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New Zealand Wind Energy Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2013

The report provides detailed analysis and forecasts of the global wind power market and the New Zealand wind market in particular. It also helps in analyzing and forecasting key metrics relating to the installed capacities, market size and growth. The report facilitates to understand onshore and offshore market in New Zealand. It provides information relating to the major wind farms onshore and offshore projects and also the upcoming projects in New Zealand. The report helps to comprehend the wind turbine industry and the regulatory framework regarding the wind market in New Zealand. It offers interesting results on the market share of the top manufacturers in the New Zealand wind turbine industry. Additionally, it also provides ten profiles of the major wind turbine companies in New Zealand. The report also provides trends and analysis of investments in the New Zealand wind power market as well as deal summary and news flow for the last 6 months. On an all, it helps an investor to gauge the market and technological development of the New Zealand wind market.

Scope

-Global Wind Market Analysis
-New Zealand Wind Market Overview, Market Size and Growth
-Predict and forecast future wind industry trends in New Zealand
-Key policies and regulatory framework supporting the New Zealand Wind Market
-Identify growth segments and opportunities in the New Zealand Wind Industry
-New Zealand Wind Turbine Industry and the leading players in the New Zealand wind market
-Key details regarding the active and upcoming wind projects in New Zealand

Reasons to buy

-Gain the most up to date and in-depth information on New Zealand wind power market
-Analyzes the New Zealand Wind Turbine Industry
-Identify the key growth and investment opportunities within New Zealand market based on the deal analysis
-Facilitate decision-making based on strong historic and forecast data, deal analysis and recent developments
-Develop strategies based on the latest operational and regulatory events in New Zealand
-Rapidly help to prepare more detailed and effective planning materials
-Understand and respond to your competitors’ business structure, strategy and prospects
-Do deals with an understanding of how competitors are financed, and the mergers and partnerships that have shaped the market
-Identify and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the leading wind companies in New Zealand

Table of Contents :

