Funny how this anti-FTTH-broadband report comes out now, seemingly from nowhere. Very funny. Funny also that Tony Abbott doesn’t get the home WiFi idea. Now he’s obviously a guy who understands technology, why not let him call the shots?
Labor downplays critical report on NBN – Yahoo!7
Tony Abbott: “I certainly want my computer to work effectively, but I’m far from convinced that the people of western Sydney, for instance, think that putting a wire into their house so that their computer is chained to the wall, so to speak, is more important than fixing up the transport mess.”
How to write a rubbish report on the NBN and get noticed | Out out damned Blog!
The report goes on: “These technologies didn’t fail because they weren’t superior, but because the demand wasn’t there, or was insufficient to justify cost. Concorde (if it hadn’t retired) would still be the fastest passenger aircraft today, having first flown in 1969. At the time it was being developed, supersonic passenger flight was expected to become ubiquitous. It turned out that the incremental benefits of speed to most customers was not worth the extra cost.”
Well that’s also quite unsupported. There are many who believe that Concorde, for one, was politically as well as technically hobbled. It was noisy, dirty and strangled (possibly quite rightly) by legislation. It was often not allowed to supersonically overfly populated areas due to the sonic boom generated, thus robbing it of key markets. It was too small and there was insufficient political will to develop the product, especially given the fuel cost spike in the 1970s and the concomitant US push into larger airframes and lower per-seat-mile costs. It simply isn’t as simple as faster is always better or the consumer simply not being willing to pay a premium. It got political and it stayed like that right to the bitter, cruel end. And it has nothing to do with laying fibre.
John Quiggin » The wonders of the Internet
From my hotel room in London, I read this SMH report, headlined “NBN benefits ‘grossly overstated’” which in turn refers to a report by “British telecommunications consultant Robert Kenny and Charles Kenny from the US Centre for Global Development” released (in London, as it happens) a couple of days ago.
The NBN, is it worth the cost? – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Robert Kenny says the evidence that basic broadband has made a big difference to economic growth is not particularly strong and for super fast broadband it is likely to be even more difficult.
“Because so much of what is good for the economy can be done with basic broadband. Things like email, things like home working, online trading up to and including eBay. All these things can be done with basic broadband,” he said.
“And if we are having trouble finding real hard evidence that those have made a big difference to the economy, it is going to be even harder to make the case for fibre because the faster speeds just don’t make that much difference.”
Funny how this anti-FTTH-broadband report comes out now, seemingly from nowhere. Very funny. Funny also that Tony Abbott doesn’t get the home WiFi idea. Now he’s obviously a guy who understands technology, why not let him call the shots?
Labor downplays critical report on NBN – Yahoo!7
Tony Abbott: “I certainly want my computer to work effectively, but I’m far from convinced that the people of western Sydney, for instance, think that putting a wire into their house so that their computer is chained to the wall, so to speak, is more important than fixing up the transport mess.”
How to write a rubbish report on the NBN and get noticed | Out out damned Blog!
The report goes on: “These technologies didn’t fail because they weren’t superior, but because the demand wasn’t there, or was insufficient to justify cost. Concorde (if it hadn’t retired) would still be the fastest passenger aircraft today, having first flown in 1969. At the time it was being developed, supersonic passenger flight was expected to become ubiquitous. It turned out that the incremental benefits of speed to most customers was not worth the extra cost.”
Well that’s also quite unsupported. There are many who believe that Concorde, for one, was politically as well as technically hobbled. It was noisy, dirty and strangled (possibly quite rightly) by legislation. It was often not allowed to supersonically overfly populated areas due to the sonic boom generated, thus robbing it of key markets. It was too small and there was insufficient political will to develop the product, especially given the fuel cost spike in the 1970s and the concomitant US push into larger airframes and lower per-seat-mile costs. It simply isn’t as simple as faster is always better or the consumer simply not being willing to pay a premium. It got political and it stayed like that right to the bitter, cruel end. And it has nothing to do with laying fibre.
