Spontaneous Pneumothorax / Lung Collapse / Paru-paru bocor kempes

Guys... mau sharing cerita saudara yg kena penyakit Spontaneous Pneumothorax / Lung Collapse / Paru-paru kempes...

Begini ceritanya:
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Halo bro, sis, agan2 dan sista2 gua disini cuma pengen share pengalaman gua tentang penyakit yang gua alamin, nama gua engku umur 38, hampir genap 3 bulan gua lewatin di rumah sakit karena paru-paru gua bocor / kempes. Gua share dari awal ya gan dan sis..

Seminggu sebelum gua masuk rs gua merasakan sesak dan jantung berdebar2 sangat kencang, gua tahanin ga mau cek sampe akhirnya ga tahan juga langsung meluncur ke rs terdekat di x-ray dan alhasil gua dinyatakan terkena (Spontaneous pneumothorax / lung collapse / paru paru bocor sebelah kiri) oleh dokter spesialist paru, penyebabnya bawaan lahir, jadi lapisan pleura paru gua lebih tipis dari orang lain dan kena polusi akhirnya pecah. Saat itu juga gua langsung disuruh rawat tapi gua kekeh ga mau karena gua mau cari second opinion karena gua pikir tu hasil x-ray ketuker sm punya orang laen. singkat cerita akhirnya gua direkomen ke prof spesialis paru terkenal di salah satu rs di Jakarta.

Ternyata ini hasil x-ray gua benar gua dinyatakan terkena (Spontaneous pneumothorax) alias paru-paru sebelah kiri collapse atau kempessssss atau bocor. Gua dalam hati langsung mikir emang ada dalam sejarah hidup yang namanya paru-paru kempes dan masih ga percaya gua bisa terkena penyakit ini.Noh fotonya polos ga ada asep2nya gan.

March 27 2015

Singkat cerita dokter langsung mengambil tindakan yaitu bagian bawah ketiak kiri gua dibolongin trus dimasukin selang, istilahnya chest tube dan ujung selangnya disambungin ke mesin yang dinamakan WSD (Water Seal Drainage). Beres gan kata dokter tunggu paru2nya berkembang secara alami, mulailah gua menunggu sambil latihan fisioterapi, spirro-ball, uap, dll, Ini penampakan gua dan pacar baru gua yang nempel 24 jam dibadan gua selama berbulan-bulan. Perfect couple kan.

Setelah penantian yang cukup lama dan x-ray puluhan kali finally tepatnya tanggal 21 april 2015 hasil x-ray gua dinyatakan dokter sudah 100 % berkembang dan dokter langsung memutuskan untuk CLAMP (menjepit selang yang tersambung antara mesin dan badan gua alias mesinnya dimatikan), jadi gua ditest tidak menggunakan bantuan si WSD) tidur lah gua dengan tenang dan hati gembira.

Keesokan harinya gua bangun dan beraktifitas seperti biasa di ranjang yang membosankan. Mulai menjelang siang gua mulai batuk-batuk dan nafas terasa agak berat, mampus deh something wrong banget beda banget sama pas mesin wsd gua dalam keadaan ON, menjelang sore dokter memerintahkan untuk x-ray lagi untuk mengecek apakah paru-parunya masih dalam kondisi 100% atau kempes lagi.

JRENGGG alhasil kempessssssssss aabissssssss total ilang lagi gan, stress, sedih, kecewa, marah campur aduk pikiran gua. Ngembanginya bulanan tp kempes dalam 1 malam saja. Lalu gimana Dok solusinya gimana?

Dokter : Di TALC

Gua : Apaan tu ?

Dokter : Dibedakin, jadi paru2 gua akan di semprot talc pake thoraxcoscopy, operasi kecil cuma dilobangin buat masuk senter, camera dan kawan-kawannya. Hanya 2-3 jam tapi bius total

Gua : Kemungkinan berhasilnya berapa % dok

Dokter : 95% tp ga bisa 100% berhasil bisa juga gagal

Gua : Ada opsi lain ga ?

Dokter : Bedah thorax

Gua : Apaan tu?

Dokter : Itu penambalan paru-paru biar ga bocor lagi yaitu dengan cara di bedah. Trus rusuk gua dipilih 3 yang 1 di patahin yang 2 atas dan bawah direnggangin biar tangan dokter bisa masuk dan bisa dicari lubangnya dan ditambal dengan steples.

Gua : Strees mau pingsan nambel ban motor kali.

Uda tau dong gua milih opsi yang mana? Langsung gue iya kan untuk di TALC, enak gan dibedakin doank ceritanya.

Jadilah gua dioperasi tepatnya tanggal 23 April 15, sore hari pk 17.00, bius total gan ternyata lumayan ga berasa pas di operasi tp selesainya operasinya lumayan gan, lumayan gempor rasanya. Selesai operasi gua dibalikin ke kamar gua yang ranjangnya udah tepos banget gara-gara gua tidurin berbulan-bulan, mulailah gua pemulihan dengan kondisi masih dipasangin mesin WSD dan badan masih berlobang. Seminggu berlalu saatnya mulai x-ray lagi.

Hasil x-ray keluar dan menyatakan belum berkembang 100% masih di level 80% dan kalo dianalisa dari mesin WSD paru2 gua dinyatakan dokter masih bocor. Jadi kalo paru loe masih bocor tu mesin wsd bakal keluar bubble trus gan, nah gua tiap malem 24 jam bergerak, ketawa, kecegukan ngapain aja tu mesin keluar gelembung parah yang artinya masih BOCOR.

Seperti biasa langsung ngambek, stress, kecewa suster gua marah-marahin, kaga mau tensi..tp kalo makan tetep gan hahaa.. Langsung gua konfrontasi ke dokter

DOK berarti Operasinya gagal donk..Dokter bilang "Saya tidak bisa mengatakan ini gagal sebelum 2 bulan" jadi 2 bulan setelah operasi jika masih bocor maka operasi dinyatakan gagal. OMG, Astaganaga berarti perjalanan gua masih 2 bulan untuk berharap keajaiban bahwa lobang tersebut bisa recover. Pusing lagi pala barbie, kerjaan gua gimana? Bisa di pecat gua. Tapi apa boleh buat kalo bisa tetep berharap jangan sampe ke bedah thorax, sayang badan dibelek2 secara gua six-pax haha kalo org six-pax biasa ga pernah berani dia nulis kalo dia six pax gan jadi loe tau lah gan perut gua kaya apa.

