My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on October 29, 2007

There isn’t much doubt that the best team in baseball this year resides in Boston. Last night the Red Sox won game four of the World Series (4-3) and defeated the national league’s best, the Cinderella-like Colorado Rockies. Although the Rockies won 20 of their last 21 games to get to the World Series early, they were no match for the American League Boston Red Sox. (or perhaps it was during the long layoff that the Rockies lost their momentum?) At any rate, there is not much doubt that pro sport owners in Boston know how to build winning teams.

My congratulations to the Sox, their friends and fans … even though it pains me.

Category: Sports | 34 Comments »
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Posted By RichC on October 28, 2007

The Volkswagen Touareg has been impressive ever since its introduction back in 2003. It is a technology oriented 4×4 SUV that has developed an impressive pedigree over the last 4 years with races in Dakar, Baja, Pikes Peak and the unmanned DARPA competition. (race version of the Touareg2 to the right) The Touareg isn’t just about performance as it is also an attractive and comfortable SUV; it is just as impressive in everyday driving and offers an array of creature comforts that are easy on the body; from the exterior it is also pleasing to eyes in my opinion. But that is where is stops for many of us as the new 2008 VW Touareg2 is still without a third row seat or from what I’ve seen to date … a U.S. V-6 diesel. (see March 8, 2007 post) Price and economy has been another sour note for many of us; for example the current V-10 diesel TDI version lists for nearly $70,000.

The video above is from the long running PBS automotive program Motorweek and reviews the redesigned 2008 model. Below are two videos by a Volkswagen of America’s General Manager of Product Management detailing many of the features of the Touareg2.

Category: Automotive, Volkswagen | 4 Comments »
Tags: tdi, touareg, vw

Posted By RichC on October 27, 2007

Let me state that I’m not a big fan of Hans Blix, or even most of the PBS ‘political’ oriented news programs, but I do occasionally check on shows not available on a regularly watched right leaning news station. That said, Charlie Rose had a 25 minute interview with the previous head United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and more recently the Swedish based Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMDC). He is a politician and diplomat as well as the author of the 2004 publication “Disarming Iraq.”

It is clear that Mr. Blix has political views that differ from our countries current path, his goal is none the less the same: a nuclear free Iraq and Iran. To Charlie Rose’s credit, he had a couple challenging questions that seem to remain unanswered by Blix. The current U.S. policy is to negotiate from strengthen in preventing nuclear weapon development in initially Iraq and most recently Iran differs from the softer negotiation mention subscribed by Hans Blix. He sees the build up of forces and ultimatums prior to talking with radical Arab leaders counter productive, and believes that we should negotiate with all things on the table first and stand down military presence in the middle east. Its a dangerous time to be wrong.

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Posted By RichC on October 26, 2007

I still think I could be talked into this electric car with an EPA rated range of 245 miles that can do 0-60 in 4 seconds, look as good as a Ferrari and be recharged in 3-1/2 hours.It offers electric vehicles good hope for the future … too bad the Tesla is going to cost over $100K. (article and youtube video)

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Posted By RichC on October 25, 2007

Biodiesel Magazine reported the successful results from flight testing by Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions this week in Reno, Nevada. The Czechoslovakian L-29 aircraft blended a mixture with Jet-A at the beginning of the flight and slowly increased the blend until it reached B100 (100% biodiesel). The jet powered aircraft reached 17,000 feet and showed “no significant difference in performance compared to jet fuel” according to Green Flight International. Biodiesel Solutions President Rudi Wiedemann commented “the very idea of using 100 percent biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of renewable energy and a healthier planet.”

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Posted By RichC on October 24, 2007

Garmin software (my current preferred GPS product outside of the Treo) will soon be available for the Palm GPS. Will the TomTom continue to be offered?

The software from Garmin will be the Mobile XT product and offer turn by turn directions, with voice as well as the Garmin online service which includes traffic, fuel prices, hotel prices and weather information. I’ve read that the current price will be $249 in the U.S. and Canada … including the Garmin online information. According to Engadget, it should be available in November.