John Quiggin » The wonders of the Internet
From my hotel room in London, I read this SMH report, headlined “NBN benefits ‘grossly overstated’” which in turn refers to a report by “British telecommunications consultant Robert Kenny and Charles Kenny from the US Centre for Global Development” released (in London, as it happens) a couple of days ago.
The NBN, is it worth the cost? – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Robert Kenny says the evidence that basic broadband has made a big difference to economic growth is not particularly strong and for super fast broadband it is likely to be even more difficult.
“Because so much of what is good for the economy can be done with basic broadband. Things like email, things like home working, online trading up to and including eBay. All these things can be done with basic broadband,” he said.
“And if we are having trouble finding real hard evidence that those have made a big difference to the economy, it is going to be even harder to make the case for fibre because the faster speeds just don’t make that much difference.”
Kidding about Cancellara, he doesn’t need any help in riding fast. This new model Brammo is an interesting motorbike, though – 160km/h performance and 160km range. Coupled with an electric motor’s “instant-on” torque delivery it would be more than tempting, I should think. If you didn’t want to stick with pedalling, of course.
Brammo’s second-generation electric motorcycle: the Empulse 10.0 streetfighter
“We thought, well, the average commute is 26 miles, so a 42 mile range should give you comfort. Well it turns out that when it gets to half full, people fill it up. Some people like me take it all the way down to the end. We’re finding with electric vehicles that people are more conservative.”
Despite range concerns, the bike became a modest success – but Brammo never expected it to find an audience among the petrolhead community. “We kinda thought the Harley guys and the Ducati guys would not be that crazy about it,” says Bramscher, “Turns out they loved the Enertia, they just want a little more.”
The 2011 Brammo Empulse
And more they will get. “The driving force around this vehicle was some new technology we’ve developed in the powertrain,” says Bramscher, “which is an all-around system that includes a more efficient battery and a more efficient controller, a more efficient motor and then our own vehicle control unit. So it’s really a full Brammo drivetrain. And that, in combination with the battery technology, gets us all the way up to a 100-mile average range.
Kidding about Cancellara, he doesn’t need any help in riding fast. This new model Brammo is an interesting motorbike, though – 160km/h performance and 160km range. Coupled with an electric motor’s “instant-on” torque delivery it would be more than tempting, I should think. If you didn’t want to stick with pedalling, of course.
Brammo’s second-generation electric motorcycle: the Empulse 10.0 streetfighter
“We thought, well, the average commute is 26 miles, so a 42 mile range should give you comfort. Well it turns out that when it gets to half full, people fill it up. Some people like me take it all the way down to the end. We’re finding with electric vehicles that people are more conservative.”
Despite range concerns, the bike became a modest success – but Brammo never expected it to find an audience among the petrolhead community. “We kinda thought the Harley guys and the Ducati guys would not be that crazy about it,” says Bramscher, “Turns out they loved the Enertia, they just want a little more.”
The 2011 Brammo Empulse
And more they will get. “The driving force around this vehicle was some new technology we’ve developed in the powertrain,” says Bramscher, “which is an all-around system that includes a more efficient battery and a more efficient controller, a more efficient motor and then our own vehicle control unit. So it’s really a full Brammo drivetrain. And that, in combination with the battery technology, gets us all the way up to a 100-mile average range.
Yes, I see the point of it and it adds another option to the PC-to-TV interface at the very least – but do I need it? I’m already so far behind the curve yet another option is just overkill. I can’t keep up, or just don’t want to. What I have works fine. I just switch between TV and PC at source and they share an old analog screen. Some storage hanging off it plus WiFi from a newer “main” machine works fine. Sure, HDMI is nice, BluRay is great; but nothing here – yet – is a must-have. Forgive me for my sins but I don’t need HDMI and power over Ethernet just yet, or the worry of getting the power into the cable or of picking which Ethernet cable is “live”.
OTOH whilst I don’t need it and I don’t want it – I’d still like to try it!
