Ok. I’ve done it. For my job I’m having to use Microsoft’s Office 2007. I don’t like the ribbon thing which replaces all toolbars all that much, but I’ve discovered that Word 2007 can actually post to blogs. To my amazement, the setup for MoboDojo and COT were dirt simple! Here’s my first post (if it actually works!) to COT from Word 2007. Comment away!!!

written by Tyler Regas \\ tags: COT Migration

What would you say if I told you that there was a power source that lies right under our noses, presenting itself on a daily basis? You’d likely say that there couldn’t be since we have some really smart people (smarter than you, Tyler!) working on all kinds of advanced energy sources and they wouldn’t miss anything so obvious.

Well, and I can say this smugly secure in the knowledge that I am a smart person, I know of a power source which could very likely dramatically reduce the amount of power we expend on a wide range of common, everyday things; Gray Water. Yes, that water which we run down our drains, out of our tubs, down the sink, and down other drains.

The question is, how do we tap gray water as a power source, and what benefits would it provide if we were able to. Here’s where my lack of smarts shows through, but I’m pretty sure I have a workable idea here. First, we need to figure out ways to collect that power as a coherent energy source.

I thought about putting little paddle wheels on drains everywhere, thinking that the collective collection power of lot of little sources could be routed into one large gain, but then I thought about plumbers. We stick a little wheel in everyone’s drain and we’ll be asking plumbers to come clean them out all the time, at $150/hr. for the privilege!

I wrangled back and forth over how to achieve a paddle configuration which could de-gunk and/or clean itself, and I soon realized that I was working at the wrong end of things. We need to collect that power at its point, or points, of greatest potential. The Los Angeles River is a good start. We have lots of bridges that go over the LA River and its various “tributaries”.

My first idea would be to place flotillas connected to the bridges over the LA River so they could rise and fall as the water did the same. The paddle wheels would always be spinning, collecting energy would could then be put back into the power supply and pay back on the cost of producing the water in the first place.

Another thought I had was that the aqueduct over which the water is dropped into the LA area could also be tapped for energy recovery. In fact, a large percentage of the Los Angeles Aqueduct system could be tapped for such power recovery purposes. If you have no idea how large and complex the LA water system is, take a look at this.

Of course, we’re not just talking LA, here. We’re also not just talking about gray water as a power source. We clearly need to rethink the idea of what hydroelectric means. It doesn’t have to be Hoover Dam sized to work! Imagine flotillas of paddle wheels lining large parts of the Ohio river. Think of all of the water sources which flow that can be tapped for this kind of energy recovery.

Most people, I’m sure, think of water-based power as being some large scale project, but I assure you it doesn’t have to be. I’m sure that there are a number of scientists out there who may read this and be able to do some helpful calculations on how this can all work. Let’s keep in mind, however, that I envision this as a way of reducing or canceling the cost of the power produced to create the water source in the first place.

To recoup the cost of that energy expenditure would be great, but if we could get more power out of it than we put into it to get it to where it needs to be, then we can start reducing the amount of power produced to do it in the first place. Imagine, if you will, the possibility of closing the loop and using the power of water to generate energy to move the water!

Wow!

written by Tyler Regas \\ tags: COT Migration

I just wanted to let you all know that we do not ignore Leopard here. I have it and it is already installed on a G4 PowerMac and a MacBook Pro and getting used a lot. My initial impression is that the improvements, tweaks, new features, and fixes are far greater than the sum of the nice new interface. Don’t pay any attention to the new Dock or the transparent Menubar as they are not playing the leading roles here. Look instead to Spaces, Time Machine, the vast number of additions to Safari and Terminal, the incredibly fast Spotlight which now highlights apps first, and a huge number of other things.

I’ll have a review up soon, and I don’t think it will be difficult for me to goad Edgar into a counterpoint piece. He’s such a Windows lover! He runs XP on his MacBook and doesn’t even bother to use the Mac. At least the hardware sells itself!

written by Tyler Regas

Sony has a nice promotion going with T-Mobile for its PSP owners and potential buyers. Take your PSP to a T-Mobile HotSpot after upgrading to the latest ROM and you can get six months of free Wi-Fi. The deal lasts through March 28th, 2008, but the fine print says that its only while supplies last, so I’m assuming you’d better hurry. A few more details can be found here.

written by Tyler Regas

23 days from today, it will be Black Friday, a major shopping day in the US. On that day Sears will be selling two new DS Lite units, specifically Nintendogs and Zelda themed units. They will come bundled with the games associated with that branding and they will cost US$149.99 each. Not bad, really, and if you don’t have a DS Lite already, this might be a good time to get one.

written by Tyler Regas

When was the last time you used something that just worked? That butter knife you used to spread jam on your toast this morning, did it require a reboot? What about the time you looked at the painting in your living room. You know, the one of the ship at sea or the sad clown. How about a freshly sharpened pencil, piece of bread, or a can of motor oil? You may now add MacDrive 7 to that list, and if you really use Windows on your Mac a lot via Boot Camp, you will find it invaluable. [Removed references to Fusion and Parallels. -Ed.] Continue reading »

written by Tyler Regas

I live in Los Angeles. As I write this I am watching KTLA news covering the obscenely large number of wildfires burning the storied Southern California. So far 500,000 people have been evacuated and nearly 600 structures have been destroyed. 10-15,000 people are being cared for at the Qualcomm stadium in San Diego. Its unclear where the remainder are. I love California and I love my country, but if Katrina wasn’t enough, now we have four times as many people displaced. I wonder now who will come to our aide since we’ve allowed our leaders to estrange us from our international friends. I bet the French pitch in first. My thoughts to all who have no home tonight.

written by Tyler Regas

If this were a real site, I wouldn’t be surprised. I really dig the “Hilton Handcuffs” and the “My Little Carbine”. Turns out, however, that you can’t really purchase a “Hello Kitty AK-47″ or a Mother Theresa-themed bazooka dubbed the “Motha’ T”. They may, however, have trouble arranging licensing for the “Care Bears Babysitter Kit” which includes a Care Bears Bulletproof Vest, a handy spent shell identification chart, and a first-aid kit with the charming “Sucking Chest Wound Bear” emblazoned on the front. Wow.

written by Tyler Regas

Okay, here’s the deal. Jobs Co. has caught wind that all kinds of people want to see 3rd party apps on their iPhones and iPod Touch devices. Its rather amazing as people were really just keeping it quiet, but Steve is an upstanding guy. He was apparently out beating the street with a strained ear to find out what people really wanted. After due diligence, Steve announced that Apple will be shipping an SDK (Software Development Kit) for the iPhone and iPod Touch. This will allow developers to create real applications for these handheld sweeties. I’d say you can look forward to Flash-enabled Firefox pretty soon here, kids! Read on for the announcement text. Continue reading »

written by Tyler Regas