homebrew all-in-one PC
BenQ 20 inch LCD - $169.99eee Box with Atom N270 - $299.99Logitech USB-powered speakers - $11.99
TOTAL: $481.97
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824014146&Tpk=fp202w
Friday, October 10, 2008
Geode Plug-In Makes Firefox Location-Aware [Firefox]
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/415032908/geode-plug+in-makes-firefox-location+aware
Obviously, most of the sites on the web are not currently compatible with Geode, but it is easy to see how something like this could really change the way you surf the web on your laptop—much like the iPhone has with handsets. In the meantime, a preview version is available to Firefox 3 users starting today—so you can kick the tires on it a bit before it is fully integrated into 3.1. [Mozilla Labs via Lifehacker]
Mazda Kiyora Recycles Rain Water for Drinking [Cars]
Designed for Mazda by LIFESAVER® systems, the LIFESAVER® bottle citi™ is the world's first ultra filtration water bottle to be installed in a car. It removes all waterborne pathogens and other pollutants creating safe sterile drinking water for the driver and passengers.
Taking advantage of rain as a natural resource, the roof of the Mazda Kiyora channels rainwater firstly through an activated carbon filter and then into a specially commissioned drinks bottle designed for Mazda by LIFESAVER® systems.
The LIFESAVER® bottle citi™ is located between the front seats for easy access, and uses state of the art ultra filtration hollow fibre membranes. With a pore size of 15 nano-meters these membranes remove all microbiological contamination including bacteria and viruses without using chemicals, delivering safe fresh drinking water to the driver and passengers any time. The bottle is removable so can be taken out of the car and used to gather water from other natural sources such as rivers, lakes and streams.
I wonder if car manufacturers couldn't do the same with hydrogen cars, minus the special purification system, condensing the vapor coming out of the car exhaust into a bottle. Or if they want to really make it fancy, inc! lude a e spresso machine.
For a more detailed look at the Mazda Kiyora, check Jalopnik's coverage from the Paris Motor Show. [Lifesaver via Inhabitat]
Best Buy Starts Listening to Consumers With HP and Toshiba "Blue Label" Laptops [Blue Label]
How to Block Ads on Your (Jailbroken) iPhone [Iphone Adblock]
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/415172853/how-to-block-ads-on-your-jailbroken-iphone
After your phone restarts, head to Settings>Wi-Fi and hit the arrow next to your home Wi-Fi server. Write down the IP address you see. Then pop back to general settings and set auto-lock to never. On your computer, download this replacement hosts.php file.
Then, using an FTP client like FileZilla or Cyberduck with SFTP (secure SSH connection over FTP), open an SFTP connection with your iPhone's IP address as the host. U/P is root and alpine. The connection will take a bit, and might fail a few times, but say yes to any prompts and keep trying.
At your iPhone's root, navigate to the /etc folder and move the hosts.php file there somewhere on your computer for safe-keeping (don't lose it!). Then replace it with the one you downloaded and restart your iPhone. Now you'll start seeing glorious blank spots or compressed frames wherever ads used to be. It'll nuke ads at most sites serving them through a third-party server. That wasn't so bad was it? The method will work on iPod touches too. Let us know how it goes. [James Is Bored via Lifehacker]
Super Talent Releases Mini PCIe SSDs Specifically For ASUS Eee PCs [Ssd]
Terrafugia Transition Flying Car Unbelievably Close to Reality, Going On Sale Next Year [Terrafugia Transition Flying Car]
Google GeoEye-1 Satellite Takes First Pic (Is that Your House?) [Google]
Yes, it makes sense. "Spies don't put info on the internet and sell imagery," reasons GeoEye's Mark Brender, who stresses that for GeoEye and its Googlicious patron, these images are specifically intended for customers. (For creeping irony, refer to Joseph Heller's Catch-22.)
No, see, the spy material is actually something totally different—that happens to also come from the same satellite. According to the same dude, the camera is capable of recording classified images to a resolution of 41 centimeters, or as Wired puts it, "close enough to zoom in on the home plate of a baseball diamond." These pics will go to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, who is putting up $502 million, even even than Google. So instead of Larry and Sergei getting those shots of you in a bikini, they'll go to Dick Cheney. I am so relieved. [GeoEye Image Gallery via Wired]
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Core i7 vdimm problem, aka "Is High VDimm really a Problem?"
the answer is below.
Source:
Source:
"Intel's stance is clear on this subject, run VDimm higher than their 1.50V~1.65V guidelines and you will affect the life span of the processor."
"We have already witnessed several CPUs being damaged or destroyed at the motherboard partners with high VDimm settings, especially those that ran at 2.0V or higher with base settings.""this platform offers simply amazing bandwidth and latency numbers with tri-channel DDR3 1066 or DDR3 1333. In fact, we think tri-channel DDR3-1333 at 5-5-5-12 timings or DDR3-1500~DDR3-1600 6-6-5-15 settings (1.65V) will provide optimal memory bandwidth, write speeds, and latencies for 95% of the users at this point. So, unlike the P45/X38/X48 platforms, having low-speed rated DDR3 is not going to be a hindrance to extracting fantastic performance from a i7/X58 setup."