Super Cable Carries Data, TV And Electricity – Forbes.com
Meet Super Cable. It looks like a standard Ethernet computer networking cable, the sort that runs between your computer and your router. It carries computer data, of course, but also the high-definition TV and audio signals that now require those expensive HDMI cables used between your BluRay player and your TV display. But SuperCable can also handle electrical power, much like a standard household extension cord–enough to power a 100 watt light bulb. And best of all, it can be up to 320 feet in length.
The cable’s real name is HDBaseT, and specifications for it have been released by a consortium that includes Samsung, Sony ( SNE – news – people ) and LG. It’s meant as a replacement for HDMI cables, and backers hope it will start showing up in TV sets next year. While the new system will require new electronics inside TV displays, as well in the devices linking with them, it will be able to take advantage of standard “recent vintage” Ethernet cables to do the actual connecting. Ethermet cables are a fraction of the price of HDMI connectors.
Yes, I see the point of it and it adds another option to the PC-to-TV interface at the very least – but do I need it? I’m already so far behind the curve yet another option is just overkill. I can’t keep up, or just don’t want to. What I have works fine. I just switch between TV and PC at source and they share an old analog screen. Some storage hanging off it plus WiFi from a newer “main” machine works fine. Sure, HDMI is nice, BluRay is great; but nothing here – yet – is a must-have. Forgive me for my sins but I don’t need HDMI and power over Ethernet just yet, or the worry of getting the power into the cable or of picking which Ethernet cable is “live”.
OTOH whilst I don’t need it and I don’t want it – I’d still like to try it!
Super Cable Carries Data, TV And Electricity – Forbes.com
Meet Super Cable. It looks like a standard Ethernet computer networking cable, the sort that runs between your computer and your router. It carries computer data, of course, but also the high-definition TV and audio signals that now require those expensive HDMI cables used between your BluRay player and your TV display. But SuperCable can also handle electrical power, much like a standard household extension cord–enough to power a 100 watt light bulb. And best of all, it can be up to 320 feet in length.
The cable’s real name is HDBaseT, and specifications for it have been released by a consortium that includes Samsung, Sony ( SNE – news – people ) and LG. It’s meant as a replacement for HDMI cables, and backers hope it will start showing up in TV sets next year. While the new system will require new electronics inside TV displays, as well in the devices linking with them, it will be able to take advantage of standard “recent vintage” Ethernet cables to do the actual connecting. Ethermet cables are a fraction of the price of HDMI connectors.
Not so sure about this one. One for the underwear-obsessed, perhaps. Imagine your undies emailing your GP to make an appointment. The mind boggles.
Chemical sensors printed on elastic could lead to ‘smart’ underwear
As the technology to support wearable electronics advances, researchers are investigating new ways of making our clothing more “intelligent” – from smart shirts for theater ushers to the development of clothing that can respond to the wearer’s emotive state. So would it surprise you to learn that your humble underpants could one day save your life? A new study has shown that printed sensors on the elastic band of your underpants could monitor biomarkers in your sweat and tears, make autonomous diagnoses and even administer life-saving drugs.
Not so sure about this one. One for the underwear-obsessed, perhaps. Imagine your undies emailing your GP to make an appointment. The mind boggles.
Chemical sensors printed on elastic could lead to ‘smart’ underwear
As the technology to support wearable electronics advances, researchers are investigating new ways of making our clothing more “intelligent” – from smart shirts for theater ushers to the development of clothing that can respond to the wearer’s emotive state. So would it surprise you to learn that your humble underpants could one day save your life? A new study has shown that printed sensors on the elastic band of your underpants could monitor biomarkers in your sweat and tears, make autonomous diagnoses and even administer life-saving drugs.
If I was 21 and over-endowed with ridiculous wealth this place would suck me right in. Actually, I’d want one at home.