1.1 List of Tables 10
1.2 List of Figures 12
2 New Zealand Wind Power Industry 13
2.1 New Zealand Power Market 13
2.1.1 New Zealand Power Market, Overview 13
2.1.2 New Zealand Power Market, Installed Capacity by Fuel Type, 2008 13
2.2 New Zealand Renewable Power Market 14
2.2.1 New Zealand Renewable Power Market, Overview 14
2.2.2 New Zealand, Renewable Power Market, Installed Capacity by Fuel Type, 2008 15
2.2.3 New Zealand, Renewable Power Market, Growth by Fuel Type, 2001-08 16
2.3 New Zealand Wind Power Market, Size and Growth, 2001-13 17
2.3.1 New Zealand, Cumulative Installed Capacity, 2001-13 17
2.3.2 New Zealand Wind Power Generation, 2001-13 18
2.4 New Zealand, Wind Farm ownership Structure, 2008 19
2.5 New Zealand Wind Power Market, Installed Capacity by Regions, 2008 20
3 New Zealand Wind Turbine Market 22
3.1 New Zealand Wind Turbine Market, Annual Value Forecast, 2003-13 22
3.2 New Zealand Wind Turbine Market, Manufacturers Share, 2008 23
3.3 New Zealand Wind Turbine Market, Average Wind Turbine Size, 2001-08 24
3.4 New Zealand Wind Turbine Market, Classification of Installed Turbines, 2008 24
4 New Zealand Wind Energy Projects 26
4.1 Active Wind Farms Summary 26
4.2 Under Construction Wind Farms Summary 26
4.3 Planned Wind Farms Summary 27
5 New Zealand Wind Energy Regulatory Framework 29
5.1 New Zealand Renewable Energy Regulatory Framework, Overview 29
5.1.1 The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000 29
5.1.2 New Zealand Energy Strategy to 2050 29
5.1.3 Biofuels Sales Obligation 30
5.1.4 Promotion of Uptake of Renewable Electricity 30
5.1.5 Renewable Regulation Issues 31
5.2 New Zealand Wind Power Regulatory Framework 32
5.2.1 New Zealand Wind Power Regulatory Framework, Overview 32
5.2.2 Government Policy Statement on Electricity Governance (GPS) 32
5.2.3 Electricity Act 1992 32
5.2.4 Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) 33
5.2.5 Projects to Reduce Emissions (PRE) 33
5.2.6 Distributed Generation Regulations 34
6 Enercon GmbH, Company Overview 35
6.1 Key Information 35
6.2 Company Overview 35
6.3 Business Description 35
6.3.1 Business Overview 35
6.4 Major Products and Services 36
6.4.1 Overview 36
6.5 History 37
6.6 SWOT Analysis 38
6.6.1 Overview 38
6.6.2 Enercon GmbH Strengths 39
6.6.3 Enercon GmbH Weaknesses 40
6.6.4 Enercon GmbH Opportunities 41
6.6.5 Enercon GmbH Threats 42
6.7 Competitors 43
6.8 Key Employees 43
6.9 Locations and Subsidiaries 43
6.9.1 Head Office 43
6.9.2 Other Locations & Subsidiaries 44
7 Vestas Wind Systems A/S, Company Overview 46
7.1 Key Information 46
7.2 Company Overview 46
7.3 Financial Performance 46
7.4 Business Description 46
7.4.1 Business Overview 46
7.4.2 Production and Sales of Wind Turbines 47
7.5 History 49
7.6 Business Strategy 53
7.6.1 Mission Statement 53
7.6.2 Strategy 54
7.6.3 Key Strategies 54
7.6.4 Corporate Social Responsibility 54
7.7 SWOT Analysis 55
7.7.1 Overview 55
7.7.2 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Strengths 56
7.7.3 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Weaknesses 58
7.7.4 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Opportunities 59
7.7.5 Vestas Wind Systems A/S Threats 61
7.8 Competitors 62
7.9 Revenue Analysis 62
7.9.1 Revenue by Segment 62
7.9.2 Revenue by Geography 62
7.10 Share Holding Structure 63
7.11 Key Employees 64
7.12 Key Employee Biographies 64
7.13 Company Statement 66
7.14 Locations and Subsidiaries 68
7.14.1 Head Office 68
7.14.2 Other Locations & Subsidiaries 69
8 Windflow Technology Limited, Company Overview 70
8.1 Key Information 70
8.2 Company Overview 70
8.3 Financial Performance 70
8.4 Business Description 70
8.4.1 Business Overview 70
8.5 Major Products and Services 71
8.5.1 Overview 71
8.6 History 72
8.7 SWOT Analysis 73
8.7.1 Overview 73
8.7.2 Windflow Technology Limited Strengths 74
8.7.3 Windflow Technology Limited Weaknesses 75
8.7.4 Windflow Technology Limited Opportunities 76
8.7.5 Windflow Technology Limited Threats 77
8.8 Competitors 78
8.9 Key Employees 78
8.10 Key Employee Biographies 78
8.11 Company Statement 79
8.12 Locations and Subsidiaries 83
8.12.1 Head Office 83
9 Meridian Energy Limited, Company Overview 84
9.1 Key Information 84
9.2 Company Overview 84
9.3 Financial Performance 84
9.4 Business Description 84
9.4.1 Business Overview 84
9.5 Major Products and Services 86
9.5.1 Overview 86
9.6 SWOT Analysis 86
9.6.1 Overview 86
9.6.2 Meridian Energy Limited Strengths 87
9.6.3 Meridian Energy Limited Weaknesses 88
9.6.4 Meridian Energy Limited Opportunities 89
9.6.5 Meridian Energy Limited Threats 90
9.7 Competitors 91
9.8 Key Employees 91
9.9 Key Employee Biographies 91
9.10 Company Statement 92
9.11 Locations and Subsidiaries 97
9.11.1 Head Office 97
10 TrustPower Limited, Company Overview 98
10.1 Key Information 98
10.2 Company Overview 98
10.3 Financial Performance 98
10.4 Major Products and Services 98
10.4.1 Overview 98
10.5 History 99
10.6 SWOT Analysis 99
10.6.1 Overview 99
