Saturday, September 29, 2007
Gossip girls
Friday, November 18, 2005
Scientists make first pure brain stem cell
British scientists have made the world's first pure batch of brain stem cells that can help fight neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, reports the online edition of The Guardian.
Austin Smith of Edinburgh University's institute for stem cell research bathed stem cells taken from mouse embryos with two proteins called epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, both of which are known to be involved in the normal development of the embryonic brain.
After his team had shown the process turned embryonic mouse stem cells into brain stem cells, they repeated the experiment on human embryonic stem cells.
Brain stem cells have been grown before but the results have been impure. "You end up with a mixed culture at the end which has not just neural stem cells, it has a lot of contaminating embryonic stem cells," said Steve Pollard, one of the co-authors.
The work comes three months after scientists at Newcastle University cloned a human embryo using donated eggs and genetic material from stem cells. Human embryos were first cloned last year by South Korean scientists.
In the short term, the technique will allow scientists to develop cell cultures for their research.
"We'll use them in the basic biology sense to try to understand how stem cells work," Pollard said. "It's a good opportunity to understand what the difference is between an embryonic stem cell, which can make anything, and a brain stem cell, which can just make brain."
In the long term, the technology raises hopes of growing cells to replace damaged parts of the brain. But Smith said there was a long way to go: "We know these cells can survive if we put them back in the brain but whether they can do anything useful is a much more complicated question."
Through genetic modification, scientists will also use the technique to mimic brain diseases.
Austin Smith of Edinburgh University's institute for stem cell research bathed stem cells taken from mouse embryos with two proteins called epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor, both of which are known to be involved in the normal development of the embryonic brain.
After his team had shown the process turned embryonic mouse stem cells into brain stem cells, they repeated the experiment on human embryonic stem cells.
Brain stem cells have been grown before but the results have been impure. "You end up with a mixed culture at the end which has not just neural stem cells, it has a lot of contaminating embryonic stem cells," said Steve Pollard, one of the co-authors.
The work comes three months after scientists at Newcastle University cloned a human embryo using donated eggs and genetic material from stem cells. Human embryos were first cloned last year by South Korean scientists.
In the short term, the technique will allow scientists to develop cell cultures for their research.
"We'll use them in the basic biology sense to try to understand how stem cells work," Pollard said. "It's a good opportunity to understand what the difference is between an embryonic stem cell, which can make anything, and a brain stem cell, which can just make brain."
In the long term, the technology raises hopes of growing cells to replace damaged parts of the brain. But Smith said there was a long way to go: "We know these cells can survive if we put them back in the brain but whether they can do anything useful is a much more complicated question."
Through genetic modification, scientists will also use the technique to mimic brain diseases.
Molecules that move objects
Scientists have made a breakthrough in nanotechnology which could hasten the development of molecular machines that could act as artificial muscles or drug delivery systems in the body.
Chemists at Edinburgh University said on Wednesday they had built molecules that can move objects larger than the size of an atom in an advance in the technology that deals with manipulating materials on a minuscule scale.
"Although man's understanding of how to build and control molecular machines is still at an early stage, nanoscale science and engineering could have a life-enhancing impact on human society comparable in extent to that of electricity, the steam engine, the transistor and the Internet," Professor David Leigh told a science conference.
The chemists used ultra-violet light to stimulate the man-made molecules to propel small droplets of liquid across flat and sloped surfaces.
The achievement, according to the researchers, is equivalent to a conventional machine lifting an object to more than twice the height of the world's tallest building.
"It is only a very small droplet and it only moves a millimetre but in terms of extrapolation of length scales this is huge," Leigh told the British Association science conference.
Nature uses molecular machines to perform all biological functions from moving muscles in the body to photosynthesis. Scientists are trying to unravel its secrets.
"When we learn to do the same, we really will have materials that today just sound like science fiction," he added.
The technology involves altering matter on a incredibly tiny scale -- a billionth of a metre, or about 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair.
Nanotechnology is already being used in cosmetics, computer chips, sunscreens, self-cleaning windows and stain-resistant clothing.
Researchers predict the technology could lead to more powerful computers, very light but strong materials, advanced medical techniques and longer lasting, more effective medicines.
Leigh and his colleagues, whose work is published in the journal Nature Materials, said the ultra-violet light causes a chemical reaction to occur that drives the droplets of liquid.
The movement is tiny but it represents a large step forward because scientists are just beginning to learn to make machines with artificial molecules.
Chemists at Edinburgh University said on Wednesday they had built molecules that can move objects larger than the size of an atom in an advance in the technology that deals with manipulating materials on a minuscule scale.
"Although man's understanding of how to build and control molecular machines is still at an early stage, nanoscale science and engineering could have a life-enhancing impact on human society comparable in extent to that of electricity, the steam engine, the transistor and the Internet," Professor David Leigh told a science conference.
