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  • The Technology Behind Sony Alpha DSLR’s SteadyShot INSIDE


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    Developed to help users take better photographs, image stabilization technology has become increasingly widespread in recent years. With single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras, image stabilization systems can be installed either within the interchangeable lenses or the camera body itself. Sony’s α series digital SLR cameras are equipped with image stabilization functions built into the camera body — referred to as “SteadyShot INSIDE.” With systems that rely on lens-based image stabilization, stabilization may not be supported for all lenses. A key advantage of Sony’s α series digital SLR cameras is that image stabilization is not dependent on the lens. In other words, camera-body based stabilization ensures stabilization for any lens (from wide-angle to telephoto) including previously purchased α lenses.

    In digital SLR cameras, image stabilization is based on the sensor-shift method or the lens-shift method (demonstrated in the picture below). α series cameras use the sensor-shift method which stabilizes the image by moving the image sensor inside the camera body. Because the amount of drive required to correct camera shake varies according to the lens, focal-distance data from the lens is required to control the adjustment. With the α series, data is exchanged via the contact points between the body and the lens, enabling the stabilization process to be controlled within the body.

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    • Sensor-shift Method: Image stabilization is achieved by shifting the image sensor in the direction required to cancel out camera-shake and eliminate the resulting blurring of the image on the sensor.
    • Lens-shift Method: Image stabilization is achieved by shifting a corrective lens in the direction required to cancel out movement on the optical axis resulting from camera shake.

    img_02

    The above image is a block diagram of the image stabilization system. The α series image stabilization system (SteadyShot INSIDE) is controlled by a microcomputer, which repeatedly carries out the digital servo processes (described in 1. through 3. below) at a specific frequency.

    1. Angular velocity signals from the shake detector (Gyroscope sensor) are amplified in an analog signal processing circuit and converted into digital signals by the control microcomputer. The resulting angular velocity signal input is then converted into shake angle data through signal processing. Information about the focal length of the interchangeable lens is then used to convert the shake angle into shake distances on the image sensor.
    2. Positioning signals from the position detector (a magnet that moves in unison with the image sensor and an opposing hall sensor) are amplified in an analog signal processing circuit and converted into digital signals by the control microcomputer.
    3. The amount of image sensor movement required is calculated from the amount of shake and the current position. The system then drives the actuators accordingly.

    As already stated, α series cameras provide image stabilization by moving the image sensor inside the camera body. Because stabilization performance becomes compromised if there is any motion within the image surface or along the optical axis during the stabilization process, Sony decided to use ultrasonic linear actuators to drive the stabilization system. These ensure that image sensor motion is smooth.

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    An ultrasonic linear actuator consists of a piezoelectric element (which expands or contracts in response to voltage changes), a shift that fixes the actuator to the piezoelectric element, and a slider through which the image sensor is attached. Because the slider is linked to the telescopic shaft by friction, the movement can be driven without shaking. The piezoelectric element controls the sliding movement of the slider by applying appropriate velocity variations as the slider moves back and forth. In this way, the back and forth motion of the actuator is converted into linear motion by the slider.

    img_04

    The photo shows the actuators actually used in the α700 with an APS-C size image sensor and the α900 with a 35mm full-frame image sensor. The actuator used to drive the full-sized image sensor in the α900 is capable of moving about 1.5 times more mass than the actuator in the APS-C. By developing this new device, Sony was able to create the world’s first 35mm full-frame digital camera with an image stabilization system built into the body.

    The image stabilization unit contains two actuators to correct camera-shake in two directions: pitch and yaw. Figure 3 shows the structure of the image stabilization mechanism for a full-sized image sensor.

    img_05

    The image stabilization unit is comprised of various parts (as shown in Figure. 3). The base plate attaches to the camera body and to this base plate the yaw actuator is attached. The actuator is sandwiched between the slider and the cap. A single slider is used for both the yaw and pitch sides. The pitch actuator is incorporated into the image sensor holder and is fully integrated with the slider. This allows it to move freely relative to the camera.

    When the image stabilizer is activated, data output from the two hall sensors on the base plate is used to detect the position of the image sensor. Camera-shake detected by the angular velocity sensor is then cancelled out by controlling the direction of motion.

