Sunday, January 28, 2007

Get your University on the map, 3D, using Google Sketchup

Google started on 25th of this month, Build Your Campus in 3D Competition. You and your team, all those free loading friends can honor your campus turf as you hone your 3D design skills just by modeling your school's campus buildings in Google SketchUp, geo-reference them in Google Earth, and submit them through the competition website to earn lasting online glory. If you are the lucky winner, you (and friends) get a visit to Google, all expenses paid. I am sure you will be able eat at the famous free cafeteria's.
I don't think I will compete, I have already been to Google, a few times. So next time I guess I will stay there.
Go ahead join the crowd. Get your campus on the map. Also be aware of the judges, that includes Bobby Brooks from Walt Disney Imagineering, Ken Harsha from Electronic Arts, Janet Martin from Communication Arts Inc. Paul Seletsky from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Gary Smith from Green Mountain Geographics LTD, and Ken M Tse from HKS Architects, Inc.


links;
Get your campus in 3D on Google Map
Google sketchup contest

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

M$ not enough to buy Wikipedia

Microsoft's attempt to pay someone to alter the content of Wikipedia, has back fired. I think there are many blog posts and news items that point to this saga. I think Microsoft must be getting real soft in the middle now. Trying every which way to push its agenda to the fore. But it should have thought that OSS is more than just money. There may be bloggers that sell may their souls but there are ones that do not. Would I have done it? Don't know. Money is a big attractor, and the amount makes attraction stronger.
Since there are many posts, I will direct you to the sources. But before the links, I should say some things about posts. To be fair links take you to all three camps.
Not all posts are against Microsoft, there is a whole bunch that suck up to M$
The person involved / started the whole issue is Microsoft material from my point. After reading his post, I feel he will feel at home with Microsoft. But to be fair, read his article and the comments that follows.
In his article he says that he is going to correct the wikipedia! we he is welcome as long as he is right about what he writes. But reading his article and comments, I doubt he knows too much. And the entries (if any/ if allowed) will be validated.
Everyone has his or her right to their opinion. Above is mine.

Links;
Wikipedia entry on the issue
Microsoft contacted Rick Jelliffe
Microsoft is awsome, (do I need to say more..)
Microsoft Is Awesome: Microsoft Pays Editors to improve Quality of Wikipedia Articles

Looks like M$ broke it's own rules concerning Patchgaurd

There is a debate going on about M$'s much touted PachGaurd. Microsoft has changed rules to get one of it's application working according to one researcher. The I also read a post by a M$ worshiper explaining the issue but sidestepping the real questions. The information about the patchgaurd issue came from Skywing, one of my favorite authors.
The issue and the results are typical to M$ behavior one can be sure this patchgaurd will only provide protection (prevent) from providing solutions like virus and malware, direct driver needs provided by good people. The rogues will somehow by pass this, like M$ did.
The issue and the debate is so ugly, uncertain and lengthy, (So microsoft!), I will provide you the links to posts so you can make your own mind about it.

Links;
Skywing's article at Uninformed

Skywing' weblog, A lots of windows programming info, the last article I read

Did PatchGaurd hotfix break M$'s own rules @computerworld

Skywing's new Kernel Patch Protection analysis (mind your step, a lot of M$

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

DLD '07 (Digital, Life, Design)

DLD (Digital, Life, Design) is Europe's conference for the 21st century; covering digital innovation, gaming, arts and science and bringing together thought leaders from Europe, the Middle-East, America and Asia. The third DLD will take place at HVB Forum in the center of Munich, Germany.
DLD sessions will be streamed online. For photo and video coverage, you can track the DLD aggregator.
If you blog about this event please use DLD07 to tag the post. I have seen some photos and write ups from people like Jeff Pulver.

Follow the links and immerse yourself in DLD, or DLD07

links;
DLD aggregator
DLD07 Streeamed

Tags: ,

Monday, January 22, 2007

The Linux Foundation is laid! Let's start building

With Linux growing and bursting at seems like my waist line, two of the top organizations that guide its growth are finally have joined forces, OSDL and FSG.
OSDL is Open Source Development Labs
FSG is Free Standards Group
Now they are the Linux Foundation
I would guess that everything goes well with the new venture as it is needed very badly for growth of Linux.
Press and Blogsphere is awash with the news but I would like to direct you to an article that I think encapsulates all very well, Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols' news post over at Linux-watch.com.
Steve carries you through what the two organizations are and the importance of them coming together. So without reading about my waist line, follow the link to a nice explanation.

