What to keep in mind when choosing fiber optic tools for fiber optic splicing

As the technicians who work with fiber opticnetworks for telecommunications or data know, one of the crucial parts of building a reliable fiber optic network is the quality of the fiber optic splicing used.  In other words, how to effectively join two fiber optic cables together.

There is a simpler way of connecting optic fiber cables called connectorization, but splicing is generally a more reliable method.  The reason is that it allows for connecting fibers which are of two different types, as well as fibers which need to be restored after they have already been installed or buried and have been accidentally damaged or severed.

There are special fiber optic tools for performing this important task, which ensures that the network is reliable.  The two basic types of fiber optic splicing are the mechanical and fusion methods.

The type of fiber optic splicing differs according to the fiber optic tools which are used to perform the task of connecting two optic fiber cables.

The use of fiber optic tools for mechanical splicing is generally less expensive, as far as the initial investment is concerned.  The tool for performing this type of fiber connection can cost as low as $1,000, but on the other hand each single splicing will cost from $12 to $40.

The fiber optic tools which are used for fusion splicing may cost from $15,000 up to $50,000, but then in the long run it could be a better investment because a fusion splicing will cost only $0.50-$1.50.

The difference between the methods for fiber optics splicing is that the mechanical type is a simpler technique which uses splice to align the two ends of the fibers and thus allow for the light to pass from one to the other.  The problem is that there is a typical loss of 0.3 dB per mechanical splice.

The fusion splicing is performed with fiber optic tools which align the fiber ends and actually fuses or welds them together via heat or electricity.  This creates a permanent connection between fibers and a lower loss of as little as 0.1 dB.

So, while both fiber optic splicing methods are reliable, one of them offers splicing with a much lower data loss, but requires a much higher initial investment than the other, so the network owners or maintenance companies need to calculate their long-term economic and performance goals, as well as calculate the volumes of work they will be performing before deciding on which fiber optic tools to purchase for their specific business.

The traditions behind those colorful quinceanera dresses and how they have changed in time

The quinceanera is one of the most important milestones in the lives of Hispanic girls and families, 

so it no wonder that there are a wide variety of stores which specialize in selling quinceanera dresses and other accessories and gifts for this huge and colorful celebration.

Some websites offer high-fashion and custom-made couture quinceanera dresses for those families who want to make the coming of age celebration for their 15 year old princesses an unforgettable and unique event.

There are companies which will organize the entire quinceanera party, with all the traditional elements included in them.

Unfortunately, as a number of other religious or national traditions, the “fiesta quince anos” as the quinceanera is also called has become so commercialized, that the girls celebrating their first important momentous event and step into womanhood truly forget what the celebration is all about.

We can see this in the large number of hilarious and shocking online collections of pictures of the most outrageous quinceanera dresses.  Some of them are pure kitsch and others are just plain ugly.

In actuality, the 15^th birthday of a Hispanic girl is meant to be like a rite of passage from childhood to womanhood. Girls from Cuba, Mexico and Paraguay, as well as a number of Latinos have special traditions for this celebration for their grown up girls. 

It is believed that the tradition was first initiated by the Aztecs, who would formally introduce their 15 year old daughters as eligible for marriage.   They would teach the young girl how to cook, clean and perform other household duties as she approached the age of 15. 

After Latin America was colonized, the Catholic traditions overtook the native ones, and gradually turned the quinceanera into a more religious celebration.

Even though, the tradition continues to date, modern families usually encourage their 15 years old to continue on with their education, rather than set them up for getting married at such a young age.

Of course, all celebrations involve a lot of colors, food, dancing, music and fun, and of course the walk of the young girl into womanhood, and this is symbolized by the big and in most cases beautiful quinceanera dresses.  The young girls wear high heels, makeup and colorful blue, pink, green, red and just about any other color quince gowns which generally represent femininity.

Today, planning the quinceanera can be similar to planning a wedding, including picking a venue, sending out invitations, hiring catering, decoration, DJs or bands, hiring escorts and of course choosing one of the incredible and unique quinceanera dresses available.

How to make the best use of cheap FIFA coins during the World Cup 2014 in Brazil

If you are a fan of FIFA 14, you probably have realized that the FUT or FIFA coins you earn and have is crucial for the success of the game.  Just as in real life, managers who have more cash and better managerial skills will end up having better and winning teams, and their player’s worth will grow along with these successes.

So, the question for most gamers who play FIFA 14 on their PC’s, game consoles or mobile devices, is how to get more coins and where to find cheap FIFA coins.

By purchasing coin packs, gamers are able to instantly use the cheap FIFA coins to complete a transfer of their dreams, or to improve their players so that they can later sell them at much higher prices.

Experienced gamers know that the developers will take a 5% commission on any transaction completed while playing FIFA 14, and just like in real-life, when they make money and spend it on business transactions they will need to pay their taxes as well.

Now, as the real FIFA World Cup in Brazil is going on, the investment in the performance of their players in FIFA 14 is truly working out for experienced gamers.

