from line noise. Sometimes inexpensive or older phones can malfunction and create problems.
- Make sure the phone cord plugged into the jack is straight, in good condition and no more than 12 feet (3.7 meters) long. The farther the data has to travel, the more likely it is to encounter problems along the way.
- Try plugging the phone in a different phone jack; sometimes electrical surges damage jacks.
- Check that the cord is at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) away from other power cords, speaker wires, and other electronics, and remove all other devices from the phone line.
Other times, your Internet service may be to blame.
- If you have a DSL device, make sure you have a good quality DSL line filter on every phone and fax machine, as well as any other device in your home that shares the connection. Sometimes the DSL line filters provided by your Internet service provider aren't effective. You can buy better DSL phone filters for wall phones and other appliances at an electronics store for as little as $5; ask the salesperson for a recommendation.
- You can also try purchasing a line noise filter or phone noise filter. These small contraptions plug into your phone and can help to alleviate some noises.
Lastly, if you think the source of the noise is a radio transmitter, a filter might help you reduce the interference.
If none of the suggestions in this article succeed in clearing your phone line noise, you can always call your telephone company and ask to have the line tested for noise. Many will do it free of charge, and they may be able to help you get to the bottom of your conversation killer. Be sure to tell the phone company if you use the phone line for just voice, or data and voice. As far as other annoying noises -- like those family members of yours -- you're on your own.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in Top 10 BlackBerry Add-Ons, Top 10s
Top 10 BlackBerry Add-Ons
1: BB Weather
This software serves as a quick, one-touch weather notification for BlackBerry users. Once the desired city codes are programmed into the phone, this add-on provides instant updates on weather forecasts.
2: BB Light
This software keeps BlackBerry users out of the dark. Basically, it programs the screen light on a BlackBerry to remain lit whenever it's out of the holster. Although this function does affect battery life, it makes reading long e-mails and editing documents much easier because there's no need to refresh the screen.
3: Berry 411
This software works like an electronic phonebook. It offers everything that one would normally find in a phonebook with added bonuses such as movie showtimes, weather updates and more.
4: BB Today
This software serves as a daily calendar and reminder for BlackBerry users. On a nicely laid out screen, this software keeps track of daily appointments and missed calls. Additionally, it maintains up-to-date e-mail notifications, weather alerts and daily stock quotes.
5: CryptMagic
This software serves as a safe storage unit for BlackBerry users who want to keep their confidential information at their fingertips but still secure. It allows BlackBerry users to save confidential data such as passwords, PINs and other important information all encrypted on their personal device.
6: TaskPad Pro
This software serves as a to-do list for BlackBerry users. It allows you to view, maintain, and update your list of things to do from either your BlackBerry device or personal computer.
7: VeriChat
This software provides a great instant messaging program for RIM BlackBerry devices. It allows BlackBerry users to remain constantly connected to multiple networks including MSN, AOL, ICQ and Yahoo. Some of its best features include customized alerts and the ability for users to conduct multiple conversations with different buddies simultaneously.
8: Handheld Contact
This software is a great time-saver for BlackBerry users who are constantly on the move. Unlike other programs, this software allows your BlackBerry to update ACT! data by simply hitting the "sync" button, as opposed to having to plug it into a cradle. Essentially, this function allows BlackBerry users to seamlessly update their contacts without wasting any time at a computer.
9: Companion Link
This software provides an easy outlet for BlackBerry users to synchronize their contact information, calendars, and memos from many different sources to one unified outlet. It's compatible with all BlackBerry handhelds and is very easy to use. This add-on will surely help you stay connected and organized.
10: Suduko Classic
This software provides hours of entertainment for BlackBerry users. Whether you're stuck in an airport or on a crowded train, this add-on offers thousands of grids that'll challenge your logic and mathematical skills. With three different difficulty levels, hints, unlimited saving capabilities and supported "pencil" marks, this software is sure to keep boredom at bay.
Clearly, there are many different software applications available to enhance the use of a BlackBerry, but often times the best combination of add-ons is dictated by the individual user's needs. See the next page to learn more about BlackBerrys and other smartphones.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in 5 Great iPhone Apps, Top 5s
5 Great iPhone Apps
5: Music Making: iShred LE
iPods and iPhones were invented to play music, not make it. Many developers have tried to create apps to help you make music on the iPhone, with limited success. As a result, you can turn your iPhone into any number of musical instruments, including a cowbell, triangle, guitar and even an ocarina. Technically, these apps make music, but in most cases, it's not something you'd want to send off to a recording company in search of a contract. There is one app, however, that could actually make this possible. Well, almost.
iShred LE takes iPhone guitar apps to new levels of reality and utility. Even the best guitar player will appreciate the breadth of sound options available. What truly sets iShred LE apart, however, is that the developers designed the interface so you play it the way the iPhone works. Strum or pick out a tune with one finger and play chords using a series of buttons above the digital fret board. They didn't duplicate a guitar for the iPhone, they created a guitar for the iPhone.
