Monthly Archives: December 2002

general December 5, 2002 posted by

New oil pragmatism

Told you there was something going on! Boing Boing has picked up on an LA Times story (no direct link, because can’t be bothered to register) in which Robert Redford discusses the advisability of reducing the West’s reliance on oil. See? First the technology articles about alternative fuels, now they’re wheeling out the celebs to make us all feel more comfortable about the impending changeover. It’s happening I tell you, quick grab a table leg and hide.

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

Whither Windows

Here’s an interesting article if you’re at all paranoid about the control – or potential future control – which Microsoft may well be able to exert over your computer and computing through the use of hidden Windows XP technology. Not for the easily scared! If you think that you can handle the above then try out this additional piece looking at the secret agent stuff which has allegedly been installed deep inside Windows XP by the US government. [via madville]

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

Thrifty nifty

Thrift Deluxe is an online repository of thrifty DIY ideas, projects and solutions designed to help you save money and lose weight fast (just kidding about the lose weight, OK?). F’rinstance I’m sure you’d like to know how to make a table lamp out of a cheese grater, wounldn’t you? Wouldn’t you? [via boingboing]

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

Browser emulation

The Browser Emulator lets you relive the joys of yesteryear by surfing to your favourite sites using a selection of old style browsers. Not quite sure why you’d like to do that, but thought I’d offer it up just in case! Have fun, now.

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

Two’s company…

You want to be trendy right? But you also want to keep up with those pesky Jones’ next door. So what you need is a Matsushita Mova P504iS which comes with not one but two, count ’em, two onboard digital cameras. A company official apparently said “this exemplifies the magic that Matsushita performs.” Yeah right!

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

EverCrack goes mobile

Infosync reports that Everquest, the online drug – sorry game – which has hooked – sorry entranced – millions of people is moving onto the mobile phone platform. That’s right folks, if you’re not working late at night in bed with your Panasonic Lite (below), you’ll be feverishly working the buttons on your mobile phone on the train. Busy life, eh?

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general December 5, 2002 posted by

Panasonic light

Hmmm, I’m not sure whether this is one of Panasonic’s best ideas. The Laptop LED Lite (sic) clips onto your notebook computer and shines a light down where you need it most. Of course this is just another way to try and get us all working 24 hours a day, even when we should be sleeping. But what do I know? :-)

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general December 4, 2002 posted by

Shut that door!

I’ve heard of a noisy fridge, but this is ridikulous! The Beeb has posted an article on a new type of fridge under development which will use sound to do the cooling instead of gas/heat exchangers et al. Sounds…er…dodgy. But at least it appears to be eco friendly.

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general December 4, 2002 posted by

Molecular digicam?

So the New Scientist is reporting on how US researchers have managed to store a tiny black and white digital image in a single liquid crystal molecule. The technology dubbed ‘molecular photography’ really does blow the old mind. How long before we are all carrying around fingernail cameras then? [via dcviews]

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

Picture this…

Oh lovely, lovely, lovely. The National Geographic Image Collection now online in all its perfect glory. 114 years of unparalleled photographic history available to browse or buy.

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

Aargh, time warp growing!

This Dimensional Time Warp spam meme seems to be catching hold. A Yahoo! search now picks up around 163 references to the darned thing, and there is even a site engaged in an amusing conversation with the perp behind it (perhaps!). It’s obviously a spoof of some sort, but it’s beginning to find its feet. Catch it fast before it makes Metafilter! :-)

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

Thumbing the nose to Bose

A rather incisive and detailed article looking at the facts behind the marketing hype which audio component company Bose uses to sell its very expensive products. If you’ve ever been tempted, as I have, to purchase a Bose product I would read this first and then make up your mind. A bit of an eye opener.

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

Peer to Pear

Nice article by the indefatigable Bob Cringely on Peer to Peer with a lovely humorous comparison to the early oil industry.

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

La casa prossima futura

I remember this Philips marketing initiative when it first happened, and was impressed by the thought and effort that went into the book, exhibition and CD. Now I’ve just found it again on the Web. The ‘home of the near future‘, as described and illustrated beautifully by Philips. I just wish the images were a touch bigger, but the videos are a nice touch.

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general December 3, 2002 posted by

M-Pet

You’ve got a mobile phone right? And it receives and sends SMS? So what you really, really need is an M-Pet. Yes that’s right, a likkle friend that you need to feed, nurture keep amused etc. Sound familiar? That Tamagotchi fellow sure has some explaining to do. Anyway the game is free, but each txt message you receive costs you 25p (default 1 a day which you can switch off). Fascinating!

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