I-WAY World – not your average motor racing simulator
There are racing simulators – and then there’s I-WAY World. Designed by French architect Cyrille Druart and taking four years to complete, the striking concrete and glass complex in Lyon offers a restaurant, alcohol-free bar, conference and fitness rooms and a store selling merchandise from the likes of Porsche and Tag Heuer. But of course the main attraction amongst the aesthetics are the 18 fully equipped racing simulators, which on paper at least, certainly look to deliver the goods.
If I was 21 and over-endowed with ridiculous wealth this place would suck me right in. Actually, I’d want one at home.
I-WAY World – not your average motor racing simulator
There are racing simulators – and then there’s I-WAY World. Designed by French architect Cyrille Druart and taking four years to complete, the striking concrete and glass complex in Lyon offers a restaurant, alcohol-free bar, conference and fitness rooms and a store selling merchandise from the likes of Porsche and Tag Heuer. But of course the main attraction amongst the aesthetics are the 18 fully equipped racing simulators, which on paper at least, certainly look to deliver the goods.
News – addicted2electronics.com
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Which connector is which?
May 19th, 2010 | Author: admin
20 years ago it wasn’t too hard at all to understand audio and video connections and keep the wires sorted. It was almost easy. But now – yikes. Ideally – as I describe later – it’s easiest to simply dump the lot and go with HDMI. But for many of us who have older TVs, VCRs and audio amps that still work – and a budget or conscience that nags us about dumping stuff – making the old work with the new matters. So let’s get to it.
To start at the top, most of us in the past would have used the RF (or antenna) output of our VCR to connect up to our TV. The RF connector is round with a central pin. They come in male and female versions so an adapter may be necessary. Both video and audio went through the one cable, so it was pretty simple.
News – addicted2electronics.com
« Older Entries
Which connector is which?
May 19th, 2010 | Author: admin
20 years ago it wasn’t too hard at all to understand audio and video connections and keep the wires sorted. It was almost easy. But now – yikes. Ideally – as I describe later – it’s easiest to simply dump the lot and go with HDMI. But for many of us who have older TVs, VCRs and audio amps that still work – and a budget or conscience that nags us about dumping stuff – making the old work with the new matters. So let’s get to it.
To start at the top, most of us in the past would have used the RF (or antenna) output of our VCR to connect up to our TV. The RF connector is round with a central pin. They come in male and female versions so an adapter may be necessary. Both video and audio went through the one cable, so it was pretty simple.
Apple has hit upon a winning formula. Make it simple and easy, focus on accessibility. Look and feel like innovators and be just modestly innovative enough to be believed. Spin hard, generate mystique and sustain a loyal following. And close up the box so hard that no-one can copy you, leverage you or even change a battery.
It’s apparent that it’s a workable formula.
Why I won’t buy an iPad (and think you shouldn’t, either) – Boing Boing
Gadgets come and gadgets go. The iPad you buy today will be e-waste in a year or two (less, if you decide not to pay to have the battery changed for you). The real issue isn’t the capabilities of the piece of plastic you unwrap today, but the technical and social infrastructure that accompanies it.
If you want to live in the creative universe where anyone with a cool idea can make it and give it to you to run on your hardware, the iPad isn’t for you.
If you want to live in the fair world where you get to keep (or give away) the stuff you buy, the iPad isn’t for you.
If you want to write code for a platform where the only thing that determines whether you’re going to succeed with it is whether your audience loves it, the iPad isn’t for you.
Apple has hit upon a winning formula. Make it simple and easy, focus on accessibility. Look and feel like innovators and be just modestly innovative enough to be believed. Spin hard, generate mystique and sustain a loyal following. And close up the box so hard that no-one can copy you, leverage you or even change a battery.
It’s apparent that it’s a workable formula.
Why I won’t buy an iPad (and think you shouldn’t, either) – Boing Boing
Gadgets come and gadgets go. The iPad you buy today will be e-waste in a year or two (less, if you decide not to pay to have the battery changed for you). The real issue isn’t the capabilities of the piece of plastic you unwrap today, but the technical and social infrastructure that accompanies it.