Mulai lg perjalanan gua menunggu sambil berdoa dan konsumsi obat-obatan segambreng, tapi kali ini karena biaya rumah sakit yang uda menggerogoti habis kantong gua kaya rayap dirumah gua, maka gua diskusi dengan dokter dan alhasil puji syukur gua diijinkan rawat jalan di rumah. Jadilah gua pulang dengan pacar baru gua tp karena gua di rawat jalan gua dapet pacar baru gan and sis, lebih cantik cabe2an ud ga pake gelembung sekarang tapi digital. Ni penampakannya:

Kerenkan!!! tulisannya aja BU ( Butuh Uang ), kidding gan ini mesin beneran sangat helpful, unit nya kecil, functionnya sangat bagus trus enak gan baterainya rechargeable dan tahan lama kaya iklan HP yang terbaru dari Hongkong itu tuu.. Anyway gua bersyukur banget gua bisa diperbolehkan pake mesin ini dan keluar rs ketemu anak-anak dan keluarga gua. Trus sometimes gua nyolong jelong-jelong ke mall haha yah kalo ga terlalu diperhatiin ga keliatan lah tu selang, orang pikir kabel walkman.. Jiaaawalkman !!! ud jaman apa ni. Mesinnya gua masukin ke dalam tas gan, jadi kaya esmud bawa laptop deh. Padahal SICK MAN WALKING.

Anyway sambil menunggu proses konservatif ini gua dapet banyak sekali masukan dan saran dari sodara2, temen untuk coba berobat ke Penang dan gua pikir worse comes to worse gua memang harus persiapkan diri gua untuk hal ini. Tapi karena badan gua uda bolong dan bawa mesin jadilah gua super rempong untuk berpergian alias naek pesawat. Serba salah gan, kalo gua cabut tu mesin, paru2 gua langsung kempes lagi. So pasti kalo naek pesawat kena tekanan diatas pesawat gua bisa metong. Kalo dengan mesin terpasang syarat nya segudang, ada yang bilang harus bawa team medis, ada yang bilang surat fit to fly cukup, pusing pala barbie.

Sambil mikir, keluarga gua memutuskan untuk berangkat dulu ke situ konsultasi dengan dokter di sono dengan membawa serta semua data dan hasil pengobatangua selama disini. Singkat cerita keluarga berangkat untuk konsultasi ke 3 RS dan 3 dokter bedah disitu, alhasil besok malemnya gua dengan pacar gua yang nempel ga bisa lepas sedetikpun dari gua ikut menjemput keluarga gua di bandara. Cerita deh panjang lebar bla...bla...bla... dan intinya hasil konsultasi cukup melegakan, jadi jika hal terburuk terjadi gua sudah siap untuk berangkat ke penang dengan segala syarat yang super rempong tersebut.

Waktu menunjukan tanggal 5 juni sudah hampir 2 bulan dari waktu penentuan gagal atau tidaknya operasi, tiba2 gua bangun tidur dan merasakan sakit yang luar biasa, sesak sampai bicara pun tidak bisa. Langsung tancep gas ngebut ke rs malah jauh banget rsnya dari rumah gua macettttt stressssss tp thank God gua masih tahan dan akhirnya gua sampai dengan selamat di UGD. Entah apa yang terjadi, langsung dokter memberikan oksigen, rekam jantung dll selayaknya prosedur gawat darurat.

Menjelang siang semua hasil rekam jantung, x-ray sudah keluar dan hasilnya gan: Sungguh aneh dan tidak bisa dipercaya dalam hati gua berpikir pasti paru-paru gua sudah kempes kembali total karena sakitnya luar biasa, sesaknya luar biasa. Tetapi Tuhan berkata lain sangat diluar dugaan hasil x-ray menyatakan paru-paru gua membaik, mengembang.dan mesin yang selama ini 24 jam bergelembung sekarang sangat tenang mau gua ketawa, bergerak, batuk dll sama sekali tidak mengeluarkan gelembung lagi. Really it's a miracle. Gue ga tau deh mendadak bisa sembuh krn obat2an yg segambreng itu apa talc nya baru bekerja apa krn supplemen super duper mahal yg gue minum yg katanye bisa sampe nyembuhin jantung, kanker segala. Yang pasti kuasa Tuhan dan berkat doa dari keluarga dan teman2 semua :)

Ni gua tinggalin e-mail gua, kali aja ada yang mau nanya-nanya, sharing-sharing, saling berbagi cerita ato apalah yang kite bisa saling bantu. Bisa kontek gua di ;

Engku_diantak@yahoo.com

About EARTH HOUR

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million homes and businesses turned their lights off for one hour to make their stand against climate change. Only a year later and Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The CN Tower in Toronto, The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as symbols of hope for a cause that grows more urgent by the hour.

In March 2009, hundreds of millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off to pledge their support for the planet, making Earth Hour 2009 the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

Earth Hour 2010 takes place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time) and is a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Source:www.wwf.com

Your Guide to Battery Types

Every mobile electronic device we own runs on battery power, yet we take batteries for granted - at least until they run out of juice. No matter what kind of device battery - laptop battery, cell phone battery, camcorder battery, remote control battery - you need, it's helpful to know the various kinds of battery types and their uses.

Gel Battery - A gel battery is also known as a sealed lead acid (SLA) battery, and its distinguishing feature is that it doesn't have to be kept upright in order to work. An SLA battery continues to perform in extreme conditions, such as hot temperatures, or under vibration. SLA batteries are often used in wheelchairs, scooters, and uninterruptible power sources. It's best to keep an SLA battery charged, or to charge it more often than you would other types of batteries.

NiMH - NiMH stands for Nickel Metal Hydride and is the battery of choice for many cell phones, camcorders, digital cameras, GPS systems, PDAs, and other personal electronics. NiMH batteries are also used in hybrid cars. An NiMH is a rechargeable battery that is similar to a nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, but that has double or triple the capacity of a NiCd battery. It's best not to overcharge NiMH batteries.

NiCd - NiCd stands for Nickel Cadmium, and is a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in toys, electronic devices, and power tools. Although some people prefer NiMH batteries to NiCd batteries, a NiCd battery provides virtually the same level of voltage throughout its lifetime, and costs less than an NiMH battery.

LiION - LiION stands for Lithium Ion, and is one of the newest rechargeable batteries. Although they are more expensive than other types of rechargeable batteries, LiION batteries have more capacity and are often used in wireless phones, camcorders, and notebook computers. The downside of LiION batteries is that the length of their life commences from the date of manufacture, rather than from the number of times the battery is charged and discharged. It's best to regularly charge LiION batteries and store used batteries in the refrigerator. (Allow them to warm to room temperature before using them, though.)

Alkaline - Alkaline batteries are not rechargeable with a battery charger, but offer a large current over a long period of time. These batteries are often used in CD players and portable radios.