10.7 TrustPower Limited Strengths 100
10.7.1 Improving Financial Performance 100
10.7.2 Strong Clean Power Generation Assets Base 100
10.8 TrustPower Limited Weaknesses 101
10.8.1 Reliance on New Zealand Market 101
10.9 TrustPower Limited Opportunities 102
10.9.1 Business Expansion of Telecommunication Sector 102
10.9.2 Growing Environmental Concerns 102
10.9.3 Rise in the New Zealand Electricity Demand 102
10.10 TrustPower Limited Threats 103
10.10.1 Highly Competitive Environment 103
10.10.2 Change in Weather Conditions 103
10.10.3 Need for Substantial Grid Infrastructure Investments 103
10.11 Competitors 104
10.12 Key Employees 104
10.13 Key Employee Biographies 104
10.14 Company Statement 105
10.15 Locations and Subsidiaries 109
10.15.1 Head Office 109
11 NZ Windfarms Limited, Company Overview 110
11.1 Key Information 110
11.2 Company Overview 110
11.3 Financial Performance 110
11.4 Business Description 110
11.4.1 Business Overview 110
11.5 Major Products and Services 111
11.5.1 Overview 111
11.6 History 112
11.7 SWOT Analysis 113
11.7.1 Overview 113
11.7.2 NZ Windfarms Limited Strengths 114
11.7.3 NZ Windfarms Limited Weaknesses 115
11.7.4 NZ Windfarms Limited Opportunities 116
11.7.5 NZ Windfarms Limited Threats 118
11.8 Key Employees 119
11.9 Key Employee Biographies 119
11.10 Company Statement 120
11.11 Locations and Subsidiaries 122
11.11.1 Head Office 122
12 Genesis Energy, Company Overview 123
12.1 Key Information 123
12.2 Company Overview 123
12.3 Financial Performance 123
12.4 Business Description 123
12.4.1 Business Overview 123
12.5 Major Products and Services 125
12.5.1 Overview 125
12.6 History 126
12.7 SWOT Analysis 128
12.7.1 Overview 128
12.7.2 Genesis Energy Strengths 129
12.7.3 Genesis Energy Weaknesses 130
12.7.4 Genesis Energy Opportunities 131
12.7.5 Genesis Energy Threats 132
12.8 Competitors 133
12.9 Key Employees 133
12.10 Key Employee Biographies 133
12.11 Company Statement 134
12.12 Locations and Subsidiaries 136
12.12.1 Head Office 136
12.12.2 Other Locations & Subsidiaries 136
13 Financial Deals Landscape 137
13.1 Detailed Deal Summary 137
13.1.1 Debt Offerings 137
13.1.2 Asset Transactions 138
14 Recent Developments 139
14.1 New Projects 139
14.1.1 Apr 17, 2008: New Zealand Plans to Build Wind Farm in Antarctica 139
14.2 Operations Updates 139
14.2.1 Dec 23, 2008: Meridian Receives Equipment for Its West Wind Farm Project 139
14.2.2 Dec 08, 2008: RES NZ Revises Its Puketiro Wind Farm Project 140
14.2.3 Apr 29, 2008: NZ Windfarms Updates on Te Rere Hau Wind Farm 140
14.3 Financial Announcements 141
14.3.1 Oct 02, 2008: Meridian Reports Fiscal 2008 Results 141
14.3.2 Aug 27, 2008: Vector Reports Fiscal 2008 Results 142
14.3.3 May 16, 2008: TrustPower Declares Fiscal 2008 Results 144
14.3.4 May 16, 2008: TrustPower Declares Final Dividend 146
14.3.5 Mar 25, 2008: Meridian Reports H1 Fiscal 2008 Results 147
14.3.6 Feb 27, 2008: NZ Windfarms Reports H1 Fiscal 2008 Results 148
14.3.7 Feb 14, 2008: Vector Reports 1H Fiscal 2008 Results 151
14.3.8 Feb 14, 2008: Vector Declares Interim Dividend 152
14.4 Strategy and Business Planning 152
14.4.1 Dec 22, 2008: TrustPower Receives Consents from Environment Court for 200 MW Mahinerangi Wind Farm 152
14.4.2 Nov 26, 2008: WEL Receives Approval from Environment Court for Te Uku Wind Park 153
14.4.3 Nov 25, 2008: NWF Files for Approval to Build Wind Farm in Clutha 153
14.4.4 Jul 21, 2008: Contact Energy Investigates Waitahora Wind Farm Project 154
14.4.5 Jun 25, 2008: Contact Energy Withdraws Its Environment Court Appeal of Meridian’s Project Hayes Wind Farm 154
14.4.6 May 30, 2008: Wel Networks Granted Consent for Setting up Wind Farm in New Zealand 155
14.4.7 Mar 18, 2008: Mighty River to Monitor Wind Potential of Puketoi Range 156
14.4.8 Jan 30, 2008: Meridian to Develop Wind Farm in Ohariu Valley in Wellington 156
14.4.9 Jan 28, 2008: Windpower Maungatua Plans to Build Wind Farm near Dunedin in New Zealand 157
14.5 Government and Public Interest 157
14.5.1 Apr 17, 2008: New Zealand Plans to Build Wind Farm in Antarctica 157
14.6 Other Significant Developments 158
14.6.1 Sep 29, 2008: Greater Wellington Regional Council to Cancel Permission for Three Turbines in Puketiro Wind Farm 158
14.6.2 Sep 05, 2008: Vector Announces Executive Changes 159
14.6.3 Sep 05, 2008: Vector Appoints Group General Manager, Commercial 159
14.6.4 Sep 02, 2008: Mights River Updates on Turitea Wind Farm Development Project 160
14.6.5 Sep 01, 2008: Contact Energy Files Consent Application for Waitahora Wind Farm in New Zealand 160
14.6.6 May 13, 2008: Vector Appoints CFO and General Manager 161
14.6.7 Apr 22, 2008: Vector Appoints New Group General Manager 161
14.6.8 Apr 09, 2008: Meridian Names New CEO 162
14.6.9 Feb 13, 2008: Vector Appoints New CEO 162
14.6.10 Jan 29, 2008: Vector Announces Management Changes 163
15 Appendix 164
15.1 Methodology 164
15.2 About GlobalData 164
15.3 Contact Us 164
15.4 Disclaimer 164