If you want to live in the creative universe where anyone with a cool idea can make it and give it to you to run on your hardware, the iPad isn’t for you.
If you want to live in the fair world where you get to keep (or give away) the stuff you buy, the iPad isn’t for you.
If you want to write code for a platform where the only thing that determines whether you’re going to succeed with it is whether your audience loves it, the iPad isn’t for you.
I know what an early adopter phase is, but what’s an ‘early majority’ phase? Are they just making stuff up? Well, yes, of course they are – we all make stuff up. Being human we like to categorise and label – it’s how we learn and cope with our environment. Aside from labelling poisons and food stuffs for purely practical purposes, we have invented ‘baby boomer’ as a broad demographic label for a real surge in births and then felt compelled to continue labelling each succeeding ‘generation’ whether it makes sense, or correlates with real research, or not. Mostly not.
So it is with marketing speak and the phases of a product life cycle. We are getting carried away with granularity whilst mixing in some hype and spin. Yes, Blu-ray has won the HD war, yes sales are growing and prices are falling. If it becomes compelling enough we’ll all buy one. Unless something disruptive comes along first, like massive, cheap broadband and Internet-enabled home A/V gear. Who needs a disc in a data-on-demand world?
In any case ‘Early majority’ doesn’t really make any sense – either you have a majority or you don’t (and Blu-ray technology has less than 10% share no matter how you look at it, so ‘majority’ is a hard label to pin on it). So it’s a majority of what? Nothing?
I know what an early adopter phase is, but what’s an ‘early majority’ phase? Are they just making stuff up? Well, yes, of course they are – we all make stuff up. Being human we like to categorise and label – it’s how we learn and cope with our environment. Aside from labelling poisons and food stuffs for purely practical purposes, we have invented ‘baby boomer’ as a broad demographic label for a real surge in births and then felt compelled to continue labelling each succeeding ‘generation’ whether it makes sense, or correlates with real research, or not. Mostly not.
So it is with marketing speak and the phases of a product life cycle. We are getting carried away with granularity whilst mixing in some hype and spin. Yes, Blu-ray has won the HD war, yes sales are growing and prices are falling. If it becomes compelling enough we’ll all buy one. Unless something disruptive comes along first, like massive, cheap broadband and Internet-enabled home A/V gear. Who needs a disc in a data-on-demand world?
In any case ‘Early majority’ doesn’t really make any sense – either you have a majority or you don’t (and Blu-ray technology has less than 10% share no matter how you look at it, so ‘majority’ is a hard label to pin on it). So it’s a majority of what? Nothing?
An inline memory device that records your guitar playing as you go, with the ability to mark the bits (and I do mean bits) you want to keep and dump to your PC. There’s a microphone option, too. Always on, BackTrack begins recording as soon as it detects a signal. Just plug into the quiet 1/4-inch input and start playing. And use the 1/4-inch output for immediate playback. Just set it and forget it for total inspiration control. Pressing the “Mark” button designates what you just played as special and separates it for easy review. The Forward and Reverse buttons provide instant recall of marked and non-marked ideas. It has a Gig of on-board flash RAM.
Alternatively you could also just run your guitar through your PC (using iAxe or some other USB interface) and save as you go, but that’s a heftier option, especially if you are playing away from home.
An inline memory device that records your guitar playing as you go, with the ability to mark the bits (and I do mean bits) you want to keep and dump to your PC. There’s a microphone option, too. Always on, BackTrack begins recording as soon as it detects a signal. Just plug into the quiet 1/4-inch input and start playing. And use the 1/4-inch output for immediate playback. Just set it and forget it for total inspiration control. Pressing the “Mark” button designates what you just played as special and separates it for easy review. The Forward and Reverse buttons provide instant recall of marked and non-marked ideas. It has a Gig of on-board flash RAM.
Alternatively you could also just run your guitar through your PC (using iAxe or some other USB interface) and save as you go, but that’s a heftier option, especially if you are playing away from home.
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