Posted By RichC on April 8, 2008
In a test to see if the Palm Treo photo to blog still works, I’ll post the last addition to the new porch … a redwood surround fit for the hot tub. So far it looks nice but we will need to come up with a finish for redwood. Any expert suggestions?
EDIT: Didn’t post direct from phone. 🙁
Posted By RichC on April 7, 2008
I was sad to hear of the passing of Charlton Heston (84) this past weekend, but the last few years of his life did bring to light (as it did with President Reagan) the struggle nearly 5 million Americans face — Alzheimer’s Disease. Heston, due to his notoriety, drew attention to the disease (2002 article) which helps keep research for a cure on the front burner.
Dr. Steven Lamm of NYU School of Medicine mentioned in a news brief on Monday that we now have a early stage blood test to help with detection of Alzheimer’s Disease. This can help doctors and patients facing the debilitating symptoms better prepare for and possibility stall the onset of severe memory loss. It is hoped that by recognizing what these test detect that we will eventually find a cure. For now, treatment is to help improve diet and mental stimulation; it is thought that the foods of the Mediterranean Diet can reduce the risk or minimize the disease. One of the interesting comments from the Fox News interview was at the tail end … Dr. Lamm mentioned “I start of my day with Omega 3s.”
Posted By RichC on April 6, 2008
Posting a day late, but I told my son I would get photos of his Sunday afternoon Rugby match posted over lunch today. What a beautiful weekend in Cincinnati … and a great facility at Moeller High School! (I was told it was only the second game on their new turf) Besides the ‘rug burns,’ the Jets were able to celebrate a come from behind victory (17-12) over the established Eastside team. The enjoyable game kicks their season off with a win, unlike in previous years. Thankfully the game was played, coached and refereed well … we’ve had our share of ‘foul’ play. (photo slideshow below)
Posted By RichC on April 5, 2008
Over the next few years, there will be an increase in ‘light’ hybrid vehicles similar to the Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid, especially from General Motors (see Chevrolet Fuel Solutions). From what is in the press, GM in particular intends on meeting new economy standards with smaller engines and a small electric motor and battery. The new drivetrains will add between $1500-$3000 to many vehicles in their line-up (about the price of a GPS/DVD navigation and entertainment option). I will not be surprise if in a few years light hybrid systems will be commonplace; in fact having a passenger car without hybrid technology might be the oddity? As I recall, not too many years ago power windows and air conditioning were seen as expensive options … not to mention power steering!
Unlike the popular Toyota Prius, the ‘light’ hybrid uses battery assisted electric motor for boost — starts, climbing hills and heavy acceleration. The low capacity battery pack will keep the weight and price down making the improved efficiency affordable. This ‘strap on’ system even uses current ‘gear shifting’ transmissions and although is probably not the automotive change many expect, is probably the most cost effective way to gain a few miles per gallon.
The PBS automotive program Motorweek reviewed the 2008 Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid this past weekend and offers a look at what I think many American cars will be like in the coming years. From a dollar and sense perspective, these ‘light’ hybrids offer the improvement in fuel economy required and won’t break the bank.
Posted By RichC on April 4, 2008
There is an interesting article in MSNBC’s online Environment section where Boeing’s experimental aircraft researchers have flown a manned hydrogen fuel cell powered airplane. According to the article, Boeing Chief Technology Officer John Tracy told reporters that the fuel cell breakthrough is “full of promises for a greener future. Boeing recognizes that pollution represents a serious environmental challenge.”
The single engine land experimental plane seats two and uses an electric motor which drives a propeller. During climb-out the airplane uses lithium batteries which holds reserve of power generated by the hydrogen fuel cells, but after reaching cruise altitude, the fuel cells generate enough electricity on their own to maintain straight and level flight at 60 miles per hour.
The successful tests consisted of three flights in February and March at an airfield in Ocana, Spain and were seen as successful in every way. Boeing indicated that although the cost and infrastructure for hydrogen is high, that “fuel cells are two to three times more efficient in converting energy than today’s internal combustion engines.” They don’t expect fuel cells to power large aircraft, but believe this type of power will be ideal for small manned and particularly unmanned aircraft. “Over the longer term,” Boeing indicated that “solid oxide fuel cells could be applied to secondary power-generating systems, such as auxiliary power units for large commercial airplanes.”
Posted By RichC on April 3, 2008
Those of us using Palm Treos (and Centros) are curious as to what’s next in the Treo lineup … and Andrew from the Treonauts blog posted an interesting illustration. He speculates that there is a significant Apple influence at Palm and points to the latest hires from that innovative company. I’m not sure what this means for future Treos, but it is fun to speculate — besides I like the illustration!
The company Elevation Partners has a 25% stake in Palm, and has several ex-Apple guys on board. They are suspected to be intimately involved in with working on the next generation smartphone to sport the Treo nameplate. High on the list of wants needs is a new OS for the Palm; it is rumored that it will operate much more like the iPhone user interface — called Nova OS.
