Powering Lamps with Soil (thanks, Ray)

Normally when it comes to energy, we talk about biofuels and hydrogen sources like methanol. But one designer decided to go for a more natural, easily accessible power source. One of Marieke Strap's rather interesting projects is a lamp powered by nothing else other than your run-of-the-mill garden soil. Aptly called the "Soil Lamp," it exploits the naturally-occurring electrolytes in healthy garden soil to provide energy enough to power a simple LED light bulb. More here: Powering lamps with soil

Star Trek Technologies (real or fiction)

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do. (Henry Ford)
Shades of Star Trek!
Is it here already?
Star Trek Technology: Real or Fiction?
Multi-spectral communication
That first article reminded me of an old series that introduced new ideas to many of us. In those days they seemed futuristic and very ambitious. The interesting part is that now some of them are becoming realities. The series of pages beginning above explains how to vastly increase the amount of information moving along a single optical fiber. It is explained in fairly basic terms, but the reality is that the means already exists to take a fibreoptic cable and multiply the amount of information passing along it, efficiently separating each signal at the destination point. The idea has been on my site for some years, but is only now being employed by those who require this kind of powerful information system.

Do you want to ask the author?

As it appears at least 2 of us are published authors, it seemed fitting to put such experience to good use. Therefore interested ones are invited to post questions about writing your own book. This can include standards of writing, editing, subject matter, publication issues, format, accuracy, printing and distribution. Since each work must be unique (to avoid plagiarism), the qualities needed include good language skills, imagination, ability to use a word processor, access to publishing services such as lulu.com or author.com

Here is a taster for you.

In the words of Anar: "In a seldom visited part of the passages of Corin-Bast is an unremarkable alcove. Nearby is the spot where we found the coffin of a six fingered man. His story led me to discover things we were forbidden to know. Someone hid the secret of our past here over a thousand years before I was born. Along with it was an object that had survived the centuries intact. Had I known its importance then, I would have run away and hid. Instead I became obsessed with knowing the truth of it. Why did I do it? Never could resist a challenge. All I wanted was to know its secret, but along the way it just got bigger and more dangerous. It is the story of how we got here and ultimately of our return to the 'place without wall or ceiling where man would no longer be alone'. The natives there call us 'Homo Subterens' (underground man). If we had suspected it earlier would we have set out to discover it, or shrunk back in fear? Now I hardly know how to tell it. I am no longer the boy who began this journey. I don't even look like a man any more. How long had the truth been hidden from us? Where do I begin to chart the rise of man? Sitting here among the mossy outcroppings it seems like a dream. I remember everything from the start, but who would believe me? Worst of all, when they look at my face they see the one who killed me, and who later delivered us all. Was Tascanar originally just a project, the creation of a brilliant mind, or was it ‘the resting place of the prophets’ as my people taught me? On reflection it probably started as one and became the other over time. Do not think of me as a hideous enemy. He was born as a son of the Kefa, one of the slaves of an evil twisted man. I speak now in his place. His kind and his world were the product of a wicked mind. He fears now because my mind shares with his in the same body, and condemns the things he did. It is ironic that this combination was what brought about our return. Now all depends on whether the court believes the truth of it, or whether they will condemn me as my own murderer. Anar
Get a copy here:Return (by John Durham)
Updates to the novel: Since a friend recently commented that my story was "too detailed", I had a choice.

1)Rewrite the book (ouch!) or 2)Provide cause for a detailed account.

Thankfully, the second option seemed far more practical. Therefore, a small addition has been made to the introduction. It gives cause for the detailed style (sorry- you have to read it to find out why).

Bacterial computers

Biologists have created a living computer from E. coli bacteria that can solve complex mathematical problems.

Computers are evolving – literally. While the tech world argues netbooks vs notebooks, synthetic biologists are leaving traditional computers behind altogether. A team of US scientists have engineered bacteria that can solve complex mathematical problems faster than anything made from silicon.

The research, published today in the Journal of Biological Engineering, proves that bacteria can be used to solve a puzzle known as the Hamiltonian Path Problem. Imagine you want to tour the 10 biggest cities in the UK, starting in London (number 1) and finishing in Bristol (number 10). The solution to the Hamiltonian Path Problem is the the shortest possible route you can take.

More here: Bacterial computers

The Future of Technology

I've been watching a few technology shows, and is becoming apparent to me that great things are in the offing. The most important of which is that someday money and jobs will disappear because machines will be doing ALL OF THE JOBS FOR US.

There will be no reason to work, because everything will be done by the machines, including thinking up new innovations in technology, medicine, and other fields. All physical, and yes mental labor of any sort whatsoever will be performed by machines of one kind or another.

Solar power, hydrogen power, wind power, and wave power are the four main inexhaustible power sources that need to be developed and utilized to make this dream become possible. Never mind renewable resources, these resources will never become exhausted at all, so no renewal is necessary between now and when the sun goes supernova.

More here:
The Future of Technology.

re:Keep Books Alive!

I agree with your sentiments, although I get less chance to read fiction these days. Instead I wrote a novel and published it on line. You can find it here:
RETURN by John Durham

Chinese Hackers are Attacking my PC

Two things happened recently that, taken together, point out just how
dangerous the Internet is.

Cyber security was all over the news as Defense Secretary
Robert Gates approved the creation of a new department
in the U.S. government, called U.S. Cyber Command,
to handle the security of computer networks run by
the Department of Defense.

More here: Chinese hackers are attacking my PC!

Secret questions 'make emails vulnerable to hacking'

Where did you go to school? What is your Brother's first name?

A new study in the US has revealed just how easy the answers of
such security questions are for other people to guess --
in fact these facts make life simple for hackers, the 'New Scientist' reported.

Researchers at Microsoft have based their findings on an analysis of an experiment involving 32 email users. An article on it has been published here:
Secret questions vulnerable

Hacker halted training

Want to do something about the activities of hackers who could threaten your PC or your web site? I just found this site that provides training. Find out about secure coding and ethical hacker countermeasures. Learn computer forensics along with many other advanced techniques. http://www.hackerhalted.com/

Disposable temporary email address

This website provides you with disposable e-mail addresses which expire after 15 Minutes.
guerrillamail.com
It is provided as an anti spam system to prevent others from hijacking your address to send junk to.

Quimo for kids

Qimo is a desktop operating system designed for kids. Based on the open source Ubuntu Linux desktop, Qimo comes pre-installed with educational games for children aged 3 and up. Quimo