Lightning Jolts Teen Working on PC Source: AP: "A teenager working on his computer was jolted by a lightning strike that hit his family's home. Mike Bergeron, 15, of Council Bluffs was in the basement of the home about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday when lightning struck the roof of the house, traveled through the electrical lines to the computer and shocked him.
"Linda Bergeron said the impact of the jolt sent her son flying about 5 feet backward. His sister was heading downstairs at the time and heard him fall. 'He was unconscious when she found him,' Linda Bergeron said. She said her son spent time in cardiac care at the hospital. He was released Wednesday morning but is going through outpatient care." (This is why licensed electricians install those 20 foot long copper grounding rods in the dirt. -Bill) # Permalink
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11:52 AM
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DVD to Pocket PC Software A new software package from Makayama Software (try saying that three times quickly) allows you to convert DVDs to your PocketPC or Smartphone and other models coming soon for about $30.
According to their website: "Now you can convert your DVD's to your Pocket PC and watch them in great quality, with stereo sound and in full screen landscape mode. A memorycard as small as 128 Mb is sufficient to store a full length feature film, up to a hundred minutes. Take your DVD's on the plane, train or automobile, watch them on vacation, at work or at school. With only two clicks, this PC software converts the content of your DVD to a super small movie file, which will play on any Windows Mobile 2003 device, such as HP iPaq, on a postage stamp size memory card."
Hmmmm, that makes me think of two things. Once: no cellphone can run that long on a single charge, and two, guess that means a lot of people will be bringing along porn SDs on their next business trip. Maybe they already do..... # Permalink
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9:21 AM
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Geek Alert: New Cellphone Wrist Carrier Not sure why this would be a better alternative to say putting your cellphone in your pocket, or purse, or backpack, but the Karrysafe allows you to cuff your cellphone to your wrist via a strong and alamingly long elastic wristband.
Maybe it's just me, but doesn't that look like one of those repetitive stress injury arm thingies slackers in the 90's wore? # Permalink
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8:25 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Thursday, August 05, 2004
Disney dishes up computer for kids Disney has add a computer and flat screen monitor to its lineup of consumer electronics products. It's Windows based and with the monitor it should set you back about $900. Bill Rant of the Day: Listen, why don't you just take the $900 and put it toward your child's legal defense or burial fund. Your kid doesn't need yet another mickey mouse computer to occupy its time. He or she needs you, a parent (not a friend), as teacher and guide, up close and personal. It's time that mom and dad sat down and figured out whether they want a kid or a career. The two are mutually exclusive for at least one parent (although woman are better prepared genetically for the monumentally difficult task of child raising, men can be trained to do a reasonable replacement job) and no computer or video game or TV can change that. # Permalink
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10:52 PM
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The Aquariass? Who Said Toilets Haven't Been Upgraded in Decades Dept: Ok, so today we truly have seen everything. That said, we included the aptly named, but still foul-sounding "Aquariass" as proof that even old technologies can change and get a semi-high tech upgrade.
This does not mean we support the Internet-ready refrigerator, or the microwave that downloads "recipes" (Like what would those be? Cook on High for 4 minutes...Cook on medium for three....) But we digress.
The only other bonus we see to the fish tank and toilet combo, is the ease in which you can send the dead fish a flushin' with a simple flick of the wrist. Oh, and it's only $1,000 for the base model. # Permalink
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10:20 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
TiVo Wins! Users Can Share Shows According to Reuters, "TiVo Inc., maker of popular digital television recording devices, on Wednesday received approval for technology that would permit users to send copies of digital broadcast shows over the Internet to a limited number of friends.
The FCC voted to certify digital protections on TiVoToGo, which is not yet available but would enable a user to record and send a digital broadcast television show to up to nine others who have been registered on that person's service and has been given a key to see it."
Epson Launches TVs That Print What Will They Think of Next Dept: Epson is taking advantage of the fact that TVs are getting bigger by adding an inkjet printer and flash memory card reader to its Livingstation TVs.
An article on News.com reported: "The Megaport project, which also involves media organizations such as Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun and publisher Kadokawa Shoten, produces television programs that combine broadcasts with printable content such as maps and brochures. For example, a viewer could watch a television commercial for a furniture store, then print out the product catalog with the click of a button.
"According to Seiichi Hirano, director and chief executive of Epson's imaging and information products division, there will be growing opportunities in this arena as digital broadcasting becomes more popular around the world. The company sees television-based printing as a natural meeting point for its core business--imaging--and its emerging efforts in the market for large-screen televisions." # Permalink
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2:54 PM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Another One Bites the Dust: CeBIT 2005 Canceled No Comdex and now no CeBIT America. But come to think of it, what on earth was CeBIT America anyway? Did anyone ever go? The one in Germany sounded cool and it is still on for now, so I guess there is worse news to report. # Permalink
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4:46 PM
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Sign Alice and Bill's Guestbook Hey Gang! It's that time again. Please sign our guestbook and say hello to the whole A&B community: independent tech lovers like you. Take a sec to say hello.
Our webhost calls it a "dreambook" which is really lame sounding and can only make us dream of a better name, but it's free and a great way for you to leave word for all.
"By eliminating the need and complexity of swashplates, collective and cyclic control through a coaxial rotor design a number of benefits beyond conventional helicopter designs are immediately realized. First; enhanced, intuitive flight controls are achieved by simple motorcycle-style handlebars and the absence of a tail rotor. To gain altitude, simply throttle up like you would on a motorcycle, turn left or right on the handlebars for craft rotation and move the handlebar assembly as a joystick for directional control (including reverse). No pedal controls are necessary, which means someone without the use of their legs can just as easily fly the AirScooter. Handlebar controls represent the most distinguishable feature of the AirScooter. AirScooter's patented design also provides an amazing level of stability while in the air and during flight.