The chemists used ultra-violet light to stimulate the man-made molecules to propel small droplets of liquid across flat and sloped surfaces.
The achievement, according to the researchers, is equivalent to a conventional machine lifting an object to more than twice the height of the world's tallest building.
"It is only a very small droplet and it only moves a millimetre but in terms of extrapolation of length scales this is huge," Leigh told the British Association science conference.
Nature uses molecular machines to perform all biological functions from moving muscles in the body to photosynthesis. Scientists are trying to unravel its secrets.
"When we learn to do the same, we really will have materials that today just sound like science fiction," he added.
The technology involves altering matter on a incredibly tiny scale -- a billionth of a metre, or about 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair.
Nanotechnology is already being used in cosmetics, computer chips, sunscreens, self-cleaning windows and stain-resistant clothing.
Researchers predict the technology could lead to more powerful computers, very light but strong materials, advanced medical techniques and longer lasting, more effective medicines.
Leigh and his colleagues, whose work is published in the journal Nature Materials, said the ultra-violet light causes a chemical reaction to occur that drives the droplets of liquid.
The movement is tiny but it represents a large step forward because scientists are just beginning to learn to make machines with artificial molecules.
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Xbox 360: It's fast, it's slick, it's pricey
The battle for video-game supremacy starts in one week.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, is when Microsoft begins selling its newest -- and highly anticipated -- console, the Xbox 360.
Featuring lightning-quick load times and hyper-realistic graphics, it smokes every other console out there -- just as you'd expect. Be prepared, though, to shell out a lot of cash.
The core Xbox 360 system runs $299, and the upgraded premium model goes for an extra $100. But both will do more than just play games; they also are able to play DVDs, download music and store photos.
While serious gamers and novices will see little difference in game play, the hefty price tag (the current Xbox runs about $150) is worth it because of the upgrade in graphics and power. Most gamers will probably want to splurge and buy the premium edition, which includes such must-have accessories as a wireless controller, headset and detachable hard drive that lets you take the game with you. Sold separately, those accessories would cost an additional $225.
The new console is much sleeker than its predecessor. The original Xbox never really caught on in Asia, and many analysts blamed its bulky design. Microsoft partnered with two design firms for the 360, Astro Studios in San Francisco and Hers Experimental Design Laboratory in Osaka, Japan.
Like the Sony PlayStation 2, the 360 can stand vertically or horizontally, and it's only slightly larger than a digital cable box. Optional faceplates -- a great way to customize your Xbox -- also will be available at launch.
Grass is greener on high-def TV
The new unit was designed for high-definition TV. We tested the unit at home on both a standard television and an HDTV on the highest resolution possible. On the standard TV, the graphics were better than those on the current Xbox, but things were really noticeable on the HDTV.
In "Madden," snowflakes randomly fell during a Bears game at Soldier Field, and it was cold enough to see the players' breath. With "Tiger Woods" you could make out the individual blades of grass better in high-definition. Everything was just crisper, which means if you don't currently own an HDTV, this could prompt you to buy one now.
Xbox 360 is built to be online every minute you play, making a broadband connection essential. Both the premium and core 360 units come with a free Xbox Live silver membership that will enable you to send and receive voice and text messages as well as download free game demos and premium content such as vintage arcade games. If you want to play your friends around the globe, you'll need to upgrade your Xbox Live account to the gold package ($69.99 a year).
Tuesday, Nov. 22, is when Microsoft begins selling its newest -- and highly anticipated -- console, the Xbox 360.
Featuring lightning-quick load times and hyper-realistic graphics, it smokes every other console out there -- just as you'd expect. Be prepared, though, to shell out a lot of cash.
The core Xbox 360 system runs $299, and the upgraded premium model goes for an extra $100. But both will do more than just play games; they also are able to play DVDs, download music and store photos.
While serious gamers and novices will see little difference in game play, the hefty price tag (the current Xbox runs about $150) is worth it because of the upgrade in graphics and power. Most gamers will probably want to splurge and buy the premium edition, which includes such must-have accessories as a wireless controller, headset and detachable hard drive that lets you take the game with you. Sold separately, those accessories would cost an additional $225.
The new console is much sleeker than its predecessor. The original Xbox never really caught on in Asia, and many analysts blamed its bulky design. Microsoft partnered with two design firms for the 360, Astro Studios in San Francisco and Hers Experimental Design Laboratory in Osaka, Japan.
Like the Sony PlayStation 2, the 360 can stand vertically or horizontally, and it's only slightly larger than a digital cable box. Optional faceplates -- a great way to customize your Xbox -- also will be available at launch.
