Posts Tagged ‘UK’
About GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Utilizing a constellation of at least 24 medium Earth orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, the system enables a GPS receiver to determine its location, speed/direction, and time.
Developed by the United States Department of Defense, it is officially named NAVSTAR GPS (Contrary to popular belief, NAVSTAR is not an acronym, but simply a name given by Mr. John Walsh, a key decision maker when it came to the budget for the GPS program[1]). The satellite constellation is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing. The cost of maintaining the system is approximately US$750 million per year,[2] including the replacement of aging satellites, and research and development. Despite these costs, GPS is free for civilian use as a public good.
GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, and scientific uses. GPS also provides a precise time reference used in many applications including scientific study of earthquakes, and synchronization of telecommunications networks.
Simplified method of operation
A GPS receiver calculates its position by measuring the distance between itself and three or more GPS satellites. Measuring the time delay between transmission and reception of each GPS microwave signal gives the distance to each satellite, since the signal travels at a known speed – the speed of light. These signals also carry information about the satellites’ location and general system health (known as almanac and ephemeris data). By determining the position of, and distance to, at least three satellites, the receiver can compute its position using trilateration.[3] Receivers typically do not have perfectly accurate clocks and therefore track one or more additional satellites, using their atomic clocks to correct the receiver’s own clock error.
Car Rental & the Environment
With the environment such a hot topic around the world and especially in the transport industry, there are companies that are embracing new environmentally friendly technology. Hybrid Cars and ever increasingly fuel efficient diesel cars are becoming more available to mainstream motorists. I used to work for a corporate travel company and many of the major corporations were requesting the inclusion of Hybrid cars in their contracts. This was more to do with increasing business opportunities by being seen to be green as opposed to wanting to be green!
The question arises when people travel and want to maintain their commitment to the green cause. Car Rental companies will be the ones providing these vehicles… or will they?
I have chosen (for the Australia traveller) major car companies that you can book ‘green cars’ with. Working for DriveAway Holidays here in Australia, the most common request is for diesel cars. This is driven out of cost concerns and also the occasional environmental concern. (Shouldn’t it be the other way around??)
First off the rank is Avis Rental Cars.
In Australia, the group L car will give you a Toyota Hybrid. This car is the favorite for the car rental companies due to it being built by Toyota.
In the UK, there doesn’t appear to be any green cars, although there may be diesel cars on fleet, Avis don’t make them easy to find.
In the USA, like Australia, the Toyota Hybrid under group XG is available.
Second off the cab rank is Hertz Rental Cars.
In Australia, like Avis, the Toyota Hybrid is the car of choice. Book a group G and you will get this car.
Cars For Sale – Car Auctions Online – Used Car Auctions
Car Auction:
If you are looking for car auctions online please visit the best car dealers blog where you will get a chance to join one of the sites with the largest collection of used cars for sale and also you will get links to other used car auctions/vintage auctions withing the U.S, UK and other countries offering great discounted prices of upto 95% off on used cars for sale, deals not possible anywhere else. You will get access to thousands of repossessed homes, cars trucks and SUV’s including salvage cars that have been seized by the government, police, IRS, customs, DEA, banks, lending institutions etc, Cars with low miles and clean records. This is a closely guarded resource commonly used by car dealerships and realtor’s in their businesses of buying and selling cars and luxury homes due to great discounted prices and good deals offered at the auction.
Government car auctions:
Everyday a great number of citizens default on various kinds of payments be it car loans, insurance and many other kinds of debt that they either refuse or are unable to pay or involved in criminal activities and tax evasion, this in turn causes the government and law enforcement agencies to seize their cars and other properties indefinitely, this seized property is later on auctioned by the government and banks quickly in order to cover loses and to minimize cost of storage and maintenance. The general public does not know about this kind of government car auctions which makes it a perfect source for you to to buy the car or home of your dreams, once you become a member you will have no reason to buy from a dealership or realtor ever again.