Category Archives: Reviews

Darbeevision Device Adds Depth And Clarity To Video And Gaming

June 1, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

If you are a videophile, chances are you have heard of Darbeevision. It doesn’t seem long ago that Faroudja carried the same sort of dare I say “cult like” reverence. Back then, videophiles and home theater nuts like me were clamoring for ways to improve video resolutions on ever larger CRT tube television sets or if you were especially lucky (and had the deep pockets), home projection televisions and dedicated projectors. Sure, some of these displays were capable of high resolutions and were labeled as such (Data grade) but content was largely unavailable to take advantage of the higher lines of screen resolution. The darling format of choice back then was the Laserdisc which maxed out at about 425 horizontal lines of resolution for North Americans or 440 lines for Europeans. And that’s where Faroudja stepped in. Offering highly advanced video processor devices that increased the apparent lines of resolution by using a bunch of advanced math computed on computer chips found inside their products.

Well times have changed….but really not all that much.

Today we have a choice on how we want to watch content and some of us still prefer physical media such as Blu-ray and many of us watch cloud based streaming from our gaming systems. If you fall into either category and are using an HDMI cable somewhere in your setup then you will want to take note of Darbeevision’s DVP5000s HDMI video processor.

Blu-ray has a maximum resolution of 1080 horizontal lines (1920 x 1080) and the DVP5000s is designed to work with sources that output via a HDMI connection 1080 lines. Just like the Faroudja mentioned earlier, the Darbeevision sets out to use today’s advanced computing to render 1080 in a much more detailed fashion and take advantage of all the extra lines of resolution your new flat screen offers.

If you have an extensive collection of Blu-rays for example, you connect the Darbeevision in between your Blu-ray player (which could be a PlayStation 3 or 4, Xbox One- just make sure you select the video output resolution to 1080P when watching Blu-rays). Likewise, when playing games that run at 1080 use the Darbeevision to increase the quality and detail of your gaming system. It has been designed to operate as quickly as possible to prevent any noticeable screen ‘drag’ or gaming delay.

What about YouTube or Netflix?

The key thing to keep in mind is that the Darbeevision will work well with any signal you feed it as long as that signal is 1080P (or lower) and is fed into it via HDMI cable. So yes, you can also improve the video quality of streaming services just make sure you stream via an app found in your Blu-ray player or gaming system and set the output resolution to 1080P.

Split screen and remote control

Darbeevision suggests using the 5000S for Digital TV (over the air HDTV), Cable and Satellite (that surprisingly offer very little content at higher than 1080 lines, ESPN is 720P) and Projectors that have an HDMI input. Using an older HDMI projector? This device can absolutely help bridge the gap until you are able to buy a 4K projector. Some users have even gone so far as to say that they won’t be upgrading because the 5000S does such a great job with 1080P.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCbKXcQBDt0

Maybe not!

If you are fortunate enough to have a 3-D Projector and a library of 3-D Blu-rays you won’t be disappointed- the 5000S can really make the video quality and depth of field shine.

The 5000S comes in a sleek black case, has a 360 degree IR sensor and included remote control, has dimmable LEDs (useful if you decide to place the unit in your a/v rack and don’t want to be distracted by bright lights), is HDMI 1.4 compliant and works with 3D Blu-rays.

There are 3 viewing modes including HiDef, Gaming and Full Pop to get you started on your video tweaking adventure. The handy Split screen feature allows you compare the video with and without processing so you know exactly what setting changes do. With a suggested list price of around $199USD the Darbeevision 5000S is highly recommended. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Reviews

PS Audio Shipping New Stellar™ M1200 Monoblock Power Amplifier

May 13, 2020 The Silo 1 Comment

Boulder, Colorado, May, 2020 – PS Audio recently announced it is shipping its new Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier. Designed to deliver extraordinarily clear, detailed and musically accurate performance, the monoblock M1200 features an all-new hybrid design that combines a tube input stage with a customized ICE Edge output stage and delivers 1200 watts (into 4 ohms, 800 watts into 8 ohms), to effortlessly reproduce the most dynamic musical passages as well as the subtlest musical details.

The M1200 was designed by Darren Myers, the engineer who created the acclaimed Stellar Phono stage and other PS Audio products. The M1200 employs a 12AU7 vacuum tube at its input, chosen for its optimum gain and voltage characteristics in the circuit, and for its ability to preserve the most delicate nuances of the amp’s input signals. The 12AU7 is the identical tube used in PS Audio’s flagship BHK Signature amplifiers, chosen after extensive listening and performance tests.

The ICE Edge output stage is a new type of high-current Class D design, offering extremely low total harmonic and intermodulation distortion with high headroom and linear performance across the frequency range. As Darren Myers explained, “other output modules can exhibit non-linear phase and impedance issues at the frequency extremes. The ICE Edge design eliminates these problems thanks to patented circuitry and feedback techniques.” Myers continued, “Although it can deliver massive amounts of clean power into even the most demanding loudspeaker loads, the M1200 sounds equally good at lower volumes.”

Like every PS Audio product, meticulous attention has been paid to parts quality and construction. The M1200 has a sleek, elegant appearance that matches other Stellar Series components and is available in silver or black.

The PS Audio Stellar M1200 Power Amplifier will be available in June 2020 at a US manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $5,998 per pair. Pre-orders are currently being taken.

M1200 Features at a Glance: Zero-loss vacuum tube input stage and custom ICE Edge output stage. Fully balanced circuitry, RCA single-ended and XLR balanced inputs. 1200 watts RMS into 8 ohms, 600 watts into 4 ohms, stable to 2 ohms. Greater than >1100 damping factor for exceptional loudspeaker control. High-efficiency operation. Dual, solid copper, plated output binding posts facilitate bi-wiring, 12-volt input trigger, 27 lb. each; 17″ wide by 3.75″ high by 12″ deep (13″ with connectors)

About PS Audio
Founded in 1973, PS Audio has earned a worldwide reputation for excellence in manufacturing innovative, high-value, leading-edge audio products. Located in Boulder, Colorado at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, PS Audio’s staff of talented designers, engineers, production and support people build each product to deliver extraordinary performance and musical satisfaction. The company’s wide range of award-winning products include the all-in-one Sprout100 integrated amplifier, audio components, power regenerators and power conditioners.

www.psaudio.com
PS Audio Image Library available for download here
Paul’s Daily Posts
PS Audio Community
Copper Magazine

Reviews

New Music App Tizzme Lets You Broadcast Your Favorite Music Live

May 6, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

Tizzme is a new app for music lovers allowing them to create an experience akin with two friends sharing earbuds: an app that acts as a perfect companion to Spotify Premium, by letting music lovers everywhere broadcast their favorite music live. Available for free. App Store for iOS Google Play for Android

The idea for Tizzme came to Montreal entrepreneur Greg Kates while watching a Montreal Canadiens hockey pre-game broadcast on TV. He saw star defenceman PK Subban (then a Montreal Canadian) listening to music before the game. Greg started thinking how cool it would be if he could listen along with PK in that moment.

What if fans could listen along to PK’s pump-up music live? So when PK skipped a song, it would skip for his fans too. In other words, a real time, interactive, remote, shared listening experience. This put him on the road to creating Tizzme.

Music has always been a big part of Greg’s life and he’s played instruments for years – including the piano, guitar, and drums and he’s always been the go-to source with his friends and family for burnt CDs and AUX duties.

Features:

Tizzme is a completely free app that syncs seamlessly with a user’s Spotify Premium Account. Users can broadcast their own playlists live, or follow friends, family, or strangers and tune into their live broadcasts.

● Tizzme helps you find new music by searching based on genre, location, popularity, or suggested profiles based on a musical taste questionnaire.
● Tizzme also offers “genre robots” that every user will have access to 24/7. These playlists are based on genre and will be constantly playing new songs that match the genre.
● Live broadcasts can be shared on social media and listeners can provide live feedback on each song, with a thumbs up or down.
● Each playlist has a 100 song limit to let users hone in on their favorite songs.

How to use:

The application comes with a tutorial located in the user profile section
● To Listen: On the user profile, connect your Spotify account. Find users based on popularity, proximity, genre and suggested users who have the same musical personality as you. Once you follow a user, they will populate within your Broadcast feed. When they are online, a green dot will appear next to their name and when they broadcast, they will pop up to your broadcasting section. Click their song and you will listen in at the exact same time as them. Give instant feedback with a thumbs up or down for every song.
● To Broadcast: Select “my music”. Your local library can be played, but for seamless listening use your Spotify premium account. All users will need to make their 100 song playlists on Spotify (if longer, it will show the first 100 songs), and once made, it automatically populates within your Tizzme account. Click a song, click broadcast, choose a genre and activity (optional) and your music will be played for anyone to find. Pay attention to your thumbs up and down counters as that will show live feedback from your listeners.

For the Silo, Rosemary Newton.

Gaming

EA Still Making Winning Hockey Games After Nearly 30 Years

December 7, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

As game franchises go, EA Sports produce some of the best and certainly some of the most durable. A video game often doesn’t stand the test of time too well given the advancement in technology, but sport is a constant in the lives of fans the world over and EA have taken full advantage. They have several famous titles with the Madden series for the NFL and the FIFA series for soccer, but their NHL franchise has been a hit ever since it was first released.

Why has it been such a success? Let’s take a look…

Hitting the early consoles

The first game in the series was released in 1991 on the Sega Mega Drive and received excellent reviews. It was, for many, the first time ice hockey had been placed firmly in their consciousness and people lapped it up.

Between 1992 and 1995 there were four more NHL titles from the team at Electronic Arts, all of which could be played on console. They were all given high praise from industry critics with NHL 96 getting top marks for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) version by Next Generation magazine who gave five out of five stars.

Enter windows

The first titles to appear on PC arrived in 1996 as Microsoft brought out Windows 95. The PC allowed the graphics to be further enhanced and these titles were a huge success. At this period in time, the Detroit Red Wings were the dominant force in the NHL winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1997 and 1998.

