I hate cables and adapters both at home and while traveling. Problem number one is the huge number of incompatible chargers. This WaPo article says it best: “If you switch [cell phone] brands, it won’t work,” Kammerer said of his many chargers. “I wish they were standardized. My briefcase gets heavy.” Manufacturers argue that providing [...]
Most often, high tech is overly complicated. However, as the NYT points out this morning, high tech is making prostheses much simpler and better for those who have lost their legs. Of course, they have to be plugged in, but that seems reasonable for the benefit they provide: He recalled attending a party where the [...]
Brighthand mentions a study about mobile technology vs. longer working hours. Yes, it is probably true that being more connected means being available for more work. But the real question for the worker is whether it increases satisfaction or reduces stress. Wouldn’t it make more sense to measure these variables? Well, not if you’re the [...]
In the beginning, there was Compact Flash (CF). Then that was too big, and thus was created Secure Digital (SD). Then manufacturers created “standards” for a bajillion other random formats that annoy the heck out of anyone who shops for digital cameras, PDAs, cellphones, and laptops. Fortunately, there are some products that help with the [...]
The NYT tells us about HDTV exposing blemishes on many popular media stars: The editors of OnHD.TV examined several dozen stars and compiled a list of heartthrobs who (they claim) wither under the unblinking gaze of high-def, including Cameron Diaz (”littered with unfortunate pockmarks”), Jewel (whose makeup ”looks like it was done by Ringling Brothers”) [...]
Onward goes the digital march, and we’re not too sad. We always used Ilford photo paper anyway. Gizmodo sums it up most humorously, while PDN gives the straight scoop. Yes, B&W film and paper does have a unique feel, but so does seeing your film get zapped by the X-Ray machine at every dang airport. [...]
Wired writes about “How Gamers Can Help Cure Cancer,” discussing distributed computing. The basic idea has been around for a long time, from distributed.net to Seti@Home and many others. I used to run these things, but I’m no longer convinced they give good bang for the buck. Today, many processors, especially those in laptops, can [...]
RAM is fast and expensive, and goes bye-bye when you turn off the power. Hard drives are slow, fragile and suck power, but cheap and keep their data for a loooong time. Never the twain shall meet? The difference is beginning to break down, and we’ll all be happier for it. Large .5TB (500GB) drives [...]
I want an Apple laptop that gives me the smooth Mac experience, but I have to run Windows XP applications, so I’m locked out of the iLife. I expect that I’ll have one laptop that lets me have the best of both worlds in 2-3 years – all the personal productivity and cool toys of [...]
NYT has an article about a pro photographer switching back and forth between classic equipment (Speed Graphic) and modern digital SLRs. For him, the tools are secondary to communicating something that stands out from the standard shots. In his advice for amateur photographers, he follows the same line of thinking: Pressed for a tip for [...]