Wednesday, November 26, 2008
GPS guides Norwegian tourists into trouble in Rio - Yahoo! News
Be careful with those GPS units. Maybe a map wouldn't be a bad idea.....
Monday, November 24, 2008
Gift Card Alert
I wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to
give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful
that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores
that are planning to close after
Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays
even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is
no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it
is referred to as (Bankruptcy Planning). Below is a
partial list of stores that you need to be
cautious about.
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150
stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after
January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after
January.20
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stor~s
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores
This was sent to me by Gary O, I thought I would post it here as an up date to my Links from the Gregg Zone as a follow up to the Black Friday post. Gregg
give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful
that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores
that are planning to close after
Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays
even though the cards will be worthless January 1. There is
no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it
is referred to as (Bankruptcy Planning). Below is a
partial list of stores that you need to be
cautious about.
Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)
Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant, Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150
stores nationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after
January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after
January.20
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stor~s
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores
Dillard's to close some stores
This was sent to me by Gary O, I thought I would post it here as an up date to my Links from the Gregg Zone as a follow up to the Black Friday post. Gregg
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-23-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-23-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) Starting with that old familiar green car link that seems to be becoming a trend for me. This is a link to what is granted a niche car; it would not work well in most applications. But, it sure looks like fun, and would keep you and a few friends in shape, so it is not only green, but healthy. I am talking about a human powered car that can hit 60 mph. That seems pretty good to me, it is made for one to four people, the car mechanism is like a cross between the old railroad pump type track cars, and a rowing machine. It seats four people, and up to four can contribute to powering the car. It can also be operated by full electric as a NEV, it is street legal, sells for around fifteen grand, available now. It has an electric motor that can charge on the down hill, and then assists on the uphill. Also can be re-charged as a plug in. http://www.humancar.com/
2) This is another car link I am sorry I found two this week that I just had to use. If you have not been keeping up on the Think car you might want to check out this article from CNN Money this may be the breakthrough electric car for us here in the States. They are talking about selling in the U.S. next year. Starting between 15-17,000 dollars, that’s pretty good considering the lowest price all electric production vehicle in the states now is the Tesela, at 100k plus, and they are only planning to produce 200 units this year. There are some very big names behind this car, and a lot of investment capital. There business plan, and production methodology are fantastic and are going to put the big three at big risk. This may be the next VW bug to hit the U.S. market. I am putting up two links here one for the article in CNN http://money.cnn.com/ And, another for the Sterling engine mentioned in the article, I could have done a segment on this alone, a very good read, with lots of related links. http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp
3) Next up I have three green links sent to me from Troll in the chat room, you know that the NEV market is picking up when you find an online parts store selling replacement parts for several companies, usually the only place you can get parts is from the original manufacture, this site also sells a variety of new units http://www.electricmotorsport.com The second link here about some of the green cars moving into the California market, http://gas2.org/ And the third about green living ideas, I particularly liked the article on Energy Efficient Mortgages what a great idea, I really like that concept. http://greenlivingideas.com/
4) I was following up on the Space Elevator one of my very early links, thought I would post an update on what’s going on for 2008, they just had the 2008 Space Elevator Conference sponsored by Microsoft in mid July I was hoping to find some reference to what went down on the net, not much luck yet. If you happen to run across something please let me know. I am posting two links one to the Wikipedia listing, http://en.wikipedia.org and one for the 2010 challenge, http://www.spaceward.org
5) Last up get an early jump on the upcoming Black Friday sales event coming up on the 28th next week. Plan well, so you get the most for your investments, two sites the first a rather extensive site with lots of ads, http://bfads.net/ here is another this one has the advantage of being able to select a category, or store to help your search http://www.bfgear.com/ google will get you many more for sure, if these don’t fit the bill.