Just to highlight how times have changed, the Red Wings have NHL betting odds of +150000 to win a Stanley Cup in 2020, the longest odds of any team. The team in the late 1990s was full of stars, which contrasts with the current day and EA was able to render them with realistic graphical modelling – for the time – which delighted the fans.

The PC was competing with Sony’s PS1 and then, in 2000, the PS2, which meant graphics and gameplay became more and more life-like. The crowds also had an overhaul as did the sound effects which made fans feel as though they were in the arena but the next generation consoles took it further still.

Next-gen blows the mind

EA improved the features and control systems when Xbox was released and deke moves were conducted using the joystick on the controllers making them like an extension of the actual players stick.

The latest version have found it harder to get top reviews as fan expectation level continue to increase. NHL 15 was the first game to feature on the PS4 and Xbox One and these were not well received due to the rushed feel and missing features. GameSpot actually gave NHL 15 a score of five out of 10, which was hugely disappointing for EA.

The most recent version has seen much improvement thanks to the time which has been spent in development, generally tweaking the good features and remodeling those that didn’t work.

NHL 20 is like a different world compared to the very first release from the franchise and EA are still going strong after close to 30 years – here’s to 30 more.

Gaming

Search For North America’s (And The World’s) Longest Married Couple

December 3, 2019 The Silo 2 Comments

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – Award-winning singer-songwriter, Karen Sokolof Javitch, today announced that she is looking for America’s longest married couple in her worldwide launch of her personalized “Anniversary Song”.

“Everyone knows the ‘Happy Birthday’ song, yet we all stumble when we try to sing a song for someone’s anniversary,” explains Ms. Javitch. “The song will be sung by Karen to the oldest married couple. We hope to eventually find the oldest married couple in the world! And to reward their faithfulness, we’ll donate $1000 to the charity of their choice.”

Anyone wishing to register their marriage date may do so by visiting Karen’s website, jmrproductions.com, listen to the anniversary song and send in their names, date of marriage and e-mail address to JMRP@cox.net

Besides Karen’s 15 albums, she has co-written 4 musicals and was the creator and co-host of a popular radio show, “It’s the Beat.” Her musicals include “Princess Diana the Musical,” “From Generation to Generation,” and “Love at the Café.” These shows have been performed in many cities in the United States. In addition, Ms. Javitch has raised over $350,000 for national and local charities through her original music.

“My anniversary song is short and very easy to learn. Now when you go to someone’s anniversary party – you’ll know what to sing,” Ms. Javitch concluded.

Lyrics to sing to the next happy couple you see who is celebrating an anniversary:

Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary (wife’s name) and (husband’s name) we’re so happy to be at your (add # of years) Anniversary.

Karen’s music website JMR Productions

NOTE: A free MP3 of the song is available upon request to: jerry@specialguests.com

Watch the Happy Anniversary Music Video.

ABOUT KAREN SOKOLOF JAVITCH…

Karen Sokolof Javitch has produced and written the songs for 15 CD’s, including 4 musicals and was the creator and co-host of a popular Omaha radio show, “It’s the Beat”. Feeling very thankful she can express herself through her music, she tries to help others by raising money with her songs and musicals and has raised more than $350,000 for national and local charities though her original music. Her musicals, including one about Princess Diana, have been performed all over the country. She is an award-winning songwriter and her music has been on television and in some movies.

Karen’s music includes a variety of songs about exercising and good health, celebrities, holidays, weddings, politics, children, babies, education, patriotism, love and family. She especially loves to put on shows where kids and teenagers sing her songs! Some of her performances may be viewed on YouTube, as she has more than 90 music videos on the site and some have gone viral such as her hilarious song about the Octomom that has garnered about 10 million views. Karen’s songs are for anyone between the ages of 1 and 121! Visit Karen’s music website JMR Productions to see more of her musical and charitable work. For the Silo, Gerald McGlothlin.

Visit http://jmrproductions.com

Featured image- American’s longest married couple (85 years) John and Ann Betar.

Reviews

E-Factor Diet Hacks Means No Muffins, Bagels Or Cereals For Breakfast

November 12, 2019 The Silo 2 Comments

I’m sure you’ve had those days where you wake up and scarf down something for breakfast that’s convenient so you can get out the door as fast as possible. Now it should go without saying that starting your day with foods like doughnuts, pastries, or pancakes is a fat storing Nightmare.

But most folks turn to other so-called healthier alternatives that are nearly just as bad.

Here are 3 of the Worst Foods to Eat in the Morning

1. Muffins

Most store-bought muffins are giant, which means they can sometimes contain over 600-700 calories that have absolutely No protein or healthy fats to keep you feeling full and satisfied.

2. Bagels

Would you sit down and knowingly eat Four slices of bread?

Well, Most bagels have the equivalent of four servings of bread, which will quickly convert into sugar making you store fat and feel lethargic in no time.

3. Cereals

Over-the-counter cereals are, by far, one of the worst foods for your waistline and your health.

The majority of over-the-counter cereals are empty calories, simple carbs and sugar, cleverly disguised as a “healthy” breakfast.

There are a few rare exceptions, like some of the cereals in the Ezekiel 4:9® line from Food for Life®, but I never eat cereal when I’m trying to get leaner.

If you wake up and eat Any of the above 3 foods to start your day it’s like being stung by a bee.

Seriously, they’ll make you literally swell up, while making you feel fat and bloated the entire day.

They also Force your body to depend on sugar all day-instead of burning fat.

However, there are certain foods that you can eat in the morning that are guaranteed to turn your fat burning switch to ‘On’ as soon as you wake up.

They’re called E-Factor Foods which are specifically designed to make you look and feel leaner—all while holding less water. You’ll quickly see why adding these 4 E-Factor Diet Hacks into your day can make you look and feel leaner in less than 24 hours from now. Stay fit and keep learning. For the Silo, Antony Thomas.

Gaming

Virtual Trucking On USA Highways In Truck Simulation 19

September 25, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

astragon Entertainment and developer Jujubee are happy to present the virtual trucking trucks of the next license partner of the mobile game Truck Simulation 19. The originally licensed trucks of US manufacturer MACK® will give virtual truckers the opportunity to drive along iconic United States highways and make their American truckin’ dream come true. The mobile game Truck Simulation 19 will be released for iPhone®, iPad® and smartphones and tablets using the Android^TM operating system.

Diverse environments and more than 30 US cities aren’t the only aspects creating an immersive trucker feeling in Truck Simulation 19. Other essential elements are authentic vehicles in the typical US truck design with enough horsepower for the transport of different kind of freights as well as pulling heavy trailers. Of course a real US truck also needs to provide a certain level of pleasant driving comfort.

All those important features come together in the three true-to-original truck models of the truck brand MACK®: the MackAnthem^TM, the Pinnacle^TM Axle Back and the TITAN BY MACK^TM.

As is possible with every other truck in the game, the truck models of MACK® can be equipped with different kinds of cabs for short-, middle- and long-range trips. If these customization options aren’t enough, every owned MACK® truck can be customized in a variety of ways. Compared to other playable trucks in Truck Simulation 19 the customization options for the three MACK® trucks are widely expanded with a lot more modifications to choose from offer quite some additional modifications to choose from: Not only the color of each model but also the bumpers, the wheels and the wheel sizes, the rims as well as the exterior mirrors and many more parts are completely customizable. By doing so truck fans will be able to conquer the highways with a special MACK® truck that reflects their unique tastes and preferences.

© 2018 astragon Entertainment GmbH. © 2018, Jujubee S.A. Jujubee® and the Jujubee logo are registered trademarks of Jujubee S.A. Published and distributed by astragon Entertainment GmbH. The MACK trademarks and designs are registered rights of the AB Volvo Group and are used pursuant to a license.

Ultimate Trucker Cap by Paid To Blaze Clothing — Click me!

Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc. All other registered trademarks or trademarks are property of their respective owners.

______________________________

astragon Entertainment GmbH

astragon Entertainment (founded in 2000) ranks among the leading independent games publishers in Germany. Our versatile product portfolio focuses on high-quality technical simulation games such as Construction Simulator, Farming Simulator or Bus Simulator, but also covers complex economic simulations and strategy games. The distribution of the Big Fish franchise (Mystery Case Files, Dark Parables, Grim Tales) completes our exciting product range. Games by astragon are available world- wide on many different platforms such as consoles, smartphones, tablets and PC.

Jujubee

Jujubee S.A. is a game development studio that has developed titles like “FLASHOUT 3D,” “Suspect in Sight,” “Take Off – The Flight Simulator,” the real-time strategy game “Realpolitiks,” and the upcoming documentary-adventure game “KURSK.” The company’s goal is to create inspiring and unconventional games for all significant device platforms, such as iOS (iPhone, iPod, iPad), Android, Mac, PC and consoles.

Gaming

Summer Of Change Ahead Of New NHL Season

September 24, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

The new NHL season is just around the corner and you can’t say it’s been a quiet summer for the league. Throughout the NHL, there have been twists and turns throughout the offseason, setting the foundations for another fascinating campaign. On the back of a thrilling 2018/19 season in which the St. Louis Blues lifted the Stanley Cup after an enthralling finals series, over half the league will feel as though they have a realistic chance of going all the way this year.

So, ahead of the start of the new regular season, let’s take a look at the offseason’s biggest stories:

Fenton’s Fall

Undoubtedly, the story of the summer has to be Paul Fenton’s dismissal from his role in charge of the Minnesota Wild after one dismal year. While the decision to replace Fenton with Bill Guerin was understandable, to do so after the draft and free agency has been something many have questioned. The question is now whether or not the Wild will respond on the ice.

RFAs Still On Offer

It’s particularly strange to see so many restricted free agents still available at this point in the offseason. Mitch Marner (now signed), Mikko Rantanen, Kyle Connor and Ivan Provorov are just four unsigned RFAs, with many more still expected to hold talks with their franchises throughout preseason training, with some potentially remaining up in the air by the time the regular campaign gets started.

