Wednesday, April 15th, 2009
10 Green Projects That Just Might Save The World
Faced with massive population growth, melting ice caps and the need to own an ever-increasing number of gadgets, the world needs to find sustainable solutions.
Satellites Show Air Pollution is Way Worse Than We Thought
A new way of comparing ground and satellite collected data on air pollution has shown that 15 of 20 highly populated cities have air pollution levels that 5 to 10 times higher than the World Health Organization’s guidelines.
Texas the world’s 6th biggest wind-power producer
Although many Texans seem to doubt that climate change is man-made, they are still firm believers in clean energy. According to a new report released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Texas once again leads in wind- energy capacity and largest wind farms installed, ranking sixth in the world behind Germany…
Chinese Electric Car Company Led by Charasmatic CEO
BYD, a battery and electric car manufacturer, is led by Wang Chuan-Fu. Wang has built BYD into a global leader but still wants to be environmentally friendly. To that end, BYD has developed a nontoxic electrolyte battery fluid. “If we’re going to help solve environmental problems, we can’t create new environmental problems with our technology.”
China’s Grand Plans for Eco-Cities Now Lie Abandoned
Mostly conceived by international architects, China’s eco-cities were intended to be models of green urban design. But the planning was done with little awareness of how local people lived, and the much-touted projects have largely been scrapped.
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Friday, February 20th, 2009
I think this is going to be the second and last part of my “Complaining about the Internet” series. I just need to get this one out there.
Have you ever heard of Twitter? If so, you’ll know what I am talking about here. If not, I’ll explain what it is to you. Basically, Twitter is a website that allows you to post very short updates on the happenings of your life. It can go something like this…”I have my hand stuck in the toilet.” You can post as many updates as you would like all day long if you want to. People who follow your Twitter feed can stay updated on how many times you get your hand stuck in the toilet during the day. It’s marvelous.
I hope I am describing the service correctly; I have never actually used it.
Just because I haven’t used Twitter, doesn’t mean I can’t complain about it. Please, let me know if the following is annoying to you too.
The other day, I was watching the news or something like it. Maybe it was one of those news shows, I’m not sure. There was a fascinating story on about how a few surgeons were operating on someone and another doctor was Twittering the goings on of the operation. I didn’t think too much of it at the moment. Then, later that day, I started thinking more about it. I asked myself, “Self, why was a doctor Twittering about an operation as it was in progress?” I began having strange thoughts and my mind started to wander. I must confess, I got annoyed for a while. I finally calmed down and tried to look at the plus side of the whole thing.
Let’s look at the “goods” of Twittering during an operation:
1. Comfort – a family can sit around a computer or a mobile phone reading “Tweets” about their loved one’s operation.
2. Informed – The world can get a first hand look at what goes on during an operation.
3. Progress – The doctors and hospital can glow in the limelight of their cutting-edge technology.
4. Contact – Everyone can be proud of themselves that we no longer need to have any amount of human contact.
Today, I watched the White House press conference for a few minutes. I got to the part where the Press Secretary said, “I find it humorous how many press releases have gone out and how much Twitter activity has gone on about…” I had to stop watching. Are you serious?
Okay, I love technology just as much as the next guy, but at what point do we implant “Borg-like” cybernetic enhancements on the sides of our heads and call it a day?
I thought it was great when email arrived on the scene. What a time saver. Then, when I could read the news online, I was thrilled. When I could finally keep up with friends and families through their blogs, I just loved it. When people started broadcasting every heartbeat that occurs inside their chest cavities, I thought the line was crossed.
I tend to think that this modern computer age is a “tool” to assist us in our “real lives.” Did you read that? A “tool” to “assist” us in our “real lives.” I might be over-quoting here, but I believe we are headed towards a place that is quite the opposite of what I just said. It’s going to be like, “Oh man, I have to go out in the sunshine today? Can’t I just twist the knob on the side of my skull and relay all my thoughts to everyone who belongs to the collective? Well, if I must go outside, I am going to need some sunglasses.”
