Joel Owens asked:


Geeks can’t help raving about them. Diehard fans are drooling over them. Moviegoers are awestruck by their sleek bodies. Before you get other ideas, let me lay it down straight: James Bond gadgets are the most amazing artistic creation that ever graced the silver screen aside from James Bond himself.

Half a century of ******* has brought a hefty clutch of cool gadgets which are more than what meets the eye. In the hands of a professional spy like Bond, anything ordinary becomes lethal. A common-looking watch becomes a tracking device, and a harmless pen can literally turn into something mightier than the sword.

To satisfy your burning curiosity, I’ve listed the top ten James Bond gadgets that made us see all 22 movies of 007’s conquest to save the world.

10. Garrote Watch

There’s nothing like a timepiece that tells you the time and also serves as a way to annihilate an enemy. The garrote watch from the 007 franchise, From Russia with Love definitely proves that lethal weapons come in small packages. A thin wire can be drawn from this wristwatch truly making handy when James Bond needed to annihilate a nemesis named Red Grant.

9. Electro-Magnetic RPM Controller (Diamonds are Forever)

This is one of those gadgets you would truly wish to have existed. It is a ring that, when used, ascertains a jackpot at the slot machine. You might not be able to protect yourself from enemies by this, but you’ll definitely protect yourself from being broke anytime.

8. Pen Gun (Never Say Never)

Now, this gadget is the motherload of trickery and danger. Concealed in the form of a fountain pen with a printed image of the Union Flag of UK, it can fire an explosive charge on an enemy. In the movie, Bond used his pen gun to foil Fatimah Bush, but before he finally did, the gadget took some time to fire. Despite that, this one clever gadget can save you at the last minute.

7.  Safe-cracking Device (Moonraker)

There are times when Bond has to play the bad guy to save the world like stealing weapons and what-not from enemies. Using the safe-cracking device with the technology to render an x-ray of the safe to be cracked, the device is concealed in a harmless looking cigarette case. No wonder, Bond was able to steal a considerable lot because of this device.

6. Polarizing Gadgets (A View to Kill)

Through this gadget, Bond becomes an omnipotent killing machine that can be stealth enough to know what’s behind closed doors.  It allows the ability to see clearly through tinted glass.

5. Door Decoder (A View to Kill)

In a career in spying, one needs to learn how to ***** the most complex codes and open the most guarded doors. Through this door decoder, a technology developed by Q Branch, Bond can ***** any door open no matter how strict the security may be. It can fit into any keypad locked electronic door, finds the correct combination and flashes it on screen. Getting into tightly-secured rooms is never difficult when you have this gadget.

4. Aston Martin DBS V12 (Casino Royale)

This is the personification of classic and beauty in four wheels mode. The Aston Martin DBS V12 might not have the hoots and whistles like an adaptive camouflage or anything as fancy as that, but its features are just enough to stop the villain from hoarding more money and eventually causing more worldly troubles. Aston comes with items such as a defibrillator and anti-poison/chemical combi-pens. These add-ons truly made Bond’s life easier in his conquest to save the world.

3. BMW 750il (Tomorrow Never Dies)

BMW is the car of the elites, but through the magic and genius of Branch Q, this baby has been transformed from luxurious to deadly. It contains a surprising number of modifications including bullet-proof windows and body, tear gas features emitted from the sides of the car, mini-missiles coming out of its sunroof, metal spike dispensers in the rear, re-inflatable tires, and lethal grenades (whew). Being a true James Bond vehicle, the BMW 750il can be accessed only by Bond himself through his high-end mobile phone. If anyone else dares to lay a finger on its door handles, this BMW can deliver strong electric shocks enough to make anyone pass out. This is one touchy car.

2. BMW Z8 (The World is Not Enough)

We first caught sight of this pimped James Bond vehicle in The World is Not Enough. This remote-controlled car is equipped with missiles and a set of weaponry that become really handy when James Bond had to destroy one of the helicopters in the film. The BMW Z8 is absolutely a mammoth of a vehicle.

