A History of WMS Gaming

27 February 2011

WMS Gaming started out its life when Harry Williams founded the company in 1943. At that time, the company was known as Williams Manufacturing Company. Harry Williams changed the way that pinball machines were designed by introducing a new mechanism allowing the machines to tilt for a better gaming experience. This changed the future of the game in the USA.

This set a president for the company in future years, and they ventured into the computer gaming market in the 1980s where they developed games for video arcade games. Then in 1991, the company began producing video lottery terminals under the company name Willliams Gaming.

After the success of the video lottery games, Williams Gaming as the company was known at the time, launched their first video poker game, which was a sensation. This led them to start producing casino slot machines in 1994 which were housed in casinos all over America. In 1999, the company changed name again to WMS Gaming, as it is now known.

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A Review of the Manhattan Private Helicopter Tour

26 February 2011

This review of the Manhattan Private Helicopter Tour explains everything about the private tour, so that you will be better informed before making your booking. There is no better way to see the many sights and landmarks of New York City than by taking to the skies.

See it all from feet above the hustle and bustle of daily life in The Big Apple.  This trip is the perfect romantic gesture for unforgettable anniversary, memorable birthday or to just get the best view of the city for some great pictures of your vacation.

Most of the tour operators advise that you book at least 3 days in advance to avoid disappointment, as the tours are extremely popular with tourists and so seats fill up quickly. The tours are great value, and most operators charge between $120-$170.

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The Electric Aircraft Yuneec E430

25 February 2011

The Electric Aircraft Yuneec E430 is an aircraft that was designed to bring flight to a wider commercial audience and it has certainly succeeded. This is a two seater, single engine aircraft that is in the LSA class and it has a significant advantage over many other aircrafts - it runs entirely on electricity. The aircraft’s cost is very reasonable when compared to many other models and this makes it incredibly popular.

The E430 is very lightweight and can be charged from a 230 power point, the kind that can be found in the majority of homes. It only takes around three hours to be fully charged which is an incredibly fast charging time, especially when it is compared to many of the electric cars that are on the market right now. As soon as the aircraft has been fully charged it is able to fly for around 2 1/2 hours.

The wingspan of the Electric Aircraft Yuneec E430 is 4.2 feet and the length of the fuselage is 21.9 feet making it reasonably compact and easy to store. The aircraft weighs in at a lightweight 392 lbs and it only needs to be loaded to 430 lbs in order for it to be able to take off safely. It runs off a lithium polymer battery which can be easily recharged from a domestic power source.

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Royal Van Lent Launches Luxury Mega Yacht Trident

24 February 2011

Royal Van Lent launches luxury mega yacht Trident shouted the headlines back in 2009 when this amazing yacht was first brought to the attention of the world. The Trident is 65.22 metres long and it offers traveller’s absolutely unparalleled luxury while they are on board. In fact people who have been lucky enough to climb aboard this luxury mega yacht have all been astounded at its features and facilities.

The exterior and interior of the luxury mega yacht Trident was created by Donald Starkey in collaboration with De Voogt who is a renowned naval architect. The exterior of the yacht have clean flowing lines with modern touches here and there such as the glass bulwarks set into semicircular shape extensions which are located on the aft decks. Inside the yacht the decoration is sophisticated, elegant and bright which makes it look more like a luxury hotel than a yacht.

Another stunning feature of the Trident is the elevator which makes people travelling inside it feel as though they are encased in marble. It is this kind of feature that sets the Trident apart from many of the other luxury yachts that are currently sailing today. This is why so many people are keen to climb on board and experience life on board this luxury yacht for themselves.

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A Review of the Private New York City by Chauffeured Classic Convertible Tour

23 February 2011

The Private New York City by Chauffeured Classic Convertible Tour is definitely not one to be missed if you’re in New York on vacation. This really is the classiest of NYC tours, and you’ll feel like a movie star as you ride the streets of The Big Apple in style.

