Multi Search Engine Search

http://www.sputtr.com/

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii is coming to the UK on December the 8th 2006 at a cost of £179.00

[Environment] Solar alchemy turns fumes back into fuels

IT IS the biggest contributor to climate change. Now chemists are hoping to convert carbon dioxide into a useful fuel, with a little help from the sun.

If they succeed, it will be possible to recycle the greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels.
Chemists have long hoped to find a method of bringing the combustion of fuel full circle by turning CO2 back into useful hydrocarbons. Now researchers at the University of Messina in Italy have developed an electro-catalytic technique they say could do the job. "The conversion of CO2 to fuel is not a dream, but an effective possibility which requires further research," says team leader Gabriele Centi.

Read more at newscientist.com

[OS] Will Open Source ever oust Microsoft?

Two Harvard Business School Professors say "No". Ramon Casadesus-Masanell and Pankaj Ghemawat explore the fundamental competitive dynamics question in their study, 'Will OSS ever displace traditional software from its market leadership position?'

They said that the one main advantage of OSS is that because users can modify the code directly (as they encounter problems or have new ideas on how to improve it), the development cycle is significantly shorter.

However, OSS has disadvantages too. Most importantly, it comes from behind in terms of market share (installed base). Because the value of an operating system depends critically on the number of users, traditional software has an advantage.

Their paper introduces a dynamic mixed duopoly model in which a profit-maximising competitor (Microsoft) interacts with a competitor that prices at zero (Linux), with the installed base affecting their relative values over time. The authors use a formal model to ask what conditions are needed for Linux to take over Windows. The questions that they addressed are:

• Is Linux's superior demand-side learning sufficient to win out?
• What is the effect of forced procurement by governments and some large corporations on the long-run equilibrium?
• How do cost asymmetries play out?
• Can Microsoft use piracy strategically to improve its market position?

From a managerial perspective, these are significant questions.

There is an interview with the report's authors here

The Michael Jackson conspiracy

Is it possible that, between 1985 and 1987, Michael Jackson was killed or dies at the age of 26 - 28 years old. The family not wanting to lose revenue from the Michael Jackson legacy, hires a singer/impersonator to take the place of the late Micheal Jackson.

To reduce questions about the difference between the impersonator and the late Michael Jackson, the impersonator is given obvious plastic-surgery to give the appearance that Michael Jackson as obviously attempted to change his appearance.

Michael Jackson's voice prior to the "Bad" album was distinctly a smoother ballad style voice, His voice since and including the "Bad" album has a rougher edge to it, although similar the change is significant.

Is it possible that like the "Dread Pirate Roberts" in the film "Princess Bride", that several impersonators have taken on the role of Michael Jackson...

I suppose that the only way to be sure, is to have a DNA test under controlled conditions to prove that the current Michael Jackson is related to the other Jackson family members.

The Steorn Challenge

The process of testing Steorn's technology shall consist of three test phases. The process shall commence with the scientific jury appointing its own chairman. Steorn shall then provide an in-depth explanation of the operation of its technology and shall present the tests and test data conducted on the technology to date.

Steorn will cover all direct costs relating to the validation process.

Pre-Phase I : Current Phase Analyse list of scientists, contact and verify interest, choose twelve and negotiate terms.

Phase I : Confirm that the Steorn technology has a coefficient of performance greater than 100%.

Phase II : Confirm that the operation of the Steorn technology does not affect the component parts of the technology.

Phase III : Carry out a full thermodynamic analysis of the technology.

Related items: Could Steorn have broken the law...

[TV] Battlestar Galactica - The Resistance

Scifi.com have started to show online (2 webisodes a week) of Battlestar Galactica - The Resistance in the run up to Season 3 of Battlestar Galactica starting on the 6th of October 2006.

Part 1 was broadcasted on Tuesday 5th September, with the following episodes posted every Tuesday and Thursday at Noon ET.

http://www.scifi.com/webisode01/

Ultra Quiet Home Theatre PC

LixSystems has introduced a low-cost Linux powered home theater PC (HTPC) packaged in a compact, consumer electronics-style enclosure. The Lx8100-MN, available "barebones" (sans CPU, memory, and hard drive) for around $300, offers quiet operation and is supplied with an easily-installed Fedora 5-based system image on DVD.

More details

Free web tools and resources

Free tools and resources to help build and enhance an Internet presence.
http://www.yellowpipe.com/yis/tools/index.php

[Website] JPMorgan Graduate Recruitment sites go live

I've just the spend the better part of three months system designing, template optimisation, building and bug troubleshooting of JPMorgan's Graduate recruitment websites. The main part was the complete redesign and development of the accessibility aware sites of US Investment Banking and Europe, Middle East and Africa Graduate recruitment sites.

In addtion to this, the global careers portal page and other global pages were also set to this accessibility template.

Luckily, only minor additions to the current India and Asia Pacific Graduate recruitment sites. With minor amendments to the South African site. Maybe these will move the new template next year.

I feel like I've been through the wringer with this one... ...same again next year?

Sites and Technology used:

Although WAI-AAA was not required, the basic templates and css complies with WCAG 1.0 WAI-AAA, However, the content as entered by client limits the sites to WCAG 1.0 WAI-AA.

http://www.jpmorgan.com/eurocareers

Accessibility aware, HTML 4.01 valid, WCAG AA, Flash FLV

http://www.jpmorgan.com/usibcareers

Accessibility aware, HTML 4.01 valid, WCAG AA, Flash FLV, Ajax

http://www.jpmorgan.com/careers

Accessibility aware, HTML 4.01 valid, WCAG AA

http://www.jpmorgan.com/asiapaccareers

http://www.jpmorgan.com/indiacareers

and http://www.jpmorgan.com/southafricacareers

[Environment] Setting Up A Hydroponic Herb Garden

Plants grown in a carefully prepared chemical soup, recycled water and carefully controlled parameters that results in bigger, healthier plants year round is just plain cool.

J. Wynia gives instructions on how to set up your own Hydroponic Herb Garden.

Might try this one myself, I've been looking for a way to get my coriander fresh, all year round.

http://www.wynia.org/wordpress/2006/08/29/setting-up-a-hydroponic-herb-garden