New Technology on the pastures ?!?!
Ever seen a cow with a helmet? Well a project involving the USDA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on the government's Jornada Experimental Range in southern New Mexico, you will find cows with GPS tracking devices attached to their heads. What can these GPS devices do for the farmers? This devices can help the humans track where the cattle is on the pastures and track their movement. These devices can even create a sound, signaling to the cow its time for feeding. This technology has been in the works for over 30 years and will enable the farms to do less manual herding of the animals and will allow them to keep track of them from a computer versus running after them. This site: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/aug02/cattle0802.htm
This site states how farmers are using this technology to study the grazing behavior in order to disperse the cattle more efficiently.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/05/remote.herding.ap/index.html
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Journal #14
Competition for the Iphone...
Samsung has developed a phone to directly compete with the Apple's Iphone. The Samsung Instinct looks very similar as they both rely heavily on the touch screen. The Instinct costs only 129$ after mail in rebate, which is much cheaper than the Iphone. Critics say the best features are the messaging and GPS systems. But it lacks Wi-Fi features, the calls are some what erratic and there is no editing feature for the video camera. This development of these types of phones is showing us how we, as American's are becoming very dependent on mobility as we look for ways to email and do business things on the go and away from the office. With gas prices on the rise, with no end in sight, businesses are looking for ways to cut costs, these types of new technology are allowing for more people to work from home and on the go.
This link shows alot more specific specifications of the phone: http://gizmodo.com/374454/sprints-samsung-instinct-at-last-a-decent-iphone-competitor
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/06/samsung.instinct/index.html
Samsung has developed a phone to directly compete with the Apple's Iphone. The Samsung Instinct looks very similar as they both rely heavily on the touch screen. The Instinct costs only 129$ after mail in rebate, which is much cheaper than the Iphone. Critics say the best features are the messaging and GPS systems. But it lacks Wi-Fi features, the calls are some what erratic and there is no editing feature for the video camera. This development of these types of phones is showing us how we, as American's are becoming very dependent on mobility as we look for ways to email and do business things on the go and away from the office. With gas prices on the rise, with no end in sight, businesses are looking for ways to cut costs, these types of new technology are allowing for more people to work from home and on the go.
This link shows alot more specific specifications of the phone: http://gizmodo.com/374454/sprints-samsung-instinct-at-last-a-decent-iphone-competitor
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/08/06/samsung.instinct/index.html
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Journal #13
The next generation in fuel-efficient cars
The company, MDI, a European company founded in 1991 by a French inventor and former race car engineer is set to come out with a car that can go 106 miles per gallon. Its set to hit the US market in 2010 at around 18,000. The engine works like that of a locomotive, expect compressing air not steam. Critics have this to say about the design, the frame of the car will be made light as possible with the frames being glued not welded creating safety concerns, also an air compressor that would be needed to create the pressure needed would require a lot of horse power raising questions on just how efficient the car will actually be. The car will be able to run strictly on air compression at speeds 35mph or less and anything above would be a combination of air and fuel supplied by the 8 gallon fuel tank. With gas prices at their current state without any relief in sight, it makes this new invention seem to have arrived at just the right time for the American people to be accepting to such an idea. This car will be a big change from the huge gas guzzling SUVs we love to drive. The official site of the "air car" http://www.theaircar.com/air-cars/the_air_car.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/08/air.car/index.html
The company, MDI, a European company founded in 1991 by a French inventor and former race car engineer is set to come out with a car that can go 106 miles per gallon. Its set to hit the US market in 2010 at around 18,000. The engine works like that of a locomotive, expect compressing air not steam. Critics have this to say about the design, the frame of the car will be made light as possible with the frames being glued not welded creating safety concerns, also an air compressor that would be needed to create the pressure needed would require a lot of horse power raising questions on just how efficient the car will actually be. The car will be able to run strictly on air compression at speeds 35mph or less and anything above would be a combination of air and fuel supplied by the 8 gallon fuel tank. With gas prices at their current state without any relief in sight, it makes this new invention seem to have arrived at just the right time for the American people to be accepting to such an idea. This car will be a big change from the huge gas guzzling SUVs we love to drive. The official site of the "air car" http://www.theaircar.com/air-cars/the_air_car.html
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/08/air.car/index.html
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Journal #12
Is the internet in need of re-structuring ?