Devils And Rangers Set To Do Battle

The division that has caught the attention the most throughout the summer has been the Metropolitan. The New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers could be set to rekindle their rivalry after picking up the top two draft selections as well as signing some top veterans – both now around 40/1 with the latest NHL betting odds to win the Stanley Cup. It’s been a while since these two were able to battle it out at the top of the Metropolitan, but that could change this season.

Managerial Merry-Go-Round

Having a Red Wings hero as a player, Steve Yzerman is back in Detroit this season looking to have a similar impact as a general manager after leaving Tampa Bay. The man he’s replacing, Ken Holland, will look to turn around the fortunes of Edmonton. In terms of head coaches, six teams will start the new season with a new man behind their bench. They may be two years away from joining the league but Seattle’s NHL team know former Pittsburgh, Carolina and Toronto man Ron Francis will be their general manager.

“Matt Duchene” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by 5of7

Predators Risk It All

There’s no doubt the Nashville Predators needed to solve the huge power-play issues they struggled with last year but they may have taken a big risk to try to achieve that. To make room for forward Matt Duchene, the Predators decided it was P.K. Subban who would have to make way for Duchene, with the defenceman joining the Devils. Now, we will see whether swapping one of the best defenders in the league for, hopefully, a game-breaking forward pays off.

Reviews

What We Learn From The Death Of A Spouse And How To Find Love Again

September 23, 2019 The Silo 2 Comments

He had no idea his life would change so significantly……For 31 years, Dennis and Hope Freed had a fulfilling marriage. They raised a family, built a home, and shared their dreams with one another and their two sons.

Then Hope got cancer, and their lives changed drastically overnight. She fought a long brave battle, and went through over 250 chemotherapy treatments, but on April 7, 2012, on an evening that heralded Passover in the United States and Easter in Israel, she died.

Dennis Freed’s beloved wife and best-trusted friend had gone, leaving him alone to figure out a future he’d never imagined. For the first year, he sorted through what society expected of a long-term caregiver and widower. Eventually, Dennis emerged from mourning, his heart ready for life’s next chapter. Is there love after marriage?

In Love, Loss and Awakening, Dennis Freed tells the story of how he began to go out with women again. He shares the reality of dating at age 50-plus—how he endured the awkward and hilarious encounters and embarrassments a man experiences when he hasn’t been on a date with a new woman for decades. Dennis’s book chronicles how one finds love after the death of a spouse. He describes his courageous and uplifting journey through sorrow, his search for new love, and his rediscovery of love and happiness.

Drawing upon the wisdom and personal experiences he acquired dating middle-aged women in all the wrong places, Freed takes the mystery out of the many lessons he learned. Dennis found out that as a widow or widower you can find love again, but it’s a difficult road. Love isn’t unique to the person you loved first. That love never fades, but your heart has room for more. You can get love back in your life. Your new love becomes a special love in its own right.

Here are just a few of the valuable insights:

Hole Heart/ Whole Heart

When you lose your best, most trusted friend, the hardships just begin. You are now alone. Your whole heart collapses to half its size. It transforms into a Hole Heart. The process of resurrecting it to wholeness is like Lego construction, built one little brick at a time. At first, bricks of varying shapes and sizes are sorted through and meticulously placed. Slowly they assume the weight and shape of your newly imagined Whole Heart.

Learn How to Be Physical, Affectionate, and Intimate

You spent thirty-plus years kissing no one but your spouse. If you spend your time worrying about the “what if” instead of enjoying the right now, it will rob you of your joy today. Sometimes you just have to learn something new, like all the kissing pleasures one never experienced. It’s not such a bad idea. Understand that it takes time and practice, and that each person you meet is unique. You’ll make hurtful intimacy mistakes just like a teenager. You’ll make stupid and inconsiderate mistakes. It’s a fact. Practice and learn so that when the right person comes along, you’ll be ready.

A Hundred Bottles of Beer on the Wall

You are going to date a lot of people. It is okay to be sad, mad, depressed, empty, lost after a date that isn’t perfect. Embrace the journey! Feel! Live it! Then get on to the next one so your failures don’t consume you. Have fun searching. Let your dating escapades become the target of jokes for your friends. Entertain them with style!

Love, Loss and Awakening

Dennis P. Freed

List $ 12.95US

88 pages, trade softcover, also available in ebook version

ISBN 978-0-9971916-1-5

Tolawaken Press

The death of a loved one is devastating, and can leave us questioning our new path. Will I ever want to find love again, and if so, how do I find it? What’s appropriate behavior for a widowed fifty-four-year-old? Should I explore dating sites? Meet women in bars? Rely on introductions from friends? The questions far outnumber the answers. In Love, Loss and Awakening, Dennis Freed shares his experiences and his journey to new love and the rediscovery of happiness.

For more information, visit www.LoveLossandAwakening.com

About the Author

Dennis P. Freed is a native of Brooklyn, New York, and, from age three, grew up in Oceanside, Long Island, where he later raised his family. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Rhode Island. After a stint as a structural engineer, he entered the Construction Management and Development profession in New York City, where he has led teams to construct and develop more than sixty-five buildings. Also an associate professor at Pratt University in New York, he teaches Construction Management to architecture students.

What People Are Saying

“Love, Loss, and Awakening is an engaging story of how one man bounces back after losing the love of his life. It is an ode to the power of being in relationship, especially when faced with incredibly difficult and heartbreaking loss. And it is with much humor that Dennis Freed takes the reader on a journey to find what we are all looking for to be joyous and fulfilled in relationship.”

—Harville Hendrix, Ph.D., and Helen LaKelly Hunt, Ph.D., Creators of Imago Therapy and authors of Getting the Love You Want

“This is a story of digging deep after loss, finding that being with another is worth the risk, and staying open to lessons both human and Divine. At times an excruciating memoir of living with cancer, at others, a combination of ‘How To’ and, more useful, ‘How NOT To’ of middle-aged dating. Those who have loved deeply will be reminded of what they have or have lost; for others, it’s the promise of how good a relationship can be. The book has a happy ending, yet acknowledges that seeking love must always include a willingness to lose again.”

—Cynthia Wall, LCSW, author of The Courage to Trust: A Guide to Building Deep and Lasting Relationships

“Get ready to cry, laugh, cringe, and howl with wonder and delight as you go through Dennis Freed’s amazing experiences after the loss of his wife. He offers heartfelt real-life insights on how to cope with the despair and overcome the pain so you can face the world and find love and happiness anew.”

—Paul J. Krupin, author of Words People Love to Hear Simple Verbal Recipes for Making the People Around You Feel Good

Gaming

Should Fantasy Sports Be Classed As Gambling?

August 29, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Online fantasy sport games are becoming increasingly popular in the modern era, with more and more variations on traditional fantasy games. There are now fantasy games for most sports, including but not limited to American football, soccer and rugby union. In particular, companies have latched onto major sporting competitions and offer fantasy games for those events. Most recently, there have been plenty of fantasy games created for the Rugby World Cup, which took place in England and Wales throughout September and October a few years ago.

Traditionally, fantasy sport games have been created purely for entertainment reasons. However, in recent years, a number of fantasy games have been created that require people to pay in order to enter the leagues. DraftKings is perhaps the most famous and widely advertised, and they offer DAILY fantasy leagues on a number of sports, mainly baseball, American football and ice hockey. To enter these fantasy leagues, you need an account and can stake money in order to win funds, which you can in turn choose to withdraw or restake.

It’s a little confusing for the fantasy novice and even more so for those who have been playing old-school free fantasy games for decades. But this new system appears to work, although the amount of skill and ability needed certainly makes it close to gambling. For example, you need skill to play online casino games like Blackjack by 32Red. This is widely recognized as gambling, so why should it be any different simply because it’s linked to an online fantasy game? Many people believe it shouldn’t. Both take up a reasonable level of talent to play, and require funds – in a way, they are incredibly similar.

Furthermore, quite a few people have compared staking money on fantasy football to placing a bet on players to score in real-life sporting events. For example, you can place wagers on Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on DraftKings but you can also stake money on Hopkins to score a touchdown, rack up ‘x’ amount of receiving yards and other markets at a range of both online and offline bookmakers.

Nothing like a $1 MILLION sweat! ???????????? Draft your Week 8 Millionaire Maker lineup here: https://t.co/U6IvbO8IPu pic.twitter.com/aW6KRhVbar

— DraftKings (@DraftKings)

However, many fantasy games are free to enter and don’t require additional funds. The NFL fantasy football game allows players to play free of charge, and users are able to compete in either NFL-managed leagues or custom-made leagues with friends and family members. For American football fans, this is the perfect fantasy game for those players who are more concerned about the enjoyment and having fun rather than winning money – even the NFL teams understand the need for the public to play. It’s a relatively simple website and they also have a downloadable app that can send reminders for changing and setting your line-up.

Most importantly, you don’t have to pay anything. You say have because there is the option to open a league with a prize fund. However, that is a season-long thing and certainly shouldn’t be considered as gambling. There aren’t any fantasy options at websites like 32Red, blackjackballroom, or caesarscasino but you can stake money on real-life American football matches and build accumulators. Fantasy football is an incredibly popular game across the world and free versions will always be welcomed by those who aren’t too concerned about winning money and those who play purely for the enjoyment and excitement of competing against others.

Moreover, soccer fans can access the Premier League’s official fantasy game free of charge, too. Football is one of the greatest sports on the planet and millions of people keep up to date with all of the latest injury news and transfers in the sporting world. The Premier League version could branch out to allow those wanting to stake funds the opportunity to do so, but for now it remains a free game for the masses. As soccer is so universally followed, many have called for the Premier League’s fantasy football game to offer a paid version and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see this in the future.

Are paid fantasy games gambling? Well, it depends on a number of key variables and external factors. If you’re staking on a daily basis, playing more because you’re addicted and focused on winning money than for the sheer enjoyment of fantasy sports, then that’s a worry. However, the majority of fantasy users aren’t like that and enjoy placing simple stakes, quite like many of the same people who enjoy playing online casino games such as Blackjack and Roulette. For the time being, there isn’t a huge need to classify fantasy sports as gambling but that could change if fantasy games adopt a similar stance as DraftKings and they all become ‘pay-to-play’ games in the future.