Exercise? Family time? Conversation? Hiking? Looking someone in the eyes? I don’t think so folks…I’ll just go to YouTube and watch a video of someone else exercising, email my family about what I did today, use Skype to have a face-to-face conversation, get a treadmill and call it a hike and email someone a picture of me. I think that about covers it.
As I am finishing up this post and re-reading it, I am seeing a theme among this post and my prior one about Facebook. It appears that I get most agitated at the constant updating of our lives. With my blog, I write every so often to give you folks some information about me. I do it with thought and care. I plan it, write it and then proof read it. I don’t do it randomly and I certainly don’t do it 30 times a day.
Let’s go back to the Tweet, “I have my hand stuck in the toilet.” I think many of us might ask, “Who cares?” Seriously, “W-h-o c-a-r-e-s?”
To think, I thought I was alone. This guy sums it up nicely.
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Saturday, January 24th, 2009
Colleges turn french fry oil into fuel
Students have begun making bio diesel fuel by converting used cooking oil from the dining hall.
Overcoming Information Overload
Daniel Tammet: “Our world is generating more information with more resources and technology now than at any time in history: through TV and radio programs, cell phones, magazines, email, websites, blogs, and other media… Being overwhelmed by a continuous maelstrom of information can be just as damaging to our minds as having too little of it…”
Dark flow: Proof of another universe?
For most of us the universe is unimaginably vast. But not for cosmologists. They feel decidedly hemmed in. No matter how big they build their telescopes, they can only see so far before hitting a wall. Approximately 45 billion light years away lies the cosmic horizon, the ultimate barrier because light beyond it not has not had time to reach us.
Sweden’s Fix for Banks: Nationalize Them
The Swedes have a simple message to the Americans: Bite the bullet and nationalize. With Sweden’s banks effectively bankrupt in the early 1990s, a center-right government pulled off a rapid recovery that led to taxpayers making money in the long run.
War against ivory trade takes to the sea
It’s the “other” ivory. And this week, conservationists in London stepped in to stop its sale. It might not be as well known as the stuff that comes from elephants, but the ivory from the narwhal, the tusked whale of the northern seas, is just as much in demand – and with that demand comes a threat just as severe as the one elephants face.
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Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
Obama wants to know: Why open source?
President Barack Obama is a smart guy. Where others zig, he zags. It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that he’s been asking around about the benefits of open source, according to Sun Chairman Scott McNealy, who has been asked by President Obama to author a white paper on the benefits the U.S. government can derive from open source.
10 Web Sites That Will Matter in 2009
You’ve probably never heard of many of them, but chances are you’ll be using some of these Web sites by the end of this year.
Obama inauguration marks new chapter for digital media
On March 4, 1901, a lone cameraman in the employ of Thomas A. Edison was dispatched to capture the swearing in of William McKinley. To posterity he delivered a total of 44 seconds of grainy footage showing a white-haired man on the Capitol steps solemnly, if indistinctly, raising his right hand.
Living free with Linux: 2 weeks without Windows
Can a dedicated Windows user make it for two weeks using only Linux? Preston Gralla tried it and lived to tell this tale.
10 Online Learning Tools for Students
Second semester has started and many students went back to college. If you are one of them check out this list of tools, it might help you with your studies. All applications are web based, simple to use and free.
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Wednesday, December 17th, 2008
I am absolutely terrible at recognizing milestones. It’s a wonder I remember anything. If it wasn’t for technology, I would be lost. Wait a second, technology is the reason I need to remember everything…hmmm. That’s sort of like an oxymoron. Maybe more like an enigma wrapped in a riddle. I’ll stop now.
I wanted to announce the fact that my new car passed the 1,000 mile mark. Well, that should have happened a few weeks ago, because there is something like 1,300 miles on it now. Okay, that one is gone.
