Porsche Cayman
Friday, May 27, 2005
Monday, May 23, 2005
PocketDAB 2000
the 2nd generation of handheld DAB radios are out
Pure Digital's PocketDAB 2000 features DAB, FM, MP3, recording and time-shifting. Cool...now when will it arrive on our shores, and is there a review somewhere?
the 2nd generation of handheld DAB radios are out
Pure Digital's PocketDAB 2000 features DAB, FM, MP3, recording and time-shifting. Cool...now when will it arrive on our shores, and is there a review somewhere?
Friday, May 20, 2005
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
BBC NEWS | Technology | Technology 'baffles old and poor'
BBC NEWS | Technology | Technology 'baffles old and poor'
Older and lower income people are still excluded from digital life and industry must look more closely at their needs, says UK communications watchdog Ofcom.
Third generation mobile technology, 3G, came off the worst in a report into people's understanding and take-up of technologies.
Seventy-six percent either do not know, are misinformed or cannot explain 3G.
Many have become confused and are bombarded with information which turns them off experimenting with technology.
People also feel they cannot take up the opportunities new technologies have to offer, even if they wanted to, because the prices are still too high, Ofcom's Independent Consumer Panel report found.
Although people broadly knew what terms such as "broadband" and "digital TV" were, less that a third knew what "digital switchover" meant.
That is the term which describes the change from analogue to digital broadcasting that is taking place across Britain.
Grappling with the new
Most had "heard of" digital radio, but less than half asked actually understood to what it really referred.
"Our research provides a firm stake in the ground for the communications market," said Colette Bowe, the Consumer Panel chair.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS
Broadband: 62% aware of/understand it
Digital TV: 70% aware of/understand it
Digital radio: 47% aware/understand
3G: 15% aware/understand
Source: Ofcom Independent Consumer Panel
"It is of serious concern to us that so many customers feel it is so hard to grapple with new advances related to phones, TV, radio and the internet."
The report also found that even though knowledge of 3G was generally low, those with lower incomes tended to live in households with mobile phones, rather than landline connections.
They are paying proportionately more than higher income households for their phone bills through pre-pay deals though.
Third generation mobile services have had a hard time capturing the public's enthusiasm.
A survey earlier this year found that only 4% of those questioned said they were considering swapping their existing mobile for a new 3G handset.
Many cited the bewildering number of features on 3G handsets as the reason they were put off. But others think people just do not know what they can offer them.
"One of the main reasons that 3G has failed to catch the public's imagination is because its potential for e-commerce hasn't been promoted enough," said Michael Brady, mobile search firm Fast.
"One of the key factors in the development of online commerce was the evolution of search on the internet.
"3G needs to similarly be promoted as a new way to buy online. And once again, we believe that search needs to be specifically tailored for the mobile environment to encourage the uptake of wireless commerce."
Fiddly and confusing
Only one in five were interested in keeping up-to-date with technological developments, according to the research.
Partly, this is down to the kind of language that is used to explain technologies, what they can do for people, and how much they cost people. The older age groups feel particularly frustrated when it comes to understanding information they are given about technologies.
Older people are also especially irritated with devices and technologies that are fiddly to use, a problem shared with disabled people.
TECHNLOGY IN HOMES
93% households have access to a landline
79% have a mobile
58% have access to the net
57% have digital TV
Source: Ofcom Independent Consumer Panel
Twice as many people with disabilities, who are also under 65, said they found it difficult to use mobiles, than those with no disabilities.
"This is a wake up call for the industry really to listen to all its customers, not just the young," said Ms Bowe.
"It makes business sense to do so and the industry risks turning off a significant amount of potential customers if it doesn't act now."
Ofcom said the Consumer Panel would be holding workshops with industry and other groups to find out what can be done to alleviate the problems identified in the report.
Among the discussion will be how to get clear, easy to understand information about products to all socio-economic groups.
It will also look at how to make it easier for people to compare prices of technologies and where they can get help when they need it.
Older and lower income people are still excluded from digital life and industry must look more closely at their needs, says UK communications watchdog Ofcom.
Third generation mobile technology, 3G, came off the worst in a report into people's understanding and take-up of technologies.
Seventy-six percent either do not know, are misinformed or cannot explain 3G.
Many have become confused and are bombarded with information which turns them off experimenting with technology.
People also feel they cannot take up the opportunities new technologies have to offer, even if they wanted to, because the prices are still too high, Ofcom's Independent Consumer Panel report found.
Although people broadly knew what terms such as "broadband" and "digital TV" were, less that a third knew what "digital switchover" meant.
That is the term which describes the change from analogue to digital broadcasting that is taking place across Britain.
Grappling with the new
Most had "heard of" digital radio, but less than half asked actually understood to what it really referred.
"Our research provides a firm stake in the ground for the communications market," said Colette Bowe, the Consumer Panel chair.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS
Broadband: 62% aware of/understand it
Digital TV: 70% aware of/understand it
Digital radio: 47% aware/understand
3G: 15% aware/understand
Source: Ofcom Independent Consumer Panel
"It is of serious concern to us that so many customers feel it is so hard to grapple with new advances related to phones, TV, radio and the internet."
