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Information and opinions on different technological
topics, including manufacturing, energy and computer hw & sw are planned
for this section.
Websites
What I consider some of the best online offerings to date, and mostly
free, too. See the Links listings for a
lot more.
Computer Software
Some of my favorite off the shelf application software for making
various mundane tasks a little easier.
Computer Hardware
I'll try to outline my typical answer to the question "Which computer
should I buy?".
Manufacturing
This section is mostly thoughts and opinions on where the USA is now and
where I think we should be heading (back to).
Energy
Another diatribe of my opinion on the importance of energy independence
for the USA and some thoughts on what we need to do to get there.
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Google.com -
Powerful Internet search and many free, online applications
flickr.com -
Huge, user friendly photography database and social network
PCWorld.com -
Great publication for hardware and software news, articles and reviews
Avant Browser -
Internet Explorer shell with many advanced features, like tabbed
browsing (free)
RoboForm -
Encrypted password manager and browser form filler (trial / $)
XPlay -
Third party interface for Apple iPod MP3 players ($)
Notmad Manager -
Third party interface for Creative Nomad and Zen MP3 players ($)
Google Earth -
Searchable imagery, geographic and astronomical information (free)
IrfanView - A
very fast, compact graphics viewer / editor with many options (free)
When asked "What computer should I buy?", I usually start with
the short answer "That depends." If the questioner doesn't turn
on his heel and leave at that point in the conversation and if time
permits, a few questions help to expand my initially terse response.
- "How much are you thinking about spending?"
- Deciding on a budget is a good first step. Your spending
limit will help to narrow down some of the choices you will
have, which is a good thing!
- "Do you want a laptop or desktop system?"
- Recently, more laptops are begin sold than desktop systems.
They are powerful enough that many people are using them as
desktop replacements and then they have portability, too. You
will probably want an external monitor, keyboard and mouse if
you are going to use it in once place a lot of the time. Laptops
are still more expensive than comparable performing desktop
systems.
- If you already have a monitor you are happy with, a new
desktop systems without monitor can be an economical choice. If
you plan on adding on to the system in the future, get a mid or
full sized case. Otherwise, the new small form factor cases
don't take up much room on the floor or side of your desk.
- "What do you want to be able to do with your new computer?"
- If your uses are going to be surfing the Internet, doing
e-mail and writing the occasional letter (or your memoirs), just
about any modern system that fits within your budget will suit
your needs.
- If you want to do all that and store and edit digital
photographs, run business software like a spreadsheet or
presentation program, manage your banking and finances, do some
simple computer aided design (CAD), build simple websites and
stuff like that, you will fall into the middle range of modern
systems.
- If you want to do all that and store and edit digital video,
run the latest high end gaming software and serve it all up to
your giant home entertainment system, you will fall into the
high end of modern systems. If you fall into this category, you
will also need an application to lock the computer down once in
a while and force you to go outside.
- "What application software (a.k.a. programs) are you going to need to do those things?"
- This list will be based on your answers to the question
above. If your needs are simple, the software that comes bundled
with most modern systems may meet your needs.
- If you are going to be bringing work home from the office,
you will probably want to have the same programs (and the same
versions) you have on your PC at work. (See my comment on dual
use licensing below.)
- There are a lot of freeware, shareware, open source and
online software applications that are free or very low cost that
can be very adequate substitutes for traditional retail programs
and suites.
The answers to these questions provide a pretty good basis for
shopping for a new computer. Here are a few more points to consider:
- Get familiar with the major components of a computer and the
numbers that compare them.
- PCWorld.com usually has great buyer's guides,
software and hardware reviews online.
- Learn to read computer ads carefully. There's usually
something hidden .. or left out.
- Buy the biggest, fastest system you can afford so you won't
need to upgrade too soon.
- Don't buy the latest processor. If you really need it, wait
a few months and the prices will come down significantly.
- Maximize the monitor size, RAM memory and hard drive size.
- Consider bundled software to get the major applications you
want.
- Major application suites, like Microsoft Office, are much
cheaper if you buy them with a new computer than if you go out
and buy the shrink-wrapped version.
- Don't be fooled by a long list of bundled trial software.
It's usually mostly advertising or just plain crap.
- Check at your work for dual use licensing agreements with
major software companies.
- Consider open source or online software instead of traditional
application suites.
Coming soon!
Space-Based Solar Power
The idea of space-based solar power (SBSP), the generation of
unlimited electricity from solar power with orbiting collectors and
beaming the energy back to earth for distribution and use, has been
around since 1968. Due to low fossil fuel costs and high
per-payload-pound launch costs at the time, the idea was not financially
feasible. The world has changed significantly since then.
From an open source, internet-based collaborative forum and the
collective efforts of over 170 contributors, The USG National Security Space Office has issued a 75 page Phase 0
Architecture Feasibility Study titled “Space-Based
Solar Power as an Opportunity for Strategic Security”. This study
states that "technological challenges are closing rapidly and
the business case for creating SBSP is improving with each passing year."
Today, there are many drivers for the development of renewable (or
practically unlimited) energy sources, with national defense, rampant
over-population of the planet, quality of life for future generations
and concern for the environment all near the top of the list. Yet we
seem content to burn the fuels we can gather from our surroundings, much
like our ancestral cave-dwellers did for tens of thousands of years
before "modern" man's arrival.
National
Security Space Office's Web Site
Space
Solar Power - a public discussion sponsored by the Space Frontier
Foundation
Alternative Energy from Space Solar Panels
by Nell Greenfieldboyce
NPR / All Things Considered, October 13, 2007
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Cead Mile Failte - A Hundred Thousand Welcomes to