Saturday, 23 July 2011

Top 10 Modes Of Energy Efficient Travel


Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the goal of efforts to reduce the amount of energy required to provide products and services. The current scenario of the world is in high demand of energy efficient transportation. Energy efficient means the transport systems which uses the least energy or are low consumer of energy. They can also be termed as the fuel efficient carrier. Energy efficient travel indirectly protects the environment and also conserves petroleum which is the major cause of worry in today’s world. This is a list of ten modes of energy efficient travel.

1. Walking:

Walking is always the most energy efficient travel of all times. Short distances can be always covered by walk. Walking is a completely free and simple way of getting from one place to another, that you can start right away. Because you don’t need to have a high level of fitness to walk short distances, it’s a great way for anyone to stay fit and healthy, or to help get in shape before taking on more vigorous forms of exercise. Walking is also good for stress relief, with a calm walk at your own pace much more relaxing than road-rage fuelled rush-hour traffic jams.

2. Cycling:
Like walking, cycling is an excellent form of daily exercise, as well as being therapeutic and stress relieving compared to other forms of transport. Many towns and cities have extensive cycle lane systems in place, which help cyclists stay safe on the roads and avoid car congestion. It’s often quicker by bicycle than it is by car during peak traffic times. Buying and maintaining a bicycle is relatively inexpensive. Cycling is a great form of exercise too. It helps you keep fit and energetic. Cycles are the cheapest and the most energy efficient mode of travelling.

3. Mopeds:
Mopeds are an extremely cost effective and fuel efficient form of transport. With global increase in fuel price, fuel-efficient vehicles such as mopeds are becoming increasingly popular. Many higher educational institutions have provisions for parking them. They are suitable for medium as well as short distances. People need not go through the hassle of starting their car for short distance while it might be strenuous for one to ride a bicycle for the same distance. When compared to motorbikes, mopeds have smaller engines and wheels.

4. Trains:
Trains are one of the biggest and the most widely used mode of travel. Trains all around the world are mostly run with electricity, which helps us to prevent environmental pollution. Many of today’s newest trains are powered by magnet technology. Today’s “green train” uses a permanent magnet motor, which is a modern engine technology that enables increased propulsion chain efficiency. This type of motor results in lesser operating costs as well as far reduced environmental impact. In addition, the “green trains” have an assistance system in place that reduces traction energy.

5. CNG Busses:
Busses are the most widely used road transport. It’s a public carrier and is a very common transport all over the world. New buses are being tested in areas of the US that use bio-fuels instead of diesel fuel. Even in New Delhi, India, they are trying to replace old pollution hog buses with more eco-friendly buses that use compressed natural gas. CNG is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline (petrol), diesel, or propane/LPG. Although its combustion does produce greenhouse gases, it is a more environmentally clean alternative to those fuels. New Delhi hopes to have 6000 of these buses in use in the next few years in order to combat the cities ever increasing pollution problems.

6. LPG Cars/Rickshaws:
LPG is a great substitute to petrol or diesel. This is a highly efficient fuel for your vehicle. LPG are now a days replacing the diesel and petrol all over the world. For a city like Bangalore, India all the auto rickshaws uses the LPG kit. This is really a way to save the environment from hazardous pollutant. Using LPG in vehicles are gost effective and money saving because LPG is cheaper than petrol or diesel by many times.

7. Electric Cars:
An electric car is a plug-in battery powered automobile which is propelled by electric motor(s). Electric cars gained popularity in the late-19th century and early 20th century. Now electric cars are the need of the hour for environmental safety. Electric cars have several potential benefits as compared to conventional internal combustion automobiles that include a significant reduction of urban air pollution as they do not emit harmful gasses. An electric car typically uses battery and it runs at an average 7 hours with one time complete charge. This mode of energy efficient travel is encouraged by governments of many countries by establishing charge points in various spots.

8. Electric Scooters:
Electric motorcycles and scooters are vehicles with two or three wheels that use electric motors to attain locomotion. Generally, the source of power for the electric motor has been chargeable batteries. The Electric motorcycles and scooters are rising in popularity because of higher gasoline prices. Battery technology is gradually improving making this form of transportation more practical. Electric scooters release almost no noise and it doesn’t emit any harmful gasses. This makes it the most energy efficient travelling mode.

9. Trams:
A tram is a rail borne vehicle which, at least in parts of its route, runs on tracks in streets. It may also run between cities and/or towns. Trams are usually lighter and shorter than conventional trains and rapid transit trains. However, the differences between these modes of public transportation are confusing. Most trams today use electrical power, usually fed by a pantograph; in some cases by a third rail or trolley pole. If necessary, they may have several power systems. Certain types of cable car are also known as trams. Trams are the also an useful energy efficient mode of travel.