    In this basic drive structure, the small size of the drive unit relative to the image sensor supports extremely precise motion without shaking.

    img_06

    Users want digital SLRs that are both highly compact and energy efficient. Sony aims to meet these needs by further enhancing its SteadyShot INSIDE image sensor shift image stabilization system. Key areas requiring improvement include reducing the power consumption of actuators and devices, the scaling down in size of mechanical components, and improving the image sensors. Sony has expertise in all of these areas, including mechanical components, control devices and image sensors and will continue to use its advanced knowledge to create exciting new digital SLRs.

  • Chrysler announces $179 million investment in Dundee plant to build Fiat Multiair engines

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    In a none-too-shocking announcement, Chrysler announced plans to invest $179 million to convert its engine plant in Dundee, MI, from building the so-called World Engine to Fiat’s 1.4-liter Fully Integrated Robotized Engine. Back in September, Chrysler bought out its former partners Hyundai and Mitsubishi so that it could utilize the Dundee facilities to build the new Multiair powerplants.

    Both Chrysler and Fiat are likely to use powerplants built at the facility, with the first application being the diminutive Fiat 500 that’s slated for North American production by the end of 2010. Fiat’s Multiair technology is said to increase power by up to ten percent while offering a similar reduction in fuel consumption and emissions. Later, a turbocharged unit will be built at the plant that will offer V6-level power using 25 percent less fuel. Multiair technology will eventually be added to the rest of the Chrysler engine lineup, including the new Pentastar V6.

    Chrysler promises that the Dundee plant will add 573 new jobs to the local economy including 155 directly at the Dundee plant for a single shift of engine production. That was enough to earn a series of incentives from the state of Michigan and tax credits from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Village of Dundee that could add up to $4.6 million over the next ten years. For more, click past the break for the dueling press releases from Chrysler.

    [Source: Chrysler]

    Continue reading Chrysler announces $179 million investment in Dundee plant to build Fiat Multiair engines

    Chrysler announces $179 million investment in Dundee plant to build Fiat Multiair engines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Is It Really Such A Problem If People Sell Your Works? Or Is It Just Free Market Research?

    One of the key questions that comes up when you discuss the concept of a world without copyright is “what’s to stop others from just copying that book/DVD/CD etc. and selling it themselves, thus making the money that you could have made.” The answer is that there’s usually a lot preventing it. Filmmaker Nina Paley, a big supporter of culture without relying on copyright, has a great post discussing the “what’s stopping you” question, where she notes that most people simply won’t go through the hassle. However, what’s more interesting is that even if people do start selling your works, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. This is the similar to the discussion we recently had about others making money off of your content. If they’re able to do so, it often suggests some sort of demand that you haven’t met. As Paley notes, it’s free market research:


    In general, I would much prefer you bought Sita merch from the Sita Merch Empire than from a CafePress store. Reasons include: I know the Merch Empire merch is high quality, I personally designed and like all the products there, and a much higher % of the money goes to me. CafePress merch tends to be overpriced for the quality, and CafePress takes almost all the profits unless the seller sets prices absurdly high.

    That said, Drakar’s store offers Sita merch that doesn’t exist at the Merch Empire. If I offered mugs, mousepads and stickers, he wouldn’t have needed to make a Cafe Press store in the first place. If he actually sells any, it will demonstrate there is demand for such products. Then I can offer the same or similar products at my store. Drakar is essentially providing free market research, as are any other “competitors.” If any of them do exceptionally well, I’ll know what merch I should be selling.

    This is why old-school economists say competition is good for businesses. It is. Too bad there’s so little real competition in our supposedly “free market democracy.”

    Indeed. This is also why we’ve said time and time again that it’s perfectly fine if you want to copy this blog and try to sell ads against it (or make money some other way). If someone actually figures out something that works well, then that’s useful info to us, and would allow us to then incorporate those findings into our own offering. That’s actually good for everyone…

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  • Our RSS feed is down – please add our new one

    fix-broken-computer Feedburner for some unfathomable reason has taken a dislike to our RSS feed, and are no longer updating it.  The Google subsidiary is also completely unresponsive, and the problem has not sorted itself out as hoped.

