My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on February 24, 2006

UPDATE as of 2/24/2006 -15:30 EST: Judge James R. Spencer of Federal District Court in Richmond, declined to rule on an injunction that would shut down Research in Motion’s Blackberry service. The judge indicated that he was disappointed that the companies had not been able to reach a settlement.
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As the Blackberry (RIM) situation continues many investors and ‘crackberry’ addicts wish RIM’s chairman Jim Baisillie would just pay up. I’ve commented on the story as what this patent infringement case is about. From the laymans perspective, Mr Baisillie seems to be using the slow wheels of the legal system to give his company time to work out a technical solution. According to RIM, their ‘workaround’ solution is already in place and they are prepared in case the ‘off’ switch is thrown.
Competitors like Palm and others are seeing improving sales of their products, partly through aggressive advertising by their cell phone partners and adopting the windows operating system on their popular Treo 700w. Ken Wert was on CNBC’s Squakbox this morning and commented on how the RIM/NTP wrangling has impacted Palm’s business. The question arises if they can handle a switch if corporations decide to toss their Blackberrys. (listen to short mp3 clip)

A little more history:

Don Stout and the late Thomas Campana developed a way to send emails wirelessly in 1992. Their patent for this “push” email technology was upheld by Judge Spencer in a suit filled again RIM in 2001 in a ruling in 2002. The jury determined RIM had violated NTP’s patent and ordered RIM to way $53.7 million. (8.55% royalty on US Blackberry sales and service) Of course this was challenged by RIM in appeal which the Supreme Court refused to hear. Back to Judge Spencer — so RIM decides they will attempt to postpone (IMHO to develop a workaround) by filing another suit challenging the validity of the original patent held by NTP … which conveniently could take another year to come to court.

In the technology world this time frame only seems to favor RIM as the original suit was filed in 2001 and now they are talking adding another year to 2006? Five years will have gone by with RIMs’ engineers working on a internal solution. Judge Spencer is not too happy with this and will hold a hearing Friday on the injunction. He could rule immediately, or take more time to consider the case. RIM says it has a software “workaround” that will ensure continued BlackBerry service, but NTP has vowed to challenge such a move.

The biggest fear for consumers is that their blackberries that they pay for will not work. Some are high ranking government officials and others are emergency responders … can you say “class action suit” if this happens? Considering the size of RIM, the popularity of the Blackberry and the cost to continue the legal battle, would you think it is advisable to just pay up?

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Posted By RichC on February 23, 2006

No, the new diesel SUVs are not here yet … even if you can cost justify them. I’ve been monitoring the diesel options soon to be available from the likes of Mercedes (Alabama build SUV GL-class above), BMW and Audi as they have all commented that more diesels will be available in the United States soon — a relative term. Currently diesel lovers are limited to a handful of ‘car-sized’ vehicles from Volkwagen, a single Jeep Liberty ‘smallish’ SUV and a ‘lone,’ but superb, Mercedes E320 CDI ($50K+). In 2005 BMW let Automobile Magazine know that they were planning to offer a diesel in ‘something’ by 2007. (no new news that I could find as to what models)

Audi has been working on a SUV killer ever since Volkswagen Touareg received lavish praise in the US and around the world … particularly in rally racing in Dakar and DARPA challenge with the diesel versions. (VW only brought a handful to the US, and only the $58,000 V-10 version. – see 3/2005 VW Press Release) According to Edmonds Inside Line, the Audi Q7 platformed vehicle will show up first as a V-8 and then finally with a diesel option in 2008. If the preliminary numbers reported are correct, you can leave your checkbook behind and start the application for your second mortgage.

I suspect that once the ULSD is successfully available throughout the US (2007 model year vehicles) and the EPA approves the NOx reduction technology and particulate filters, that diesel craving American drivers will soon have a few more efficient vehicles to chose from.

Category: Volkswagen | No Comments »
Tags: volkswagen

Posted By RichC on February 22, 2006

And you thought “Quisp was for kids?” (or is that Trix?)
🙂
NV Satyanarayana, a science graduate based in India, has developed a Micro Windmill Mobile charger designed to use the wind to charge cells phones. It is fan blade connected to a generator with an output wire which connects to your mobile phone.
The big advantage is that the average efficiency of windmills is 35% whereas the comparable solar units are about 15%. According to NewLaunches website, the Mobile Windmill unit is weather proof and lightweight. It can also be used to charge batteries for other devices such as laptops, handheld computers/PDAs, MP3 players and video games.

