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Showing posts with label device. Show all posts
Showing posts with label device. Show all posts

Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Can I quit smoking using Electronic cigarettes?

Although I am not a heavy smoker, I have got to the stage where I am totally sick of smoking all together.
The only problem is, I enjoy the actual routine of having a cigarette in my hand and smoking it. 
I tend to enjoy this routine the most when I am driving, especially when I'm traveling to and from work...
Roll up, roll up! I prefered smoking "rollies"...
Until now, I have smoked roll up cigarettes. I much preferred these to actual cigarettes for several reasons:
  • I enjoyed rolling them.
  • I could light a roll-up cigarette, take a few drags of it and put it down, and it would go out.
  • I could control how thin I wanted to make them.
  • They were easier to smoke than normal cigarettes.
  • They were lighter in weight than a normal cigarette.
  • They were a "healthier" option* compared to normal cigarettes... 
* I say roll ups are healthier because they have less chemicals in the tobacco than a cigarette does. My reasoning is the fact a cigarette is designed to stay lit until it burns out, it contains more chemicals to stay alight...

Although I smoked roll-up cigarettes because of these reasons, I was still not enjoying them...

As far as my health is concerned, I am constantly coughing and trying to clear my throat and in the mornings I wake up all phlegmy and bunged up. 
I often feel sick in the mornings and I have occasionally thrown up because of the catarrh and horrible mucus stuff building up in my lungs.

It's not good for my health and not a good image when I am coughing and clearing my throat constantly whilst having conversations with customers at my work.

My electronic cigarette!
I heard about the electronic cigarette from Jan's brother and her sister who are trying to quit. 
I thought it sounded like a good product to try.

The idea behind the electronic cigarette is that it doesn't contain any tar or toxins, doesn't emit smoke or ash, is a non flammable product and still delivers nicotine to quell the actual cravings associated with cigarettes. (You can find out more information at http://www.10motives.com/ )

As for my smoking habits, I decided I wanted to try one, as I thought it would be perfect to keep in the car, enabling me to have a few puffs on my journeys to and from work, without having to actually light up and smoke!

I bought one today from Tesco. (It costs £5.99).
It claims to be the equivalent of about 30 normal cigarettes. 

My initial reaction is that it feels a lot heavier than a normal cigarette. However, once you get used to it, the weight isn't much of an issue.
The device is fairly large - it is very similar to smoking a super-king size cigarette. 

(I probably have noticed the size and weight more because I am used to smoking roll up cigarettes).

It tastes quite similar to a cigarette, and the device emits a vapour when you inhale, so when you exhale there is actual smoke! 
The E-cigarette has a glowing tip and creates realistic smoke to exhale!
It seems to be much better than any other imitation cigarette I have tried, and the fact I still have the "smoke" (a harmless vapour rather than a poisonous cloud of cigarette smoke) makes the sensation seem that much more realistic! 
The tip also glows, similar to a real cigarette. (Although the device I have has a blue tip rather than a more natural red one)...

I'll see how I get on with it and keep everyone posted!

Are you trying to quit smoking? Perhaps you have quit? Whatever your stories about breaking the habit are, leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich


Friday, 12 August 2011

QR Codes - gimmick or the gap between printed and online content?

There is probably a good chance you will have seen a QR codes recently. These small squares of pixels may look like random nonsense... 
However, they are actually a 2D barcode matrix that use a very clever method of encoding text, phone numbers, web addresses and other data into a small area.
They can be read by special QR code readers, as well as most new smart phones and mobile devices with the addition of a reader application installed.

They were initially designed in Japan in 1994 and was initially used by vehicle manufacturers to track components. Other sectors then began to adopt them because of their high data capacity, accuracy and speed of use.

Today, they have been adopted by many businesses. They enable people who use "smart phone" technology to scan a printed image (the QR code) using the built in camera. The software then automatically decodes the data within the image and takes the relevant action, depending on the type of information.

This means that QR codes can be encoded to allow mobile devices to scan a code and:

  • Visit a website.
  • Download an MP3 track.
  • Buy tickets for any event.
  • Automatically dial a mobile phone number.
  • Send an email; as well as much more.

By the very nature of design, QR codes can be printed virtually anywhere you see text or images. This means you can place a direct link to your website or product on limitless formats - t-shirts, business cards, posters, advertising boards, in newspapers etc.

This provides new and exciting ways for businesses to market themselves, utilising cross-platform marketing tools.

However, this is not a new technology. It has been around since 1994, and has only started to catch on in a big way. Even then, it appears that technologically advances countries, such as Japan and Korea tend to be the leaders in using QR codes.

There are issues with this technology unfortunately. These include:

  • Not everybody has a compatible smart phone or mobile device that can be used to scan the codes.
  • The mobile devices do not come pre-installed with a QR code reader, so it is up to the individual to install the app on their device.
  • Not everybody know what a QR code is, or how to use it.
  • There are several different standards of QR codes, which means sometimes you have an incompatible reader.
  • If the code is connected to a website, you might not have access to internet services when you scan it.
I personally think QR codes are quirky and slightly cool, if you are a bit geeky (I certainly am!) I was at a bus stop the other day, and noticed a poster for an alcoholic beverage. Out of curiosity I scanned it on my iPod.
Once I got home I loaded the URL contained within the QR code and looked through the website.

Now, if the poster only had the website address, I don't think I would've bothered, which goes to show they can attract potential visitors who wouldn't otherwise visit the website.

So, as far as being a bit of a gimmick, I agree they can be, however gimmicks can lead to successful marketing in business and for this reason I believe QR codes are the perfect gap between printed and online multimedia!

What are your thoughts on QR codes? 
Have you ever scanned a QR code? 
Please leave your comments below!

- TheLittlerich

Wednesday, 13 July 2011

Testing a blog post from a mobile device.

Just thought I'd try posting a quick blog from my mobile device.

I must admit I am not sure how often I will be updating my blogs using this method, but at least I have the ability to blog from the bog, should I so wish!

- Thelittlerich