2) This is another car link I am sorry I found two this week that I just had to use. If you have not been keeping up on the Think car you might want to check out this article from CNN Money this may be the breakthrough electric car for us here in the States. They are talking about selling in the U.S. next year. Starting between 15-17,000 dollars, that’s pretty good considering the lowest price all electric production vehicle in the states now is the Tesela, at 100k plus, and they are only planning to produce 200 units this year. There are some very big names behind this car, and a lot of investment capital. There business plan, and production methodology are fantastic and are going to put the big three at big risk. This may be the next VW bug to hit the U.S. market. I am putting up two links here one for the article in CNN http://money.cnn.com/ And, another for the Sterling engine mentioned in the article, I could have done a segment on this alone, a very good read, with lots of related links. http://www.bekkoame.ne.jp
3) Next up I have three green links sent to me from Troll in the chat room, you know that the NEV market is picking up when you find an online parts store selling replacement parts for several companies, usually the only place you can get parts is from the original manufacture, this site also sells a variety of new units http://www.electricmotorsport.com The second link here about some of the green cars moving into the California market, http://gas2.org/ And the third about green living ideas, I particularly liked the article on Energy Efficient Mortgages what a great idea, I really like that concept. http://greenlivingideas.com/
4) I was following up on the Space Elevator one of my very early links, thought I would post an update on what’s going on for 2008, they just had the 2008 Space Elevator Conference sponsored by Microsoft in mid July I was hoping to find some reference to what went down on the net, not much luck yet. If you happen to run across something please let me know. I am posting two links one to the Wikipedia listing, http://en.wikipedia.org and one for the 2010 challenge, http://www.spaceward.org
5) Last up get an early jump on the upcoming Black Friday sales event coming up on the 28th next week. Plan well, so you get the most for your investments, two sites the first a rather extensive site with lots of ads, http://bfads.net/ here is another this one has the advantage of being able to select a category, or store to help your search http://www.bfgear.com/ google will get you many more for sure, if these don’t fit the bill.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-16-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-16-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) For my opening green car link of the week I have a site that carries news and announcements about what the players in the field are up to, as far as environmentally conscious products, and research is concerned. http://www.autobloggreen.com/ I like this site quite a bit there is a lot here, try clicking on the box titled manufacturers, you will find 73 companies listed, from Acura to Zenn, then click on the company to see what they are up to. Just an aside, the news story about Ener1 (a battery company), a story that was released today caught my eye. So I looked up the stock selling around $7.00, Fridays closing price. Might be one to follow after the announcement in the article, just for grins. http://investing.businessweek.com
2) This is another link on a subject I just cannot seem to get enough of, the whole business of using mental power to operate a computer, and therefore almost anything mechanical, from a wheel chair, to a car. Well if you would like to try the new technology, this may be your chance. These guys are selling a head set, well maybe not quite yet, you can sign up and reserve one. I can only guess that means very soon you can buy. The price under $300.00, well maybe. Any way the head set can be used to control your video game by your thoughts, every thing from moving stuff to controlling the emotion of the avatars. The company is hiring if you are looking and qualify, if you are listening from Sydney Australia they are even looking for volunteers to play with the stuff, sounds like fun. http://emotiv.com/
3) Now how about some of non-political, political stuff, after all we just finished an election, I feel the need to offer just a “little” something. Here is a link to an article about a nano-scientist who has created 3-D portraits of our new president, smaller than a grain of salt. He is calling them nanobamas. John Hart; and colleagues at the University of Michigan produced them by growing nano-tubes to form the portraits in order to bring attention to the field of nano-technology. http://www.sciencedaily.com
4) This link comes by way of Riley, knowing that I like to cook, and since I missed out at Jacks wiping of tears gathering in Texas. He sent me this link with fry bread recipes; I have not had a chance to try any yet, but am looking forward to trying several as soon as the weather cools down. In the winter months I like to move from salads and sandwiches to soups, stews, and fresh made bread. http://www.manataka.org
5) For my final geek link my usual attempt to find something that may be a talking point for the show I ran across this article about Microsoft launching their first online store. I first read about it in an Australian newspaper, they commented that it was done in a sort of stealth mode last Friday. I am sure there are a lot of other sources that may be more informative, and it may not even be news to this audience, but it is the first I have heard about it. http://www.crn.com
