1. 60% of Twitter Users Quit Within the First Month

http://mashable.com/2009/04/28/twitter-quitters/

2. Robot attacked Swedish factory worker

http://www.thelocal.se/19120.html

3. Ten innovations inspired by Star Trek

http://timesonline.typepad.com/technology/2009/04/ten-innovations-inspired-by-star-trek.html

4. Hackers Target Pirate Bay Prosecution Law Firm

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Pirate-Bay-Trial-Hack-Lawyer,7638.html

5. No more betas for Firefox 3.5: Browser on track for Q2 launch http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/content-view-42215-140.html

Favourite two!

 Robot attacked Swedish factory worker

60% of Twitter Users Quit Within the First Month

For the robot attacking the swedish factory worker, it goes to show that all technology can go wrong and that engineers/manufacturers should be careful and check up once in a while on machines.

To think that a social network like facebook lasted for so long! However, seems like twitter can’t compare with facebook on how long it will last. Shows that Twitter is temporarily successful and soon will go away.

What is Google Sketchup?

Google Sketchup is a software that is used to create 3D models of anything you like. Things from like cars, houses, playgrounds and even to transformers. 

What’s it used for? What it could be used for?

Probably used for pre-designing models for objects that would like to be built over the years. Or even just seeing what you can make with just using your own imagination and just exploring what google sketchup can do.

Windows Xp is a line of operating systems and widely used which is produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers running x86 and IA-64 processors, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. Windows XP was first released on 25 October 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006. Windows XP uses the NT conventions of protected memory, which is a way of preventing system crashes by running programs in their own separate RAM locations. Processor 233 MHz1 300 MHz or higher .Memory 64 MB RAM2 128 MB RAM or higher. Video adapter and monitor Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution. Hard drive disk free space 1.5 GB or higher (additional 1.8 GB in SP2 [32] and additional 900 MB in SP3 [33]) .Drives CD-ROM drive or DVD drive. Input devices Keyboard. Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device Sound. The old FAT (File Allocation Table) file system was developed originally (when the original IBM PCs came out) for MS-DOS on small machines and floppy disks. Later, a more advanced file system was developed for hard disks in Windows NT, called NTFS (the “NT File System”). As low as CAD$175.13

MS Windows Vista:

Windows Vista contains many changes and new features, including an updated graphical user interface and visual style dubbed Windows Aero, improved searching features, new multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker, and redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems. Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network, using peer-to-peer technology to simplify sharing files and digital media between computers and devices. Windows Vista includes version 3.0 of the .NET Framework, which aims to make it significantly easier for software developers to write applications than with the traditional Windows API.

Ubuntu Linux (latest version)

Ubuntu is a community developed linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need – a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more. Its latest version in January 2009 is ubuntu 8.10.
Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Edition delivers the features you need for an increasingly mobile digital life, including 3G wireless support and guest sessions that lets users temporarily share computers without compromising security. Ubuntu 8.10 Server Edition consolidates its support for virtualization with an integrated Virtual Machine builder, and brings with it a fully-supported Java stack and support for per-user directory encryption. Supports 32 bit or 64-bit, Supports 4GB of RAM, $20 Ubuntu 8.10 desktop edition

BeOS

Was an operating system for personal computers which began development by Be Inc. in 1991. It was first written to run on BeBox hardware. BeOS was optimized for digital media work and was written to take advantage of modern hardware facilities such as symmetric multiprocessing by utilizing modular I/O bandwidth, pervasive multithreading, preemptive multitasking and a custom 64-bit journaling file system known as BFS. The BeOS GUI was developed on the principles of clarity and a clean, uncluttered design. The API was written in C++ for ease of programming. It has POSIX compatibility and access to a command line interface through Bash, although internally it is not a Unix-derived operating system. 64-bit graphical user interface, and it costs $99.95.

MAC OS X (latest version)

pronounced /mæk oʊ ɛs tɛn/)^[3] is a line of computer operating systems developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc., and since 2002 has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems. Mac OS X is the successor to the original or “classic” Mac OS, which had been Apple’s primary operating system since 1984. Unlike its predecessors, Mac OS X is a Unix-based operating system,^[4] built on technologies developed at NeXT between the second half of the 1980s and Apple’s purchase of the company in early 1996. Version 10.5, while running on Intel processors, is certified UNIX 03.