Grass is greener on high-def TV
The new unit was designed for high-definition TV. We tested the unit at home on both a standard television and an HDTV on the highest resolution possible. On the standard TV, the graphics were better than those on the current Xbox, but things were really noticeable on the HDTV.
In "Madden," snowflakes randomly fell during a Bears game at Soldier Field, and it was cold enough to see the players' breath. With "Tiger Woods" you could make out the individual blades of grass better in high-definition. Everything was just crisper, which means if you don't currently own an HDTV, this could prompt you to buy one now.
Xbox 360 is built to be online every minute you play, making a broadband connection essential. Both the premium and core 360 units come with a free Xbox Live silver membership that will enable you to send and receive voice and text messages as well as download free game demos and premium content such as vintage arcade games. If you want to play your friends around the globe, you'll need to upgrade your Xbox Live account to the gold package ($69.99 a year).
Monday, November 14, 2005
G8, emerging powers agree to harness clean energy technology
The world's leading economic powers and emerging countries have agreed to use clean energy technology to combat climate change at a meeting in London, host Britain said Wednesday.
The Group of Eight industrial nations engaged in talks on Tuesday with countries including China and India to thrash out ways to develop sustainable energy sources and clean technology ahead of a key United Nations climate conference later this month in Montreal.
The meeting tried to emphasise technological solutions rather than target-setting as a way to combat climate change.
Delegates agreed to ramp up cooperation between developed and developing countries, as put forward by China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico at the G8 annual summit in Gleneagles, Scotland in July.
The 2005 British G8 presidency has focused on environmental issues, and the idea for Tuesday's dialogue emerged at Gleneagles.
Alan Johnson, Britain's Trade and Industry Secretary, co-chaired the informal gathering of the 20 nations expected to consume the most energy in the coming 30 to 40 years. The World Bank and the International Energy Agency, named as key partners, were also involved.
Johnson said in a statement Wednesday: "The meeting underlined that there is a broad consensus that we need to accelerate the deployment of technologies to tackle climate change while maintaining economic growth and sustainable development."
The ministers agreed to work together on deploying clean technologies, such as renewable energy technology and carbon capture and storage, to eventually reduce global emissions, Britain's environment ministry said.
They also decided to bring in incentives for large-scale private sector investment in low carbon technologies, working with the World Bank.
Johnson said: "We now need to identify priorities for cooperation, in both the short and long term. And we need to set a clear context for the private sector to invest in low carbon technologies with signals that are loud, long and legal."
The UN climate conference in Montreal from November 28 to December 9 is to explore the future climate negotiations once the current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Dropping into the London meeting, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world needed to find "a better, more sensitive set of mechanisms to deal with this problem" once Kyoto expires.
"The solutions will come in the end, in part at least, through the private sector in developing the technology and science," he said.
Kyoto commits signatories to trim their output of six greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, by 2012 compared with 1990 levels. But its impact has been limited by the United States having opted out.
Mexico offered to host the next round of dialogue in 2006 between the G8 and up-and-coming economies.
The Group of Eight industrial nations engaged in talks on Tuesday with countries including China and India to thrash out ways to develop sustainable energy sources and clean technology ahead of a key United Nations climate conference later this month in Montreal.
The meeting tried to emphasise technological solutions rather than target-setting as a way to combat climate change.
Delegates agreed to ramp up cooperation between developed and developing countries, as put forward by China, India, Brazil, South Africa and Mexico at the G8 annual summit in Gleneagles, Scotland in July.
The 2005 British G8 presidency has focused on environmental issues, and the idea for Tuesday's dialogue emerged at Gleneagles.
Alan Johnson, Britain's Trade and Industry Secretary, co-chaired the informal gathering of the 20 nations expected to consume the most energy in the coming 30 to 40 years. The World Bank and the International Energy Agency, named as key partners, were also involved.
Johnson said in a statement Wednesday: "The meeting underlined that there is a broad consensus that we need to accelerate the deployment of technologies to tackle climate change while maintaining economic growth and sustainable development."
The ministers agreed to work together on deploying clean technologies, such as renewable energy technology and carbon capture and storage, to eventually reduce global emissions, Britain's environment ministry said.
They also decided to bring in incentives for large-scale private sector investment in low carbon technologies, working with the World Bank.
Johnson said: "We now need to identify priorities for cooperation, in both the short and long term. And we need to set a clear context for the private sector to invest in low carbon technologies with signals that are loud, long and legal."
The UN climate conference in Montreal from November 28 to December 9 is to explore the future climate negotiations once the current Kyoto Protocol expires in 2012.
Dropping into the London meeting, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said the world needed to find "a better, more sensitive set of mechanisms to deal with this problem" once Kyoto expires.
"The solutions will come in the end, in part at least, through the private sector in developing the technology and science," he said.
Kyoto commits signatories to trim their output of six greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, by 2012 compared with 1990 levels. But its impact has been limited by the United States having opted out.