2) This is another link on a subject I just cannot seem to get enough of, the whole business of using mental power to operate a computer, and therefore almost anything mechanical, from a wheel chair, to a car. Well if you would like to try the new technology, this may be your chance. These guys are selling a head set, well maybe not quite yet, you can sign up and reserve one. I can only guess that means very soon you can buy. The price under $300.00, well maybe. Any way the head set can be used to control your video game by your thoughts, every thing from moving stuff to controlling the emotion of the avatars. The company is hiring if you are looking and qualify, if you are listening from Sydney Australia they are even looking for volunteers to play with the stuff, sounds like fun. http://emotiv.com/
3) Now how about some of non-political, political stuff, after all we just finished an election, I feel the need to offer just a “little” something. Here is a link to an article about a nano-scientist who has created 3-D portraits of our new president, smaller than a grain of salt. He is calling them nanobamas. John Hart; and colleagues at the University of Michigan produced them by growing nano-tubes to form the portraits in order to bring attention to the field of nano-technology. http://www.sciencedaily.com
4) This link comes by way of Riley, knowing that I like to cook, and since I missed out at Jacks wiping of tears gathering in Texas. He sent me this link with fry bread recipes; I have not had a chance to try any yet, but am looking forward to trying several as soon as the weather cools down. In the winter months I like to move from salads and sandwiches to soups, stews, and fresh made bread. http://www.manataka.org
5) For my final geek link my usual attempt to find something that may be a talking point for the show I ran across this article about Microsoft launching their first online store. I first read about it in an Australian newspaper, they commented that it was done in a sort of stealth mode last Friday. I am sure there are a lot of other sources that may be more informative, and it may not even be news to this audience, but it is the first I have heard about it. http://www.crn.com
Sunday, November 09, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-09-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-09-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) You gotta know by now this is going to be the green link. This week I think I have one that will be tough to beat in the future. Fits all of the things I like, one it is a car, two it is as green as it gets, three practical, four cheap, and five will most likely be available in the near future. Check this out drive Los Angles to New York on one tank of gas (around town zero gas), exhaust is plain breathable air, projected cost less than the average car of today. Two hundred kilometers around town, cost about two dollars. This is the most promising car I have seen. Video link here http://www.youtube.com
2) Next up a little bit on astronomy, remember a few years ago the naysayers kept saying the chances of other solar systems other than ours being out there were very remote. Well last night that crossed my mind so I Googled "new planets found". I was not surprised by what I found, but then I was one of those people they were nay saying about. Just in case you have not been staying up on the subject here is an informative story from BBC Sci/Tech, sorry about the dating it is about eight years old, but proves my point, I bet they are in the thousands by now. http://news.bbc.co.uk
3) Next up a follow up on a link I did a few weeks back, I was pleasantly surprised to see Sixty Minutes do a story on it. That being the story about the locked in kid using his thoughts to power a computer linking devise. This is the link to the Sixty Minute video segment. This is some kind of cool; we truly are living in fantastic times. http://www.cbsnews.com
4) Now for a subject that is over the top, unless you are very academic and staying up on everything new my guess is that you are not familiar with M theory. I occasionally check into what is new in physics, not that I understand much of what they are talking about, but they usually seem to explain some of those things I always suspected, but thought were pure Sci-fi. Well this is a great video about parallel universes, the implications are actually beyond most of the Sci-fi I have read, or seen in the movies. By the way the video segments are linked at YouTube is new at least to me, solves that 10 min. restriction rather nicely. http://www.youtube.com
5) Now for a geek link that fits into my world quite nicely. I think it was last week I was into the Gaia concept, well I was watching this video at TED talking about what the internet may evolve into the next 5000 days, seems that is how old the inter net is now, 5000 days a frame of reference that left me a little befuddled. Any way that is the link, to the video. However, in the video Kevin Kelly is talking about how all technology is becoming inter linked, the concept of the planet evolving as an organism kept nagging at the edges of my thought, maybe the internet is the evolving brain of Gaia. Us humans the mechanism of growth on the way to planetary awareness, just a thought. But I can tell it is going to be with me for a while, sometimes I wish I could write novels. Check it out a great little clip on interconnectivity of technology. http://www.ted.com
2) Next up a little bit on astronomy, remember a few years ago the naysayers kept saying the chances of other solar systems other than ours being out there were very remote. Well last night that crossed my mind so I Googled "new planets found". I was not surprised by what I found, but then I was one of those people they were nay saying about. Just in case you have not been staying up on the subject here is an informative story from BBC Sci/Tech, sorry about the dating it is about eight years old, but proves my point, I bet they are in the thousands by now. http://news.bbc.co.uk