10. Carts:
Carts are the traditionally used mode of travel which was mostly driven by animals like horses. These are also a energy efficient mode of travel and can be brought into practice all over again. This is used in many places till today and can be a potential mode of intracity or town travel.

Top 10 Software Manufacturers In The World


Software is a collection of computer programs which are developed by the expert professionals to support the various functions carried out by an individual or an organization using a computer. Software is the main component of the IT sector, and with the boom in the IT sector the software manufacturers all over the world are rejoicing. The software firms have seen tremendous growth in the last decade and a huge number of small and big software firms came out. But stood tall are those few firms who have excellent product and world class services. The top ten among those stand out performer in the Software Industry are listed as under:

1. International Business Machine [IBM]
The International Business Machine or the IBM is one of the biggest software manufactures in the world. It has it’s headquarter in the United States and operates across the globe. IBM is certainly a giant when it comes to software manufacturing. IBM employs over 400,000 people across 200 countries. IBM holds more patents than any other firms in the US and has 9 research laboratories worldwide. IBM is one of the best companies to work for and has successfully developed much Software and has helped the world of business tremendously with its innovations.

2. Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Washington, USA. Microsoft is probably the most popular company in the globe with its product Windows which is an OS. Microsoft was the number one software manufacturer of the world for long but had recently slipped to the second spot. Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates in the year 1975 and ever since then it had never looked back. Bill Gates, as the CEO of Microsoft was the richest person in the world for over a decade and half.

3. Oracle Corporation
Oracle Corporation is an American multinational computer technology corporation that specializes in developing enterprise software’s. They are specialized in the Data Based Management Systems and serve a number of customers all over the world. Headquartered in California, United States and having its operation across the globe, Oracle Corporation is one of the giant software manufacturers in the world. Oracle Corporation is best known for its flagship product, the Oracle Database.

4. SAP AG
SAP AG is a German global software corporation that provides enterprise software. They are probably the most rapidly growing form in the world. SAP AG is the major competitor for the Oracle Corporation. It has become the largest software company in the world in 2009 and is still growing. SAP was founded in 1972 in Germany by 5 ex IBM employees and today SAP is a worldwide phenomenon. SAP is focused on enterprise software’s and currently they are the world leader in the enterprise software’s.

5. Symantec
Symantec Corporation is the largest manufacturers of the security software’s for the computers. The Symantec Corporation was founded in the year 1982 and is headquartered in California, United States. Symantec are famous for their antivirus solutions and they have big corporate giants as their clients. Symantec Corporation is also a major player in the enterprise software which they grew after acquiring the VERITAS software. Symantec Corporation’s Norton Antivirus are the largest and the most in use antivirus solution for the global corporate houses.

6. Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services is a subsidiary of the largest conglomerate group in India, the Tata Group. It was founded in the year 1968 by the Tata Group in India. TCS has it’s headquarter in Mumbai India and is one of the largest producer of IT support software’s. TCS is also one of the biggest outsourcing companies in the world. TCS has its operation in 42 countries and it has over 142 branches across the globe. TCS is one of the most profitable subsidiary units of the Tata Group. With its global expansion and popularity TCS will very soon come to be the top IT software service company.

7. Nintendo
Nintendo is a video game developer from Japan. Nintendo is a Japanese company which started its operation in 1889 by manufacturing handmade cards, but eventually it started making videogames and other gaming software’s and is now one of the biggest manufacturers of the gaming software’s in the world. Nintendo has grown significantly with the time and they are now major manufacturers of video games. With it’s headquarter in Kyoto, Japan, Nintendo has global offices in Germany, Washington, Canada and many other countries. It is now indeed a big name in the gaming software world.

8. CA Technologies
CA Technologies which was earlier known as the Computer Associates Inc. is a Fortune 500 company and one of the largest independently operating software companies in the world. CA Technologies as headquartered in New York, United States and was founded in the year 1976. CA Technologies are specialised in manufacturing antivirus software’s, but they also produce mainframe computers and distributed computing applications used by businesses all over the world. CA Technologies has grown over the period of time and is now a giant business house. The main strategy for growth was the accusation of several small firms.

9. Adobe Systems
Adobe Systems was incorporated in the year 1982 as a computer software manufacturing company in the United States of America. Adobe Systems has a portfolio of software products under its belt. Major product category of Adobe Systems are the Desktop Software, Server Software, eLearning Software and many other web design software’s. Adobe is popular for its PDF Reader as well as the Photo Shop software. Adobe Systems has earned lots of awards and recognition and is considered as one of the best place to work in the world.

10. EA
Electronic Arts Inc. is an international entity that develops video gaming software’s. The EA Inc. was founded and incorporated in the year 1982 and are headquartered in California, United States. EA is the leading manufacturers of the video games and sell almost all their products under the name EA Sports. Some of the most popular EA Sports gaming are Need for Speed, Medal of Honour and FIFA.