Google Latitude  is a new feature of google maps. It’s also an iGoogle gadget on your computer. You can now see approximate location of your friends or loved ones deciding whether they want it to be shared or not. Now you can spy on any person you want since you know where their location will be. However, Latitude not only spies on people’s location but keep in touch via Gmail, SMS, Google talk.

Although, some people might feel uncomfortable of this new application. Since it can invade certain peoples privacy at all times (location). For example, teenagers do not really like to let their parents know where they are at all since it can make them feel uncomfortable. Also since, the parents secretly put this app. onto their mobile phone.

The ideal of facebook i think is a simple way of communication of one another. You have the opportunity to view other people’s information that they put on there. For example, pictures, videos, posts, etc..  But, facebook can be leading to dangerous threats. Some information that you do not want strangers to see and find out about yourself. Although, joining facebook makes a higher chance of that possibility of happening.

Having your image posted on a social network sites can be interesting at times but mostly not necessary. In fact, putting a image of yourself on these can have a higher chance of risking your personal information to strangers. Strangers can now know what you like, etc..

Yes employers could or should use the internet to hire new employees. By this, they can research information of the employer before they call them in. Know some of their history background is possible. Past experiences, events and accomplishments to help them know what they are good at and not what they are good at. Just a faster way of interviewing a person without having to consult them at the mean time

One product that was released last year and had a big impact and change in  the electronic world is the Apple’s iPhone 3G. It was released on July 11, 2008 in 22 countries. The iPhone is an internet-connected multimedia smartphone designed and marketed by Apple Inc. with a flush multi-touch screen and a minimal hardware interface. The device does not have a physical keyboard, so a virtual keyboard is rendered on the touch screen instead.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone). With fast 3G (third Generation) wireless technology, GPS mapping, support for enterprise features like Microsoft Exchange, and the new App Store, iPhone 3G puts even more features at your fingertips. And like the original iPhone, it combines three products in one — a revolutionary phone, a widescreen iPod, and a breakthrough Internet device with HTML email and a desktop-class web browser. iPhone 3G. It redefines what a mobile phone can do. (http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/). Apple sold 1 million iPhone 3Gs in its first 3 days on sale. On October 21, 2008 Apple announced sales of 6.89 million iPhones in the fourth quarter of 2008, totaling 13 million iPhones to date.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone).  The iPhone has a 2 megapixel camera, storage of 8 or 16 Gb of flash memory, battery has up to 10 hours of 2G talk, 5 hours of 3G talk, 5 (3G) or 6 (Wi-Fi) hours of Internet use, 7 hours of video playback, and up to 24 hours of audio playback, lasting over 300 hours on standby.

When you learn most types of computer programming, you will touch upon the subject of binary numbers. Although this is a simple concept once explained, it is not always obvious how to read them. To understand binary numbers, let’s first look at our normal system of base 10 numbers.

Let’s take the number 345 for example. This is a three digit number. We know that the farthest right number, 5, represents the 1’s column, and there are 5 ones. The next number from the right, the 4, represents the 10’s column. There are 4 clicks in the 10s column, which we interpret as forty. Finally, the third column that contains the 3 represents the 100s column, and we know it to be three hundred.

Binary works in the same way. Each column represents a value, and when you have enough you move to the next column. The difference is that in our base 10 system we need to have 10 before we move to the next column. We can have any value 0-9, but once it goes above that, we add a column. In base two, you can only have 0 or 1 before moving on to the next column.

The number one is represented as 1 in both base ten and binary, so let’s move on to the number two. In base ten this is represented as a 2, however in binary we can only have a 0 or a 1 before moving on to the next column. The number 2 is written as 10. This means 1 in the 2s column and 0 in the 1s column.

Let’s take a look at the number three. Obviously in base ten it is written as 3. In base two (binary) it is written as 11. This means a 1 in the 2s column and a 1 in the 1s column. 2+1 = 3.

Each slot represents a value that is double the last value. The chart on this page helps to demonstrate this. The values of slots, starting on the right are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, etc.