3) Next up a follow up on a link I did a few weeks back, I was pleasantly surprised to see Sixty Minutes do a story on it. That being the story about the locked in kid using his thoughts to power a computer linking devise. This is the link to the Sixty Minute video segment. This is some kind of cool; we truly are living in fantastic times. http://www.cbsnews.com
4) Now for a subject that is over the top, unless you are very academic and staying up on everything new my guess is that you are not familiar with M theory. I occasionally check into what is new in physics, not that I understand much of what they are talking about, but they usually seem to explain some of those things I always suspected, but thought were pure Sci-fi. Well this is a great video about parallel universes, the implications are actually beyond most of the Sci-fi I have read, or seen in the movies. By the way the video segments are linked at YouTube is new at least to me, solves that 10 min. restriction rather nicely. http://www.youtube.com
5) Now for a geek link that fits into my world quite nicely. I think it was last week I was into the Gaia concept, well I was watching this video at TED talking about what the internet may evolve into the next 5000 days, seems that is how old the inter net is now, 5000 days a frame of reference that left me a little befuddled. Any way that is the link, to the video. However, in the video Kevin Kelly is talking about how all technology is becoming inter linked, the concept of the planet evolving as an organism kept nagging at the edges of my thought, maybe the internet is the evolving brain of Gaia. Us humans the mechanism of growth on the way to planetary awareness, just a thought. But I can tell it is going to be with me for a while, sometimes I wish I could write novels. Check it out a great little clip on interconnectivity of technology. http://www.ted.com
Sunday, November 02, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 11-02-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 11-02-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) Well to start off the week we have to thank Lou, I know you are asking who the hell Lou is. Well turns out he is just a neighbor, but during a conversation I mentioned Gaia, and was surprised to hear him say he had never heard of the word, much less the concept or the meaning implied. I am trying not to get to political, or cross over the religious thresholds with this it is, if I do I am sorry it is something very important to me, so you will just have to suffer for a minuet or two. The philosophy of Gaia is one that considers the Earth as a living organism, made up of many smaller organisms, and ecosystems. For starters that is what we all are, we are made up of many various cells, many systems within the body that are inter-related, if not for the micro-organisms in out digestive tract we could not live, there are many other inter-related systems needed for our life, you will just have to educate yourself to learn more about that. It is not much of a stretch to see an ecosystem as just another part of a larger system, a combination of several ecosystems as a part of an even larger system. Okay let us build on that and compare it to a computer, think of these little ecosystems as programs within an operating system, one of them break down and that can crash the entire operating system. Now realize that you are just a sub-program within the system, just like me, and all my crazy neighbors, now does that scare you, it should, the link is just to Wikipedia, a good place to start. I will leave the rest up to you. http://en.wikipedia.org
2) I apologize for two green links in a row to start the week, but I could not resist this one. A link to an article about a prison going green. What a great way to save us all a few bucks, and help out the planet at the same time. This is what I keep saying, all indicators point to the same conclusion. Going green is the next dot-com there is so much opportunity in these areas, if one can figure out hot how to take advantage of what is the obvious trend. We must as a society move in this direction, we have no choice. It is past my time, but if you are young enough to jump on this wagon, this is the future. http://www.philly.com
3) Here is an article I found some what confusing seems they have a very new, and updated artificial heart out announced yesterday from France. This is meant to be a permanent replacement, as opposed to the hold on till a trans-placement or donator is found. What caught my eye; was the comments, almost all of them were related to the cost, jeez my first entry-level gateway computer was $2500.00 for what today I could buy at the thrift store for $10.00. Oh well here is the link http://www.dailytech.com
4) Now how about some junk, to clarify space junk. I ran across an article about a large toxic ammonia tank getting ready for re-entry this afternoon or evening. Makes one wonder why they can’t add a very small jet attachment and just aim it for deep space. This 1400 pound tank will mostly burn up; they say mostly up to 40 pound chunks may reach earth. What is worse is they have no idea where those chunks will land. It seems they are just relying on the math, you know more unpopulated area ergo a reduced chance of disaster. This site also has a very good video about the new Garmin GPS announced Friday; this is the aviator model, very impressive what this baby can do. http://www.aero-news.net
5) Last up a link to Hulu the T.V. site I put up a few months back, Joe has been spending a lot of time here, and said I should mention it again. I am bringing it up here so we can talk about it for a few. I would be very interested if anyone has a personal review on some of the other sites, like http://www.joost.com/ I know there are others out there. Anyway here is the link to hulu http://www.hulu.com/ if you do have a review or two send them to Joe so he can post them for the rest of us.
