In recent days Autoblog. it was in the Ford Focus Test Drive Global, an event that involved hundreds of bloggers from around the world. A post than usual, this also beneficial for the purpose of the initiative. In fact, Ford has donated $ 10,000 to 40 nonprofit organizations offered by the bloggers in our case we decided to focus on Kiva.
org and microcredit. What is Kiva. org? Who also follows Ecoblog maybe I have heard: there were employed in 2007 with just a couple of posts talking about microcredit. As reported by Wikipedia, it is an economic tool that allows access to financial services to people in poverty and marginalization in developing countries.
The difficulties in obtaining bank loans because of the inadequacy or lack of collateral and microdimensioni business, considered too small by traditional banks, does not allow these productive activities to start and grow free from wear. With micro-credit, therefore, tries to help people develop small businesses.
Consider small villages in Africa, Asia or South America. Being able to bring out their products to be open to different markets, as well as open a small shop may be the arrival of goods that were never received earlier. With micro-credit is to be a real possibility for those who desire and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, to pursue an improvement not only economic but also "moral".
Supporting people in their country, then, that it sets in motion the stimulus of the economy which could be of benefit to all. Here then is that Kiva operates as an intermediary between the world of network and local organizations. E 'can then make the miniprestiti, which will be repaid over a period.
We must say that Kiva is not for profit, nor are the loans do not expect rates or percentages of income. E 'can choose the geographic area, as well as the type of business and even individuals. Not only that each local organization has a current rating, which represents the creditworthiness of the loans made.
Like any type of funding, there is always a risk level, and is justly known: each individual chooses how to behave accordingly. What figures are we talking about? The minimum denomination is $ 25, which you can add a direct donation to Kiva. In these three years, along with others, I managed to help two activities in Ecuador, five in Cambodia, one in Uganda and one in Peru.
Only one unfortunate occasion, a Kenyan failed to repay the loan completely (it was up to 75%). What happens when it is returned? You can withdraw the amount, or decide to reinvest. This is, in my humble opinion, the beauty of microfinance. Without wishing to completely compete with other forms of charity, it must be said that the donation back to the microcredit movement, not "exhausted".
When a loan is repaid, the amount will go to help another person. Hoping to have convinced at least one of you, then I invite you to take a look at Kiva. org. We come then to the Ford Focus, the subject of making contact a couple of weeks ago. The tests were conducted at the INTA, or the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial: a large research center just outside Madrid.
The areas of testing, as well as the locations are different. Remind you that Spain, by INTA, participates in the Ariane program. Being an international event, we had the first surprise to observe the presence of Focus in North American version, badged or Michigan. As mentioned earlier, the Focus will be a global car, which is equal on all markets, except for the engines.
The American Focus, however, had something more, the system MYFORD Touch, seen live for the first time at the Detroit Motor Show. A pleasant surprise, because if we had seen in Detroit on an Explorer and a Lincoln, Ford here helps us understand how this kind of technology can also be made available on the most popular models.
In this case there has been a guide to Jason Johnson, Product Development Engineer, or the one who invented it all: Johnson explains in English the various functions. From the hardware point of view we have the ability to read SD and USB support, plus the presence of additional audio connectors.
Thanks to a USB port you can add a USB internet, which will provide network connectivity to the system, as well as all the devices of the passenger car. With bluetooth, you can have read the sms. One of the objectives of this system is to decouple the driver from having to press buttons.
To do this, 10,000 are expected voice commands. Worry, you do not need to know by heart: just call "help", which we imagine will "help" in Italian, to get an overview of available commands. The first question that comes to mind is whether it is faster to use a voice command rather than a "physical".
The answer is not unique: it can surely depend on the attitude or personal habit. We will see more and more systems of this kind on our cars, then try without fear to shed old patterns of thought trying to understand what benefits us most. Everyone chooses what he considers most useful: The important thing is to barricade themselves at all costs behind the "I preferred it before." Of course, the system is not easy, but it must be said that the functions proposed are very complete, so as to suggest that Ford did not miss anything just facts.
Satellite navigation system, computerized climate control, audio system able to cover virtually all existing media, and the aforementioned internet connection: what more do you want? E 'and then turn to try the car, and you immediately feel the air smells of defiance. We are divided into two groups: the United States against the Rest of the World.
Who will win? Accompany us in this case two pilots. Then we present the Englishman Justin Bell, winner of the FIA GT championship in the GT2 class. Among other things, managed to run the 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans with his father Derek, that some of you remember the Scuderia Ferrari in 1968.
For the United States is instead supporting Tanner Foust, driver of drifting, working for the U.S. edition of Top Gear and Hollywood stunt (Fast and Furious Iron Man 2 and, to quote a couple of films). The tests shall be three. A test drive "green", a speed, and a gymkhana to ascertain the safety car.