Carbon Zinc - Carbon Zinc batteries are known for their reliability over long periods of time in low-drain situations, such as for garage door openers or clocks. A Carbon Zinc battery is not rechargeable.

by: Chris Robertson

Ketentuan Fiskal LN - Indonesia

Source: www.pajak.go.id

How to Fix Corrupted Registry

The Windows registry is a very vital filing technique that acts as the central nervous system of your computer. It saves all the selections and configuration records for administrative configuration, file associations, permissions, as well as individual user configurations for software and hardware. The registry is made up of different files and folders which vary in name and location depending on your version of Windows.

Windows persistently references the registry as you operate your computer. This is why registry errors, clutter, and distortion can lead to grave computer problems. Examples of registry-related problems are crashes, freezes, dll errors, ActiveX problems, runtime errors, as well as overall slow performance. Often the cause of a computer that seems to be slowing down over time is a cluttered Windows registry.

How Does The Registry Get Damaged Or Corrupted
The registry is prone to harm from a mixture of sources and reasons. One of the most common causes of trouble is the partial uninstallation of software and hardware drivers. Parts of programs frequently get left behind in the registry and cause discord with new or present software and hardware.

Another way the registry gets cluttered is when temporary registry files get created but are never eradicated. When the registry gets too big it can cause Windows to bog down and run slowly.

The Best Way To Fix Registry Errors
Removal of these pieces and clutter is often tricky, and you must use a registry cleaner software program to do it unless you know specifically what you're searching for. Most people do not know how to properly deal with the registry and can end up causing damage when they try to manually clean it. Using a registry cleaner is a safe and effective way of cleaning the registry.

How to Keep Your Windows System Running Fast

Even the most advanced hardware configuration can slow down over time as a result of software-related issues. While upgrading your computer's memory can help improve the operating system performance, especially if you are running Vista, there are several optimization tips that will help you to get the most out of your existing configuration:

Run a Reliable Spyware Cleaner
With the growth of media and software downloads, there's a good chance there a file on your machine is associated with spyware or ad-ware. Even if you're running an anti-virus system, you might be missing out on detection of files that can slow down your system and open up potential software vulnerabilities. Most spyware systems work by connecting your computer to an external data-mining source, allowing advertisers to serve you targeting ads without your knowledge and taking up valuable computing resources. In addition to running a system cleaner, consider deleting your browser's cookies and off-line files regularly.

Do an audit on Your System's Start-Up Programs
Upon installation, many programs start-up with Windows by default. Even if they are passively running in the background, this can take up quite a bit of memory and system resources. You can review these programs in the Control Panel, and can turn off automated startup for those programs that you don't use often; this can help you reduce both start-up and load times. In Vista, you can find these settings within Windows Defender in the 'Software Explorer' category in Tools. From there, you can then disable automated startups for programs that you don't use.

Consider Defragmenting Your Hard Drive
Over time, new software installations can be fragmented across various points on your hard drive. As a result, it can take longer for your processor to access files – to correct this problem, you can set your computer to defragment its hard drive on a regular basis. You can do so within the Windows Task Scheduler to set a weekly or monthly run time. After installing a particularly large program, such as Photoshop, you may want to also run the process manually.

Keep Your System Drivers Updated
Many slowdowns in Windows relate directly to out-of-date or incompatible software and hardware drivers. In particular, check to see that your graphics card has an updated driver that is optimized for your OS, especially if you're using Vista. By checking for new hardware drivers, you can greatly improve run-time speed and reduce incompatibilities that may slow down your system.

Run Only Those Features of Windows You Need
Although Windows comes with a number of features turned on by default, you may not need to run all of these various programs. To check to see which features are turned on, check in the Control Panel. In the 'Uninstall a Program' and click on the 'Turn Windows Features On or Off' tab on the left sidebar. Here, you will be able to select which optional features are implemented on your OS, and can improve the speed of your operating system by turning off features that you don't need.

3 Car Stereo Components

Tips To Put Them Together

If you are new to the car stereo market, you may find yourself overwhelmed at the sheer number of parts and accessories that can make up a top of the line car stereo system. In this article, we'll explore the basic components that make up a functioning car stereo system.

1. The Head Unit: Making It Happen

You may have seen the term "head unit" before and not known what exactly it was. Simply put the head unit is the part of your car stereo that actually produces the music from radio, tape, CD, or other device. But nowadays you can also get head units for your car stereo that can play DVDs or music and video from USB flash drives or memory cards. Head units have sure come a long ways from when people used to install home stereo equipment in their vehicles!

2. Amplifiers: Bring the Boom

While your head unit may provide its own internal amplification (which may be enough for you), at some point most car stereo enthusiasts will want to add amplifiers to the mix. Simply put, and amplifier takes a signal coming out of your head unit, and makes it louder. Be careful when shopping for amplifiers, as some of the large amps can draw over 100 amps; this may be well over what your alternator and battery can provide, and can cause damage to those components.

3. Speakers: Woofers, Tweeters, What?

The best head unit and amp is completely useless without speakers. Speakers, regardless of size, all do one thing: take the electrical signal coming from either the head unit's internal amp or your external amp and turn it into sound, usually loud sound. The different types of speakers are classified by the range of sounds they can reproduce. Tweeters, for example, only reproduce high pitches, while woofers reproduce the upper bass ranges. Midranges make midrange sounds, strangely enough, while subwoofers cover sounds from the low bass all the way down to subsonics (those sounds you can feel but not hear). Subwoofers are usually the first candidate for external amplifiers, since they require large amounts of current to make that bone shaking bass.

Putting It All Together

Let's review: head units take your CD or tape and convert it to electrical signals. The amplifier makes this signal larger, and finally the speakers take that signal and make sound out of it. These are the base components you need for any car stereo installation. The accessories, such as crossovers and signal isolators, may or may not be needed for your particular application.

These are the basics you need to know for all car stereo systems. Now that you have a better idea what all these different terms actually mean, you should be able to shop intelligently for your new car stereo system. Just remember, as always, while you get what you pay for, you don't necessarily have to have the absolute best (and most expensive) parts for a good sound. More often than not, a midrange product will provide the best bang for your buck. And remember, it's all modular! You don't HAVE to buy every piece all at once. You can start with the head unit, and simply wire it's built in amplifier into your factory car stereo speakers. Add a sub and an amp later if you want, or replace the factory speakers with higher quality ones, it's all up to you.

Toyota dan Daihatsu Luncurkan Mini MPV 7 Penumpang

Jumat, 26/12/2008 | 02:29 WIB

TOKYO, JUMAT — Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) dan Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd (DMC), pada Natal, 25 Desember 2008, meluncurkan produk terbaru mereka, kendaraan 7 penumpang dengan tiga deret tempat duduk untuk pasar Jepang.