The app uses actual guitar sound samples and passes them through your choice of eight effects pedals and a simulated amplifier. Play with the effects pedals to your heart's content, or choose from several pre-set styles including Heavy Metal, Psychedelic 60s, Surf's Up, Area 51 and New Waver.
For even more capabilities, you can move up to an enhanced version that allows you to create your own chords, select an actual model of amplifier, use multiple effects and more. The fact is, there's a guitar superstar lurking in almost everyone. iShred LE is a fun way to set yours free.
4: Reading: Stanza
Digital reading devices have been around for a long time, but they never really caught on until Amazon introduced the Kindle. This device downloads books from a selection of thousands and displays them in a readable, clean interface. There's a Kindle app for the iPhone and it works extremely well. But, there's another reading program that has legions of dedicated users, can be downloaded for free and includes access to thousands of classic book titles at no charge. This may explain why this application was recently acquired by Amazon.com.
Stanza makes reading on your iPhone easy. While there is nothing the app can do to make the screen larger, the interface gets the most readability out of the space available. You may find that, once you read a few pages and begin getting involved in the book, you completely forget about screen size.
Stanza provides access to more than 50,000 titles for purchase from the Fictionwise eReader store. Prepare to be amazed by the number of books, newspapers and publications available for free. In addition, more than 50,000 items can also be downloaded at no cost from Project Gutenberg, Feedbooks and other sources. A particular favorite is a site called "Now a Major Motion Picture!" Here you'll find dozens of free books that became popular movies.
Install Stanza, download a bunch of good books and curl up with your iPhone.
3: Social Networking: Twitterfon
When it comes to social networking, Twitter is one of the hottest sites around, and has become the online home for celebrities, politicians, sports figures and lots of folks like you and me.
Twitter is a simple concept. The key element of the site is the "tweet," a 140-character answer to the question "what are you doing?" If you care about what a certain person (tweeter?) is up to, you can follow them with a single click. It's a simple and fast way to keep up to date with friends, stars and even the White House.
Twitterfon is an easy to use app that enables you to read other people's tweets and send your own. It includes support for all major Twitter features, such as links and direct messaging. Using the iPhone as a Twitter machine somehow seems right, given the simplicity and speed of the site itself. Launch Twitterfon and see the latest entries instantly. Oh, and did we mention Twitterfon is free?
2: Relaxing: Karma Art
Let's say you've got some time to kill, or things are getting a bit tense. Imagine if your iPhone could help you relax and pass the time. And, you could create something fun to send a friend or your significant other. That's what Karma Art is all about. It's simple, fun and won't tax your tired brain. Not even a little.
Begin by choosing from eight background textures, and then add elements from categories such as transportation, people, animals, scenery, clouds and more. The developer promises many more design elements in future releases.
You can resize and move the design elements to your heart's desire. When you tilt the phone, the image automatically adjusts from portrait to landscape mode. Finally, pop up the on-screen keyboard, add a special message, save your artwork and e-mail it to someone important.
It's fun, it's easy and you don't have to know how to draw. Nice.
1: Reference: The World Factbook '09
What would take an iPhone app from release to number one in less than a week? How about the opportunity to have the world at your fingertips, or the chance to impress your friends with interesting information about Auckland, or a quick satellite view of Gabon? The World Factbook '09 shot up Apple's most popular paid application rankings fast, because it seemingly puts the whole world in your hands.
With detailed information on more than 250 countries and territories, you're sure to discover something interesting every time you launch the app. In addition to the basic information you would expect, such as population, imports/exports and land mass, the World Factbook '09 includes political information, military issues and up-to-date details on specific areas of the world whose status has not been resolved, such as the Middle East.
By linking directly with Google Maps, World Factbook '09 allows you view satellite images and maps of specific areas of interest in any country. This is a great app to have on hand when you're watching the news. And free updates are included, so you'll always have the latest facts on hand.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in What makes super glue so super?
What makes super glue so super?
It's no surprise that this actually happens -probably more often than you might think.