Here is the real milestone that I missed. I actually wanted to have a party. My blog…this blog, now has 1,011 posts!!! Yay. I am sure that broadcasting this would have been a heck of a lot more exciting if I was announcing a nice round number like 1,000, but I guess 1,011 will have to do.
So, what do you think about that? I’m kind of psyched (that’s an 80s word for excited).
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Friday, October 17th, 2008
In Downturn, Solar Industry Sees Bright Days Ahead
People in the solar industry are hopeful that the sun is a good place to put money these days. To be sure, the financial crunch is rippling through even the fast-growing solar business: With falling house prices and general belt-tightening, consumers may be more reluctant to purchase solar panels.
The New Prius Looks Like the Old Prius
Toyota confirms photos making the rounds of the interwebz are are indeed shots of the 2010 Prius that no one was supposed to see until the Detroit auto show in January.
New Solar Hybrid Panels Will Boost Efficiency and Power
The new hybrid material – an electrically conductive plastic combined with metals including molybdenum and titanium – is the first that is sensitive to all the colours in the rainbow, allowing it to absorb all the energy contained in visible light at once.
Special Report: How Our Economy Is Killing The Earth
Most of us accept the need for a more sustainable way to live, by reducing carbon emissions, developing renewable technology and increasing energy efficiency. But are these efforts to save the planet doomed?
Could Solar Power Satellites Beam Down Gigawatts of Energy?
How pie-in-the-sky is Ben Bova’s space satellite scheme? Mr. Bova, the president emeritus of the National Space Society and a prolific science fiction author, calling on the next president to build an armada of solar power satellites (SPS) — basically large accumulations of solar cells — to help meet a substantial chunk of our energy needs.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2008
European Union Bans Incandescent Light Bulbs
The switch to energy-saving bulbs was approved by EU ministers this past week. Advocates claim that replacing the worst-performing lamps with today’s best available technology will reduce domestic energy consumption for lighting by 60 percent; equivalent to preventing 30 million tons of CO2 pollution every year.
Is Cheaper Oil A Good Thing?
It has plummeted nearly 40% in just three months, from about $147 a barrel in July to below $83 on Friday, with no obvious bottom in sight. If that sounds good, you are probably a driver who winces these days at filling your gas tank. But the downward spiral could mean trouble for oil-rich countries and for the environment.
2010 Toyota Prius Adds Muscle at Expense of Fuel Efficiency
A Toyota spokesperson said the changes were to increase the vehicle’s mass-market appeal, but with the changing economy and increased concern for the environment, it remains to be seen whether top speed will be among buyers’ concerns.
Introducing the World’s Largest Solar Powered Winery
The largest solar installation of any winery in the world is set to be built for Constellation Wines’ Gonzalez winery in Monterrey County, CA by Pacific Power Management.
Exposing the Bi-Partisan Myth of Clean Coal
There’s at least one topic the candidates in the US elections won’t be wrangling over: so-called “clean†coal. That’s because they all support it.
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Monday, September 15th, 2008
This article was written by Jay G on behalf of Iiamin.com, a popular job listings website.
If you’re looking for new employment, the Internet is an easy way to find it. Many employers have started using the Internet to find interested and qualified workers for their business.
Finding Employment Online
In tough financial times, finding employment can be like searching for the North Star on a cloudy night. Few open positions are listed in your local newspaper’s classified ads. While this is partially caused by a lack of new jobs, it is also caused by a shift in advertising mediums. Newspapers are a dying breed, and many companies have turned to newer methods of connecting with potential employees.
If you’re looking for new employment, the Internet is an easy way to find it. Many employers have started using the Internet to find interested and qualified workers for their business. This eliminates the hassle of filling out applications in the office and submitting resumes in person. By searching Internet classified ads, you can find the right job for you and continue your career today.
Many sites exist that offer job listings for every field imaginable. Some sites are pay-per-post, while others are completely free. The advances in online communication over the last decade have made it simple for businesses to connect with potential employees. Just go to your favorite search engine and enter the occupation that you’re looking for and you’re sure to find many matches.