Mexico offered to host the next round of dialogue in 2006 between the G8 and up-and-coming economies.
Venus Express probe launched
The Venus Express probe, the first space mission in over 10 years to Earth's closest neighbour, was launched on Wednesday aboard a Soyez-Fregat rocket from Baikonur cosmodrome.
The rocket lifted off at 9.03 hours IST and the probe was to separate from it two hours later to embark on its 163-day journey to Venus.
The launch of the probe, originally scheduled for October 26, was delayed due to "contamination" detected inside the fairing -- the bullet-shaped hood that covers the payload on the top of the rocket -- in final checks at Baikonur.
Venus Express, the European Space Agency's (ESA) first probe to the planet, will explore its unusual stormy atmosphere and runaway global warming in the hope of better understanding Earth's greenhouse-gas problem.
Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is similar in size, mass and age to Earth but has a vastly different and ferociously hot weather system.
Also known as the Evening Star, thanks to the bright light it reflects from the Sun, the planet is blanketed by thick clouds of suffocating gas driven by often hurricane-force winds and a surface pressure and temperature high enough to crush and melt lead.
The planet's clouds reflect back 80 per cent of the Sun's radiation and absorb another 10 per cent, leaving just 10 per cent to filter down to the surface.
But the clouds provide such effective insulation the surface zone becomes a pressure cooker capable of melting metal.
The rocket lifted off at 9.03 hours IST and the probe was to separate from it two hours later to embark on its 163-day journey to Venus.
The launch of the probe, originally scheduled for October 26, was delayed due to "contamination" detected inside the fairing -- the bullet-shaped hood that covers the payload on the top of the rocket -- in final checks at Baikonur.
Venus Express, the European Space Agency's (ESA) first probe to the planet, will explore its unusual stormy atmosphere and runaway global warming in the hope of better understanding Earth's greenhouse-gas problem.
Venus, the second planet from the Sun, is similar in size, mass and age to Earth but has a vastly different and ferociously hot weather system.
Also known as the Evening Star, thanks to the bright light it reflects from the Sun, the planet is blanketed by thick clouds of suffocating gas driven by often hurricane-force winds and a surface pressure and temperature high enough to crush and melt lead.
The planet's clouds reflect back 80 per cent of the Sun's radiation and absorb another 10 per cent, leaving just 10 per cent to filter down to the surface.
But the clouds provide such effective insulation the surface zone becomes a pressure cooker capable of melting metal.
Sunday, November 06, 2005
EBay founder starts $100 million microfinance fund
EBay Inc. founder Pierre Omidyar and his wife Pamela on Friday said they gave $100 million in eBay stock to Tufts University to create a fund that will invest in international microfinance, or lending to people who are too poor to qualify for traditional loans.
Tufts will keep 50 percent of the fund's income, while the other 50 percent will be reinvested in new microloans.
The stock in the online auctioneer will be sold incrementally over time, according to a spokeswoman for Omidyar.
The couple expects the Omidyar-Tufts Microfinance Fund, in addition to supporting their alma mater, to spark a cycle of investment that could exceed $1 billion over the next decade, as loan capital is repaid with interest and lent out again.
"Microloans enable the poor to lift themselves out of poverty through entrepreneurship," said Omidyar in a statement, adding that "the microfinance industry can be a profitable business."
The Omidyars are trying to boost investment in microfinance by showing institutional investors how profitable it can be.
Microfinance loans average $600 and are typically used by struggling entrepreneurs to sustain and grow their businesses.
The couple founded its investment group, the Omidyar Network, in June 2004, to invest in areas such as microfinance, open source technology and transparency in government.
mesothelioma lawyers
Tufts will keep 50 percent of the fund's income, while the other 50 percent will be reinvested in new microloans.
The stock in the online auctioneer will be sold incrementally over time, according to a spokeswoman for Omidyar.
The couple expects the Omidyar-Tufts Microfinance Fund, in addition to supporting their alma mater, to spark a cycle of investment that could exceed $1 billion over the next decade, as loan capital is repaid with interest and lent out again.
"Microloans enable the poor to lift themselves out of poverty through entrepreneurship," said Omidyar in a statement, adding that "the microfinance industry can be a profitable business."
The Omidyars are trying to boost investment in microfinance by showing institutional investors how profitable it can be.
Microfinance loans average $600 and are typically used by struggling entrepreneurs to sustain and grow their businesses.
The couple founded its investment group, the Omidyar Network, in June 2004, to invest in areas such as microfinance, open source technology and transparency in government.
mesothelioma lawyers
Intel to AMD: Gimme 65!
On Nov. 1, Intel announced that its Fab 12, using the newest, 65 nm technology, began shipping in high volume. Fab 12 is the world's largest chipmaker's second 65 nm fab to ramp up; the first one that came online recently was a development fab in Oregon.
