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Showing posts from April, 2018

Heart transplant - pioneered in Groote Schuur, South Africa - the Awesome World of Things

Dr Chris Barnard performed the first human heart transplant at Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town South Africa. Barnard persisted with cardiac transplantation even though many other surgeons gave it up. The advent of ciclosporin, an immunosuppressant drug which reduces the activity of the immune system, and therefore the risk of organ rejection, was largely responsible for improving the results and the ability to do a successful of heart transplant. Find out more about the heart transplant over at LinkedIn here .

Mrs Ples - helped us locate the Cradle of Humankind (in my backyard) - the Awesome World of Things

Mrs Ples is a famous skull found in the Cradle of Humankind in South Africa by Dr. Robert Broom and John T. Robinson. Broom was a close associate of Raymond Dart, who is credited with the discovery of the Taung child. Dart’s assertion that humankind originated in Africa was further vindicated by the finding of Mrs Ples. Find out more about Mrs Ples over at LinkedIn her e .

Rackstuds - eliminating nuts from the data centre - the Awesome World of Things

Rackstuds are a replacement for cage nuts which are used to mount Information Technology, audio-visual, Security, and Telecommunications equipment in 19” racks. These are predominantly used and installed with data centres. Cage nuts have been used for many years and they are a struggle to insert, with a person having to deal with cut hands and fingers and losing a fair few down the back of racks. Rackstuds are a good alternative. Find out more about Rackstuds over at LinkedIn here .

References for data protection

What often happens is that when I'm researching a topic or come across an interesting article and I don't make a note of it it goes missing, Some time later I have to try and remember the article reference and google is not always perfect. So these reference lists I have here are for that purpose. I you want to contribute leave a comment. This is a bibliography of resources and articles for data protection (especially back and restore).

Modem - the unsung hero of the early days of the Internet - the Awesome World of Things

The first modems converted U.S. Air Force radar data into sounds and squawked them over phone lines. A receiver then translated the noises back into data. ("Modem" draws its name from the first letters of the words describing the process: MOdulation and DEModulation.) Transmission was slow until the late 1990s, when it hit 56 kbps, fast enough to learn that you've got mail . -  Popular Mechanics Find out more about modems over on LinkedIn here . 

Concrete - creating the structures of the modern world - the Awesome World of Things

From 50 things that made the modern economy by the BBC . Find out more at LinkedIn here .

Microphone - the gadget that changed music and the world - the Awesome World of Things

Though developed for use in the telephone, the microphone showed its full cultural force in music. Beginning in the 1920s the mic migrated into nightclubs and recording studios with dramatic results. For instance, it amplified the voice of the string bass, which bumped the tuba from jazz-combo lineups. But that's just a blip compared to the seismic shift that the microphone caused among vocalists. Early adopter Bing Crosby used the mic to develop a more natural and intimate singing style called crooning--and lo, the frontman (and woman) was born, eventually gaining iconic status thanks to a lineage that includes Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, James Brown and Mick Jagger. - Popular Mechanics Find out more about the microphone over at LinkedIn here .

Linux - the foundation on which a significant number of open source projects is built - the Awesome World of Things

In popular usage, “Linux” often refers to a group of operating system distributions built around the Linux kernel. In the strictest sense, though, Linux refers only to the presence of the kernel itself. To build out a full operating system, Linux distributions often include tooling and libraries from the GNU project and other sources. More developers have been using Linux recently to build and run mobile applications; it has also played a key role in the development of affordable devices.It is also a popular choice for for cloud computing. Find out more about Linux over at LinkedIn here .

Katana - the ancient art of making the perfect sword - the Awesome World of Things

For samurai , or military nobility, in pre-industrial Japan, a sword was more than a weapon: It was an extension of the soul. Two of the swords in this collection form a daisho ( meaning "big and small") set, comprised of a katana (which means "long sword ") and wakizashi (which means "side arm"). Find out more about the sword over at LinkedIn here .

Coelacanth - the living dinosaur known as old four legs - the Awesome World of Things

The coelacanth is a “living fossil”, because its fossils were found long before the actual discovery of a live specimen. The coelacanth is thought to have first evolved approximately 400 million years ago.  The fish has a foul taste and is inedible. The natural habitat of the fish is 120m below the surface of the ocean and has resulted in the death of numerous divers who have attempted to film it. The fish is associated with Dr JLB Smith who identified and confirmed the catch by fisherman Captain Hendrick Goosen and discovery by museum curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer. Find out more about the fish over at LinkedIn here .

