Hmmmm the "How Stuff Works" link might be a bit dated:



Not that I'm not grateful for the links! I wasn't having any luck Googling for the info!

This new invention called "plastic" may prove to replace Bakelite in many applications... you may even have body panels and bumpers in your car made out of it someday. Ha ha! No, just kidding, that would be stupid!

Bren R.

Mark, the todayifoundout link discusses the physics of LED. While manufactures may change materials, the fundamental physics of the operation of an LED should not change. I would recommend reading that article

Speaking of LED lighting, we're in the process of a little home makeover and one the of things we are doing is replacing the old plug and play halogen/xenon puck lights with hard wired dimmable LED 'tape' lighting for both our kitchen and den cabinets. Not cheap by any means but we are really excited to see the outcome, our electrician says they are doing quite a lot of those for undercounter lighting nowadays. The heat generated from the old puck lights was tremendous, we could actually feel the heat from the little lights mounted under the counters inside of the cabinets.

I absolutely couldn't wait to get rid of those things.

Make a pest a pet... can you think of a better way to preheat plates?

Bren R.

LOL ... We never thought of that Bren, great idea!

Nothing worse than putting hot food on a cold plate...

Well, no, that's not true... LOTS of things are worse...:P

Bren R.

Like no food and no plate?

I bought ten of the Philips Ambient LED 12-Watt (60W) to try around the house. I installed them in the kitchen and upstairs hallway, and so far they're working great. They're bright and the color temperature is similar to that of a regular incandescent light bulb. If they actually last as long as they are rated to, they will be worth the money.

Small update on the LED subject. I was dragged/duped into going to Ikea this weekend by my wife. I had managed well over a year without being in an Ikea and even avoided the new 'super' Ikea since it opened here in Ottawa.

Anyways, while trudging through the lighting section I noticed that Ikea sells LED GU10s for only $10 a piece. I have no idea if they are Cree or who makes them, but that is less than 1/2 of what I had been paying at Home Depot as I have been slowly replacing all the pot light bulbs in basement. Who knew? I did not buy one, but next time I need one I'll try one of those for the cost savings.