    We are therefore asking our thousands of RSS subscribers to switch to our direct RSS feed at http://wmpoweruser.com/?feed=rss2

    The issue highlights basing an important site function on a free service, who therefore makes no promises regarding uptime or service level guarantees. We apologize to our readers who have been inconvenienced, and hope most make the transition without any issue.

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  • Morgan Stanley: The Commodity Currencies Will Get Crushed

    Which currencies might have the most to lose should the dollar-bounce continue?

    According to Morgan Stanley’s currency team, two major commodity-backed currencies, the Australian Dollar and Brazilian Real, appear particularly overvalued against the dollar right now. 

    Morgan Stanley’s Spyros Andreopoulos: BRL remains heavily overvalued against the USD: even if our models are somewhat slow to incorporate the improved fundamental outlook for the currency stemming from the recent oil finds and the China pull, an overvaluation of 34% against the USD suggests that BRL looks stretched at current levels. (The China pull argument may also apply to AUD.)

    Even though their valuation is based on rather opaque econometric models likely subject to substantial error, these are at least guidelines:

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    (Via Morgan Stanley, FX Fair Values, Spyro Andreopoulos, 17 December 2009)

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  • Apple Lockdown: Fact or Fiction?

    UPDATED: I apologize for anyone offended by the initial headline. If you’ll read the Gizmodo article referenced in the first paragraph you’ll see where this headline came from. This article is a response to the absurdity of Gizmodo’s article that implies that Apple uses Nazi-like tactics. We unequivocally disagree with what Gizmodo is implying or its references to Nazi/Gestapo tactics. Again, please do read the Gizmodo article first to put this in context.

    Breaking Godwin’s Law at a sub-atomic level, incendiary Gizmodo cites an anonymous source describing how security finds leakers at Apple, not to mention creating a pervasive atmosphere of fear and dread, referencing “Nazi” tactics by the “Gestapo.” That is, if you believe it.

    Reading like something by Fake Steve Jobs—only not nearly as entertaining—Jesus Diaz relays the experience of “Tom,” a supposed current or former employee of Apple. Tom alleges that Apple has “moles,” or informants, “working everywhere, especially in departments where leaks are suspected.” When a leak is strongly suspected, members of the Team Apple World Police “Apple Worldwide Loyalty” arrive and an “operation” takes place.

    What’s described is effectively a lockdown. Employees are forced to remain at their desks. Their cellphones are collected, and anyone needing to contact the outside is monitored. Interviews are done. NDAs are signed. If security finds the suspected leaker, and “they usually do,” the person is fired after questioning. Of the questioning itself, “Tom” has no first-hand experience.

    “There is a lot that goes behind doors that I don’t really know about. I do know, however, that they really interrogate people that are serious suspects, intimidating them by threatening to sue.”

    Setting aside logical inconsistencies in the article like cameras being forbidden at Apple yet every employee having an iPhone, and legal questions such as confiscating personal cell phones, “Tom” asserts this type of corporate behavior is common at Apple. With 35,000 employees, it seems difficult to imagine that were such invasive tactics the norm, that it could be kept a secret, or at least made public by more than one guy through e-mail.

    Looking at comments about Apple at GlassDoor.com, a website where employees can rate their employers, there’s not a lot of Nazi analogies…though from reading Gizmodo’s article you’d certainly think there should be. There are negative comments, but in aggregate the opinion is positive. In a recent survey, Apple scored 3.9 out of 5.0 for fifth place in the top 10 tech companies to work for. As CEO, Steve Jobs had an approval rating of 91 percent, highest on the list. In contrast, Dell was rated lowest among tech companies with a score of 2.8, while CEO Michael Dell’s approval rating was 28 percent.

    If you are waiting for some purple prose about working Dell tech support hell in some warehouse outside of Mumbai, you’ll probably be disappointed. There’s no fame or fortune in stating the obvious.


