World's largest laser

clipped from www.voanews.com New Super Laser Burns Like the Sun The world's strongest laser - powerful enough to create conditions as hot as inside the Sun - was unveiled Friday in the western U.S. state of California for an audience of politicians and scientists. clipped from latimesblogs.latimes.com Livermore Laboratory shows off world's biggest laser gun When the system goes online in two to three years, the nearly 200 lasers will focus all their power inward at a tiny 2-millimeter ball of frozen hydrogen gas, zapping it with 60 times more energy than any laser system that's come before. How much juice is that? Try 2 million joules. "It's never been done before under controlled conditions," wrote the lab's Bob Hirschfeld in an e-mail. "Just in nuclear weapons and in stars." clipped from singularityhub.com The National Ignition Facility Aims to Create a Mini Star Inside the target chamber. Courtesy of NIF The hydrogen fuel pellet targeted for fusion. Courtesy of NIF clipped from www.youtube.com

Here & There Horizonless Mapping

clipped from schulzeandwebb.com Here & There is a project by S&W exploring speculative projections of dense cities. These maps of Manhattan look uptown from 3rd and 7th, and downtown from 3rd and 35th. They're intended to be seen at those same places, putting the viewer simultaneously above the city and in it where she stands, both looking down and looking forward. clipped from vimeo.com Here & There in Manhattan clipped from vimeo.com clipped from schulzeandwebb.com Origins and sources Some of my favourite maps are drawn by a British writer, walker and accountant named Alfred Wainwright. Phil Baines provides background: David Hockney presents a fantastic dissection of perspective in the film A Day on the Grand Canal with the Emperor of China or Surface Is Illusion But So Is Depth. He describes a very old painting from China which depicts a journey along the grand canal. I really like how he describes the scene as ‘making sense.’

Marvell's SheevaPlug Linux PC

clipped from bits.blogs.nytimes.com

Plugging In $40 Computers

What would you do with a $40 Linux computer the size of a three-prong plug adapter?

Marvell Technology Group is counting on an army of computer engineers and hackers to answer that question. It has created a “plug computer.” It’s a tiny plastic box that you plug into an electric outlet. There’s no display. But there is an Ethernet jack to connect to a home network and a U.S.B. socket for attaching a hard drive, camera or other device. Inside is a 1.2 gigahertz Marvell chip, called an application processor, running a version of the Linux operating system.

clipped from www.linuxdevices.com

Low-cost pluggable NAS adds Linux support

As reported in our initial coverage of the Linux-based Marvell SheevaPlug platform and Plug Computer design in February, the Pogoplug enables remote viewing of external storage devices via a web browser. The device connects to an external hard drive or memory stick via USB, and to a router via gigabit Ethernet, says Cloud Engines. The 4.0 x 2.5 x 2.0-inch device plugs directly into a wall socket, and enables remote uploading of multimedia, including access from an Apple iPhone.

clipped from www.p2pnet.net

Linux computer ‘the size of a brick’

Rumors of Apple's iPod-like tablet

clipped from www.pcworld.com Apple Tablet Coming in 2010? Rumors of an iPod-like tablet have been swirling for months, with some speculating that Apple is developing a large-screen iPod touch—say, a 7- to 9-inch touchscreen device—that would be large enough for HD movies and maybe a few desktop-style apps. Such a device would provide a better gaming experience than the iPod touch too. clipped from technology.timesonline.co.uk Apple 'to launch tablet next year' clipped from apple20.blogs.fortune.cnn.com Analyst: ‘Dramatically’ different Apple tablet in 2010 Munster does not address the question of whether the tablet will come with a real keyboard like the MacBook, or a virtual one like the iPod touch. A touchscreen tablet wouldn’t need a keyboard for videos, Web-surfing, iPhone apps or e-books. But some analysts believe it couldn’t really serve as a netbook without a physical keyboard — if only as a peripheral. clipped from blogs.zdnet.com Analyst: An Apple tablet is coming to shake up netbook market clipped from blogs.zdnet.com Here’s a look at Munster’s argument for a Mac tablet and not a netbook. clipped from www.washingtonpost.com What We Know About The Apple Tablet So Far

Top 10 New Species

clipped from edition.cnn.com Scientists parade top 10 new species Story Highlights Scientists publish the top 10 species discovered and named in 2008 List includes a tiny seahorse, ghost slug, old fossil, caffeine-free coffee beans More than 18,500 new species were discovered worldwide in 2007 New species found in Indonesia, Borneo, Madagascar, Malaysia and Wales clipped from edition.cnn.com clipped from www.independent.co.uk clipped from www.independent.co.uk This tiny seahorse, Hippocampus satomiae, grows no bigger than a pea, clipped from www.independent.co.uk The eerily white ghost slug, Selenochlamys ysbryda, was found in Cardiff clipped from www.independent.co.uk This beautiful species of damselfish, Chromis abyssus, was discovered in a deep-reef habitat off the coast of the Pacific island of Ngemelis in Palau. clipped from www.independent.co.uk Coffee charrieriana is the first recorded caffeine-free coffee plant from Central Afric clipped from www.myfoxal.com Microbacterium hatanonis -- Surprisinigly, this new species of extremophile bacteria was discovered in hairspray Phobaeticus chani -- This is the world's longest insect Tahina spectabilis -- [...] This plant flowers itself to death, producing a huge, spectacular terminal inflorescence with countless flowers

