Archive for November, 2004

UMTS Coming

Tuesday, November 30th, 2004

The third-generation network will offer average data speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (Kbps), and bursts to several megabits per second on capable devices. Cingular set to launch third-generation wireless network

Extreme Commuting

Tuesday, November 30th, 2004

Foster is one of 3.4 million Americans who endure a daily “extreme commute” of 90 minutes or more each way to work. They’re among the fastest-growing segment of commuters, according to a Census study, Journey to Work, released in March. Their commute times are more than triple the national average of 25.5 minutes each way. […]

Appliance Repair

Sunday, November 28th, 2004

This past Turkey-Day I was Mr. Fixit… everything around my parents house that needed repair was my responsibility these past few days. Besides the typical geek-son duties of rewiring the home network and fixing whatever windows bugs were on the family PCs, I also worked on the appliances… A new built-in microwave oven went in, […]

TV Piracy

Saturday, November 27th, 2004

The new wave of online piracy is all about TV — and Hollywood is sending lawyers Hot television

Best DVD-R Media

Saturday, November 27th, 2004

I get two variations on the topic: “what’s the best media to use?” and “where do I find the cheapest media?” Of course, everyone really wants to know where the best and cheapest media can be found. That, I’m afraid is a micro-scale holy grail, but these days it’s not as absurd a question as […]

Namesake

Friday, November 26th, 2004

Intreresting… Multistriped Woven Shirt and Contrast-Placket Polo I don’t know what it means to have someone make clothing under my name… hmmm…

Blog Torrent

Wednesday, November 24th, 2004

Blog Torrent is software that makes it much easier to share and download files using the bittorrent protocol. Blog Torrent is easy to install on your website: we don’t use MySQL so installation is as easy as uploading a folder to your web host, and all administration happens in the web interface. Blog Torrent is […]

MS vs. Dell vs. AMD vs. Intel

Wednesday, November 24th, 2004

Here’s a prediction you don’t see everyday. Microsoft will be responsible for ending the monogamous relationship between Dell and Intel. Microsoft will deliver Dell to AMD. How MS will end the Dell – Intel love-in

Recording HDTV

Wednesday, November 24th, 2004

It almost impossible to record anything HiDef other than straight off the air (OTA) ATSC… these guys will install a Firewire port on most HiDef satdish receivers so you can record the digital stream… Very cool. 169time.com

SElinux

Wednesday, November 24th, 2004

In today’s world of high speed Internet connections, coffee shops with free wireless access, and way too many root kits floating around on the Web, thinking about computer security has become commonplace. To combat this issue, National Security Agency (NSA), with the help of Linux community, has developed an access control architecture to confine processes […]

HomeSeer

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

HomeSeer Technologies, a home automation software and system developer, has announced the release of their Windows Media Center Edition plug-in that allows HomeSeer product users to control lighting, security, and thermostats throughout the home using Windows Media Center’s 10-foot TV UI and remote control. Also included in the plug-in is a scripting interface (programming languages: […]

Sarbanes-Oxley

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Sarbanes-Oxley cheat sheet Lowdown on SOX

Tivo not looking good

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

TiVo had a mixed message Monday about its progress in the critical race to sign up digital video recorder (DVR) customers this holiday season before cable operators and others put marketing muscle behind rival services. More viewers buy TiVo

Robosapien

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Robosapien is cool… here are some hidden programs you can activate on yours if you own one too: http://www.robosapienonline.com/ And here are some teasers regarding Robosapien TWO! We were lucky enough to catch the attention of the Robosapien’s creator and Robotics Physicist, Mark W. Tilden. Mr. Tilden also created the B.I.O. Bugs toy robots, worked […]

Just-In-Time

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

For most businesses, warehouses full of stuff are a kind of security blanket. But Dell has replaced inventory with information, and that has helped turn it into one of the fastest, most hyperefficient organizations on the planet. Here’s how Dell uses speed as the ultimate competitive weapon, and why rivals may never be able to […]

Data-Mining

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Plenty of retailers collect data about their stores and their shoppers, and many use the information to try to improve sales. Target Stores, for example, introduced a branded Visa card in 2001 and has used it, along with an arsenal of gadgetry, to gather data ever since. But Wal-Mart amasses more data about the products […]

Inflation

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Yes, inflation is coming back, with what UBS economist Susan Hering calls “the pitter-patter of little price increases.” This is not great news for investors: Inflation can crush your bond portfolio and wreck your retirement plans. In large enough doses, it can trample stock returns, too. Giant sucking sound is inflation

iTunes with PocketPC

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004

Now you can sync your music to your PocketPC device with iTunes… At last, Windows Mobile users can have the best of both worlds. iTunes to manage their music album and a Pocket PC, Pocket PC Phone or Smartphone to carry the music in their iTunes playlists. ppcTunes

Millionaires

Monday, November 22nd, 2004

Millionaires Row is getting a lot more crowded. The number of households who claimed a net worth of more than $1 million has surged over the last year, according to a new study. ‘MILLIONS’ OF RICH FOLKS OUT THERE

Built To Last

Monday, November 22nd, 2004

It’s one of the most influential business books of our era, and it helped turn coauthor Jim Collins into a management rock star. But how well have the companies it lionized and the principles it espoused stood the test of time? Was Built To Last Built To Last?

