I haven't post a lots about photo equipments on this blog in the past but the new models of Olympus SW µ [mju] series bring something new, specially for nomads. They are now shockproof, waterproof and operate at low temperature, so more fear about humidity, sand, scratches and they are ready for some underwater pictures.

The SW µ series is composed of 5 different models, all fitted with the following specifications:

• 7.1 mega pixels resolution
• 3x optical zoom (5x digital)
• 2.5 inch LCD screen
• 38-114 mm 35mm equivalent zoom (6.7-20.1mm)
• Digital image stabilization
• etc..
• Colored case   

The 2 new models (790 and 795) are no more "water resistant" but "water proof" 

• 790 SW
  Water Proof 3m
  Shock proof 1.5m
  Operable at - 10° C
  Dust proof
  Face Recognition

• 795 SW
  Water Proof 10m
  Shock proof 1.5m
  Operable at - 10° C
  Dust proof
  TruePic image processor
  Digital zoom x15

 Price : ~300 USD

For me the 795 model is the perfect "point & shoot" camera to carry with to "not DSLR friendly" places.

Tags: 10°C, 2007, 24, asia, blog, camera, ces, CTU, digital, DSLR, face recognition, global, ia, ict, im, lan, low temperature, mju, models, nomadcom.net, olympus, photo, picture, point and shoot, post, resolution, screen, shockproof, space, SW 790, SW 795, underwater, water, waterproof, wp

This year, started on Friday 13 (when the Sun entered into the sign of Aries), Maha Songkran which is traditionally the Thai New Year. It is also known as the "Water Festival" as people believes that water will wash away bad luck. Thais traditionally celebrate Songkran like this:
 

• On the eve of Songkran day, it's a Spring cleanup and people clean their house and burn all the refuse.

• Early on the first day of Songkran, the people both young and old in their new clothing go to the Wat or monastery belonging to their village or district to offer food to the monks there.

• In the afternoon of the same day there is bathing ceremony of the Buddha images and also of the abbot of the wat. After this begins the well-known "water throwing feast".

  The bathing of images is done as ritualistic ceremony, but it is no other than a New Year's purification. Younger people will also on this day or the succeeding days go to pay their respect to and ask blessings from their elders and respected persons. They will pour scented water into the palms of the old people and present them with a towel and other bathing requisites.

Now, as far as I could experience it on my own, in Bangkok, the "water throwing feast" did not wait until afternoon to start. At 11h00 I was already soaked head to toes while moving in direction of Kao San road. In addition of water, chalk is also widely used to make "blessings".

More about Songkran traditions: Thailandlife
My Songkran 2007 Photo Set is on Flickr

Tags: 2007, 2550, art, Bangkok, chalk, Festival, Flickr, Fun, HP, ict, im, ITU, lan, list, New pictures, new year, On The Road, Our World, photo, songkran, space, splashing, street fighting, street water fighting, sun, thai new year, Thailand, water, water festival, www, XP

In the past, a Vsat installation on board of a vehicle could not be used when the vehicle was on the move.

The mobile system "IPStar MVV" here on the left has the following features :

• Quick deployment in less than 10 minutes
• Automatic Satellite Acquisition and Antenna Pointing System via GPS
• Proven IPSTAR 1.2-meter high efficiency antenna design
• STAR topology
• 1W or 2W options for IPSTAR Outdoor Unit sub-system
• IPSTAR Indoor Unit sub-system, configurable bit rate of up to 4Mbps Receiving and 2Mbps Transmitting.
• Environmental Control Unit (ECU) and Cooling System
• Optional IP Application sub-system
• Optional single-thread and fully redundant electronics
• Optional diesel generator with power distribution unit and emergency stop.

Now IPStar (broadband satellite for Asia & Pacific) launches what they presented in Telecom World in Hongkong last December: IPStar iMove, a 5.5'' (1.5m) flat, roof mountable, array antenna system made by RaySat  (SpeedRay 3000) with the following features:

• Highly efficient automatic deployable antenna.
• Built in Satellite acquisition and antenna pointing system.
• Mountable on a variety of land and water vehicles.
• IPSTAR iMove system can Transmit up to 2Mbps and Receive up to 4Mbps.
• Optional voice, video and data application subsystem.

 Next step, to find a real working demonstration vehicle !

Tags: 2007, antenna, asia, blog, communication, design, emergency, find, hi speed, ia, im, imove, install, internet, ipstar, King, lan, launch, list, low profile, minutes, MIT, mobile, Mobile Communications, nomadcom.net, On The Road, power, satellite, space, telecom, vehicles, video, vsat, water, world, wp, www