We’ve seen Bond steer, ride and strut these high tech vehicles. With the release of his next flick, Quantum of Solace, more James Bond vehicles are sure to grace the screen. After all, a James Bond film is not complete without some roaring machines. 

1. Aston Martin V12 Vanquish (Die Another Day)

This car doesn’t only bridge the gap between the road and tracks. Staying true to its signature innovativeness and sleek design, this Aston plays tricks on your eyes with its awesome additional option, Adaptive Camouflage (the what?). In simpler and less complicated English, it just means that this beauty can literally disappear before your very eyes. Without magic or frills, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish uses “tiny cameras on all sides to project the image they see onto a light emitting polymer skin on the opposite side”. Once again, in plain and less complicated English, the technology of the car makes it invisible to the ***** eye.

It’s beautiful and dandy, but the car also has deadly tricks behind its front-grille. Armed with a bevy of other cool James Bond gadgets, the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish also boasts of missiles, machine guns, spiked tires, and target-seeking shotguns. When all these are not enough to send to destroy the enemies, James Bond could always use the car’s customary ejector seat. Real sleek, isn’t it?



Danny

J Bonds asked:


Looking to find information about a spy camera? There are many online shops that have what you arelooking for. Spy equipment becomes more and more popular Online spy shops supply people worldwide with the coolest products. People are finding the most up to date, most advanced technology in the field of spy gadgets on the web.

The spy camera has definitely improved a lot since it was first invented.Some time ago it was evident if someone were trying to record a conversation or film a scene. The cameras used to be bulky and not easy to conceal. Today, there may be a spy camera around you at this moment and you would not even know it. Browse through some of the products that are on offer and you will see just how advanced these products are. What you will find are everyday products such as pens, door knobs, and shirt ties turned into the most accurate recording hidden cam.

Do you have children that are watched by neighbors or a nanny when you are at work? Do you ever wonder what they are like or how they treat your children? Try putting a new “book” on your bookcase. This “book” records for hours while you are away. Do you know what your teenagers are doing when they lock themselves in their rooms for ages? Try installing a new “smoke detector” for their safety. They will never imagine it is filming them.

This is just scratching the surface of what a spy camera can do.There are many more applications then those mentioned in this article Have you ever had someone lie to your face only to have them deny it later when they are confronted about it by someone else. The shirt tie spy camera is excellent for this. It records without anyone suspecting a thing. You now have the means to get the proof you need to catch that person in a lie. Husbands and wives can plant hidden cams where they believe they might catch their wife or husband cheating on them.

A hidden spy camera can be used just for fun as well. It is always interesting to see what you can find when you have one concealed. Spy camera products are affordable and most places will give a warranty. You can also find special deals if you look, so remember to take a look while you are browsing.



Betty

LittleGreenPixie asked:


I’m just wondering how many films have featured the suave 007. And while I’m asking, tell me who is your favorite Bond?

Roger

Am I arguing here? asked:


How many of you like to see James Bond movies?Which James bond is best?I like Roger Moore as a bond.What do you think of new James Bond?

Carl

Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


The new James Bond film, Casino Royale, staring Daniel Craig, is by far the best James Bond film ever made. The best?

Not necessarily in terms of special effects, spectacular climax scenes at the end of the film, or even action segments. It is the best, as it’s most believable, both in terms of the character himself, and the story.

Casino Royale is an action film for sure, but with some reality twists that almost let you believe it could have really happened.

The earlier Bond films were somehow too Hollywood, too fixed for convenient solutions, and left the viewer without any need to think.

There is no shortage for real action, and fight scenes that instead of being just choreographed, are planed out for realism.

Daniel Craig is not Sean Connery, but nevertheless, you meet with the events that formed James Bond into what he became and in this film, you can believe it.

The plot wherein Bond is assigned to play Texas Hold’em (a new form of high-stakes poker) is also very believable.

Bond errors in his technique, and loses a great deal of money to the film’s villain. However returns to play the game in the best way, and in a very realistic scene, he holds cards to create a Flush against the villains Full House.