Gaming

Free Presidential Helicopter Game Via White House Historical Association

August 13, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

NEW GAME Added to White House Experience App

“Fly Like Ike”

Players Can Pilot Presidential Helicopter Around Washington, D.C.

August, 2019 (Washington, D.C.) – The White House Historical Association has just launched a new game in its WHExperience mobile app called “Fly Like Ike.” This interactive game allows users to pilot the president’s helicopter and make stops to learn about several monuments and historic sites in Washington, D.C. before testing their aviation skills by landing on the South Lawn of the White House.

A picture containing grass, sky, outdoor

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Helicopters have played an important role in transporting the president since 1957 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first president to use a helicopter. The helicopter used in this game is a replica of the Official 2019 White House Christmas Ornament.

“Fly Like Ike” currently features these seven destinations: U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Capitol, National Mall, Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial/Tidal Basin, Lincoln Memorial, and the White House.

“Fly Like Ike” is the latest feature on the White House Historical Association’s WHExperience app, which is free to download on iOS, Android devices.

The WHExperience app also provides information and a link to purchase the 2019 Official White House Ornament, which commemorates President Eisenhower’s commitment to innovation as the first president to fly in a helicopter while in office in July 1957.

“Fly Like Ike” requires Wi-Fi or a data plan, and is compatible with iPhone 7 and up and devices running Android version 7.0 and up.

The WHExperience app also includes virtual tours of the White House and a “Presidential Lookalike” selfie feature, which is powered by Amazon Rekognition technology. For the Silo, Jessica Fredericks.

About The White House Historical Association

First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy envisioned a restored White House that conveyed a sense of history through its decorative and fine arts. In 1961, the White House Historical Association was established to support her vision to preserve and share the Executive Mansion’s legacy for generations to come. Supported entirely by private resources, the Association’s mission is to assist in the preservation of the state and public rooms, fund acquisitions for the White House permanent collection, and educate the public on the history of the White House. Since its founding, the White House Historical Association has contributed more than $50 million USD in fulfillment of its mission.

Gaming

Best Online Casino In Canada Where Gamblers Win Real Money

July 9, 2019 The Silo 13 Comments

Canadians respect the law. Those, who like gambling, do it as well. As soon as land casinos in this country are legal, they feel free playing in various gambling clubs placed in different provinces. Nevertheless, it is much more convenient for many players to stay at home and use the pros of casinos that work online.

However, as the situation with online gambling business legality is still vague, not to take any risks of breaking laws, Canadians prefer to play in their casinos that have licenses and use playing sites that welcome them and let win real money. Baocasino Canada is exactly this new reliable resource.

Legal online casino Сanada for real money

Canada is inherently a country that offers its residents and guests a huge selection of diverse entertainment options and a pleasant pastime. Among such options, a special place is occupied by numerous casinos and gambling houses.

Besides, Canadians take care of those people, who want to gamble online. Numerous advantages are offered to them here. When they choose Baocasino, they can use all the advantages of this gambling site, including earning crypto, taking part in tournaments and getting the best prizes in Bao way quest.

No taxes for players

Canada is a real paradise for those players, who win real money in online casinos regularly. If in other countries, especially in the USA, the closest to Canada neighbor, gambling tax in some states can reach 50%, here the situation is different.

However, there is one “but” even here. Yes, in Canada, there is no tax on winnings, but if Poker is a person’s main source of income, then he, as an individual, must pay income tax, the amount of which is directly proportional to the income for one year.

Progressive tax rates applied at the federal level:

Taxable Income – Rate:

Up to $ 42.707 – 15%;
From $ 42,707 to $ 85,414 – 22%;
From $ 85,414 to $ 132 406 – 26%;
From the sum more than $ 132,406 – 29%.

However, even in this case, the taxes in Canada are lower than in many countries (taxes in the gambling sphere, for sure). Canadian residents, who gamble in the casinos with licenses of other countries, should also follow these laws. Baocasino, with its license from Curacao, being a legal playing site, respects the laws, and follows them.

Bonuses for gamblers

Playing in the best online legal casinos in Canada, gamblers can claim a variety of bonuses, and get them, withdrawing money following wagering requirements. Those, who register in Baocasino for gambling, not for fun, can also get these bonuses.

Before claiming them, it is recommended to read about the Bonus policy of the casino. In brief, it is as follows:

When a gambler starts playing in Bao with an additional bonus that is over 20 free spins and 100% deposit bonus, this bonus will be added to the first made deposit;
Wagering bonus, the player cannot make the bet over 5 USD or 7, 7 CAD;
Withdrawing money that is won thanks to bonuses usage, the rules works — the maximum withdrawal here is 80 CAD or 50 USD;
Using bonuses, Canadian players must not use any strategies when gambling. If Baocasino finds out that the strategies were used, the win is terminated.

Exciting adventures also offered as prizes

If winning money isn’t amazing enough then take a look at Baocasino’s prize pool: it includes exclusive adventures such as this month’s Chernobyl Tournament. The First place winner is in for a unforgettable trip of a lifetime.

The variety of games

Baocasino that offers its registered players from Canada the variety of games that can be found in other gambling resources, but here, players have a chance to earn Bitcoin and some alternative cryptocurrencies like Litecoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.

They can do it when choosing crypto as the main currency for gambling or playing special crypto games, which are available in this casino. If a player wins in cryptocurrency, he can withdraw his win instantly.

Baocasino is the best choice for those Canadians, who are seeking for a reliable and legal online casino with a number of cool games, bonuses and interesting promotions. After registration, all these pros become available to a new user. For the Silo, Ella Wilson.

Reviews

Vancouver Company Producing Anxiety Fighting Play Tents For Children

May 31, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Vancouver-based maker of play tents for children, Domestic Objects, has made it easier for parents and children to ‘unplug’ from the digital world with their Play Tent Canopy. Designed and manufactured to fit securely over a mattress on the floor, the Play Tent Canopy offer parents a clearly delineated space for family time and imagination-based play, shutting out the digital distractions that can be harmful to early child development and lead to developmental problems such as anxiety.

Launched by Sarah Jagger in 2014, Domestic Objects has built a solid reputation in Canada, the U.S.A. and abroad for handmade, customizable play tents designed to stimulate a child’s natural curiosity and sense of play.

The Play Tent Canopy was initially created at the request of a mother with a very active toddler who was consistently climbing out of their crib. Now Domestic Objects’ best-selling product, it’s now available in four standard mattress sizes in a variety of fabrics, and as a custom order for non-standard mattresses.

“Part of the attraction of the Play Tent Canopy, I think, is practical. You can have a play area that doesn’t take up extra space in a child’s bedroom,” says Jagger. “Plus, being both a restful sleeping space and an imagination-fuelled play space, a canopy helps with the transition from a crib to a “real” bed.”

But, most important to Jagger, is how Domestic Objects play tents can bring parents and children together in play and spark a child’s innate imagination and creativity. A play tent can help a family unplug from the digital world and facilitate more natural and self-driven playtime.

A recent study by the Canadian Paediatric Society states that “[high] exposure to background TV has been found to negatively affect language use and acquisition, attention, cognitive development and executive function in children under 5 years old. It also reduces the amount and quality of parent-child interaction and distracts from play.”

Dr. Shimi Kang agrees. The award-winning, Harvard-trained doctor, researcher, bestselling author and speaker says research shows that children are less creative now than they were before the advent of the parental “helpers” like iPads and online educational games.

“We are living in an era of paradox,” says Dr. Kang. “Our society is technologically advanced, yet our children are becoming increasingly unhealthy with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and addiction. The Play Tent Canopy provides a space where children will receive the brain-boosting benefits of imaginary play, family bonding and precious downtime.”

Domestic Objects Play Tent Canopy (starting at $238 CAD) and its other products are available and ship worldwide through the Domestic Objects website and the company’s Etsy store.

ABOUT DOMESTIC OBJECTS
Domestic Objects offers eight different imaginative play products, including customizable teepees and canopy beds in an array of stylish fabrics, matching floor pillows, whimsical accessories and even and a children’s book, The Play Tent of Imagination, which Jagger wrote in collaboration with illustrator Lenny Wen.

Reviews

A Cooking Journal With A Unique Interface- Not Connected to Smartphone

May 12, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Here’s a cooking journal with a unique platform that helps you create signature recipes and becomes your personal cookbook. It’s a perfect booklet for all people who enjoy cooking and experimenting in the kitchen. The project first launched a couple of years ago on Kickstarter under the name Project Cookbook.

If you want to get more creative with your cooking, but still make sure your ideas don’t melt away as fast as the food from your plates, Cookbook is the perfect fit for your kitchen. Old Skool – This cooking journal with a unique interface helps you develop signature recipes and create a culinary heritage. And what’s the best part? It’s not connected to your smartphone. It is a physical booklet that will become your trusted cooking companion and is destined to become your personal cookbook.

If other similar booklets are meant to simply copy and gather recipes of others, Cookbook’s idea and purpose is much different: after you equip the Cookbook with recipes of your choice, they simply serve as a starting point of your future cooking experiments. It features a development platform for every recipe where you can keep track of all the changes to the original recipe – whether it’s tinkering with your cooking process or changing the ingredients.

After each try you can use the scoreboard to evaluate your dish, write down important notes for next time and keep a tab on who loves it the most.

The aim is to remind people that cooking is more than just following recipes. As the team puts it: ‘’We are hoping Cookbook will motivate people to develop their own recipes and create a culinary heritage, which they will be able to share with their friends, family and future generations.

Something like the notebooks our grandmothers used to have, but with a modern twist.

Cookbook also holds an encyclopedia which helps you with everyday pickles like finding the appropriate wine pairing or quickly converting cups into grams. A minimalist design of the book gives you a sense of coziness and at the same time allows you to personalize the final outlook of your Cookbook. For the Silo, Hana Gaber.