You’ll be driven by your very own personal chauffeur in a classic 1975 Chevrolet Caprice. The chauffeur is always a born and bred New Yorker, with extensive knowledge of the city, and will take you to the most interesting parts as well as giving you expert commentary of the areas.

The tours generally last around two hours, which is the perfect amount of time for a romantic date around the bustling streets. You’ll visit several of the most popular locations of the city.

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A Review of Lady Christine Yacht built by Oceanco

22 February 2011

In this review of Lady Christine yacht by Oceanco, you will discover why this yacht is so spectacular and well known throughout the world.  Lady Christine is 68 metres in length, so as you can imagine the interior is more spacious than many. This yacht really is one of the most luxurious charters.

The exterior was designed by De Voogt Naval Architects and Rodney Black, a world famous interior designer is responsible for the design of the magnificent interiors. Lady Christine was built in 2001 and has been extremely popular since.

The main entrance is absolutely stunning, with marble flooring, a superbly crafted winding staircase in the centre and murals painted on the curving walls of world locations such as the beautiful Taj Mahal of India.

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A Short Biography of S Robson Walton

21 February 2011

This short biography of S Robson Walton, chairman of the world’s largest retail chain, has been written to give you an insight into the USA’s 4th wealthiest citizen. He is also the world’s 18th richest man as of October 2010.

S Robson Walton was born in 1945, and was the first son of Sam Walton, who was the founder of Walmart. As a young man Walton attended the College of Wooster in Ohio. He then went on to the University of Arkansas.

At university he studied business administration and subsequently graduated with a bachelor of science in the subject in 1966, and later in 1969 he received a jurisprudence doctorate from New York’s Colombia University School of Law.

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A Review of Lady Ann Magee Yacht built by Codecasa

20 February 2011

The beautiful Lady Ann Magee yacht built by Codecasa was built in 2001 in Italy. It is an absolutely spectacular yacht with a real feel of luxury and will ensure that you will never forget it.

The builders, Codecasa, established their shipyard in 1825 in Viareggio, Italy and have been extremely popular ever since opening. Since its initial launch in 1825, the shipyard has passed down through the generations and has developed and advanced every step of the way.

Lady Ann Magee is a truly inspiring and beautiful piece of naval architecture, and its aesthetically pleasing exterior design and styling is instantly recognisable. Codecasa are responsible for the design of all parts of this wonderful vessel.

The interiors were designed by Franco, and the exterior styling and all parts of engineering are down to the collective expertise and craftsmanship of the highly professional and artistic Codecasa team.  The yacht was refitted in 2007 to ensure it maintained its excellence.

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The Eclipse 400 Private Jet

19 February 2011

The Eclipse 400 Private Jet is a private jet that was first released as the Eclipse Concept Jet which was thought to be for market research purposes. This jet was shown at the Aircraft Association’s EAA AirVenture show back in 2007 and after several months of research it was considered the right kind of jet for the single engine market. As a result it was renamed as the Eclipse 400.

The Eclipse 400, as mentioned is a single engine jet which is capable of seating four people in style and comfort. The engine that powers the jet is a PW61F which is made by Pratt & Whitney Canada. Pratt & Whitney are well known in the world of aerospace and being masters of production, service and technology.

The Eclipse 400 has a V tailed jet which looks incredibly futuristic and would not be out of place in a sci-fi film. The maximum speed that the jet is said to reach is approximately 380 mph which makes it a speedy and sleek form of transport. In addition to this a single tank of fuel should allow this jet to fly around 1400 miles which makes it ideal for longer journeys as well as shorter ones.

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A Review of the Black Swan Yacht by Camper & Nicholson

19 February 2011

The Black Swan Yacht built by Camper & Nicolsons is a classic yacht that many people dream of owning and sailing. The yacht was commissioned by Major Selwin Calverley and subsequently designed by Charles Ernest Nicholson.