Like all the other scenes, and story development, its very believable.

The gadgets are underplayed, and all Sony-based (Sony owns Colombia Pictures), but not as blatant “product placement” as it could have been.

The director and writers had some good mission here to make things natural and believable, and they succeeded for the most part.

The development as Bond as a lady killer is well thought out as well, with a UK Treasury official, naturally a beautiful girl, being put to look after Bond’s gambling stake.

She is played by Eva Green’, as Vesper Lynd, and is an a typical Bond girl.

She is definitely smart, witty, willful and not immediately set to join Bond in bed. Her role is also believable (although her death is not), but it becomes necessary so you can see the development of the unique Bond character.

Daniel Craig’s look fits exactly the role of what Bond is, a spy, killer, patriot, and professional in his work.

Other Bonds were famous actors, and played their part well, but were never totally believable. We think they have achieved a great degree of realism with Craig.

The villains are also quiet believable, as is their villainy.

Sponsors of terrorism, as a theme is quite topical and the actors chosen give you no doubt they could be capable of the task. It’s about big money and villainy, and there is enough evidence of it in this film as well.

The film runs 144 minutes, and although it is not packed as were other Bond films with explosions, chases, and fighting, there is not a dull moment.

Craig and the cast are excellent, the director and screen writers all are to be congratulated. The film is a must see, and will no doubt be the groundwork for all Bonds in the 21 century.



Nellie

James Marshall asked:


Bad Credit? Lose The Shame, Take Responsibility, and Begin Rebuilding

According to the research firm Sherbrooke and Associates, 43 percent of American households are “credit constrained.” This is probably because they carry too much current debt, or they were forced into making poor choices with their credit in the past. With interest rates rising and the housing market cooling, the number of credit constrained households is likely to increase. If you find yourself in a such a situation, know that you’re not alone.

Having excess debt and bad credit is a source of shame for many, and it has even been known to break up otherwise loving marriages. Many people who are credit-constrained feel there is no way out - particularly now that bankruptcy laws have been changed to make filing for bankruptcy more difficult for people with even average incomes. The truth, contrary to what most bankruptcy lawyers will tell you, is that bankruptcy is rarely the answer. You can dig yourself out of debt and repair your credit - all that it takes is commitment, discipline, and most of all, a new attitude.

Step #1 - Let Go Of Your Shame

Unless you fraudulently charged items that you had no intention of paying for, you need to let go of all shame related to your bad credit and debt. After all, the credit system is set up with the understanding that some people will be unable to pay their debts - that’s why lenders are paid interest, to compensate them for risk. If you buy a corporate bond and the company goes under, nobody feels sorry for you, so don’t let your creditors make you feel sorry for them. Just like buying a bond, your creditors took a financial risk by lending to you, and they didn’t do it out of the kindness of their hearts - they did it to make money. So long as you had every reason to believe that you’d be able to pay for your debts, you have nothing to feel guilty about.

Letting go of your guilt and shame is not the same as abdicating all responsibility. To one degree or another, you are responsible for your situation. To another degree, externalities - things in the outside world - are responsible. Take responsibility for your actions, but do not let anyone make you feel guilty or they will wield that guilt as a weapon against you.

Step #2 - Contact Your Creditors

Once you’ve let go of your shame and have committed to taking responsibility, it will be much easier to face your creditors. Explain to them that you’re over your head in debt, and while you want to honor your commitments, you would appreciate it if they would work with you to make doing so easier. Most of the time, your creditors will be more receptive than you would imagine - after all, they’re used to people in your position ducking under a rock and ultimately sticking them with the bill.

Your creditors may offer to let you skip a payment or two in order to help you get back on your feet, or they might offer to lower your interest rates. If you still have your accounts open, they might offer to suspend your credit while you pay off the balance in principal only at regular monthly intervals. Finally, they may offer to settle your accounts at less than the full amount due if you pay in one lump sum.