"In addition to intuitive and greatly simplified flight control, perhaps the AirScooter's greatest design feature, is that it falls into the ultralight weight class; requiring no pilot's license. With limited practice, a recreational pilot can quickly become confident with the controls and perform basic flight maneuvers."
Long-awaited Doom 3 Leaked Online It's ironic that the game that spawned the whole concept of try before you buy software is being pirated and leaked in its entirety on the Internet. For those not in the know, Doom 3 is the much anticipated follow-up to the cult classic Doom, which took the first person shooter to a whole new level back in the day.
This past Sunday over 50,000 copies were downloaded on file sharing networks despite the hefty 1.5 GB file size. The game is expected to cost about $55 retail when it hits stores this week, and id software the creator is devastated by the lost revenue after pouring nearly 20 million into the development. # Permalink
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10:11 AM
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AOL Phases Out Business IM PC World has a good piece on AOL's decision to phase out business instant messaging, abandoning its AIM Enterprise Gateway. This comes on the heels of Yahoo's announcement that it was canning the Yahoo Business Messenger.
"AOL launched the AIM Enterprise Gateway in November 2002, a response to 'IT managers' request that they wanted a control point between our network and the AIM client on their employees' desktops,' says Brian Curry, AOL's senior director of AIM Network Services. 'This was the product to do this.'
"FaceTime Communications, a player in the instant messaging gateway software space, developed AIM Enterprise Gateway for AOL. At the same time, AOL also partnered with FaceTime competitors, such as Akonix Systems and IMlogic, to certify their products' compatibility with the AIM network.'Over time, it became apparent to AOL that it made little sense for it to continue to develop, market, and support an enterprise instant messaging gateway when it could simply partner with vendors that specialize in this type of software, Curry says.'" # Permalink
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10:10 AM
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New Virus Poses as Berg video According to the BBC, "A virus purporting to show video of Nick Berg alive has been released on the internet, warn security experts. The virus is in a message post to tens of thousands of newsgroups, said anti-virus firm Sophos.
"It is the same one that posed as a suicide note from Arnold Schwarzenegger and as images claiming to show that Osama Bin Laden had killed himself. Computer owners are advised to ensure their anti-virus software is up-to-date and avoid opening unknown messages."
(Berg was beheaded in Iraq.) # Permalink
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10:09 AM
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THE LATEST NEWS
Monday, August 02, 2004
Linux patent infringements Linux potentially infringes 283 patents, including 27 held by Microsoft but none that have been validated by court judgments, according to a group that sells insurance to protect those using or selling Linux against intellectual-property litigation.
Of the 283 patents, 98 are owned by Linux allies, including 60 from IBM, 20 from Hewlett-Packard and 11 from Intel. The months-long review examined versions 2.4 and 2.6 of the kernel, or heart, of Linux.
So let's see how the open source community reacts now that it's been slapped in the face by reality.
Swapping CPUs? Did you know that heatsink compound is frowned upon for long-term use? While considered fine if you'll be swapping CPUs on a regular basis, apparently the compound can break down over time and provide an uneven contact surface. The preferred substance is thermal pads. Added bonus: thermal pads won't accidentally wipe off on your fingers and stain the couch.
Source: AP: "A teenager working on his computer was jolted by a lightning strike that hit his family's home. Mike Bergeron, 15, of Council Bluffs was in the basement of the home about 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday when lightning struck the roof of the house, traveled through the electrical lines to the computer and shocked him.
A new software package from Makayama Software (try saying that three times quickly) allows you to convert DVDs to your PocketPC or Smartphone and other models coming soon for about $30.
Not sure why this would be a better alternative to say putting your cellphone in your pocket, or purse, or backpack, but the Karrysafe allows you to cuff your cellphone to your wrist via a strong and alamingly long elastic wristband.
Who Said Toilets Haven't Been Upgraded in Decades Dept: Ok, so today we truly have seen everything. That said, we included the aptly named, but still foul-sounding "Aquariass" as proof that even old technologies can change and get a semi-high tech upgrade.
According to Reuters, "TiVo Inc., maker of popular digital television recording devices, on Wednesday received approval for technology that would permit users to send copies of digital broadcast shows over the Internet to a limited number of friends. 
What Will They Think of Next Dept: Epson is taking advantage of the fact that TVs are getting bigger by adding an inkjet printer and flash memory card reader to its Livingstation TVs.
Hey Gang! It's that time again. Please sign our guestbook and say hello to the whole A&B community: independent tech lovers like you. Take a sec to say hello.
"By eliminating the need and complexity of swashplates, collective and cyclic control through a coaxial rotor design a number of benefits beyond conventional helicopter designs are immediately realized. First; enhanced, intuitive flight controls are achieved by simple motorcycle-style handlebars and the absence of a tail rotor. To gain altitude, simply throttle up like you would on a motorcycle, turn left or right on the handlebars for craft rotation and move the handlebar assembly as a joystick for directional control (including reverse). No pedal controls are necessary, which means someone without the use of their legs can just as easily fly the AirScooter. Handlebar controls represent the most distinguishable feature of the AirScooter. AirScooter's patented design also provides an amazing level of stability while in the air and during flight.
It's ironic that the game that spawned the whole concept of try before you buy software is being pirated and leaked in its entirety on the Internet. For those not in the know, Doom 3 is the much anticipated follow-up to the cult classic Doom, which took the first person shooter to a whole new level back in the day.