Open Source Solaris

Monday, November 22nd, 2004

Not many open source aficionados will realize the impact, but by making Solaris 10 free and capable of operating on any kind of hardware, Sun is making a coup in the server market. Sun will shine again and leave Linux in its shade This article is interesting, but I have some thoughts on what he […]

Persistent Coughs

Monday, November 22nd, 2004

An ingredient in chocolate may actually be a more effective cough medicine than traditional remedies, a new study suggests. Persistent coughs melt away with chocolate

Sears, Kmart

Wednesday, November 17th, 2004

Discounter Kmart Holding (KMRT) is acquiring one of the most venerable names in U.S. retailing, department store operator Sears, Roebuck and Co. (S), in a surprise $11 billion deal that will create the nation’s third largest retailer. Sears, Kmart to merge

Glaucoma

Wednesday, November 17th, 2004

According to a Japanese study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, relentlessly hammering the PC may contribute to the onset of glaucoma – a nasty disease which progressively damages the optic nerve and eventually leads to blindness. The researchers – led by Dr Masayuki Tatemichi of Toho University School of Medicine – […]

Press

Monday, November 15th, 2004

Around the same time, Ball Aerospace Technology launched its own MSS operation in San Antonio with about two dozen employees while locally grown companies like Rackspace Managed Hosting and SecureInfo Corp. considered getting into the market as well. Managed security service growth bypasses local market

S.M.A.R.T.

Sunday, November 14th, 2004

Three drives bit the dust in my home this past three weeks… it seems that they’re all related the heat problems. Note to the wise – use SMART to make sure your drives are staying below 130deg F.

Crappy Present?

Friday, November 12th, 2004

Funny: http://www.whatacrappypresent.com/

Risks of home-price dip

Friday, November 12th, 2004

So I read this article: Austin is the most likely market in Texas to see home values decline over the next two years, according to an index released Thursday measuring the top 50 U.S. home markets. Index: In Texas, Austin at greatest risk of home-price dip And then starting thinking about it…. My conclusion is […]

Hotel Ratings

Friday, November 12th, 2004

Except none of this is truly R&R. In fact, it’s just another day on the job. The woman, whom we’ll simply call “the inspector” so as to not blow her cover, works for Mobil Travel Guide. As one of five employees who crisscross North America checking out the crème de la crème of hotels, she […]

Upgrading Tivo

Thursday, November 11th, 2004

Archiving shows off a tivo has always been a bit of a chore, but If you haven’t seen EtiVo, you should check it out… Five years after TiVo introduced the rewind and fast-forward buttons to broadcast television, hackers are pushing its digital video recorder to new heights–and possibly giving the company some ideas about where […]

PalmOS Doomed

Thursday, November 11th, 2004

It has been well known that PocketPC has been making huge gains on PalmOS’s market share… but evidentally Palm based units have declined 23% in sales and PPC has increased by 15%, making PPC the new PDA OS leader. Pocket PC Edges Palm For Top Handheld OS Additionally, it is also rumored that PalmOne is […]

Delicious Library

Wednesday, November 10th, 2004

This is really cool… you can just place a barcode in front of a Mac iSight camera and it will read the barcode and place things in your virtual library… thats sweet – you don’t even need a barcode scanner! Oh, and it’ll keep track of your junk, and keep track of who’s borrowing what, […]

The Assault on Tivo Begins

Tuesday, November 9th, 2004

The two companies announced yesterday that on Monday they will begin offering Microsoft’s cable-television software to Comcast customers… Comcast deal gives Microsoft entry into cable TV

Feel Sleepy

Monday, November 8th, 2004

And you think that YOU work hard? Tired Japanese Business Man

I GOT MY IPOD!

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004

I know that lots of you felt that these deals were fraud or just a hoax, but I did get my new 4th Generation 20gig Mac+PC Ipod via FedEx last week and it didn’t cost me a cent. I was expecting an ipod, but I wasn’t expecting the latest and greatest. I’ve attached a photo […]

Biz in Texas

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2004

Site Selection magazine, a publication about business expansion and relocation, has named Texas the top state in the country to do business Texas named top state for business

Music Videos

Monday, November 1st, 2004

Its been awhile since I mentioned anything funny here, but this cannot go without mentioning: http://smashsworld.com/ Notable mentions are Hot in herre, Yeah, and Hit me baby.. Actually, Hit me baby is probably a good one to watch first. I don’t know who Mike is, or anything else about him for that matter. But I […]

Press

Monday, November 1st, 2004

Earlier this year, Rackspace Managed Hosting also announced plans to lease a portion of the 200,000-square-foot building at 9725 Datapoint. The firm will occupy roughly 66,000 square feet initially, but has committed to absorbing more of the building in the coming years. Office market continues to show steady improvement