Gaming

Keno Online Means Worldwide Lottos At Your Fingertips

April 22, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Many of us enjoy playing the lottery. Whether it’s regularly as a group at work or as part of a bunch of friends or perhaps as an occasional indulgence at the corner store- there is always the chance that you will win. And unlike most betting games, the lottery is simple to understand and simple to play. By choosing a series of numbers often ranging from between 1 and 80, players hope that they have correctly predicted the outcome of numbered ‘ping pong’ balls that are randomly drawn by a machine. This machine uses air pressure to float a large number of balls about until all the receiving baskets are filled up by the no longer floating balls. Beautiful randomness.

Keno takes this idea a step further.

The basic rules and playing instructions are the same but allow for more variety. Modern day casinos have offered keno for decades and it continues to be a highly popular choice for gamers. The casino is able to modify the general lotto rules in order to make their version more attractive and fun. For example, they may decide to increase or decrease the amount of balls used or design their own type of keno betting slips making your odds of winning higher than a state or provincial lottery.

The move towards random number generators.

Not every casino or lottery uses a ball machine. Today, digital technology holds the lead in many areas and computers are able to quickly and efficiently generate a series of random numbers. In 1946 John von Neumann, an early computer programming pioneer, developed a mathematical way of generating random numbers using a computer.

After almost 75 years, the random number generator has proven to be reliable. That’s great news for gamers since this method is used by digital casinos ensuring keno draws are now available online 24/7.

It can now happen.

Even more exciting is the way that digital Keno is played. Instead of being restricted to your local lottery, you can now play lotteries all over the world from anywhere you are connected to the internet. Online sites offering keno payout by matching the official lottery rules and results.

This is an exciting change that leads to all kinds of fun and new ways of playing. For example, if you have family in another part of the world you can now join them and play together. Or perhaps you have always wanted to play the National lottery in England but live here in Canada- it can now happen.

For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Reviews

‘Frail Absolute’ Book Not For Faint Hearted

April 8, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

Plato’s The Republic challenged the way humankind thought. Now, a immigrant from then-Communist Hungary is posing a similar challenge: Is perception reality, why can one individual’s experience of reality differ so radically from another’s, and how can humankind’s search for a deity be what ultimately separates us from each other and from Nature?

Heady stuff, and Istvan Deak’s book, Frail Absolute, is not for the faint-hearted.

Neither is the author, who fled Hungary illegally with his wife and lived in an Italian refugee camp for six months before being allowed into Montreal, Canada. There, Deak secured a job using brooms and mops in an expert way cleaning hospital corridors, and eventually writing commercial business software programs. A short time later, he moved to Toronto, where he and his wife live now.

3rd Century AD scroll fragment of Plato's Republic — 3rd Century AD scroll fragment of Plato’s Republic

A philosophy is born. As this self-described analytical introvert began revisiting the philosophers he had read as a teenager, long-quiet questions began to surface about religion, about matter and energy, about how humans interact with one another. And he began writing Frail Absolute.

“I understood that the Force of Reality blew up in the Big Bang and created our universe,” Deak says.

“That Force, that Absolute, has been and must be present in everything in a most profound manner. Otherwise, everything would cease to exist.”

As he wrote and thought and questioned, his epiphany came.

“I asked this Force of Reality, ‘Where can I find you?’ And the reply came back, ‘Who is it who stirs your mind so that you want to know this?'” the author says.

As in The Republic, where Socrates and others discuss the meaning of justice, happiness, soul and the roles of the philosopher in society, characters in Frail Absolute discuss the meaning of reality, perception and harmony. Where Socrates vision culminates in a city ruled by philosopher-kings, Frail Absolute ultimately creates a way to exist in what Deak dubs “the Continuum (All That Is).”

“I have always sought a way to transcend what separates us from one another and from the force that exists everywhere. No matter what one believes in “science, a strict or a benevolent deity, even a non-existent god such as atheists do“ searching for this concept keeps humans apart. All reality is relative to the individual experiencing it,” he says. “Since there can be no single, absolute truth, I imagine how we can instead pursue the shareable values of love, compassion and harmonious collaboration in our daily existence.”

Mr. Deak — Recent photograph of Istvan Deak

Istvan Deak grew up in Hungary, reading the works of ancient and modern philosophers. As a young adult, he taught math and physics before fleeing Communist Hungary for a refugee camp in Italy with his wife. They emigrated to Canada, where he eventually joined a railway company and then began writing software applications as a freelancer. He plans for Frail Absolute to be just the first of many philosophical books.

Istvan Deak’s Wikipedia Page

Sample Page — Sample page from Frail Absolute

Gaming

Fast Track To The Future With Virtual Reality

April 3, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

The implications of what Virtual Reality can achieve are vast, and it is predicted that VR will seep into every area of our lives in the very near future. VR is not just a concept that excites the entertainment business, but has a very real presence in some of the world’s most essential industries. However, many people remain skeptical about the impact virtual reality will actually have and suggest that it is only an attractive concept for gamers. Although it is true that VR is a fantastic way to improve online gaming, it has already been used in the medical and manufacturing industries, proving that virtual reality is not just a tool for play. Others fear VR could replace physical social interaction and they are therefore reluctant to consider the many benefits it actually presents. By taking a selection of real-life situations in which virtual reality is already used, we can assess its impact and perhaps decide whether it is to be embraced or discarded.

Surgery

It may not surprise you to know that the health sector is one of the biggest users and advocates of virtual reality. VR is of exceptional benefit in surgical training, improving student skills whilst minimizing risk to potential patients. This type of training can improve confidence and allow students to explore surgical procedures and options that would otherwise be inaccessible to them during the initial stages of their training. Virtual reality is already used by surgical staff, trainee nurses, dentists, and in numerous other health settings, world wide, allowing students to quickly gain skills without putting themselves or other individuals at risk.

Therapy

The authentic nature of VR allows therapists to assist patients with certain phobias. VR promotes controlled environments which can quickly be changed or eradicated during a course of therapy. For example, a person suffering from arachnophobia would perhaps find it more helpful and less daunting to experience holding a spider via VR rather than in a real life situation, and of course, a virtual reality headset can be turned off immediately should the situation require it. Other phobias and aversions could be tackled through the use of VR, including water aversion, acrophobia (fear of extreme heights) or aviophobia (fear of flying).

Entertainment

For some people, the online world is their only connection to society and if virtual reality gaming can help them continue to connect, then this can only be perceived as a positive thing. There is no denying that virtual reality is an amazingly entertaining concept and, when done well, is an excellent way to experience online gaming. Being fully immersed in a game is a highly attractive idea: whether it be one that takes you to a battlefield, or a game that allows you to feel as if you are actually being dealt cards at a plush casino in Vegas. Currently, gamers can connect with people from all over the world, or play slots in the comfort of their own home by visiting a site such as www.luckynuggetcasino.com yet imagine the thrill of full immersion through the power of virtual reality.

Transport and Training

Again, we touch upon the benefits virtual reality provides to many aspects of training and, in this particular situation, to the world of transport. For years the aviation industry has been using simulations to help train pilots and virtual reality is a welcome advance in such training. VR flight training presents minimal risk to both the pilot and passengers whilst allowing pilots to experience the difficulties that may arise whilst being in control of the aircraft. The most spectacular example of virtual reality based vehicle training is perhaps that used by NASA to train its astronauts. The training includes various simulations including that of an astronaut having to perform repairs during zero-gravity conditions, as well as a simulated detachment from the shuttle with the astronaut having to use a powered backpack to return. NASA has even managed to use VR in space, keeping astronauts up to date with training whilst on a mission and it has been suggested that VR will be used to entertain astronauts in space in the future. Just imagine, you could soon be sharing your virtual poker table with the astronauts of tomorrow!

Supplemental- Gamers are talking about the Oculus Rift and the Playstation VR but the HTC Vive looks pretty sweet too!

A Musical Journey for Robots and their masters~ CLICK ME

Gaming

Can Anyone Make Sports Betting Pay?

February 25, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

If ever you read about any kind of “system” someone is trying to sell you or any kind of sports betting tipping service etc., you’d be well-advised to completely ignore it. If anyone “knew” anything in advance, they wouldn’t be busy trying to sell it to you – they’d be busy making a killing themselves. So please ignore all this stuff.

At the same time there are an increasing number of people around the world making a living from gambling online on various sports – so how do they do it and is it possible for any of us to emulate what they do?

Well first things first – it is possible to make a steady profit at sports gambling if you’re balanced and determined enough and, crucially, you understand value as a concept and have a niche knowledge in some way.

So what do we mean by value as a concept?

Well simply put, you need to have a feel for the study of mathematical probabilities and the way that even small margins can result in one side of a wager winning very large amounts over time. After all, it’s this simple principle on which the whole of the worldwide casino industry (whether online or real) is built. They call it the house edge.

So let’s consider roulette as a simple option. Roulette comes pretty close to giving gamblers an even chance in European versions of the game anyway when there is just the one “zero” slot. This means that you have a 48.6% chance of doubling your money if you select red or black, or odd or even numbers etc.

36 Years ago, almost to the day.....Kenny Rogers released The Gambler- click on the image above to learn more. — At the time of this article being published it was 36 Years ago, almost to the day….. that Kenny Rogers released The Gambler- click on the image above to learn more.

Conversely, it means the house (i.e. the casino) has a 51.4% chance of winning. And just that small percentage – the house edge – is sufficient when enough gamblers gamble long enough. It’s inevitable that the house will steadily profit – so the more players it gets, the bigger those profits are. There have been some big individual winners in casinos over time – but the really big winners are the casinos themselves, courtesy of that small percentage difference. That’s all it takes to make millions upon millions if you can get enough people to play with enough money. The laws of probability do the rest.

This is what we mean by value as a concept. So to overcome the edge, you have to have your own edge. And this usually means either an in-depth knowledge of a sport or some kind of information that the rest of the market hasn’t woken up to yet.

So look for opportunities in one-to-one situations mainly – where you think the wider market’s odds don’t reflect the actual chances of real-life events. You’re more likely to be able to spot these if you know a minority sport inside out. This will give you the kind of edge we’re talking about here –though you also need to understand value.