Kedua perusahaan menggunakan nama masing-masing untuk produk baru ini. Toyota menamakannya dengan Passo Sette (bahasa Italia, Sette berarti tujuh), sedangkan Daihatsu memberi label Boon Luminas (gabungan dari dua kata Inggris: roomy dan luminious).

Meski 7 penumpang, TMC dan DMC tidak menjelaskan kategori kendaraan ini sebagai mini MPV. Dari penampilan, mobil ini mirip dengan saudaranya yang dibuat di Indonesia, Avanza dan Xenia. Untuk dimensi, Passo Sette dan Boon Luminas sedikit lebih besar, tetapi lebih rendah (lihat tabel "Perbedaan Dimensi").

Seperti Avanza dan Xenia, Passo Sette dan Boon Luminas juga dibuat oleh Daihatsu. Meski begitu, menurut kedua perusahaan, pengembangan produk dilakukan secara bersama-sama. Namun, Daihatsu lebih berperan karena punya pengalaman dan keahlian khusus membuat mobil-mobil kecil dan kompak. Diinformasikan pula, mobil ini dibuat oleh Daihatsu di Kyoto. Target penjualannya per bulan yaitu, Toyota 3.000 unit, dan Daihatsu 500 unit.

Mungkinkah ke Indonesia?

Dari segi penampilan, Passo Sette dan Boon Luminas memang lebih oke dan mengarah ke mini MPV. Kemungkinan besar, mobil ini nantinya juga akan dipasarkan di Indonesia oleh Daihatsu.

Itu diperkirakan tahun depan. Hal tersebut pernah dikemukakan oleh Amelia Tjandra, Direktur Pemasaran PT Astra Daihatsu Motor (ADM) ketika meluncurkan New Xenia atau Xenia Facelift pada September lalu.

"Tahun depan kami punya produk baru, MPV dengan dimensi antara Kijang dan Xenia,” pancingnya tanpa menambahkan keterangan. “Tunggu saja,” jelasnya ketika wartawan coba menggali informasi lebih dalam.

Mesin Avanza 1,5

Untuk mesin, sama dengan Avanza 1,5 liter. Tepatnya berkapasitas 1.495 cc. Tipenya pun hampir sama. Menurut rilis kedua perusahaan tersebut, mesin Passo Sette dan Boon Luminas adalah 3ZR-VE, sedangkan Avanza 1,5 tipenya 3SZ-VE.

Dari hasil penelusuran Kompas.com, tenaga dan torsi yang dihasilkan mesin produk baru ini sama dengan Avanza 1,5 liter. Tenaga maksimum 109PS @ 6.000 rpm dan torsi 14,4 kg-m @ 4.400 rpm.

Saat rilis produk baru ini dikeluarkan, baik Toyota maupun Daihatsu tidak menyertakan foto interior. Hanya dijelaskan, mobil ini berukuran kompak dan interiornya lega. Panjang interior mencapai 2.550 mm.

Jarak antara jok depan dan belakang 1.630 mm, sedangkan jok kedua dibuat terpisah dengan jarak 150 mm. Lantai di depan jok deretan ketiga dibuat lebih rendah dan menciptakan ruang kaki yang lega.

Secara keseluruhan, mobil bisa memuat lima penumpang dengan ruang untuk barang yang cukup besar atau 7 penumpang dengan nyaman. Pintu belakang membuka sampai 935 mm dan dinilai cukup lincah karena radius putarnya 5,2 meter.

Sistem kunci tanpa harus menggunakan kunci untuk masuk ke dalam mobil. Kunci ini sekaligus berfungsi sebagai immobilizer. Toyota dan Daihatsu menawarkan tombol untuk menghidupkan dan mematikan mesin (standar pada Passo Sette G dan Boon Luminas CX dan CX Aero).

Peranti Keamanan

Di Jepang mobil ini dipenuhi berbagai perlengkapan pengaman aktif, antara lain vehicle stability control (VSC) yang memonitor traksi dan secara otomatis mengontrol tenaga yang dikeluarkan mesin. Juga ada sistem pendistribusian tenaga rem yang disatukan dengan traction control (TRC) untuk mengontrol roda tidak spin saat pertama kali mobil dijalankan atau berakselerasi pada permukaan jalan lincin.

Untuk memindahkan tenaga, digunakan transmisi otomatis 4 kecepatan yang dikontrol secara elektronik. Tambahan lain adalah indikator lampu Eco-Drive (Daihatsu) untuk menunjukkan kondisi mengemudi irit bahan bakar atau Eco-Vehicle Assessment System (Eco-VAS) untuk Toyota.

Di Jepang, mobil ini ditawarkan dengan harga (Passo Sette) 1,490,000 yen dan 1,535,000 yen. Kalau dikonversi ke rupiah pada kondisi sekarang, harganya mencapai Rp 190 juta. Namun, harga itu pantas karena perlengkapannya seabrek. Kalau dipasarkan di Indonesia, pasti banyak perlengkapan dipreteli agar harganya terjangkau. Yah... ditunggu aja!

Source: Kompas Online

How to Dance With a Girl?

Slow dancing is one of the most romantic ways you can get close and intimate with your partner at a public place. Many girls love it when the guy asks for their hand and takes them to the dance floor. So keep these tips in mind and slow dance your way to love.

Take the girl's hand:
Escort your partner to the dance floor slowly and smoothly. If your partner is nervous, tell them that there is nothing to worry about, and be understanding if they don't want to dance.

Keep the position in mind:
Face your partner so that your head is about a foot away from his or hers. You need to know where to put your hands and how close to dance. Keep in mind that the hand directions here can be reversed if you are both more comfortable that way.

Who will lead?
Traditionally in a slow dance the man leads and the woman follows his movement. But if the woman leads it can be very sensual and seductive. All you have to do is guide your partner by subtly pushing or pulling their hand in the direction you want to go. The movements should be slow and smooth, and follow the beats of the music.

Get intimate:
For many couples slow dancing is more about being close to their partner and getting to know each other better. Feel free to talk to your partner, look into their eyes and, if the situation is appropriate, to steal a kiss or two. If you're both in a romantic mood, you may draw each other closer as the dance progresses. Nothing can be more romantic.

Build upon your basic skills:
Once you're comfortable with the slow dance, add new dimensions to the lead. Momentum turns, arches, dips and leans will come easily.

Thank your partner for the dance:
Whether you're dancing with your girlfriend, wife or with someone you've never met before, thank your partner. A sweet thank you can make all the difference.

Focus on spending time with your partner:
After all, that's what the slow dance is all about!