The announcement is another sign that Intel is playing catch-up to rival AMD and playing better than it's done before. AMD will likely be a year behind Intel in rolling out this 65 nm technology and, perhaps, it will take even longer to get to mass production.
An interesting tidbit: Bob Baker, who is in charge of Intel's manufacturing, says Intel might also use these 65 nm plants to produce parts other than the microprocessors. Indeed, Intel already makes Wi-Fi chips, chipsets and memory.
Perhaps we will see the company dip into new kinds of chips, too. I wonder what they would be? My bet is, Intel will start making more of the chips that communications chipmakers like Texas Instruments make.
The announcement is another sign that Intel is playing catch-up to rival AMD and playing better than it's done before. AMD will likely be a year behind Intel in rolling out this 65 nm technology and, perhaps, it will take even longer to get to mass production.
An interesting tidbit: Bob Baker, who is in charge of Intel's manufacturing, says Intel might also use these 65 nm plants to produce parts other than the microprocessors. Indeed, Intel already makes Wi-Fi chips, chipsets and memory.
Perhaps we will see the company dip into new kinds of chips, too. I wonder what they would be? My bet is, Intel will start making more of the chips that communications chipmakers like Texas Instruments make.
Italian experts claim first victory in AIDS vaccine testing
Scientists in Italy are planning to launch large-scale human testing of an AIDS vaccine after initial results have shown that it is safe, well tolerated and capable of stimulating a patient's immune system.
Barbara Ensoli of the Istituto Superiore Di Sanita (ISS) said she was in talks with both public and private investors to find the necessary funds needed to test her vaccine on hundreds of volunteers in Italy and Africa.
"We are looking for around €50 million ($60 million)," Ensoli said.
The vaccine has so far been successfully tested on 47 volunteers - 27 of whom were HIV positive - in four different clinics in Italy.
"Our data allows us to state that the vaccine is safe and well tolerated," Ensoli said in a statement.
"In all cases we have found a response from the immune system, both among the healthy and the HIV-positive subjects."
Unlike other vaccines currently being tested worldwide, the Italian one focuses on a protein called TAT and which plays an essential role in the virus' replication.
Because it seeks to stops AIDS from developing rather than preventing infection, the vaccine applies to any strain of the virus.
Phase two of the testing, which will focus on the effectiveness of the vaccine, is likely to conclude by 2010.
Barbara Ensoli of the Istituto Superiore Di Sanita (ISS) said she was in talks with both public and private investors to find the necessary funds needed to test her vaccine on hundreds of volunteers in Italy and Africa.
"We are looking for around €50 million ($60 million)," Ensoli said.
The vaccine has so far been successfully tested on 47 volunteers - 27 of whom were HIV positive - in four different clinics in Italy.
"Our data allows us to state that the vaccine is safe and well tolerated," Ensoli said in a statement.
"In all cases we have found a response from the immune system, both among the healthy and the HIV-positive subjects."
Unlike other vaccines currently being tested worldwide, the Italian one focuses on a protein called TAT and which plays an essential role in the virus' replication.
Because it seeks to stops AIDS from developing rather than preventing infection, the vaccine applies to any strain of the virus.
Phase two of the testing, which will focus on the effectiveness of the vaccine, is likely to conclude by 2010.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
US co develops nanotube chips
Future computers may require no time to boot up, thanks to carbon nanotube memory chips.
Nantero, the company which is developing these chips, presented its achievement at the Emerging Technologies Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Nature magazine reported.
The new technology uses rolled-up tubes of carbon to make transistors, the on-off switches that carry digital information inside computing chips: strings of the nanotubes move up and down to represent the ones and zeroes of binary code.
But unlike the electrons in normal electrical transistors, these nanotubes stay in place even when a computer is turned off, Nature said.
Nantero has been working on the idea for years. Now they say they have made ground in the manufacturing process, pushing the chips closer to market.
The company, the magazine says, has succeeded in making circular wafers, 13 centimetres in diameter, that hold 10 gigabits of data. These are much bigger than equivalent memory cards used today.
But Greg Schmergel, chief executive officer of Nantero, was quoted as saying the nanotube chips are ten times faster than 'flash' cards, which are some of the swiftest ones now available.
Nantero, the report said, calls its technology NRAM, which is loosely short for nanotube-based, non-volatile random access memory.
Non-volatile components, which by definition keep all data even when the power is turned off, are currently on the market in the form of flash memory cards. These hold electrons in insulated cells to act as ones and zeroes. They can be found in many portable gadgets, from MP3 players to digital camera memory cards.
Schmergel was quoted by Nature as saying that his chips could come in handy on space ships.