Super glue definitely deserves its name - a 1-square-inch bond can hold more than a ton. So, what if find yourself in a super-sticky situation?
The main ingredient in Super glue is cyanoacrylate (C5H5NO2, for you chemistry buffs). Cyanoacrylate is an acrylic resin that cures (forms its strongest bond) almost instantly. The only trigger it requires is the hydroxyl ions in water, which is convenient since virtually any object you might wish to glue will have at least trace amounts of water on its surface. Air also contains water in the form of humidity.
White glues, such as Elmer's, bond by solvent evaporation. The solvent in Elmer's all-purpose school glue is water. When the water evaporates, the polyvinylacetate latex that has spread into a material's crevices forms a flexible bond. Super glue, on the other hand, undergoes a process called anionic polymerization. The chemical process of polymerization produces a certain amount of heat. If a large enough amount of super glue makes contact with your skin, it can actually cause burns.
Cyanoacrylate molecules start linking up when they come into contact with water, and they whip around in chains to form a durable plastic mesh. The glue thickens and hardens until the thrashing molecular strands can no longer move.
How do I unstick my fingers?
Let's say you're repairing some broken pottery and before you can say "Whoops," you've glued your index finger to your thumb! The recommended first aid treatment for this is:
- Scrape off any excess glue. Don't use cloth or tissue -- a chemical reaction between the fabric and glue could potentially cause burns or smoke.
- Soak the bonded fingers in a bath of warm, soapy water.
- Don't try forcing the fingers apart, or you'll tear the skin.
- After soaking, use some kind of dull, rounded utensil to carefully wedge the fingers apart.
- If you see no immediate success with this, drop a little acetone (found in nail polish remover) on the area. Again try wedging the digits apart.
At first, the thought of someone getting Super glue on his or her mouth seems pretty outlandish. But, let's face it a lot of us have a bad habit of using our teeth to wrench or twist off particularly stubborn caps. Say you do that with the top of the tube of glue and, presto, you've given an entirely new meaning to the phrase "zip it." In order to unzip those lips, your options on what to do are a little more limited:
- Since you're dealing with an area on the face, do not use acetone.
- Using a wide coffee cup or bowl, immerse your mouth in hot water.
- You will also want to dampen the bonded skin from the inside of your mouth as much as possible.
- Once you sense a loosening of the grip, use a dull, rounded utensil to wedge your mouth open. Be careful not to force it, or you will tear the skin.
If you think cyanoacrylate's ability to repair broken knick-knacks is super, wait until you hear about its other tricks. An interesting application is the use of cyanoacrylate to close wounds in place of stitches. Researchers found that by changing the type of alcohol in super glue, from ethyl or methyl alcohol to butyl or octyl, the compound becomes less toxic to tissue. Physicians aren't the only health care providers using cyanacrylate as a pharmacological fixative for their patients. Veterinarians use it too.
Posted by Nirav Ashara in 5 Most Popular Honeymoon Spots in the World, Top 5s on Wednesday, May 6, 2009
5 Most Popular Honeymoon Spots in the World
5. Greece
If you want beautiful blue skies and sandy beaches, but crave a little history as well, then look no further than Greece for your honeymoon destination. Warm summers and mild winters combined with an average yearly rainfall of only 55 inches (1.39 meters) in Athens have made Greece a very popular choice for beachcombers who have been to the Caribbean one too many times [source: Greeka.com]. While you're there, you can book boat trips and overnight stays to some of the Greek Islands like Crete or Mykonos, or tour historic Athens, home t
o the Roman Forum and the Acropolis. Even if you aren't into sports, you'll probably appreciate touring Olympia, site of the first Olympic Games.
If you're into a more adventuresome trip, arrange for an ecotour. Biking and hiking trips are popular excursions, as is rock climbing. For a more relaxed activity, try a wine tour or take in some bird-watching. Greece is home to 11 wetlands and 190 bird-watching areas [source: Destination360.com]. If you want a more traditional trip and the ultimate in relaxation, you can still rent beach villas that are remote and far enough away from the tour buses and crowded beaches that you'll feel like you're in your own private world.
Mexico is a popular honeymoon spot for many Americans because of its proximity to the United States and the value it offers. Because of the location, plane flights to most destinations in Mexico can be had on the cheap with some advanced preparation. One advantage of a honeymoon is that it's usually planned out months in advance so you can take advantage of the best fairs. Mexico has some of the most popular resorts in Central America, so if your goal is to lie around by the pool or on the beach without lifting a finger, then it's a good option to explore.