For more information, please visit :

http://www.aarkstore.com/reports/New-Zealand-Wind-Energy-Market-Analysis-and-Forecasts-to-2013-12682.html

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How To Uninstall And Remove Weather Channel Desktop?

Are you in a need to completely uninstall and remove Weather Channel Desktop but you really having no idea how to do it? If so, you are not alone.

Most of the time, when you try to uninstall and remove Weather Channel Desktop in the add/remove programs list entering from the Control Panel, you may not find it there. So it does not permit you to delete it. Even though you have uninstalled it, it still may start up automatically when you log on. Then you have to disable it from task manager each time you log on. Does it sound frustrating? This is because the registry entries and the Weather Channel Desktop related files respectively remain hidden in the nooks and corners of your registry and hard drives.

Then I’ve setup a step-by-step Weather Channel Desktop  removal plan for you so you can conduct the removal as soon as possible.

However, whether you want to remove this program, note that this will result in no protection for your PC. Then be very carefully when browsing the internet.

Method 1 Uninstall and remove Weather Channel Desktop manually

1. Locate and remove Weather Channel Desktop by deleting the related files, a trained software professional would better do this job.

2. Eliminate the registry entries if you can.

3. Delete connected directions.

By doing a quick search via the Internet, you can find out what files and registry entries need to be deleted. But this removal is only recommended for computer experts, for deleting the wrong file or registry key may render Windows unbootable.

Method 2 Uninstall and remove Weather Channel Desktop automatically

There is a much simpler and safer way to conduct this removal, and what you need is a security tool removal tool. This tool can uninstall the program firstly, and then it scans your registry and your hard drives to find and delete all the files that related to the program, easily and effectively.

There is actually a fantastic removal tool that can help you remove Weather Channel Desktop completely with great success and make sureall the now-defunct Registry entries and related files are eliminated automatically with a few clicks.

Vision Techniques enjoys success during 2010 exhibition season

Vision Techniques have been busy during the spring and summer months on a nationwide roadshow tour, exhibiting the very latest in vehicle & mobile reversing safety solutions at 8 Waste Industry focused events.