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Posted By RichC on October 23, 2007

I can’t think of a bigger topic that excites the small car diesel crowd (VW) than have a new Honda diesel, especially one with great mileage and a little zip. Honda’s head powertrain engineer, Kenichi Nagahiro revealed to AutoCar (according to LeftLaneNews) that a diesel-powered Civic Type-R will improve on the current 140 horsepower version by working with the 2.2L CTDi engine used in the diesel Accord … overseas of course. (but the promise of a U.S. Honda diesel has been hinted) According to the engineers, the 2.2L CTDi to be used in the Type-R Civic will be able to produce 180 horsepower and 315 ft-lb of torque.

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Posted By RichC on October 22, 2007

The parents of Lt. Michael Murphy received the highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, two year after the death of their son from President Bush on Monday. His sacrifice for his team and nation are second to none and well deserve the highest recognition. I’ve written previously about the Navy SEAL team chronicled in the book “Lone Survivor” by Marcus Luttrell, and the great sacrifice that was made in the defense of out country.

A brief history: Lt. Murphy was part of a Navy SEAL team conducting a reconnaissance mission on June 28, 2005. Besides himself, the four man team consisted of Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (SEAL) Danny Dietz, Sonar Technician 2nd Class (SEAL) Matthew Axelson and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SEAL) Marcus Luttrell. The four SEALs were hunting a terrorist called Ahmad Shah who grew up in the adjacent mountains to where they were inserted. As the SEALs worked under cover, they came across a young man tending his animals and debated whether to eliminate the risk (kill) or allow him to return to his village and continue to try to move toward their target. Their decision would cost 3 of the SEALs their lives as well as an extraction chopper that went down with and additional 16 men as word quickly spread of American solder in the 10,000-foot peaks of Afghanistan’s Hindu Kush. The anti-coalition militia closed in on the four SEALs and a fierce firefight erupted. The enemy had the SEALs outnumbered, knew the terrain and forced the four into a ravine.

Each man suffered injury as they scrabble to avoid being trapped and a firefight ensued. The four SEALs were pinned with little hope of succeeding against a well armed militia of 75+ men. Lt. Murphy is credited with risking his own life to save the lives of his teammates in attempting to contact with headquarters by moving to an exposed position to transmit a call to get help for his men; he became an open target. According to Marcus Luttrell, Murphy used his cell phone to contact the SOF Quick Reaction Force at Bagram Air Base to request support and extraction team. He was shot in the back, completed the call and continued to fire at the enemy while trying to return to his cover position.

According to SOA accounts the Reaction Force responded immediately and “an MH-47 Chinook helicopter, with eight additional SEALs and eight Army Night Stalkers aboard, was sent is as part of an extraction mission to pull out the four embattled SEALs. The MH-47 was escorted by heavily-armored, Army attack helicopters. Entering a hot combat zone, attack helicopters are used initially to neutralize the enemy and make it safer for the lightly-armored, personnel-transport helicopter to insert.

The heavy weight of the attack helicopters slowed the formation’s advance prompting the MH-47 to outrun their armored escort. They knew the tremendous risk going into an active enemy area in daylight, without their attack support, and without the cover of night. Risk would, of course, be minimized if they put the helicopter down in a safe zone. But knowing that their warrior brothers were shot, surrounded and severely wounded, the rescue team opted to directly enter the oncoming battle in hopes of landing on brutally hazardous terrain.

As the Chinook raced to the battle, a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter, killing all 16 men aboard.”

Meanwhile the four SEALs, Murphy, Luttrell, Dietz and Axelson held on and continued to fight until they were out of ammunition. The two hour gun battle killed an estimated 35 Taliban fighters and eventually Murphy, Axelson and Dietz. Luttrell was knocked unconscious by a rocket propelled grenade which tossed him over a ridge. He was able to regain his consciousness and escape on hands and knees; he was dehydrated, had a bullet wound in one leg and shrapnel in the other. Three of his vertebrae were cracked and he was too weak to contact the rescue helicopters. Eventually he traveled seven miles and evaded the enemy.