  • Shoulder pain

    I know we have had the discussions about Frozen shoulder before, but I was never sure if that was what my problem was. I also thought it has been awhile and some of the new people might want to read about it. Last week, I was having spasms in my upper back, not continuous, but irritating. I thought it was because I am doing more things around the house with the remodeling. Then yesterday, for no reason I could think of, I was grocery shopping, I had a terrible pain in my right shoulder. It was so bad, it hurt to breathe. Today the pain is much worse in my shoulder, but I am also still having the spasms in my upper back and under my arm when I take a deep breathe. I can move it any way, without pain, though. The pain just "wears me out"! It’s like having a bad toothache and thinking it would feel much better if you could just knock the tooth out. 😮 If it is "frozen shoulder" though, am I going to have to get through Christmas with it? I could not get into see my doctor until Monday, and I am so hoping it will be better before then. Tylenol doesn’t help at all, Ibuprofen helps, but sometimes hurts my stomach, I am saving it for when I need to sleep.
  • Kids giving back to kids: Glen Martin – former Children’s patient

    Glen profileIt was another Sunday soccer game for 15-year-old goalie Glen Martin. He was ready to do anything to protect his team’s goal. While trying to block a shot, the opposing team’s player accidentally kneed him in the stomach.

    When Glen was hit, his organs were pushed against his spine, lacerating his liver, puncturing his small intestine and severing his pancreas. He was flown to Children’s that night and operated on the next day. Glen spent the next 70 days recovering in the hospital.

    Knowing first-hand that having activities to do during your hospital stay is important, Glen joined Children’s Teen Advisory Committee (TAC) after his long inpatient stay. Patient boredom can be avoided by planning activities where you interact with other patients. The TAC meets once a month and organizes activities that will enhance the hospital environment for other teen patients. That way, instead of only being able to think about getting out of the hospital, patients actually have something to look forward to during their hospital stay.

    TAC has two carts filled with “teen only” activities that they bring to the bedside of hospitalized teens. They also host three parties each year for teen patients and their families, educates patients on how to make educated decisions about their own health care and hosts an annual education fair.

    Jessica Strzelecki, a Child Life Specialist and TAC facilitator, remembers Glen talking about wanting to give back to the hospital during his stay. “I thought TAC would be a great place for Glen to share his ideas from his own experience and to help with the many projects that were underway within the committee,” she said.

    This spring Glen also helped raise $2,500 for Children’s through Miles for Miracles, where patients sponsor runners in the Boston Marathon. All the money raised is then donated to Children’s.

    You can read more about Glen’s patient experience here.

    While volunteering is not a new idea, it may be to some of your children. Research has shown that “volunteering plays a valuable role in shaping how youth learn to interact with their community and develop the skills, values, and sense of empowerment necessary to become active citizens.”

    Related posts:

    1. Kids giving back to kids: Children in medical research #1
    2. Health headlines: Mozart helps preemies, children’s allergies and teen brains really are different
    3. Health headlines: Fearless toddlers, Viagra for kids and Santa wants his vaccine

  • Take This Genealogy-Related Survey & Help a Doctoral Student

    Now here’s something I found intriguing – Emily M. Matthias is a doctoral student in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at New Mexico State University. She is currrently conducting a sturdy entitled “Myth, Memory and Multiculturalism: Exploring Cultural Identity through Genealogical Pursuit

    According to Emily, she is also “a family history researcher, working on my own family (hi)story.” The Emily's Photo Storypurpose of her “study is to explore ideas surrounding cultural identity formation using family history research (genealogy) as one lens.”

    If you go to her website, you can participate in this study if “you are a family history researcher who has engaged in your own personal family history research via the Internet. If you decide to participate, you will be asked to complete the following three survey steps:

    1. You will be asked to complete this Internet survey regarding your research experience.
    2. You will be asked to email a personal family photograph, with an accompanying story, telling why you chose that particular image and how it has helped or not helped you to find a sense of cultural identity (optional).
    3. You will be asked to record an oral story via a telephone answering system (optional).

    Check out the study and Emily’s website at: http://www.mygenealogystudy.com

  • Uh Oh: DOE Inspector General Memo Slams For-Profit Schools (CECO, COCO, BPI)

    Within the past hour, shares of Career Education Corp. (CECO) started to plunge more than 10%. Soon after, a heavily-redacted memo from the Department of Education’s Inspector General came out.