“In a climate which is still incredibly tough, the events provided us (Vision Techniques) a perfect platform to launch our latest range of innovative mobile safety solutions specifically designed to meet the growing needs of the waste industry” Says David Williams, sales manager at Vision Techniques.

Vision Techniaues latest developments included VT Live – the very latest in vehicle based recording systems and ‘Zone-Safe II‘ a waste vehicle security and management system offering safety and huge savings.

There was also live demonstrations of their pioneering Dual camera system with automatic lens cleaning shutter – which aids safe reversing.  The clever cleaning mechanism means no more climbing on the back of the vehicle to clean the camera

David described where the roadshow took the vehicle safety company, “Our tour started in March in South Wales supporting the joint Geesink Norba and CIWM Food Waste Seminar at Geesink’s impressive production facility in Llantrisant.  From here, we headed east to support CIWM’s East Anglia Centre Meeting & AGM at Donarbon Waste Management’s striking new facility on the outskirts of Cambridge.”

“Next, we travelled 450 miles south to exhibit at Dennis Eagle’s two day event at Pro-drive in Warwickshire – over 300 visitors attended and were presented with the opportunity to show-off their skills with some adrenalin pumping racing around the circuit (and that was just in the dust-carts!)” said David.

The last week of May saw Vision Techniques exhibiting at the inaugural Hopkinsons Fairdeals Show at their HQ near Goole; combining with the CIWM’s North East Centre meeting, the results of this first event gave encouragement to most who attended, to ensure continued growth next year.

Into June where the first port of call for VT was Paignton for the second PAWRS Exhibition – a steady footfall of visitors enjoyed 3 decent days of weather following a terrific storm on ‘set-up Monday’!

David added, “We then descended onto the capital for the second Futuresource Exhibition at London ExCel; it didn’t really matter what the weather did here although many of the visitors and exhibitors took advantage of the late afternoon sun, networking at The Fox!”

‘our nationwide roadshow tour finally ended in North Yorkshire in mid July at the Annual Londonderry Garage Exhibition which is proving to be one of the most popular regional shows around dedicated to the waste & refuse sector.”

For further details on Vision Techniques please visit, www.vision-techniques.com

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Rajasthan local news from dependable news websites – a brief

These online news sites aggregate local news from thousands and hundreds of vernacular as well national news sources and present platform for enlightening discussion on local issues.

A latest analysis of the market has revealed that readers choose to read local news covered by local journalists in contrast to the news content created for their market by a distant source. Today there are a number of news sites, which have for this purpose engaged a team of local journalists.

The news sites endeavor to deliver information as per the expectation of the readers and attempt to reach out to millions of others by providing informative news content. The primary focus of all these sites is on the Rajasthan local news. Be it about Rajasthan Lok Sabha elections, Gujjar agitation, performance of the Rajasthan Royals, ONGC’s bid to gas exploration in Jaisalmer basin, Welfare schemes in Rajasthan, Omaxe deal, or death of peacocks in the in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and the Shekhawati belt. The detail demands attention by virtue of its wholesomeness and purity of news.

The feature stories are continuously updated. These sites also make available searchable archives of news stories and provide political insights.

They are led by teams of qualified and proficient journalists. The teams comprise of editors, designers, news writers, photographers, producers, technologists and others as well as scholastic associates and members from the civil societies of Rajasthan.

Besides Rajasthan local news, theses sites also bring the most up-to-date breaking news articles and information about weather, business, entertainment, politics, and more. The editorials of these news sites provide articulate discussions on the current local issues. Many of these portals carry along complementary sections containing entertainment and sports news and analysis, besides book and film reviews.

More Weather News Articles

Rajasthan local news from dependable news websites – a brief

These online news sites aggregate local news from thousands and hundreds of vernacular as well national news sources and present platform for enlightening discussion on local issues.

A latest analysis of the market has revealed that readers choose to read local news covered by local journalists in contrast to the news content created for their market by a distant source. Today there are a number of news sites, which have for this purpose engaged a team of local journalists.