The radiation in outer space can interfere with the electrons that store data in flash memory devices, so they have to be protected by lead. NRAM avoids this problem, providing the same computing power with much less bulk to loft into orbit.
The design, says Nature, involves suspending nanotube ribbons between points above a silicon chip, so that they form tiny bridges over electrodes lying below. When a charge is applied, the nanotube bridge curves downwards to touch the electrode. This deformation of the nanotube bridge remains even when the power is turned off.
Schmergel says that his firm is currently working with manufacturers such as LSI Logic. These companies have swapped some steps in the production of ordinary transistors for laptop computers for steps that make nanotube chips instead.
Nantero, the company which is developing these chips, presented its achievement at the Emerging Technologies Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Nature magazine reported.
The new technology uses rolled-up tubes of carbon to make transistors, the on-off switches that carry digital information inside computing chips: strings of the nanotubes move up and down to represent the ones and zeroes of binary code.
But unlike the electrons in normal electrical transistors, these nanotubes stay in place even when a computer is turned off, Nature said.
Nantero has been working on the idea for years. Now they say they have made ground in the manufacturing process, pushing the chips closer to market.
The company, the magazine says, has succeeded in making circular wafers, 13 centimetres in diameter, that hold 10 gigabits of data. These are much bigger than equivalent memory cards used today.
But Greg Schmergel, chief executive officer of Nantero, was quoted as saying the nanotube chips are ten times faster than 'flash' cards, which are some of the swiftest ones now available.
Nantero, the report said, calls its technology NRAM, which is loosely short for nanotube-based, non-volatile random access memory.
Non-volatile components, which by definition keep all data even when the power is turned off, are currently on the market in the form of flash memory cards. These hold electrons in insulated cells to act as ones and zeroes. They can be found in many portable gadgets, from MP3 players to digital camera memory cards.
Schmergel was quoted by Nature as saying that his chips could come in handy on space ships.
The radiation in outer space can interfere with the electrons that store data in flash memory devices, so they have to be protected by lead. NRAM avoids this problem, providing the same computing power with much less bulk to loft into orbit.
The design, says Nature, involves suspending nanotube ribbons between points above a silicon chip, so that they form tiny bridges over electrodes lying below. When a charge is applied, the nanotube bridge curves downwards to touch the electrode. This deformation of the nanotube bridge remains even when the power is turned off.
Schmergel says that his firm is currently working with manufacturers such as LSI Logic. These companies have swapped some steps in the production of ordinary transistors for laptop computers for steps that make nanotube chips instead.
Student extracts bio-diesel from veg oil
A student of Madurai Kamaraj University helped by a research scholar, has successfully extracted bio-diesel from residual vegetable oil.
The fruits of research by post-graduate Energy Science student T Jincy got sweeter with the University officials organising a city-tour in one of the staff buses run on the bio-diesel produced by her on a trial basis with the objective of creating awareness about the merits of bio-diesel.
According to Jincy and A Ramalingam, research scholar, who assisted her in the bio-diesel conversion project, waste oil is trans-esterified chemically and then reacted with alcohol under alkyl condition after which the glycerine module was cracked to extract bio-diesel. The process would take two days as the oil contained fat.
The storage stability for the oil was high too. Crude glycerine, a by-product while manufacturing bio-diesel by the process, could be used for making genuine toilet soaps.
About the emission characteristics of the diesel they said, "They are very much within the norms. The waste oil from the vegetable oil refineries could be used to produce bio-diesel which is eco-friendly," said R Kasturi Bai, Jincy's guide.
The cost of fuel would come to Rs 30 a litre and could be brought down if produced on a large scale.
"We can extract half-a-litre of bio-diesel from each litre of waste vegetable oil. Unlike in the West where bio-diesel is produced from Soya bean oil and sunflower oil, we use waste vegetable oil," Ramalingam said.
Meanwhile Samuel Paulraj, a professor of the department said the bio-diesel yield from Jatropha, which has less fat, was higher.
About the benefit of the process, he said edible oil companies could not find a way to dispose their waste vegetable oil.
Very soon, a pilot plant would be set up for the production of bio-diesel from waste vegetable oil and a tie-up with edible oil manufacturing units would be soon made, he added.
The fruits of research by post-graduate Energy Science student T Jincy got sweeter with the University officials organising a city-tour in one of the staff buses run on the bio-diesel produced by her on a trial basis with the objective of creating awareness about the merits of bio-diesel.
According to Jincy and A Ramalingam, research scholar, who assisted her in the bio-diesel conversion project, waste oil is trans-esterified chemically and then reacted with alcohol under alkyl condition after which the glycerine module was cracked to extract bio-diesel. The process would take two days as the oil contained fat.
The storage stability for the oil was high too. Crude glycerine, a by-product while manufacturing bio-diesel by the process, could be used for making genuine toilet soaps.