    The memo questions whether or not the government will continue to provide student aid to colleges accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Government aid is especially important for colleges budgets, especially the for-profit sector. Below, the memo in full:



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  • Four-cylinder Buick LaCrosse arrives Q1 next year, to be priced from $26,995*

    Filed under:

    2010 Buick LaCrosse – Click above for high-res image gallery

    A few months back following the debut of the 2010 LaCrosse, Buick surprised us with the announcement that it would add a third powertrain option to the sedan’s lineup. After launching with a pair of V6 engines, Buick is now getting ready to start offering a LaCrosse CX model with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. This is the same direct injected unit that debuted in the new Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain last summer.

    When the four-pot LaCrosse goes on sale early in the new year, it will carry a base sticker price of $26,995 (*including delivery). That’s $840 less than what it takes to get the current 3.0-liter V6 powered CX model in your driveway. In addition to the up-front savings, buyers should expect reduced operating costs for the four. Final EPA certification numbers aren’t in yet, but Buick is estimating that the LaCrosse four will net 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. For comparison’s sake, the 3.0-liter is rated at 17/26 mpg city and highway.

    The new 2.4-liter LaCrosse is slated to arrive in dealers in the first quarter of 2010. Official details in the presser after the jump.

    Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
    [Source: Buick]

    Continue reading Four-cylinder Buick LaCrosse arrives Q1 next year, to be priced from $26,995*

    Four-cylinder Buick LaCrosse arrives Q1 next year, to be priced from $26,995* originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • Army’s Windows Mobile gear shown off again

    pico_wired_400
    The HTC Touch Pro 2 paired with a pico-projector allows presentations to be given anywhere, including a mud hut.

    The Army has been talking again about its Army Knowledge Online portal, which provide worldwide online access to repository of online information, distance-learning tools, e-mail and other resources for 2.6 million Army users. The Web-based service is now part of a broader service known as Defence Knowledge Online.

    That effort reached a new milestone in late October with the approval of an initial set of smart phones that, with other pocket-sized accessories, offers a way for soldiers to access the portal. The phones that can access the AKO portal approved for initial fielding are the HTC Ozone, Samsung Epix, Palm Treo Pro and HTC Touch Pro, said Maj. Keith Parker, assistant project manager for Go Mobile AKO/DKO.

    The smartphones are paired with a set of accessory devices contained in a solar-powered backpack from Voltaic Systems which include:

    • Myvu Solo video goggles, which work as a personal media viewer. Soldiers can privately watch training videos through the goggles and listen to audio through attached ear buds.
    • The battery-powered Optoma Pico pocket projector, which is smaller than a cell phone and lets users project full-sized presentations onto any available surface. “You could run it from a mud hut,” Parker said.
    • The Celio Redfly companion, a two-pound device that displays whatever is on its companion smart phone on an eight-inch screen with a full QWERTY keyboard. Because the Redfly has no operating system, processor or memory, users can’t save data on it. If it’s lost or falls into enemy territory, there’s no harm done.
    • The Planon Printstik, which has a 50-page capacity. The thermal printer is designed for “quick reactionary type things,” Parker said, not publication-quality documents. Even so, Parker said he once left a page in direct sunlight for a week or so, and the print didn’t fade.
    • A mini solar charger that folds to about the size of a computer mouse and can charge all of those devices. The charger takes a few hours to fully charge but can run the devices for about eight hours.

    "Each piece of the Go Mobile kit has to meet stringent Defense Department information assurance requirements," Parker said. The project is getting ready for its first phase of deployment for garrison training. The next phase will be the tactical environment, which will require hardening of the equipment to military specifications, including both Mil-Std 810-F and Mil-Std 810-G requirements, Parker said.

    Good Technology provides the Army with its Good for Government server, which sits behind the firewall in the AKO data center, said John Herrema, chief marketing officer for Good Technology. There it interfaces with AKO’s back-end systems, including its messaging platform and directory infrastructure.

    Good also provides a network operations center (NOC), based in a secure cloud environment, that communicates with the AKO users’ mobile devices. The NOC intelligently bridges those two connections — the data center and the mobile devices — so that "you don’t have to open up any inbound ports, so there’s no way an outside hacker can try to connect in," Herrema said.