On the other end, improvements will be made on the hardware front. New devices will be designed to run both the Nova OS and Windows Mobile operating system and most assume any Treo device will retain a full QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen. There aren’t any authoritative indications as to what the new phones will look like, but as Andrew’s article lists a few ‘wishes’ … “an ultraslim device along the lines of the iPhone with a full QWERTY rubber keyboard like that found on the Centro along with 3G connectivity, a high-speed processor, flush touchscreen, built-in WiFi and possibly also GPS among others.” I wonder just how realistic this 800p illustration and “wish list” is?
Posted By RichC on April 2, 2008
The radical looking biodiesel powered circumnavigating boat has delayed their start in going for a record run around the world by two week (see last years blog entries). The re-start was to take place at the end of last month, but according to Captain Pete Bethune the biodiesel supply planned for their stop in Portugal has been held up in customs will delay the start until April 15th or 20th. According to the Earthrace website and blogs, the refurbished boat has even more eye-popping looks with its new paint and electronics. The high speed time trials have gone well although Pete indicated that there was still a slight propeller shaft vibration on the port engine which they will continue to work on. Here’s some audio from the New Zealand captain.
EDIT: Adding promo video.
Posted By RichC on April 2, 2008
As the online social networking trend continues to grow, there seems to be a site for every interest. If you enjoy trading and investing UpDown.com has a smooth running site that might even pay you for your participation. First, if your portfolio beats the S&P 500, you’ll earn monthy monetary rewards. Second, if you are a ‘good’ stock analyst and can write solid views on particular stocks, UpDown.com will pay for top advice. Third, refer a friend using the form and receive a 10% bonus based on how much these people earn money and participate.
Besides the monetary reason to join, the site is easy to used and a great place to gain insight or just fluff from other traders and investors. The mechanics of the site run well and building a watch list, analyzing companies and buying stocks is easy.
I’ve yet to participate in the ‘groups,’ but have read some of the impressive returns of their members. Yes when its ‘play money’ traders can take more risk, but there are a few with pretty good insight at picking stock buy and sell points. There is a 20% maximum that can be owned in any one position and a 5% limit based on daily trading volume of stock that you desire a position in … along with a $100 ‘virtual dollar’ commission per trade. You can only sell short if your buying power exceeds the size of the short position.
UpDown.com Social Networking guys was launch a few months ago by a few Harvard Business School students (same place Facebook founder came from) CNBC did a segment back in September 2007 when the site launched; check it out below.
Posted By RichC on April 1, 2008
Google Docs , the online Microsoft Office or Open Office substitute, is systematically rolling out the offline component for documents. The popular Internet based ‘free’ collaborating software and document storage solution has now answering the problem of what to do when traveling away from an Internet connection … use Google Docs Offline.
To use Google Docs Offline with Firefox (Mac, Linux or PC), you must first install the Google Gears extension which will allow Google Docs to work without an Internet connection needs to be installed prior to using Google Docs Offline. The rollout for users will begin on April 1st, but only with a small number of users.
Initially only word processing documents can be read and edited in the offline mode, but spreadsheets will be able to be read, although not edited. The Presentations component is something being worked on but will not be initially available. Collaboration on documents when modified or created offline will not be available until the new document has been synced, which happens when you come back online. (icon at the top right turns green indicates an active Internet connection)
Google Gears for Google Docs will require Internet Explorer 6 and above or FireFox 1.6 and above (not including Firefox Beta 3) on Windows, Mac, and Linux. There is currently no support for other browsers including Safari, Flock, Opera, or the various mobile browsers.
Google highlights a few point if you intended to use Google Docs:
1. Security: Google Docs offline is meant to be used on a personal
computer, not a public one.
2. Syncing Changes: To sync up your edits made offline, make sure you
always go back online using the same computer and same browser!
3. Errors while offline: If you do experience errors while working
offline, to ensure you don’t lose work, always save your work to a
text file.
See Google Docs Blog for additional information.
Posted By RichC on March 31, 2008
My daughter mentioned the movie “Unaccompanied Minors” last week and said, “Dad you’ll love it.” She refused to tell me anymore about it, but was anxious to here my reaction. So I added it to the top of our “one at a time” Blockbuster Online subscription and it arrived in time for movie night. Although it is a kids movie and is more appropriate for watching around the Christmas holidays, it still had me laughing — especially as I watched the dad (Rob Corddry) chugging along in his old biodiesel powered Mercedes. Check out the garage where he
is filling up his vintage Mercedes Benz, you’ll see his blue storage jugs on the shelf, a large caged plastic tote common to home brewers and he might even have an Appleseed Biodiesel Processor. You be the judge?
Eventually the dad’s biodiesel Mercedes leaks out all the veggie fuel and explodes after filling with petroleum diesel (a stretch). In order to continue his trip through the snowstorm, he is forced to drive a Hummer and delivers the best line in the movie: “I’ve already filled you up five times! How can you drink so much … you yellow monster!”
🙂
Rarely do you get a movie that prominently mentions the vegetable based fuel … even if they did sort of confuse biodiesel with SVO/WVO systems. If you are looking for a funny family movie with a twist of environmental and biodiesel humor … check out Unaccompanied Minors on DVD; I’ll include a short clip highlighting the dad’s trip to pick up his kids stranded at an airport below.