Source:
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/intel-i7nehalem-memory-voltage,6464.html
Overvolted RAM May Kill Your Core i7 CPU
4:20 PM - October 8, 2008 by Aaron Heibert
Source: Tom's Hardware – Category : Motherboards 20 comments
Memory controllers built into the upcoming Core i7 processors could change the way some enthusiasts push their systems beyond spec.
Got a Light?
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/412581157/
I sure do. It’s about the size of a credit card and powered by a small cell. Flip up the lightbulb shaped cut-out to switch on the soft, mellow, glow of bliss. What’s the point? Novel - next time you have a bright idea, you can have an actual lightbulb “bling!” on.
Designer: Hyun Jin Yoon & Eun Hak Lee
3 is the new 4
Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/414235257/
Auto designers have been toying with the idea of three-wheeled transports for some time now and this latest concept by Higgins-Aubé called ENERGYA is pretty much another attempt at it. This side-by-side two seater is legally considered in most jurisdictions a “motorcycle”, eliminating most of the mandatory automobile systems and components that weigh down and increase the price of regular 4-wheeled automobiles. Higgins-Aubé call this segment bender a “motomobile”, and have fitted it with a hefty (200 HP) motorcycle engine powering the single rear wheel. Future(future) designs will see an all-electric drivetrain that will take all the vroom vroom out and replace it with pssshh psshhh.
Designer: Higgins-Aubé
Silver-Zinc Batteries Coming in 2009 With 40% Better Run Time Than Lithium-Ion [Power Up]
First and foremost, silver-zinc can offer up to 40 percent more battery life than traditional lithium-ion batteries and 200 + cycles at 100% discharge. ZPower claims that their product contains no toxic chemicals and is up to 95% recyclable—which I would assume means that they have addressed the problem of mercury leakage that plagues silver-zinc batteries at the end of their life-cycle. They also noted that the batteries feature a water-based chemistry that is completely non-flammable (unlike lithium-ion that has a reputation for the occasional explosion). The one major drawback of silver-zinc is the cost of the silver itself, but word is that ZPower is planning on a trade-in recycle policy that will help to offset costs. Sounds good, but we will have to wait and see if the notebook coming out next year will be important enough and affordable enough to drive sales.
Dr. Ross Dueber to Discuss First Silver-Zinc Battery
for Mobile Consu! mer Devi ces at Batteries 2008 in NiceCAMARILLO, October 7, 2008 – Dr. Ross E. Dueber, president and CEO of ZPower, Inc., will discuss the industry's first silver-zinc battery technology for consumer electronics at the Batteries 2008 conference in Nice, France, starting October 8th. His presentation will address the performance, environmental, and safety advantages inherent within ZPowerTM silver-zinc batteries, scheduled to launch in a major notebook computer in 2009. The annual event will be held at the Acropolis Convention Centre on October 8, 9, and 10. Batteries 2008 is a worldwide exhibition focused on power supply, with more than 400 attendees.
Dr. Dueber will discuss the next replacement for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries and what power source can take mobility into the future. "At the heart of the $55 billion global battery market is the chemical conundrum of power supply," said Dueber. "Today's consumer has the ability to watch an entire movie on a palm-sized device—but portable power technology has not kept up. Engineers admit that they are hitting the wall on lithium polymer and lithium-ion performance. Unstable lithium-ion batteries have resulted in a high number of product recalls by manufacturers of notebook computers. These market trends are creating a pressing need for a better battery."Silver-zinc battery chemistry is currently poised to move into the commercial marketplace for use in consumer electronics. This new silver-zinc battery chemistry uses the latest in advanced polymers, nano-technology, power electronics and processing methods to create a battery that surpasses other rechargeable batteries for notebook computers, mobile phone and consumer electronics applications.
The advantages of silver-zinc batteries can be summed up as follows:
High Performance – Up to 40% more run time than traditional lithium-ion batteries. And with recent improvements in battery cycle life, silver-zinc batteries achieve 200 + cycles at 100% discharge an! d thousa nds of cycles at intermediate discharge.
Clean Technology – Over 95% of key battery elements can be recycled and reused. The raw materials recovered in the recycling process of silver-zinc batteries are the same quality as those that went into the creation of the battery. Environmental impact is lessened since the need to mine for new materials is minimized.
Safe – Silver-zinc batteries contain no lithium and are inherently safe. They are not subject to the recent FAA air travel restrictions now placed on lithium-ion batteries. Silver-zinc batteries feature a water-based chemistry that is not flammable. The battery is therefore free from the problems of thermal runaway and fire.
[ZPower]
Fanatec RennSport Wheel Stand Hangs On Tight While You Drive Like a Maniac [Racing Wheels]
Constructed solidly out of aluminum and steel, turn as hard as you want, but the RennSport doesn't look to be going anywhere soon. Meanwhile, users can adjust height and angle of the wheel, which is more than you can say for most real steering wheels.