But while you have fun with slow dancing, don't forget to treat your partner to a nice dinner after that. This would be a perfect ending to a memorable evening for the two of you. Now get out there, try these dance tips, relax and really enjoy the next dance with someone special!

Bank Indonesia to Revoke and Withdraw 4 (four) Banknotes from Circulation

No. 10/ 61 /PSHM/Humas

As of December 31, 2008, Bank Indonesia, in compliance with Bank Indonesia Regulation (PBI) No. 10/33/PBI/2008 will officially revoke and withdraw 4 (four) banknotes from circulation. The banknotes to be revoked and withdrawn are as follows:

1. Rp10.000 denomination of emission year (TE) 1998 (Drawing of National Hero, Cut Nyak Dhien, on the front side),
2. Rp20.000 denomination of emission year (TE) 1998 (Drawing of National Hero, Ki Hajar Dewantara, on the front side),
3. Rp50.000 denomination of emission year (TE) 1999 (Drawing of National Hero, WR. Soepratman, on the front side ), and
4. Rp100.000 denomination of emission year (TE) 1999 (Drawing of Proclamation Leaders Dr.Ir.Soekarno and Dr. H. Mohammad Hatta, with polymer material).

"Bank Indonesia regularly revokes and withdraws Rupiah bank notes by taking into consideration the period of circulation and security features development on the money”, stated S. Budi Rochadi, Deputy Governor for Money Circulation.

By the revocation and withdrawal of the money from circulation as of December 31, 2008, the four banknotes are no longer applicable as valid legal tender.

However, the people who are still in possession of the aforementioned banknotes will be able to exchange them with the same or other valid pieces of money at the nearest Bank Indonesia or commercial bank offices. The time limit for exchanging the concerned banknotes at commercial banks is December 30, 2013 or 5 (five) years as of the revocation and withdrawal while at Bank Indonesia will be December 30, 2018 or 10 (ten) years as of the revocation and withdrawal. The right to exchange the revoked and withdrawn four pieces of money will no longer be effective after 10 (ten) years as of December 31, 2018.

Jakarta, November 26, 2008
Public Relation Bureau

Filianingsih Hendarta
Head of Bureau

Source: Bank Indonesia

Tarif Fiskal LN menjadi 3 x Lipat

Source: Koran Kontan

Motorcycle Safety

On the highway, motorcycles are “small fry”. They’re easy for autos and trucks to miss or disregard. Over the last decade, there has been an increase in serious and sometimes fatal accidental injuries to motorcyclists. Consequently, responsible motorcyclists always stay alert to nearby vehicles and their surroundings. But that’s not enough if you want to take a safe ride.

In many important ways, operating a motorcycle is not like driving an automobile. So you have to change your way of thinking and your way of driving when you ride your motorcycle. For example, to turn a motorcycle left or right, it’s not just a matter of turning a steering wheel. You must lean left or right depending on which way you want to go. Your motorcycle has two brakes, and you must learn to use them both and in coordination with each other. Unlike most automobiles which are equipped with automatic transmission, you will need to shift gears on a motorcycle. For this reason, going up or downhill can be particularly tricky. And these are just a few of the differences you need to learn.

What are some of the basics in motorcycle safety?

• Make it easy for automobile and truck drivers to see you.

Wear bright colored clothing. Fluorescent, orange and/or yellow shirts, vests, jackets, and helmets enhance visibility during the day. At night, wear reflective material on helmets, vests/jackets, and even shoes. Remember, you must be seen from the side, not just the back and front. Put reflective material on the sides of your helmet, clothing and shoes, not just on the front and back. If a motorist can’t see you or your bike, he won’t take action to avoid you.

Make it a habit to use your turn signals – always. Turn signals tell other drivers what you plan to do. They make your bike easier to see on the road. Nearby motor vehicle operators are more likely to notice your bike’s flashing turn signal than its activated taillight. Equally important, however, is the need to deactivate your turn signal as soon as you complete your turn or as soon as you decide not to turn after all. If your turn signal remains activated after you have made a turn, the driver behind you may assume you will turn again, and he may pull directly into your path.

Enhance your visibility by tapping your foot brake lightly before you slow down, especially when you anticipate a quick stop. The flashing brake light will alert the driver behind you to your sudden change in speed.

Stay out of blind spots. Motorcyclists are more at risk in a blind spot than other motorists because their cycles are relatively small compared to trucks and automobiles. Whenever you approach a vehicle you may want to pass, you must make a choice, and quickly too. Do you really want to pass? If so, pass as fast as you reasonably can. If not, drop back, well out of the blind spot. The less time you spend in another driver’s blind spot, the safer you will be.

As you travel along the roads and highways behind another vehicle, take care to position your bike where the other driver will be able to see you in his rear view mirror. Keep in mind that intersections are always dangerous. It’s where most motorcycle crashes happen because auto or truck drivers who approach an intersection sometimes fail to see the motorcyclist who has the right of way as he travels down the main thoroughfare.

• Keep your headlights on night and day.

Sound strange? Yes, but studies show that keeping your headlights on high beam during daylight hours increases your visibility to oncoming traffic and prevents accidents.

• Wear a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 218- compliant helmet every time you ride your bike.

It’s the law in many states so you may have no choice in the matter. Regardless, it is always safer to ride wearing a helmet that meets recognized Snell, ANSI, and/or Federal DOT standards. Statistics show helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries. What does this mean? For every 100 motorcyclists who die in motorcycle crashes, 37 of them would have been saved had they been wearing a helmet when the accident happened. And make certain your helmet is, in fact, a certified/compliant helmet. Watch out for helmets with false certifications or counterfeit stickers imprinted with a DOT symbol.

Accidents happen close to home, not just far away. Never say to yourself, “Well, I’m just going a mile or two to the store or to a friend’s house, why should I bother with a helmet?” Helmets save lives. They give you some measure of protection against serious brain injuries in the event of an accident.

In addition to helmet laws, there may be requirements in your state regarding face shields and safety glasses or goggles. Face shields protect your face from rain, dust, insects and flying debris. Goggles protect your eyes. Special regulations may control whether or not a motorcycle may carry a second passenger. This usually depends on whether your motorcycle is equipped with a permanent seat specially designed to carry a second person. A passenger who is not properly seated on a motorcycle is at increased risk of falling off a bike and accidental injury.

• Follow state and local traffic laws.

Motorcyclists must follow the same “rules of the road” and traffic regulations as automobiles and trucks. These laws may be even more important to the safety of the motorcycle operator than to drivers of other motor vehicles. After all, motorcycles are not equipped with the same physical protections and restraints found in autos and trucks. Familiarize yourself with the general motor vehicle laws of your state. Just as important, study carefully the statutes directed specifically at the operation of motorcycles. They were enacted to help ensure your safety.