The news sites endeavor to deliver information as per the expectation of the readers and attempt to reach out to millions of others by providing informative news content. The primary focus of all these sites is on the Rajasthan local news. Be it about Rajasthan Lok Sabha elections, Gujjar agitation, performance of the Rajasthan Royals, ONGC’s bid to gas exploration in Jaisalmer basin, Welfare schemes in Rajasthan, Omaxe deal, or death of peacocks in the in Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and the Shekhawati belt. The detail demands attention by virtue of its wholesomeness and purity of news.

The feature stories are continuously updated. These sites also make available searchable archives of news stories and provide political insights.

They are led by teams of qualified and proficient journalists. The teams comprise of editors, designers, news writers, photographers, producers, technologists and others as well as scholastic associates and members from the civil societies of Rajasthan.

Besides Rajasthan local news, theses sites also bring the most up-to-date breaking news articles and information about weather, business, entertainment, politics, and more. The editorials of these news sites provide articulate discussions on the current local issues. Many of these portals carry along complementary sections containing entertainment and sports news and analysis, besides book and film reviews.

Tsunami weather garage door seals

Barrier Reef prepares for a cyclone

With cyclone Hamish circling nearby, thousands of vacationers have been evacuated from locations such as Fraser Island and other popular tourist resorts as central Queensland braces for the inevitable impact. Hervey Bay residents are being urged to leave their homes before the devastating winds and heavy cyclonic rains hit the region. 10,000 residents from the low-lying danger zones between Burrium Heads and River Heads are being warned to evacuate the area as the category 4 cyclone heads in on a similar path to the devastating cyclone Wanda which caused untold damage in 1974.  And once again, the potential hazard of main escape routes being cut off are very real dangers for the residents in the region. The 1974 Wanda claimed numerous lives and devastated over 6000 properties, homes and garages.  These are but a few of the ever increasing climatic disasters that mother nature is currently casting over the planet. 2007 brought us a Tsunami in Asia, 2008 the New Orleans’ hurricanes. Where will it all end? What has brought about these new natural disasters? Global warming some say. Just mother nature doing her weather work say others.  Experts predict that as the climate changes over the planet, so will our weather patterns. These weather patterns such as cyclones and hurricanes will increase further still. One thing is for certain though, houses, garages left un-sealed (without proper sealing) or unlocked suffered the worst devastation in the majority of these floods. Securing the thresholds of your house and garage, which includes locking-down movable items is of paramount importance in saving your house and garage from total devastation. If you can seal the house and garage areas against water intrusion, you will have done half the job, experts agree. Most doors and windows already have some water resistant sealing against water surge (check with your manufacturer). But what about the garage? Does anyone think about garage sealing and flooding? Most front garage doors have little or no threshold sealing at all, allowing in, not only the water from heavy rains and floods but also dirt grime and other undesirables. Another factor that people do not realize, is the cold weather fronts in some parts of the world that will reduce overall house temperature insulation that will end up costing you more money in heating and electricity bills. The Garage Door Threshold Seal gives your garage door a tight seal, which will prevent water, leaves, dirt, and snow from being forced under the garage door.  Also, for those who have a sloped driveways or uneven garage floors, the Door Seal will add a 1/2″ (2cm) high barrier to the garage floor. This in turn will not only seal the garage to an almost airtight condition, but the Door Seal will also help keep out unwanted creatures and even snakes! By having a better seal to your garage, will also protect your house against the weather, your house will stay warmer during the winter or cooler during the summer, helping you keep those energy costs down. One such company that produces garage doors seal strips is Auto Products Company Ltd, they carry the Door Seals line in the available gray, brown and black to match with any colour scheme of your home. Don’t wait for disaster to happen, get prepared, get ready.

Rainbows, Moonbows and the Alexander Dark Band Effect

Driving over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on a stormy afternoon recently, the sun broke through momentarily and a brilliant double rainbow formed, arcing east over the city toward the sea. The clouds behind were nigh on black so the twin bows stood out starkly against this background.

We are all familiar with this glorious phenomenon of nature and appreciate them from the time when we were kids and marveled the first time we saw one. My mind turned to thinking about them when at sea when most times they are more spectacular than when on land.

