Category Technology

Solar power at $1 per watt!

Nanosolar recently announced the release of their ultra cheap solar panel, SolarPly. This is basically solar cells printed on aluminum. This “foil” is “non-fragile”, can be cut or bent to any shape, and doesn’t require soldering for electrical contact. While…

Is your ISP interfering with your Internet?

Canadian Cable Internet provider Rogers has started testing a system that will allow them to insert messages to their customers about billing and account status. While this may seem to be a fairly innocuous activity, it uses technology that Net…

The electricity of Google

Google has decided to throw it’s weight behind a new initiative to make renewable energy more affordable than coal. Called RE<C, the program will support research in solar, wind, and geothermal technologies in an attempt to create a renewable energy…

Is Linux the “poor-man’s” OS?

Even as Microsoft strives to expand it’s operating system exposure in foreign markets, Linux gets a boost at home from the nation’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart. Two weeks ago the king of discount shopping introduced a $200 PC. Now, the initial…

A faster, safer Web

OpenDNS

I started playing around with OpenDNS today, and it looks very useful. OpenDNS is a free service that uses DNS to block dangerous, adult, or unwanted Web sites. Personally, I feel pretty safe browsing the Web, and don’t really worry…

A tiny phone, or giant pen?

The trend to make cell phones smaller is admirable, in some cases. I don’t know anyone that says, “Boy, I really miss my 1.75 lbs Motorola DynaTAC 8000X, it was like holding a brick to my head!” Yet, sometimes things…

More Windows means less room for Linux

Yesterday, I wrote about the difficulty already inherent in getting Linux to the masses. It doesn’t help when Microsoft continues to work out deals with hardware manufacturers to increase the number of computers preloaded with Windows, rather than sell the…

Linux, for the masses?

The recent release of the Linux distribution Ubuntu has many wondering, is Linux ready for the masses? Version 7.10 of Ubuntu’s desktop Linux is definitely a Linux release that’s easy to use, navigate, and learn; especially if you’re computer literate.…

MythTV: so it begins.

Originally I had planned on purchasing a TiVo, complete with its monthly service plan, once the Series 3 HD DVR was released. However, when that day finally came, the price tag of $800 for 20 hours of HD recording made…