Now that we know how binary works, reading it is simply a matter of doing some simple math. Let’s try a few:

1001

Since we know the value’ots each of these sls represent, then we know this number represents 8 + 0 + 0 + 1. In base ten this would be the number 9.

11011

Again we can calculate what this is in base ten by adding the values of each slot. In this case it would be 16 + 8 + 0 + 2 + 1. This would be the number 27.

To convert decimal to binary is also very simple, you simply divide the decimal value by 2 and then write down the remainder, repeat this process until you cannot divide by 2 anymore, for example let’s take the decimal value 157:

157 ÷ 2 = 78 with a remainder of 1
78 ÷ 2 = 39 with a remainder of 0
39 ÷ 2 = 19 with a remainder of 1
19 ÷ 2 = 9 with a remainder of 1
9 ÷ 2 = 4 with a remainder of 1
4 ÷ 2 = 2 with a remainder of 0
2 ÷ 2 = 1 with a remainder of 0
1 ÷ 2 = 0 with a remainder of 1<— to convert write this remainder first.

http://www.haywirehacking.com/main/2008/10/11/hacking-google-turning-a-search-engine-into-an-mp3-downloade.html

OH SNap! Basically what this article is telling you is that you can ripp music off and turn the google search engine into a mp3 song downloader. It’s really cool i think how people can come up with these things. But for one thing, getting caught doing this? It’s like another form of piracy i guess. It’s just as bad and even doing it with a licensed company. Surely, you’ll get into a lot of trouble.

http://gizmodo.com/5070219/giz-explains-why-windows-7-will-smash-vista

In this arcticle, The title says it all! What Windows vista should have been. Windows 7 is more versitle do to more things that are more better for the computer. Having it not to crash, Updates for Windows 7, Better protection for our system. These updates and better performance for our computer is the best thing we need for our computer. Windows Vista is not good. It causes to many problems

http://hothardware.com/articles/Intel-Core-i7-Processors-Nehalem-and-X58-Have-Arrived/

Intels New Core i7 has arrived! With new highly advance gaming experience! especially. Which surely has higher specifications than the Quad Core! WOW!

NetGear Power Line:

The gadget i chose out of the 3 is the net gear powerline. The netgear powerline adds flexible wireless networks around your home. You don’t have to worry about wireless security issues or dropped connections. Also the NetGear Powerline eliminates loose network cables, so you dont have to worry about hooking up cables or wires and whatnot. The device is also useful for people who have troubles with all those internet connetion lost and low receptions. There are many types of adapters that depends on you what need.

It’s also easy to install, even for all those lazy people out there. You just simply plug in the adapter into any wall outlet, and then connect it to your broadband router. Now plug the adapter to any appliance you have in your home. Now every outlet in your home can connect to the internet. The good side is that you can as much as 4 appliance and hooked up into one adapter. The downside is still yet it cost money, but in the long run you can have better internet connections.

The cost of these varies from how big the range is on these adapters like $54.99 – $150.00. So depending how much Mbps it gives.

iPhone:

This piece of technology helped revolutionized are modern day technology. First, the iphone is basically an iTouch but built in with a phone. It is compatible of having an mp3 player, you can also put applications on it (i.e. games) and also a phone. Also, the iPhone has internet also hooked up into so web browsing is much easier. The iPhone is also “touch” screen which is now becoming more enhanced in our technology.

Playstation 3:

The ps3 is like a big PSP. The playstation 3 has a built in Blu-Ray player that allows you to watch blu-ray movies. Instead of buying a separate blu-ray player just get a ps3. Also cause the ps3 is a game console, which also all the games are played in hi-definition. You can play games like call of duty 4 or rockband. Also the ps3 allows you to go on the internet, like web browsing but also it can go online and you are able to compete with other people who are using the ps3.

Nintendo Wii:

The nintendo wii of course help revolutionize technology. With it’s wireless action, you can enjoy playing the actual video game. With all the motion of how you control the wii remote. It also helps you in a physical activity because you are actually the one in “control” of the game. The game, “wii fit” is a new game with new features, such as determing if you’re over weight and whatnot. What is another way of getting fit and active without the wii and it’s new highly advance technology.