2) I apologize for two green links in a row to start the week, but I could not resist this one. A link to an article about a prison going green. What a great way to save us all a few bucks, and help out the planet at the same time. This is what I keep saying, all indicators point to the same conclusion. Going green is the next dot-com there is so much opportunity in these areas, if one can figure out hot how to take advantage of what is the obvious trend. We must as a society move in this direction, we have no choice. It is past my time, but if you are young enough to jump on this wagon, this is the future. http://www.philly.com
3) Here is an article I found some what confusing seems they have a very new, and updated artificial heart out announced yesterday from France. This is meant to be a permanent replacement, as opposed to the hold on till a trans-placement or donator is found. What caught my eye; was the comments, almost all of them were related to the cost, jeez my first entry-level gateway computer was $2500.00 for what today I could buy at the thrift store for $10.00. Oh well here is the link http://www.dailytech.com
4) Now how about some junk, to clarify space junk. I ran across an article about a large toxic ammonia tank getting ready for re-entry this afternoon or evening. Makes one wonder why they can’t add a very small jet attachment and just aim it for deep space. This 1400 pound tank will mostly burn up; they say mostly up to 40 pound chunks may reach earth. What is worse is they have no idea where those chunks will land. It seems they are just relying on the math, you know more unpopulated area ergo a reduced chance of disaster. This site also has a very good video about the new Garmin GPS announced Friday; this is the aviator model, very impressive what this baby can do. http://www.aero-news.net
5) Last up a link to Hulu the T.V. site I put up a few months back, Joe has been spending a lot of time here, and said I should mention it again. I am bringing it up here so we can talk about it for a few. I would be very interested if anyone has a personal review on some of the other sites, like http://www.joost.com/ I know there are others out there. Anyway here is the link to hulu http://www.hulu.com/ if you do have a review or two send them to Joe so he can post them for the rest of us.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 10-26-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 10-26-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) To start off with my normal green link for the week, one that gets into the world of computer investment. Some of the mega-companies in computer related areas are making lots of money, nice to see that at least one is trying to help us with our energy dilemma. Although, I am sure they are planning to make lots of money, I guess I can forgive them, at least this time. Seems Google is betting big on geo-thermal energy, of course this article is dated August 19, 2008, before our recent market woes so there may be a post script to this story. Check it out here http://www.dailytech.com
2) This one is concerned with one of my keenest interests, human consciousness. The subject here is what got me into Netflix; I found a 5 DVD series on The Symposium of Human Consciousness that made me realize there was more to Netflix than box office wonders. Well they had another symposium recently called “Beyond the Mind-Body Problem: New Paradigms in the Science of Consciousness” and it is on the net. At the site there are three videos, the press release which is interesting they announce a scientific world wide study of near death experiences, among a couple of items. The other videos are of the morning, and afternoon session, they are two hours and fifty min. each. This takes place at the United Nations in New York, many scientists and many different theory’s, technically dry at times, but very informative. http://www.mindbodysymposium.com/
3) This is one that originated from Joe; he sent me a link to a story from New Scientist Magazine the Space division. About the release of UFO reports by the British Government, they have done this basically the same as France a while back. By the way for Coast to Coast listeners they did an interview story about this particular release, last week. Link here http://space.newscientist.com Now as a little added treat here is a site where you can read all of the original reports that the U.K. released, in PDF’s, and it is searchable check out the how to use the site section, called highlights guide first, a very nice site http://ufopressrelease.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
4) I seem to be getting a lot of stuff from the U.K. lately, here is another one. This has quite a few interesting angles when you think about it. Article titled “Heavy Metal-Eating ‘Superworms’ Unearthed in U.K.” I mean how I could pass up a headline like that. Seems in Cwmystwyth (really that is the way it is spelled) Wales. They have found earthworms which have evolved to tolerate heavy metals, after they excrete the metals, the toxic substances have been altered in a way that plants can absorb them, remove the plants and the land may be reclaimed. Not sure what they plan to do with the toxic plants, maybe super cows? Anyway, here is the link http://richarddawkins.net
5) Okay so you think your new eight gig memory stick is hot, wait till you see what is coming, although it may be a little wait. Seems a team at Princeton University has found a way to store data in the nucleus of a single atom. No telling where this might lead, the further reading links here are also interesting. http://www.vnunet.com
2) This one is concerned with one of my keenest interests, human consciousness. The subject here is what got me into Netflix; I found a 5 DVD series on The Symposium of Human Consciousness that made me realize there was more to Netflix than box office wonders. Well they had another symposium recently called “Beyond the Mind-Body Problem: New Paradigms in the Science of Consciousness” and it is on the net. At the site there are three videos, the press release which is interesting they announce a scientific world wide study of near death experiences, among a couple of items. The other videos are of the morning, and afternoon session, they are two hours and fifty min. each. This takes place at the United Nations in New York, many scientists and many different theory’s, technically dry at times, but very informative. http://www.mindbodysymposium.com/
3) This is one that originated from Joe; he sent me a link to a story from New Scientist Magazine the Space division. About the release of UFO reports by the British Government, they have done this basically the same as France a while back. By the way for Coast to Coast listeners they did an interview story about this particular release, last week. Link here http://space.newscientist.com Now as a little added treat here is a site where you can read all of the original reports that the U.K. released, in PDF’s, and it is searchable check out the how to use the site section, called highlights guide first, a very nice site http://ufopressrelease.nationalarchives.gov.uk/
4) I seem to be getting a lot of stuff from the U.K. lately, here is another one. This has quite a few interesting angles when you think about it. Article titled “Heavy Metal-Eating ‘Superworms’ Unearthed in U.K.” I mean how I could pass up a headline like that. Seems in Cwmystwyth (really that is the way it is spelled) Wales. They have found earthworms which have evolved to tolerate heavy metals, after they excrete the metals, the toxic substances have been altered in a way that plants can absorb them, remove the plants and the land may be reclaimed. Not sure what they plan to do with the toxic plants, maybe super cows? Anyway, here is the link http://richarddawkins.net
5) Okay so you think your new eight gig memory stick is hot, wait till you see what is coming, although it may be a little wait. Seems a team at Princeton University has found a way to store data in the nucleus of a single atom. No telling where this might lead, the further reading links here are also interesting. http://www.vnunet.com
Sunday, October 19, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 10-19-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 10-19-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
We will be at the Wiping Off Ceremony for Jack in Ft Worth on next Saturday. see you there.
