Posts
By Jane Wakefield
Technology reporter, BBC News
Music industry representative the BPI has criticised the approach used by a UK law firm in chasing file-sharers.
Law firm ACS:Law has sent thousands of letters to people it claims have downloaded illegal content.
The BPI said it did not condone the approach of mass-mailing alleged internet pirates.
A law firm that represents some of those sent letters has called on the Information Commissioner to investigate the matter.
More here:Piracy hunt condemned
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Deadline looms for Google Books deal
Amazon has urged a New York court to reject a deal that would allow Google to build a vast digital library.
The online retailer says that if Google is given exclusive rights to scan books for use on the internet, it is "likely to lead to a monopoly".
Interested groups and authors have until 28 January to file objections to the project to a US court.
More here:Google books deal
Are you an author? What if your book is acquired by google?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
The iPod is out
Steve Jobs unveils Apple's iPad device
Apple has put an end to weeks of speculation by unveiling its tablet PC, which it has called the iPad.
Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive unveiled the touchscreen device at an event in San Francisco.
Mr Jobs described the tablet, which will cost between $499 and $829 in the US, as a "third category" between smartphones and laptops.
The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web.
More here: iPod
Apple has put an end to weeks of speculation by unveiling its tablet PC, which it has called the iPad.
Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive unveiled the touchscreen device at an event in San Francisco.
Mr Jobs described the tablet, which will cost between $499 and $829 in the US, as a "third category" between smartphones and laptops.
The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web.
More here: iPod
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mozilla/Firefox also has a blog
After running this blog for over a year I discovered many more of interest. One in particular applies to the email and browser source with the well known names of Mozilla, Firefox and Thunderbird. The link is below:
Mozilla/Firefox/Thunderbird blog
If you want to find out more, get involved or start something, why not take a look?
Mozilla/Firefox/Thunderbird blog
If you want to find out more, get involved or start something, why not take a look?
Monday, January 25, 2010
Bad pennies
Remember a while back a customer gave trouble? Yesterday he called for help with getting his PC on line. Still, I helped him until the system connected. This is the same guy who has a court case coming up. Am I acting like an idiot, or just a caring fellow?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
News:Online music piracy 'destroys local music'
Countries like Spain run the risk of becoming "cultural deserts" because of online file-sharing, the music industry has claimed.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) says that global government legislation is essential to the sector's survival.
It cited Spain as an example of a country which does not have laws in place to prevent illegal downloads.
The sales of albums by local artists there have fallen by 65% in five years.
It seems there has been a followup on this one:"Law firm's piracy hunt condemned"
By Jane Wakefield
Technology reporter, BBC News
Music industry representative the BPI has criticised the approach used by a UK law firm in chasing file-sharers.
Law firm ACS:Law has sent thousands of letters to people it claims have downloaded illegal content.
The BPI said it did not condone the approach of mass-mailing alleged internet pirates.
A law firm that represents some of those sent letters has called on the Information Commissioner to investigate the matter.
More here:http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8483482.stm?ad=1
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) says that global government legislation is essential to the sector's survival.
It cited Spain as an example of a country which does not have laws in place to prevent illegal downloads.
The sales of albums by local artists there have fallen by 65% in five years.
It seems there has been a followup on this one:"Law firm's piracy hunt condemned"
By Jane Wakefield
Technology reporter, BBC News
Music industry representative the BPI has criticised the approach used by a UK law firm in chasing file-sharers.
Law firm ACS:Law has sent thousands of letters to people it claims have downloaded illegal content.
The BPI said it did not condone the approach of mass-mailing alleged internet pirates.
A law firm that represents some of those sent letters has called on the Information Commissioner to investigate the matter.
More here:http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8483482.stm?ad=1
Friday, January 15, 2010
It's nice to know you are having no problems that require blog support
It has been a while since you folks posted comments here, so I'm assuming the best for you. While Google has problems along with Haiti, Internet Explorer, the Middle East and others are causing anything from annoyance to major suffering, it's good to know you are fine and well.
Given that, would you care to speculate on future needs and matters you see on the horizon?
Remember: It's your blog, so get into it!
Given that, would you care to speculate on future needs and matters you see on the horizon?
Remember: It's your blog, so get into it!
Microsoft admits Explorer used in Google China hack
Microsoft has admitted that its Internet Explorer was a weak link in the recent attacks on Google's systems that originated in China.
The firm said in a blog post on Thursday that a vulnerability in the browser could allow hackers to remotely run programs on infected machines.
