Sunday, July 27, 2008

Aliens in America


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Aliens in America
Format Situation comedy
Created by David Guarascio
Moses Port
Starring Dan Byrd
Adhir Kalyan
Amy Pietz
Lindsey Shaw
Scott Patterson
Opening theme (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
by PJ Olsson & Salman Ahmad[1]
Country of origin Flag of the United States United States
No. of seasons 1
No. of episodes 18 (List of episodes)
Production
Executive
producer(s)
David Guarascio
Moses Port
Tim Doyle
Location(s) Vancouver, BC
Camera setup Single-camera setup
Running time 22 minutes (excluding commercials)
Broadcast
Original channel Flag of the United States The CW
Flag of New Zealand TV2
Original run October 1, 2007May 18, 2008
External links
Official website
IMDb profile
TV.com summary

Aliens in America is an American television sitcom created by David Guarascio and Moses Port and airing on The CW. Guarascio and Port also serve as executive producers of the show alongside Tim Doyle. Luke Greenfield directed the pilot.[2] The show is about a Wisconsin teenager and the foreign exchange student his mother arranges to host, believing the visitor will help her socially awkward son become more popular. The student turns out to be a Muslim teenager from Pakistan.

Produced by CBS Paramount Network Television, the series was officially greenlit and given a thirteen-episode order on May 15, 2007.[3] It premiered on October 1, 2007, and airs on Monday nights at 8:30/7:30c on The CW, following Everybody Hates Chris.[4] The show was originally to be produced by NBC Universal Television (now Universal Media Studios). It is filmed around the Vancouver, British Columbia area.[5] The high school featured in the show is actually H.J. Cambie Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia, with the interiors of later first-season episodes shot inside a studio.

Beginning on February 10, 2008, Aliens in America moved to Sunday nights (along with the rest of the Monday night comedies) and aired at 8:30/7:30c.[6]

On May 9, 2008, TV Guide announced that Aliens in America would not return for a second season. [7]

Contents

[hide]

Plot

High schooler Justin Tolchuk (Dan Byrd) is a sensitive, lanky 16-year-old just trying to fit in (with his mother's help) at his high school in Medora, Wisconsin. He lives with his well-meaning mom Franny (Amy Pietz) who just wants him to be "cool" and fit in, entrepreneur dad Gary (Scott Patterson) who is very laid back, and his newly popular younger sister Claire (Lindsey Shaw), who is sweetly unaware of how pretty she is. When Franny signs up for the school's foreign exchange program, she pictures an athletic, brilliant Nordic teen who will bestow instant coolness on her outsider son, but she gets Raja Musharaff (Adhir Kalyan), a 16-year-old Muslim boy from Pakistan. Although their cultures are different, Justin and Raja form an unlikely friendship that might allow them to get past the social nightmare of high school. It's going to be a very interesting year for Justin, Raja, the family, and the entire community of Medora as some rather ugly elements start to surface.

Cast

Actor/Actress Role Notes
Dan Byrd Justin Tolchuk A gawky 16-year-old high school junior usually tormented by other kids
Adhir Kalyan Raja Musharaff The Pakistani boy who comes to live with the Tolchuks for a year
Amy Pietz Franny Tolchuk Justin's mom
Scott Patterson Gary Tolchuk Justin's dad
Lindsey Shaw Claire Tolchuk Justin's very popular 15-year-old sister

Patrick Breen was originally cast as Gary Tolchuk but the role was re-cast in July 2007.[8]

Episodes

Further information: List of Aliens in America episodes

International

Aliens In America airs in India at 9.30 pm on Thursdays on the Zee Cafe channel. It is also shown in Ireland on TV3, Friday nights at 8.00 pm. SABC 3 broadcasts the show in South Africa, Monday nights at 7.30 pm.TV 2 is broadcasting this show 7.00 pm Saturday in New Zealand.

U.S. Nielsen ratings

Rating information is from Your Entertainment Now[9] and The Futon Critic.[10] The weekly rating information is from ABC Medianet.[11]

Aliens in America averaged 1.57 million viewers in its sole season.