A project is being created in attempts to re-structure the internet. It recently received 12 million dollars in funding from the government. The group states that the only way to fix the problems we face such as security issues is to create a "clean-slate." In order for this project to work it will have to have a very powerful internet source. So to test these prototypes, the Internet2 organization is contributing 10 gigabits per second of dedicated bandwidth, so researchers won't be affected by the normal internet traffic. This would be enough to run 30 high-quality movies into your home simultaneously. The total costs for the project is estimated at 350 million and is slated to start in 5 years once they receive approval from congress. I find that cost to be very "Cheap" in regards to fixing something as big as the internet. The internet security is a big issue though that the nation is facing so its nice to see that we are focusing on trying to fix this issue. As almost every American household uses the internet and our society is becoming even more dependent on it, it is very crucial that we solidify the internet.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Intel-calls-for-Internet-overhaul/0,130061744,139158887,00.htm
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1828336,00.html?cnn=yes
A project is being created in attempts to re-structure the internet. It recently received 12 million dollars in funding from the government. The group states that the only way to fix the problems we face such as security issues is to create a "clean-slate." In order for this project to work it will have to have a very powerful internet source. So to test these prototypes, the Internet2 organization is contributing 10 gigabits per second of dedicated bandwidth, so researchers won't be affected by the normal internet traffic. This would be enough to run 30 high-quality movies into your home simultaneously. The total costs for the project is estimated at 350 million and is slated to start in 5 years once they receive approval from congress. I find that cost to be very "Cheap" in regards to fixing something as big as the internet. The internet security is a big issue though that the nation is facing so its nice to see that we are focusing on trying to fix this issue. As almost every American household uses the internet and our society is becoming even more dependent on it, it is very crucial that we solidify the internet.
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/security/soa/Intel-calls-for-Internet-overhaul/0,130061744,139158887,00.htm
this site gives a little more insite on the issue stating the project is being backed by intel and HP and that one of the problems with the internet is the lack of ability to adapt.
http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1828336,00.html?cnn=yes
Journal #11
China restricting their countries internet access as the Olympics are about to begin
The country of China has been reported to have broken their promise in saying that they would have their internet available without restrictions. Why is this you may wonder ? It is due to "China's authoritarian government and the tight social controls exerted by the Communist Party." China is still trying to block out their society from seeing how things are outside of China in which would create a possible revolt against the government in attempts to overthrow it to become a free country. Olympic officials have said this problem with the internet is hurting China's attempt to portray themselves as an image of a "modern, open state." Among the sites being blocked have to do with religion one source said. I think this is a very shady thing China is doing, as I thought China was trying to get other nations to trust them. By keeping a restricted internet access I find that very hard to do. This site ran by the Harvard University http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/4504
states how China promised 8 years ago during the bidding process to get the Olympics in their country to have unfiltered internet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/01/olympics.internet.ap/index.html
The country of China has been reported to have broken their promise in saying that they would have their internet available without restrictions. Why is this you may wonder ? It is due to "China's authoritarian government and the tight social controls exerted by the Communist Party." China is still trying to block out their society from seeing how things are outside of China in which would create a possible revolt against the government in attempts to overthrow it to become a free country. Olympic officials have said this problem with the internet is hurting China's attempt to portray themselves as an image of a "modern, open state." Among the sites being blocked have to do with religion one source said. I think this is a very shady thing China is doing, as I thought China was trying to get other nations to trust them. By keeping a restricted internet access I find that very hard to do. This site ran by the Harvard University http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/4504
states how China promised 8 years ago during the bidding process to get the Olympics in their country to have unfiltered internet.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/08/01/olympics.internet.ap/index.html
Journal #10
Human Powered dance clubs, gyms, and soon to be homes ?