If you’re not sure what type of employment you’re seeking, Internet classifieds offer a wide variety of open positions. Jobs from auto sales to plumbing positions are constantly opening. All you need to do is find the proper listing and strike when the iron is hot. You can start your journey down a new career path with a few clicks. Enter all the pertinent information from the comfort of your home office, instead of applying during office hours. This is especially handy if you are currently employed, but seeking something else. Your boss won’t know you’re looking elsewhere, so you won’t jeopardize your current job while you’re on the prowl for new employment.
Many listings offer home employment. While this sounds like a dream come true to some, be careful when applying to work at home positions. There are a lot of scams, so do some homework to make sure the business you’re applying to is reputable. Freelance writing is a great way to make some cash from home, but envelope stuffing is certainly a fraud. Look for testimonials from satisfied employees, and find examples of other reputable businesses in the same industry.
There are new listings appearing all the time on Internet classified websites. You will benefit from the paradigm shift to a technological society if you have the right skills. If you’re qualified to work on computers, employers are waiting to hear from you. If you specialize in the latest operating systems technology, you’ll have no trouble finding employment online. Keep your skills current and your resume updated, and you’re sure to find a great career opportunity that is perfect for you listed online.
Whether you’re a tech-head or not, online employment listings are a great way to continue your current career path or start a new one. It’s all up to you. Once you figure out what you’re looking for, get your resume ready and start emailing it to your prospective employers. Internet classifieds are the new way for the unemployed or under-employed to connect with great new job opportunities.
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Sunday, August 17th, 2008
Ten paradoxical traits of the creative personality
Creativity is a central source of meaning in our lives. Most of the things that are interesting, important, and human are the result of creativity. What makes us different from apes–our language, values, artistic expression, scientific understanding, and technology–is the result of individual ingenuity that was recognized and rewarded.
5 Reasons Why Sleeping In Every Day Boosts your Productivity
There is no hope for a civilization which starts each day to the sound of an alarm clock. -Author Unknown Sleeping in is not lazy- many individuals would actually be more productive if they slept in versus waking up early.
Solar Efficiency Record Broken
When it comes to eeking another fraction of a percentage point of power out of a solar panel, we’re pretty good at not paying attention. I mean, what’s the difference between 40.7% and 40.8% anyway? Generally these efficiency gains aren’t all that important to the future of the solar economy.
Algae Gets Another Endorsement As Biofuel Of The Future
In the world of alternative fuels, there may be nothing greener than pond scum. Algae are tiny biological factories that use photosynthesis to transform carbon dioxide and sunlight into energy so efficiently that they can double their weight several times a day, producing oil in the process — 30 times more oil per acre than soybeans.
Save the planet? Buy it
Millionaires are purchasing entire ecosystems around the world and turning them into conservation areas. Their goal? To stop environmental catastrophe.
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Sunday, December 30th, 2007
Technology Consumers Got More Choice in ‘07
In 2007 The computing world revolved around Microsoft, your wireless carrier controlled what your cellphone could do, and the record labels locked your legal music downloads with software to limit what you could do with them.
Spicebird a Mozilla-based collaboration Outlook killer
Spicebird is built on Thunderbird and Lightning, the powerful extension that adds calendaring functions to Thunderbird. Additionally it seems to integrate SamePlace, a Firefox extension that provides instant messaging capabilities based on the Jabber protoco
5 Things You’ll Love About Firefox 3
Firefox 3 Beta 2 shows some nifty new tools we can expect in Mozilla’s next browser
The Flexibility of Open Source
One of the things that has been a strong point of Open Source Software (OSS) for years, even if it hasn’t been held at the forefront of the battle, is the flexibility that OSS offers.
36 Startup Tips: From Software Engineering to PR and More!
This is a collection of startup tips covering software engineering, infrastructure, PR, conferences, legal and finance. They describe best practices for an early-stage startup
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