Freerunner Free Wi-Fi

clipped from www.pocket-lint.com Freerunner to bring Wi-Fi to "digitally remote" A new free public Wi-Fi network has launched in the UK that aims to enable consumers to get free broadband access in "underserved and digitally remote" areas of the UK's suburbs by installing free to use access points in public and commercial venues of any size. clipped from thenextweb.com Free Wifi comes to (parts of) the UK. Hurrah! So how does it work? The service, provides free broadband access to individuals by installing free to use access points in public and commercial venues. Freerunner can be installed in community-oriented venues, such as public spaces, libraries, transport hubs, community centres and schools will receive the service completely free of charge. In commercial venues, free access will be funded by the venue - but at supposedly a third of current costs from other operators like the cloud, T-Mobile and BT Openzone. clipped from freerunner.squarespace.com clipped from freerunner.squarespace.com clipped from www.t3.com Open access down your street clipped from www.techdigest.tv 2,500 no cost hotspots across the UK by the end of Q2 2009

Us Now -- The Power of Mass Collaboration

clipped from digitaltools.node3000.com Self-organizing systems: Can we govern? “Us Now” is an interesting full length documentary about computer-based social technologies, trust, bottom-up and self-organisation. Finally “wisdom of the crowd” appears and all connected to the question, if we all together could govern? The leading question of the movie is: “In a world in which information is like air, what happens to power?” clipped from www.usnowfilm.com In a world in which information is like air, what happens to power? New technologies and a closely related culture of collaboration present radical new models of social organisation. This project brings together leading practitioners and thinkers in this field and asks them to determine the opportunity for government. This website features all material being created during the making of the film. clipped from watch.usnowfilm.com

Gyy -- iUnika's Solar-Powered Netbook

clipped from www.theinquirer.net Solar powered netbooks tip up SPANISH FIRM iUnika has shown off four new netbooks at a Free Knowledge Foundation sponsored LibreMeeting in Madrid, including a couple of super eco-friendly models sporting solar panels and made from bioplastic. The little eco warriors costing between 130-160 Euros (about $180-$220), weigh in at just 700 grams, boast a 400MHz processor and run Linux. clipped from www.iunika.com clipped from www.pcworld.com Meet Gyy, The First Solar Powered Netbook Make no mistake, the Gyy won't be a gaming netbook, as it runs on a 400Mhz MIPS processor and has only 128MB of RAM. On the good side though, you get a 64GB solid-state storage space, three USB ports, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. Gyy's display is not on the brilliant side, either, with only an 800-by-480 resolution on the 8-inch screen. But these rather antiquated specs have their advantage, as you would never run out of power (virtually that is) on the Gyy, thanks to the solar panel mounted on the lid of the netbook.

Robotic Taxi Concept

clipped from www.igreenspot.com Electric Robotic Taxi By Kubik Petr Various eco- friendly vehicles are popping up to help save the environment. A new comer in the market is the electric powered robotic taxi by designer Kubik Petr. Being electric powered; this robotic taxi already has a great contribution to the environment for it surely has zero carbon emission. clipped from www.ecofriend.org clipped from www.coroflot.com Petr kubik transport design (4 of 11) Description First of all is very important say that my concept of taxi is robot. So there is not driver. Whole operation happen by electronics. Primary it is designed for gigantic cities for transport maximum two passengers with ordinary hand-held baggage. Next possibility is take only one passanger with bigger baggages. Dimension of my taxi are very compact. There is optical sensor around all the undercarriage to get maximum view for its driving, navigation and control.

Solar-Powered Train

clipped from www.azstarnet.com High-speed solar train proposed as Tucson-Phoenix connection A Tucson company wants to send you someday on a sun-fueled ride from one end of the state to the other. The idea of a high-speed train that runs on solar power is still in its early stage, but the project's creators are pitching the idea to area cities and potential investors. clipped from www.greendiary.com The train would require 110 megawatts of electricity and would operate with solar power generated from overhead panels. clipped from www.solarbullet.com This innovative public transportation concept will use free, non-polluting green energy from our greatest natural resource - the sun, to power local commuter rail in Arizona’s major cities and high-speed passenger connections between Phoenix and Tucson. "Travel between Phoenix and Tucson in about 30 minutes." Later phases will extend this service to Flagstaff and Nogales