An Italian inventor Lucien Gambarota has invented a way for gyms and dance clubs to become self sufficient as far as energy. In the clubs there is a moving floor in which there are coils and magnets underneath the floor and as people dance on top of it, they create a charge in which is transferred to batteries to be stored. The gym works in a much more traditional way, the stationary bikes will create the energy which will be stored in batteries as well. This idea is in the process of being developed for homes, but can you imagine a 7 year old having to peddle his way to watching his favorite cartoons? This idea is being thought of as a way to fight the child hood obesity issue this country is facing. As kids may be a little more receptive of this new idea but the dad whos worked all day and just wants to sit and watch the news and drink a beer is probably a lot less likely to want to "workout" to watch it. This article discusses in more detail what one of these pedal machines creates the energy and how it works. http://www.windstreampower.com/Human_Power_Generator.php
it states with one turn it can create up to 60 watts of power.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/01/Human.power/index.html
An Italian inventor Lucien Gambarota has invented a way for gyms and dance clubs to become self sufficient as far as energy. In the clubs there is a moving floor in which there are coils and magnets underneath the floor and as people dance on top of it, they create a charge in which is transferred to batteries to be stored. The gym works in a much more traditional way, the stationary bikes will create the energy which will be stored in batteries as well. This idea is in the process of being developed for homes, but can you imagine a 7 year old having to peddle his way to watching his favorite cartoons? This idea is being thought of as a way to fight the child hood obesity issue this country is facing. As kids may be a little more receptive of this new idea but the dad whos worked all day and just wants to sit and watch the news and drink a beer is probably a lot less likely to want to "workout" to watch it. This article discusses in more detail what one of these pedal machines creates the energy and how it works. http://www.windstreampower.com/Human_Power_Generator.php
it states with one turn it can create up to 60 watts of power.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/science/08/01/Human.power/index.html
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Journal #9
New Technology being used for a bike ride ???
Once again we see an article discussing how technology is being implemented into society for a new purpose due to rising gas prices. What now you ask ? New mapping technology is being used not for your out of town trip but for your joy ride on your bicycle. Thats right bicycle, new technology is being used to map out the most suitable route for your joy ride via your bicycle. The maps show you the best route based on aspects such as road blocks, speed limit for cars, sidewalks, etc. This new mapping isn't limited to just bike riders, its also being used by walkers and transit riders alike. The BTA (Bicycle Transportation Alliance) is seeing the effects of the high gases prices as well as their membership is steadily increasing. One of this groups main goals is developing bicycle boulevards which are roads made strickly for bikes making biking a make more safer, healthier alternative to driving. This mapping technology will be able to show these routes via the computer making them known to riders who may or may not know about them. (http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/bikeboulevards.php)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/07/25/webmaps.walking.ap/index.html
Once again we see an article discussing how technology is being implemented into society for a new purpose due to rising gas prices. What now you ask ? New mapping technology is being used not for your out of town trip but for your joy ride on your bicycle. Thats right bicycle, new technology is being used to map out the most suitable route for your joy ride via your bicycle. The maps show you the best route based on aspects such as road blocks, speed limit for cars, sidewalks, etc. This new mapping isn't limited to just bike riders, its also being used by walkers and transit riders alike. The BTA (Bicycle Transportation Alliance) is seeing the effects of the high gases prices as well as their membership is steadily increasing. One of this groups main goals is developing bicycle boulevards which are roads made strickly for bikes making biking a make more safer, healthier alternative to driving. This mapping technology will be able to show these routes via the computer making them known to riders who may or may not know about them. (http://www.bta4bikes.org/at_work/bikeboulevards.php)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/ptech/07/25/webmaps.walking.ap/index.html
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