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Google Chrome for Linux and Mac is Out (for Fun)
September 17, 2008 · Comments
While Google was getting down and dirty to release their version of Google Chrome for Linux and Mac users, CrossOver Chromium got into the scene. This new browser uses a similar codebase with Google Chrome.
I haven’t tried CrossOver Chromium yet as I’ve always been a Windows person, but the screencaps show that Google Chrome and CrossOver Chromium are very much alike:
CrossOver Chromium on Ubuntu Linux
Earth Aims for 100% Solar Power Energy
September 13, 2008 · Comments
Imagine being transported 20 years into the future. You might get surprised that everything looks a lot similar to the present. You get to the first person that you see, and you make friends with that guy. You get to have good times. Then as you continue your futuristic adventure, you’d notice that every home, car and building are powered up using solar energy. Gasoline and electrical energy sources had become completely obsolete – no one uses these energy sources anymore.
Okay, I’m not sure that the world will use 100% solar energy within 20 years. But the good news is that scientists had finally turned their focus to make solar energy a great alternative to fossil fuel and electrical energy.
Solar energy had been around for decades but the world seemed not to use it to its full potential. The world suffers from energy problems. I think scientists should start working fast at the possibility of using space solar power. National Space Society lists down all the advantages of implementing solar power with only one drawback: the technology is too expensive. Perhaps this is why solar energy had not improved so much.
The first successful power transmission using solar power was done in the Mojave Desert in the 1970’s. This one is an improvement of that previous experiment. This time the scientists had picked Hawaii for this experiment. Solar panels are installed at the top of one of Maui’s mountains and the energy is beamed down 92 miles to Hawaii. This generated power this time is hundred times greater, estimated to be at 20 Watts which is enough to get a small flourescent light.
The full 120 Gigawatts power that the sun and the space beam up on the earth is more than enough to power up the whole earth. Present earthlings are using a fraction of this power coming from electrical energy and fossil fuels. Most of that space solar power is simply put to waste.
The scientists had begun climbing up the steps. I hope these brilliant scientists can also make a huge leap for mankind.
Filed under Electronics, News · Tags: earth, electrical energy, power, solar energy, space, sun, technology7 Turn Ons and Turn Offs About Google Chrome
September 9, 2008 · Comments
This Google Chrome hype has been a consistent discussion especially among the tech community. Almost everyone had dissected this hip new browser and had given their own reviews. Everyone is excited! What amazes me is that almost every tech guru blogger had given his (or her) own opinion about this browser.
Like others I have this one brief date with this browser. I’m still with Google Chrome right now as I’m writing this brief article. I ended up having mixed feelings about this new guy in town.
What Turns Me On About Google Chrome
1. Really fast. I have to strongly agree with other bloggers that it loads up quickly on my 64-bit Windows XP system. It is mostly likely due to its simple flat design and the absence of extensions that made up this speedy browser.
2. One tab crash. The cool Google Chrome team designed this browser in a way that each tab would own its own process. This means that when one website hangs up, all the other windows are not affected. Another cool useful thing to see is that one can easily drag a tab down to open a new window, or simply drag that new window back up the tabs to return it to its tabbed state. Try it!
3. Hide your tracks. The incognito window provides a way to surf and not leave traces behind like cookie crumbs and footprint history. I’ve tried that but it could have been cooler if I am able to hide my IP address. Nevertheless, I’m still very happy to have that!
Filed under Internet, Software ·The Human Tongue Gets Useful in Another Way
September 2, 2008 · Comments
We do a lot of things with our tongue. Aside from using it to taste things and aid a lot in biting, chewing and swallowing food, the tongue is often used to do mischievous things. I can just stick my tongue out at you and you’ll be annoyed (and perhaps angry) at what I just did. Of course, the tongue is also absolutely great to use – for kissing.
Georgia tech researchers at Atlanta, Georgia have recently developed another very useful ability for the tongue: to act as a computer control pad. This discovery can help disabled persons who cannot voluntarily move a muscle from their neck down to their feet. The Tongue Drive System turns the tongue into a joystick which makes it now possible for the person to control everything around him. This includes moving around, doing housework, operate appliances and even controlling a computer.
The Tongue Drive System is composed of a magnet which is placed under the person’s tongue to monitor the movement. Sensors are placed beside each cheek to detect the magnet’s movement. The information is passed through a receiver, which is contained in the person’s headgear. A computer processes it to interpret the information and perform such necessary movements.
Maysam Ghovanloo, leader of these cool Georgia tech researchers, mentioned that their group is further looking into the possibility of using the neighboring parts of the tongue. They are trying to work out more commands that enable a person to use the teeth and cheek.
We’re talking of the whole mouth being turned into a computer console someday!
At this time, I don’t think the tongue, being the strongest muscle of the human body, would get tired moving around the mouth to do such commands.
Source: “Tongue Computing” could help disabled
Filed under Computers, Electronics, Robotics · Tags: computer, Electronics, hardware, technologyWindows 7: Microsoft Finally Listens to the World
August 19, 2008 · Comments
I think Microsoft has finally decided to listen to the voice of their customers – else their business gets out (it’s possible!). They had learned their lesson well from marketing their Windows Vista product. Microsoft has been insistent on pushing their Vista-installed notebooks into the market. But many consumers expressed preference in using Windows XP on new laptops. Microsoft eventually gave way and pushed their deadline for these consumers.
Even with the 64-bit power that my computer is set to have, I am still all up for Windows XP 64-bit version because it is compatible with most software that I have.
Windows 7 is a new project which will be released after Windows Vista. This time, Microsoft decided to listen to their customers by putting up a new blog in their line of MSDN blogs. Even if they had only two posts written out on their blog, they got over a hundred of comments written out and many of these are suggestions of some kind.
Instead of spending on publicity and insisting consumers to upgrade to Windows Vista, I guess Microsoft realized that they should also be attuned to the voice of their customers. In my case, even if I get to have the Vista software, would it run so fast on my existing hardware? I would not be enjoying the Aero look that Microsoft had always be boasting before this software launch.
I believe that with this move and the blog publicity that they are building, Microsoft will be successful in getting their Windows 7 out on the market.
Filed under Software · Tags: microsoft, Software, windows