We will be at the Wiping Off Ceremony for Jack in Ft Worth on next Saturday. see you there.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) Okay this sounds a little weird at first blush, but this is a great example of what I was talking about regarding a total movement in the area of green concepts. The concepts offered here could well be one of those great places to stick a small investment just in case it goes big. If it works as well as presented I do not see how it can miss. I am referring to artificial trees and shrubs, not new you say, well these generate electricity from, heat, solar and wind. They claim one artificial tree can power your house, this is a must read. http://www.solarbotanic.com
2) This is a link to what I am thinking of as the ultimate anti-green situation. A slight push to the political here when it comes to voting all I can say is educate yourself and think. When they talk about nuclear anything being clean, think about Hanford Washington and the day you read this report. Please at least glance over it, this is extremely important for the future of life on Earth as we know it. When you think about your vote do a short comparison. Just for starters, how much do you think it will cost us to clean it up, assuming we can even come close? Then think how much it cost to build one plant, the cost to run it, this fuel is not cheap, add in the cost of dealing with the waste, retrofitting, and the risk of a incident. How many solar fields, windmills, tidal turbines, not to mention how much research into other alternatives we can do instead. http://www.counterpunch.org
3) Geek-link here! Another of those that gets close to my pay grade. But, I think not by much. Basically what they are suggesting here is to replace the current wireless technology with a new and improved system using light. Sounds very cool to me, I have been considering trying one of those led light bulbs, now I might have to buy on just to check it out. What they are proposing is using the room lighting to transmit the network signals. Will not go through walls so you get increased security, among other advantages. http://www.bu.edu
4) Now for some encouraging news regarding nano-tech, I remember seeing a paper dress on the Antique Road Show, which reminded me of the paper clothes fad. Well this is the new millennium, so how about paper cars, and airplanes. Seems there is a new product just a few years away using nano-tubes, and bucky-balls to make something called bucky-paper. Ten times lighter, but 500 times stronger than steel, it also transmits electricity. Does anyone remember my links about the space elevator, if not google is your friend. This sure sounds like the missing link to me. http://hosted.ap.org
5) Last up the dream of cab drivers everywhere, and most likely everyone else. Sounds like a description of Utopia, a world of green lights only, how stress relieving. Where were these when I was driving a catering truck? Yes a German company has a device that gives you only, or at least mostly green lights. That may even save you enough gas in a year or two to pay for it. Thought your GPS was the ultimate gadget for your car, if you live in the city this might have it beat. http://www.dailymail.co.uk
2) This is a link to what I am thinking of as the ultimate anti-green situation. A slight push to the political here when it comes to voting all I can say is educate yourself and think. When they talk about nuclear anything being clean, think about Hanford Washington and the day you read this report. Please at least glance over it, this is extremely important for the future of life on Earth as we know it. When you think about your vote do a short comparison. Just for starters, how much do you think it will cost us to clean it up, assuming we can even come close? Then think how much it cost to build one plant, the cost to run it, this fuel is not cheap, add in the cost of dealing with the waste, retrofitting, and the risk of a incident. How many solar fields, windmills, tidal turbines, not to mention how much research into other alternatives we can do instead. http://www.counterpunch.org
3) Geek-link here! Another of those that gets close to my pay grade. But, I think not by much. Basically what they are suggesting here is to replace the current wireless technology with a new and improved system using light. Sounds very cool to me, I have been considering trying one of those led light bulbs, now I might have to buy on just to check it out. What they are proposing is using the room lighting to transmit the network signals. Will not go through walls so you get increased security, among other advantages. http://www.bu.edu
4) Now for some encouraging news regarding nano-tech, I remember seeing a paper dress on the Antique Road Show, which reminded me of the paper clothes fad. Well this is the new millennium, so how about paper cars, and airplanes. Seems there is a new product just a few years away using nano-tubes, and bucky-balls to make something called bucky-paper. Ten times lighter, but 500 times stronger than steel, it also transmits electricity. Does anyone remember my links about the space elevator, if not google is your friend. This sure sounds like the missing link to me. http://hosted.ap.org
