Posted By RichC on April 17, 2008
Its been a while since watching yachting on television, but I enjoyed ESPN2’s coverage of the Acura Miami Grand Prix. If you like sailboat racing, set your TIVO and ‘vote’ for more! See additional footage at Jobson Sailing.
Posted By RichC on April 16, 2008
As someone who holds entirely too many share of Intel (INTC), I’ve been dreading the anticipated news of a bad quarter from Intel. They at least should offset the weak quarter with a positive outlook. Wednesday pre-open electronic trading has INTC at 22.45 Up 1.54 (7.36%) as of 7:52AM ET.
Intel Corp. posted a 12% drop in first-quarter profit, but indicated that healthy demand for its widely used microprocessors is offsetting recent problems in memory chips.
Some investors had been worried that the technology bellwether would issue a bearish forecast, amid questions about the health of computer demand and general economic jitters. But Intel’s prediction for second-quarter revenue came in slightly above Wall Street’s average estimates, and it maintained a prediction for improved profit margins for 2008.
“The competitive position of our core business is superb,” said Paul Otellini, Intel’s chief executive, during a conference call.
More at WSJ
Posted By RichC on April 15, 2008
The Rocket Racing League plans to exhibit their rocket powered racing planes for the first time at EAA Airventure this summer on August 1st and 2nd in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Granger Whitelaw, a co-founder and the CEO of Rocket Racing League, indicated that they still need to firm up sponsorships and media deals before expanding the league, but are already planning on ramping up the production line for the planes. They still have yet to gain Federal Aviation Administration approval for these races so its a chicken and egg thing at the moment. As for the airshow, the FAA has yet to give its final OK for this year’s exhibition flights as well, which could limit appearances to static displays from an aviation enthusiast perspective. That said, Granger Whitelaw already envisions Velocity Aircraft coming out with a new line of six-seat and four-seat luxury airplanes that will incorporating technologies developed for the Rocket Racers. For many of us that anticipated price tag of over $1 million for the the six-seater model may keep us on the tarmac … but you’ve got to love the climb-rate — see MSNBC posted raw video of a rocket powered Velocity taking off (below).
Posted By RichC on April 14, 2008
According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, Delta Air Lines Inc. and Northwest Airlines Corp. may unveil their long-delayed merger announcement on Tuesday. As airlines struggle with high fuel prices and a softening economy, they are all looking for ways to control costs and salvage markets. If the merger goes through, it would make Delta/Northwest the largest airline.
Monday afternoon CNBC newsbrief.
Posted By RichC on April 14, 2008
A couple months ago I posted “Would you like a lemon with your water?” and have personally decided that it is something I can do without. Since my daughter, who is in medical school, was home this past week on spring break, the “Lemon story” came up when we were out to eat.We had a good hearted discussion and debate, and her argument was that a good strong immune system stays that way when it is required to defend your body so a little bacteria is no big deal. She debated that the “lemon wedge thing” could be a bit over blown concluding that researchers could probably find contaminates in most restaurants. (I’m not completely in disagreement, but will still pass on “lemon with my water.”) Anyway, I spotted another similar news story this weekend and thought I would share … and of course will forward the link to my daughter after I flush the toilet a few times next to her toothbrush!
🙂
Posted By RichC on April 13, 2008
I’ve posted a few times before about different renewable oil crops used produce biofuels and have concluded that the most promising is algae grown to product biodiesel. (here’s an excellent PDF document) The desert cement pond approach has been my thinking all along, although several innovative companies are working on even better ideas. The efficiency in which algae grows and the non-competitive nature of algae for food makes it nearly ideal.
Valcent Products Inc. is a leader in working with a vertical grow system and their CEO Glen Kertz has produced an online video that ballyhoos their reasoning. (posted a little over at CinciTDI last year) If the cost can be kept down, I think they may just have something.
Posted By RichC on April 13, 2008
IndUS Aviation has flown a two-stroke diesel Thorpedo DP concept airplane from Dallas to Lakeland, Florida for Sun ‘n Fun. This new diesel powered light sport aircraft (LSA) has a unique a three-cylinder, liquid cooled, turbocharged diesel engine installed in an inverted mount. The Thorpedo DP will be the first diesel LSA and is said to only consume only 3.5 to 4 gallon per hour burning Jet-A. Although this is the first time the WAM 120 has been flying in the U.S., it has been flying for four years and logged 400 hours in a Thorp T211 in England. The 220 lb. dry 120 horsepower should be ideal for a variety of airplanes and proves the next generation of “green powerplants” for a slew of LSA.