Let’s look at one specific example, then, of a sport that is big in some other countries but not here in Canada. I n some niche areas like gambling on rugby league with exchanges like Betfair – a detailed knowledge and the ability to analyze a game can really help. In Canada, of course, rugby league is a relatively tiny minority sport, but in both the UK and Australia that is not the case at all. In these countries, gambling on the sport is huge business – often via handicap betting where the odds are slightly less than even money, but one of the teams is given ‘X’ points start to even things up in the eyes of the market anyway.

The fact that rugby league is such a minority sport in Canada though, gives expert punters here a real edge – on games in the country. And that’s all any of us can hope to do – get a small edge on the market. That’s because making a steady profit at any form of gambling is a very tough thing to achieve – so even with the exchanges markets where the odds are slightly better than with the bookies, you still need to overcome the five per cent commission charged by the exchange betting website on each and every winning bet.

It’s rather like one of those old fashioned “penny falls” machines you see in amusement arcades where some of sliding off the side each time

the cash (in this case around five per cent) is into the proprietor’s coffers. In other words, if you keep gambling away and the market has the odds perfectly right all the time, then you are sure to lose gradually over time. In fact, to be specific, you’ll lose five per cent steadily – obviously.

So not only do you need to understand your niche sport inside out – but you also need to be shrewd and understand the whole concept of a true ‘value’ bet. This may sound obvious but it isn’t in practice as people are swayed by the market. But there’s one neat trick which is a really easy way around this “sway” problem and it’s this; always try to come up with your best educated guess of the likely odds of any market you feel you know pretty well before looking at the actual odds. Then – and only then – take the odds when you see that they’re markedly bigger than you think they “should” be.

This neatly gets around any extraneous external factors – and helps clear your mind of any market-driven bias in ignorance of what the market has actually made of it. Remember that you will have to be contrarian to make money over a long enough period of time at this game. Otherwise – if the market always called the odds on everything just right, there would be theoretically no room for the professional gamblers to make money – yet there are plenty people doing just that. And they all either have a system, or an in-depth knowledge of their chosen markets that has been tried and tested and is proven to beat the rest of the market over time – or they have a little of both of these things. You cannot win by being the same as everyone else – that’s a given.

Just remember that if you think you have what it takes – to trial and trial again your ideas with tiny amounts of cash only at first – whilst treating that amount like its 100 or 1,000 times as much. For the Silo, Claire Siblot. Online Media Relations Specialist. Leeds, UK

Reviews

Supreme Analog Vinyl Record Weights Trending

February 11, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

“If there is no sound philosophy in making the audio gear, then all product you make is plagiarism.” Zoran Mihajlovic
Having grown up around record players of dubious quality, I remember very clearly my first ‘real’ turntable. An audiophile friend of the family helped my father put together an entry level system for my 15th birthday. The system included 3 way Acoustic Research speakers, Sansui integrated amplifier, Sansui 3 head cassette deck and my first decent turntable- a gently used Sansui direct drive with a shiny S-arm and what looked like a strange silver hockey puck.

At 15 I was into my second year of drumming and with this turntable was now able to play along to LP records without having to worry about the inevitable skipping that the cheap family record player performed almost every time I hit the bass drum hard. I later learned that the puck was actually a custom made record clamp that the previous owner had fashioned to squeeze every last bit of performance out of the record player.

There is a surprising amount of science behind the advantages of using record clamps to ‘push’ the vinyl down onto the slipmat and platter and people that use them swear by them. In general terms, the added mass from the fitted clamp flattens warps in the record and a beneficial flywheel effect takes place once the record is spinning at speed.

Today, turntable designs have advanced and exotic materials and technologies are incorporated into high end models. This has translated into a need for ultra high quality clamps designed to properly secure records to all kinds of esoteric spindles and platters.

Enter Zoran Mihajlovic- a man devoted to producing the highest quality record clamps such as the Model 1 via his Serbian company Supreme Analog. At 3000 euros (at time of this article, 1 euro = 1.5 Canadian dollars) , this is a record clamp (Supreme-Analog calls it a record weight) that is produced on order only and commands attention.

70mm wide, 50mm high, 460g weight
Swiss stainless steel and Serbian sinked wood

If you are on a more modest budget, they also offer the BL-006 for 250 euros. Also made from Swiss stainless steel, the more basic model weighs in at 950g and ships world wide for free in a solid wood box.

It’s easy to tell that Supreme-Analog have a real passion for audio and they make a number of interesting products including jewel like tonearms and gorgeous horn speakers. Check them all out. For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Reviews

Portable Motion Activated Camera Replaces Peep Holes

October 24, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

The PHV MAC is an ‘electronic peephole’ for your home security that takes images of anyone or anything that is out front.

Its ambient light sensor allows images to be taken up to 30 inches from the door. This battery-powered device features an LCD screen on the inside of the door to display the photos, which stores still shots as well as video on a Micro SD card and includes dates and times of when the sensor was activated. The batteries inside last for 9,000 triggers, and can be powered for a little more than 6 months. The playback feature allows you to view a time-lapsed video with all images with one press of a button.

The MAC 200 can function as a separate security camera for your home. The portable, motion-activated camera can store up to 14 months of images. You can watch over 8 hours of images with a condensed, time-lapsed 1 minute video. There are three capture modes you can choose from: motion-activated, time lapse capturing, and a hybrid mode that includes both. Activity can be set to sense anywhere between 20 feet to 320 feet between the three different modes.

The view from your door, inside your home.

Gaming

Play Golf Better Faster

September 29, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

Play Golf Better Faster is out and unless you’re Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods you’ll want to read this to get the best tips, strategies and more good-to-know content to improve your golf fame. Barlis’ book is organized into three sections: Using Your Brain, Practicing Your Game and Playing Your Game. You’ll feel your golf game improving with every page you turn. So in lieu of spoiling the need-to-know material in Play Golf Better Faster, here are some tips you can read until you get your hands on Barlis’ new book.

Kalliope Barlis New book: Don’t Chop Wood, Drive the Spike

PGA advises “If you put a log on the ground and asked someone to take out a chunk of wood from the log they would most likely swing the ax into the log at an angle and create sliced out section from the log. This action is done with an abrupt angle of attack into the wood log.”

For more of their tips visit:

http://www.pga.com/topic/golf-instruction/golf-tip-day

Know Your Wind

Calculating the wind before you swing may sound like a no-brainer but it’s a necessary reminder and can take years to really get down pact. Don’t be afraid to make a few waist-high practice swings to get the feel and stricter for your hit. Then pick your target area and move it according to the wind. Once you become a more seasoned golfer you will learn the wind strengths and you may even be able to detect the pattern the wind is blowing in. Just remember that practice makes perfect.

Mind Power

Like most sports, golf can be as much mentally challenging as it is physically. It’s important to keep a clear mind so you don’t end up getting in your own way. Simple exercises you might have learned back in elementary school can be perfect for this scenario. If you’re stressing out about your score or your next shot take a deep breath in, hold it for 10 seconds and exhale -this strategy has been proven to help quell stress and panic. Another method is to wear a rubber band around your wrist and every time you start feeling anxious you snap the band. You’re not punishing yourself for stressing out -you’re actually training your brain! The small unpleasant feeling will eventually be linked to negative thoughts and soon without even thinking, your subconscious will start to repress those negative thoughts.

Reviews

The Big Year Is A Fun Comedy For Bird Enthusiasts

August 21, 2018 The Silo 1 Comment

I first took notice of this film because of where I live- which is not that far away from Long Point, Ontario, a mecca for birdwatchers. I find that it’s a more immersive experience to watch a movie that is connected thematically in some way to the sorts of activities that the area I live in has to offer. This reinforces the suspension of disbelief while watching and serves to supercharge the imagination. If you live in a seaside community and you’ve ever watched Jaws followed by a bit of swimming you know exactly what I mean.

Back to the birds

The main story arc of The Big Year goes a little like this: A ready-to-retire-but-not-quite-sure-its-the-right-time-to-retire businessman and a mid-thirties-divorced-unemployed-savant (he can identify any bird just by hearing a few notes of its birdsong) aim for beating the current single year record of bird sightings. In the parlance of the ‘birding’ community, this is known as doing a ‘big year’. The current record holder, played by Owen Wilson, is the rock-star of the ‘birding’ community and is completely obsessed with stopping anyone else from beating his record- even if this means missing the birth of his child and ruining his second marriage.

Highly competitive obsession

Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson in the The Big Year.

I always believed that birding was a slowly paced albeit serious hobby but this movie turns the notion on its head. The story develops and moves quickly. The characters are highly competitive and race against each other as the suspense and intensity builds.

The Big Year is satisfying, clever and funny . If you are a birder there is a good chance that you will love this movie (especially if you can relate to the obsessive compulsive behavior of the main characters) but then again you might end up blaming this movie- you might decide on doing a big year and to hell with anything and anyone in your path. For the Silo, Doug McKenzie.

TheBigYear2 — Jack Black’s character feeling bad (but not that bad) about Steve Martin’s character picking up the dinner tab.

Supplemental- The Big Year:A Tale of Man,Nature and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obmascik. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/entertainment/jan-june04/bird_04-12.html

Gaming

Halo Fireteam Raven Arcade Game Launched In Australia

July 26, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

Thursday, 26 July, 2018 (Sydney, Macquarie Shopping Centre) – Timezone Australia was excited today to introduce the first arcade edition of the Xbox cult favourite videogame Halo to Australia. Halo: Fireteam Raven blew arcade gamer’s minds when Timezone Macquarie Centre became the first Australian venue to boast this state-of-the-art multiplayer gaming experience. Timezone stores in Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Perth will follow hot on Macquarie’s heels, with the game debuting there next month in August.

Timezone also offered fans the chance to participate in an online social media challenge Halo as part of this Australian first gaming launch. The winner, Trent John Webb (age 23) from NSW’s Central Coast, won a years worth of Timezone Power Play credit for his online entry.

