Wall paper

I challenge the inventors whom may be reading this paper. What the world needs is wall paper. Or maybe a special paint. With a built in TV antenna.
With the resent movement away from cable TV, over the air antenna’s are in demand. The cost of cable TV has skyrocketed in the past few years. A monthly bill of approx. $200 (includes internet) is not unheard of. The average lower income home cannot sustain this. So a very good over-the-air antenna is in demand.
This writer has tried about four new antenna, each more expensive than the last. Purchased from different stores and different brands. Assuming the more one spends, the better the reception will be. So far, this has been true. However, some enterprising company would do well if they invented and made a wall paper or wall paint with built in antenna.
It can not be that hard to do. Even a full, single sheet of wall paper with the antenna imprinted on the wall side and a spot to make a connection should do the job. Of course, not the whole sheet would be needed for the printing. A simple butterfly antenna does not take up much room. The invention would/could be powerful base on the amount of space available for the circuit to be printed on. Printed circuits on a flexible surface is not new. It has been around for many years. After all, your favorite electronic device, the cell or mobile phone, has them. This type of circuit is common and contributes to what makes such devices so small.
Wall paint could be used if a circuit was printed on a thin, paintable substrate which would stick to the wall. Simply stick it on in the place of choice and paint over it. Some types of standard wall paper are paintable. It is not a novice idea. It would be virtually invisible.  Most notably if it was at a location and height so a piece of furniture such as a bookcase/TV could be placed in front of it.
The advantage of such a device is quit obvious. Eliminate the monthly cable bill. The wallpaper/painted surface as described would be a one time cost. Over the air TV signals are just as good if not better than the signals received from cable. They are free. The market would be huge. Home owners, apartment dwellers/owners, as well as recreational motor vehicles would benefit with this device. This device could be put in any or all rooms in a dwelling. This device would be a benefit wherever a TV was required. They could be linked together to create a much larger antenna. For multiple TV’s. And lets not forget the radio market. It would also contribute to the room décor.
This paper was written to inspire well funded inventors. Or at least one who may have an interest in such an item. This writer believes the device described above could be prototyped with a relatively small budget. If you are interested, contact the writer.

Hey, works for me.

Dandelions

I have come to the conclusion dandelions are a very nice looking flower. Oh I would not go so far as to say “pretty” but they are close. They certainly add color to an otherwise drab lawn. You cannot deny that. They grow in all types of weather and yard conditions. In fact, the worst the lawn, the better they grow. Not even an over abundance of rain or sun will deter them. On some so called lawns, they are the only thing that will grow. Believe me when I tell you they can be difficult at best to eradicate.
 There is one thing however that makes them a nuisance. And that is they go to seed after only a few days. *A number of species of Taraxacum are seed dispersed ruderals that rapidly colonize disturbed soil, especially the Common dandelion (T. officinale), which has been introduced over much of the temperate world. After flowering is finished, the dandelion flower head dries out for a day or two. The dried petals and stamens drop off, the bracts reflex (curve backwards), and the parachute ball opens into a full sphere. Finally, the seed-bearing parachutes expand and lift out of it. The parachute drops off the achene when it strikes an obstacle. After the seed is released, the parachutes lose their feathered structure and take on a fuzzy, cotton-like appearance, often called "dandelion snow". The English name dandelion is a corruption of the French dent de lion meaning "lion's tooth", referring to the coarsely toothed leaves.
The dandelion plant is a beneficial weed, with a wide range of uses, and is even a good companion plant for gardening. Its taproot will bring up nutrients for shallower-rooting plants, and add minerals and nitrogen to soil. It is also known to attract pollinating insects and release ethylene gas which helps fruit to ripen.
Dandelions are found on all continents and have been gathered since prehistory, but the varieties cultivated for consumption are mainly native to Eurasia. A perennial plant, its leaves will grow back if the taproot is left intact. The flower petals, along with other ingredients, are used to make dandelion wine. The ground, roasted roots can be used as a caffeine-free dandelion coffee. Dandelion was also traditionally used to make the traditional British soft drink dandelion and burdock, and is one of the ingredients of root beer. Dandelion leaves contain abundant vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, C and K, and are good sources of calcium, potassium, iron and manganese. They also have  medicinal properties. It is used as a folk remedy for bile, liver, diuretic and a few other issues. Some folks make a home brew wine from parts of this versatile plant.
 I propose the science people of the world develop a seedless variety of dandelion for the home owner/gardener who wants a very colorful lawn/garden but not seeds blowing into the neighbor's yard/garden. Dandelions attract bees and other insects which in turn pollinate the lawn/garden. This is a good thing. I envision a colorful plant, one that grows to about 6-8 inches tall, suitable for gardens. One could still make wine if so desired. Think I’ll have another drink.   

*See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dandelions

Hey, works for me.

Bug

I was perusing the internet the other day and picked up a bug.

I was on a site I had never been on before and saw what looked like a bug moving around the screen. Thinking this was odd that the site would have such a graphic interaction, I moved the mouse pointer to the graphic to click it off. This did not work. So after a couple of times attempting this, I gave up. Meanwhile the graphic moved around the screen.

After a moment or two, I realized the bug was actually crawling on the top edge of the screen! I thought what a program! Until it hit me, it was a live box-elder bug! I grabbed it and squashed it. Even us seniors can have a senior moment.

No, I did not make this up.