Poll 3: What made Mr Obama the next US president?

Inspired by the outcome of the US presidential elections, I was curious to see which were the biggest advantages of Sen. Barack Obama's campaign. My visitors were able to choose one or more of the following answers:

a) His charisma and skin color
b) The current economic situation
c) His intention to make education more accessible
d) His intention to create reduce the jobs outsourcing tendency
e) His choice for running mate, Joe Badin
f) John McCain's choice for running mate, Sarah Palin

Answers b) and c) were equally chosen the most. Here is my interpretation: The current economic situation obviously showed to people the inability of the current government to deal with the situation, which made US citizens look for and believe in other promises and solutions. The choice for running mate Joe Badin was also an immensely important step due to the significant political experience of Joe Badin. This was suited perfectly Mr Obama's profile because he has been discussed to be not experienced enough in foreign policy. Together they made a really strong candidacy, especially targeted for middle class Americans. Together they seem to be able to get things done. People believed that CHANGE CAN HAPPEN!

Read more online: http://www.barackobama.com

Poll 2: Which way of shopping do you prefer?

This was my second poll question, running in Oct-Nov 2008.
Again visitors were allowed to choose one or more than one answer of the following:

a) Online
b) Stores
c) Catalogue

Most answers were b) and only 10% would select option a). Surprisingly, not even one person selected Catalogue as a preferable shopping way. I, personally, became quite comfortable with catalogue shopping thanks to the English cosmetics company Avon. The Swedish cosmetics company Oriflame has exactly the same sales strategy. And it should be there, because people really prefer it.

Their remarkable marketing strategy has numerous advantages for the buyer:

Firstly, you can shop while sitting at home and watching a movie.
Secondly, you can any time consult your own distributor for advice, because Avon took their time and money to train them so that they can help their own customers in almost all cases. Third, you can always ask your distributor for samples, if you don't know which color of lipstick you need, for example.
Fourth, if you don't like the product (for a convincing reason) you can return it right away and you certainly get all your money back.
Fifth, you have all the time you need to go over and over through the 150-paged catalogue and investigate all the promotions and combined offers, which you wouldn't really be able to know so fast in a store.
Sixth, you pay when you hold the product in your hands. Who wouldn't love that?
Seventh, (only for perfumes) you can actually smell the newest perfumes on the specially scented page.
Eight, you are often given instructions how to use the products for the best results.

Of course, a disadvantage is that you need to calculate a couple of days until you get what you ordered. Sometimes it also happens that the colorful pictures and smooth silky skin of the models makes you buy a product you wouldn't need. This is probably the biggest danger. Still, I consider this a very convenient shopping method, once you have built trust in the catalogue's products and the expertise of your distributor.

Poll 1: What is your little contribution against global warming?

This was first poll question I made for my blog visitors, which was running in Oct 2008.
People could select one or more of the following answers:

a) I ride a bike or walk, instead of using my car
b) I take quick showers
c) I plant trees
d) I pay for my carbon footprints

As expected most of my visitors selected a). This is perhaps the most common way to clear your conscience (at least that is what helps me the most). For me only option a) is the answer.

What are Kiva loans?

I read about the Kiva loans some years ago in Business Week. Today I stumbled upon their websites and I got reminded of this remarkable initiative.

Kiva loans are directed to entrepreneurs around the world, with very good potential and in a real need of finance. The curious thing about these loans is that they can be as small as 25 USD. It turns out, when given to the right person they can really make a difference :)

Check out Kiva online, and get inspired to help :)

Some more solar power insights

I really like one specific sales technique - when you explain to the customer what your product is worth, by describing it in units and words that have an obvious meaning for everybody, regardless of their knowledge.
See here 10 important reasons, which the company Solel Solar Systems gives, explaining why power from the sun makes sense to invest in.

Here is one product you would need if you want to build a solar power plant - highly reflective foil:


Solar Energy has always been there. Hence, using it for heat production is not completely new idea. It has been there for a while and has been put into implementation.
Here are some examples of CSP plants:

Kramer Junction, California, USA:





Solar One, Nevada, USA
This power plants uses parabolic troughs as thermal solar concentrators.





Solar Two, Barstow, California, USA:
This power plant uses mirrors, which move tracking the sun light, similarly to plants :)



Seville, Spain:
All the heat from the sun's radiation is concentrated in the top of the tower (Receiver), where the working fluid is heated to become steam. The following process is the same as in most electricity power plants - the so called Rankine cycle.





And the world's largest solar plant, Mojave Desert, Israel:



And here is how they remove desert dust from the huge mirrors:)



The main question in an engineer's mind about production of electricity is on first place: 'How to generate heat?'. One obvious answer is there, staring at us :) The sun's radiation is our perfect completely renewable source of heat, if we only want to use it. And, one more green point, completely CO₂ free :)