noemi

Google Plus Anti Divorce?

August 5, 2023 by noemi

Are you plus one-ing yet, or are you still stuck with liking? Google’s beta release of Google Plus last week has got everyone online going gaga over the newest social networking site in town. With the limited and sporadic invites available, not everyone is on Google Plus yet. Still, divmore and more people are finding their way to the site.

With that comes all sorts of articles, critiques, and commentaries on Google Plus. One of the more interesting ones that I have stumbled upon is written by Kashmir Hill of Forbes.com. ((Article)) The topic? How Google Plus seems to be anti-divorce. Divorce may be an ordinary thing in most countries in the world, but in my neck of the woods, divorce is stirring up controversy. Yes, the Philippines in the only place on Earth (barring the Vatican) where divorce is not legal – yet.

So what is this about Google Plus not being nice to divorcees? For those who have an account already, check out the options for relationship status. As opposed to Facebook, which does provide “Divorced” as an option, Google Plus only offers the following.

The list of relationship status options being a fact, what does this imply about Google? I honestly wouldn’t have given it any further thought if I hadn’t read the article. Hill has a theory that, perhaps, Google took heed of feedback from the past (the “Call Daddy” reminder in Gmail, which offended some people with father issues) and chose not to include divorce as an option. After all, divorce can be one of the main sources of issues in people’s lives.

Then again, I honestly think that reading into the absence of the option is a waste of time. As far as I am concerned, it should be enough to state whether you are married, in a relationship, or single. After all, Google Plus is NOT a dating network – although I suppose for some people, that just might become one of the purposes.

Whether or not Google is against divorce – I don’t care. I do care about making sure that my stream is kept clean of the noise that I have on Facebook and that I use those circles to my advantage. How is your Google Plus experience so far? Do you miss the “Divorce” option?

New Solution Keeps Clothing Permanently Free of Germs

August 4, 2023 by noemi

I can already imagine germophobes clapping their hands in glee! No more having to worry about your clothing getting dirtied by sitting on a public bench. No more need for a pair of “bus pants” to make sure that you are not in direct contact with the gazillion germs that are sure to breed in those dirty seats. For sure, Sheldon Cooper would be first in line to get hold of this new solution that can keep clothing free of germs – on a permanent basis.

A team of researchers from the University of Georgia can be credited for this awesome anti-microbial treatment, and before you say that this kind of solution has been around for ages, let me remind you that the existing solutions usually wash off after several trips to the washing machine. After a while, your clothes are good as germ heaven. More so, the existing anti-microbial solutions have to applied during the manufacturing process.

With this new solution, both concerns are addressed rather effectively. One, the treatment can be applied to coats, jeans, dresses, gloves, shoes, carpets, and even plastics – at any time! You don’t have to go on a shopping spree to get a new wardrobe or redecorate your house just so you can be assured of germ-free living. Two, tests have shown that even after washing in hot water many times, the solution remains in the material – as effective as ever.

In their tests, the researchers have also found out that this solution can kill a wide range of pathogens including some of those we find so dreadful: staph, strep, E. coli, pseudomonas, and acetinobacter. More so, a single application of the solution is needed to stop the bacteria from growing; so, no need to use the solution like you apply your perfume all throughout the day.

The main purpose for the solution is to provide those who work in sectors such as healthcare with more protection, but I am sure that the average person will find a lot of use for this as well. I may not be germophobic (although I do like carrying around a travel-size bottle of 70% ethyl alcohol with me at all times, not to mention anti-bacterial wet tissues) but I wouldn’t mind being able to go to the store and buying this solution.

Via
Photo courtesy of Life’s Little Mysteries

What Kind of Hacker Are You?

August 4, 2023 by noemi

Hacking and its proponents have been in the forefront lately, what with hacking “groups” being more active and aggressive in their activities. The general public probably does not have an accurate idea as to what hacking really entails and what hackers really are like. Then again, I think that I am correct to assume that you know a tad more than your average joe. You might even have an experience or two to back you up. If this is the case, then you will definitely be interested in finding out just what kind of hacker you are. (Using the term rather loosely, I know.)

Well, wonder no more as the guys at IEEE Spectrum ((Source)) have done their utmost best to provide the only hacking chart you’ll ever need. That is, a hacking chart that will help you determine whether you are involved in activities that are good, bad, or neutral.

This chart is the result of the consolidation of the 25 biggest (and best) stories about hacking that have been published at IEEE Spectrum. They took both the good (those who hack to express themselves creatively without doing harm to others) and the bad (motivation: money, power, politics, and mischief), and of course, the ones that fall in between. They identified two parameters: innovation and impact. Using these parameters, they came up with this chart.

In the chart above, you can see the complete range of hacking activities covered by the site. In case you only want to do good, here is a simplified version, with only the good hacks displayed.

You can visit the site and play around with the options (even though there are only three). Now, you have to realize that the chart has been created by people with their own perspectives and opinions, so you might not necessarily agree with their assessment of the activities. In any case, you are totally free to let them know what you think about their assessment.

The bigger question is this: given that chart, where do you think your activities (if any) fall? Care to share?