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Posted By RichC on February 21, 2006

Someone forwarded me this interesting piece of driving from somewhere in Russia. Its a BMW M5 chasing an old style Audi RS4 down a busy 4 lane highway. Considering this clip is ‘real’ and not Hollywood, its sort of frightening. I does make me realize just how quick the M5 is. Hey, Dave can you put my name on The BMW Store M5 waiting list?
🙂

Category: Automotive | 4 Comments »
Tags: audi, BMW

Posted By RichC on February 20, 2006

George Washington was actually born on February 11, but a bill drafted in 1968 becoming law in 1971 has created a day that celebrated two US Presidents: Washington and Lincoln. The final day picked to celebrate these men ended up being the 3rd Monday in February, but the name was never officially changed from “Washington’s Birthday” — although most calendars and Americans designate it as Presidents’ Day.

Interestingly, FoxNews broadcasted a Presidents’ Day trivia question this morning while announcing that President Bush was kicking off his week long push to promote alternative energy. I believe there were three President in the 20th century never to have held elected office prior to being President — how about you? (See clip below) It is good to see the bully pulpit being put to work in promoting something that ‘should,’ for the most part, receive universal support. Attention to our “petroleum addiction” from politicians is a good thing, but let’s leave the refinement of policy to scientists and engineers while we fire up capitalism and the sleeping US corporations to move this agenda along. If Americans can get to the moon in 10 years, certainly we can take a bite out of our oil importation?

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Posted By RichC on February 20, 2006

I’ll make this a short post as the video (click read the rest of story) pretty much tells the whole story. First, “the girl,” yes female rider, driving the motorcycle is fine. She had no broken bones and is thankful not to have been rear-ended. After watching these kinds of accidents, no matter how much I find myself wanting a motorcycle, I realize how dangerous “the other drivers” on the road can be. (I’ll bet the RallyVW team could use a camera like this???)

Category: Misc | No Comments »
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Posted By RichC on February 19, 2006

The Daytona 500 ran today, as it does every year at this time to kick off the NASCAR season. Jimmy Johnson won in his Lowes sponsored #48 Chevrolet ten days after his crew chief was kicked out for illegally altering his car. Besides the ‘taint’ on the victory, Johnson drove a competitive race as did all the drivers; this capped off a exciting week for fans. BTW … Bon Jovi kicked off the race today with music enjoyed by participants and fans alike. See short video clip at the end of this post.

Since most of you will find enough press covering the Daytona 500, I thought I would comment on another upcoming race — The Greatest Auto Race of 2008. Preparations are being made to run an anniversary race — the 100 year anniversary of The Greatest Auto Race. The first race started in Times Square on February 12, 1908 and traveled a 22,000 mile trip around the world to Paris France. The national teams from several countries attempted to be first to complete the trip having to plow through snowstorms in the American Heartland and traverse nearly impossible terrain in parts of Asia. The race was eventually completed by 3 of the teams but Thomas Flyer of the US was given the victory after the German team was penalized.

The anniversary race will begin February 12, 2008 and will contain several classes while closely patterning the original race. Next year’s event will be a rally style race around the world and offer a $1,000,000 purse. Great Race 2008, as it is called, will start in New York City 100 years to the day after the start of the “Greatest Auto Race,” and travel the 22,000 miles to Paris, France just as the 1908 race did.

There will be 40 teams, 20 vintage pre-1969 vehicles and 20 competing in the latest in automotive technologies such as alternative-fuel vehicles. Each of 20 teams will pick a technology that can meet the challenge of successfully completing a race over 22,000 miles in 80 days. They will all require top-notch rally-racing techniques yet in a vehicle that is fuel efficient and runs on alternative fuels. Most of all they must be able to endure extreme conditions that the 22,000 mile route will present. Fuel type and availability, technological reliability and driver endurance will be critical to finishing the race. This will be a fun race to follow. I’m cheering for a BIODIESEL powered hybrid! (if there is one?)
🙂

Category: Automotive, Video | No Comments »
Tags: bonjovi, daytona500, nascar, racing

Posted By RichC on February 18, 2006

How many specialty lubricants are made for cars? I don’t know but there sure are a bunch. Do we need them all? I participate in several car forums and nothing causes as much debate as what oils and lubricants to use in and on our cars. Opinions vary and loyalty to brands can generate strong emotions. To appease the masses, about the only safe conclusion is to refer to the specifications recommended by the manufacturer. (although if you drive a VW TDI there will be disagreement even with that!)
🙂
For some general advice, a February 2006 episode of Motorweek is worth listening too. In the Goss’ Garage segment, Pat Goss reviews a few specialty products that do-it-yourself mechanics often overlook; be sure to check out the short Quicktime video clip to see what he recommends.