5) Last up the dream of cab drivers everywhere, and most likely everyone else. Sounds like a description of Utopia, a world of green lights only, how stress relieving. Where were these when I was driving a catering truck? Yes a German company has a device that gives you only, or at least mostly green lights. That may even save you enough gas in a year or two to pay for it. Thought your GPS was the ultimate gadget for your car, if you live in the city this might have it beat. http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Friday, October 17, 2008
Fake Microsoft Patch Tuesday malware campaign spreading | Zero Day | ZDNet.com
"Malicious attackers are once again taking advantage of event-based social engineering attacks, and are currently mass mailing fake notifications for Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday, attaching a copy of Trojan.Backdoor.Haxdoor, next to a legitimately looking PGP signature which is, of course, fake too :"
I guess this really doesn't need to be said: You never open an attachment to an email unless you know what it is. NOT what you think it is! Microsoft will NEVER send you an email about Microsoft Windows Updates.
The second Tuesday of the month is Microsoft Patch Tuesday, and if you don't have your computer set to get the patches for you or at least remind you they are ready for you to download and install. You should. Very few patches haven't worked as built. Some under special circumstance like an HP with an AMD CPU. HP uses the same build for all computers, when it has an AMD CPU they install more drivers and this has been known to cause issues. (Driver conflicts.)
So if you haven't done your Microsoft Windows updates this week, Do them!
AlaskaJoe
I guess this really doesn't need to be said: You never open an attachment to an email unless you know what it is. NOT what you think it is! Microsoft will NEVER send you an email about Microsoft Windows Updates.
The second Tuesday of the month is Microsoft Patch Tuesday, and if you don't have your computer set to get the patches for you or at least remind you they are ready for you to download and install. You should. Very few patches haven't worked as built. Some under special circumstance like an HP with an AMD CPU. HP uses the same build for all computers, when it has an AMD CPU they install more drivers and this has been known to cause issues. (Driver conflicts.)
So if you haven't done your Microsoft Windows updates this week, Do them!
AlaskaJoe
Sunday, October 12, 2008
OnComputers Radio show Podcast 10-12-08
This is the On Computers Radio show podcast for 10-12-08. You can listen live every Sunday from 10AM to 1PM Pacific that's 1PM to 4PM Eastern. Join us for the live show and chat. If you prefer, you can download the same MP3 file here via ftp.
Links from the Gregg Zone
1) Okay here we go again another week another green link to kick things off. This has to be a very cool concept, I guess it has been around for a while; I was surprised that I had not seen anything on it before. This just makes a lot of sense, how about getting money back for driving your hybrid? When you think about it the car you are driving is a power plant, it generates more power than you use, why not sell that power back to the grid. The idea here is when you plug in your car you pump the extra power stored in the battery back into the grid. You would have a plug for your hybrid that instead of charging your battery works in reverse to sell the extra power to the grid. Article here http://sci.tech-archive.net
2) Next up is one Joe sent me about a NASA site predicting a small asteroid hitting the Earth. Easy there I did say small described as few-meter sized asteroid. The big deal here is that we were able to predict the time and place of this small sized object hitting the atmosphere. It was about the size of a small car, hit over the Sudan. I have several links about it here, first the original article Joe sent me http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov , next a NASA scientist explaining in a short YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com And last, here is a comparative link to a meteoroid about the same size that was found on Earth, except this one was metallic so it survived the impact, you can see a picture of what one this size looks like. http://www.namibia-1on1.com
3) Now for some thing computer related, hope you don’t find it to disturbing. The advancement of quality of life using computers is truly amazing when considering what we may be able to accomplish for people who are severally disabled. I once carried someone in my Para-transit bus that first described this condition to me; the idea has haunted me for years. The condition is called being locked in, meaning incapable of any movement of any kind, although fully aware of all senses, you can hear fine, see though not blink, feel heat, cold, pain, touch, but not flinch, smell, and taste. The condition has several causes; the one in the story here was the result of a car accident. It was discovered that the boy could move his eyes, look up and down that was translated to yes and no. The article is about hooking him up to a computer voice synthesizer, using brain probes to detect the thoughts that control muscles used in speaking. http://www.esquire.com/
4) After something as thought provoking as that, I thought something on the lighter side may be best, so how about some survival advice. This hopefully is something you will not need, but if you do it may at least give you something to think about, for a minuet or two. I am talking about what to do if you fall out of an airplane at thirty thousand feet without a parachute. http://www.bbc.co.uk