IndUS Aviation President Ram Pattisapu explained that this will be the first ASTM-compliant diesel engine to enter the marketplace and that “avgas isn’t available around the world like it is here in the United States, so to make general aviation accessible around the world we need an aircraft that uses a fuel that’s more readily available.†According the EAA, IndUS expects special light sport aircraft approval prior to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh this summer. (July 28 – August 3)
Posted By RichC on April 12, 2008
I noticed that the free wifi spot that I occasionally frequent over lunch is restricting connect times to 30 minutes. It is understandable, but will probably for me to change my lunch stop (personally speaking 60 minutes would have been more appropriate). Interestingly a friend of mine who regularly connects at Panera Bread has come up with a devious solution — changing his computer’s ‘mac address’ using SMAC 2.0. I’ve installed it on my Vista OS Notebook and will give it a try.
Follow up …
Unfortunately this didn’t work when I tried it earlier in the week. I held off posting as I wanted to review it with ‘IT guru’ friend. Unfortunately it will not work on my Vista notebook; I’m unable to change my MAC address manually or with the software. So much for me “sticking it to the man.”
🙂
Posted By RichC on April 11, 2008
I’m on a text messaging roll … three posts in a row … but this one is a good one — très cool. Amazon.com launched a new service this week which allows looking up pricing from their site from your text messaging enabled cell phone — TextBuyIt.
Picture this … you head into you local office supply store to purchase a $60 toner cartridge for your old printer and happen to notice that a new printer is on sale … and wow its a color laser! The mood strikes and you start thinking … hmm, maybe a I’ll get the new printer … but are you getting a good price? You flip out your cell phone and text the UPC, ISBN or the product name or description to Amazon’s TextBuyIt — 262966. Within seconds a message comes to your phone with two prices prices and the ability to get additional information … or in Amazon’s case, a decision to purchase from them. (either on the cell phone or back home on your computer) If you want to buy, you text back “1” or “2” for the listed items. If you want more information, you text back “1d” or “2d” for details. If you want more options, text “m.” All the options available by text message can be retrieve by sending back the letter “h.”
I’m not so sure you’ll find me buying products by text message from Amazon, but I be checking prices. Hmm … lets go look at 42″ Plasma and LCD HDTVs.
🙂
Posted By RichC on April 11, 2008
In keeping with the text messaging theme, the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) by 2010 is preparing a nationwide text messaging alert system that will be used for three primary purposes.
First it would be a message from the President of the United States to warn of a terrorist attack or natural disaster. The second would involve “imminent threats,” which could include natural disasters like hurricanes or tornadoes or even university shootings. The third would be reserved for child abduction emergencies, or so-called Amber Alerts. These will be ‘special’ text messages and be delivered with a unique audio signature or “vibration cadence.” The FCC press release follows.
Washington, DC – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today adopted a First Report and Order (Order) that will support the ability of the nation’s wireless carriers to transmit timely and accurate alerts, warnings and critical information to the cell phones and other mobile devices of consumers during disasters or other emergencies.
In compliance with the Warning, Alert and Response Network Act (WARN Act), today’s Order adopts relevant technical requirements based on the recommendations of the Commercial Mobile Service Alert Advisory Committee (CMSAAC) for the transmission of such emergency messages to the public.
During emergencies, Americans increasingly rely on wireless telecommunications services and devices to receive critical, time-sensitive information anywhere, anytime. Once fully implemented, the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) will help ensure that Americans who subscribe to participating wireless services receive emergency alerts when there is a disaster or emergency that may impact their lives or well-being.
Wireless carriers that choose to participate in the CMAS will transmit text-based alerts to their subscribers. As technology evolves, the CMAS may eventually include audio and video services to transmit emergency alerts to the public. To ensure that people with disabilities who subscribe to wireless services receive these emergency alerts, the FCC adopted rules that will require wireless carriers who participate in the CMAS to transmit messages with both vibration cadence and audio attention signals.
Consumers can expect to receive three types of messages via their cell phones and other mobile devices from participating wireless carriers, including:
– Presidential Alerts – national emergency-related alerts delivered to the American public that would preempt any other pending alerts;
– Imminent Threat Alerts – alerts with information on emergencies that may pose an imminent risk to people’s lives or well-being; and
– Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts – alerts related to missing or endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation.Under the CMAS, subscribers to wireless services with roaming agreements will receive timely alerts, provided the subscriber’s mobile device is configured for, and technically capable of, receiving such emergency alerts from the network they are roaming on.
Participating wireless carriers will be required to comply with the rules adopted in the Order today within 10 months from the date of announcement that a Federal agency has been designated to collect and transmit the alerts to the wireless carriers.
Action by the Commission, April 9, 2008, by Commercial Mobile Alert Service First Report and Order (FCC 08-99). Chairman Martin, and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. Separate Statements issued by Chairman Martin, and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate and McDowell. PS Docket No. 07-287.
Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) contact is Lisa Fowlkes, Deputy Bureau Chief, at (202) 418-7452.
News and other information about the Federal Communications Commission
is available at www.fcc.gov.