Brynhyld was the original name of the yacht, and it was renamed Changrilla, before its final name was given as Black Swan. It was launched in 1899 from the Camper & Nicholson yard in Gosport, England.

The Black Swan is one of the oldest classic yachts, and is a truly stunning work of art. During the period 2000 to 2002, the yacht was renovated. The planking at the bottom was totally restored along with the entire deck.

During this period the spars (masts) were replaced as well as the rigging, and at the same time the two engines went through a complete rebuild to maintain the efficiency and quality of the yacht. The electrics and plumbing were also totally renewed.

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Niagara Falls Day Trip from New York by Air

19 February 2011

If you are visiting New York then you just have to visit Niagara Falls, even if you are just on a weekend break there is no excuse with the Niagara Falls day trip, from New York by air.  The day trip to this magnificent thunderous product of the last ice age is now possible in as little as 12 hours.  With round trips from mid town New York to Upstate, then on to Buffalo airport for a quick transfer to the Falls.

The River Niagara stretches across the Canadian - United States border in both the state of New York and the Province of Ontario, carved by relentless ice sheets 18,000 years ago.  Niagara Falls is the second largest water fall in the world to the Victoria Falls of South Africa.  The awesome power of the combined 750,000 gallons of water dispersed over the American, Bridal Veil and Horseshoe Falls every second makes this an inspiring place to visit.

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New York TV and Movie Sites Tour

19 February 2011

New York City has been centre stage on the big screen since filming began and over the years has become the most filmed city in the world.  The New York TV and movie sites tour takes you round this exceptional city of stardom, stopping at all the most filmed places for your recollection of movies past and present.  You will be taken behind the scenes of once midtown and uptown Manhattan film sets, where you can relive the movie experience.

You can check out TV hotspots from famous shows like; The Sopranos, Sex and The City, Gossip Girl and films such as; Taxi Driver with Robert Di Nero and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  Go behind the scenes of popular shows such as; Ugly Betty, Law and Order and friends.  You can take a break at these classic TV hotspots with a coffee or bite to eat and picture the stars walking by in there acting roles.

The list of films for which this city has played host is endless with top blockbusters including; Ghostbusters, Spider-Man, I am Legend and the Devil Wears Prada.  All the sets from the different locations of Upper West Side, Columbus Circle, Central Park West and Upper East Side can be visited on the New York TV and movie sites tour, even off the beaten track locations don’t get left out of this fun packed adventure.

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Key Players in the 2011 Cricket World Cup

19 February 2011

The 2011 Cricket World Cup is set to be a very exciting tournament indeed, with some fantastic players in the pickings. This year the Cricket World Cup will be held at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India.

As always, the Australians are pretty much the favourites to win this year’s world cup. Hussey is their left handed specialist batsman and is a real asset to the batting line-up so it’s certain he’ll do a good job as he always does.

Shane Watson is another great team member for the Aussie’s, with his excellent right-handed batting and fast medium bowling skills. Of course it’s also important to mention Mitchell Johnson who is a renowned fast bowler for Australia. His bowling attacks are second to none and he’s sure to give the opposition a run for their money when he’s in charge of the ball.

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The Contenders of the 2011 Cricket World Cup

18 February 2011

The largest world cricket championship is just around the corner. The contenders for this year are all very strong so it would seem it will be a good fight between them all. The Cricket World Cup 2011 is due to be the biggest sporting event of 2011, and it is anticipated that there will be approximately one billion spectators worldwide, the majority of which will be supporting India who are co-hosting this year’s event.  But who can win the title?

Australia are the clear leaders of international cricket. Their achievements are phenomenal. In the last 15 years  they have worked their way to the finals eveyr single year without fail and only ever been beat once in the finals. However this year, Australia look weaker than usual with some of the good players lost. They do on the other hand still have plenty of good players left on the team. This will be Ponting’s last world cup so he’s sure to put on a good show.