The first thing to notice about twin bows is that the colour spectrum of the outer one is the reverse to the inner one – this is a result of the refraction process. The lesser known thing is that the band in between the two bows is slightly darker and appears to flatten out the colour of the background clouds. This is known as the ‘Alexander Dark Band’, the ‘Alexander Band’ or the ‘Alexander Effect’. Alexander of Aphrodisius was the first to describe this effect way back in 200AD and today it carries his name.

Because the raindrops have already been refracted to form the reflected second rainbow, all the rain in between cannot reflect any light to the observer, so that band appears darker. Next time you see a double rainbow take a close look and you will see the ‘Alexander Dark Band’ effect which also tends to flatten out the colour in that banded area.

This brings us to the far more rare phenomenon of a Moonbow. They are observed far less frequently and to view a good one, very rare indeed. The cause and structure is identical to a rainbow except that they occur at night using the light from the moon. They look exactly the same as a rainbow except they are in black and white and grey, no colour. Having observed a near flawless exhibition (see extract below) in a South Seas squall, I can confirm this. The bands are quite sharply delineated in their various shades of grey, dark to light, but no colour. This is because night light does not have sufficient strength to activate the human eye colour cone receptors.

To find more technical data on these fascinating and spectacular natural manifestations you can go to http://www.atoptics.co.uk

Meanwhile, the following is an extract from my ebook ‘Voyage of the Little Ship ‘Tere Moana’ downloadable from my sailboat2adventure website for sailors:

‘………..It is on one such other similar moonlit night watch, the captain, glancing over his shoulder into a disappearing rain squall is transfixed by a rare sight. There, sitting dead centre of the fast retreating raindrops, and between them and the moon behind him, is a perfect Moonbow. This rare phenomenon is created exactly the same way as a daytime rainbow with this particular one forming a perfect hoop from sea surface to sea surface, absolute even brightness all the way round, with the bands quite distinctly separated.

They are not in colour, just various shades of grey matching the daytime rainbow band sequence. Night light has not sufficient strength to activate the colour cone receptors of the human eye so they don’t recognise colour. Staring with wonder, it goes through the captains’ mind to rouse the others, but rather selfishly decides to let them sleep on. If he woke them and they were anything less impressed than he, then it would diminish his own satisfaction and fulfillment of witnessing one of natures’ marvels – what a privilege to view this unique spectacle.’

You can read more about weather patterns, reading and interpreting the weather whilst cruising/passagemaking in my ebook ‘Voyage of the Little Ship ‘Tere Moana’ downloadable from my sailboat2adventure website.

Jamaica Weather

The Jamaican weather is undisputedly incredible which makes the island an all year holiday paradise. With average temperatures in the winter ranging from 22 – 31°C and in the summer a maximum of 29-34°C it is always just perfect for the occasion. Regardless of when you choose to visit Jamaica, there will be tropical warm temperatures waiting you. Whenever you choose to visit you are essentially guarantee a wonderful vacation.

There is no significant difference in temperature throughout the island; however it differs slightly in rainfall volume in different sections. The mountainous areas tend to get a lot more rain fall in contrast to the planes. Consequently, places such as Port Antonio on the north eastern end of the island in the vicinity of the Blue and John Crow Mountains receive more rainfall than other places. The south side of Jamaica gets the least rainfall but with good measure.

The Jamaican local city or town weather prediction pose quite a challenge for the forecasters. It could be raining heavily where one is but just 5 kilometers away it is sunny, dry and without a hint of gray. Though the average annual rainfall is about 48.5 inches, accumulation varies significantly across the island. Generally, showers are short, intense and followed by sunshine. The driest period is between Novembers to the end of April. The rainy season is from May to October yet still dry enough for a splendid vacation.

Jamaica lays within the hurricane belt. As perilous as this may sound it is not that horrific. The Caribbean hurricane season is between June and November and has brought lots of attention to this area each year. However, because of its location Jamaica has being very privileged not to be battered often. The hurricanes usually form between the eastern end of the Caribbean and off the African west coast. These hurricanes have the tendency to travel in a north westerly direction. Given that Jamaica is located on the western side of the Caribbean by time the storms get close they are already too far north to pose any serious concerns. Another important factor also is the size of Jamaica. The smaller the target the harder it is for a direct hit. This is evident in the many times Cuba and Florida have been hit directly.

