Tag Archives: Technology

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The Roseville Telephone Museum

Antique Phone
The way in which telephones have helped to shape history for over a century now is often overlooked, but the Roseville Telephone Museum, which has been around since 1994, aims to celebrate this. With four main galleries that feature exhibits covering everything from the history of telephone communication to quirky modern phones, this is a one-of-a-kind museum that boasts the most extensive collection of antique telephones and related memorabilia in the country.

Alexander Graham Bell
A Scottish born scientist and inventor, Alexander Graham Bell is most famous for his invention of the telephone in 1876. The Roseville Telephone Museum has a special display dedicated to Alexander Graham Bell, along with some of his original telephone inventions, from his Centennial Telephone to the “Liquid” Telephone. Also on display is the very first commercial telephone created by Alexander Graham Bell in 1877, and features a brick-sized wooden body with just one spout that was designed to be both the earpiece as well as the mouthpiece. With no ringing system designed yet, users were supposed to shout into the spout in the hopes that someone on the other end of the line would hear them. This is the part of the museum that should be visited first, as the original prototypes that can be found here are what today’s modern smartphones have stemmed from.

Step By Step Switching Demonstration
The museum’s Step by Step Switching Demonstration is always popular with visitors, with this particular model dating back to the 1950’s. This interactive display demonstrates how telephones work, and the way in which a person is able to use a phone to call another.

Morse Code
Morse Code
Morse code has been in use since before the telephone was invented, and has been a significant part of the way in which phones have developed and evolved over the years. For those that are interested in learning Morse code, there is a dedicated display at the museum to teach you this, as well as give you the opportunity to try it out for yourself.

Underground Cable Exhibit
The museum’s Underground Cable Exhibit is guaranteed to captivate anyone that is interested in technology. This exhibit teaches visitors about the time before portable phones, when the method of communication was, in a way, similar to a tin can tied on a string.

Novelty Phones
The museum’s exhibit on novelty phones is always a highlight amongst visitors. From the popular Mickey Mouse phones of the 1950’s to vintage models complete with attached ashtrays, the colors and models that you will find in this exhibit are most definitely unique, and this part of the museum is guaranteed to be a hit with any children you may be visiting with.

The Roseville Telephone Museum is open to visitors by appointment only, so be sure to phone ahead to check opening hours and availability before turning up. With displays that feature just about every example of telecommunications technology, this museum is a fantastic way to learn more about the history of what many would argue is the most important product in their lives today.

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Are You Ready For Your Long Haul Flight?

Woman in a flight

Long haul flights can be extremely stressful, and there are not many people out there that actually enjoy them. To help you to prepare for your own journey, take a look at this checklist, which will provide you with some ideas on ways in which you can make your flight much more enjoyable.

Choosing an Outfit
When it comes to the clothes that you wear on your long haul flight, your priority should be staying comfortable, and this means avoiding any heavy or tight clothing and opting for loose layers instead. Slipper socks, as well as a hoodie, will help you to stay warm, while a pair of pajamas to change into can also be useful on an overnight flight.

Choosing a Seat
Most airlines will allow passengers to choose their own seat prior to traveling, and this is always useful when it comes to a long haul flight. For those with young children, the front of the plane will usually have the facilities that you need, while those who do not want to be disturbed by any crying babies should pick a seat at the back of the plane. Exit rows are handy for those who need more leg room, while aisle seats work well for people who tend to move around quite a bit during the flight.

Water and Snacks
A long haul flight means that you are likely to be traveling through different time zones, and you may find yourself feeling hungry long before the meal trolley comes rolling round. The best way to avoid this is by bringing along a few snacks of your own, such as cereal bars or dried fruit, as well as a bottle of water to ensure that you stay hydrated, as the air on planes is known to be extremely drying.

Make the Most of Your Time
In this day and age, having fifteen hours or so all to yourself, with no interruptions from the outside world, is extremely rare, but this is exactly the opportunity that a long haul flight presents you with. Rather than counting down the hours until you can check your emails and messages, make the most of this time, even if this means using it to catch up on work. For those that would prefer to relax, put together a few playlists, bring along a good book, and enjoy the in-flight entertainment.

Invest in Long Haul Accessories
If you are someone that travels frequently, then it could be worth investing in a few travel accessories to make your trips more enjoyable. From travel headphones that do not bother you if you fall asleep, to an e-book reader to an inflatable pillow, there are so many different accessories and gadgets out there to choose from.

Everybody prefers to deal with long-haul flights in their own way, whether this may be binge watching all of the movies on the in-flight entertainment, or curling up for a twelve-hour nap. Before setting off for your next flight, have a read through this list again to ensure that you have everything that you could possibly need for your journey.