Top 10 Attractions in Austria


Austria is a vibrant country with a vivid history. It was home to some of the most famous artists, musicians and historians for multiple centuries. Politics has brought this country through tumultuous times, especially in the 20th century. The kleindeutsch vs. grossdeutsch debate embarked on a century struggle between Germans in Germany and Germans in various parts of Europe such as Austria. Here are the top 10 places one must go to see when in Austria.

1. Linz: Hartheim Euthanasia Centre
Built in 16th century, this castle belonged to the Princes of Starhemberg. For centuries it provided a home for the physically and mentally disabled. With Anschluss and the incorporation of Austria into the Third Reich, came dire consequences. The Nazis were fundamental believers in survival of the fittest and eugenics. Between 1939 and 1940, they turned the castle into a euthanasia centre where they implemented Aktion T4 and built gas chambers and crematoriums. Before using Zyklon B to exterminate Jews and other prisoners of war, they experimented the mentally and physically ill using Zyklon B in asylums such as the Hartheim Euthanasia Centre. This centre went on to exterminate various Jewish people, opposing Catholics and clergy as well as prisoners of war throughout most of WWII. Approximately 18,000 individuals lost their lives at Hartheim. It now has a built-in memorial which remembers victims who died during the Holocaust.

2. Upper Austria: Mauthausen Memorial
The memorial stands on the former grounds of a concentration camp where approximately 37,000 were murdered and exterminated. This visit provides a sombre reminder of a baffled past in Austrian history. Your heart will drop as you look up the Death Stairs. Most of the concentration camp is non-existent as the grounds are used to build neighbourhoods.

3. Salzburg: Mirabel Palace and Gardens
This baroque style palace is built surrounding gardens. It is made famous by the movie Sound of Music. If you a fan of Sound of Music, this place is for you. You can walk in the shoes of Maria and other children as they sang “Do Re Mi” and used the steps as musical scales. The botanical gardens are astounding. You can sit, relax and enjoy a beautiful day surrounded by blossoming flowers, if you are there in the summer.

4. Salzburg: Mozart’s Birth House
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is famous for being a child prodigy. He spent most of his writing and composing music and operas. By the time he was 35 he had composed 600 works in total. When others are being schooled and take life easy, Mozart was writing symphonies and performing for royalty at age 5. When you go to Salzburg, you need to go to the Birth House. It is well kept and is preserved in memory of this great composer. Some of the furniture and instruments are still from Mozart’s time.

5. Vienna: Schönbrunn Imperial Palace
This summer palace once belonged to Habsburg Monarchs, who were imperial and colonial rulers until 1918. Individuals visited the imperial palace can view the French gardens, see the Sun Fountain and take a tour of the former residence of the monarchs. You can also relive history where John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev met to discuss the Cold War in 1961. If you are tired and want a snack, you can take part in a cooking class which teaches you how to make a strudel. You then can sample the strudel yourself.

6. Vienna: Prater Park
This public amusement park is good for the whole family, especially those with little children. It was a gift by Frederick I to a noble family, de Prato. There is a planetarium and a museum on site which tourists could visit to learn more about the history of Austria.

7. Deutsch-Wagram Marchfelderhof Restaurant
In this country style and historic town where Napoleonic battles were fought, a famous restaurant is located. A red carpet is literally rolled for guests who enter this restaurant. All guests are greeted with a band and a welcome sign. They are then seated in chairs where famous people like John Lennon, Elton John and Pope John Paul II once sat. The food is traditional and will have you mouth-watering with satisfaction.

8. Innsbruck: Swarowski Crystal Worlds
This magical and breathtaking world is a must see in Austria. This attraction was designed in honour of Daniel Swarowski, the leading designer of Crystal. The hill that you arrive on is actually a head from which a waterfall runs from. The whole park consists of 7 linked halls with breathtaking sceneries. There is also a children`s playground where your offspring can play. At the end of your tour, you can visit the gift shop to buy crystal art work.

9. Vienna: Reisenrad Ferris Wheel
If you love amusement parks and are traveling with children, the Reisenrad is an excellent attraction. It was a golden jubilee gift to Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1897. Although it was burned down in 1944 by the Nazis, it was rebuilt in the post-war era. The view of Austria is spectacular as it provides tourists with a 360 angle of Vienna. It is close to the city centre and is just 10 minutes away by bus.

10. Vienna State Opera:
Vienna is famous for talented classic, baroque and romantic composers. From Hayden to Strauss, music defined Vienna in the 1700s and 1800s. If you have time in the evening, buy tickets to hear an opera or see a concert. Tickets are only sold last minute and tourists should take advantage of hearing the famous Viennese Philharmonics.