“I am so happy about this incredible experience. I have been a big fan of Halo since i was young and to see if brought to the arcade has been really exciting. My girlfriend and I are ecstatic to come back to Timezone each week to play this game!” – Trent says.

The largest Australian Halo cosplay community 405th Australian Regiment joined in on the celebrations, showcasing unique and realistic costume designs spanning from different chapters in the Halo multiverse.

“Bringing the arcade game version of Halo to Timezone Macquarie Centre gives the game’s dedicated fan base a chance to play like never before. Timezone is thrilled to introduce this first-in-Australia experience to fans as part of Timezone’s 40th birthday celebrations,” says Kane Fong, General Manager of Timezone Australia.

Halo’s console-based playing experience is now brought to life in an immersive multiplayer platform, which enables four players to either play cooperatively, or compete against each other. It’s Halo, but more: this latest installment’s physical structure boasts a colossal 130-inch widescreen, 4K game play and 5.1 surround sound. It adds a tangible element to the much-loved franchise, allowing individuals the opportunity to play right alongside Master Chief in the battle to ward off the enemy forces of the Covenant and the Flood infestation. For the Silo, Adrian Falk.

Halo: Fireteam Raven was created and fine-tuned by 343 Industries over several years and is set in the timeframe of 2001’s Halo: Combat Evolved game. Players will take on the roles of the Fireteam Raven – an elite group of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers.

You’ll not only able to battle it out with your friends, competing against them for the highest score – you can scan a QRC code with your phone to upload your stats and progress to your Halo Waypoint account. Exactly what you’d expect from a true 2018 arcade game experience!

Featured image- Halo Fireteam Raven 405th

Reviews

Ltd Edn Johnnie Walker Black Label Scotch Whiskey Triple Cask Edition Available

June 11, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

LONDON, June 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ —World‘s #1 Scotch whisky and travel retail giant Dufry partner for launch of new whisky

Whisky loving travelers can now indulge in a limited edition Scotch, as the world’s No. 1 Scotch whisky^[1] brand introduces Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition exclusively to passengers travelling through selected Duty Free Stores around the world.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition is a limited-edition whisky inspired by the smooth and deep character of the iconic Johnnie Walker Black Label. Only available in Dufry stores, this new blend offers travelers one new flavour with triple the character.

Enthusiastic about the launch Roger Jackson, Commercial Director Europe & Middle East of Diageo Global Travel said: “We’re delighted to release Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition as part of an exclusive partnership with Dufry stores. Shoppers are set to be inspired and excited by the instore tasting opportunities and knowledgeable staff who will explore the creation of this brilliant new blend with whisky fans.”

The development of this rich, sweet and spicy Scotch has been led by Johnnie Walker Master Blender, Jim Beveridge, and expert blender, Chris Clark. This new expression has been crafted using three key Speyside Malts from Blair Athol, Cardhu and Strathmill and matured in a combination of Bourbon, Caribbean Rum and Scotch Whisky casks. The result is a wonderfully rich Scotch with layers of sweet vanilla and ginger aromas, toffee and brown sugar notes and a whisper of signature smoke. Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition are exclusively available at Dufry, the world’s leading travel retailer, and distribution began in over 300 stores worldwide starting last month.

Eduardo Heusi Pereira, Global Category Director Liquor, Confectionery & Tobacco said: “Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Edition is a marvelous addition to the portfolio of Johnnie Walker whiskies that are currently proudly stocked in our stores around the globe. We’re excited to activate a number of vibrant touchpoints both instore and on online that will provide the opportunity for our shoppers to explore and get their hands on this lively new expression of Johnnie Walker Black Label. Exclusive to only Dufry stores, this makes the perfect unique gift for travelers.”

Johnnie Walker Triple casks have been available globally from May, at a recommended price of 28 GBP (about $48.74 CDN) for a 1L bottle. For the Silo, Alex Head/Cision.

Johnnie Walker Black Label Triple Cask Coconut Spritz:
Ingredients:
– 50ml Johnnie Walker Triple Cask
– 75ml Coconut water
– 75ml Soda water
– 1 Dash sugar syrup
Lime zest & mint sprig
Method:
Serve with fresh ice, built in the glass.
(15.8 grams of alcohol per drink)
Please visit Diageo’s global responsible drinking resource, http://www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Supplemental- Toronto Martini’s are all about the garnish.

Reviews

World First Magnet Operated Coin From Canada Mint

June 6, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

OTTAWA, June, 2018 / CNW/ – The Mint continues to tap in to its creativity and innovation to further unleash the potential of coin manufacturing and transform the coin collecting experience. Such is the case with the 2018 $50 Fine Silver Coin – Antique Carousel and several other head-turning coins in the June 2018 numismatic catalogue.

In a world-first, the Mint’s Research & Development team has meticulously created a 6 oz. silver coin featuring a miniature, functional carousel that rotates with the help of a magnet. This timeless attraction at countless Canadian carnivals and fairs is the crowning piece of artist Calder Moore’s design, selectively plated in gold, much like the gilded carousels of the past. Even the horses move up and down on this dazzling creation which is limited to a world-wide mintage of only 1,000.

Another impressive 3D design element can be found on the 2018 $200 Pure Gold Coin – 30^th Anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf. This 1 oz. gold coin is enhanced by a “high intricacy casting” of a silver maple leaf that literally pops from its reverse proof surface. In another Mint-first, we have launched the 2018 $250 Fine Silver Coin – Maple Leaf Forever: a one kilo 99.99% pure silver coin, our largest convex coin to date, featuring the artwork of senior Mint engraver Stan Witten.

Finally, two new coin sets stand out as memorable additions to an exciting line-up of classic and unique numismatic products. The 2018 Fine Silver 3-Coin Set – Beneath Thy Shining Skies features a complex design by artist Rebecca Yanovskaya. Two rectangular coins flank a maple-leaf shaped centrepiece to compose a panoramic tableau that links scenery and famous Canadian landmarks to illustrate the story of our nation and its people.

History takes centre stage on a four-coin set celebrating the “Colonial Currency of the Atlantic Provinces”. Struck with dies mimicking the wear of well-circulated coins and hand finished with an antique patina, these icons of early Canadian numismatic history are beautifully reproduced in 99.99% pure silver. In order to bring out the elegant features of each period design, each coin is larger in diameter than its original.

Other collectibles available this month include:

The 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin – First World War Allied Forces: Canada, the first coin in a new series commemorating the contribution of the major Allied forces that brought fighting to an end with the Armistice of November 11, 1918. The design featuring the Canadian cavalry is the work of artist Pandora Young;
The $100 Fine Silver Coin – Keepers of Parliament: The Unicorn, the first of a series of 10 oz. silver coins, designed by Patrick Bélanger and showcasing stonework figures watching over the front doors of Parliament;
The 2018 $30 Fine Silver Coin – Fireworks at the Falls, featuring a Tony Bianco colour illustration of the natural landmark, with a hidden nighttime fireworks scene only visible under black light;
The 2018 $500 Pure Gold Coin – Predators of the Wild, an impressive 5 oz. designed by Emily Damstra;
The 2018 $30 Fine Silver Coin – Zentangle® Art: The Great Horned Owl, designed by Jori Van Der Linde;
The 2018 $30 Fine Silver Coin – Canadian Canopy: The Maple Leaf, designed by Emily Damstra;
The 2018 $20 Fine Silver Coin Frozen in Ice – Scimitar Sabretooth Cat, designed by Glen Loates;
The 2018 $3 Fine Silver Coin – The Thirteen Teachings from Grandmother Moon: Strawberry Moon, designed by Frank Polson; and,
The crystal-enhanced 2018 $5 Fine Silver Coin – Birthstones: July, featuring a mandala-inspired ruby design by artist Pandora Young.

Mintages, pricing and full background information on each product can be found on the “Shop” tab of www.mint.ca. Coin images can be viewed here.

All of these products can be ordered directly from the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada,
1-800-268-6468 in the US, or online at www.mint.ca. Please mention The Silo when contacting. The coins are also available at the Royal Canadian Mint’s boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, as well as through our global network of dealers and distributors, including participating Canada Post outlets.

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified corporation, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale.

Gaming

Fortnite Is Wake-Up Call For Companies On Verge Of Video Game Ad Buy

June 1, 2018 The Silo 1 Comment

Pong, Mario, Doom, The Sims, Minecraft and … Fortnite? The hallowed halls of video game history are packed with products that became a cultural phenomenon – and it’s looking like Fortnite will soon be able to stake such a claim. The co-op survival game that takes place in a “sandbox” universe recorded a record 3.4 million concurrent users in February 2018. [ If you’re one of the 3.4 million and want to leave us a video comment or video of your Fortnite character please use our Video Uplink button at the end of this article.] The game, which is free to play, also allows users to purchase a semi-annual “Battle Pass” that runs less than $10 and provides access to additional items. This low-cost approach is apparently working, as reports show Epic Games earned nearly $300 million in April 2018 alone. Further, in-game “microtransactions” that allows players to use minimal amounts of real-world money for in-game goodies is helping add to Epic’s well, epic payday.

So, let’s recap: A game that’s free to play plus $10 usd occasional optional investment and microtransactions gives us hundreds of millions of dollars each month. You know what else makes that kind of money? Hollywood movies, major league sporting events and social media platforms – and those things are plastered with advertisements. According to Ken Wisnefski, CEO of digital marketing firm WebiMax, advertisers who want to get ahead of the coming eSports curve and start reaching gamers where they reside need to start paying attention to the preferences of this sector.

“Fortnite has really taken the world by storm. I think the new microtransaction process is a concept that shows how high volume and low cost can have a huge impact. It’s growth and notoriety is amazing,” said Wisnefski. “A few years ago, Pokemon Go was all the rage; I am curious to see if Fortnite continues to show this sort of traction.”

Want to make money through Fortnite? Here’s what Wisnefski has to tell companies on the verge of investing in video game ad buy.

