Written by Liz Quilty on 27 August 2010
A few weeks ago i asked if anyone was interested in an android tablet if I could do a wholesale order and get them cheap. I got a fairly overwhelming response, so i looked into it more.
I have decided on the Zenithink ZT-180 Android to import, and i have worked out the prices to be approximately $350 each. This takes into account, purchase, shipping, GST, and hopefully any other hidden costs.
Specs:
Operation System Android 2.1 (upgradeable to 2.2)
LCD display 10.2″ TFT display,1024*600 Resistive screen (sorry, nobody is making capacitive yet)
CPU ARM11 1Ghz (This means it will probably never run flash/shockwave! – still better than an iPad!)
Memory DDR 256MB
Internet support WIFI:USB port
USB for web camera
I/O ports DC in Power
Earphone
RJ-45
TF
1*USB 2.0 Host port
1*USB 2.0 OTG port
Touch screed Resistive
Audio Built in stereo speakers 1w*2
Built in mono recorder
LED indicators Power; charging
Key-press Power on /off 1 key
Volume 2key
ESC 1 key
Max battery time Wi-Fi on :5 hours
Wi-Fi off:7 hours
Power adapter 220V Input 9V DC Output ,2A
Office software Word viewer
Excel Viewer
PowerPoint Viewer
PDF Viewer
Image Viewer
EDIT Tools Microsoft WordPad
Microsoft Spread Excel
Network Correspondence QQ,MSN,Skype
Internet Internet Explorer
Audio MP3,WAV,WMA,AAC,AAC+,WMA record.
Video 1080P MP4,1080P AVI(XVID,H.263,DIVX),
1080P MKV,1080P RMVB, RM
Photo JPEG,GIF
Game Support all Android Editions,Games
Language Multi-Language
There is NO 3G or GPS, however there is an optional extra for this available online.
When ordering I am also ordering a leather case for them (included in the $350) which has a keyboard built in.
If you are interested in one of these for approximately $350, please read on.
IMPORTANT!
I will be buying them online in a large portion from an unknown company, whilst I will do everything in my power to make sure i dont get ripped off (its my money too!) there is a slim chance that this may happen. The money is in escrow so I’m fairly sure we’re ok on this front (they don’t get my money until i get the goods)
Payment must be made up front as I do not have the funds to cover everyone elses items!
There is no profit made anywhere in this for me. The price may vary depending on currency conversions at the time and any other unknown fees incurred. If its under the $350, then you will get any leftover. If its more, then I’ll let you know (though I can’t imagine it will be much if it is).
Ideally I need a minimum order of 15 of these before its viable, I can still do it with less, however the buying power is lost somewhat.
Yes you can search around and see other prices on ebay etc, you will find there are a few people that list these at around $220-$300USD each without the leather wallet/cover thing, however i suspect that having the leather cover is probably something most people will want (we can opt for or not either way).
Most android tablets from china are cloned, which leaves the Market unusable, this is fixable, I’ll do it myself and upgrade it to 2.2 if necessary before passing them onto you. You are welcome to take it as it is and do that yourself if you want 
So, you still want in?
Email me: liz at velofille dot com
Posted in Tech | View Comments
Written by Liz Quilty on 23 August 2010
Occasionally i get some pretty cool emails i like to share on my blog. Often those to big to re-forward. I have no idea if this is true or not, but it makes a great story!
—-o0o—
Kulula is a low-cost South-African airline that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Check out their new livery!
See also the comments of flight attendants and crew listed below.
Kulula is an Airline with head office situated in Johannesburg ..
Kulula airline attendants make an effort to make the in-flight “safety lecture” and announcements a bit more entertaining. Here are some real examples that have been heard or reported:
On a Kulula flight, (there is no assigned seating, you just sit where you want) passengers were apparently having a hard time choosing, when a flight attendant announced, “People, people we’re not picking out furniture here, find a seat and get in it!”
—-o0o—
On another flight with a very “senior” flight attendant crew, the pilot said, “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached cruising altitude and will be turning down the cabin lights. This is for your comfort and to enhance the appearance of your flight attendants.”
—-o0o—
On landing, the stewardess said, “Please be sure to take all of your belongings.. If you’re going to leave anything, please make sure it’s something we’d like to have.”
—-o0o—
“There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only 4 ways out of this airplane.”
—-o0o—
“Thank you for flying Kulula. We hope you enjoyed giving us the business as much as we enjoyed taking you for a ride.”
—-o0o—
As the plane landed and was coming to a stop at Durban Airport , a lone voice came over the loudspeaker: “Whoa, big fella. WHOA!”
—-o0o—
After a particularly rough landing during thunderstorms in the Karoo , a flight attendant on a flight announced, “Please take care when opening the overhead compartments because, after a landing like that, sure as hell everything has shifted.”
—-o0o—
From a Kulula employee: ” Welcome aboard Kulula 271 to Port Elizabeth ..
To operate your seat belt, insert the metal tab into the buckle, and pull tight. It works just like every other seat belt; and, if you don’t know how to operate one, you probably shouldn’t be out in public unsupervised.”
—-o0o—
“In the event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure, masks will descend from the ceiling. Stop screaming, grab the mask, and pull it over your face. If you have a small child travelling with you, secure your mask before assisting with theirs. If you are travelling with more than one small child, pick your favourite.”