• Take a motorcycle rider skills training course.

You can pay with your life if you don’t learn the essential skills necessary to operate a motorcycle properly and safely. Most everyone takes a driver training course to obtain an automobile driver’s license when they are teenagers. In fact, many states mandate such instruction because well trained automobile operators make for safer roads and highways. It makes just as much sense for motorcycle operators to take a skills training course given by a professional instructor and designed specifically for motorcycle operation.

There are motorcycle rider skills training courses in most states. Your state department of motor vehicles, for one, should have information on such programs. And remember, there are skills training courses not just for the novice but for the more experienced rider as well. Take the time to refresh and refine your rider techniques by taking an advanced skills course every few years.

• Obtain the driver’s license endorsement you need to legally operate a motorcycle in your state.

Statistics kept by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tell us that 25% of the motorcyclists who died as a result of traffic accidents in 2004 were either not licensed at all or were not properly licensed to operate a motorcycle.

• Don’t speed.

In 2004, 36% of all fatal motorcycle accidents were the result of speeding at the time of the accident. It’s simple. Speed kills.

• Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.

Think you don’t have to maintain the same distance behind an auto or truck that an auto or truck must keep as it travels behind other vehicles? Wrong! A motorcycle ordinarily requires as much stopping distance as an automobile. Studies have shown that following too closely is a major cause of accidents on the part of the motorcyclist.

• Don’t ride in an impaired condition.

It is no surprise that alcohol and other drugs play a substantial role in too many motorcycle accidents. In 2004, for example, alcohol was involved in a much higher percentage of motorcycle accidents (31% higher) than auto accidents. And worse, according to NHSTA, 41 percent of the 1672 motorcyclists who died in single vehicle crashes in 2004 had blood alcohol levels above the legal minimum of .08 g/dL. Never ride while intoxicated.

• Give your bike a “pre-trip” inspection.

Long distance truckers give their tractor trailers daily pre-trip inspections and so should motorcycle operators. Check tire air pressure and the hydraulic fluid level. Look for signs of an oil or gas leak. Do headlights and taillights work in both high and low beam? Are your brake lights and turn signals operational? Do you need to refill your coolant reservoir?

Clutch and throttle should work smoothly. Clean your mirrors and adjust them when needed. Engage your front and rear brake levers, one brake at a time, to ensure they are in working order.

• Never ride someone else’s bike without first familiarizing yourself with its particular features and/or without giving it a pre-trip inspection.

Don’t assume that someone else’s bike is just like yours. Make sure you know the location of the turn signals, the horn, the headlight switch, and the engine cut-off switch. Familiarize yourself with the controls and the bike’s gear pattern. Practice working the throttle, clutch and brakes a few times before you take a borrowed bike for a spin.

• Beware of road surface and other hazards.

Road surfaces that may not be so dangerous for auto and truck drivers may be very dangerous for the motorcyclist. Gravel roads, wet pavement, wet pavement with oil slicks, and paved roads with loose sand and gravel are especially treacherous. These surfaces provide poor traction for motorcycles traveling along them. Motorcyclists should think twice about taking their bikes out at all in mud, snow, or icy conditions. During Autumn, wet leaves can cause problematic conditions as well.

Uneven surfaces can be dangerous. The motorcyclist should drive especially carefully when passing over bumps, broken pavement, potholes, railroad tracks, steel plates, grates, manhole covers or raised lane and highway marker to name just a few.

• Remember that darkness reduces visibility on the road.

If a motorcycle can sometimes travel unnoticed by traffic nearby in broad daylight, the situation at night is even more hazardous. Darkness reduces visibility. At night, it is more difficult for other drivers to see your relatively small motorcycle or to pick up its headlights and taillights from among the myriad of other vehicle lights surrounding you.

It’s up to you to keep the odds on your side. Drive slower at night. Keep a greater distance between you and the vehicle directly ahead of you. Unless you are following immediately behind another vehicle or another vehicle is approaching you from the opposite direction, use your high beams. They will help you see unexpected obstacles or animals in the road in front of you.

• Always remain alert to your surroundings and nearby vehicles.

You can’t take action to avoid a potential accident if you are not aware of the danger. There are negligent motorists on the roads. They may drive recklessly so defensive driving is essential. What is one of the most deadly maneuvers a motorcyclist is likely to confront everyday on the road? It is the other driver who turns left in front of him while the cyclist is doing one of three things: (1) traveling straight, (2) passing the other vehicle, or (3) overtaking the other vehicle. In 2004, 39% of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred under one of the foregoing fact patterns. Do what it takes to ensure the other driver knows you are in his path if he decides to turn left in front of you.

Following the suggestions outlined above will make for safer motorcycle operation. The stakes are high. And who has a greater interest in motorcycle safety than the motorcyclist himself? The cyclist who takes responsibility for ensuring he has taken every precaution to make his ride a safe one is less likely to find himself injured in a serious accident.

by: Elizabeth Allen

27 Merek Kosmetik Dilarang Beredar

Sumber: Badan Pengawas Obat dan Makanan - Koran Kompas 27 Nov 08

Email / Un-formal Terminology

Common terminology used in un-formal letter:

1. IMHO: in my humble/honest opinion
2. FYI: for your information
3. BTW: by the way
4. GTG: Got to Go
5. WB: Welcome Back
6. LoL: Laughing Out Loud
7. ROFL: Rolling On the Floor Laughing
8. ASL: Age, Sex, Location
9. OIC: Oh I See
10. BRB: Be Right Back
11. FAQ: Frequent Ask Questions
12. NP: Now Playing
13. OOT: Out Of Topic
14. HTH: Hope This Help
15. OOP: Out Of Print
16. Japri: Jalur Pribadi
17. Milis: Mailing List
18. Re: Reply
19. Fwd: Forward
20. ASAP: As Soon As Possible
21. 2: to
22. b: be
23. AFAIK: as far as I know
24. AKA: also known as
25. ATM: at the moment
26. B4: before
27. CFV: call for votes
28. FWIW: for what it's worth
29. FYA: for your amusement
30. GA: go ahead
31. HHOJ: ha ha only joking
32. HHOK: ha ha only kidding
33. HHOS: ha ha only serious
34. IAE: in any event
35. IDK: I don't know
36. IMO:in my opinion
37. IMNSHO: in my not so humble opinion
38. IMNERHO: in my not even remotely humble opinion
39. IOW: in other words
40. IRL: in real life
41. IYKWIM: if you know what I mean
42. JK: just kidding
43. L8R: later
44. OTOH: on the other hand
45. OTTH: on the third hand
46. RFC: request for comment
47. RFD: request for discussion
48. RSN: real soon now
49. TIA: thanks in advance
50. THX: thanks
51. WRT: With regard/respect to
52. WYSIWYG: what you see is what you get
53. YMMV: your mileage may vary
54. YMMVG: your mileage may vary greatly
55. CMIIW: correct me if i'am wrong
56. FYEO : for your eyes only
57. WTF : :P

HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE YOUR LIVER?

