^^^ Please excuse the Ad. I can thank Shaw for that. ^^^

 

Ramblings of a Technology Nut


A techno-weenie based in Victoria BC, Canada reveals how he wastes all his time on computers and electronic entertainment.

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Origins of Words and Phrases

I've always been curious about where some of our expressions come from. They may be in common use and yet they obviously have a historic origin that is no longer relevant. The study of word origins is called Etymology. You'll find many interesting word and phrase origins at sites such as Origin of English Says, Origin of Phrases, Word Origins, or Etymologically Speaking. For more language-related sites see Richard Lederer's Language Links.


HowStuffWorks.com

HowStuffWorks.com


Quite simply one of the best sites for great explanations of all kinds of technology, devices and more. If you can't find some interesting reading at this site, you're clinically dead!


Search these Ramblings

Today I added a new form to the page to allow you to search the past Ramblings. Note: the search results are only as current as the last Google index of this site.


AT&T Labs Research

Another good research division site. Some really interesting stuff on the projects page.


Turkey Bikini




In honour of US Thanksgiving and in anticipation of Xmas, here's how to make a turkey bikini:
  1. Cut out aluminum foil in desired shapes.
  2. Arrange the turkey in the roasting pan, position the foil carefully.
  3. Roast according to your own recipe. Sprinkle paprika in your basting sauce to really give your bird a deep tan.
  4. Serve, and watch your guests' faces.


National Semiconductor GXO



The GXO is a cool conceptual device that I hope becomes reality, and soon! A compact portable about the size of a framed 5 x 7 photograph, think of it as the ultimate PDA.
  • Brilliant 6.3" 1024 x 768 superfine TFT LCD display with touchscreen
  • Full Windows XP operating system
  • 10-gigabyte Toshiba hard drive
  • 802.11b and Bluetooth connectivity
  • On-board digital camera for video conferencing
  • Built-in microphone and speaker; stereo headphone and handsfree headset connectors
National says there may be versions of it available as early as the second half of 2003. Perhaps I'll see you in the checkout line at the store!


Sony VAIO W Series



An interesting new formfactor from Sony. This all-in-one computer has a 16:9 screen (perfect for watching DVDs) and foldable keyboard. Haven't seen one in person yet, but I like the concept and look.


Jeers to Shaw

While I was setting up this weblog I discovered that the Shaw WebSpace that is provided with their cable Internet service does not allow FTP uploads from outside the Shaw network (i.e. from Blogger, which is what I use for this weblog).

So rather than being able to host this weblog on my own website, instead I had to use the free web service offered by blog*spot and then use frames and javascript tricks to ensure that the weblog is displayed as part of my website. Unfortunately this also means I'm stuck with having a blog*spot ad on my weblog page.

Very annoying, especially when I learned that Shaw have been promising since 2001 that
Important note from Shaw!This issue is being addressed.

Suuure it is...

When I called the local tech support they told me that the restriction may be reviewed in 2003. I'm not holding my breath.


Physics Quiz

Test your knowledge of Physics with forty true/false questions. Physics is not my bag but I managed a respectable 80% and, thanks to their explanations of the correct answers, I saw the error of my ways on those that I missed. Give it a try, and let me know how you score (via a comment).


Endeavour Arrives, New Crew Aboard Space Station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters)
On Tuesday, Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington will make the first of their three spacewalks to secure the new $390 million segment of a truss that will form the rigid backbone of the multi-billion-dollar station.


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All the news that's fit to print...

The shuttle is on its way to the space station, and Scientist Burns Penis with Hot Laptop (that's why I use a lap tray!).