August 31, 2005

Pizza Vending Machine

YUMMY!!!
The innovative machine holds, cooks and serves nine inch pizza pies in just 2 minutes. There are 3 different pizzas available in each machine at one time. Maybe it's this type of "forward" thinking that has led to america's ever expanding waistline...

Now this is my kind of vending machine!!!!

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Invisible force field!

3M Corporation
David Swenson of 3M Corporation describes an anomaly where workers encountered a strange "invisible wall" in the area under a fast-moving sheet of electrically charged polypropelene film in a factory.


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Diamonds aren't forever (Material harder than Diamond found)

Physicists in Germany have created a material that is harder than diamond. Natalia Dubrovinskaia and colleagues at the University of Bayreuth made the new material by subjecting carbon-60 molecules to immense pressures. The new form of carbon, which is known as aggregated diamond nanorods, is expected to have many industrial applications.

Very Cool!! Material R&D is really going places these days! I wonder if it has the fire of a diamond? :)

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Katrina was a Bitch!!!


Well Katrina the hurricane is gone but what a mess she has left behind! I have donated money to the Red Cross to help out as much as I can and I urge you do the same. Even $10 will help. If everyone would donate just $10, they would be more than enough to cover food, water and shelter for the displaced. Just go without your Starbucks for a few days. :)   There are going to be literally millions of people displaced and homeless for weeks and months. Please donate to the Red Cross with the link on the title to this post or your local Red Cross Chapter. Thanks! ~t


Red Cross

iTunes Phone to launch September 7?

Hello MOTO!
Very interesting developments with Apple and Moto. What has Steve got up his sleeve this time? There has been speculation for quite awhile that there would be an iTunes phone but until recently the manufacturer was not confirmed. Can you say MOTO? We will undoubtedly find out on Sept 7th....

August 29, 2005

Nanocoating could eliminate foggy windows and lenses


"Foggy windows and lenses are a nuisance, and in the case of automobile windows, can pose a driving hazard. Now, a group of scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) may have found a permanent solution to the problem. The team has developed a unique polymer coating — made of silica nanoparticles — that they say can create surfaces that never fog." This is pretty cool stuff here! You will be seeing more and more of these cool nano-tech stories in the news in days to come. This is a going to be a huge, HUGE future R&D niche that will lead to many very cool inventions!! ~t

August 27, 2005

Sweden's twisting tower


MALMO, Sweden (AP) -- The Nordics' tallest skyscraper was officially opened Saturday with prize-winning Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava surveying the view from the 54th floor.

Check this wild skyscraper out! Its floors twist as the building gets taller and at the top they have twisted a full 90 degrees! Very cool building.
To read the entire article, click on the title or the story link below. ~t

Story | Website | Flash

August 26, 2005

Toyota Prius Hybrid Owners Hacking To Increase Gas Mileage

Gremban, an electrical engineer and committed environmentalist, spent several months and $3,000 US tinkering with his car. Plugging the car into a wall outlet at his home in this San Francisco suburb - all for about a quarter.

Okay, I am definitely no genuis but tell me, Why aren't these ideas coming out of the car companies? Aren't they supposedly the "experts"? It seems to me that if people tinkering around can get this much increased performance out of a hybrid car then the car companies are looking sort of shabby..... I dunno, maybe I'm seeing it wrong here but, I'm just not sure anymore..... ~t

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August 24, 2005

The NW Airlines Replacement Mechanics

A busload of replacement workers passed between NWA strikers on Sunday at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.You gotta feel for these guys but ya know, I've had to make many sacrafices at my job to keep employed. Its just a very turbulent time these days trying to stay employed and retain at least some of the benefits you have had in past years like health insurance etc. I think this is a real bad case of union leadership that has led these people to the unemployment lines.


Click on the Title of this post for the article. ~t

August 23, 2005

Over 1,000 Streaming TV Stations, Live 24/7

From every corner of the globe, these guys carry an INSANE amount of stuff. Great especially if you're looking for global programming, like BBC (which they have) and much, much more.