# ↓ Episode ↓ Rating ↓ Share ↓ Rating/Share
(18-49) ↓
Viewers
(millions) ↓
Rank
(timeslot) ↓
Rank
(week) ↓
1 "Pilot" 1.6 2 0.8/2 2.33 5 98/102
2 "No Man is An Island" 1.3 2 0.8/2 2.11 5 93/97
3 "Rocket Club" 1.5 2 0.9/2 2.23 5 93/97
4 "The Metamorphosis" 1.6 2 0.9/2 2.35 5 92/97
5 "Help Wanted" 1.4 2 0.8/2 2.11 5 95/100
6 "Homecoming" 1.2 2 0.7/2 1.78 5 97/101
7 "Purple Heart" 1.3 2 0.8/2 1.99 5 97/101
8 "My Musky, Myself" 1.1 2 0.5/1 1.37 5 90/95
9 "Junior Prank" 1.3 2 0.7/1 1.89 5 93/98
10 "Church" 1.2 2 0.7/1 1.84 5 91/99
11 "Mom's Coma" 0.9 1 0.4/1 1.09 5 94/96
12 "Hunting" 0.8 1 0.4/1 1.17 5 94/96
13 "Community Theater" 0.6 1 0.4/1 0.81 5 99/100
14 "One Hundred Thousand Miles" 0.6 1 0.4/1 0.91 5 91/91
15 "The Muslim Card" 0.7 1 0.4/1 1.04 5 99/100
16 "Smutty Books" 0.8 1 0.4/1 1.04 5 95/96
17 "Wake in the Lake" 0.7 1 0.4/1 1.12 5 96/97
18 "Raja at Sixteen" 0.9 1 0.5/1 1.21 5 94/96

References

  1. ^ Aliens in America theme song music video
  2. ^ Aliens in America at the The Futon Critic; last accessed June 4, 2007.
  3. ^ CBS, THE CW CONFIRM RENEWALS, CANCELLATIONS; FOX EXTENDS 24 at the The Futon Critic; last accessed June 4, 2007
  4. ^ THE CW KICKS OFF ITS SECOND SEASON WITH SIX NEW SERIES at the The Futon Critic; last accessed June 4, 2007
  5. ^ Spotlight: TV Fall Casting at Backstage.com; last accessed September 14, 2007
  6. ^ Breaking News - CW Plans Midseason Makeover | TheFutonCritic.com
  7. ^ CW Cancels Aliens in Ameirca - Ausiello Report | TVGuide.com
  8. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (2007-07-02). "Gilmore Girls' Luke Travels to the CW's America", TV Guide. Retrieved on 2007-07-02.
  9. ^ Your Entertainment Now
  10. ^ TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource
  11. ^ ABC Medianet

External links

Monday, July 21, 2008

Europe Travel Insurance

Europe Travel Insurance / Schengen Visa Insurance / Europe Visa Insurance


Europe Travel Insurance: Overview


Travelling in Europe has been simplified and made convenient with the introduction of the Schengen visa. As a visitor to the Schengen area, you will enjoy the many advantages of this unified visa system. Generally speaking with a Schengen visa, you may enter one country and travel freely throughout the Schengen region during the validity of the visa. Internal border controls are limited with no or few stops and checks.


A Schengen Visa is an official document handed out by the embassy of the country of destination. This visa allows the passenger to enter all countries who are part of the Schengen agreement. These schengen countries / schengen states are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. Schengen visas should be obtained prior to arrival in the Schengen territory.


On the 21st December 2007, the Schengen zone was expanded to inlude 9 new countries: Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia. Schengen States are a group of European countries which have signed an agreement to allow free circulation of people within the territory of the member countries. Please note that the UK and Ireland are not a part of the Schengen aggreement.


Europe Travel Insurance common shengen visa allows you to travel to 15 Schengen countries / territories / states. However Schengen visa countries require visitors to have health insurance coverage.


