Monday, May 4, 2009
The Envirobank accepts both cans and bottles, scanning the bar code to identify the product and also checking the material to make sure it's recyclable. Accepted containers are crushed and kept, while the kind-hearted recycler gets a coupon or credit of some sort for their efforts. Envirobank says their machines cut CO2 emissions, reduces waste disposal and collection costs, even provides advertising and fund raising opportunities.*~*~*
BlackBerries nearly dominated iPhones in US smartphone sales for the start of 2009, the NPD Group said today in a new study. The market researchers note that the top-selling phone line from the quarter ended in March was the BlackBerry Curve 8300 series, which edged out the iPhone 3G at second place. Of the top 5 phones, 3 were BlackBerries and included the touchscreen Storm in third place and the non-flip Pearl in fourth. The lone Android phone in the US, T-Mobile's G1, occupied the fifth spot.
*~*~*
ITDatabase is launching Monday and tackling a very specific opportunity--get all tech news indexed in one place, and make it much easier for tech industry pros to analyze/aggregate trends about what's being said across all tech news. The company is starting with tech PR pros as the initial target customers, but believes the product offers a lot of research value to product managers and sales roles as well.
"There are thousands of tech authors covering tens of thousands of vendors and themes," said Travis Van, founder of ITDatabase. "Multiply them all together and you get a huge unstructured data mess, which largely accounts for why tech PR folks are often hitting the wrong journalists with the wrong content."
*~*~*
Everyone was impressed with the new administration adding a blog to the White House website, but they've outdone themselves yet again with an official Twitter account and now a stellar-looking MySpace page - both launching within the last few days.
*~*~*
Spore created by industry legend Will Wright announced Monday that 100 million creatures have been created, far outrunning the number of species on Earth.
The game publisher, Electronic Arts, started counting last June. That's when it first released its Spore Creature Creator, several months ahead of the full Spore game itself.
There's more Spore on the way. Electronic Arts' Maxis studio is releasing the Spore Galactic Adventures expansion pack for PC and Mac players, Spore Hero for the Wii, and Spore Hero Arena for the Nintendo DS.
Labels: blackberry, cell phone, electronic arts, envirobank, iPhone, itdatabase, president barack obama, spore, whitehouse, will wright
Monday, April 6, 2009
Facebook's photo storage system holds 850 million photos and costs a lot of dough. Niall Kennedy has a nice overview of what Facebook is doing to minimize its storage costs.
Facebook's system, dubbed Haystack, is custom-built but relies on content delivery networks and NetApp. Facebook is trying to minimize the custom stuff and use commodity hardware.
*~*~*
Old worm, new tricks...
The Neeris worm, which dates from as far back as May 2005, making it a bit of geriatric, has been adapted to spread using the infamous MS08-067 vulnerability harnessed by Conficker. Earlier variants of the Neeris worm exploited a much older flaw (MS06-040) in the same Windows component hit by the Conficker exploit, so the update to the older malware probably involved more of a tweak than a complete rewrite.
*~*~*
With President Obama's 60-day comprehensive review of US cyber security still underway, Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Olympia Snow (D-ME) on Wednesday introduced sweeping legislation that would establish a cyber security "czar" within the White House and bring both governmental and private sector "critical infrastructure" under a unified regulatory regime.
In case a lone cyber security advisor doesn't seem like enough, that legislation provides for the creation of cyber security advisory panel to be staffed by stakeholders from the governmental, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
The bill establishes a dizzying array of programs, administered by a variety of agencies, over the course of its 51 pages. Perhaps most significantly, the bill tasks the National Institute of Standards and Technology with developing a set of security standards and vulnerability tests that will apply to any information networks or software used by federal agencies and contractors-but also by any private entity designated as "critical infrastructure" by the President. The President is also empowered to order the disconnection of any federal or private critical infrastructure network, either during a "cyber security emergency" or for reasons of national security more broadly.
*~*~*
Windows only: Looking for a different kind of, and can be customized to fit any theme.
Unlike other popular Windows alternatives to the taskbar, like the previously mentioned (and popular) RocketDock or ObjectDock, SliderDock offers a kind of pop-on, jump-out functionality. That is, if you only want to use SliderDock for a certain subset of apps or file locations, you can hide it with a custom keyboard shortcut.