We are given a model with the 2.0 TDCi engine with automatic transmission. I admit now that it is not a fan of the automatic transmission. In the test "green" I try to do the best I can, taking as much as possible constant speed, no tears, gentle deceleration. Nothing to do, something is wrong: they are 60th (out of 100) in the standings.
More or less the other Italian (Elena Franco, Anita and Luca Conti Richeldi) showed similar results. But we can go home with a result like that? Imagining the jeers of his colleagues, but even more than our beloved readers, I am going to test speed. The track is short for a slight incline, bend, bend down as a right.
It's raining and the asphalt is in turn covered by a thin layer of gravel. I accompanied one of the pilots as it prepares to give me some advice. Also in Sport mode, the departure is not a rocket, with the throttle fully depressed without much thought. Here the electronic Focus is king, we are at maximum safety, even on non perfect as that in which we move.
It is to get carried away with the automatic transmission I would anticipate a bit 'but there you are, if nothing else I can think only of the road. And perhaps the best part is just that. I try to cause a bit 'Focus, pulling a hair ahead of what I should: you hear the screeching of tires when it comes into operation on stability control ESC ABS.
I can not keep the line of the curve, but the help electronic feel. Without this, probably my wicked timing and measures would have very different consequences. After a couple of test drives it's time to take the time. They tell me that Spanish before I behaved very well: I can do the same? With a pile of anxiety about the 60th in the standings I'm going to do my lap.
This time, no smudging, I bring the focus where I want without too much trouble, I do not think the time until you hear the beep of the timer. My "navigator" he smiles, says it is OK. Test passed. But that position will have? You will not know until the end of the day. The next station is that of the gymkhana.
Wet and the rain is for the classic fountains, for a series of slalom, skidding in curves and braking with the pedal at the bottom, plus one goal by scoring with a mega ball. Yes, "is all well and good," as they say those of Gialappa. Again the Focus car proves nothing bad, considering his own class.
A note on the brakes. The fund, as mentioned, was especially in bad conditions, but the force used to push the pedal seemed excessive: we may try the test in the future. Also in the gymkhana times are taken and given a vote on the "behavior" of the driver. Even in this case is definitely better than in test "green".
Moral of the story, that of 100 bloggers in Madrid, and only one winner. Who is it? In the end the result is faster myself. A great satisfaction, not so much for me, but for holding high the national colors and those of Autoblog. The challenge U.S. vs. Rest of the World ends in a draw instead. 
org and microcredit. What is Kiva. org? Who also follows Ecoblog maybe I have heard: there were employed in 2007 with just a couple of posts talking about microcredit. As reported by Wikipedia, it is an economic tool that allows access to financial services to people in poverty and marginalization in developing countries.
The difficulties in obtaining bank loans because of the inadequacy or lack of collateral and microdimensioni business, considered too small by traditional banks, does not allow these productive activities to start and grow free from wear. With micro-credit, therefore, tries to help people develop small businesses.
Consider small villages in Africa, Asia or South America. Being able to bring out their products to be open to different markets, as well as open a small shop may be the arrival of goods that were never received earlier. With micro-credit is to be a real possibility for those who desire and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, to pursue an improvement not only economic but also "moral".
Supporting people in their country, then, that it sets in motion the stimulus of the economy which could be of benefit to all. Here then is that Kiva operates as an intermediary between the world of network and local organizations. E 'can then make the miniprestiti, which will be repaid over a period.
We must say that Kiva is not for profit, nor are the loans do not expect rates or percentages of income. E 'can choose the geographic area, as well as the type of business and even individuals. Not only that each local organization has a current rating, which represents the creditworthiness of the loans made.
Like any type of funding, there is always a risk level, and is justly known: each individual chooses how to behave accordingly. What figures are we talking about? The minimum denomination is $ 25, which you can add a direct donation to Kiva. In these three years, along with others, I managed to help two activities in Ecuador, five in Cambodia, one in Uganda and one in Peru.
Only one unfortunate occasion, a Kenyan failed to repay the loan completely (it was up to 75%). What happens when it is returned? You can withdraw the amount, or decide to reinvest. This is, in my humble opinion, the beauty of microfinance. Without wishing to completely compete with other forms of charity, it must be said that the donation back to the microcredit movement, not "exhausted".
When a loan is repaid, the amount will go to help another person. Hoping to have convinced at least one of you, then I invite you to take a look at Kiva. org. We come then to the Ford Focus, the subject of making contact a couple of weeks ago. The tests were conducted at the INTA, or the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial: a large research center just outside Madrid.
The areas of testing, as well as the locations are different. Remind you that Spain, by INTA, participates in the Ariane program. Being an international event, we had the first surprise to observe the presence of Focus in North American version, badged or Michigan. As mentioned earlier, the Focus will be a global car, which is equal on all markets, except for the engines.