    "The net result of all this is that you have an environment where users can send and receive messages while they are in no way exposed to attack," Herrema said.

    The phones were rigorously tested before they received approval, Parker said. Users will be able to buy an approved smart phone and a service plan from their wireless carrier. After completing a specialized registration process, qualified users will then be able to download Go Mobile’s customized software. The middleware for the project was developed by Good Technology, a third-party vendor.

    Although it is in the testing phase, the Go Mobile program should be operational by early next year, Parker said.

    The program is ultimately about the convergence of smart phones, personal digital assistants and phones, Parker said. He said that when he used to get a PowerPoint slide on his BlackBerry, he would need to wait until he got back to his hotel, home or office to download it. Now he can access it fully via AKO.

    “Our goal is to provide enterprise service and ubiquitous access,”  “It’s a portal in your pocket.”

    Read more about the initiative at Government Computer News.com

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  • blood pressure question

    okay, at diagnosis my BP was normal.

    then 3 months later it was high, averaging 145/95. I was put on 10 of quinipril.

    3 months later I started falling down when I stood up.

    went to doctor BP was low and dropping to 90/60 upon standing.

    dr cut the quinipril in half.

    presently, another 3 months later. my BP is around 130/over 85
    thats too high, I monitor it myslef now and its usually around this range.

    what does this mean and what should I do? do I have to go back to the docotr.

    my resting pulse is usually between 80-90. is that okay. fluctuates quite a bit.

  • God of War III: Ultimate Trilogy Edition announced for PAL territories

    How do you make God of War III’s Ultimate Edition even more ultimate? By throwing in God of War Collection and turning

  • ANDERSON’s NOTEBOOK: What is US Industry to Make of Copenhagen?

    Fred Anderson is providing an inside look at COP-15 in Copenhagen to The Bureau of National Affairs (BNA) World Climate Change Report. 

    Today, Anderson’s Notebook (12/17/09), titled What is US Industry to Make of Copenhagen?, discusses what industry is to make of the proceedings and whether the conference and any agreement it produces will shape things to come in the United States.

    To read the full entry, please click here.

  • Ten Toys to Avoid This Holiday Season

    Many toys can pose serious safety risks to children. The child safety and consumer advocacy group, World Against Toys Causing Harm (W.A.T.C.H.), recommends that parents and gift givers steer clear of the products on its annual “10 Worst Toys” list this holiday season. Some of the popular toys on the list may surprise you.

  • Boston moves to ban texting while driving

    texting-drivingGood news for those of you who (like me) cringe and change lanes when you see someone two-handed texting while “driving” their cars: the Boston City Council yesterday voted unanimously to ban texting while driving. Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino has said he’ll sign the ban as soon as it hits his desk, and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has said he supports a ban on texting while driving, so hopefully the state will follow suit soon.

    Last summer, Emily, a youth advisor in Children’s Center for Young Women’s Health, wrote a post on the Youth Advisory Program’s blog about the dangers of texting while driving.

    Related posts:

    1. Texting and driving
    2. This week on Thrive: Dec. 14 – 18
    3. Warning: This photo contains unrealistic body images

  • New Databases at the Original Record

    The following databases were added this week at TheOriginalRecord.com:

    1882 – Oxford Electoral Register theoriginalrecord
    The electoral register for the City of Oxford for 1882 lists persons entitled to vote at any election of a member or members to serve in parliament for the city or parliamentary borough of Oxford in that year. The names are arranged alphabetically in the parishes of Saint Aldate, Binsey, Saint Clement, Cowley, Saint Ebbe, Saint Giles, Headington, Holywell, Iffley, Saint John, Saint Martin, Saint Mary Magdalen, Saint Mary the Virgin, Saint Michael, North Hincksey and South Hincksey (in Berkshire), Saint Peter in the East, Saint Peter le Bailey, and Saint Thomas. In each case the voter number (out of a total of 6190) is given in the first column; then full name, surname first; place of abode; nature of qualification (such as house, &c.); and the name and situation of the qualifying property (often the same as the place of abode). At the end of each parish there is a list of freemen to be registered as parliamentary voters, with number, full name (surname first) and place of abode; and a list of lodgers registered as parliamentary voters, with number, full name (surname first), description of rooms occupied, and whether furnished or not, address, amount of rent paid, and name and address of landlord.