Facebook's system, dubbed Haystack, is custom-built but relies on content delivery networks and NetApp. Facebook is trying to minimize the custom stuff and use commodity hardware.
*~*~*
Old worm, new tricks...
The Neeris worm, which dates from as far back as May 2005, making it a bit of geriatric, has been adapted to spread using the infamous MS08-067 vulnerability harnessed by Conficker. Earlier variants of the Neeris worm exploited a much older flaw (MS06-040) in the same Windows component hit by the Conficker exploit, so the update to the older malware probably involved more of a tweak than a complete rewrite.
*~*~*
With President Obama's 60-day comprehensive review of US cyber security still underway, Sens. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Olympia Snow (D-ME) on Wednesday introduced sweeping legislation that would establish a cyber security "czar" within the White House and bring both governmental and private sector "critical infrastructure" under a unified regulatory regime.
In case a lone cyber security advisor doesn't seem like enough, that legislation provides for the creation of cyber security advisory panel to be staffed by stakeholders from the governmental, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
The bill establishes a dizzying array of programs, administered by a variety of agencies, over the course of its 51 pages. Perhaps most significantly, the bill tasks the National Institute of Standards and Technology with developing a set of security standards and vulnerability tests that will apply to any information networks or software used by federal agencies and contractors-but also by any private entity designated as "critical infrastructure" by the President. The President is also empowered to order the disconnection of any federal or private critical infrastructure network, either during a "cyber security emergency" or for reasons of national security more broadly.
*~*~*
Windows only: Looking for a different kind of, and can be customized to fit any theme.Unlike other popular Windows alternatives to the taskbar, like the previously mentioned (and popular) RocketDock or ObjectDock, SliderDock offers a kind of pop-on, jump-out functionality. That is, if you only want to use SliderDock for a certain subset of apps or file locations, you can hide it with a custom keyboard shortcut.
Labels: dock, Facebook, president barack obama, virus. cyber security, windows, worm
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Nokia signed a loan agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to the tune of $623.9 million. Why the sudden need for cash?
According to Reuters, the five-year loan will be used in part to "finance software research and development (R&D) projects Nokia is undertaking during 2009-2011 to make Symbian-based smartphones more competitive."
*~*~*
Didn't Gateway go bankrupt?
Gateway has a full line of notebooks that come in all sizes. The company is also closely related to Acer, which has the most popular netbook on the market with its Aspire One. Last year Gateway launched a pair of new notebook lines called the MC and MD series. The difference was a scant 0.6-inches in screen size with the MC line using a 16-inch LCD and the MD using a 15.4-inch screen.
The MC and MD machines had the same chassis design and Gateway has launched a new notebook line called the TC series that uses the same chassis design with a smaller 14-inch screen. The notebook is low priced at $649.99.
*~*~*
Hewlett-Packard workers fired up their PCs this morning only to find a long memo from Mark Hurd explaining why he was hitting them with wide-ranging pay cuts in an effort to prevent further job losses at the computer vendor.
The move followed HP's first quarter earnings report yesterday in which it coughed to a double digit dip in printer, server, and PC sales.
HP CEO Hurd told employees yesterday that no more jobs would be axed for the foreseeable future, but instead applied salary reductions across the board.
He said that he would take a 20 per cent base pay cut, presumably as a show of solidarity with his workforce.
*~*~*
The Obama administration has apparently opted to forbid Google and other search engines from indexing any content on the newly launched Recovery.gov.
Is this even more evidence that the administration's much-publicized commitment to transparency is simply hype?
Recovery.gov, which went live Tuesday, is set to act as a central clearinghouse for information related to the newly signed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The legislation is designed to stimulate the flagging U.S. economy.
The site's robots.txt file has just a few lines of text:
# Deny all search bots, web spiders
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
Shameful.
Labels: cell phone, Gateway, google, Hewlett Packard, nokia, president barack obama
Saturday, February 7, 2009
In December 2008, an Iraqi reporter decided it would be a good idea to throw his shoes at George W. Bush.
Apparently Apple doesn't think the incident was nearly as funny. According to Mashable, a developer based in Pakistan submitted an application called MyShoe. MyShoe is a simple accelerometer based application that allows users to virtually throw a shoe at the former president. Apple denied the application placement at the App Store and responded to the developer stating:
"We cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because it contains content that ridicules public figures."