About the emission characteristics of the diesel they said, "They are very much within the norms. The waste oil from the vegetable oil refineries could be used to produce bio-diesel which is eco-friendly," said R Kasturi Bai, Jincy's guide.
The cost of fuel would come to Rs 30 a litre and could be brought down if produced on a large scale.
"We can extract half-a-litre of bio-diesel from each litre of waste vegetable oil. Unlike in the West where bio-diesel is produced from Soya bean oil and sunflower oil, we use waste vegetable oil," Ramalingam said.
Meanwhile Samuel Paulraj, a professor of the department said the bio-diesel yield from Jatropha, which has less fat, was higher.
About the benefit of the process, he said edible oil companies could not find a way to dispose their waste vegetable oil.
Very soon, a pilot plant would be set up for the production of bio-diesel from waste vegetable oil and a tie-up with edible oil manufacturing units would be soon made, he added.
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Eureka moment for 'Thinking cap' dawns
Scientists have developed a 'thinking cap' that can read your thoughts and stimulate your creative power, which may eventually help paralysed patients to move robotic arms, or help sufferers of motor neuron disease to type out words on a virtual keyboard.
The device, called a brain-computer interface, detects activity in certain brain areas linked to movement, and uses the signals to mimic that movement in a virtual world. All you have to do is just to think about an activity, like walking or playing.
"Just thinking about movement activates the same neurons as actually moving," Nature quoted Gert Pfurtscheller of Graz University of Technology in Austria, who has been working on the device for around four years, as saying.
The technology detects brain waves by using electrodes placed at strategic points on the scalp; they are positioned over brain areas known to be involved in moving specific body parts. The computer can then distinguish between signals corresponding to different types of movement. By picking up on these bursts of nerve activity, it can decide whether you are thinking about moving your hands or feet, and react accordingly. The scientists tested the device by asking participants to navigate a virtual-reality studio called the Virtual Cave. The subjects sit in a square studio wearing three-dimensional goggles, which project a scene such as a street, complete with pedestrians and buildings. The computer then chooses a task for the participant: either walking forwards or moving their hands. It tells the user what to do
through sound cues.
If the person is asked to think about walking, and they do so in a way that can be picked up by the cap, the virtual character steps forwards. If they fail, the character stays still. When asked to think about moving their hands, staying still rewards successful volunteers. If they fail, the character takes a step backwards.
The scientists hope that the virtual device could help those who are unable to move to interact more easily with others, and it could even enable stroke patients to regain movement by allowing them to 'exercise' their brain's motor centres.
"If they think of moving their hand and they see a hand move, it reinforces the thought," said Pfurtscheller, adding that strengthening the mind might lead to better motor control.
The device, called a brain-computer interface, detects activity in certain brain areas linked to movement, and uses the signals to mimic that movement in a virtual world. All you have to do is just to think about an activity, like walking or playing.
"Just thinking about movement activates the same neurons as actually moving," Nature quoted Gert Pfurtscheller of Graz University of Technology in Austria, who has been working on the device for around four years, as saying.
The technology detects brain waves by using electrodes placed at strategic points on the scalp; they are positioned over brain areas known to be involved in moving specific body parts. The computer can then distinguish between signals corresponding to different types of movement. By picking up on these bursts of nerve activity, it can decide whether you are thinking about moving your hands or feet, and react accordingly. The scientists tested the device by asking participants to navigate a virtual-reality studio called the Virtual Cave. The subjects sit in a square studio wearing three-dimensional goggles, which project a scene such as a street, complete with pedestrians and buildings. The computer then chooses a task for the participant: either walking forwards or moving their hands. It tells the user what to do
through sound cues.
If the person is asked to think about walking, and they do so in a way that can be picked up by the cap, the virtual character steps forwards. If they fail, the character stays still. When asked to think about moving their hands, staying still rewards successful volunteers. If they fail, the character takes a step backwards.
The scientists hope that the virtual device could help those who are unable to move to interact more easily with others, and it could even enable stroke patients to regain movement by allowing them to 'exercise' their brain's motor centres.
"If they think of moving their hand and they see a hand move, it reinforces the thought," said Pfurtscheller, adding that strengthening the mind might lead to better motor control.
World’s first comp-free wireless camera
After a summer-long delay, Eastman Kodak Company has begun shipping the first digital camera with Wi-Fi wireless technology to e-mail photos directly to friends and family without a computer.
Users of the new EasyShare-One, priced at $599, can send photos directly through a Wi-Fi transmitter at home or work, or pay $4.99 per month to connect the camera with any of T-Mobile USA’s 6,000 hot spots at stores, airports, hotels and other establishments.
However, subscribers to other Wi-Fi services will not be able to connect an EasyShare-One to those wireless accounts.