Water Phone

clipped from gemssty.com Water Phone ... here’s the instrument that makes the scary-eerie sound effects in horror movies (not so scary looking in real life at all too): clipped from www.youtube.com H2Ophone Slideshow. (Waterphone) clipped from www.waterphone.com The Waterphone was invented and is patented by Richard Waters (pat.#3896696). Each instrument is unique and made to order. Richard personally makes, tunes, signs and dates each Waterphone. The sound of the Waterphone has been compared to the haunting melodies of the Humpback Whale and voices from inner/outer space. Waterphones have been described as acoustic synthesizers, Waterharps, a musical “Aladdin's Lamp”, and “Whalephones”. clipped from www.youtube.com megabass waterphone demonstration clipped from www.youtube.com H2Ophone Demo (Waterphone) 00

Clayton's I-House

clipped from www.popularmechanics.com Clayton's I-House: Prefab Green Homes Get Affordable It looks like a house you'd order from Ikea. It sounds like a house designed by Apple. The I-House just might be the future–well, one future, anyway–of the housing market. clipped from www.jetsongreen.com The i-house gets its name from its footprint. The core portion of the home is 992 square feet with bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. The core is then dotted by an extended flex room and bathroom quarters, which also features an exciting rooftop deck. The configuration of the core and flex room forms an "i," but the flex portion of the home can be placed in other locations in proximity to the main part of the house, too. [=] Virtual Tour i-house

Worldwide Webcam Google Maps

clipped from googlemapsmania.blogspot.com New Worldwide Webcam Google Map Worldwide Webcams Maps Mashed World has created a number of webcam Google Maps for different countries around the world. The webcams for each map are provided by webcams.travel, who recently had a layer added to Google Maps. clipped from www.mashedworld.com Mashed World Google Maps and Street View Projects Home Events Guide Hotels Guide Street Tours Dual Maps Webcams Worldwide Webcams The Worldwide Webcam Maps show webcam locations around the world using Map Channels v3 maps. Thanks to Webcams.travel for providing the data for these maps. clipped from www.mashedworld.com Worldwide Webcam Maps Germany 1508 webcams United States 1196 webcams Switzerland 817 webcams United Kingdom 219 webcams France 290 webcams clipped from www.webcams.travel Google Earth: 3D experience

NASA's Global Hawk Autonomous Aircraft

clipped from thefutureofthings.com Global Hawk Autonomous Aircraft NASA and the Northrop Grumman Corporation have recently unveiled a new unmanned aircraft system named Global Hawk. It is the world’s first fully autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance aircraft designed for environmental science research and features unprecedented flight time and altitude capabilities. clipped from www.youtube.com NASA's first Global Hawk environmental science aircraft Unveiling of NASA's first Global Hawk autonomously operated environmental science aircraft. clipped from www.nasa.gov Global Hawk: High-altitude, long-endurance science aircraft In its new white-and-blue NASA livery, an early development model of the Global Hawk unmanned aircraft rests on the ramp at the Dryden Flight Research Center. NASA Photo One of NASA's Global Hawk unmanned science aircraft displays its bulbous nose while parked on the ramp at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, Calif. NASA Photo clipped from www.nasa.gov

Samsung's SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Camcorders

clipped from gadgetwise.blogs.nytimes.com Samsung Camcorders Stay Out of Your Face Samsung’s two new camcorders have a cool design feature that you may not notice at first glance. The ultracompact SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 both employ the same Active Angle Lens design as their forerunner, the $500 HMX-R10. clipped from www.pocket-lint.com Ergonomic and compact clipped from www.businesswire.com New SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Offer Industry-Leading Style, Design and Ease-of-Use clipped from www.camcorderinfo.com Samsung's New SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 Standard Def Camcorders The Samsung SMX-C14 offers 16GB of internal memory, plus an SD/SDHC card slot. The SMX-C10 has card-only recording. Both record in the H.264 compression at standard definition. Other specs include a 10x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch, 230,000-pixel LCD, and time-lapse recording at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 30 seconds. clipped from www.engadgethd.com Gallery: Samsung intros drop-dead gorgeous SMX-C14 and SMX-C10 camcorders clipped from www.t3.com Sleek, slim and with the option to record three hours of your life on a modest memory card, the Samsung SMX-C10 camcorder looks ideal for capturing the best of this year's summer holiday.

Book Scanning

clipped from blogoscoped.com Google’s Book Scanning Patent clipped from www.newscientist.com Google sees infrared in plan to scan world's books clipped from www.npr.org The Secret Of Google's Book Scanning Machine Revealed Before Google came on the scene, book scanning was a tedious process that sometimes resulted in the death of a book. The software used to scan books, called Optical Character Recognition software or OCR for short, required each page of the book to be flat. Google created some seriously nifty infrared camera technology that detects the three-dimensional shape and angle of book pages when the book is placed in the scanner. This information is transmitted to the OCR software, which adjusts for the distortions and allows the OCR software to read text more accurately. clipped from patft.uspto.gov United States Patent 7,508,978 Lefevere , et al. March 24, 2009 Detection of grooves in scanned images