Bungee jumping - trusting your life to elastic - the Awesome World of Things

Bungee jumping it's origins in the ancient ritual "Gkol" performed in the Pentecost Island in the Pacific Archipelago of Vanuatu. The legend says that in the village named Bunlap a man called Tamalie had a quarrel with his wi fe and she ran away and climbed a Banyan tree where she wrapped her ankles with liana vines. When Tamalie came up to her, the woman jumped from the tree and so did her husband not knowing what had his wife had done. So he died but the woman survived. The men of Bunlap were very impressed by this performance and they began to practise such jumps in case they got into similar situations. This practice transformed into a ritual for rich yam harvest and also for proving manhood. Find out more about Bungee jumping over at LinkedIn here .

CHANEL N° 5 - made famous by the iconic Marilyn Monroe - the Awesome World of Things

Marilyn is the sexiest women of all time. She died more than 4 years before I was born but yet she is the Cleopatra of our time. Her legendary seductiveness would have captured King David, like it did with Bathsheba. Was it because she appeared nude in the first edition of the self help magazine for men? Was it because she seduced Presidents? Was it because she left us young and beautiful? Marilyn was an enigma! Norma Jeane bleached her brunette hair a golden blonde and became Marilyn. She was intelligent and used her ability to charm, no doubt a very sensuous person. "Candle in the Wind" is a song with music and lyrics by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in honour of Marilyn Monroe. John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. This version of the song was released as a single and reached No. 1 in many countries, proving a much greater success than the original, officially being listed as the second best-sell

United Nations - established to facilitate world peace - the Awesome World of Things

The United Nations, also known as the UN, was founded after World War II to facilitate world peace by promoting cooperation in international security, economic development, social progress and human rights. It replaced the Le ague of Nations, which was established by Jan Smuts. Smuts was also prominent in the formation of the United Nations and wrote the preamble to the charter. Notably Smuts is the only person to sign not only both the charters of the League of Nations and the United Nations but also the peace treaties of the First and Second World Wars. Smuts was one of the most prominent South African statesmen of the 20th century of Boer decent.   Find out more about the UN over at LinkedIn here . 

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON - a meme 60 years in the making - the Awesome World of Things

Stuart Manley, who owns Barter Books in Alnwick, Northumberland, liked the red and white Second World War propaganda poster much that he framed it and hung it up in his shop. It is one of only two original prints known to have survived after the Government reconsidered releasing the poster and pulped the original print run. To his astonishment, Mr Manley was inundated with customers desperate to have a copy or buy the original. He decided to make and sell a facsimile version and, since then, has sold over 40,000 copies alongside hundreds of mugs, T-shirts, mouse mats, tea towels and postcards. - The Telegraph Find out more about the poster over at LinkedIn here .

Gibraltar - still reigned over by the British because the monkeys are still there - the Awesome World of Things

Gibraltar is a Br itish overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. One of the earliest British Governors of Gibraltar was the scot Major General Roger Elliot who wa s not only famous for keeping the territory British but also took on the whole French army in an earlier battle with only two regiments. Gibraltar is known for it’s Barbary Macaques which are resident wild monkeys. A myth is that should these monkeys ever leave the territory then the British reign will also end. This myth so concerned Winston Churchill during the Second World War that he gave special instructions to ensure their survival. Elliot is a famous member of the clan Elliot to which I belong.   Find out more about Gibraltar over on LinkedIn here . 

23 of the best places to see in South Africa

South Africa celebrates Freedom Day on April 27 -- a commemoration of the first post-apartheid elections held on that day in 1994.   To honor the occasion, we've put together images of the best places to see in the Rainbow Nation. Click through the gallery for an eyeful of the best South Africa has to offer.

Kreepy Krauly - the gadget from Mzanzi that's taken over the world's pools - the Awesome World of Things

The first swimming pool vacuum cleaner was invented by a hydraulics engineer, Ferdinand Chauvier in South Africa. He eventually creating one that would do the job automatically, powered by the operation of the pool's filter and marketed his product under the name Kreepy Krauly. Find out more about the Kreepy Krauly by viewing the full article that was published over on LinkedIn: Kreepy Krauly - the gadget from Mzanzi that's taken over the world's pools - the Awesome World of Things

Data centre - the engine room of the Internet - the Awesome World of Things

A data center is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It generally includes redundant or backup power supplies (including diesel generators), redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression) and various security devices. Find out more about data centres over at LinkedIn here .

Computer bug - when software fails - the Awesome World of Things

In the good old days Grace Hopper was one of the pioneering problem managers. The term debugging was named by her, after a moth entangled itself in a relay. The first bug report is reproduced here to the right. Find out more about computer bugs over at LinkedIn here .