    1910 – Steam Engine Makers’ Society Membership Lists
    This trades union ended 1910 with 13,401 members in 144 branches. The 86th Annual Report gives a full list of members for each branch, followed by Travelling Expenses subsidised by the branch (with names and dates); Unemployed Expenses (with names and dates); Superannuation, Sick and Funeral Expenses (all with names and dates).

    1933-1936 – Tunestallia
    Brownhills High School, Staffordshire, produced a yearly magazine, called Tunestallia, issued in July. Each issue had School Notes; poems and essays by current pupils; The Library (with names of recent donors); News of Old Staff; News of Old Girls – with marriages, and births of children; Parents’ Association; School Societies; Old Girls’ Association; The Four “Houses” (Blackbirds, Finches, Robins and Wrens); Games Report (Hockey, Netball, Rounders, Tennis, Swimming and Gymnastics); and Prizes (Form Prizes, Special Prizes, Certificates, Scholarships, the Bingham Games Cup) and lists of Prefects and Sub-Prefects.

    1951 – Members of the British Friesian Cattle Society
    This organization registered the pedigrees of pure Friesian cattle in the United Kingdom. This list of members is corrected to 10 April 1951, and gives full name (surname first), address, and where the member owned a herd, the prefix attributed to that herd. A dagger in front of an entry indicates that the herd was attested.

    1951 – The Squash Rackets Association’s Handbook for 1951-1952
    The Squash Rackets Association’s Handbook for 1951-1952 includes lists of officers of the association, county associations and affiliated clubs, affiliated associations and overseas clubs, and individual members and junior individual members of the main association. There are also comprehensive reports and results from the Open Championship for 1950-1951, the Amateur Championship, the Professional Championship, International Matches (England v. Scotland, England v. Ireland, Scotland v. Ireland, Ireland v. Wales, Denmark v. Sweden), the Inter-County Championship, the Area Championships, the Inter-Area Championship, the North of England Championship, South of England Championship, East of England Championship, Midlands Championship, the Bath Club Cup, the Royal Navy Championship, Army Championship, Royal Air Force Championship, Civil Service Championship, Inter-Services Tournament, Amateurs v. Professionals, Oxford v. Cambridge, and the Londonderry Cup, the Cumberland Cup, and various amateur tournaments. There are reports from the county associations, the services, the universities, and the public schools; and a series of reports on overseas associations.

    1953 – Stratford-upon-Avon Directory
    Kelly’s Directory of Warwick, Leamington Spa, Stratford-upon-Avon, Kenilworth, &c. for 1953 includes this listing of private residents of Stratford-upon-Avon. Full names are given, surname first, and address.

    1957 – Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Officers
    The Navy List for 1957, corrected to 18 January 1957, includes this alphabetical catalogue of ‘Officers on the Active List of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and other Naval Volunteer Reserves’. The first column gives surname and initials, with name of ship, or CCF for Combined Cadet Force, or SCC for Sea Cadet Corps, in square brackets, and in round brackets if in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RAN), Royal Marine Forces Volunteer Reserve (RMFVR), Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve (RNZN), Hong Kong Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Hg Kg), Fiji Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Fiji), Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve (IN), South African Naval Forces (SA), Pakistan Naval Volunteer Reserve (PN), East Africa Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (EA), Mauritius Naval Volunteer Reserve (Maur), Malayan Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (Mala), Royal Ceylon Volunteer Naval Reserve (RCyN), or Sierra Leone Naval Volunteer Reserve (Sa Ln). The second column is rank, with a profusion of abbreviations, most of which are self-evident, often qualified by a specialisation, in brackets. The third column is division in which serving; and the fourth column date of seniority (in italics for officers holding temporary commissions).

    The Original Record now has over 9 million entries directly available online, with a free unlimited search. All records are hand-indexed (no OCR). Purchase sets of scans, or buy open access to the surname(s) of your choice, including variants. For more info, see: www.theoriginalrecord.com

    I have no affiliation with the Original Record, and am posting this info. for informational purposes only.