On Saturday one of the well known papers had an artical on their “Top 100 Coolest Things on th Planet”.  These ranged from people to places and products to companies.  The poll was taken of 3000 Brits in the Costa Coffe study and some interesting and unusual answers came out in the survey.  Peoples answers covered a huge range but it also saw the predicable answer being given.  The top 5 coolest things were 5)Aston Martin DB9 4)iPod 3)The Internet 2)Apple 1)iPhone - so it seems Apples may be on the way to conquering the four corners of the globe with them having 3 out of the 5 top 5.  Unusual answers given included Stonehenge(no44) Ant&Dec(no52) Cosmopolitan Cocktail(no91) and Harrier Jump Jet(no47).  Some more of the the obvious answers include no75(Doc Marten Boots) no25(Lego) no20(Television) and no45(VW Beetle).  Some of my personnal favourites include Clint Eastwood(no54) Spitfire(no69) YouTube(23) but there was no room for either the Rayleigh Chopper or Evel Knieval.  Going back to Apple their iPad even made it in at no17 - not bad for something that has only been out of a short period.  As always with these sort of surveys it is very difficult to agree or disagree with all the results but maybe most people will like a wide range of the answers that the public give and it just goes to show how the publics tastes do change as people/products/places come in and out of fashion.  If you have a TOP3 what would it be??

Here is a request to all those out there who have brought one of our products.  Instead of just sending us an email letting us know if you have loved (or even hated – not that there are too many of you?) not only our range of cable managements and brackets but also the service we have given you how’s about sending us a picture of your set up so we can see how you have done.  We do have pictures of some of our range of products in the home environment on our www.a2000systems.co.uk website but we are always dead chuffed to receive your feedback and comments whether positive or negative so as hopefully we can improve the products and the service we give to you.  The same also applies to the blogs that we post and your comments and suggestions are more than welcome.  Now I have figured out that you have to approve your comments that are posted I hope to be able to enter into conversations on the topics posted and keep the ball rolling.  Whilst I have tried to keep to suitable topics I have also put in a few light hearted ones which again I hope you have enjoyed reading.  So positive or negative, serious or funny keep your views and ideas coming in.  All the best PAUL (A2000’s blog writer)

Whilst various technologies advance at an ever-increasing rate there does seems one feature that is universal to a lot of them.  Just as we are being told that “THIN” is the new “FAT” in respect of our appearance the quest for thinner and thinner products is building momentum.  With LED technology being used to make slimmer TV screens other applications are using an ever-changing world of tech breakthroughs to make thinner products.  One manufacturer of digital cameras now has a 12MP 19.9mm thin “pocket rocket” to add to its arsenal – this thin modal combines stylish looks with abilities such as being able to withstand tumbles just over 2m, temperatures of –10*C and waterproof of up to 3M.  The 2 most obvious applications where slimness is used to full advantage is in the world of mobile phones and laptop/notebooks with mobiles now having seemingly endless applications that once upon a time you could only find on a computer.  It will only be a matter of time before we see wafer thin pieces of equipment and not just in our visual and audio living room.  At first this will come at a price but as “being thin” gathers pace its only a matter of time before prices will fall.  Who said it pays to be fat??

Whilst various technologies advance at an ever-increasing rate there does seems one feature that is universal to a lot of them.  Just as we are being told that “THIN” is the new “FAT” in respect of our appearance the quest for thinner and thinner products is building momentum.  With LED technology being used to make slimmer TV screens other applications are using an ever-changing world of tech breakthroughs to make thinner products.  One manufacturer of digital cameras now has a 12MP 19.9mm thin “pocket rocket” to add to its arsenal – this thin modal combines stylish looks with abilities such as being able to withstand tumbles just over 2m, temperatures of –10*C and waterproof of up to 3M.  The 2 most obvious applications where slimness is used to full advantage is in the world of mobile phones and laptop/notebooks with mobiles now having seemingly endless applications that once upon a time you could only find on a computer.  It will only be a matter of time before we see wafer thin pieces of equipment and not just in our visual and audio living room.  At first this will come at a price but as “being thin” gathers pace its only a matter of time before prices will fall.  Who said it pays to be fat??

As with most things in life, trying to get our products right sometimes boils down to pure luck!! Then once we at www.a2000systems.co.uk have managed to get our products spot on there come’s the difficult decision to change or adapt them, which hopefully results in improved sales.    When we released out first range of Cable Management Systems we felt we were on to a winner and as time went by sales proved we had cornered a niche in the market, which to this day proves the quality of our products.  Again when we launched the SPX range we took what was an already proven product and made it even better so instead of starting from scratch we took a tried and tested idea and made it simpler for customers to install.  The SPX range also has the added bonus of being adaptable with the changeable front glass panels, which allow to the customer to suit their tastes should they change their LCD/Plasma whilst keeping the original concept of the cable management system.  Trying to judge what the public want is never an easy thing to do – sometimes you get it right, and on occasions you get it wrong.   

