The story going rounds at the moment…

The product was launched in January and although a majority of the public had hoped that it would be on sale soon, the communications company Acting Managing Director Amon Dlamini said this could happen towards the end of March. The much hyped about “fixed wireless” is infact CDMA technology which the country’s sole fixed telecominication provider was hoping to launch this month.

How it works
What happens in when your mobile phone handset is a CDMA phone, the voice or data calls are spread out across the entire available wireless frequency bandwidth and use frequencies 1.25MHz wide, rather than being allocated channels either by time or frequency.

he cellular information of either voice or other data (like picture messaging for example) is split up into small packets and transmitted to the recipient in binary code of 1s and 0s (or it wouldn‘t be digital), and each packet has a spread code embedded within it. This cellular phone code is exclusive to each cell user and call, and every packet of data can therefore be assigned correctly when being reassembled at the receiving cell phone and all other data with different codes is ignored.

Also referred to as wide band spread spectrum, CDMA cellular encoding makes sure that all the cellular transmitted data is correctly recognized and duly assigned, without interference from all the other cell phone signals which all have their own individual codes to be recognized.

Interference from other cellular users within the system is not a problem unless the number of phone users reaches a saturation point which disrupts the voice coding system.

Another thing about CDMA cellular technology is that more than one (actually three) cell phone towers can be used at any one time, as the cell phone can choose which site is giving the best signal, or choose to blend the signal from two or more. This cell phone process is known as `soft handoff’ and is an ability unique to CDMA cell phones.

David Mulder has released a new extension for Google Chrome which adds Facebook to your Gmail account.

The implementation is pretty similar to how Google Buzz is integrated into the Gmail webmail service.

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If you are not a fan of Buzz but would like a similar interface for your Facebook account, this is the extension for you.

Gmail Facebook integration is a pretty early version right now so there are a couple of bugs. But Mulder is working on fixing the glitches to make the experience as seamless as possible.

A standard home entertainment system these days consists of a TV, DVD player, DSTV Decoder, VCR, amplifier  and possibly more. The problem is that, more often than not, each of these devices comes with its own remote. It can get frustrating trying to remember which remote goes with which device, and inevitably the one you need will always be missing. Even worse when you have kids in the house who can misplace these items.
I have been trying to keep my flat in Mbabane in order ever since moving in two weeks ago and here are tips to keep track of your remote controls.
Universal Remote
Most devices these days can be controlled by a universal remote. If your devices are compatible, you simply synch them to the remote and you’ve eliminated the need for dozens of remotes. Unfortunately, it may be hard to find one universal remote that will control all of your electronics, and having more than one kind of defeats the purpose. There are, however, other options.

Remote Control Stand Holder Table Organizer DIY a home for all your remotes

You can use this Remote Control Holder on your desk, on a coffee table, kitchen counter or wherever it is convenient to have your phone or remote control handy. Keeping your TV/VCR/DVD remote controls neat and organized on your living room desk.  This TV DVD Remote Control Holder has the capacity to hold 6 remotes neatly and free up your table from clutter.  Made of solid wood. Bringing both function and style to your living room!
Size: About 20*19*10cm Approx.
Available at Bid Or Buy for R89.

The history of the marula tree goes back thousands of years. Archaeological evidence shows the marula tree was a source of nutrition as long as ago as 10,000 years B.C. Marula, Scelerocarya birrea, subspecies caffera, is one of Africa’ botanical treasures. In the Pomongwe Cave in Zimbabwe, it is estimated that 24 million marula fruits were eaten. Not only the fruit, but also the nut, are rich in minerals and vitamins. Legends abound on the multiple uses of the tree, the bark, the leaves, fruit, nut and kernels. Most well known as the fruit that ‘drives elephants mad’ when dropped to the ground and lightly fermented, marula is a much-loved tree in the veld in Africa. It was a dietary mainstay in South Africa, Botswana and Namibia throughout ancient times.

Description
They are a deciduous tree growing upto 18 m tall. They grow on various types of woodlands on sandy loam soils. They can be found from Ethiopia to Kwazulu-Natal. They produce flowers from September to November and bear fruit from January to March. The fruits are edible and very high in vitamin C. Warthog, elephant, Waterbuck, giraffe and kudu all eat the fruit and leaves of the tree. Uses The skin of the fruit can be boiled to make a drink or burnt to be used as a substitute for coffee.