The report also found that even though knowledge of 3G was generally low, those with lower incomes tended to live in households with mobile phones, rather than landline connections.
They are paying proportionately more than higher income households for their phone bills through pre-pay deals though.
Third generation mobile services have had a hard time capturing the public's enthusiasm.
A survey earlier this year found that only 4% of those questioned said they were considering swapping their existing mobile for a new 3G handset.
Many cited the bewildering number of features on 3G handsets as the reason they were put off. But others think people just do not know what they can offer them.
"One of the main reasons that 3G has failed to catch the public's imagination is because its potential for e-commerce hasn't been promoted enough," said Michael Brady, mobile search firm Fast.
"One of the key factors in the development of online commerce was the evolution of search on the internet.
"3G needs to similarly be promoted as a new way to buy online. And once again, we believe that search needs to be specifically tailored for the mobile environment to encourage the uptake of wireless commerce."
Fiddly and confusing
Only one in five were interested in keeping up-to-date with technological developments, according to the research.
Partly, this is down to the kind of language that is used to explain technologies, what they can do for people, and how much they cost people. The older age groups feel particularly frustrated when it comes to understanding information they are given about technologies.
Older people are also especially irritated with devices and technologies that are fiddly to use, a problem shared with disabled people.
TECHNLOGY IN HOMES
93% households have access to a landline
79% have a mobile
58% have access to the net
57% have digital TV
Source: Ofcom Independent Consumer Panel
Twice as many people with disabilities, who are also under 65, said they found it difficult to use mobiles, than those with no disabilities.
"This is a wake up call for the industry really to listen to all its customers, not just the young," said Ms Bowe.
"It makes business sense to do so and the industry risks turning off a significant amount of potential customers if it doesn't act now."
Ofcom said the Consumer Panel would be holding workshops with industry and other groups to find out what can be done to alleviate the problems identified in the report.
Among the discussion will be how to get clear, easy to understand information about products to all socio-economic groups.
It will also look at how to make it easier for people to compare prices of technologies and where they can get help when they need it.
dogville
a really good film, in my view, with a story that draws you along. not sure if it follows the rules of the dogma95 movement, but a better film than dancer in the dark, i feel.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
super.fi 5EB and super.fi 5Pro
ultimate ears - how music is meant to be heard
cool looking consumer grade in-ear phones from ultimate ears. looks like everyone is getting into the act of making earphones for apple ipods.
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Monday, May 09, 2005
Honda Zoomer
a rather cool-looking scooter, it reminds me of the rokon 2wd motorcycle. it exudes a certain utilitarian look that's urban-cool.
a rather cool-looking scooter, it reminds me of the rokon 2wd motorcycle. it exudes a certain utilitarian look that's urban-cool.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Ratifications of the ILO Fundamental Conventions (APPLIS)
Ratifications of the ILO Fundamental Conventions (APPLIS)
quite a cool way to present the status of ratifications of the ilo fundamental conventions. the various countries are ranked according to the number of conventions they ratify, from the least to the most.
quite a cool way to present the status of ratifications of the ilo fundamental conventions. the various countries are ranked according to the number of conventions they ratify, from the least to the most.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
BBC NEWS | Technology | Future tech must protect planet
BBC NEWS | Technology | Future tech must protect planet
In his final Reith Lecture, Lord Broers calls for the green agenda to be given centre stage.
While technology has often been responsible for environmental problems, it could also be the only solution, he believes.
Lord Broers also makes some predictions of the future of technology.
He foresees that technological advances could provide a cure for AIDS and cancer, alleviate poverty and create hospitals where mistakes are rare.
No room for technophobes
"It is still possible in England at least, for young people from the age of fifteen to study only mathematics and physics, or on the other hand to do no science or mathematics at all. This depresses me greatly"
Lord Broers
In order to make sure that technology plays a role in protecting the environment, technologists and scientists will need to listen more to public concerns, such as those over GM foods.
"It is time now as a matter of urgency and for the sake of saving our planet, and thus safeguarding the future of the human race, to move away from the old concept of 'the public understanding of science' to a new more dynamic 'public engagement," he says.
It needs to be a two-way debate, and part of this will require schools to give equal weight to both the Arts and Sciences.
"It is still possible in England at least, for young people from the age of fifteen to study only mathematics and physics, or on the other hand to do no science or mathematics at all. This depresses me greatly," says Lord Broers.
Instead engineers should learn Shakespeare and arts graduates should no longer be proud to be technophobes, he says.
Alongside the cultural balance that needs to be struck, there needs to be more done to address the gender imbalance.
"In our schools, girls now outperform boys in all subjects, and yet most girls are frequently brought up to assume that engineering and many of the sciences are male subjects," says Lord Broers.
In his final lecture of a series looking at how technology can hold the key to the future of the human race, Lord Broers criticises the expansion of air travel and lack of planning to deal with traffic congestion.
He also urges people to take more responsibility when it comes to conserving energy in their homes.