‘Go’ along for the ride: According to Wisnefski, we haven’t seen a video game with such mass appeal since 2016’s “Pokemon Go,” which drew 10 million people to download the app in one week. An advertising analysis also notes that some businesses were given the opportunity to turn their stores into a “Pokestop” and, of course, increase foot traffic and hopefully sales as a result.

Shadow of a doubt: Still skeptical about sinking money into video game advertising efforts? Then take one look at “Ninja,” a 26-year-old Fortnite player who is reportedly raking in $500,000 per month for streaming his live game feed on the “Twitch” website. Wisnefski says it merely makes sense for relevant brands to jump on an opportunity to get their product in front of potential customers – namely as a “medium rectangle” or 15-second spot before one of Ninja’s streams.

Risk and Reward: Soft drink and snack food companies – we’re looking at you, Mountain Dew and Doritos – have for years pandered to gamers. As well they should, says Wisnefski, noting that some sectors are “very viable for this sort of opportunity.” If you’re a small to medium-sized company, however, guidance from a digital marketing company may be in order. “Big companies have the ability to absorb some losses to see larger gains; smaller companies can’t afford to take that sort of risk,” said Wisnefski.

[vidrack align=”center” ext_id=”345″ desc=”some description”]

Gaming

Powerful Mac Gamer External Graphics Solution

April 4, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

Sonnet Technologies recently announced the eGFX Breakaway™ Box 650, the latest and most capable model in the company’s series of Thunderbolt™ 3 to PCI Express^® (PCIe^®) eGPU expansion chassis for professional graphics and gaming applications.

The Breakaway Box 650 is designed and qualified specifically for large, power-hungry video graphics processing unit (GPU) cards, including the AMD Radeon™ RX Vega 64 and overclocked NVIDIA^® GeForce^® GTX 10 series-based cards. The AMD-approved Breakaway Box 650 is equipped with a 650-watt power supply, which provides ample power for GPU cards with high transient peak power requirements.

“With the introduction of AMD’s Radeon Pro and RX Vega Series cards, we have experienced a high demand for an eGPU chassis capable of supporting the higher standards of these GPU cards,” said Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies. “The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 meets the demand, enabling users to tap the compute power of even the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 and Radeon Pro WX 9100 cards while still providing up to 87 watts of upstream Power Delivery to support popular notebook computers.”

The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 provides a single slot for connecting any size Thunderbolt-compatible GPU card, and features enough room for many high-performance water-cooled cards — making it ideal for professionals and gamers who need to run bandwidth-intensive graphics applications on their eGFX-compatible notebook, all-in-one, or other small-form-factor computers. The unit is equipped with a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 port that enables data transfers up to 2750 MB/s, and supports all Thunderbolt-compatible GPU cards — such as AMD Radeon R9, RX, RX Vega, and Pro WX models; and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 9 and 10 series, Titan X and Xp, V, and Quadro^® models. In addition, the Breakaway Box 650 includes two eight-pin auxiliary power connectors and provides 87 watts of upstream power (Power Delivery), useful for powering and charging a connected notebook computer that supports Thunderbolt 3 charging.

The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 (part number GPU-650W-TB3) is available now from Sonnet Technologies and its dealers at an MSRP of $449 usd. Featured image via egpu.io

About Sonnet Technologies

Sonnet Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of Thunderbolt™ 3 to PCIe^® card expansion systems; external graphics (eGFX) solutions for pro users and gamers; pro media readers; docks and adapters; and network, storage, and other interface cards for pro users in the audio, video, and broadcast industries. Sonnet’s Thunderbolt expansion products enable the use of pro audio I/O and DSP cards, pro video capture and transcoding cards, GPU cards, network and storage interface cards, and other high-performance PCIe cards with Thunderbolt technology-enabled computers. For 30 years Sonnet has pioneered and brought to market innovative and award-winning products that enhance the performance and connectivity of Mac^®, Windows^®, and other industry-standard computers.

Reviews

Cookbook Provides Uncomplicated Yet Sophisticated Cooking for Everyday

January 11, 2018 The Silo Leave a comment

Award-winning cookbook author, Lee Clayton Roper, shows home cooks how to explore their culinary creativity with her award-winning, delicious cookbook, Fresh Tastes. This beautiful book delivers over 170 flavorful recipes, essential cooking tips and delightful stories to spark inspiration in your kitchen.

Lee takes the “complicated” out of timeless classics, simplifying the process while ramping up flavors, using fresh ingredients when and where possible. She shares personal reflections on lessons she has learned in the kitchen from those who have inspired her, along with 65 beautiful food photos, along with process shots of key preparation steps.

Fresh Tastes epitomizes Lee’s culinary tastes, balancing an innovative approach with uncomplicated preparation techniques. Sophisticated in flavor and beautiful to present, the recipes in Fresh Tastes are prepared with the best quality, readily available ingredients designed to maximize flavor. Some of Lee’s delicious recipes include:

Prosciutto, Fig and Goat Cheese Tarts

Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Soup

Tomato and Peach Salad with Lime-Balsamic Dressing

Layered Salmon Salad with Avocado-Lime Yogurt Dressing

Grilled Rosemary-Dijon Chicken Breasts

Spicy Pork Chops with Argentine Chimichurri Sauce

Halibut with Celery Root Puree and Tomato Garnish

Chipotle Lime Shrimp Tacos with Tomato Mango Salsa

Roasted Root Vegetable Pot Pie

Peruvian Artichoke Tart

Pear Kuchen

Fresh Fruit with Brandy Custard Sauce

Drawing from her decades of experience, Lee provides readers with helpful advice on what is best for the dish, the flavor and the cook, considering such essential variables as seasonality and availability. Recipes in Fresh Tastes were evaluated by a team of volunteer testers across the country. Only the best, most flavorful, eye catching dishes made the cut. Fresh, flavorful and inspired, this collection of hand selected recipes in Fresh Tastes transcends the kitchen, reminding us all that every meal can and should be a simple yet sophisticated celebration of life.

“My approach with this cookbook starts with the confidence that, with the right preparation and a pinch of creativity, every dish can be extraordinary,” Lee explains. “I have intentionally kept recipes and ingredients easy to get, often providing alternative substitutions.”

Lee Clayton Roper is an award-winning cookbook author, cooking instructor, public speaker and TV personality. Her first book, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen received numerous rave reviews and is often featured in local and national press. In 2010, A Well-Seasoned Kitchen achieved national acclaim, winning the prestigious “Living Now” gold medal. With Fresh Tastes Lee expands her recipe collection, serving up fresh, delicious and sophisticated dishes guaranteed to inspire creativity in kitchen everywhere. Lee tours the country sharing recipes and cooking tips and techniques in sold-out classes, leading cooking demonstrations, and is a frequent guest on radio and television and in print.

“Roper’s follow up to A Well-Seasoned Kitchen expands on the approachable favorites that made her first cookbook such a hit, this time with a ‘fresh’ take on classics that lend themselves to parties and get-togethers. This is a solid effort with practical dishes readers will likely find themselves returning to.”

Publisher’s Weekly and Entertaining Inspiration

FRESH TASTES

From A Well-Seasoned Kitchen

By Lee Clayton Roper

Southwestern Publishing Group

Hardcover/$34.95 usd

ISBN-13: 978-0984116362

Try these fresh and delicious recipes ( reprinted with permission from Fresh Tastes by Lee Clayton Roper):

APPLE, WALNUT AND STILTON CHEESE SALAD

SERVES: 6

The British have known for years that apples and Stilton cheese are a wonderful combination. In this delicious salad, they’re mixed together with spinach, walnuts and a walnut-flavored vinaigrette.I like to serve this salad with any grilled meat or alone as a meal.

1/4 cup raspberry balsamic vinegar*

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup walnut oil*

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

10 ounces mixed baby greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce)

2 large Gala or other red apples, unpeeled, cored and chopped

1 cup (6 ounces) chopped walnuts, lightly toasted

1 1/2 to 2 cups (6 to 8 ounces) Stilton cheese, crumbled**

*If you can’t find raspberry balsamic vinegar, use regular raspberry vinegar and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of honey. If you can’t find walnut oil, substitute olive oil and add a few more walnuts.

**There are 2 types of Stilton cheese: blue and white. Either will work in this recipe. If you can’t find Stilton, you can substitute Gorgonzola or other forms of blue cheese.

In a medium glass jar with fitted lid (an empty Dijon mustard jar works well), whisk together the vinegar, lemon juice and oil until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside.

In a large bowl, toss together mixed greens, chopped apple, walnuts and cheese. Just before serving, toss with just enough dressing to coat the lettuce (you may have some dressing left over). Season to taste with salt and pepper.

VARIATION IN PRESENTATION: If you want to have a more formal, individually plated salad, then instead of chopping the apples, core and slice them. Toss the greens with part of the dressing and divide among six individual salad plates. Arrange the apple slices in a circular pattern over the spinach. Sprinkle the walnuts and cheese crumbles over the top. Drizzle with remaining dressing.

SEA BASS WITH A PISTACHIO CRUST

SERVES: 6

This dish comes together quickly and is delicious paired with green beans and roasted potatoes. It’s a bit on the rich side, so I suggest using fillets no more than 5 ounces each. If using one large fillet, you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

While the general rule of thumb for cooking fish is 10 minutes per inch of thickness, I’ve included the option to cook these filets for 12 minutes per inch. I find that with the crust on top, it can take a bit longer. It’s really to your taste — just remember, it will continue cooking after you take it out of the oven and let it rest.

6 (4- to 5-ounce) skinless Chilean sea bass fillets

1 cup salted, dry roasted pistachio nuts, very finely chopped (can chop in a food processor)

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 15- by 10- by 1-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

Place sea bass fillets in prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine the nuts, sugar, lemon juice, dill and pepper. Spoon the mixture evenly over each fillet, pressing down to adhere.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes per 1-inch of thickness of the fillet, or until fish reaches 140 to 145 degrees when measured with an instant-read thermometer. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

MAKE AHEAD: Fish with topping can be prepared but not baked up to 4 hours in advance, covered and refrigerated.

For the Silo, Trina Kaye.

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