The wood is soft and used for carving; the inner bark can be used to make rope. Archaeological sites have shown Marula fruit to be used as a food source since ancient times by Africa’s tribes. The bark can also be used to make a light brown dye. Large Saturniid Caterpillars are gathered from this tree for roasting as well as the larvae of the Cerambycid Wood Boring Beetle. Inside the flesh is one or two very small tasty nuts which are rich in protein. Oil is used as a skin cosmetic.

Their green leaves are eaten to relieve heartburn. The bark contains antihistamines and is also used for cleansing by steeping in boiling water and inhaling the steam. A piece of bark is crushed into a pulp, mixed with cold water and swallowed in the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea. The bark also is used as a malaria prophylactic.

Fruit
The Marula Fruit is very juicy and aromatic and is the size of a small plum. It may be eaten fresh and the flesh has an extremely high vitamin C content. It may also be cooked to produce jam, juices and alcoholic beverages. Where they are found It is a component of the vegetation type known as ‘Bushveld’ or Savannah, which is a mixed vegetation. covering the lower slopes of the plateau and the Lowveld of the eastern transvaal, including much of the Kruger National Park. Companion plants typically include umbrella thorn (Acaia) trees, the baobab, fever trees, the dark-green mopani, and tall tufted grasses.

Interesting facts Marula trees are dioecious, which means they have a specific sex. This fact contributes to the belief among the Venda that bark infusions can be used to determine the sex of an unborn child. If a woman wants a son the male tree is used, and for a daughter, the female tree. If the child of the opposite sex is born, the child is said to be very special as it was able to defy the spirits.

Latin name Scelerocarya birrea

Courtesy of Kruger Park

His Majesty King Mswati III has encouraged sick people to drink emaganu and eat tinganu because both are healthy.
He said the fruit helps heal High Blood Pressure (BP) sufferers in that it stabilises the condition and helps heal and clean upset stomachs, makes one to have an appetite and cleans the blood system.
The king said this when addressing throngs of Lutsango regiment and members of the public during the annual emaganu celebration at Ebuhleni Royal residence on Saturday.
The function was also graced by Her Majesty the Indlovukazi and Baleka Mbete former Deputy President of South Africa.
“We all know that animals like goats can be easily seen if the maganu season has arrived in that they become fat and healthy as a result of eating it.
This proves how important and healthy the fruit is. As you go home tomorrow (yesterday) I know for sure that your appetite will be high because you would have taken emaganu while you were here,” he said.
His Majesty added that the annual emaganu ceremony was not for just drinking the fruit but was also where the Lutsango regiments meet and share constructive ideas that would help develop the country later on. He applauded the Lutsango regiments for collecting the fruit saying they did a very commendable job. The king stressed on the proper use of the drink urging the regiments not to abuse it.  The king added that the fruit was also good and healthy in that it does not have preservative thus does not become spoiled easily so one can have it for the year over.
He then pleaded with the regiments to teach their children back home to respect elders and also advise them to always do the right things.
Also present in the celebration were Emakhosikati Make LaMatsebula, Make LaMagongo, Make LaGija, Make LaMahlangu and Make LaNtentesa, the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini, ministers, members of parliament and members of the public who came in their numbers.
Thanks : Observer

I am experiencing what seems to be symptoms of a peptic ulcer; namely a burning, grinding stomach ache about an hour after eating  with reduced appetite, indigestion, and nausea.

I know I could simply see a family physician regarding the matter, and they would probably just prescribe a couple of hospital tests and probably an antibiotic and/or acid reducer.

I have just been doing some research on this subject and this is what I came up with .

First, it’s important to understand that if you have a peptic ulcer, there’s nothing that you can take to accelerate the healing of an actual ulceration in your GI tract lining. Only your innate, “always-on” self healing mechanisms can heal a peptic ulcer, just as your self healing mechanisms close up a cut on your skin.

The key to efficient healing of a peptic ulcer is to avoid aggravating the ulcer as your body tries to repair it. This involves reducing the overall digestive load that you put on your digestive tract lining, as well as choosing foods that may soothe rather than aggravate an ulcer.

Some thoughts if your peptic ulcer is a gastric (stomach) ulcer:

Though your stomach plays a number of roles in digesting the foods that you eat, its chief function is to break protein apart into amino acids that can get absorbed into your bloodstream and fuel the ongoing activities of your cells. The more protein-dense foods you eat, the more burden you put on your stomach, which slows down the rate at which your self healing mechanisms are able to heal a gastric ulcer.

So the first and most important step that you can take to facilitate optimal healing of a gastric ulcer is to reduce your intake of protein-dense foods, especially those that you know from experience are difficult for you to digest. Flesh meats and dairy fall into this category for most people who suffer with recurrent ulcers.