Links;
Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols' news post
Linux Foundation

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Does New Adsense make any sense, with Jensence help, Yes

If you are using Google Adsense to generate revenue on your website or weblog, you may have gone through the procedures and rules that Google provides. Tech support team is great and any gray area that makes you wonder, could be easily resolved with an email to them.
But it is great to read all those rules and regulations in a more readable manner over at Jensense blog. She has a post that make it easier to know what to and what not to with Google Adsense. Follow the link for a good read.

Links;
Jensense makes sense on adsense

weseepeople: VOIP IP Telephony: Get your iPhony today

weseepeople: VOIP IP Telephony: Get your iPhony today

Tuesday, January 16, 2007

Apple Store before and aftr Mac World 2007!

I noticed this interesting post at a site I frequent, pligg, and thought it is worthwhile to let you in to the thread.
Pligg CMS has a long history and it has been in/on many a blog articles. Go to DIGG and do a dig for Digg clone, you will be surprised. But Pligg is more than a Digg clone. First of all it is an Open Source Project, and it is a CMS.
I will be using Pligg in an upcoming project and I already know technologically I will succeed with Pligg's help. Market domminance, I dont know.
If you want to learn more about Pligg or pictures of Apple store, follow the links.

Links;
Apple Store before and After MAC World 2007

Pligg CMS Project

Wii Undressed, an Open Wii for your pleasure


Wii Undressed, an Open Wii for your pleasure;
TechRepublic has disassembled a hard to find Wii so that you can enjoy watching the innards of a Wii.
I would say it is a brave act or they have too much money to burn. On the other hand it is a $250 web advertisement for the site. I would have "wee"ed if I have to open my Wii!
Oneway or the other, I sailed through all the photos, and you might too. Follow the link given below.

links;
Wii undressed

Tags: ,

Sunday, January 14, 2007

Gas Pump with WiFi dispenses MP3s


I was at Asterisk VoIP News when I noticed this article. But before going any further, let me tell you that the system depends on Windows CE! Be aware of what you might get or not. "Where do you want to go today?" Bill might actually know where you are going.
From AVN;
Fuel dispenser manufacturer Dresser Wayne demonstrated its latest Windows CE-powered gas pump at this week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Among other functions, the Internet-ready, WiFi-capable Ovation2 iX supports the transfer of media content to other WiFi-enabled devices.
The CES demonstration featured a Windows Automotive-enabled Alpine Electronics stereo and navigation system installed in a Lincoln Navigator. The demo showed audio files being purchased from the Dresser Wayne fuel dispenser, downloaded to a compatible media device such as a cellphone or entertainment system, and then played through the Alpine IVA-W200 stereo system located within the vehicle.
Read more at AVN.

Links;
WiFi enabled Gas Pump

Friday, January 12, 2007

iPhone runs along, with Google maps and GPS now

iPhone will surely live on. With law suits, Google maps, gps and all that jazz, read more at the Voip IP Telephony.
Links;
VOIP IP Telephony: iPhone, Demo, Google maps, and GPS

Thursday, January 11, 2007

CES Nuggets, that I will tryto get

Hitachi 1TB hard drive;
Besides the sheer capacity of the Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000 drive, which provides 33% more storage space than the largest drive currently available on the market - Seagate's 750 GB Barracuda drive - the big news about the Terabyte drive is that it actually may be ringing in more competition for Seagate on the high-end, ultimately resulting in lower prices. Hitachi will sell the 7K1000 for about $400 retail, which compares to about $450 for Seagate's 750 GB drive.

32GB Flash Drive;
NAND flash will turn 18 years in 2007 and it could become the most important and successful year of the technology yet. Having matured mainly in applications such as memory cards, USB sticks and high-end solid state disks, NAND flash appears top be ready to take a shot at key storage applications. Following Samsung, which yesterday announced that it has begun production of 16 Gb memory chips for its 2.5" 32 GB Flash drive, Sandisk said that it will be unveiling a 1.8" 32 GB SSD, based on NAND flash memory technology at CES.