The American Focus, however, had something more, the system MYFORD Touch, seen live for the first time at the Detroit Motor Show. A pleasant surprise, because if we had seen in Detroit on an Explorer and a Lincoln, Ford here helps us understand how this kind of technology can also be made available on the most popular models.
In this case there has been a guide to Jason Johnson, Product Development Engineer, or the one who invented it all: Johnson explains in English the various functions. From the hardware point of view we have the ability to read SD and USB support, plus the presence of additional audio connectors.
Thanks to a USB port you can add a USB internet, which will provide network connectivity to the system, as well as all the devices of the passenger car. With bluetooth, you can have read the sms. One of the objectives of this system is to decouple the driver from having to press buttons.
To do this, 10,000 are expected voice commands. Worry, you do not need to know by heart: just call "help", which we imagine will "help" in Italian, to get an overview of available commands. The first question that comes to mind is whether it is faster to use a voice command rather than a "physical".
The answer is not unique: it can surely depend on the attitude or personal habit. We will see more and more systems of this kind on our cars, then try without fear to shed old patterns of thought trying to understand what benefits us most. Everyone chooses what he considers most useful: The important thing is to barricade themselves at all costs behind the "I preferred it before." Of course, the system is not easy, but it must be said that the functions proposed are very complete, so as to suggest that Ford did not miss anything just facts.
Satellite navigation system, computerized climate control, audio system able to cover virtually all existing media, and the aforementioned internet connection: what more do you want? E 'and then turn to try the car, and you immediately feel the air smells of defiance. We are divided into two groups: the United States against the Rest of the World.
Who will win? Accompany us in this case two pilots. Then we present the Englishman Justin Bell, winner of the FIA GT championship in the GT2 class. Among other things, managed to run the 24 Hours of Daytona and 24 Hours of Le Mans with his father Derek, that some of you remember the Scuderia Ferrari in 1968.
For the United States is instead supporting Tanner Foust, driver of drifting, working for the U.S. edition of Top Gear and Hollywood stunt (Fast and Furious Iron Man 2 and, to quote a couple of films). The tests shall be three. A test drive "green", a speed, and a gymkhana to ascertain the safety car.
We are given a model with the 2.0 TDCi engine with automatic transmission. I admit now that it is not a fan of the automatic transmission. In the test "green" I try to do the best I can, taking as much as possible constant speed, no tears, gentle deceleration. Nothing to do, something is wrong: they are 60th (out of 100) in the standings.
More or less the other Italian (Elena Franco, Anita and Luca Conti Richeldi) showed similar results. But we can go home with a result like that? Imagining the jeers of his colleagues, but even more than our beloved readers, I am going to test speed. The track is short for a slight incline, bend, bend down as a right.
It's raining and the asphalt is in turn covered by a thin layer of gravel. I accompanied one of the pilots as it prepares to give me some advice. Also in Sport mode, the departure is not a rocket, with the throttle fully depressed without much thought. Here the electronic Focus is king, we are at maximum safety, even on non perfect as that in which we move.
It is to get carried away with the automatic transmission I would anticipate a bit 'but there you are, if nothing else I can think only of the road. And perhaps the best part is just that. I try to cause a bit 'Focus, pulling a hair ahead of what I should: you hear the screeching of tires when it comes into operation on stability control ESC ABS.
I can not keep the line of the curve, but the help electronic feel. Without this, probably my wicked timing and measures would have very different consequences. After a couple of test drives it's time to take the time. They tell me that Spanish before I behaved very well: I can do the same? With a pile of anxiety about the 60th in the standings I'm going to do my lap.
This time, no smudging, I bring the focus where I want without too much trouble, I do not think the time until you hear the beep of the timer. My "navigator" he smiles, says it is OK. Test passed. But that position will have? You will not know until the end of the day. The next station is that of the gymkhana.
Wet and the rain is for the classic fountains, for a series of slalom, skidding in curves and braking with the pedal at the bottom, plus one goal by scoring with a mega ball. Yes, "is all well and good," as they say those of Gialappa. Again the Focus car proves nothing bad, considering his own class.
A note on the brakes. The fund, as mentioned, was especially in bad conditions, but the force used to push the pedal seemed excessive: we may try the test in the future. Also in the gymkhana times are taken and given a vote on the "behavior" of the driver. Even in this case is definitely better than in test "green".
Moral of the story, that of 100 bloggers in Madrid, and only one winner. Who is it? In the end the result is faster myself. A great satisfaction, not so much for me, but for holding high the national colors and those of Autoblog. The challenge U.S. vs. Rest of the World ends in a draw instead.
- Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #215 (31/01/2011)
- 2012 Ford Focus officially certified at 40 mpg highway (25/02/2011)
- Video: Tanner Foust and Justin Bell set Focus Global Test Drive benchmark time... sort of. (22/02/2011)
- Autoblog Podcast #215: With Mike Austin from Car and Driver (01/02/2011)
- "2012 Ford Focus rated at 40 mpg highway" and related posts (25/02/2011)
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