The prices of the player have been shifting immensely just a week after the real World Cup has started.  The price of the “flying Dutchman” Van Persie has doubled and that of his team mate from the Holland national team has also grown with an amazing 75%.  This growth in the FIFA coins price of these players is due to their great success in their first match against the current world champions Spain in which they thrashed them with a 5:1 score.

So, now is definitely the time for gaming enthusiasts to get those cheap FIFA coin out and start investing wisely, as well as following the results of the real World Cup, in order to make the right purchases, improvements and plan their transfers.

Also, for all gamers, it should be clear that while the prices may rise hugely immediately after a successful match is being played in real life, the cards will most probably drop back toward their original values not long after that.

So, investing some cheap FIFA coins now, while the world is enjoying the most important soccer event held only every four years, and using them wisely is definitely a sound piece of advice both for advanced gamers as well as for newbies.

The FIFA Coins and the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil

With the FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil already in its first week, millions of soccer fans are glued to their TV’s and the lucky ones are enjoying the real thing at the amazing stadiums in Brazil.  For others, the experience of creating their own ultimate team and picking out their own world-class soccer players, the FIFA 14 game is an exciting enough experience. 

For all fans, who choose to play the latest FIFA 14 on their PC’s, game consoles, mobile phones or mobile devices, it is pretty clear that having sufficient amounts of FIFA coins is crucial for putting together a stronger and winning soccer team.

The latest version of the exciting game for PS4 and Xbox One has added the Ignite engine, which allows gamers to switch game play and graphics, including human intelligence of the players, and the environmental conditions on the soccer pitch which makes the matches and the playing of their chosen team players almost as realistic as the real thing.

Now, for the appropriate amounts of FIFA coins, FIFA 14 gamers can purchase world-recognized players such as legends from the history of world soccer including Pele or Dennis Bergamp for their teams.  Of course, for the right amount of FIFA coins, the gamers can choose from the current soccer heroes including: Messi, Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Iniesta, Xavi, Suarez, and many more players currently showing off their technique and talents at the World Cup in Brazil.

The FIFA coins also known as FUT coins which gamers need in order to purchase these world class names as well as to buy new game packs can be earned or “built up” via a number of trading methods during the game.  In some cases, experienced and lucky gamers are able to make millions of coins from one single 7,500 coin pack by making the right purchase and transfer on the Transfer Market of FIFA 14. The faster and easier way for fans of the game is to purchase their FIFA coins.

Participating in tournaments and playing matches in Seasons mode will make gamers more FIFA coins, but just as in real life - time and coins need to be skillfully managed in order for the gamer to be successful and satisfied with the results.

The best way to make enough coins for better players is to trade at the FUT Transfer Market, but it is definitely easier if you are an experienced player.  For beginners, and for those who are still learning the secrets of making FIFA coins and improving in the game, there are a wide variety of coin packs available for purchase directly

The expected as well as the not-quite anticipated effects of the LED street light project of the City of Los Angeles – one year later

Last year, the City of Los Angeles underwent the world's largest replacement of its entire street light infrastructure with a new LED street light one.

The project was officially completed about a year ago on June 18th, when the Mayor Villaraigosa announced that the first phase of the project was complete and that more than 141,000  street lamps were swapped with the modern LED street light.

There are other US cities which have also done this.  For example, 42,000 street lights were outfited with LED fixtures, there are also similar plans for a modernization of the street lighting in Austin as well as in San Antonio soon too.

But the LED street light project in Los Angeles was the biggest one, made possible with the Clinton Climate Initiative as well as the C40 Cities Climate Leadership group.

According to the forecasts, the City of Los Angeles must have saved about $ 7 million for electricity and $2.5 million from maintenance costs for one year.

Previous research has shown that the city lights may account for up to 40% of the electricity bill of the city.  The modern LED lights which have been used to replace the old ones use up 64% less electricity than them and last a lot longer than the HPS lights, plus it comes with a 7 year warranty from the supplier.

Because of their excellent cost and energy efficiency, the forecasts are that the shipments of LED lights will grow from 3 million units in 2012 up to 17 million units in 2020, according to Navigant Research.

The second stage of the project will include the replacement of 70,000 decorative street lamps which are so typical of Los Angeles.

In fact, this huge replacement project has led to the realization made by Dave Kendricken theat “Hollywood will never look the same” which he wrote for No Film School earlier this year.

The reason for this statement is that the new LED street light is blue-tinted, unlike the very specific  yellow hue of the HPS streetlights.  This fact, according to Kendricken will completely change the way the city looks on camera.

The author at No Film School gives a specific example, by citing the 2004 movie “Collateral” which according to him relies heavily on the street lighting of LA, and that it had been officially chosen to be shot in nighttime Los Angeles in order to show that specific yellowish street light.

And for those who will say that everything can be fixed by Photoshop and image editing programs, Kendricken claims that actually LED light is not easy to mask.

The author claims in his article, that the difference from the LED street light replacement in LA can be so big that in the future the street lights in certain cities and places may actually become subject to historic preservation laws.

Other authors are wondering how the new outdoor LED street light in LA will affect the psychology, neurology and sleeping patterns of residents and guests of the city too.