Mainframe - when it doubt use a Big Iron - the Awesome World of Things

Mainframe computers , commonly known as the Big Iron, are computers used primarily by large organizations for critical applications; bulk data processing, such as census, industry and consumer statistics, enterprise resource planning; and transaction processing. They are larger and have more processing power than any other class of computer. The term mainframe specifically refers to computers that can support thousands of applications and input/output devices to simultaneously serve thousands of users. Read more about the mainframe over at LinkedIn here .

Kevlar - a material that makes certain you never have a puncture ever again - the Awesome World of Things

Kwolek was a DuPont chemist who invented Kevlar, the lightweight, stronger-than-steel fiber used in bulletproof vests and other body armor around the world. A pioneer as a woman in a mostly male field, Kwolek made the breakthrough while working on specialty fibers at a DuPont laboratory in Wilmington, Delaware. At the time, DuPont was looking for strong, lightweight fibers that could replace steel in automobile tires and improve fuel economy. Find out more about Kevlar over at LinkedIn here .

Boomslang - the deadliest snake in the world from South Africa - the Awesome World of Things

The name ‘boomslang’ is Afrikaans for ‘tree snake’. The snake is usually found in trees and shrubs, hence the name boomslang. The snake is active during the day and feeds on birds, nestlings, frogs, lizards and occasionally on small mammals. Find out more about the boomslang over at LinkedIn here .

Underwater waterfall at Mauritius Island where the Dodo once roamed - the Awesome World of Things

Just off the island of Mauritius there a waterfall under the ocean's surface. Strong currents force sand from the shores into the chasm. Lying off the south-west corner of the island lies this most stunning of natural phenomenons - is actually one of nature’s optical illusions. Find out more about the underwater waterfall and the Dodo over at LinkedIn here .

Johnnie Walker - just keep walking - the Awesome World of Things

Johnnie Walker's premium blend with no age statement is Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Blue is blended to recreate the character and taste of some of the earliest whisky blends created in the 19th century. Bottles are numbered serially and sold in a silk-lined box accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. It is one of the most expensive blended Scotches on the market. Find out more about Johnnie Walker over at LinkedIn here .

Tullamore D.E.W. - triple distilled and triple blended - the Awesome World of Things

Tullamore D.E.W. is a brand of Irish whiskey produced by William Grant & Sons. It is the second largest selling brand of Irish whiskey globally, with sales of nearly one million cases per annum. Find out more about Tullamore D.E.W. over at LinkedIn here .

Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família - the church that has taken more than a hundred years to build - the Awesome World of Things

Sagrada Família is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Gaudí became involved in 1883 and used his own architectural and engineering style, which combined Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. At the time of his death less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família's construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project's greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí's death. Find about more about the Church over at LinkedIn here .

Tomato - the food of the French Revolution - the Awesome World of Things

The tomato which is native to the Americas was first cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas as early as 700 A.D. It is presumed that the tomato found its' way across the Atlantic following the Spanish conquests of Mexico. The name "tomat o" derives from "tomatl," its name in Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec people. Tomatoes are related to the deadly nightshade, a poisonous plant which has been used as both a hallucinogenic drug and a beauty aid in Europe. Also know via the Latin name of "belladonna", meaning beautiful woman, it was used in the medieval courts of Europe where ladies would apply a few drops of nightshade extract to their eyes to dilate their pupils, a look considered most fashionable at the time. During the French Revolution in addition to beheading aristocrats, the patriotic Republican citizens of Paris would wear red caps as a mark of faith in the Republic. A zealous chef suggested that the mobs should eat red food to de

The Golden Gate Bridge - the bridge that couldn't be built - the Awesome World of Things

Each of the bridge's two main cables is made of 27,572 strands of wire. Often referred to as "the bridge that couldn't be built," the Golden Gate Bridge crosses the stretch of water nicknamed "the Golden Gate" by gold prospectors heading to the Californian hills. Prior to 1937, San Francisco was America's largest city but its growth rate was slow compared to others, due to the lack of a link with other communities around the bay. The size of the strait (2,042 meters wide) combined with strong winds and regular earthquakes led many construction experts to say a bridge couldn't be built. The solution? Huge amounts of concrete, 128,747 kilometres of wire housed inside two cables, 600,000 rivets and a whole lot of hard work.   Find out more about the Golden Gate bridge over at LinkedIn here .

Black box - solving countless air crash investigations - the awesome World of Things

The black box is also known as a flight data recorder . The Internet of Things (IoT) allows any device, equipment or vehicle to have a black box to track its operations. Find out more about the black box over at LinkedIn here .