Sometimes an invention comes along that will revolutionize the way things are done. I make no claims to know the future, but this one seems like a very good candidate for just such an invention. This article on biodiesel basically states this. Biodiesel in it’s current production state takes a bit long to make, and it creates a bi-product, which can be turned into other things, but it’s still a bi-product. A university has invented a device that converts material to biodiesel on a molecular level, which means it’s instantaneous, and has no bi-product.
The machine, which is the size of a credit card, can be stacked so it can be used in a commecial application. Which means, every farm/farmer from here to timbuktwo could have this system located on the farm. Suddenly there is no more need for the oil companies. You have a cheap, renewable, environmentally friendly fuel. Diesel cars need nothing changed to be able to run biodiesel. Not only that, but the growing of more crops to make the fuel will take carbon out of the system and that will clean up the air.
This is a no-brainer win/win situation here folks. My next car WILL be a diesel.
Can’t say I much cared for the new Intel Mac mini when I first read over the specs, but it’s been slowly growing on me the more I think about it.
I guess, like mostly everyone else, I felt the machine was underpowered, and I can’t say I’m very happy with integrated graphics OR the $100US increase. Problem is, I’m very much in the hunt for a new Mac, the Powerbook is my favourite computer ever, but it’s illsuited to some of my more esoteric tasks. I had been looking forward to the announcement of the Intel mini, but my initial reaction was not positive, if only due to the collective disgust pouring out from the Apple faithful. Everybody, it seems, was disappointed with it.
But, a little bit of time and I’m revisiting the idea of getting one. Most of the complaints about the video card seem to be about how it takes memory away from the system (72mb total), but add a GB of memory and there’s really no problem. The real problem is the price, it’s practically impossible to justify over saving a bit more and buying a used Power Mac from some poor sap.
By Christ, I’m turning into a cyborg.
First it was the iPod, which isn’t anything more than a 21st Century walkman, followed by an unexpected Nintendo DS. These objects, I’m afraid, are nothing more than a gateway into the unparalleled man-machine extension of…the PDA!
Yep, after years of fighting against it, I finally succumbed to the irresistible siren call of pen-based computing. To go into the details of why I found it necessary to acquire such a device would mean a glimpse into my bizarre productivity rituals, and suffice to say I’m not really prepared that discussion just yet. Put simply, it’s going to be a glorified to-do list capable of syncing with the cyborg mothership, my Powerbook.
I decided to start off small and cheap, choosing a used Palm Tungsten T after about a week of intense deliberation and eBay hijinks. My reasoning was simple, there’s a 50/50 chance that I’ll just abandon the thing after two months of futzing about and learning a new tool. After I’ve proven my cyborg mettle, I’ll upgrade to something more extra sensory, with wifi and a keyboard and that special cord that you insert directly into your neck.
There are some things that just get me going, and trying to load Linux on my computer devices is definitely on that list. I was looking forward to trying out the iPod Linux distro, but there’s a delay in the 5G Video release, so no luck yet. Truth be told, I’m sure it’s nothing more than a cool trick—the iPod’s user input is fairly limited. Don’t feel like scrollwheeling through the alphabet, thanks!
Naturally, once I heard the news that the DSLinux project had made progress accessing the system’s Wi-Fi, I started drooling all over my Linus t-shirt. I’d love to have a portable Internet device, especially one running Linux, and with a touchscreen keyboard I could definitely see myself tap-tapping out email, or web browsing, SSH, with the microphone I can almost picture VOIP. Big dreams attached to that, right?
My hopes were dashed once I started doing a little more research—turns out that there are some rather irritating hardware requirements necessary:
Just not what I was picturing. I’d break that off in a matter of weeks, not a doubt about it.
I’m sure the hardware will change and evolve, there’s even a small one out now, though it doesn’t work on the latest versions of the DS. Eventually I’m sure to take a crack at this, but for now, it’s just too damn ugly to consider.
Nintendo announced their redesign of the Nintendo DS, dubbed the “DS Lite.” It’s a fine looking system, no doubt due to its resemblance to the Goliath of portable electronics, the iPod.
