Kev's News

Mac OS X Tiger

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Mac OS X Tiger
There was a lot of news this week, but the big news was the release of Apple's new system upgrade, called "Tiger". I've tested the heck out of it and it seems stable and faster:
http://www.apple.com/macosx/
Here's a comprehensive technical overview of Tiger, and why its software architecture for recording, composing, and playing images, movies, music and generally any kind of media is light years ahead of any other personal-use operating system in the world:
http://arstechnica.com/reviews/os/macosx-10.4.ars/1
I think the news behind the big news is the introduction of high- definition video to the masses. Upgrade to QuickTime 7 and you may be able to view movies in the new QuickTime HD Gallery:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/hdgallery/
The HD wildlife reel is stunning and played beautifully on my PowerBook G4 and should run fine on iMac G5s. The H.264 codec crushes the best codecs being used in movies distributed over file sharing today. No doubt, this is the future of online video, TV, and movie distribution:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/hdgallery/wildlifehdreel.html

Hawaii's High-Tech Successes, Today

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Hawaii's High-Tech Successes, Today
Hey, Silicon Valley people! Blue Lava Wireless, which makes Tetris for cell phones, was acquired for $137 million:
http://starbulletin.com/2005/04/21/news/index2.html
And Hoku Scientific plans a $58 million IPO:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Apr/28/br/br10p.html

A new waterproof, heavy-duty hand-cranked radio:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

A new waterproof, heavy-duty hand-cranked radio:
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/panasonic-rfg77-handcranked-radio-101079.php

Biodegradable packaging tape:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Biodegradable packaging tape:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/04/biodegradable_p.php

Super-strong flip flops, developed by surfers:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Super-strong flip flops, developed by surfers:
http://www.metaefficient.com/metaefficient/archives/clothing/splaff-flopps.html

Very flat, flexible speaker technology:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Very flat, flexible speaker technology:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000567041892/
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/audio/1279551.html?page=1&c=y

Gateway's new $200 LCD monitors...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Gateway's new $200 LCD monitors...
http://news.com.com/Gateway+prepares+trio+of+LCD+monitors/2100-1041_3-5687511.html?part=rss&tag=5687511&subj=news
...are made possible by a price war between Taiwan and South Korea, which make 90% of the world's LCD monitors:
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-5687595.html?part=rss&tag=5687595&subj=news

I just want to make a phone call - the new Nokia N91 has a 4GB hard drive,...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

I just want to make a phone call - the new Nokia N91 has a 4GB hard drive, camera, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, mp3 player, headphone jack, USB connector, FM radio, Web browser, and records video:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5944.html

Scientists make bacteria behave like computers:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Scientists make bacteria behave like computers:
http://www.livescience.com/technology/050428_bacteria_computer.html
And they're closer to making a quantum-based computer by figuring out how to make atom lattices:
http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/eggcarton.htm

How smart mobs are fueling revolution around the world:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

How smart mobs are fueling revolution around the world:
http://futurewire.blogspot.com/2005/04/smart-mobs-rock-developing-world.html

My Future China

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

My Future China
"Does the Future Belong to China?"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7693580/site/newsweek
China's got growing pains though, thanks to unequal wealth distribution, corruption, and "environmental degradation":
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2005/05/01/MNGE5CID7E1.DTL&feed=rss.news
This man's making a mint from moving U.S. factories overseas and is responsible for some of the Chinese-made goods you see at Wal-Mart. He's crying while driving his Hummer to the bank:
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050424/COL01/504240322/1081/BIZ

"The Wal-Mart 'Foundation' is nothing more than a front group for Wal-Mart...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

"The Wal-Mart 'Foundation' is nothing more than a front group for Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated, and should not be confused for a real charitable non-profit":
http://www.walmart-foundation.org/

An update on Iraq's ravaged cultural artifacts - not good:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

An update on Iraq's ravaged cultural artifacts - not good:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4461755.stm

Did you know the keys on your GM van may open the doors on "a half-dozen other...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Did you know the keys on your GM van may open the doors on "a half-dozen other GM vans and pickups"?
http://sympaticomsn.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1114698835400_6?hub=topstories

An "alarming number" of young American girls are taking steroids to emulate the...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

An "alarming number" of young American girls are taking steroids to emulate the look of "models and movie stars":
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/04/25/national/a145435D85.DTL

Hey ladies! Here's why geeks and nerds are worth it!

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Hey ladies! Here's why geeks and nerds are worth it!
http://hartford.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/66795671.html

Did you know that the military occupies over 22% of Oahu?