—-o0o—
Weather at our destination is 50 degrees with some broken clouds, but we’ll try to have them fixed before we arrive. Thank you, and remember, nobody loves you, or your money, more than Kulula Airlines.”
—-o0o—
“Your seats cushions can be used for flotation; and in the event of an emergency water landing, please paddle to shore and take them with our compliments.”
—-o0o—
“As you exit the plane, make sure to gather all of your belongings. Anything left behind will be distributed evenly among the flight attendants. Please do not leave children or spouses..”
—-o0o—
From the pilot during his welcome message: “Kulula Airlines is pleased to announce that we have some of the best flight attendants in the industry. Unfortunately, none of them are on this flight!”
—-o0o—
Heard on Kulula 255 just after a very hard landing in Cape Town : The flight attendant came on the intercom and said, “That was quite a bump and I know what y’all are thinking. I’m here to tell you it wasn’t the airline’s fault, it wasn’t the pilot’s fault, it wasn’t the flight attendant’s fault, it was the asphalt.”
—-o0o—
Overheard on a Kulula flight into Cape Town , on a particularly windy and bumpy day: During the final approach, the Captain really had to fight it. After an extremely hard landing, the Flight Attendant said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to The Mother City . Please remain in your seats with your seat belts fastened while the Captain taxis what’s left of our airplane to the gate!”
—-o0o—
Another flight attendant’s comment on a less than perfect landing:”We ask you to please remain seated as Captain Kangaroo bounces us to the terminal.”
—-o0o—
An airline pilot wrote that on this particular flight he had hammered his ship into the runway really hard. The airline had a policy which required the first officer to stand at the door while the passengers exited, smile, and give them a “Thanks for flying our airline. He said that, in light of his bad landing, he had a hard time looking the passengers in the eye, thinking that someone would have a smart comment.
Finally everyone had gotten off except for a little old lady walking with a cane. She said, “Sir, do you mind if I ask you a question?” “Why, no Ma’am,” said the pilot. “What is it?” The little old lady said, “Did we land, or were we shot down?”
—-o0o—
After a real crusher of a landing in Johannesburg , the attendant came on with, “Ladies and Gentlemen, please remain in your seats until Captain Crash and the Crew have brought the aircraft to a screeching halt against the gate. And, once the tire smoke has cleared and the warning bells are silenced, we will open the door and you can pick your way through the wreckage to the terminal..”
—-o0o—
Part of a flight attendant’s arrival announcement: “We’d like to thank you folks for flying with us today.. And, the next time you get the insane urge to go blasting through the skies in a pressurized metal tube, we hope you’ll think of Kulula Airways.”
—-o0o—
Heard on a Kulula flight. “Ladies and gentlemen, if you wish to smoke, the smoking section on this airplane is on the wing.. If you can light ‘em, you can smoke ‘em.”
—-o0o—
A plane was taking off from Durban Airport . After it reached a comfortable cruising altitude, the captain made an announcement over the intercom, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking.
Welcome to Flight Number 293, non-stop from Durban to Cape Town , The weather ahead is good and, therefore, we should have a smooth and uneventful flight.. Now sit back and relax… OH, MY GOODNESS!” Silence followed, and after a few minutes, the captain came back on the intercom and said, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I am so sorry if I scared you earlier. While I was talking to you, the flight attendant accidentally spilled a cup of hot coffee in my lap. You should see the front of my pants!” A passenger then yelled, “That’s nothing. You should see the back of mine!”
Posted in Humour | View Comments
Written by Liz Quilty on 17 August 2010
Often I see people who hire out for exorbitant fees when they only do a few hours. I see people gripe about this often enough, though i generally try to think about it before i do, but i just wanted to point a few things out.
Example:
A photographer, comes in to take wedding photos, and he charges you $4k for what appears to be a quick easy money job.
What actually happens: That person sits down and finds out what you want (i hope!). They find what car you are in, check what room is in the car, where the bride will be dressing, where the groom is dressing, where the church is, what route the cars are taking. they will often spend a week before hand checking out driving routes and alternative routes to make sure they can get photos of all these places and not get stuck or lost.
They will spend time checking out the venues before the take, the lighting inside the church or reception area, and any potential other backdrops for official photos.
Often they find out how much family is going to be there, to arrange what photos they will have with what family members, and on the day they will usually have lists and lists of these.
For the next week or so afterwards they sift through the thousands of photos, editing, touching up, and removing the little shit in the background who was doing the finger etc.
So now we are getting an idea on where the money is going, but wait, you are not only paying for the work, but the expertise.
Knowing what positions will look good for those who are a bit chunky and missed the wedding diet. Knowing how to arrange a group of people so they look balanced and good. Knowing how to tell people who don’t want to be told where to sit or move to and how to hold their hands. Knowing body language and how that translates into photos, and most of all, knowing how to make people smile.
Knowing what light looks good, what is flattering, whats not. What gear to use and what settings to put that gear on is another whole paragraph at least just to begin with, But what a lot of it boils down to is experience and knowledge.
Whilst I’ve used wedding photography in this example, this covers a lot of other industries. You are not paying a Designer for the 5 hours he spent doing the design, but the years of knowledge he has about what is going to look good, what wont, general do’s and don’ts that your nephew may not quiet have the hang of, even if he can do some design work.
So next time you think about what somebody gets paid, check out what really goes into the job
Posted in Rant | View Comments