As a “Fat DS” owner, my immediate concern was that this was a repeat of what happened with the Gameboy Advance, when a much improved SP version was released to address flaws in the original. Instead, I see something more in line with the Gameboy Micro, which is turn Nintendo’s stab at the casual gaming market, the most potentially lucrative audience out there.
From the released images, this design could practically be a mockup for an Apple PDA (ignoring the obvious gaming elements like the D-Pad and buttons), and I’m sure this was more than intentional. Right down to the hinges, this looks straight out of Cupertino, and more importantly, it works. The original DS is like playing with building blocks, and it’s very obvious their first audience was kids. This new look is much more suited to an older audience, and, I think, going to be very successful.
Nintendo deserves credit for this move, even if it lacks somewhat in subtlety. It’s funny to see them working the angles after playing conservative for so long, and I’m happy to see it. I think that if Nintendo’s history shows anything, it’s that gaming popularity moves in cycles, and if they can get the public to stay interested, Nintendo might be the one plotting the path of the next videogame generation.
A week later and I’m still thinking about the Steve Jobs Keynote at Macworld, which, if anything, goes to show how far I’ve gone towards Mac Zealotry. I’ve always had some interest in the annual speech, but I’m not sure if I ever pictured myself watching text updates for an hour and a half, barely blinking in sheer anticipation.
With that in mind, it’s a shame this particular Keynote had to be my first as a diehard user, because there there really wasn’t anything particularly exciting to it. Sure, there was the introduction of the first Intel Macs, but with the machines’ form factor staying the same, and with no price change, the only real change WAS the chip inside, and that’s so last year—I wanted a 42 inch iMac or a Mac Mini Media Center, dammit!
That said, I’ve read some analysis suggesting that this was the entire point, that this Keynote was about assurances that the switch to Intel was strictly about the processor and nothing more, and I suppose that strategically, it makes sense. However, as one of the Mac faithful expecting another revelation, it left me a little empty. In fact, when they announced that the Powerbook and iMac were the first to be switched, my first thought was to the owners of last G5 models, what with the iMac revision not even two months old.
Now, I know Apple’s 30th anniversary is coming April 1st and there’s probably something bright and mysterious right around the corner, but that doesn’t change the fact that this Keynote was a total bore. Bring on April Fools!
The most documented issue with the new iPods is how easily they scratch, to a point where the inside of a empty pocket will scuff the delicate finish. Luckily, it was this fault I was most prepared for—I am, if anything, an extreme perfectionist, and any visible marks would drive me to drink. Plus, on top of my own character defects, the iPod will be moonlighting as a test subject for Karissa’s new cases, with all the bumps and bruises to go along with that, and protecting it wasn’t going to be as simple as buying an Agent 18 case and never taking it out.
The only other option was a custom cut iPod sticker film, that is, a transparent sheet of plastic adhered directly to the iPod. As with anything, this was a purchase requiring some diligent research, as there are a number of competing types, including one plastic originally developed to protect helicopter blades. In the end, all types but the Power Support Crystal Film had mixed reviews, so it was easy enough to make a decision. Five minutes later and $16 shorter, I had one coming to me in the mail.
I expected a long wait in receiving it, with it being the holiday season and all, but it arrived less than four days later. Applying the film, however, was a great deal more stressful, what with the plastic magnetically attracting any and all dust in the immediate vicinity. This was cause for major concern until I realized that scotch tape could be used to remove the particles, sticking and pulling like a lint brush. The Crystal Film is made of a reasonably thick plastic, but it’s still flimsy enough to make aligning it on the iPod difficult, especially with any excess handling resulting in more trapped debris—My recommendation for application is a patient girlfriend and a midsession whiskey & Coke.
Be assured, once it’s on and done with, the Crystal Film is exactly what it should be—an invisible, replaceable forcefield surrounding a very sensitive (and precious) device. It’s so nice to be able to handle the iPod confidently, without the previous worry. A totally worthwhile buy, and highly recommended to all 5G iPod owners.