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Did you know that the military occupies over 22% of Oahu?
http://www.nohohewa.com/map/
Now classified military research is making inroads into the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dozens of students and faculty have occupied the administration building in a rare sit-in:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/May/01/ln/ln07p.html

"U.S. Figures Show Sharp Global Rise In Terrorism - State Dept. Will Not Put...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

"U.S. Figures Show Sharp Global Rise In Terrorism - State Dept. Will Not Put Data in Report":
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content//article/2005/04/26/AR2005042601623.html

Canada once took in 50,000 Vietnam-era draft dodgers. But today it's denying...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Canada once took in 50,000 Vietnam-era draft dodgers. But today it's denying political asylum to those who refuse to participate in the Iraq war:
http://www.boston.com/news/world/canada/articles/2005/04/24/for_young_deserters_refuge_is_hard_to_find/

Some privacy measures are at least being considered for the new RFID-enabled...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Some privacy measures are at least being considered for the new RFID-enabled U.S. passport:
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,67333,00.html

Anti-terror laws are resulting in sophisticated software that can track every...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Anti-terror laws are resulting in sophisticated software that can track every financial transaction no matter how small:
http://www.wired.com/news/privacy/0,1848,67249,00.html

Unhackable communications get one step closer to reality:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Unhackable communications get one step closer to reality:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,15123388-29277,00.html

Distracting TV visuals make people forget, regardless of age:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Distracting TV visuals make people forget, regardless of age:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/ksu-dvc042705.php

Growing Tea In Hawaii

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Growing Tea In Hawaii
Hawaii-grown tea could become a world-famous if these growers have their way:
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Apr/25/bz/bz01p.html
How about also growing yerba mate locally?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate

Aluminum Bottles

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Aluminum Bottles
Aluminum beer bottles have started to show up in the islands. The advantages over glass bottles - they can keep contents colder an hour longer, they're less breakable, and they have more design flexibility. They're a big hit with consumers and are 100% recyclable:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5810359/
http://www.uwstout.edu/solutions/rs/2005/article6.pdf
Glass bottles require less energy to produce and recycle. But could Hawaii save due to reduced shipping weight? It's a careful trade- off:
http://www.recyclingadvocates.org/newsletter/oct2004.htm#beer

A beautiful woodpecker thought to be extinct for 60 years is found:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

A beautiful woodpecker thought to be extinct for 60 years is found:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/potn-lte042705.php

46 benefits of building green:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

46 benefits of building green:
http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm?fileName=140401a.xml

Bamboo bikes could be a great industry for bamboo-filled regions:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Bamboo bikes could be a great industry for bamboo-filled regions:
http://www.bme.szm.sk/bambooframe.htm

Feeling creative? Bring in some new blood:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Feeling creative? Bring in some new blood:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/nu-dtt042705.php

Click the face:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Click the face:
http://www.zanorg.com/prodperso/tronchedekek.htm

A simple, well-designed game - Guess the Google!

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

A simple, well-designed game - Guess the Google!
http://www.weavedigital.com/guess-the-google/

Mathematicians turn an Escher drawing into a trippy interactive experience.

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Mathematicians turn an Escher drawing into a trippy interactive experience. Check out the movies:
http://escherdroste.math.leidenuniv.nl/index.php?menu=animation&sub=about

The all-wood musical door/doorchime based on the African tongue drum. What a...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

The all-wood musical door/doorchime based on the African tongue drum. What a great concept!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/04/a_doorway_to_pa.php

Training wheels, rethought:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Training wheels, rethought:
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TRIKE_BIKE?SITE=APWEB&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Photo Stitching

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Photo Stitching
I recently revisited AutoStitch and tried the Windows demo application that was released last year. The results were completely amazing and it's the most easy-to-use, powerful panorama maker I've ever used on any platform. Why this isn't built into Photoshop, iPhoto, Picasa, Flickr, or cameras yet is beyond me:
http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~mbrown/autostitch/autostitch.html
The most complex photo stitching problem ever, and the mystery and story of the Unicorn Tapestries:
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050411fa_fact
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Unicorn/unicorn_inside.htm

Beautifully photographed abandoned structures in Japan:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Beautifully photographed abandoned structures in Japan:
http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral/research3.html
Here's an amusement park:
http://home.f01.itscom.net/spiral/t_rando/t_rando1.html
I like these:
http://spiral.servlet.jp/t_rando/t_rando23.jpg
http://spiral.servlet.jp/t_rando/t_rando21.jpg

Why is the FBI plastering notices all over CDs, to the dismay of artists and...

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

Why is the FBI plastering notices all over CDs, to the dismay of artists and consumers alike?
http://www.yarnivore.com/francis/archives/001102.html
Doonesbury's take on file sharing:
http://images.ucomics.com/comics/db/2005/db050501.gif

The beautiful long-lost music of Red Hash, circa 1973:

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

The beautiful long-lost music of Red Hash, circa 1973:
http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2005/04/red_hash_revisi.html
http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/BT/Gary_Higgins_-_Thicker_Than_A_Smokey.mp3

21st Century Music Videos

Mon, 02 May 2005 03:23:00 PDT

21st Century Music Videos
The Manual Input Sessions explore the connections between image analysis, shadow puppets, and music generation:
http://www.tmema.org/mis/video.html
"America We Stand As One", with commentary:
http://www.americawestandasone.com/video.html
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/gate/archive/2005/04/29/notes042905.DTL
Daft Punk's "Technologic", a sinister yet groovy reflection on our relationship to technology and language:
http://www.vilodex.com/daputec_thanks_bb.mov
Finally, French dance sensation Vitalic's "My Friend Dario" is one of the latest examples of electroclash, which mashes up New Wave, disco, glam rock, and cyberpunk:
http://www.pias.com/videos/vitalic-myfrienddario.wmv