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Aye Carumba!

What a whirlwind of a weekend! I haven't even really caught up yet and its almost Wednesday! I haven't even really been keeping up with the news or anything other than that dim wit Pat Robertson.... What is up with that guy?!?! Is he just dim or does he think what he says is actually that important? Not that I'm a Chavez fan but if we don't like countries talking that way then we should at least adhere to our own supposed morals and ethics. Google news link is below.

Stories

August 19, 2005

Carbon strips could build elevator to space

Scientists have created the ultimate ribbon. A thousand times thinner than a human hair and a few centimetres wide, the carbon sheet is stronger than steel for its weight, and could open the door to everything from artificial muscles to a space elevator capable of sending astronauts and tourists into orbit.

The team of nanotechnology experts from the  University of Texas at Dallas  and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation in Australia have developed a way to assemble a form of carbon called "nanotubes" into flat sheets.

Full Story

Another Story with video

Podcasting technology grows and evolves


Take a look at this story on Podcasting.

A podcast is essentially an amateur audio file uploaded to the Internet and automatically distributed to subscribers.

Although some traditional media have created their own podcasts, the craze has grown largely on the popularity of the unpolished musings of hobbyists doing it for love or fun.

Story

Intel plans Digital Communities

Taipei, Taiwan

BRAVO! This is what I'm talkin' about! Kudos to Intel! These cities mentioned in the article and Intel are looking to the future with this public Wi-Fi coverage. Poo poo on those in the U.S. that are trying to prevent things like this from happening due to special interest control and self serving interets. Read this article, I think this is what the near future holds at least for densely populated areas.

Story

August 18, 2005

5 bucks a gallon for gas? Expert sees it in 2006

If you think all this flirting with $3-a-gallon gas is already a pain in the pocketbook, brace yourself.

Oil expert Craig Smith predicts gas prices will skyrocket next year, jumping to five bucks a gallon.

This is pretty scary. We need to start demanding alternative energy solutions or we will be walking soon!

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August 17, 2005

Gravity powered aircraft flies with no fuel


This is a very cool idea! Although, I don't think I would like to be on the maiden flight, it does seem to have very real potential for freight/cargo applications. Check it out. ~t

Story

August 16, 2005

iPod problems, BUMMER!

Well it had to happen sooner or later. Of course, it was just as I was getting really comfortable listening to my daily podcasts the unthinkable happens....."Unknown Error has occurred while updating iPod (-36)". Well I don't know about you but this not only sent cold shivers up my spine but, it also didn't mean squat to me either. What the hell is unknown error (-36)?!?! If it's unknown then why does it have a number associated with it?!!?! I was lost. Then after about an hour, I was pissed! My iPod was sick and now I was not going to be able to pass the time at work while listening to my favorite podcasts!!! I might actually have to pass the time working or something!!! After spazing out for a few minutes I was slapped a few times by my wife (she likes it anyway) and I found a great site on the internet in case you have some iPod problems too. From the number of hits I found in Google for iPod errors, I'm apparently not alone. The site is called Methodshop.com and they have an iPod support page that has several scenarios that you might use to help your sick iPod. Check it out. When you are comepletely lost it sure is great that someone has taken the time to help out with a page like this.

Methodshop.com

August 15, 2005

Texans blame gas prices on greed


"Survey for state oil group also reveals that 55 percent believe industry is under regulated." I would have to agree with this story. the fact that refining capacity hasn't changed much in the last 25 to 30 years backs this up. They don't want to increase refining capacity. Why should they? By restricting the refining capacity they win whether oil goes thru the roof or not. Too much of our government policy and too many of our congressmen and women are controlled, or at the least, heavily influenced by these huge oil corporations. They don't want to see things get better at the pump. They do not want alternative fuels. They like thinks just the way they are! They are singing all the way to the bank and we are talking big BIG MONEY. We need alternative fuels and a government that supports those who develop them with more than just rhetoric!