Well as always it is that time of the month for all thats useful and useless to spend you hard earned pennies on.  First up what about that perfect mate in the the shape of the “Robotis Bioloid Premium” or a big robot to you and and me.  Once you shelled out £900 and put together all the 18 servo motors/arms and legs/control circuits and all the other gizmos then he is ready for what ever useless tasks you will set him up to do.  There are watches and there are watches but how about the “MB&F Horological Machine No.3 Frog”??  With its frog-eyed dials this HM03 timepiece will probably set you back the price of a house and if you want to stand out you will as there are only 12 of these in existance.  Are you one of the band of people who likes to go foraging on the beach??  Well no more lugging a metal detector and getting sand in your shoes with the “Treasure Seeker Sandals”.  Slip on these £40 flip-flops and the world of hidden treasure is just burried 60cm under your feet - metal detecting footwear WTF???  Are you looking forward to when the British summer is at an end and you will be at a loss on where to take the kids?  Book the 25-26 September off and head down to Somerset for the “Silverline Power Tool Drag Racing Championship”.  As the name suggests its people (probably mainly blokes) trying to rip it up down the 100m track (last years winner did it in 8.9sec) and win the £1250 prize.  How much I hear you ask for this fun filled day - well its a tenner!!  And dont forget if you have enjoyed any of our blogs check out our website and comment - also tell you family and friends about our range of products and keep up to date with what we are up to.  Until next time folks

Todays blog is a tad bit on the brief side so apologies if you are expecting something longer.  Mainly its two fold - first of all its to say thanks to everyone who has taken the time not only to read our “A2000 Systems” blogs but also thankyou to the people who have posted comments to them.  It is always a difficult task not only trying to think of a subject for a daily blog but also writing one that is not too short and not too long.  I have tried not only to give my views on whats happening with our products and the world of home cinema etc but have also thrown in a few slightly off-kilter topics which I hope you have enjoyed.  If anyone has any ideas for subjects etc please let us know as we will be only too happy to take up the challenge.  Also please accept my apologies for the lateness in replying to some of your comments this is mainly as am fairly new to the world of the internet blog - now I am on the ball!!!  Please keep those comments coming in as its a indicator of if the blogs that I post are any good - we really appreciate it.  On a postscript my brother (the Apple junkie) has now got an iPhone4 - will let you know when he gets an iPad LOL.  Normal A2000 blog service will be resumed 2mora!!!

Being a very keen photographer and collector of cameras (mainly film) to me it seems a crying shame to just lob away all that perfectly good camera gear (unless you are donating it to a good cause!!)  If you have an old film camera and lens heres 2 words of sound advice - keep using film and if you are going over to a DSLR keep that old lens.  Most DSLR manufacturers cameras can take those lens which you used when you were using film.  I have a few EOS mount auto focus lenses which I use with my digital SLR and they produce perfectly acceptable results.  The only slightly down side is that the sensor on most DSLR’s is different to the 35mm format - so for example a 28-80mm lens will become 42-120mm if say using my Canon 10D.  Companies like Nikon and Pentax whose manual and auto focus lenses are interchangable so can be used with both type of old film bodies as well as digital.  Canons AF lenses are usable on digital SLR’s (some independants lenses are not compatible) and Sony/Minolta AF lenses are all worth keeping.  So get out there and start shopping around for potential bargains.  However some sellers are realising the value of film lenses and are charging a pretty penny for second hand gear.  However dont despair - shop around on line or even in charity shops as you can pick up some good little bargains (I recently got 2 film cameras,2 lenses, flash, Cokin filters all for £20 - what a result!).  Heres another online tip - if you are looking for just a lens dont just search for that but have a look at cameras that come with lenses as these may be priced better than just a lens.  Whilst not being an expert on cameras its worth passing this little tip I feel.  Let me know any experiences or if you have picked up a real bargain.

The home entertainment equipment market is in a constant change.  Never mind trying to keep up with year-to-year developments, try week-to-week!!

It’s no different to a lot of things in this hectic world we live in.  Things become out-dated so quickly – just when you think you have purchased the latest screen technology you learn that its been superseded.  This can be especially annoying in these cash-strapped times.  People are having to make do with equipment that even though can still deliver is thought of as old-hat in some circles.  My computer at home is probably well passed it sell-by date but its quite capable of handling what I require from it.  Once upon a time consumers were quite willing to purchased the latest technology/gadgets simply because it was there – but again the current world climate is forcing buyers to alter their spending patterns.  Even today a friend of mine always sticks with 2 well known manufacturers even though better and cheaper products are available so it just goes to show “old habits never die”

When I first started writing some of the blogs for A2000 Systems I thought it would be a bit difficult. The main question I asked myself was what do I write about.  Sometimes it can be difficult thinking of a subject matter but once this is out the way it all comes flowing out. After the first 4 or 5 I found that most of the time they would write themselves.  I always try to cover a variety of topics which hopefully you the public have not only taken time to read but that it has made you think or given you ideas.  I feel that by writing these blogs it gives me an opportunity to put across the products that we design and manufacture here at A2000 Systems.  It also gives you the public the chance to give us valuable feedback not only the subjects that I have touched upon but also give us your ideas and views.  We also can use this format to keep you informed of developments in our ever-increasing product range. Here at A2000 we like to hear back from not only satisfied customers but also from people who may be thinking of purchasing one of our products.  At the end of the day all feedback is gratefully received.