How are old black and white films converted into colour?

The film is transferred to digital tape. Then, the first time each shade of grey appears, it is coloured manually on a graphics computer and given an identification code. Every time the grey reappears the computer colours it automatically. The process was first used in 1985 on the James Cagney classic Yankee Doodle Dandy. Though the technique was successful for video, the results were not good enough for big-screen projection. Today's advanced film scanners and recorders mean this is now possible, but colorization has largely died out following film industry complaints that the process distorts the original intentions of filmmakers. » Continue reading

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The formula for Happiness

Surely life would be easier if an equation for happiness existed. UK psychologists say they've found it: P + (5 x E) + (3 x H). Clear? Substitute P for "personal characteristics" (eg, outlook, adaptability), E for "existence" (health, money, friends) and H for "higher order" (self-esteem, ambitions, sense of humour).

Researchers interviewed some 1000 people to arrive at the formula. Each participant received a rating out of 100 by answering a questionnaire -- the higher the score, the happier the individual. » Continue reading

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Spirited blighters

Here's an instance of human bestiality: A gang of revellers in Varanasi made a stray goat drink liquor. Over time, the goat became regular at the party, were it is also served meat. The goat, by now almost addicted to booze, attacks its 'glass' mates if it is denied its large share. » Continue reading

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Clothing a dream

Fame comes in different forms. For some, even in the form of a 'salwar kameez'! P.S. Vijayan, a tailor in Thrissur (Kerala), India, stitched a 47 ft long 'salwar kameez'. The apparel took 77 metres of cloth to complete and cost Vijayan Rs 35,000. The 'salwar' alone was 30 ft long. Vijayan hopes that his feat will get him into the Guinness Book of World Records. » Continue reading

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How to be a Champion Conversationalist

Whether it's a barbecue, a business lunch or a formal dinner, mixing with other guests is a done deal. Etiquette expert Patsy Rowe offers these handy hints:

Have a great ice-breaker. "Where are you from?" is the all-round best. To discover that someone grew up in a small town, or has just returned from a Greek holiday, will pave the way for a whole host of secondary questions.

No-nos. In-house talk, photos of your kids, your worm-breeding hobby and your latest diet are conversational killers. Avoid gossip, details of your medical problems and personal money matters.

Curly questions. If someone asks you an embarrassing question about your age, your income or your marriage(s), smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

Don't be a bore. If your fellow guest's interest is waning while you waffle, stop talking about yourself and ask them a question immediately. » Continue reading

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Max the Micro!

To use your microwave oven even more effectively:

• Cook in round vessels. Rectangular one are less effective because they come closer to the power source (on the oven's side) as the dish rotates, and may heat food unevenly, even burn some portions.
  
• Microwaves are more evenly distributed on a flat plate, and therefore cooking time is reduced.
  
• Use several smaller containers, instead of one large one, to speed up the cooking process. This way, you can also simultaneously hand out a number of small servings to family or guests.

» Continue reading

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Perfect Pitch

It won't change the world, but it will change your voice. Canda-based IVL Technologies' On-Key Karaoke Hand Held Player looks like a simple microphone, but as you warble into it, a microprocessor "corrects" your pitch.

The idea came to IVL's president Phil Scott in 1983 when he took up the flute. Frustrated by his own tin ear, he conceived an instrument-pitch detector that transformed musical notes into digital format. It didn't sell well, but it spurred Scott to search for other applications, including pitch detectors and harmonizers for commercial karaoke systems.

"Karaoke's the modern equivalent of the family singing around the piano," says Scott. » Continue reading

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