The creator refuted and said this discriminates against popular public opinion. Hahahahaha.
*~*~*
Would you like to read a February 5, 2009 press briefing on the stimulus package?
With joblessness rising and the U.S. economic recession deepening, Democratic senators and a handful of moderate Republicans reached a compromise late Friday on a scaled-back $780-billion economic stimulus plan.
The deal, slashed by more than $100 billion from earlier estimates to win a few Republican votes.
"We are pleased the process is moving forward and we are closer to getting Americans a plan to create millions of jobs and get people back to work," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
"Americans across this country are struggling, and they are watching to see if we're equal to the task before us," the President says in this morning's Weekly Address. "Let's show them that we are."
With the United States in the grip of the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years -- a report on Friday showed nearly 600,000 jobs were lost in January -- Obama has demanded that a bill be put on his desk by February 16.
*~*~*
ESPN.com has launched many new college football widgets that offer scores, stats, and news.
Visit the ESPN Widget Center.
*~*~*
Google Latitude is a feature in Google Maps for mobile and iGoogle that allows you to share your location with your friends and family. While not pinpointing your exact location, it gives you a good idea of where your friends are at a given time.
Using your Google account, you can opt into the feature, and then invite friends and family to join Google Latitude. Once they accept, you will see their profile picture appear on a map through your mobile device or your desktop PC. Google will also give you directions to their location on the map.
Apparently Apple doesn't think the incident was nearly as funny. According to Mashable, a developer based in Pakistan submitted an application called MyShoe. MyShoe is a simple accelerometer based application that allows users to virtually throw a shoe at the former president. Apple denied the application placement at the App Store and responded to the developer stating:
"We cannot post this version of your iPhone application to the App Store because it contains content that ridicules public figures."
The creator refuted and said this discriminates against popular public opinion. Hahahahaha.
*~*~*
Would you like to read a February 5, 2009 press briefing on the stimulus package?
With joblessness rising and the U.S. economic recession deepening, Democratic senators and a handful of moderate Republicans reached a compromise late Friday on a scaled-back $780-billion economic stimulus plan.
The deal, slashed by more than $100 billion from earlier estimates to win a few Republican votes.
"We are pleased the process is moving forward and we are closer to getting Americans a plan to create millions of jobs and get people back to work," said White House spokesman Robert Gibbs.
"Americans across this country are struggling, and they are watching to see if we're equal to the task before us," the President says in this morning's Weekly Address. "Let's show them that we are."
With the United States in the grip of the worst economic crisis in more than 70 years -- a report on Friday showed nearly 600,000 jobs were lost in January -- Obama has demanded that a bill be put on his desk by February 16.
*~*~*
ESPN.com has launched many new college football widgets that offer scores, stats, and news.
Visit the ESPN Widget Center.
*~*~*
Google Latitude is a feature in Google Maps for mobile and iGoogle that allows you to share your location with your friends and family. While not pinpointing your exact location, it gives you a good idea of where your friends are at a given time.
Using your Google account, you can opt into the feature, and then invite friends and family to join Google Latitude. Once they accept, you will see their profile picture appear on a map through your mobile device or your desktop PC. Google will also give you directions to their location on the map.
Labels: Apple, economy, google, google latitude, iPhone, iphone app, president barack obama, stimulus, widgets
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
"Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America."-- Barack Obama, Springfield, IL, February 10 ,2007
President Barack Obama is in office now, and the White House website, WhiteHouse.gov, has a brand new look. At noon (GMT), the website of former president George W. Bush, was replaced by an updated, sleeker website that states:
"WhiteHouse.gov will be a central part of President Obama's pledge to make his the most transparent and accountable administration in American history."
There is a new blog section with posts already up and online which tout President Obama's key media plans. There are three key priorities: communication, transparency and participation.
He states his views on privacy as well. Specifically he says his administration intends to, "Strengthen privacy protections for the digital age and harness the power of technology to hold government and business accountable for violations of personal privacy."
I look forward to reading the post entries at the new blog and I think this is a great start to his presidency in terms of his plans for technology.
Labels: president barack obama, technology
the archive
support a cause
the latest reads
search the site
get your geek fix