Step #3 - Begin Rebuilding Your Credit

While restructuring your payment terms, by all means, stop abusing credit. You need to work out a budget that will prevent you from finding yourself in this situation again. If you still have credit cards that haven’t been canceled, you should continue to use them - but make absolutely sure that you can pay for everything you’ve charged that month when the bill comes due. By doing this, you’ll keep a credit account active, which is good for your credit.

Many of these negotiated payment plans will adversely affect your credit - particularly settling for less than the total amount due, which will be a black mark on your credit report for up to seven years. The fact is that negotiated settlements may still may be superior to falling deeper and deeper into debt, which could ultimately destroy your credit and lead to legal action being taken against you.

Once you’re back on your feet, be sure not to repeat the same mistakes you made in the past, but don’t swear off credit altogether, either. Just because you’re in bad shape now doesn’t mean that you always have to be. Open up a small credit account and pay your bills in full and on time, and in a matter of just a few short years, your credit can be just as good as anyone else’s. The sooner you start rebuilding after a near credit meltdown, the sooner you’ll be able to experience the security and peace of mind that the other 57 percent of Americans enjoy.

Stay safe.

Sincerely,

James

http://www.CC-Yes.com



April

James Spellman asked:


As we pass the third anniversary of the tsunami tragedy that struck South East Asia on 26th Dec 2004, it seems like a good time to look back and recount a few personal experiences from people in Phuket, Thailand. These are not big stories in the overall scale of the event, they are just a few individual accounts from people who were there when the waves struck.

Mark, Bar Owner

Mark ran a bar in one of the side streets just off Bangla Road in Patong. On the morning the tsunami struck, he had just opened his shutters. He had one waitress helping and they were starting to get ready for business when he heard a strange roaring noise. A few seconds later, there were shouts and screams.

Mildly curious, but not too concerned, Mark looked down the street and saw people running up Bangla Road. Then he was amazed to see water come around the corner. Even then, he was not too concerned. It was just a slow steady flow. He told his waitress to stay inside the bar and they watched the water flow passed. Incredibly, the steady flow kept coming and quickly became a torrent of debris-strewn water that was swirling into the bar. Mark and his waitress suddenly realised they were in trouble and had to jump up onto the bar.

The building was quickly filling up with a swirling deluge of water and debris. For the first time, Mark realised their lives were in danger. The water level was coming up fast and trying to swim through that water full of chairs, tables and all kind of other hard objects would be suicidal. You have to see the power with which the water was slamming objects into the walls to realise how hopeless this situation was.

Then, like a scene from some implausible action movie, a jet-ski floated into the bar with the keys in the ignition. The wave had picked it up from the beach and swept it up Soi Bangla and into Mark’s bar like a lifeline. Mark jumped on the jet-ski and started the engine. His waitress jumped on the back and they revved out of the bar and down the street, crunching through all kind of floating debris as they went. They turned up Bangla Road and rode the now easing torrent James Bond like to Rat-U-Thit Road where the waters had reached.

As soon as Mark jumped off the jet-ski, there was a man begging to take it. He had lost a friend at the beach and was desperate to get down there to find him. Mark gave him the jet-ski. Of course, nobody knew there was a second and third wave still to come. Mark does not know if the man found his friend or made it back.

Nick, Phi Phi Islands

Nick and his friend were staying on the Phi Phi Islands. They had found a room above a grocery shop in Ton Sai Bay. On Boxing Day morning, they were woken up by a loud roaring noise and then the sound of objects battering into the side of the building. They looked out across their balcony and saw the amazing sight of a flood of water rolling right across the sandy isthmus, right underneath them and out across the other side of the bay. Amongst the floodwaters, they could see people swept away.

When the waters finally passed by, they made their way downstairs. The shop had survived the hit reasonably well and the shop owner was still inside surveying the damage. Nick and his friend were a little dazed by what had just happened and offered to help the shop owner clear the mess. It seemed like the decent thing to do. Somehow, the shop owner knew the danger had not passed. He said they should make their way down the beach and up the hill to higher ground.

