^^^ Please excuse the Ad. I can thank Shaw for that. ^^^
Ramblings of a Technology Nut |
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A techno-weenie based in Victoria BC, Canada reveals how he wastes all his time on computers and electronic entertainment.
technut's homepage 
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Wrist Watch with Palm OS
Coming soon, a watch that is a 2MB Palm OS device! I don't know if I'd have the dexterity to actually use this, but I do like seeing so much functionality in such a small package. Check out the features, the specs, and the demo. Look for this to appear in stores under the FOSSIL or ABACUS brand names around mid-2003.
Devices with Embedded Windows or LinuxFound two great related web sites today. One is WindowsForDevices.com and the other is LinuxDevices.com.Each has news and product information about devices with these two families of embedded operating systems. Some examples of such devices are PDAs, tablet PCs, cellphones, set-top boxes, and other intelligent devices. If you love technology toys (like I do), you'll find lots of interesting information at both sites. One rather unique example is the Personal Satellite Assistant being built by NASA to fly around in space and help astronauts. Guess which OS it runs... Linux. 
p.s. Another site in the same family of web sites is DesktopLinux.com, also an interesting read.
More Ultimate PDAWhat do I mean by ultimate PDA? For me, it means a PDA that runs a full version of Windows (e.g. Windows XP instead of CE) so I can load and run standard Windows applications on it. And ideally I could put it in a cradle to hook up an external keyboard and monitor and use it as a desktop PC.Although the ultimate PDA devices I've found so far do not include a cellphone function, I could probably live with having a separate cellphone so long as I can use Bluetooth to connect it with the PDA and get online. Here are the two newest contenders for ultimate PDA. OQO Ultra-Personal Computer
This one is definitely the size winner at just 4x2x1 inches, and yet it still manages to run Windows XP (at VGA resolution). A unique feature is that not only can it be dropped into a cradle, there is also a specially designed laptop case.
Antelope MCC
This is an interesting one. There is a core computing module capable of running Windows XP that you then connect to a PDA display, or to a cradle, or several other accessory formfactors. When used as a PDA it measures about 7x4 inches.
For reference, the other two contenders I previously mentioned are the TIQIT eightythree and the NSC GXO.
More PDA + CellphoneI still haven't decided whether to go for a combination PDA and cellphone or to just get a new cellphone for now and then perhaps get an ultimate PDA later. So the research continues.Here's a combination unit (with slide-in keyboard), but this one doesn't appear to be released just yet. BSQUARE Power Handheld
And then there's this development design that may become a consumer device in the future. Intrinsyc microPDA
For reference, here's a link to other combination units I've found.
Lossless Audio CompressionI recently discovered there is a subculture of audiophiles who find some of the most common audio formats, such as MP3, deplorable.MP3 is a "lossy" compression method (that's lossy, not lousy). The MP3 compression scheme uses perceptual coding, which means it throws away components of the audio that should not be perceptible to the human ear. However, there are some poor implementations of MP3 compression around, and it is probably safe to say that none of the implementations is perfect at maintaining complete audio fidelity. So there are going to be certain circumstances where a listener with a sharp ear may hear distortions of the original content. For the average listener, a good MP3 encoded audio file sounds more than adequate. But for some audiophiles the very idea of some loss of fidelity is enough to drive them around the bend! For this group of audiophiles, it is essential that any compression used on their music is "lossless". I was not familiar with any lossless audio compression formats, but of course a brief search turned up all kinds of information. A good starting point is the First Principles site. (For more information on MP3, there are good links at the MPEG.org site.) Obviously the compression ratios of lossless techniques are going to be less impressive than lossy ones. It appears a typical lossless compression ratio is in the range of 2:1, where lossy techniques often achieve 10:1 or better. But if you're a fanatic about your sound quality like some of these folks are, then the extra compression is not worth knowing that you've thrown some audio data away.
TIQIT eightythree
This is another contender in my search for the ultimate PDA (something that runs an uncrippled version of Windows). Similar in concept to the National Semiconductor GXO, this one is a bit smaller (6x4 instead of 6x7) but settles for a VGA resolution screen. However, they also managed to fit in a keypad.
Internet Archive
A digital library of a variety of electronic media. For example, the WayBack Machine is an archive of web sites as they existed in the past... as far back as 1996. For example, you can watch @Home first thrive, then join with Excite, and finally crash and burn. The Movies section has several major collections, including some computer-related series. The Texts section contains thousands of books and the Audio section has recordings of live concerts. Have a browse.
Google Mirror Site
Not having much luck with your search? Maybe you'd have more luck if you try it drawkcab.
Rock, Paper, Scissors  
This old game is an excellent way to reach a decision when two parties can't agree. And now you can settle things via email. If you're not sure how the game is played, if you want some online practice, or you're looking for some strategy hints, check out the World RPS Society site. And the Google directory lists quite a few more Rock, Paper, Scissors resources. Play on!
Knots
I was a boy scout a very long time ago and have had an interest in knots ever since. Not that I can remember many of them. That's why I appreciate the work that has been put into Knots on the Web and Real Knots, both very comprehensive directories of knot-related sites. If you want to learn more about which knots to use in which situations, are looking for instructions on how to tie a particular knot, want to do some decorative knotting, or just want to know how to tie your necktie, start your search with these sites.
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