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Posted By RichC on February 17, 2006

Automotive News published a story shedding a few more details on Volkswagen’s new Golf-sized SUV code named “Concept A.” VW brand chairman Wolfgang Bernhard indicated that they wanted to have a vehicle that would compete with the BMW X3 (I’m not sure they can?) and referred to the Concept A as the Touareg’s “Little Brother.” Cute, huh?
🙂

The Golf sized SUV will be unveiled publicly at the Geneva Auto Show the final week of this month and begin production as a 2007 vehicle. According to Bernard it will be marketed “with a reasonable price” and will be a “go-anywhere” coupe. The photo above is of the concept, although according to Jason Stein of Automotive News, “the production version of the one-off show car will be less flamboyant in production form.”

Powertrain options are stated to be initially VW’s 148 hp 1.4 liter direct-injection Twin Super and Turbo charger engine that is found in the European Golf GT. The supercharger offers low end pull and the turbo charger kicks in at the higher RPMs. Stein reports that it is rumored the Golf GTI 197 hp turbocharged 2.0 liter and the Golf GTD’s 170 hp 2.0 liter turbodiesel could be offerred.

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Posted By RichC on February 16, 2006

Thanks to EAA friend Mark Keener and his scrutiny of all things aviation, a video clip of Larry Neal flying his Super Sky Cycle was brought to my attention – its an interesting flying motorcycle prototype nearing kit production. I know what you’re thinking, “But Rich, the media has been telling us about these kinds of things for decades, why is this any different?” Maybe it’s not, but on the surface, it looks pretty good.

The Super Sky Cycle design by Larry Neal was issued U.S. Patent No. 6,978,969 on Dec. 27 2005 and will help open the door to technology protection in regards to his rotorcraft. What’s particularly unique is that this motorcycle looking ‘flying machine’ is that he has a patent that covers a vehicle with a folding rotor shaft and transmission to power either the drive propeller or wheels.” According to Neal, “The problem with flying cars in the past was what to do with the wings once you were on the ground. With a gyroplane, just fold the rotor blades and drive on down the road. Using rotor blades for the wings of a flying car makes the fly-drive Super Sky Cycle a new kind of vehicle.”

Larry Neal and investors in ButterflyLLC, plan to market their “fly-drive” vehicle as an experimental kit. In a press statement that explains a few of the components that are incorporated in the Super Sky Cycle. It is powered by a Rotax 582 engine (commonly used in a variety of Ultralight Aircraft) and uses a three-blade 60-inch propeller and unpowered folding rotor blades for lift. Although this patented flying motorcycle is based on the Monarch Butterfly experimental aircraft, the Super Sky Cycle has just recently made its maiden flight. (December 23, 2005) Neal’s new fly-drive vehicle is capable of flying as slow as 20 mph, cruises at 50 mph using half throttle, and tops out at 65 mph. It has been designed to land in about 20 feet and when folded will fit in a standard garage.

I’m slowly progressing on a plan based experimental airplane project myself (Sonex), and like all aviation enthusiasts continue to admire almost all personal flying machines. In my blog, I’ve enjoyed commenting on 1930’s aircraft which have similarities to Larry Neal’s projects, like the Pitcairn PA-18 Autogiro, or pondering the vision of a company designing the AMV-211 concept. It is interesting to monitor and contemplate what the future of personal aviation has to offer.

Want to know what Larry Neal is planning next? All one has to do is to see what on the workshop table. (ie. a two-place Super Sky Car!)

For those of you thinking about attending “Sun’n Fun” fly-in at Lakeland, Florida (April 4-10), be sure to say hello to Larry Neal and check out his Super Sky Cycle. BTW … he plans on demonstrating it in both flying and driving modes.

Larry Neal and his Super Sky Cycle – WFAA News Clip

Category: Aviation, Video | 6 Comments »
Tags: larry neal, super sky cycle