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2011 Cricket World Cup Venue Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

18 February 2011

The Wankhede Stadium is in the Indian city of Mumbai, and will be host to the 2011 Cricket World Cup.  The stadium was built after  a dispute between two other cricket grounds in India over ticket allocations. The stadium is named after a politician, SK Wankhede, who was the secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

He instigated the build of the stadium, which was commissioned by the Mumbai Cricket Association. The building work was completed in 1975 just in time to host the final test between India and the West Indies. Since its erection, it has become the main cricket ground in Mumbai, taking over from Brabourne Stadium. The architect for the building of Wankhede Stadium was Shashi Prabhu.

The ICC approved Wankhede Stadium at the end of January as the host stadium after the Eden Gardens ground was ruled as inappropriate earlier. Wankhede Stadium has recently undergone extensive renovations in preparation for the 2011 World Cup.  The renovation has included a set of brand new seats, hard pitching, new toilets and better lighting.

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Classic Cars 1975 Lamborghini Countach

13 February 2011

When it comes to classic cars, 1975 Lamborghini Countach is one of the most iconic cars of all time and it is clear to see why. With its angular, wedged shape and sharp lines it looked like a car from the future rather than one that was designed back in 1975. Production of this car lasted until 1990 which meant that for this car was produced for a staggering 25 years.

In addition to its spectacular design another thing that set the 1975 Lamborghini Countach apart from many of its counterparts was its speed. With top speeds of almost 200 miles per hour it was hailed as one of the fastest cars of its time. Add to this the fact that even at the top speed the ride is comfortable and you can see why the 1975 Lamborghini Countach was in production for so many years.

This car also incorporates the unique rear view ‘Periscope’ mirror which is set into a depression that is in the roof which can clearly be seen from the exterior of the car. Mirrors like this are only seen on a handful of car designs which helps to make the 1975 Countach even more popular. In fact since 1975 there have only been around 10 cars that have used this kind of mirror placement in their design.

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Singapore Zoological Gardens

12 February 2011

The Singapore Zoological Gardens are unique in character to any other Zoo; the design has been meticulously thought out to hide all the enclosure fences amongst cascading waterfalls and vegetation.  This spectacular design gives the Zoo a brilliant feeling of being a natural free habitat for the well looked after animals and has in fact been dubbed “the open Zoo”.   The atmosphere created by this fenceless illusion is one that has given the Zoo a high recognition around the world.

The idea of a Zoo in Singapore was brought together by Dr. Ong Swee Law and opened its doors in 1973 with a small collection of nearly 300 animals.  The Singapore Zoological Gardens now have over 2800 animals across 216 species and offers an excellent retreat from the city for both residents and tourists alike.  The Zoo has over 70 exhibits with many of the different species living together in perfect harmony reminiscent to the African safaris.

The Zoo is open 365 days a year and offers two exciting journeys; the daytime jungle experience and the night time safari.  The day time opening hours are from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm with the last ticket being sold at 5:00 pm, the night time safari starts at 6:00 pm - midnight with the last ticket being sold at 11 pm.

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The Mooney Acclaim Type S Private Jet

11 February 2011

The Mooney Acclaim Type S Private Jet is a single engine jet that is said to be one of the fastest private jets on the planet right now and from its specifications it is easy to see why. Not only is it incredibly fast it is also incredibly powerful and this is due to the many refinements that the Type S has been through. In addition to being fast and powerful the Acclaim Type S is also fuel efficient and reasonably cheap to run.

The avionics used inside this jet is the Garmin G1000 Integrated Avionics Suite which is simple to use and has exceptional safety features. All the data that the pilot needs is shown on LCDs which can be read in sunlight which means they can be seen clearly in all conditions. Add to this duel batteries for power backup and you can easily see why this avionics system was chosen above any other.

