ConsumerReports.org - Car Crash Test

Find out how well your car can protect you in the event of of crash. ConsumerReports.org has posted several video from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on several different makes, models, and years of cars.

Mars Is Amazing

Yes this is a joke...

Microwave Experiments

Warning: Under no circumstances should you try to reproduce any of these experiments, none of them are safe. Just watch the video to see what happens.

Does-Nothing-o-Matic

Photos: Converting from analog to digital TV

CNET News.com reports: "February 17, 2009, is the day when analog broadcasts shut down, and government agencies are planning ahead for the transition. The U.S. Department of Commerce staged a public meeting and expo on Tuesday devoted to the upcoming digital television transition. Parked in front of its Washington headquarters was this TV-shaped truck, which National Association of Broadcasters representatives plan to use for a 'road show' later this fall."

It looks like standard definition television (SDTV) is going the way of the dodo. Come February 17, 2009 broadcasters are suppose to cease broadcasting the SDTV signal.

For those who still have a regular TV that can only receive the
older signal, will be eligible to recieve a $40 credit to buy a special converter. The converter allows older TVs to utilize the newer HDTV signal.

LED-Backlit Laptops

PC Magazine reports: "It's hard to distinguish one laptop display from another, let alone the technology behind it, but not all screens are the same. There's been an influx of laptop screens that use LED backlighting in place of conventional CCFL or fluorescent backlighting. This is the future of laptop screens. ... The advantages of an LED screen can be enormous if you have a keen eye for detail and knack for judging colors on the fly. ... Best of all, they consume less power, so they can save significant battery life."

Most modern laptops have an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen. One of the problems with this technology is that it uses a CCFL or fluorescent backlighting which can drain your laptop's battery. LED (Light Emitting Diode) screens produce a better pictures vs. LCD, and consume less power.

Microsoft Revamps Windows Live Search

PC Magazine reports: "The Windows Live Search rollouts continued Thursday with the release of several updates intended to improve search results, core technology and presentation."

I have to admit I really like the interface changes that Microsoft has made to their Live.com site. I also find the search results to be much more accurate then it was before.

To take another excerpt from the article: "Microsoft said it has quadrupled the size of its search index. Improvements have also been made to better predict query intent, enhance core algorithms, and extract information across the web for search returns"

Photos: iRobot phones home, cleans gutters

CNET News.com reports: "iRobot CEO Colin Angle introduces the Looj gutter-cleaning robot at DigitalLife 2007 in New York on Thursday. The Looj, whose photos were accidentally leaked earlier by the Federal Communications Commission's Web site, is a robot for cleaning gutters on the outside of the home. While it looks neat, the robot is more or less a home-helping tool that works by remote control."

These are some pretty cool new toys, ummm... I mean robots for the home. The 'ConnectR' was the coolest robot I have seen in a long time.

Microsoft: 'Halo 3' nets biggest day in entertainment history

CNet reports: "Halo 3, the much-anticipated Xbox 360 game that launched Tuesday, set the all-time record for most revenue earned in a single day by any entertainment property, Microsoft said Wednesday. ... The company said that Halo 3, the third and final episode in the hugely popular franchise, netted $170 million in sales in the U.S. in its first day. If true, that would top previous records set by the motion pictures Spider Man 3 and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

All I can say is "cool"...

The Canadian Press: Health Canada approves first human trial for experimental cancer drug

The Canadian Press reports: "Health Canada has approved the first human trial of an experimental cancer drug called dichloroacetate, or DCA, in people with an advanced form of an aggressive brain cancer. The molecule has drawn international attention after the University of Alberta's Dr. Evangelos Michelakis published promising results in January showing it significantly shrunk tumours in rats. This new trial will give doctors a clue as to whether the research's impressive results will make the jump into human subjects."

I have recently been following articles about Dichloroacetate (DCA) because it MIGHT be a promising cure for cancer. We will know more after the human trials have been completed.