Story

August 14, 2005

Virtual keyboard could revolutionise telephone usage

Virtual Keyboards embedded on top of phones in the future, for easy text input.

This is way cool!!! imagine no more physical keyboard for basically any physical device! Especially for phones and two way pagers.

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August 11, 2005

The $20 cell phone is on the horizon





Texas Instruments has done it again! Read this article about the new TI Cellphone on a chip story. Its amazing! Now if we could just take one phone from one carrier and use it with another! I guess one thing at a time..... ~t

http://www.gizmag.co.uk/linktous/4400/

Wright Amendment is WRONG!

I have to say..... I read a story today about another politician who's pockets must be a little heavier today. Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson (30th Congressional District Texas) has decided, for who knows what reason, that she not only backs the Wright Amendment but, she wants to close Love Field. She wants to close one of the largest economic engines in her district!!! Hows that for a stick in the eye!!! I wrote an email to her ( even though she does not accept emails from any concerned U.S. citizen but, only from those people living in her district) trying to tell her how dumb this idea is.

The following is the letter I sent her (that she will probably trash):
Ms. Johnson, I read a story today in The Dallas Morning News and I just had to write and tell you how dumb your reasoning is. My beef is about your stand on the Wright amendment and I cannot believe your flawed logic that you are using to try and rationalize your position. First, competition does not exist at DFW(American Airlines Airport) so closing Love would strangle the areas consumers even more. Second, many, and I REPEAT, MANY larger metropolitan areas support two and even three airports and there is plenty of good competition which in the long run is good for everyone (Chicago, Houston, Seattle etc.). Third, the fact that you own property (even thru a trust and even with out control of its operations) should preclude you from the argument due to conflicts of interest. Even if you don't have control in the operation, you do have an interest in keeping the enterprise viable. Fourth, competition and jobs are not created by restrictive legislation but, by competition and letting the consumer decide what the market should offer not some politician who doesn't even support her own constituents best interests! Unbelievable! Man, am I glad you are not representing me!

Please contact your congressman or Senator and let them know you are tired of them deciding what is "best" for us. We should decide not some far removed self-serving politician. Do I hear an AYE for term limits!?

US House Website US Senate Website

Scientists use plastic to make steel

Wow! Here is another amazing story about materials development. Australian scientists have developed a technique to use waste plastic in steel making, a process that could have implications for recycling scrap metal that accounts for 40 percent of steel production. -t

Give it a read with the digg link below.

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Zap of Electricity Creates Fluid Situation for Liquid

Whoa! This is the stuff that science fiction novels are made of. Check out this story on the Washington Post web site! -t

August 09, 2005

Discovery and Crew safe on Earth!


Discovery and the STS-114 crew have touched down safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California, successfully wrapping up NASA's historic Return to Flight mission. Way to go!!!

John C. Dvorak says shrink-wrapped OS X coming.

"Dvorak: Steve Jobs eventually intends for Apple's Mac OS X to run on any x86 PC." He says it is all a plot to overthrow Vista. I agree completely! Jobs is going to let the demand for his OSX on white boxes build until he has no choice (either because of hacked copies of OSX out on the internet or until he thinks its right to do it). I'm sure Gates has already played out this scenario in his mind and it probably is a wee bit scary! Get your Apple stock now while its only $43. It will seem cheap in a few years when you look back at the opportunity you missed out on!!!!

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August 04, 2005

Federal Legislation to Block Public Wifi is Ludicrous!

The latest version of anti-consumer legislation is coming this time from Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, who is introducing a federal law that would ban cities such as Boston from providing free or low-cost Wi-Fi to its residents. Another neo-conservative corporate shill, Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Florida, has signed up as a co-sponsor of the bill. Read this article and you will get mad. I did and I can't believe what is going on in DC these days! Show your displeasure at the voting booth next election!!! Oh the pain.......

August 01, 2005

Tips from the Top Floor Digital Photography Podcast





Check out Tips from the Top Floor website. Chris Marquardt is the host and he has a great site and a really informative podcast on digital photography. Check it! Posted by Picasa