Americans also get a good value for their dollar in Mexico. There are expensive resorts in areas like Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, but you can also get off the beaten path in Tulum and stay in an eco-resort. Some of these eco-villages house honeymooners in small thatch huts with electricity only available during certain hours of the day. That may sound like roughing it for some, but in return, you get secluded lodgings with the ocean's waves practically lapping at your screen door. Many of these eco-esorts also offer beach massages and excursions to swim in the warm springs or snorkel in some of Mexico's amazing cenotes -- underwater sinkholes popular with divers. Mexico is a varied country, so you can hit the beach, visit the interior jungles and mountains or if you want some nightlife, venture into Mexico City. The country's capital city has five-star luxury accommodations, some of the best food on Earth and plenty of history to take in.
3. Tahiti
Nothing says luxury and relaxation quite like French Polynesia. During the dry season, which runs from April to September, you'll encounter temperatures between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 28 Celsius), and it's unlikely you'll see much rain [source: Tahiti.com]. This makes Tahiti an ideal spot for honeymooners who want to enjoy maximum beach time. Like Greece, there are many surrounding islands if you want to plan an overnight boating trip. Bora Bora's famous lagoon is home to some of the best snorkeling in the world.
One reason Tahiti is such a great destination for honeymooners is that it's just far enough off the beaten path to make it less crowded than some of its island counterparts. Consider this -roughly 4.5 million tourists flock to the Hawaiian Islands each year, compared to a scant 200,000 in French Polynesia [source: Tahiti.net]. Tahitians are French citizens, with both French and Tahitian being spoken on the islands. Don't worry, though. Tourism accounts for about one-uarter of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), so you can bet you'll hear plenty of English. If you go to Tahiti, you can most likely use your American dollar, or you can exchange it for the French Pacific Franc (CFP), which has a fixed-exchange rate with the Euro of 119.33 CFP. The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar varies, and as of April 2009 was 89 CFP per one dollar.
2. Hawaii
Even before Hawaii was voted in as the 50th U.S. state in 1959, it was a popular vacation spot for regular folks and honeymooners alike. It held down the top spot in the Modern Brides magazine honeymoon destination poll for a solid decade until being unseeded in 2008. There are hundreds of islands that make up Hawaii over a 1,500-mile (2,400-kilometer) span in the Pacific Ocean, but the most popular three islands are Hawaii (The Big Island), O'ahu and Maui. Hawaii is home to a diverse ecosystem of jungles, mountains and beaches [source: 50states.com]. Like many of its island counterparts, you can have whatever kind of honeymoon you want in Hawaii. Luxurious resorts and beach villas can ensure five-star lodging and dining, or you can get off the tourist trail and rough it in an eco-resort.
Hawaii is also a great place to try out your more adventuresome side. Mountain biking, hiking, sea kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving, parasailing and volcano tours are just a few of the more popular excursions you can take part in on all of the islands. Hawaii is also home to some of the more scenic golf courses in the world, so both husband and wife can hit the links. And no honeymoon in Hawaii would be complete without attending a luau, a traditional Polynesian feast consisting of dance, Polynesian music and plenty of pork, poi and sweet potatoes -- just a few traditional Hawaiian dishes.
1. Italy
As the popular Dean Martin song goes, "When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore." Honeymooners eager to take in some of Europe's finest offerings need not look further than Italy. It's got a little something for everyone -- great food, wine, culture, nightlife, romance and history. Italy has enough cities of interest to merit a full few weeks to travel around, if time and your budget permits. You can start in Rome, site of the Colosseum, Spanish Steps, the Vatican and the Trevi Fountain. What's more romantic for a newly-wedded couple than casting a coin and wish into the same fountain that Audrey Hepburn did in the classic film "Roman Holiday"? But that's just one of more than 300 fountains in Rome [source: Independent.ie].
If you really want romance, head up to Venice and take a canal ride in a gondola or tour the cobblestone streets and take in the architecture. If you or your bride is a fashionista, you may want to check out the shopping in Milan. If you want to get off the road most traveled, take the time to head south to the island of Sicily where you can stay in converted farmhouses and eat food that went from garden to table in a matter of hours. Tuscany is another good bet for honeymooners looking for some privacy in a stay at a secluded mountain villa. Art lovers can't beat the museums of Florence, and you're guaranteed to get great food and wine anywhere you travel across Italy. The people of Italy are warm and welcoming -- just one of the many reasons it stands as the number one honeymoon spot.