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Travel Review of 2015

2015 saw more people than ever spreading their wings and travelling to new destinations, and, even though there were quite a few unfortunate events that occurred around the world, it was still, overall, a great year for the travel industry. From the biggest industry game-changers to the hottest emerging destinations of the year, here is OROGOLD’s travel review of 2015.

Woman holding passport

Passport Changes
Towards the end of 2015, several countries began to make a few changes in regards to passports. The Australian government announced that they would be trialling a new electronic cloud-based passport, doing away with the need for physical passports completely. Technology has also played a part in US-based passport innovations, with a new app called Mobile Passport enabling passengers to store their passports and travel details on their phones and other devices. The app has been proving successful, and will soon be introduced at many more American airports, something that OROGOLD is definitely excited about. Another major passport change that occurred at many countries around the world was the ability to be able to tick an ‘Other’ box when it comes to stating your gender, which was a change highly appreciated by a large number of people.

Do It Yourself
Advancements in technology have had a huge impact on travel in 2015, and the concept of being able to use this technology to make your journey more efficient and convenient has really caught on. From booking your flight online, downloading your boarding pass to your phone and checking in at the airport through a machine, the whole airport experience has become much more seamless. Hotels are also catching on to the trend, with the Mar Adentro Hotel in Mexico offering guests a high-tech ‘menu’ for them to customize their room, controlling everything from lighting concepts to room service. The Four Seasons has also launched a mobile app that enables guests to order anything they need from their phones, whether it be a midnight snack or an extra toothbrush.

Woman working on the laptop in an airplane

Airline Innovations
Airlines are constantly facing stiff competition, leading to new and exciting innovations as they each try their hardest to stay ahead of the curve. Onboard technology has seen some huge advancements, from WiFi being introduced across a larger number of airlines to the new entertainment system launched by Virgin America that is partnered with Netflix, Spotify and the New York Times, for some of the best in-flight entertainment around. Other airline innovations of 2015 include quieter cabins, wider seats, personal power outlets and a bigger emphasis placed on high-quality service and the customer experience. 2015 also saw airlines experimenting more with ticket prices, as they tested out ‘un-bundling’ their fares to offer lower prices to those who weren’t going to be checking in baggage or making use of other airline facilities.

2015 has been an exciting year when it comes to travel, and innovations in technology have played a significant role in this. From travelling around the world without the need for a passport to being able to control your entire journey from your smartphone, OROGOLD believes that each of these travel aspects are going to become much more mainstream in 2016.

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Safest European Cities

Often, a high crime rate can put many people off visiting a particular destination, especially for females who are travelling on their own. To help you better plan your next vacation, OROGOLD takes a look at some of the safest European cities.

Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Amsterdam
Although it may be best known for its hedonistic nightlife, Amsterdam is also one of the safest cities in the world. Thanks to its cycling culture really taking off in recent years, the amount of cars on the road has been reduced, thereby reducing the number of car-related accidents, as well as pollution. The intelligent design of the majority of the city’s urban centers has also led to a low crime rate, and violent crime is practically non-existent. With its high-quality Dutch healthcare system, Amsterdam is also able to rapidly respond to any emergencies that may occur. However, although the Red Light District may be extremely popular, especially in the evenings, OROGOLD advises you to take extra care when you are in the area, as the hordes of tourists and visitors at night can attract quite a few pickpockets, as well as those peddling illegal drugs.

Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona
This seaside Spanish city is one of the safest in Europe when it comes to personal health, as well as safety. Over the years, the city has developed a sophisticated policing strategy, drastically increasing the police presence both on the streets and in the subways. This has led to a 32% reduction in crime over three years. In addition to this, the increase in police presence all over the city has also made the residents, as well as any visitors, feel much safer, especially at night, as they can be sure that they will never be too far away from a patrolling police officer.

Zurich, Switzerland.

Zurich
Being one of the wealthiest cities in the world, Zurich has been able to invest large amounts in urban safety. A well-designed transport service covers the whole city, and all of the streets are well-lit at night. Unlike the majority of other cities, there are no areas that OROGOLD would advise you to avoid, even at night. Zurich also offers excellent universal health coverage, so you can be sure that you will be well taken care of if anything did happen.

Old Town, Stockholm, Sweden

Stockholm
Ranked as the safest city in the whole of Europe, Stockholm is not only safe when it comes to personal safety, but also when it comes to digital security. Cyber crime is becoming increasingly common, and cities are having to adapt to keep its residents safe from this – something that Stockholm is doing extremely well. When it comes to urban safety, Stockholm utilizes some of the best technology to tackle crime, as well as to monitor their infrastructure and control the spreading of any diseases.

However safe these European cities would be, OROGOLD still urges you to travel with precaution, as there are no guarantees to your safety anywhere you are in the world. Tourists are especially targeted when it comes to petty crime, so no matter where you go, ensure you always keep your wits about you!