Inside the cabin you will find there are leather seats that are hand stitched which are both durable and comfortable. Behind the two front seats there is the choice of either two separate seats which can recline or a bench that is capable of seating three people. The Acclaim Type S also has optional air conditioning and heating and individual controls for lighting and air.

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The History of the Cricket World Cup

10 February 2011

The Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men’s cricket. It is a One Day International event, also known as an ODI. The first international cricket match was in 1844 played between the US and Canada, but the first credited test match was not until 1877 between Australia and England.

In the 1900 Olympics in Paris, cricket was included as an Olympic sport and England won against France, winning the gold medal. In 1912, the first Triangular Tournament was played which was a tournament involving all three of the test playing countries of that time which were England, South Africa and Australia. This was not very successful and so in the following years only two teams played in a tournament until 1999, when the next multilateral tournament was played called the Asian Test Championship.

Over time, the number if international test cricket teams increased. In 1928 West Indies became a test team, followed by New Zealand in 1930, India in 1932 and Pakistan in 1952. However, throughout this time international test matches continued to be bilateral (two countries).

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Top of the Rock Observation Deck, New York

09 February 2011

The Top of the Rock Observation Deck in New York really is just that “Top of the Rock”! The panoramic views of Manhattan cannot be seen like this from anywhere else in New York.  Standing on the 70th floor of the Rockefeller Plaza the Top of the Rock Observation Deck gives the visitor an uninterrupted view of all the major sites of New York.  If you want to see man made landmarks in all of New York’s glory from the Chrysler Building to Times Square and the Statue of Liberty then Top of the Rock is the place to go.

The Observation deck is open 365 days a year from 8 am until midnight, even if you have visited during the day before the night time is a completely new experience.  The illuminations of the surrounding landmarks really come to life and cast a vibrant glow over the whole city, giving it clarity and a sense of surrealism.   Take as many pictures as you like but they will never express the feeling that you get when actually standing on the Top of the Rock personally.

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Grand Canyon West Rim Day Trip by Coach, Helicopter and Boat with Optional Skywalk

08 February 2011

The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders that attract millions of visitors every year. The massive gorge that the Colorado River has formed stretches 500 miles long, most of which is underneath Lake Powel, and the best place to visit the gorge is in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Although there are various places to visit such as the South and West Rim, the proximity of the West Rim to Las Vegas makes it the ideal location.

The West Rim is on the Hualapai Indian reservation which covers a large area of the Canyon at its deepest point of around 5000 feet and 20 miles wide. The Indian tribe have made this into a tourist attraction with an airfield, visitor centre and ranch that offer over night accommodation. The West Rim is a 2 hour drive down route 93 from Las Vegas or a 15 minute flight by helicopter.

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Classic Cars 1968 Ferrari 330gtc

06 February 2011

At the 1966 Geneva Motor Show the Ferrari 330 GTC was first unveiled to an eager audience who were keen to see the new car that Ferrari had produced. The car was intended to fit between production of the Ferrari 275 GTB and the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2 models which had been made in the previous and consecutive years. The 330 GTC mixed fantastic handling with a 4 litre engine, the classic looks of the 275 and a chassis that was suspended.

One of the reasons that this classic car handled so well was down to its rear suspension, which was initially introduced on the Ferrari 275 GTB. The gearbox was now in the suspension at the rear of the car via a transaxle which gave the 330 GTC even more power than previous models. This meant that individuals who were looking for a powerful and responsive car found it in the Ferrari 330 GTC.

The top speed of the classic 1968 Ferrari GTC was 150 miles per hour and it took just 6.9 seconds for the car to go from 0 -60 miles per hour. As shown this car was superfast and it was a definite pleaser for car fans who wanted to have plenty of power behind them while they were in the driver’s seat. In fact to show just how fast this car accelerated it took just 16.7 seconds for the car to go from 0 -100 miles per hour.