How Can You Love it, if You Don't Know it?

Hi... I'm Your Liver! Let me tell you how much I love you…in 9 ways

1. I store the iron reserves you need, as well as a lot of vitamins and other minerals. Without me, you wouldn't have the strength to carry on!
2. I make bile to help digest your food. Without me, you'd waste away to nothing.
3. I detoxify poisonous chemicals you give me, and that includes alcohol, beer, wine and drugs (prescribed and over-the-counter) as well as illegal substances. Without me, your "bad" habits would kill you.
4. I store energy, like a battery, by stockpiling sugar (carbohydrates, glucose and fat) until you need it. Without me, the sugar level in your blood could fall dramatically and you'd go into a coma.
5. I make the blood that got your system going even before you were born. Without me, you wouldn't be here!
6. I manufacture new proteins that your body needs to stay healthy and grow. Without me, you wouldn't grow properly!
7. I remove poisons from the air, exhaust smoke and chemicals you breathe. Without me, you'd be poisoned by pollutants!
8. I make clotting factors that stop the bleeding when you accidentally prick yourself. Without me, you'd bleed to death!
9. I help defend you against the germs going into your body all the time. I take those cold germs, flu bugs and other germs you encounter, and knock them dead - or at least weaken them. Without me, you'd be a sitting duck for every infection known to man.
   

That's how much I love you... but do you love me?

Let me tell you some easy ways to love me, your liver

1. Don't drown me in beer, alcohol or wine! Even one drink is too much for some people and could scar me for life.
2. Watch those drugs! All drugs are chemicals, and when you mix them up without a doctor's advice you could create something poisonous that could damage me badly.
3. I scar easily.. and those scars, called "cirrhosis" are permanent. Medicine is sometimes necessary. But taking pills when they aren't necessary is a bad habit. All those chemicals can really hurt a liver.
4. Be careful with aerosol sprays! Remember, I have to detoxify what you breathe in, too. So when you are cleaning with aerosol cleaners, make sure the room is ventilated, or wear a mask. That goes double for bug sprays, mildew sprays, paint sprays and all those other chemical sprays you use. Be careful what you breathe!
5. Watch what gets on your skin! Those insecticides you put on trees and shrubs not only kill bugs they can get to me right through your skin and destroy my cells, too. Remember they're all chemicals.
6. Cover your skin with gloves, long sleeves, a hat and mask every time insecticides are in the air or if you're handling them.
7. Don't eat too much fatty food! I make the cholesterol your body needs, and I try to make the right amount. Give me a break. Eat a good, well balanced nourishing diet. If you eat the right stuff for me, I'll really do my stuff for you!
   

!!!WARNING!!!
I can't and won't tell you I'm in trouble until I'm almost at the end of my rope... and yours.

Remember: I am a non-complainer. Overloading me with drugs, alcohol and other junk can destroy me! This may be the only warning you will ever get.

Take My Advice, Please!

• Check me out with your doctor.
• Blood screening tests can identify some trouble.
• If I'm soft and smooth, that's good. If I'm hard and bumpy, that could mean trouble.
• If your doctor suspects trouble, ULTRA SOUND and CT scans can look into it.
• My life, and yours, depends on how you treat me.
  

Now you know how much I care for you. Please treat me with tender loving care.

Your silent partner and ever-loving lover
-=LIVER=-

Drink Water on Empty Stomach

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases: Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases...

METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth, drink 4 x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:
1. High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2. Gastric (10 days)
3. Diabetes (30 days)
4. Constipation (10 days)
5. Cancer (180 days)
6. TB (90 days)
7. Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.
This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.
This makes sense ... The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...
For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:
· Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting
· Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
· You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
· Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
· 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
· Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.
Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

How to stop cough in 5 minutes!!! This is a must try...

I got this information from email

We have all been kept awake by our own or someone else's cough. Try this and pass it on. The tip and not the cough. ANYTHING is better than antibiotics. Even babies could benefit from this and the parents wouldn't worry about the safety of their child. And of course, it is harmless and free from any type of side-effects.
WOW! I was raised, and raised my kids with Vicks. How come I never knew this? I can't wait for my next cough. Amazing!
READ IT ALL. It works 100 percent of the time, although the scientists at the Canada Research council (who discovered it) aren't sure why.

Treatment:
To stop night time coughing in a child (or an adult, as we found out personally), put Vicks Vapor Rub generously on the bottom of the feet at bedtime and then cover with socks. Even persistent, heavy, deep coughing will stop in about five minutes and stay stopped for many, many hours of relief. This works 100 percent of the time, and is more effective in children than even very strong prescription cough medicines. In addition it is extremely soothing and comforting and they will sleep soundly. I heard the head of the Canada Research Council describe these findings on the part of their
scientists when they were investigating the effectiveness and usage of prescription cough medicines in children, as compared to alternative therapies like acupressure. I just happened to tune in to a.m. Radio and picked up this guy talking about why cough medicines in kids often do more harm than good due to the chemical makeup of these strong drugs, so I listened. It was a surprising finding and found to be more effective than prescribed medicines for children at bedtime, and in addition to have a soothing and calming effect on sick children who then went on to sleep soundly. My wife tried it on herself when she had a very deep constant and persistent cough a few weeks ago, and it worked 100 percent ! She said it felt like a warm blanket had enveloped her. The coughing stopped in a few minutes, and believe me this was a deep (incredibly annoying!) every few seconds, uncontrollable cough and she slept cough-free for hours every night she used it.

If you have children or grandchildren, pass it on. If you end up sick, try it yourself and you will be absolutely amazed.

Indonesia (City) Direct Dialing Code

This is list of Indonesia (City) Direct Dialing Code.

Best Regards,

International Direct Dialing Code

This is list of International (Country) Direct Dialing Code.

Best Regards,

All About HDTV

The Coming Age Of HDTV - What Does It Mean To Me?
by: Lloyd Howard

HDTV - high-definition television: it is something that has been discussed for some time now, however not everyone has a strong sense of what it is and why he or she would want to have it.

Because all television stations will be required to broadcast a digital signal after February 17, 2009, many viewers are beginning to ask a lot more questions about how the new digital age of television will affect their personal viewing experience. They want to know whether or not their television set will be compatible, whether or not they will have to replace it, and what steps they will have to take in order to keep watching their favorite shows.