Following the attack, Google threatened to end its operations in China.
More here:Google hack
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
News:No such thing as safe cocaine
The image of cocaine as a "safe party drug" is a myth that must be dispelled, say UK experts, as a study shows the drug is linked to 3% of sudden deaths.
The British Heart Foundation said the findings, published in the European Heart Journal, were a reminder that the drug can have devastating effects.
Although the data comes from south-west Spain, researchers said the results should apply to Europe in general.
They said anyone could suffer the deadly consequences of taking cocaine.
Fotini Rozakeas of the British Heart Foundation said: "The reality is that there are risks every time you use it.
More here:Cocain risk
The British Heart Foundation said the findings, published in the European Heart Journal, were a reminder that the drug can have devastating effects.
Although the data comes from south-west Spain, researchers said the results should apply to Europe in general.
They said anyone could suffer the deadly consequences of taking cocaine.
Fotini Rozakeas of the British Heart Foundation said: "The reality is that there are risks every time you use it.
More here:Cocain risk
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
News:Solar cells made through oil and water self assembly
By Jason Palmer
Science and technology reporter, BBC News
Self assembly of solar cells
Science and technology reporter, BBC News
Researchers have demonstrated a simple, cheap way to create self-assembling electronic devices using a property crucial to salad dressings.
It uses the fact that oil- and water-based liquids do not mix, forming devices from components that align along the boundary between the two.
The idea joins a raft of approaches toward self-assembly, but lends itself particularly well to small components.
The work is reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Crucially, it could allow the large-scale assembly of high-quality electronic components on materials of just about any type, in contrast to "inkjet printed" electronics or some previous self-assembly techniques.
More here:Self assembly of solar cells
Friday, January 8, 2010
For you authors out there
I just came across the lulu blog. It's a place where authors whose work has been published by lulu.com can discuss the kinds of problems and issues writers have. If you want to comment or ask questions, I suggest you visit it! Here is the link : lulu blog for authors. With this you can pick the brains of the authors and get ideas for your own pet project. Enjoy!
Turning wood into bones
The following development appeared in news reports this morning: By Duncan Kennedy
BBC News, Rome
BBC News, Rome
A novel - and natural - way of creating new bones for humans could be just a few years away.
Scientists in Italy have developed a way of turning rattan wood into bone that is almost identical to the human tissue.
At the Istec laboratory of bioceramics in Faenza near Bologna, a herd of sheep have already been implanted with the bones.
More here:Turning wood into bonesBlog for writers
If you have had a go at writing your own book, or want to know how to do it, there is a blog especially for you. http://lulu.com (the writers' publishing system on line) has just announced their blog.
http://lulublog.com/
There you can find lots of information and hints on how to write your book and publish it.
Having gone through this process some years ago, I can tell you a few things about the process.
1) You need to prepare your work in a suitable format using a word processor.
I used Word for Windows.
Note: If you make mistakes in the text, they will appear in the printed work, so go over it carefully before publishing!
Divide the work up into sections for easy handling. I found individual chapters practical (one for each chapter).
2) When you are ready, upload your chapters, introduction etc to your account on lulu.com and create a cover for it (title, image, author's name etc). Then download the PDF file of your creation to your PC. Note: It may take years of work before you get to the publishing stage.
Go over it carefully to spot problems (formatting errors, spelling mistakes, other boo boos in the story).
When you are convinced you have done a good job, publish a copy in its final form (choose cover, style etc). Note: The format of your pages is something you set when writing your Word document(s). If you do a bad job here, it will show up in the published work, so watch out for that.
It may be wise to have a skilled person go over the work and spot problems before you turn it loose on an unsympathetic public.
http://lulublog.com/
There you can find lots of information and hints on how to write your book and publish it.
Having gone through this process some years ago, I can tell you a few things about the process.
1) You need to prepare your work in a suitable format using a word processor.
I used Word for Windows.
Note: If you make mistakes in the text, they will appear in the printed work, so go over it carefully before publishing!
Divide the work up into sections for easy handling. I found individual chapters practical (one for each chapter).
2) When you are ready, upload your chapters, introduction etc to your account on lulu.com and create a cover for it (title, image, author's name etc). Then download the PDF file of your creation to your PC. Note: It may take years of work before you get to the publishing stage.
Go over it carefully to spot problems (formatting errors, spelling mistakes, other boo boos in the story).