Halo 3 Xbox 360 Review

1UP reports: "Master Chief just wouldn't shut up. For a few years now, the sci-fi action hero has been going on and on about 'finishing the fight' whenever video trailers and Microsoft marketing materials would allow him. But now the time's come -- Halo 3, the finale to the epic first-person-shooter trilogy, is here, and we finally get to see whether Mr. Green (and his somewhat confusing story from Halo 2) gets to finish the fight that a few evil alien races started. (Don't worry, spoiler-free review ahead....)"

Halo 3 was released today, and here is a review of the game incase your interested in it.

The four trends that will change PCs and computing over the next two years

TechRepublic.com reports: "If there’s one thing you can count on from the annual Intel Developer Forum, it’s that you won’t be bombarded with the kind of pipe dreams and vaporware you get at most of the events that cover “emerging technologies.” In the 10 years since IDF began in 1997, the conference has been a regular harbinger of what’s to come in computing, from the emergence of Wi-Fi to hyper-threading and dual-core processors."

I was a little skeptical about reading this article based on the title, but it does make some interesting points.

Images: Lincoln's on the lookout on new $5 bill

CNET News.com reports: "The U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing is preparing the image of President Lincoln to scare away would-be counterfeiters in a new $5 bill that will be released in early 2008."

Check out the new security features of the new US currency.

How The Lord Of The Rings should have ended

MC Frontalot - It Is Pitch Dark

It's a video about Zork from the nerdcore rapper MC Fontalot.

First U.S. GPL lawsuit filed

Linux-Watch reports: "For the first time in the U.S., a company and software vendor, Monsoon Multimedia, is being taken to court for a GPL violation. Previously, alleged GPL violations have all been settled by letters from the FSF (Free Software Foundation) or other open-source organizations, pointing out the violation. ... The SFLC (Software Freedom Law Center) announced on Sept. 20 that it had just filed the first ever U.S. copyright infringement lawsuit based on a violation of the GNU General Public License (GPL) on behalf of its clients. The group's clients are the two principal developers of BusyBox."

I think this is going to be the first real test of the GPL in U.S. court. I believe this case could possibly set a precedent for future GPL cases.

How to Buy a GPS

PC Magazine reports: "The portable GPS market has virtually exploded in the last year or two. On the one hand, it means more choices for consumers, one the other hand it means that shopping for a GPS device can be quite an overwhelming experience. In order to get your money's worth, you should consider how often and for what purpose you will use the device. Do you want a multipurpose system that will play your music and display your photos in addition to getting you to your destination? Or do you just want an inexpensive, basic device that will just keep you from getting lost? You also need to think about the types of trips you'll use a GPS for—whether you're looking to avoid traffic on the way to work or find the shortest route to grandma's house or both, choosing the GPS with the right feature set is key. We help you wade through the options by breaking down the specs and sharing some of our favorite GPS devices. Be sure to read our guide before you buy."

I am always keeping my eye out for the ultimate affordable (i.e.: best features for a great price) portable GPS for my car. Although, I have to admit I am still looking.

Glider vs Soul Flyers

Loic Jean Albert using a wingsuit catches up with a glider airplane in flight. The wingsuit is a special jumpsuit that shapes the human body into an airfoil which can create lift. It does this by using fabric sewn between the legs and under the arms.

7 reasons why Linux won't succeed on the desktop

itnews.com.au reports: "There are at least seven solid reasons, which I'll detail below, why Linux hasn't moved the needle beyond a single-digit desktop market share since it hit the scene in 1991, and never will. Desktop Linux's failure to launch is all the more mystifying when you consider that it's hard to think of any technology which has been backed by such an enthusiastic and committed group of supporters. Unfortunately, that boost has largely backfired."

Personally I like and respect the Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems. I use Windows as my primary OS, but I could easily use OS X or Linux if I choose to. Windows is a great OS for me. Although I will admit I enjoy dabbling in the other OSs once in while.

My biggest problem with the Mac or Linux operating systems, are the OS zealots. I get really tired of the all anti-Windows/Microsoft rhetoric. Each OS has its own pros and cons. Finally, there is no such thing as the perfect OS. My suggestion is just pick one, and use it.

