or you could just get a portable solar charger that works with a multitude of devices like this one for <$20 shipped world-wide: http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.9134
1,242 karma · joined March 2, 2008
by the way, 4 part series on music theory that's worth a watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnbOWi6f_IM
There are a couple of legitimate concerns in using e-cigs though most of the scaremongering has been concocted by organisations associated with the pharmaceutical industry who fear these like Saudi Arabia fears lithium-powered cars.
1: Though an ingredient might be classified as FDA approved, it does not mean it is safe to inhale. Recently it was discovered that workers at a popcorn factory were suffering from a deadly lung ailment due to a synthetic flavour that replicates butter which they were inhaling. Some avid consumers of the popcorn have also died due to the disease. One won a $6 million payout posthumously. The chemical remains FDA approved. There is a new e-cig flavour out every other day - from red bull to black tea. No-one knows how these flavours might affect our lungs. One supplier who had his mint flavour tested discovered that it contained methanol. He quickly halted it's sale. Others are not as cautious. I have never seen a list of ingredients on any bottle of e-liquid I own.
2: The main ingredient in the liquid is propylene glycol. This is the same substance that is found in fog machines. It is found in many cosmetics and toothpastes too. PG is generally recommended as safe though its cousin diethylene glycol which acts in the exact same manner, tastes the same though costs far less is deadly. Recently in Nigeria over 80 babies died because a teething formula imported from China which was supposed to contain PG had been substituted with DG. How long before someone wanting to cut corners in China does the same with e-cigs. Hopefully never - but it is a legitimate concern.
Regardless, I do suggest to everyone I meet who smokes to try these. Some are amazed, some laugh. They are not for everyone. I keep a site updated with relevant news at http://www.e-cignews.com
I had imagined it would be stored there forever - that's what I paid the 3.95 for I thought, but sadly no - the publishers will not allow it. People complain about digital music but the world of sheet music is even more bizarro. Hopefully apps like this might shake up the business.
Having played with it for a minute, it looks decent and something I think I will be shelling out the 19.95 for. I thought that piano/guitar mode would be tabs/notation but it is to choose which instrument accompanies the song. Still, I'm impressed. I hope it evolves.
Learn illustrator for the web or fireworks before photoshop if you want to do it yourself and nice curves work wonders.
I'm doing a slinkset site up at the moment (in my profile) which I haven't promoted yet as it need some finishing touches but it's going to be somewhere you can post for jobs like this, look for advice or find templates etc.
http://www.marketskeptics.com/2008/12/china-makes-yuan-inter...
I link to a blog and not the articles because I think the blogger makes some great commentary. He also gives his incite to yesterday's news in the first link on the right. Definitely worth a read.
Ask yourself if you really think its reasonable to pay $150 for 2 x 3.7v batteries that connect to a hot wire and an LED because there really is nothing amazing or expensive about the technology that make these work though due to the newness of the product, Smoking Everywhere and other heavily marketed brands have been able to tempt consumers to part with big money at mall outlets and elsewhere.
The kits go for $10 - $15 wholesale from China and fierce competition online has sellers giving them away for as low as $35 sometimes or for an average price of around $50. There is also a far wider range of devices online as suppliers are having Chinese manufacturers create more advanced modifications to best compete. The best e-cig out there right now would you believe is one you can make on your own from a cheap flashlight!
I've become very taken with e-cigs and have quit tobacco effortlessly for almost a year now using them. The FDA though is very confused about them. They are stopping some imports but allowing others...some say it's do to with the packaging (don't market them as cessation devices!- nearly all the chinglish manuals do). Hong Kong recently outlawed them even for export so this has hindered supply in recent days. I set up a slinkset site to follow the news at http://www.e-cignews.com you can also find a list of all the stores there. I swear I add at least 1 new one a day.