5) Last up for the week, since I covered the computer link earlier, I thought it was time for something a little Art Bellish. This is something I ran across at Dreamland, constant U.F.O. contact, if you are not familiar with Dreamland this is a radio site that has been around since the early days of Coast to Coast, one of the first internet sites started around the Art Bell show. Here is a link to that site, http://www.unknowncountry.com/ the broadcasts from the previous month are free, you can get more by subscribing, about eleven dollars for three months. Anyway, to find the story I am talking about go to the main site and click on the dreamland link, or this should take you to the Dreamland page http://www.unknowncountry.com then the 11 Oct. 2008 link. What I am getting to here is the E.C.E.T.I. ranch by Mount Adams Washington http://www.eceti.org , last a link to the YouTube videos mentioned on the radio show. http://www.youtube.com
2) Next up is one Joe sent me about a NASA site predicting a small asteroid hitting the Earth. Easy there I did say small described as few-meter sized asteroid. The big deal here is that we were able to predict the time and place of this small sized object hitting the atmosphere. It was about the size of a small car, hit over the Sudan. I have several links about it here, first the original article Joe sent me http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov , next a NASA scientist explaining in a short YouTube video, http://www.youtube.com And last, here is a comparative link to a meteoroid about the same size that was found on Earth, except this one was metallic so it survived the impact, you can see a picture of what one this size looks like. http://www.namibia-1on1.com
3) Now for some thing computer related, hope you don’t find it to disturbing. The advancement of quality of life using computers is truly amazing when considering what we may be able to accomplish for people who are severally disabled. I once carried someone in my Para-transit bus that first described this condition to me; the idea has haunted me for years. The condition is called being locked in, meaning incapable of any movement of any kind, although fully aware of all senses, you can hear fine, see though not blink, feel heat, cold, pain, touch, but not flinch, smell, and taste. The condition has several causes; the one in the story here was the result of a car accident. It was discovered that the boy could move his eyes, look up and down that was translated to yes and no. The article is about hooking him up to a computer voice synthesizer, using brain probes to detect the thoughts that control muscles used in speaking. http://www.esquire.com/
4) After something as thought provoking as that, I thought something on the lighter side may be best, so how about some survival advice. This hopefully is something you will not need, but if you do it may at least give you something to think about, for a minuet or two. I am talking about what to do if you fall out of an airplane at thirty thousand feet without a parachute. http://www.bbc.co.uk
5) Last up for the week, since I covered the computer link earlier, I thought it was time for something a little Art Bellish. This is something I ran across at Dreamland, constant U.F.O. contact, if you are not familiar with Dreamland this is a radio site that has been around since the early days of Coast to Coast, one of the first internet sites started around the Art Bell show. Here is a link to that site, http://www.unknowncountry.com/ the broadcasts from the previous month are free, you can get more by subscribing, about eleven dollars for three months. Anyway, to find the story I am talking about go to the main site and click on the dreamland link, or this should take you to the Dreamland page http://www.unknowncountry.com then the 11 Oct. 2008 link. What I am getting to here is the E.C.E.T.I. ranch by Mount Adams Washington http://www.eceti.org , last a link to the YouTube videos mentioned on the radio show. http://www.youtube.com
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
`Mail Goggles' might prevent e-mail regrets (AP) by AP: Yahoo! Tech
Ever regret sending an email after a late evening?
Mail Goggles will at least make sure you are at least sober before sending it.
Mail Goggles will at least make sure you are at least sober before sending it.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
How to Create and Use a Password Reset Disk in Windows Vista :: the How-To Geek
The Password Reset Disk is essentially a small file that can be used to reset your password, even if you have changed your password since creating the reset disk. This can be extremely valuable for preventing any embarrassing situations.
This is a file I keep on my tools USB stick I carry. You never know when you have someone that doesn't remember the password to log into their computer. I have had a few calls in the past asking for help.
I haven't tried it on a windows XP computer I don't think it will work, I have another tool for that.
AlaskaJoe
This is a file I keep on my tools USB stick I carry. You never know when you have someone that doesn't remember the password to log into their computer. I have had a few calls in the past asking for help.
I haven't tried it on a windows XP computer I don't think it will work, I have another tool for that.
AlaskaJoe
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