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Prolific Printer

Ever heard of Sliverbrook Research? Didn't think so... They've never produced a product, but after years of research claim to have created a 60 pages/minute printer *. In fact, they also claim (and a video appears to show) the "ink jet" prints 30 pages/minute in full color! Now that would be something to see become mass-produced...

*external link to technabob.com

Deleted...uh, completely!

Accidental deletion of not only the main HD but also the backup* resulting in a technician needing the tape backup of some very important data. Unfortunately, that copy was found to be unreadable. ~$220,000 later the data was reentered and the mistake corrected. Ooops indeed!

Oops! IT technician wipes out $38B fund (external link to usatoday.com)

*external link to jonbart.com

Artificial Planetary Chronometer

Now this is a novel idea for a clock: The "hands" are portrayed as orbiting planets around the central larger planet. Evidently, you can only tell the time by looking at the device from top. I think I would like one; part of the problem, however, is that it's from Japan*. Oh well...

Image courtesy of: technabob.com
* external link to technabob.com

No Transmission Needed

This afternoon I went unicycling at a park along the Ohio River. It was, in my opinion, a picture-perfect day: sunny, with a cool breeze, and a few puffy clouds in the sky.

On the way back from the park I crossed to the Kentucky side on a ferry.

Looking east towards Cincinnati

Automatic Bicycle Transmission

Trek Bikes, along with a couple of other manufacturers, has released bicycles featuring Shimano's new automatic shifting transmission. Called the Shimano Coasting, this three-speed transmission auto-shifts gears as you ride.

Obviously, three gears limits the bicycle to "around-town" riding but none the less, the actual production of an automatic transmission bicycle is a major milestone. Trek calls their bicycle using this technology the Lime*; a rather hideous looking machine in my opinion.

Image courtesy of trekbikes.com

*external link to trekbikes.com

Dominant Eye Determiner

Since I was early for a meeting in the library this morning I browsed through a recent copy of "Astronomy" magazine while I waited. (Read: Astronomy...not that other stuff!) Below I've reproduced an illustration I found intriguing.


How it works: Look at the diagram while crossing your eyes slightly to make three circles appear. The word that appears in the middle circle tells you which eye is dominate.



The article provided a reason why this is helpful to know, but only in relation to studying the stars. Otherwise, I'm not sure why it matters exactly!

I've Still Got It

This morning I took my new unicycle out for an ~one hour rip around the Mt. Adams/Eden Park area. It was exhilarating to be riding again... The terrain included stairs, rocks, ramps and off-road. Oh, and did I mention hills...lots of hills?

With some other things going on in my life right now, just tearing up some pavement and letting the sweat pour off me felt great also. So, thank you again Cameron for a enjoyable and timely gift!

My New Unicycle

Well, it's like Christmas in March! Thanks to my brother I now have a new 24" Torker DX here at college. Also included in the box which arrived today from Unicycle.com was leg armor, gloves, shin guards, and a helmet. Just add skill, and the package is complete. Thankfully, I can provide the skill, so I'm ready to roll...




Thank you Cameron!

Spring Skiing

Yesterday marked the first time I've ever skied in +60 degree weather! I have to say it was amazing... Arriving at the hill around 3pm we had a sunny sky for the afternoon. Since our tickets were until the hill closed at 9:30, we also took in some night skiing.

More photos here

Yer Olde Gini Index

Reading in the textbook for my Sociology course I came across the "Gini Index". Here is the definition from Encarta Dictionary online:

"income distribution index: an index of income distribution in an economy, expressed as a fraction, that indicates the level of inequality between incomes. The higher the fraction, the greater the inequality of incomes."

I'm sure the knowledge of this term won't impact your life profoundly; however, I was intrigued by the name. Which, by the way, comes from the Italian statistician Corrado Gini.

IE 1.0 Anyone?

If you just happen to be looking for Internet Explorer 1.0 (first released in 1995), then OldVersion.com is the place to go. In fact, the site claims 1466 versions of 131 programs.

Today I was looking for the previous version of an audio editing program which I found at OldVersion.com. This is not a site one would use regularly, but it definitely has it's place on occasion!

Few Days in In Ind Indiana

Saturday evening I arrived back here at GBS after a few great days away. Alisa's Dad was preaching revival at her brother Andrew's church in Indiana this past week. So, I drove up there on Thursday afternoon to spend a few days with Alisa and her family.

Along with attending wonderful services, I also met great people and enjoyed pleasant company. Ken, a Guyanese friend of the family, also treated us to a variety of delicious ethnic food.

Travelling home on Saturday, I stopped at Tim Hortons for a taste of Canada: a large double-double (coffee with two creams and two sugars) and Timbits (donut holes). Good stuff, eh?

Oh, and I didn't Rrroll up any prizes from Timmy's.