The last direct batter Jamaica had was hurricane was Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 and the previous one was hurricane Charley in 1951. Another reason not to panic is that with the current technology that is available we can predict hurricane paths accurately and I can assure you there will be enough time to get out of the way safely.

The TRUTH Behind The History Of Softball

The history of softball. Have you ever wondered where it all began.

I can tell you that softball originated from Chicago, on Thanksgiving Day, 1887. After a group of about twenty young men had gathered in a Boat Club, to hear the outcome of a football game. After the winner was announced,  a man picked up a boxing glove left on the side and threw it at someone…who then hit it away with a pole.

A man named George Hancock is known in the history of softball, as the man who shouted, “Let’s play ball!” He tied the boxing glove into a ball shape, drew out a diamond on the floor and found a broom handle to use as a bat.

That is how the idea of the game of softball was born. Now, how did this twisted version of baseball grow into the sport that it is today?

George Hancock, the man that almost single handedly invented the game of softball, created an over-sized ball and a slightly smaller bat with a rubber tip on the end. He also went and painted permanent white foul lines on the floor of the gym and wrote new rules to the game he called “indoor baseball”.

Indoor baseball spread fast internationally. Many played it to keep practicing during the winter months, a great alternative to playing outside in the freezing cold snow! When the weather became warmer, the game was moved outdoors and the new name “indoor-outdoor” was given to the sport. The sport exploded in popularity and Hancock published indoor-outdoor rules in 1889.

Another important event in the history of softball was when the game was limited to about an hours length, by cutting down the innings to seven. This happened because a fireman decided to adapt the game to keep his fellow firemen busy between fire calls.

The game was finally given the name “softball” in 1926, after a Denver YMCA official suggested it. In 1933, softball was introduced to the rest of the world when it travelled with the world’s fair.

An important year in the history of softball was 1933. This was when the Amateur Softball Association was founded. The association brought standardized rules to the game, including rules about different age groups, sizes of balls and sizes of pitches.

In 1939, softball was introduced to Australia and Canadians introduced softball to the Netherlands after the Second World War. Later in 1962, softball was introduced to the United Kingdom, the first British women’s softball league was established in 1983.

The first women’s fast-pitch world championships in the history of softball were played in 1965 in Melbourne, Australia. The first men’s world championships in the history of softball were played in 1966 in Mexico City. Since 1970, softball world championship tournaments have been played every four years and in 1996, women’s softball became an Olympic medal event.

Today, million’s of people in the United States, and the rest of the world play the game of softball…me included!

This is just a brief segment of information about softball history. For the full version, visit the Baseball Brainiac page “History Of Softball”.

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Apple Iphone Application: Customize Your Iphone Using Third-Party Software

Whatever Apple does, it does it in style. After heavy success in the world of music in the form of iPod (Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch), Apple has recently eyed the thriving mobile phone market where possibility never ends. With its iPhone, Apple has once again proved why it’s a bellwether company in making technological products. Users know what the iPhone means to them – the world knows it! Well, the iPhone needs no introduction anymore. This third-party software enabled handset has already won many hearts worldwide besides winning multiple accolades. With the rise of the Apple iphone, several software development companies have also joined the winning path. How? Applications for Apple iPhone are now being developed by many a firms to give more fun, more power to the users who love to be ahead in the race.

Your Apple iPhone is smart enough to carry a number of third-party software including entertainment software, business software, weather software, utility software and much more. Taking the advantage of this fact, software developing companies are relentlessly developing myriad software programs suiting to the iPhone environment. Best Apple iPhone applications developers can be found online as well. They are not only smart at developing Apple iPhone application software ; they are equally adapt at making other utility software for your business needs and requirements.

The prime advantage of a device supporting third-party software is that you can easily customize the device according to your needs. If you are one who needs to do a lot of business-oriented calculations, it makes everything a breeze by simply getting the necessary software installed. Applications for Apple iPhone resemble the same fact. Subscribing to the services of an Apple iPhone application development company, you can also customize the device the way you want it to be. Neither you cost a big amount for that, nor you have to run here and there to get them. You just need to find the proper firm/company that push you straight to make your dream a reality.