T-Mobile G1:

The T-Mobile G1 is the new product that just came out and it’s googles first product “the google phone.” It is also a built web browser. Also is a phone. It also has a camera, bluetooth, WiFi, optimized graphics, media support( mp3, mpeg4 etc.)

Laptops:

Laptops are of course a great technology that help revolutionize society. It’s like putting a destop computer and compacting it to a portable device that you can take anywhere. You can do the same thing as a destop computer but on the go.

ENIAC:

      - ENIAC stands for Electrical Numerical Integrator and Computer.

- ENIAC, was the first general purpose electronic computer.

- The ENIAC was big it was, 30 tons and took up 1800 square feet of floor space. The ENIAC contained 6000 manual switches.

- The ENIAC was designed and built to calculate artillery firing tables for the U.S Army’s Ballistic Research Laboratory.

 Vacuum Tube Sizes:

- In electronics, a vacuum tube is a device used to amplify, switch, otherwise modify, or create an electrical signal by controlling the movement of electrons in a low-pressure space.

- Some special function vacuum tubes are filled with low-pressure gas: these are so-called soft valves (or tubes), as distinct from the hard vacuum type which have the internal gas pressure reduced as far as possible

- Almost all depend on the thermal emission of electrons, hence thermionic.

- The first generation computers were huge, slow, expensive, and often undependable.

- In 1946 two Americans, Presper Eckert, and John Mauchly built the ENIAC electronic computer which used vacuum tubes instead of the mechanical switches of the Mark I.

- The ENIAC used thousands of vacuum tubes, which took up a lot of space and gave off a great deal of heat just like light bulbs do.

- The ENIAC led to other vacuum tube type computers like the EDVAC (Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer) and the UNIVAC I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer).

- The vacuum tube was an extremely important step in the advancement of computers.

- Vacuum tubes were invented the same time the light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison and worked very similar to light bulbs.  Its purpose was to act like an amplifier and a switch.

Transistor:

- A transistor is a semiconductor device commonly used to amplify or switch electronic signals. - A transistor is made of a solid piece of a semiconductor material, with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit.

- A voltage or current applied to one pair of the transistor’s terminals changes the current flowing through another pair of terminals. Because the controlled power can be much larger than the controlling power, the transistor provides amplification of a signal.

- In 1947 three scientists, John Bardeen, William Shockley, and Walter Brattain working at AT&T’s Bell Labs invented what would replace the vacuum tube forever.

- This invention was the transistor which functions like a vacuum tube in that it can be used to relay and switch electronic signals.

- There were obvious differences between the transistor and the vacuum tube.  The transistor was faster, more reliable, smaller, and much cheaper to build than a vacuum tube.  One transistor replaced the equivalent of 40 vacuum tubes.

- They were also much smaller and gave off virtually no heat compared to vacuum tubes.

IC (Integrated Circuit):

- The integrated circuit was independently co-invented by Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments^[2] and Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductor ^[3] around the same time.

- Kilby recorded his initial ideas concerning the integrated circuit in July 1958 and successfully demonstrated the first working integrated circuit on September 12, 1958.^[2]Kilby won the 2000 Nobel Prize in Physics for his part of the invention of the integrated circuit.^[4]

- Robert Noyce also came up with his own idea of integrated circuit, half a year later than Kilby

- Placing such large numbers of transistors on a single chip vastly increased the power of a single computer and lowered its cost considerably.

Timex Sinclair:

- The keyboard is a ‘touch sensitive membrane’, a flexible plastic surface with the actual switches under the surface.

- While easy to clean and water resistant, it is very difficult and slow to type on, because you have to press hard and very deliberately to use the tiny, closely-spaced keys. Touch-typing is impossible.

- Resourceful users hacked into their system and added their own ‘real’ keyboard, external to the system.

 First Home Computer:

 - In 1936, Zuse made a mechanical calculator called the Z1, the first binary computer.

- Zuse used it to explore several groundbreaking technologies in calculator development: floating-point arithmetic, high-capacity memory and modules or relays operating on the yes/no principle. Zuse’s ideas, not fully implemented in the Z1, succeeded more with each Z prototype.