The best foods to eat when looking to quickly heal a peptic ulcer are those that are relatively low in animal protein and easy to digest. Though fresh fruits and vegetables work well in most circumstances, in severe cases, eating too many raw fruits and vegetables can aggravate fresh ulcerations in the digestive tract. In such cases, rather than eat raw fruits and vegetables, it’s often helpful to eat mainly cooked vegetables.

Steamed Yukon gold potatoes, sweet potatoes, and zucchini are typically well tolerated by people who have severe peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, or other inflammatory conditions in the GI tract that involve fresh wounds.

When I used to run a residential fasting program, for severe cases of chronic, recurrent peptic ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease, I typically used a combination of steamed zucchini and potato soup to nourish patients as their ulcerations healed. I made the soup by steaming slices of Yukon gold potatoes and blending them in homemade vegetable broth.

If you use this approach of eating mainly steamed zucchini and tubers in the initial phases of healing from a peptic ulcer, keep in mind that as your ulcer heals, rather than go straight to eating protein-rich animal foods, it’s best to start including more raw fruits and vegetables in your diet, followed by small amounts of legumes, then relatively healthy animal foods like organic eggs and wild salmon. If all of these foods are well tolerated over a period of several days to a few weeks, then you can try adding small quantities of other protein-rich animal foods to your diet, but aim to eat such foods along with some steamed vegetables.

All of these suggestions are meant to promote optimal healing of existing peptic ulcers.

What follows are some suggestions on how to prevent ulcers from developing:

1. Avoid regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen – these drugs can cause direct injury to the lining in your stomach and small intestine, which can lead to ulcer formation. Statistics tell us that about 20 percent of people who regularly take these drugs end up developing an ulcer.

2. Avoid nicotine. Studies intake that heavy smokers have a higher than average risk of developing duodenal ulcers, and take longer to heal from an ulcer.

3. Avoid excessive alcohol intake. Alcohol can cause erosion of the protective mucous lining in your stomach and small intestine, which increases your risk of developing a peptic ulcer.

4. Work at being emotionally balanced. Being stressed can disrupt your autonomic nervous system’s ability to regulate acid secretion in your stomach, which can increase your risk of suffering from an infection caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Contrary to popular belief, lowered stomach acid production over the long term isn’t in your best interest, as stomach acid serves to help you digest protein AND kill off undesirable microorganisms. What you want is to be emotionally balanced, which results in optimal stomach acid secretion by your autonomic nervous system, which helps promote optimal digestion and decreases your risk of experiencing a bacterial infection that can lead to a gastric ulcer.

Wordpress is slowly growing usage not only in blogs but also fully fledged websites maily because of its user interface backend which is releatively easier to grasp for for web administrators.
Its usage on non blog websites poses poses a problem in that every post has a time stamp on it indicating the authour, category and date when the post was published, (nothing wrong with that) but if content is not often changed we wouldnt want people to see a times stamp which is six months old (would you?)
Now, how do we go about removing the time stamp ?

To do so, go into the Theme Editor and select the single.php and Main Index templates and take out this code:

< ?php the_time(‘F j, Y’); ? >

For more information on this tag, go the WP Codex page here.

Bush Fire has moved from its usual August slot to these new dates in May – as a warm-up for the festivities of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bush Fire is a 3-day music and performing arts festival held on an annual basis in Swaziland. Full details, updates on performers and the event schedule can be found on the Bush Fire website.

The festival kicks off on Friday the 28th May 2010 with an evening performance. Entrance is included in the Full Festival Pass. If you want a ticket for Friday night only, these can be purchased at the door – no advance sales are available for this particular evening.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th May include two full days of performances. Entrance to all performances is included in a Full Festival Pass . Alternatively a One Day Ticket can be purchased be bought separately for Saturday or Sunday only.

For safety and quality of experience reasons, only 4000 tickets per day are available. Book your ticket early.

Tomorrow marks the beginning or Lent in the Roman Catholic Calendar. For those who do not know, Lent is the 40 day period before easter where one goes through a process of repentance and renewal.

Last year among other things I gave up facebook and other things I considered luxuries during that period. I can confirm that this year starting tomorrow I will temporarily go off any social networking and non work related communication in my quest to spend as much time as possible reading the word of God. As Catholics its also expected that I fast during this period. Basically the fasting will comprise of complete abstinence from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during lent and One full meal every day.

I have also taken it upon myself to to the rosary every day of the week starting tomorrow.  I shall however continue my normal blogging in the usual columns.