The One Laptop Per Child project computer;
The One Laptop Per Child project is inching towards final production: Prototypes are currently on display at the Consumer Electronics Show and we have used the opportunity to play around with the devices shown by Marvell, which provides the wireless chips for the device.

Links;
Tom's hardware guide has more news on CES

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

2160P comes to your TV


Tom's Hardware Guide has an article about new Westinghouse 2160P, Quad-HD TV displays.
Las Vegas (NV) - 1080p is really what you should be looking for in a new high-definition HDTV, but the next generation is just around the corner: Westinghouse showcases a 2160p - commonly referred to as a Quad HDTV.

Westinghouse has a fairly modest booth at this year's CES, but there were some things that really stood out, most notably the Quad HDTV that was announced a few days before the show. That, along with a handful of new 1080p TVs and high-definition computer monitors are headlining the first batch of new 2007 releases, underscoring the future trend for the digital division of Westinghouse.

Links;
Westinghouse at CES: Quad HDTV and 1080p ...

iphone,iTV, AppleTV and Ravenii

Ravenii beat me to the post about iPhone, iTV, AppleTV. I was too tired from Apple cider! The parties.
Head over to VoIP IP Telephony to read about apple's latest stuff.

Links;
VOIP IP Telephony: Apple's iPhone iTV (AppleTV), finally comes.

Monday, January 08, 2007

LG resolves HDDVD format war with BH100 and GGW-H10N


The LG's BH100 is the stand alone, Super Multi Blue player, the BH100 doesn't take sides and simply offers both Blu-ray and HD-DVD playback in one drive at the price of $1.199.
The GGW-H10N is a bare drive that will be meant for computer optical disk that will read both Blu-ray and HDDVD formats, as well as current DVD disks.
Other companies like Samsung also came out with newer Blu-ray disk players that would read older DVD disks but wouldn't you rather have a player that can read formats? Yeas I would and save up for that LG BH100 for my home theater and GGW-H10N for my computer. I would like to have a writer as well but I guess then I will have to buy two drives, one to write Blu-ray and the other to write HDDVD.
As Ravenii wrote earlier (see the link below), Warner brothers dual format disks also will put a damper in the format war. Now that LG out with the player option, Warner Brother can promote the dual format disk version. Also in the making, from Warner brothers is a disk that will hold all three formats, Blu-ray, HDDVD, DVD.
Wow, this is goig to be better than Betamax war.
My guess is next version of XBOX will have a built in HDDVD drive, or would it be a drive from LG?

Links;
Geemodo: The Total HD, will make it easier for you chose HD DVD player

Friday, January 05, 2007

Toyota will stop you from driving if you are Drunk

A post in Slashdot lead me to an article about an Alcohol Detection System that can detect drunken drivers and would immobilize the car when it detects excessive alcohol consumption.
Further digging allowed me to pick this bit too; "Cars fitted with the detection system will not start if sweat sensors in the driving wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's bloodstream, according to a report carried by the mass-circulation daily, Asahi Shimbun. The system could also kick in if the sensors detect abnormal steering, or if a special camera shows that the driver's pupils are not in focus. The car is then slowed to a halt, the report said.'"

So if you are a drunk, don't drive and don't buy a Toyota. The other question I have for Toyota is how are they going to manage, cross eyed people!,

Links;


Toyota Creating Alcohol Detection System from PhysOrg.com

(AP) -- Toyota Motor Corp. is developing a fail-safe system for cars that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol consumption, a news report said Wednesday.

[...]

Thursday, January 04, 2007

The Total HD, will make it easier for you chose HD DVD player

The Total HD, so named by the creator, Warner Brothers, plans to announce next week a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both Blu-ray and HD DVD, the rival DVD technologies.
The CES 2007 (Geemodo: 2007 International CES� in Vegas January 8-11) will be the venue to be held in Las Vegas from 8th to 11th.
Barry M. Meyer, the chairman and chief executive of Warner Bros., said in an interview that the company came up with the Total HD disc after concluding that neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD was going the way of Betamax anytime soon.

"The next best thing is to recognize that there will be two formats and to make that not a negative for the consumer," Meyer said. "We felt that the most significant constituency for us to satisfy was the consumer first, and the retailer second. The retailer wants to sell hardware and doesn't want to be forced into stocking two formats for everything. This is ideal for them."

