The $35 Raspberry Pi

I may not seem like the kind of person, just by meeting me, that follows blogs religiously. Not just any kind of blogs, but specifically tech and science blogs... which many times are one-in-the-same. I love to know about the cutting edge. The new products, concepts, theories, or even out-their ideas. It was hard to pick just one tech blog, but here it is:

http://singularityhub.com/2012/03/03/raspberry-pi-is-ready-to-buy-35-computer-is-so-popular-its-crashing-websites-with-sales/

This blog is from one of my favorite blog sites called Singularity Hub and is about a UK company called Raspberry Pi that has started taking pre-orders for their new computer, the Model B. The Model B is so popular that the amount of pre-orders is crashing the venders web sites. Why? Because the entire computer is about the size of the palm of your hand, is powerful enough to run HDMI quality graphics, consumes so little energy it can run on USB or “AA” batteries, and only costs $35. Yeah, thirty-five dollars... that's three, five.  And to top it, Linux is pre-loaded and ready to go.  Just add a keyboard, mouse, and an HDMI monitor/TV and it is a full computer.

The Raspberry Pi Model B

The Model B is not aiming to take over the computer industry. Raspberry Pi is even marketing it as a “low-end computing.” But with a $35 computer at the low-end, it won't be long when someone comes out with a $100 mid-range computer and a $250 high-end computer.  I have already ordered mine. I love the smell of technology in the morning.

By Ryan Gage

Geeks are Sexy

Geeks are Sexy is my favorite techie blog. I'm not a very technical person, but I love gadgets, and learning how to do technical things. Geeks are Sexy (GAS) is a blog that has everything I enjoy reading - the latest gadgets, what's coming out, what I should buy, and humor. In additional to all that, there are cosplay pictures, geek comics, tips and hacks, William Shatner, and all kinds of things that feed my inner geek, which really isn't so inner.

The opportunity to buy this T-shirt was on GAS:

I think I may have squealed when I saw it. A GAS exclusive!

RJ Haynes, Geek Extraordinaire. 

Meet the GIMP!

Recently, I became interested in trying out an Image Editing software.  Now, I didn't want to spend any money on this interest if I didn't have to, so I went looking for a free alternative to Photoshop.  I found GIMP, which is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program.  Along with it, I found the Meet the GIMP blog.  It provides a multitude of video tutorials exhibiting the various features GIMP has to offer and a typical user can do with them.  This blog has been around for awhile, considering it on episode 179 of it's video tutorials, and it is still active.  The fact that all of the tutorials are provided in video format is incredibly useful, as you can see exactly what to do to achieve a desired effect.

 I have always been very interested in electronics and like to try to keep up with the latest gear and I have come to really enjoy Gizmodo which is a technical blog that focuses on electronic technology in general. They have many contributors and welcome their audience to join in or make comments if they wish.
 There is a wealth of information contained on the site with historical facts, surveys, polls, and several different departments that cater to different tech. fields. I really like how current they stay, if you see it on the news this morning they have it broken down further that same day usually. There is something for everyone who likes electronics and technology on Gizmodo
 

Neon skeleton took 1000 hours to create. source Gizmodo.

You can check out the site here :GIZMODO

CPU's Could be Made From Diamonds in the Near Future

In 2003 it was found that diamonds could be man-made and the processes would produce chemically pure diamonds costing around $100 to produce.  Now days we know how to make these into microchips.  As diamonds can withstand large amounts of heat without effect, have semi-conductive properties, and using another man-made material called graphene with the synthetic diamonds may produce chips with processor speeds that could clock up to and beyond 1,000GHz, they may be the next big break-through in Moore's Law.  De Beers even set up shop in Silicone Valley.  They don't want to miss out on the action, or their piece of the pie.

http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/81ghz-diamond-semiconductor-created-20030827/

http://www.quantumday.com/2012/03/new-and-cheaper-way-to-produce-graphene.html

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/diamond.html

http://www.popsci.com/technology/article/2011-10/diamond-industry-invests-lab-created-knockoffs-semiconductors

Dirty electricity

  Most people have invested considerable money into a vast array of electronics, from High- Definition Televisions and Home Theater Systems to Computers and all the accessories that go with them, but did you know your investment could become a victim of Dirty Power ? If you have a surge protector you are on the right track BUT how much protection are you really getting ? Is it really a surge protector or just a power strip ?
  The electricity coming into most homes is "dirty", this condition refers to fluctuation in the normal voltage and amperage you expect to be there Depending on the device plugged in, this can result in poor performance from a computer, random humming or static in audio players, and lights dimming or burning out prematurely.
  Lightning strikes can cause immediate, catastrophic damage to everything from refrigerators to light bulbs, but because these surges are many times the normal system voltage your sensitive electronics are most at- risk. There are many solution available to keep you from becoming a victim of dirty electricity.

Here's where you can learn more -Clean and Dirty Power

Technology at the Nanoscale

Take a look at this graphic here: 

This should help give you a perspective of just how small the nanoscale is.  Nanotechnology involves imaging, measuring, modeling, and manipulating matter at this scale.  The upshot is that matter in all forms (solid, liquid, and gas) can exhibit unusual physical, chemical, and biological properties at the nanoscale; properties that they might not otherwise exhibit at any other size.  Nanoscale science and engineering is about taking advantage of these unique properties to benefit mankind in one way or another.

The National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) is leading force that propels advancements in the nanotechnology field.  You can read more about nanotechnology and the NNI at their website: http://www.nano.gov/

Internet Evolution

Over the past five years, the way we access the internet has changed dramatically. Gone are those ever-present AOL and EarthLink discs in the mail. Remember these:

Dial-up has been replaced by DSL, satellite and FiOS. Gmail by invite-only is a thing of the past. There are blogs, and online communities, and social media that bring people who would never meet otherwise. Employers, grandparents, and the Queen are on Facebook. Home phone service? No longer needed, thanks to Skype and ooVoo. I find the constant evolution a bit scary, but am looking forward to newer, faster access and interaction.

With the evolution of the internet, many things are no longer needed. Here is an article from Newsweek: What the Internet Killed.

Goodbye, Encyclopedia Britannica.

RJ Haynes