Schengen visa insurance requirements for schengen states include:

  • Insurance company must have a representative office in Europe
  • Medical evacuation / repatriation coverage of at least US $37,500 (30,000 Euros)
  • Insurance must be valid for duration of stay in the Schengen states




Insurance Categories - Visitor medical insurance, global health insurance, Short Term insurance, student medical insurance, Domestic student medical insurance, immigrant health insurance, J visa insurance, cruise vacation insurance, Europe travel insurance, nanny insurance, Group Medical insurance


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Visitor Medical Insurance plans provide coverage for medical expenses resulting from sudden illness or injuries incurred during the stay in USA. Visitor Medical Insurance plans can be purchased anytime even during the trip and offer many levels of medical coverage ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

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Global Health Insurance (Plans for expatriates and international travelers)


Global Health Insurance plans offer comprehensive major medical coverage in all countries including USA and are designed to the special needs of expatriates and regular international travelers as well as US H1, H4 and Green Card holders (new immigrants).

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Short Term Insurance (Plans for expatriates and international travelers)


Short Term medical Insurance plans are ideal for those currently living in the US and in-between jobs or waiting on another plan. Temporary medical insurance is also applicable for students who have recently graduated from college or anybody else without short term insurance.

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International Students (F1 visa), their spouses and children (F2 dependents) are required by US Universities to have good medical insurance coverage.

International Student Health Insurance plans cover medical expenses (pre-existing conditions & pregnancy may be covered), prescription drugs expenses, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation.

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Domestic Student Medical Insurance (Plans for American students)


Assurant Health Student Select Insurance plan provides for high cost items such as hospital stays and surgery as well as everyday occurrences like doctor visits. However, it is important to understand that Student Select is not designed to pay for injuries and illnesses that exist at the time a customer's policy becomes effective.

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US Immigrant Health Insurance (Plans for H4, F2 Visa holders and new US immigrants)


US Immigrant Health Insurance plans are long term plans designed to the special health needs of new immigrants (Green Card holders sponsored by family members) to the US and potential immigrants (H4 & F2 visa holders).

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US J1, J2 Visa Health Insurance (Plans for exchange program visitors and scholars)


J-1 exchange visitors in the US and J-2 dependents must carry health insurance. Government regulations stipulate that if one willfully fails to carry health insurance, then the J-1 sponsor must terminate the exchange visitor program and inform the termination to US Department of State.

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Travel Trip Insurance (Plans for vacationers and cruise travel)


Vacation/Trip Travel Insurance plans are a simple packaged solution designed for short term travel, vacations, cruises and tours. These plans offer good coverage (no deductible) at affordable prices.

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Europe Travel Insurance (Plans for business travel, vacation and Schengen visa)


Traveling to Europe has been made convenient with the Schengen Visa. This common visa allows you to travel to 15 schengen countries. However Schengen visa countries require visitors to have health insurance coverage.

Schengen Visa insurance requirements are specified by the consulates.

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Nanny (AuPair) Insurance (Plans for overseas babysitters and nannies)


Most Nannies (Au-Pair's) in the United States have the J-1 visa. J-1 visa exchange visitors in the US and J-2 dependents must carry health insurance. Government regulations stipulate that if one willfully fails to carry health insurance, then the J-1 sponsor must terminate the exchange visitor program and inform the termination to US Department of State. Benefits include coverage for medical expenses (pre-existing conditions may be covered), prescription drugs expenses, emergency medical evacuation and accidental death & dismemberment.

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Hands On: Able Planet's Clear Harmony Headphones


always told me I'd regret procrastinatng. For months I've had Able Planet's $349 Clear Harmony headphones sitting on my desk, waiting for me to get around to trying them out. Last month, I finally opened the package. I wish I'd done it sooner.

The headphones use Able Planet's Linx Audio technology, which was originally designed for the hard of hearing; it not only reduces outside noise, it amplifies higher frequencies in the audio. Applied to headphones, the result is something that's useful for people with normal hearing as well.

Think of it as preventive aural maintenace. When the ambient noise is so drastically diminished and the audio you're listening to is selectively boosted, you don't have to turn the volume up as high to hear clearly. In a few random tests where I switched between fairly good Sony earbuds and the Clear Harmony headphones, I was surprised to discover how much I'd turned up my iPod to hear music clearly on the earbuds. Keeping things at a lower volume with the headphones meant I was subjecting my ears to less stress, and incidentally reducing power demands on the iPod.