For now, Sony; Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, which is owned by private equity firms in partnership with the Comcast and Sony; 20th Century Fox, a division of the News Corp.; and Walt Disney Pictures are all exclusively releasing their DVDs in Blu-ray.

Universal Studios, which is owned by General Electric, is releasing only in HD DVD. Warner and Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, are issuing DVDs in both formats.

Other solutions include, LG releasing a DVD player with dual drives, both blu-ray and HDDVD.

Links;
Read more about the total HD at the New York Times

Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Looks as if Sony trying to buy a winning in game console war

Looks as if Sony trying to buy a winning in game console war. Looking at some of the predictions by analysts like Yankee group (Which analyzed few years ago that SCO will win the war with IBM (Follow the link below) is saying that PS3 will dominate the Console Game market, by 2010-2011!, may be they are talking about PS4 which is better and cheaper.
here is the scoops;
"In August 2006 another research company forecasted that Sony’s PlayStation 3 will win the gaming console battle. Boston-based research firm Yankee Group reported that the game-console war will have found a winner by 2011 and that is PlayStation 3. Xbox 360 will come second and Nintendo Wii third. The respected market research firm predicted that by 2011, which means 5 years from now, PlayStation 3 will have more than 30 million units sold, Xbox 360 will closely follow with 27 million units and Nintendo will trail the other two giants with its Wii console, with only 11 million units.

Translated in market share, that means 44% for PlayStation, which regains its dominant position, 40% for Xbox 360 and 16% for Nintendo’s Wii."

Hmm. Do they have shares in Sony? In about Years, may be Wii II will win the game!

I got the information from Dvorak uncensored.

But Gizmodo asks;
"Tossing out on their asses those who forecast gaming console sales by throwing darts at a dartboard, let's take a look at the real numbers: Xbox 360 has sold 9.44 million units so far, the Wii has moved 2.2 million, compared to the measly 854,627 units of the PS3. Maybe those researchers aren't paying any attention to which gaming consoles are actually fun to play. Who's your daddy, PS3?"

You tell me!
Links;
Yankee group's Laura Didio's analysis of SCO law suite.
Dvorak uncensored
Gizmodo egg headded++ analysts


Bluetooth gives a toothache to Electronic Giants


It seems that electronic giants like Nokia, Samsung and Matsushita have been hit with a patent lawsuit over their use of Bluetooth chips in products they sell. A not-for-profit group, Washington Research Foundation based in Seattle, which commercializes technology developed at universities, alleges the chips infringe patents under its control.
The rival Bluetooth chip maker Broadcom, has licensed underlying technology developed at the University of Washington covered by patents, unlike CSR, which is based in UK.
CSR has issued a statement describing the suit as without merit and that the company intends to defend its products from the action vigorously.
Bluetooth, a wireless protocol for connecting devices within a limited range such as an office, was originally developed in Sweden in 1994 by Ericsson engineers Sven Mattison and Jaap Haartsen. Ericsson eventually made the technology open source and the Bluetooth Special Interest Group was established in 1998, of which a foundation member was Nokia, one of the defendants in this suit.

Links;
Washington Research Foundation

Monday, January 01, 2007

Geemodo's most viewed article is "Removewga released" for 2006

A lot of people, who knows what they are doing and what M$ is upto, have shown interest in removing WGA. The article received a lot of attention. Now in Vista, it is a part of the OS, and we will have to find out how to block or disable, M$ calling home, each and everyday. I am not sure what information it will send out. I do have a license for it and I will install for tech support issues. But my windows work will be done on XP running on a Mac under Parallels.
My normal work will be done on Linux.



Geemodo: removeWGA released

Have a laugh on ZUNE for the new year!, Happy New Year

I thought M$ put a lot of thought in to developing Zune. After all it was going to over take iPod in the portable music market. Well the design did not exactly win the hearts of potential users.(Bigger is not always better). Bigger and cute will do!
Well even the mediocre design could be pushed out using a good advertising and marketing campaign. M$ is even failing on that. Look at this ugly, thoughtless ad for Zune, have a laugh while loading up your iPod!

Links;
Ugly but laughable Zune Ad