As they walked along the beach, many other people joined them. There were also many others not heading for higher ground. Nick and his friend did not see the second wave hit. They had been making their way up the hill for maybe fifteen minutes when they heard the roar of the wave striking. They had already found a spot to settle down with many other survivors when they heard the roar of the third wave. They settled down with all the other confused and stunned survivors for a long stay.

There was one guy there, a Scotsman, who seemed to have a firmer grip on the situation than most others. He spoke with Nick and his friend. He reasoned that if these waves had struck Phi Phi then they had probably struck everywhere else in the region too. It might be days before help arrived. He said they needed to go back down the hill to get water, food, medicine and insect repellent.

The Scotsman led a group of five, including Nick and his friend, back down the hill. They met a nightmare scene of destruction. The island was devastated and littered with corpses. They found a shop that although smashed, was still standing. They rummaged around the piles of stock inside until they found all the essentials they could carry. They took them back up the hill and distributed them among the survivors. They realised it was not enough so they made a second trip down the hill. By the time that round trip was completed, it was late afternoon but they had enough essentials for everyone. They made a third trip but this time all they got was beer. This they did not distribute among the other survivors. This was for themselves.

They all spent the night on the hill before people started making their way down in the morning. The relief ferries arrived mid morning.

Mike, Rawai

Mike is a Canadian who stays in Phuket 6-months a year. He was one of the few people in Phuket who actually noticed the earthquake. He was having a coffee on his balcony when he noticed the plant pot next to him vibrating. He had experienced mild tremors before in the United States and was convinced what he had noticed was a minor earthquake. He soon forgot about it. He was meeting friends for breakfast in Rawai.

They met at their usual restaurant across the road from Rawai Beach. Everything was normal until one of his friends pointed out how far the sea had receded. Rawai is a shallow bay and it is common to see the rocky seabed when the tide is out but this morning it was as if the water had vanished. The friends curiously discussed this strange phenomenon and pointed it out to the restaurant owner. He was concerned, something seemed wrong. That was when Mike remembered the earthquake tremor he had felt earlier that morning.

Without really knowing exactly why he was so concerned, the restaurant owner decided to lead his guests out the back of the restaurant to the fields behind. A few minutes later as they calmly walked up a gentle hill, they heard the wave strike the beach.

The islands off Rawai Beach took a lot of the power out of the tsunami and the waves only made it a hundred meters or so inland. Still they claimed victims in Rawai.

Paul, Patong

Paul was still a little dazed from his Christmas Day celebrations in the bars of Patong the night before. He was heading down to the beach for a morning walk to shake off his hangover. He was only a hundred meters from the beach when he heard that strange roaring sound so many people remember. Still it was a few more seconds before he saw the water running up the road towards him. Confused by this strange sight, he wasted a few precious seconds taking in the scene. Then he realised the water was going to keep coming. He turned and ran.

The water was already around his ankles. He ran as fast as he could but the water was going faster. It was quickly around his knees and then it took him off his feet. The swell was sweeping him along and with unbelievable force. Ahead was a brick wall and the wave was going to smash him straight into it. Paul thought he was a gonna but as the leading edge of the wave hit the wall, the force knocked the wall down the Paul was swept through the gap. He found himself in a cemetery hanging on to a headstone with water and debris swirling around him.

He clung on for dear life. When the waters began to recede, he could feel the suction pulling him back towards the sea. When the waters were finally gone Paul picked himself up, bruised and battered, he walked back to his apartment. His hangover was gone.

Conclusion

We will never know the exact death toll from the Boxing Day tsunami. Somewhere around a quarter of a million people lost their lives. It is one of the biggest natural disasters in recorded history.

The stories above cannot begin to capture the full scale of the disaster. They are just a few personal accounts to give some insight into the experiences of people caught up in that life-changing day.



Ella

slayer122333 asked:


What are the good james bond 007 books by Ian Fleming list more than 1 or 2 and what about bad ones?

Mathew

Mr Radioactive asked:


What Gun Does James Bond Have in the New Quantum of Solace Trailer when he is walking through like the desert,
like in this picture

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2728765667_a7e16b8c04_o.jpg

Robert