The article makes some good points about why Linux will won't become the predominant desktop OS.

Hottest Sauces in the World

You have heard of Web 2.0, well this page is Web .02. The list attempts to summarize the hottest sauces in the world. The page starts with Tabasco sauce which is rated at 2,140 scoville units (a measurement of heat for hot sauces), to another one that is 16,000,000 units.

I love spicy food, but 16,000,000 scoville units sounds deadly.

Digital 'smiley face' turns 25

Yahoo! News: "It was a serious contribution to the electronic lexicon. :-) Twenty-five years ago, Carnegie Mellon University professor Scott E. Fahlman says, he was the first to use three keystrokes — a colon followed by a hyphen and a parenthesis — as a horizontal 'smiley face' in a computer message."

Happy anniversary Smiley. :-)

New Phoenix BIOS Can Snap Thieves in the Act

PC Magazine reports: "In mid-October, Phoenix Technologies is expected to announce FailSafe, a new BIOS solution with lockdown, tracking, data retrieval and other capabilities – even remote Webcam operation to snap a picture of a laptop thief. The solution won't be available directly to consumers; unlike rival Absolute Software, Phoenix sells its BIOS software directly to OEMs, which can implement the features they want to add. However, as one of the major BIOS vendors, there's a good chance that this will turn up on a next-generation business PC."

This is great technology, but it also scares me how this technology can be used against you. Somebody could make your laptop spy on you if they wanted.

Weird Al Yankovic - Another One Rides the Bus

This is Weird Al Yankovic first appearance on television was on 'The Tomorrow Show' with Tom Snyder. He does his parody of Queen's 'Another One Bites the Dust'. Click here to watch the video.

The Most Amazing Tetris Player

This guy has to be the most amazing Tetris player I have ever seen, or he has some type of system. If he has figured out a pattern that the game follows that would partially explain his speed. Although, its still an interesting video to watch.

Japan says NoPoPo, please pee pee

The Boy Genius Report: "This has to be one of the strangest pieces of technology to come out of Japan in a while, which is quite a statement given their predilection towards bizarre inventions. These new batteries, somewhat aptly named NoPoPo, look tame enough, until you peer just a little bit closer. When the charge runs out, owners are encouraged to urinate on the batteries to juice ‘em up."

I would hate recharging these batteries. I certainly hope this is not a joke.

Iron Man (Trailers)

The new Iron Man movie trailer is now available. It's scheduled to be released 05/02/08. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, Terrence Howard, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jeff Bridges, Samuel L. Jackson and Hilary Swank.

Eudora E-mail Program Reborn as Open Source - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

PC Magazine reports: "Eudora, a pioneering e-mail program named after author Eudora Welty, is rising from a technical grave as an open source program after owner Qualcomm Inc quit selling the product in May. ... Eudora routinely got strong reviews from computer magazines and had a loyal user base, but commercially it was overshadowed by software that Microsoft Corp included with new personal computers, International Business Machine's Lotus software and Web e-mail programs."

If you're a Eudora user, and you love the program this is good news for you.

Firefox 3: A look at its new security features | IT Security | TechRepublic.com

TechRepublic.com reports: "Mozilla Firefox is one of the most popular Web browsers around today. But what does the Mozilla team have in store for us along security lines? To find out, let’s take a look at the pre-release version of Firefox 3"

This update is very evolutionary and not revolutionary...

Internet People! - The Meth Minute 39

Very funny. See how many references you recognize.

Cheap GPS Cell Phones

PC Magazine reports: "Dedicated navigation systems can be pricey, but these GPS-capable phones can help you stay on track for less than $100."

Its amazing what you can do with a cellphone these days. So here is one more trick, that you can teach your phone.

How to be the Perfect Girlfriend

There are a lot of truths about males in this video. The same people who created this video have to produce one for men about women. The only problem is that we (males) might not have a long enough attention span to watch it. ;-)

The Simpsons Intro (Star Wars Version)

This is the introduction to The Simpsons TV show with a Star Wars twist. An original cartoon parody by animator Rich Cando.