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City review of Boston, MA

05 February 2011

Boston is located in Massachusetts and is the capital of the state. It is well known for being one of the oldest cities in America and it has a rich wealth of history and current attractions. With this in mind a city review of Boston, MA is well worth taking a look at in order to learn more about this wonderful city.

To start with attractions in the city vary from museums and parks to shopping and dining and shows and concerts. In fact there is just so much to do while you are in Boston that you might find it difficult to fit everything in. With this in mind it is a good idea to decide on what attractions you would like to see in order of preference before you visit the area.

One excellent way to get a good idea of what there is to see and do in Boston is to go on one of the many tours of the city. These can be as serious or as fun filled as you like and there is a tour for everyone. For example if you want to combine fun and laughs with exploring Boston the CASHUNT Boston is ideal.

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A Short Biography of Michael Bloomberg

04 February 2011

Want to expand your knowledge of some of the world’s most successful people? This short biography of Michael Bloomberg may well be of interest if you’re curious about how he came to be where he is today.

Born on 14th February 1942, Michael Rubens Bloomberg as he was named by his parents started out life in the Boston neighbourhood of Brighton. His father, a man with roots from Russia was a real estate agent. His mother was also the daughter of a Russian family and has lived past 100 years of age.

Until Michael was 2, the Bloombergs continued to live in their home in Boston before relocating to Brookline in the state of Massachusetts, and finally settling back in Boston, in the town of Medford. Michael Bloomberg lived here until after he completed college.

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City review of Baltimore, MD

03 February 2011

Baltimore is located in the state of Maryland and it is an independent city that is the largest of its kind in the United States. Many people have overlooked Baltimore and not consider it as a place to spend part of a holiday. However after reading a city review of Baltimore, MD you may very well change your mind as there is a surprising amount of things to see and do in this exciting city.

Firstly there is an abundance of museums in Baltimore and this is something that many people are surprised to learn. The Antique Toy Museum is a must for any toy fans and fans of baseball will be keen to visit the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Memorial. In fact with well over 30 museums in the area it is easy to see why Baltimore is a favoured place for people who like to visit these attractions.

Baltimore is also home to the National Aquarium that has in excess of 650 different species of animals. It has plenty of attractions inside to keep even the busiest of children occupied and its multiple story shark tank is absolutely amazing to see. In 2006 Coastal Living voted the National Aquarium as the number one aquarium in the United States.

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Zeppelin NT Airship

02 February 2011

Zeppelin NT Airships have been in production since the 1990s and the company behind them are Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH who are a German company. The Zeppelin NT is one of the more modern versions of an airship and unlike its predecessors which were non rigid it is semi rigid in design. This helps the airship to be more structurally sound thanks to an internal trust that is a triangular shape.

Thanks to the frame within the airship it is much safer than the old airships that did not have this kind of internal frame that held the steering fins, engines and control car in place. There are three aviation engines inside the Zeppelin NT which enable it to manoeuvre with ease and make for a really smooth experience whilst inside it. Each of these engines is powered using aviation fuel which is high octane and is often used in racing cars as well as aircraft.

In order to control the Zeppelin NT the pilot will use a joystick and steer the aircraft in one of three directions. The technology that is used in the steering for the Zeppelin NT is known as fly by wire. Fly by wire is a way of controlling flights using electronic signals rather than a slight control which is manual and it is a system that is used in many different types of aircraft today.

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A Review of the Long Island Wineries & Outlet Shopping Tour in New York City

01 February 2011

The Long Island Wineries and Outlet Shopping Tour of New York is the perfect day trip to experience the culture at the heart of the famous American city. It’s well suited to couples and friends alike.

This day trip would be an excellent gift for the wine connoisseur, as New York wines are extremely high in quality and famous throughout the globe. The day is coupled with a wonderful guided shopping trip to the best outlets.

The tour starts off at Riverhead, where you will enjoy a lovely country style breakfast with breathtaking views of the beautiful scenery. From there you will continue on to the North Fork, which is the wine making hub of New York.

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