I've been using the headphones in a variety of environments, such as mowing the lawn (the reason I finally put them on) and riding on trains, buses and planes. The large cans seal my ears in nicely, shutting out a lot of the ambient noise on their own; turning on the noise-cancelling circuitry -- the headphones are powered by two AA batteries -- takes care of almost everything else.

I'd recommend the Clear Harmony headphones for anyone who regularly listens to music out of the house, needs a little peace and quiet in noisy environments (even without music playing, the headphones form a nice little audio cocoon), or just values their hearing. There are, however, two caveats, aside from the high price: one is that after a few hours, they can get a little uncomfortable; the second is that they do too good a job of blocking outside sound -- wearing them while walking down the street would conceivably be a safety hazard.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Intel® Atom™ Processor Microarchitecture

Intel® Atom™ processor die

Newly designed from the ground up, the Intel® Atom™ processor is based on entirely new hafnium-based 45nm microarchitecture. Representing Intel's smallest and lowest power processor yet¹, the Intel® Atom™ processor enables a new generation of powerful and energy-efficient Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and a new category of simple devices for the internet called netbooks and nettops that will be available at affordable prices.

Delivering new design possibilities due to its remarkably small size and performance-per-watt advantages, the Intel Atom processor provides:

  • Performance for a great internet experience in a range of sub 1 watt to 4 watt thermal power envelope based on industry leading benchmarks (EEMBC) and web page rendering performance
  • Greater energy efficiency for mobile devices enabled by incredibly low average power and idle power, scaling performance from 800MHz to 1.86GHz
  • Power-optimized front side bus of up to 533MHz for faster data transfer on demanding mobile applicationsΔ
  • Scalable performance and increased power efficiency with multi-threading support²
  • Improved performance on multimedia and gaming applications with support for Streaming SIMD Extensions 3 (SSE3)
  • Improved power management with new Deep Power Down (C6) enabled on the Intel® Atom™ processor Z5xx series for MIDs, and extended C4 states enabled on Intel® Atom™ processor N270 for netbooks, in addition to non-grid clock distribution, clock gating, CMOS bus mode, and other power saving architectural features
  • Low TDP enabled by improved power management technologies delivering high performance to run the real Internet and a broad range of software applications³

ISSCC Disclosures

Read Intel's Technical Disclosures from the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) in February 2008.

Intel® Atom™ Processor
Intel's smallest chip. Built with the world's smallest transistors¹.
The 45nm Intel Atom processor is a tiny sliver of silicon

"This is our smallest processor built with the world's smallest transistors. The Intel® Atom™ processor is based on an entirely new design, built for low power and designed specifically for a new wave of Mobile Internet Devices and simple, low-cost PC's. This small wonder is a fundamental new shift in design, small yet powerful enough to enable a big Internet experience on these new devices. We believe it will unleash new innovation across the industry."

– Intel Executive Vice President Sean Maloney

As Intel's smallest and lowest power processor², the Intel® Atom™ processor enables the latest Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), and another new category of devices for the internet called netbooks and nettops. It's also the foundation for the all new Intel® Centrino® Atom™ processor technology, a collection of chips enabling amazing Internet experiences in pocketable devices.

Intel® Atom™ processorIntel® Centrino® Atom™ processor technologyNewly designed from the ground up, 45nm Intel® Atom™ processors pack an astounding 47 million transistors on a single chip measuring less than 22mm², making them Intel's smallest and lowest power processors.¹ All this while delivering the power and performance you need for full Internet capabilities.+

* Get a new range of power-efficient devices with excellent performance enabled by all new hafnium-infused 45nm high-k silicon technology
* Increase energy efficiency in smaller more compact designs with a thermal design power specification ranging from less than 1W to 2.5 watts for mobile devices
* Extend battery life in select devices with an incredibly low idle and average power allowing the device to stay powered on while also conserving energy

Based on an entirely new microarchitecture, the Intel® Atom™ processor was developed specifically for targeted performance and low power while maintaining full Intel® Core™ microarchitecture instruction set compatibility. Intel® Atom™ processors also feature multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness.

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