The next day a group of locals took him in and hid him from the Taliban who were looking for him. A Marine outpost was notified and on July 2, 2005 the U.S. forces sent troops in to bring him home. The loss of so many SEALs in one day is noted as “the single largest loss of life for Naval Special Warfare since World War II.”

For Lt. Murphy’s heroism, President Bush thanked Dan and Maureen Murphy and their son John, and presented them with their son’s Medal of Honor.

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Posted By RichC on October 21, 2007

You would think after 25 years of marriage that I would learn that women are rarely impressed with ‘tech gadgets’ for Sweetest Day gifts? Perhaps I’m a slow learner in replacing my wife’s old Palm Treo 600 with a new Palm Centro, but I did … to a mixed response. She was glad for a new phone, but made it clear that it wasn’t the kind of intimate ‘thought’ that she was expecting from a husband that should know better.
🙂

With that aside, I’ve played with the new ‘small’ smartphone a couple of days now and have found it really impressed me. First, the Sprint promo price of $99 with a 2 year contract extension make the Centro the best buy going … in my opinion. The phone quality seems better than average and it has most of the features that are part of the larger Treo line of Palm phones. The phone comes loaded with a good selection of Palm software to start, as well as the very functional touch screen operating system.

The smaller keypad will take some getting use to as will the small display, but it is clear and very sharp. Those in the ’40+ something’ age group may want to consider using a pair of reading glasses. That said, its not as bad as I expected once I started using it. The keys are easy to use with a finger nail … and not really any slower than my current thumb-tip keyboard on my Treo 700p. The phone has the same 1280×1024 camera with video clip capability as the other premium Palm phones and include a much better speaker. (much better) The speaker makes the Centro into an excellent pocket radio capable of playing streaming internet station or an MP3 collection with the pTunes software. Of course it can also be used with headphones or an adapter that can be played through your car or home audio system as well as run in the background while working with other features.

Phone quality is very good and the EVDO high speed data service seems as fast as, if not faster, than my Treo 700p. There is plenty of internal memory but also a micro-SD slot and removable battery. If you are looking to own your first smartphone, and appreciate the Palm OS, I have no problem endorsing the new Palm Centro … its an excellent value.

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Posted By RichC on October 19, 2007

I’m a long time Apple Macintosh computer user and am currently running the Tiger OS 10.4.10 on my desktop, although am running Microsoft Vista on my notebook. It is interesting to see what the creative folks at Apple are bring to the table next … no doubt it will continue to be a blend of “form and function.” The current change coming in about a week is an operating system release called Leopard. For any computer owner, an OS update is often a time to worry; it means learning a new interface and unfortunately the frustrating glitches when working with existing software. My question is whether or not to take the early leap and install Leopard?

Over lunch today I watched Apple’s web-based Leopard presentation and was impressed with a couple of items. The most important addition being something called “Time Machine” which makes backing up your computer easy and restoring something even easier. This feature, in my opinion, would be the number one reason to upgrade. (it uses a large low cost generic external harddrive to archive your entire computer) The second thing that impressed me was the improvements to the impressive video conferencing software packaged with the Apple OS called IChatAV. The improvements that I thought were attractive were in the productivity area; for example when partnering on a document, project or presentation. The ease of being able to talk and share all kinds of documents, videos and presentations immediately and ‘live’ to actually working on a document located on the desktop of your coworkers computer was nice. Its certainly a great feature that would be helpful in finalizing a presentation or document between parties located a distance away. The video chat component also had some cool enhancements … like allowing you to replace the background of your chat window with something other than your surroundings. (a kind of like ‘green screening’ … the demo looked near perfect)

Finally the challenge of ‘doing the upgrade’ looks to have been simplified. According to the presentation, it a few clicks and the walk away; in about and hours your Tiger OS mac will restart in Leopard with all your programs and data. Sounds good … but is it worth the $129?

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