Avoid Traffic Jams with the Terrafugia Flying Car

August 4, 2023 by noemi

What do you get when you combine the design of an airplane and the design of a car? The Terrafugia flying car, of course! This “roadable” aircraft is for real and not just a creation of an imaginative mind immersed in the world of science fiction. Neither is it a mere concept car.

The Terrafugia Transition is a light airplane that can take to the roads just like normal cars do. Imagine this. You are late for work, together with everyone who lives in the area. You have a presentation to give, which can make or break your career. You absolutely have to get to the office but the traffic is as thick as molasses. You can either take a hike – literally – or be late. That is, if you do not own a Terrafugia.

If you have one of these babies, then you can simply fly over the masses stuck in rush hour traffic. Zoom in the air without the limitations of the roads and laugh at them suckers for having regular cars.

First, you have to wait for the roadable aircraft to be manufactured, though. They were supposed to be delivered in 2009 but you know how it is with new things. Delays are inevitable, and the Terrafugia is not exempt. A new batch of test machines are being built and the manufacturer says that this year, we might just see production start.

There is the issue of price, of course, as one vehicle will cost you $250,000. Then again, for a vehicle that can hit the pavement as well as fly in the air, the price is not so bad, is it?

There is another problem, especially for those who are looking for a means of transportation that can carry several people. The Terrafugia can fly with a maximum weight of 330 pounds. That includes the passengers AND the payload. Look to your right. Now look to your left. Do you think you and your co-workers can work out a carpooling scheme? 330 pounds isn’t a lot these days!

In spite of the issues, the Terrafugia might just become the granddaddy of flying cars that future generations will take for granted. In the meantime, start saving money and losing weight to make sure the Terrafugia works out for you when it comes out!

Via The Register

Out with Plastic, In with the New Water Soluble Bags from Puma

August 3, 2023 by noemi

How often do you go shopping? How many plastic bags do you end up lugging around and stowing in some dusty cabinet at home? In our household, we tend to collect lots of plastic bags as they are often the default packaging that shops here use. We do try to make the best of the situation by re-using the plastic as trash bags, so we rarely have to buy trash bags. I know it is not the best solution, but it is better than throwing away all the “unused” plastic.

If Puma’s new idea takes off, though, shopper might not be burdened by excess plastic bags anymore. While many shops have resorted to paper bags, Puma has decided to do something clever. Now I am not against paper bags – I have my own collection as well – but this invention is pretty ingenious.

Puma is now using biodegradable shopping bags called Clever Little Shopper. The bag is made primarily from cornstarch, and all other materials are also 100 percent biodegradable. After use, the bag can be placed in a compost heap. The bag will then decompose naturally in the period of about three months. Now if you are not a very patient person, you can actually speed up the process by dissolving the bag in water!

There is the worrying idea of the bags melting away in rain, or perhaps water condensing on a cold bottle. The last thing that anyone wants is a melting bag with stuff falling all over the place! They say, however, that the bags will NOT dissolve in cold water and that hot water is needed for the material to disintegrate.

In any case, this could be one solution to the over use of plastic bags which only add to the problem of non-biodegradable waste. Here’s a video about this clever little thing.

http://youtu.be/bpEH6wQ7K8Q

I have to admit, though, that I have my doubts as to whether the idea would quickly catch on. I suppose it will all boil down to cost and consumer demand. What do you think of the concept? Spread the word if you think it’s worth it!

Via psfk

How the Hippies Saved Physics – It’s a Real Book and I Want One!

August 3, 2023 by noemi

Looking for a book to read? I am about to finish all of the books Orson Scott Card wrote about Ender Wiggin, and I am at a loss as to what to read next. Given that I am about to go on a week-long workation at the beach, I need a couple of books to take along for the inevitable lounging in the sun. There are ebooks, yes, but I have long since found out that electronics and the scorching sun are not friends.

Anyhow, in my quest to look for something new to read, I came across a relatively new book titled “How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, Counterculture, and the Quantum Revival. I have to admit that while I did rather well in physics in school, the applied aspect seems to elude me more these days. Then again, that’s what books are for, right? Given the title alone, I am willing to bet that this book will be an entertaining read – at the very least.

Written by David Kaiser, the book is all about physicists in the 1970s, when the world was experiencing one of the most unique periods in history. Apparently, during the time of free love and anti-war protests, the world of physics was in a rut. In spite of the prevailing idea of conformity (I guess in the physics world), a group of physicists in Berkeley, California (where else?) decided to go against the flow. They named their group “Fundamental Fysiks Group” and approached physics in a whole new way. Applying ideas from Eastern mysticism and psychic mind-reading, these guys have influenced modern physics. Believe it or not, some of them even took LSD to tap into their wells of creativity even more. Funnily enough, thinking back, I can easily see my college physics professor being part of this group.

Keeping true to the creative spirit that fueled that group several decades ago, the book includes 46 black and white illustrations – maybe in case you don’t like books with too many words. 😉

The hardcover version is available on Amazon for $16.22. I doubt I’ll be able to get my hands on this before the weekend, but if any of you do read it, share your thoughts?