The catch is, of course, the price. At $130, this wheel holder costs as much as many nice wheels themselves. But then again, the RennSport works with most major models and looks like the best thing for racing simulation since this little number. So you could do much worse. [BusinessWire via Digital Trends]
Nasa's Messenger Sends First Full Fly-By Image of Mercury [Space]
The first time Mercury was photographed up close and personal was in the Mariner 10 mission. Mariner was only able to take pictures of one hemisphere during its flybys, and its camera had a very low resolution: It could only capture details 0.99 miles across. Messenger's wide angle and narrow angle cameras, on the other side, have a resolution of 59 feet across, and is going to be able to take pictures of the fully-lit planet. All while trying not get fried up by the sun thanks to its rotatable solar panels—which balance temperature and power generation—as well as its multilayered insulation. [NASA]
Worldâs Deepest Fish Filmed For the First Time [Ick]
This is a group of snailfish—the deepest living fish in existence—filmed alive for the first time in history in the name science and nausea. They live at depths of 4.6 miles (7,500 meters) or more, so scientists had to develop new camera technology capable of supporting a pressure of 8,000 tonnes per square metre—"the equivalent to that of 1600 elephants standing on the roof of a Mini car"—for a period of days.
This is a group of snailfish—the deepest living fish in existence—filmed alive for the first time in history in the name science and nausea. They live at depths of 4.6 miles (7,500 meters) or more, so scientists had to develop new camera technology capable of supporting a pressure of 8,000 tonnes per square metre—"the equivalent to that of 1600 elephants standing on the roof of a Mini car"—for a period of days.The submersible platform reached 4.78 miles down the Japan Sea trench, and had to stay there for two days to be able to obtain this crystal clear footage, taking a total of five hours to reach the seabed. The camera equipment was designed specifically for this mission by the engineers at OceanLab—the sub-sea research facility of the University of Aberdeen.
According to project leader Dr Alan Jamieson, the resulting video taking during those two days is "absolutely amazing".
We got some absolutely amazing footage from 7700 metres. More fish than we or anyone in the world would ever have thought possible at these depths. It's incredible. These videos vastly exceed all our expectations from this research. We thought the deepest fishes would be motionless, solitary, fragile individuals eking out an existence in a food-sparse environment. But these fish aren't loners. The images show groups that are sociable and active—possibly even families—feeding on little shrimp, yet living in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
Whatever. Any fish that have teeth that do this...
...are not my friends. [OceanLab via Daily Mail]
Video and image credit: Natural Environment Research Council and University of Aberdeen.
Beyond the abyss
7 October 2008
The Natural Environment Research Council's HADEEP project
Photographs and video
Below are photographs and video footage from this expedition.
Users must credit: Natural Environment Research Council and University of Aberdeen.
Photographs
- harumi-1.jpg (3.1MB) View of Tokyo Harbour as the RV Hakuho-Maru leaves Harumi.
- toyo-fits-the-bait.jpg (0.7MB) Toyo attaches the dead mackerel carcass to the lander.
- fishtrap-1.jpg (3.1MB) The team working on the Fish trap.
- landers-on-deck-1.jpg (3.2MB) Hadal-Lander A and Hadal-Lander B on the deck prior to deployment.
- deployment-10.jpg (0.7MB) The scene from the deck just prior to deployment.
- deployment-3.jpg (3.2MB) The lander is lowered over the stern into the water.
- laura-1.jpg (3.0MB) Laura Burns on deck.
- liparid-1.jpg (1.0MB) Top of view of the liparid (Snailfish) Psuedoliparis amblystomopsis recovered from the giant trap at 7700m in the Japan Trench.
- remains-of-the-bait.jpg (0.7MB) The remains of the mackerel bait after 10 hours on the seafloor at 7700m.
Video
- Abyss1-Liparid-Fish-at-7703m-4x3-720x576.avi 232·2MB, 63 seconds - video clip Liparid fish feeding at a depth of 7703m
- 2nd-attempt-NERC-Japan-Trench-7703m.mov 58·2MB, 15 seconds - movie file Liparid fish feeding at a depth of 7703m
- NERC-Japan-Trench-7703m.mpg 4·3MB, 15 seconds - MPEG movie file Liparid fish feeding at a depth of 7703m
- 1-Abyss-Lander-Deployment-48-sec.mov 26·7MB, 48 seconds - movie file Deployment of the Abyssal Lander from the deck of the ship
- Liparid-Fish-Flash-400K.flv 0·5MB, Flash video file*
- Liparid-Fish-Flash-1500K.flv 1·5MB, Flash video file*
- Liparid-Fish-Flash-4000K.flv 4·0MB, Flash video file*
- Liparid-Fish-Flash-7000K.flv 6·6MB, Flash video file*
* All of Liparid fish feeding at a depth of 7703m, at four different quality/resolutions for embedding into web pages. These files will not generally play using standard desktop media players such as Quicktime or Windows Media Player.
Further information
NERC Press Office Natural Environment Research Council Polaris House, North Star Avenue Swindon, SN2 1EU Tel: 01793 411727 or 411561 Mob: 07917 086369 or 557215
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