How To Identify If Your Television Is An Analog TV

Analog television has been with us since the inception of television broadcasting. Analog is the old way of processing a television signal.

Television technology took a big leap in the 1960's with the transition from television tubes to circuit boards, but that conversion failed to bring with it any major strides in the quality of the television picture.

If your current television does not have a logo on its front that indicates DTV (Digital TV), EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV), or HDTV, then your television set is an analog TV.

Understanding The Transition From An Analog Signal To The New Digital Signal

Digital image processing is a technology that began in earnest during the 1970's, when Japanese technology companies began to explore the concepts of HDTV. The Japanese TV manufacturers were exploring ways to improve the picture quality of the television image, as a way to find more customers for their television products.

While Americans were busy playing with building the computer industry, the Japanese were hard at work trying to build a better television set. The first HDTV systems developed by the Japanese still relied on the old analog system of sending a broadcast signal to their televisions, but they were still able to produce a better television viewing experience.

When initially introduced to the U.S. Government, the new HDTV system produced a myriad of concerns, which included the issue of an analog HDTV-system needing more bandwidth than what was currently allotted to the television broadcasters.

In 1993, a consortium of American researchers and manufacturers (known as The Grand Alliance) joined forces to find a way to bring HDTV-quality to the American public, while keeping the bandwidth requirements of broadcasters within the existing limits.

Researchers soon understood that they would need to push at least part of the television signal in a digital format to make sure that HDTV could be transmitted within the limits currently allotted to the television broadcasters. By the time they had finished their work, the Grand Alliance had created a system that was 100% Digital.

In 1995, after considerable opposition from the television broadcast industry, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission officially set the standard for completely digital HDTV broadcasting system. This put into motion the events that are just now coming to fruition, with the rollout of the new Digital Television broadcasting system.

Although most television stations have been broadcasting a Digital Television Signal now for a few years, analog television owners have been none the wiser. But that will all change on February 17, 2009.

Will My Analog Television Stop Working In 2009?

The simple answer is "yes", but that does not mean that you will have to buy a new television in order to get the new digital broadcasts. While you may not need to replace your television set, you may have to make changes in how you get your television signal.

There are in fact three ways that the average consumer can continue to get a television signal using their old television set:

1. Subscribe to a cable television service (and use their digital television converter);

2. Subscribe to a satellite television service (and use their digital television converter); or

3. Buy a DTV converter (Digital TV Converter) to receive signals from your analog antenna and to convert that signal back to analog, so that you can continue to use your analog television. (If you receive your television signal over-the-air, the Federal Government has implemented a Coupon Program to help consumers offset the cost of the DTV converter boxes: http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/index.html )

Understanding The Three Facets Of The New Digital Technology

1. Lines Of Resolution

The newer digital technology is all about Lines Of Resolution. With more lines of resolution, the viewer will receive more image information, therefore bringing the viewer much more picture clarity and detail.

When the Japanese rolled out HDTV on the Japanese mainland, the lines of resolution numbered 1080. To put this into perspective, the standard analog TV signal exhibits 330 lines of resolution. This makes it more than clear that the original analog HDTV format really was a real issue for television broadcasters in the United States. To produce a resolution of 1080 lines on a system designed for 330 lines would have literally required three times the bandwidth of the current analog system.

Here are the standard television resolutions:

* Analog Television - 330 Lines of Resolution

* VCR's - 240 Lines of Resolution

* DVD's - 480 Lines of Resolution

* EDTV - 720 Lines of Resolution

* HDTV - 1080 Lines of Resolution

There is a caveat to this chart though. The minimum requirement of the FCC is that broadcasters must produce a minimum of 720 Lines of Resolution. As a result, some broadcasters like ABC chose the 720-resolution, and yet they can still legally call their programming standard, HDTV.

Other broadcasters like PBS opted for the higher 1080 format. Good for them.

In 1998, when the first HDTV's became available to the buying public, the Headline News newscasters were joking that with the rollout of HDTV, we the audience would be able to see every blackhead and blemish on their faces. Of course, they were probably correct in that assumption. The detail of the HDTV-signal is absolutely amazing.

2. Aspect Ratio

Another factor connected to the new HDTV-format is the Aspect Ratio.

In a standard analog television, the Aspect Ratio is a 4-by-3, which nearly looks square. The 4-by-3 ratio means that it can be measured 4-parts wide to 3-parts high.

With the new HDTV format, the Aspect Ratio has been changed to the same format seen in the movie theatre - a 16-by-9 Aspect Ratio, or 16-parts wide to 9-parts high.

3. Sound Quality

The third factor connected to the new HDTV-format is Sound Quality. In fact, most HDTV programming will carry with it Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, as frequently heard on DVD's. So long as you have a surround sound unit attached to your television set, the surround sound will enable to the television viewer to be immersed in the sound, so much so as it often feels as if you are in the middle of the action happening on your television set.

In Conclusion...

While it is true that you do not need to upgrade your television from the analog format to the new digital format, you might seriously consider doing so anyway.

Now that we are quickly approaching the end of the analog-television era, the cost of HDTV television sets has fallen considerably. Whereas five years ago, the average HDTV cost in the range of $3-4,000, the cost of most HDTV's has fallen to under $1200 today. After February 17, 2009, the cost of HDTV should drop again, making it much more affordable to the general public.

Although it will be possible to convert the digital television signal to analog, you will lose the extra picture detail on the conversion. So, if you stick with your analog television, you will be restricting yourself to the quality of picture you are currently receiving, even after the change in television broadcasting formats is complete.

Although color-technology was first introduced to audiences with the release of The Wizard Of Oz in 1939, color television did not become mainstream until the late-1960's. And although the technology of color was mainstream, black-and-white televisions were still being manufactured and sold well into the 1980's.

Fortunately, this transition will be a bit quicker than the conversion from black-and-white to color. Under the FCC rules for the transition to digital television, television manufacturers were required to include a digital tuner in all television sets manufactured after March 1, 2006.

This conversion is much like the transition from AM to FM as the standard listening medium in the radio industry. Radio listeners could not listen to FM stations until which time they had upgraded their radio from AM to the AM/FM format. The same thing will happen here as well. If you want to receive the beautiful, high-quality HDTV images, you will need to upgrade to a television set capable of displaying the HDTV images.

If you have any lingering doubts about the better HDTV standard, all you need to do is to visit your local television store and see for yourself just how awesome of a picture HDTV actually produces. Just as Dolby Digital Surround Sound enables the listener to feel as if they are in the middle of the action on the television, HDTV permits the viewer to feel as if they are standing in the same room as the actors, on the sidelines at the football game, or on the same beach as the models - it really is that good of a picture.