When you are convinced you have done a good job, publish a copy in its final form (choose cover, style etc). Note: The format of your pages is something you set when writing your Word document(s). If you do a bad job here, it will show up in the published work, so watch out for that.
It may be wise to have a skilled person go over the work and spot problems before you turn it loose on an unsympathetic public.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
News:EU awards Galileo satellite-navigation contracts
By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News
Science correspondent, BBC News
 Sat-nav will become ubiquitous in mobile phones |
A German/UK consortium has been asked to supply the first operational spacecraft for Europe's Galileo satellite-navigation system.
OHB System and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) will build 14 satellites in a contract valued at 566m euros ($811m; £510m).
The contract was announced by the European Commission in Brussels.
Galileo is intended as an EU version of the US Global Positioning System (GPS), but with significant improvements.
More here:Satellite navigation contracts
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Google phone
The Nexus One will be the first Google-branded mobile phone, but its software is on various smartphones
The web is awash with gossip and rumour about the imminent arrival of a Google-branded phone.
The search firm is widely expected to unveil the Nexus One phone at a press conference scheduled for 5 January at its California HQ.
It is believed Google will sell the gadget directly to customers and that it will also be available, subsidised, from mobile operators.
Google has remained tight-lipped about what will be unveiled at the event.
More here: Speculation rife on Google phone
The web is awash with gossip and rumour about the imminent arrival of a Google-branded phone.
The search firm is widely expected to unveil the Nexus One phone at a press conference scheduled for 5 January at its California HQ.
It is believed Google will sell the gadget directly to customers and that it will also be available, subsidised, from mobile operators.
Google has remained tight-lipped about what will be unveiled at the event.
More here: Speculation rife on Google phone
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Space plane information
You will find quite a lot of technical information on the Reaction
Engines Click here.
Engines Click here.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Space plane question and response
Just one question: Since the craft is designed for trips into the upper atmosphere to the edge of space, a possibility exists that it could (by whatever means) cross that limit and end up outside the atmosphere.
In such a case, jet engines would be useless due to the lack of oxygen to burn fuel (which could also occur in high atmosphere).
What would happen if the craft was unable to return (whether by miscalculation, mechanical fault, rocket failure, software bug, virus or other unanticipated mishap)?
RESPONSE:Jonathan Amos-Online wrote:John. If you are referring to Skylon, it breathes air only to about
30km and then uses oxygen from a tank. It is rather like merging the
Pegasus-rocket-and-aircraft system into one unit, only much more
efficiently and with a greater uplift capacity. J
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Thanks for the clarification. That was the missing piece I needed.
It would seem then that the capacity and range of the craft are tied to the capacity of the tank. Therefore a design limit exists for the range of the flight based on the size of the oxygen tank. This also explains why the flights are only to the edge of space (limited resources to extend the journey).
Do you know if the designers intend to modify the system for longer flights?
In such a case, jet engines would be useless due to the lack of oxygen to burn fuel (which could also occur in high atmosphere).
What would happen if the craft was unable to return (whether by miscalculation, mechanical fault, rocket failure, software bug, virus or other unanticipated mishap)?
RESPONSE:Jonathan Amos-Online wrote:John. If you are referring to Skylon, it breathes air only to about
30km and then uses oxygen from a tank. It is rather like merging the
Pegasus-rocket-and-aircraft system into one unit, only much more
efficiently and with a greater uplift capacity. J
http://www.bbc.co.uk/
Thanks for the clarification. That was the missing piece I needed.
It would seem then that the capacity and range of the craft are tied to the capacity of the tank. Therefore a design limit exists for the range of the flight based on the size of the oxygen tank. This also explains why the flights are only to the edge of space (limited resources to extend the journey).
Do you know if the designers intend to modify the system for longer flights?
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Richard Branson unveils Virgin Galactic spaceplane
By Jonathan Amos
Science correspondent, BBC News
Science correspondent, BBC News
Sir Richard Branson has unveiled the rocket plane he will use to take fare-paying passengers into space.
SpaceShipTwo was presented to the world in Mojave, California.
The vehicle will undergo testing over the next 18 months before being allowed to take ticketed individuals on short-hop trips just above the atmosphere.
Billionaire Sir Richard, who heads the Virgin Group, intends to run the first flights out of New Mexico before extending operations around the globe.
Built from lightweight carbon composite materials and powered by a hybrid rocket motor, SS2 is based on the X-Prize-winning SpaceShipOne concept - a rocket plane that is lifted initially by a carrier vehicle before blasting skywards.
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