"Average householders have little idea how much energy they are using, nor how to reduce their consumption," he says.
"Technology could supply simple solutions, for example, by providing meters that could be located in kitchens or over back doors that gave the householder a real time indication of the amount of power they were using."
Bright future
Lord Broers concludes his lecture with some predictions for what technology can achieve in coming years.
The ability to solve larger and larger problems will lead to 95% accuracy in weather forecasting, hospitals in which mistakes are almost never made, reduction in accident rates on the roads and railways, and the automation of traffic flow.
Ultimately better control of economies and the improvement in managing complex organisation could alleviate poverty, he predicts.
The ability of technology to identify objects and people could bring an end to manual supermarket checkouts with keys and money becoming "curiosities of the past" as radio frequency tags take on their roles.
Perhaps the most significant advances will be made in the field of medicine, he predicts.
"I am confident that vast strides will be made - in the control of, and perhaps even in the curing of AIDS and some forms of cancer," he says.
If the previous century was about people enjoying the benefits of technology, the next should be dedicated to ensuring that the environment is protected, he concludes.
"Technology will truly triumph if we succeed."
In his final Reith Lecture, Lord Broers calls for the green agenda to be given centre stage.
While technology has often been responsible for environmental problems, it could also be the only solution, he believes.
Lord Broers also makes some predictions of the future of technology.
He foresees that technological advances could provide a cure for AIDS and cancer, alleviate poverty and create hospitals where mistakes are rare.
No room for technophobes
"It is still possible in England at least, for young people from the age of fifteen to study only mathematics and physics, or on the other hand to do no science or mathematics at all. This depresses me greatly"
Lord Broers
In order to make sure that technology plays a role in protecting the environment, technologists and scientists will need to listen more to public concerns, such as those over GM foods.
"It is time now as a matter of urgency and for the sake of saving our planet, and thus safeguarding the future of the human race, to move away from the old concept of 'the public understanding of science' to a new more dynamic 'public engagement," he says.
It needs to be a two-way debate, and part of this will require schools to give equal weight to both the Arts and Sciences.
"It is still possible in England at least, for young people from the age of fifteen to study only mathematics and physics, or on the other hand to do no science or mathematics at all. This depresses me greatly," says Lord Broers.
Instead engineers should learn Shakespeare and arts graduates should no longer be proud to be technophobes, he says.
Alongside the cultural balance that needs to be struck, there needs to be more done to address the gender imbalance.
"In our schools, girls now outperform boys in all subjects, and yet most girls are frequently brought up to assume that engineering and many of the sciences are male subjects," says Lord Broers.
In his final lecture of a series looking at how technology can hold the key to the future of the human race, Lord Broers criticises the expansion of air travel and lack of planning to deal with traffic congestion.
He also urges people to take more responsibility when it comes to conserving energy in their homes.
"Average householders have little idea how much energy they are using, nor how to reduce their consumption," he says.
"Technology could supply simple solutions, for example, by providing meters that could be located in kitchens or over back doors that gave the householder a real time indication of the amount of power they were using."
Bright future
Lord Broers concludes his lecture with some predictions for what technology can achieve in coming years.
The ability to solve larger and larger problems will lead to 95% accuracy in weather forecasting, hospitals in which mistakes are almost never made, reduction in accident rates on the roads and railways, and the automation of traffic flow.
Ultimately better control of economies and the improvement in managing complex organisation could alleviate poverty, he predicts.
The ability of technology to identify objects and people could bring an end to manual supermarket checkouts with keys and money becoming "curiosities of the past" as radio frequency tags take on their roles.
Perhaps the most significant advances will be made in the field of medicine, he predicts.
"I am confident that vast strides will be made - in the control of, and perhaps even in the curing of AIDS and some forms of cancer," he says.
If the previous century was about people enjoying the benefits of technology, the next should be dedicated to ensuring that the environment is protected, he concludes.
"Technology will truly triumph if we succeed."
Monday, May 02, 2005
Derbi GPR 125
its been quiet on the 2 stroke road bike scene for quite a while. this new derbi gpr 125 looks refreshing, too bad its not likely to land on our shores. not too sure if its handling can match the aprilia rs 125 though. note: pic shows a gpr 50; couldn't find a nice pic of a gpr 125, but essentially they look similar.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Zalman CNPS7000B-Cu CPU Cooler on a MSI RS480M2-IL Motherboard in a Antec Aria Casing
slight interference with a chip on the MSI RS480M2 motherboard, inserting a few more washers will mitigate this issue to a certain extent
no problems of clearance with the RAM slots or Antec Aria's power supply
an overall picture taken with flash
no problems of clearance with the RAM slots or Antec Aria's power supply
an overall picture taken with flash
Cheming MATX-118
Mini Tower Series
looks not as pretty as the Antec Aria, but i like the inclusion of a motherboard tray, plus what seems to be a standard ATX PSU design.
looks not as pretty as the Antec Aria, but i like the inclusion of a motherboard tray, plus what seems to be a standard ATX PSU design.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)