The camera boasts 4 megapixels of resolution, 3x optical zoom, storage room for up to 1,500 photos and a 3-inch touch screen — big enough for the camera to double as a portable album.
Users of the new EasyShare-One, priced at $599, can send photos directly through a Wi-Fi transmitter at home or work, or pay $4.99 per month to connect the camera with any of T-Mobile USA’s 6,000 hot spots at stores, airports, hotels and other establishments.
However, subscribers to other Wi-Fi services will not be able to connect an EasyShare-One to those wireless accounts.
The camera boasts 4 megapixels of resolution, 3x optical zoom, storage room for up to 1,500 photos and a 3-inch touch screen — big enough for the camera to double as a portable album.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
iTunes competitor slashes song prices
A leading Australian music download provider has slashed its prices to AU$0.89 per track in an effort to deflate the local launch of iTunes Music Store.
DestraMusic.com, which powers the on-line music download sites of retailers such as Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Chaos Music, ABC and more, will sell songs for AU$0.89 cents each until the end of November, down from AU$1.89 each. The Apple iTunes Music Store sells tracks for AU$1.49. DestraMusic.com music files are sent as copy-protected Windows Media files, which means they're incompatible with iPods.
DestraMusic.com's price cut has been the most extreme reaction from Australia's established music download providers, with most cautiously welcoming the iTunes launch as a boost for the nascent industry as a whole.
Soundbuzz Australia general manager Paul Buchanan says he expects the entire music download market to expand, citing anecdotal evidence from international record labels that show sales increases of between 25 and 50 percent across the board in markets where iTunes has launched. Buchanan has, however, ruled out any price cuts, saying his company would ''not have any kneejerk reaction to iTunes". Soundbuzz powers the music download sites of Telstra BigPond, Optus and Creative, and currently sells songs for AU$1.49 from its own site, www.soundbuzz.com.
While price cuts have been limited to DestraMusic.com, other music download providers have been quick to point out their advantages over iTunes. A spokesman for Telstra BigPond Music has spruiked that their service is "locally owned, locally produced, locally focused -- not a rebadged overseas site".
"BigPond Music is differentiated by its strong commitment to promoting Australian and independent artists," Telstra BigPond spokesman Craig Middleton said.
DestraMusic.com CEO Domenic Carosa has pointed out that his company's sites include music from SonyBMG, with artists such as Pete Murray, Rogue Traders, Franz Ferdinand and Australian Idol performers on the download lists. The iTunes Music Store launched without the support of SonyBMG locally.
DestraMusic.com is also planning on introducing music videos to its site before Christmas this year. Unlike iTunes, which charges AU$3.39 for each of its music video downloads, DestraMusic.com will only allow users to stream music videos while on the site, but will not charge any money.
Until the launch of the official iTunes Music Store yesterday, Australian iPod owners had been unable to legally buy licensed digital music as most of the other on-line providers used the iPod-incompatible Windows Media format. Copy protected Windows Media files, however, can be played on most other players, such as models from Creative, Samsung, JNC and more recently Sony. iPod owners have been able to use DestraMusic's free download site for unsigned and independent artists, MP3.com.au. MP3.com.au sends its music files as unprotected MP3s.
DestraMusic.com, which powers the on-line music download sites of retailers such as Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Chaos Music, ABC and more, will sell songs for AU$0.89 cents each until the end of November, down from AU$1.89 each. The Apple iTunes Music Store sells tracks for AU$1.49. DestraMusic.com music files are sent as copy-protected Windows Media files, which means they're incompatible with iPods.
DestraMusic.com's price cut has been the most extreme reaction from Australia's established music download providers, with most cautiously welcoming the iTunes launch as a boost for the nascent industry as a whole.
Soundbuzz Australia general manager Paul Buchanan says he expects the entire music download market to expand, citing anecdotal evidence from international record labels that show sales increases of between 25 and 50 percent across the board in markets where iTunes has launched. Buchanan has, however, ruled out any price cuts, saying his company would ''not have any kneejerk reaction to iTunes". Soundbuzz powers the music download sites of Telstra BigPond, Optus and Creative, and currently sells songs for AU$1.49 from its own site, www.soundbuzz.com.
While price cuts have been limited to DestraMusic.com, other music download providers have been quick to point out their advantages over iTunes. A spokesman for Telstra BigPond Music has spruiked that their service is "locally owned, locally produced, locally focused -- not a rebadged overseas site".
"BigPond Music is differentiated by its strong commitment to promoting Australian and independent artists," Telstra BigPond spokesman Craig Middleton said.
DestraMusic.com CEO Domenic Carosa has pointed out that his company's sites include music from SonyBMG, with artists such as Pete Murray, Rogue Traders, Franz Ferdinand and Australian Idol performers on the download lists. The iTunes Music Store launched without the support of SonyBMG locally.
DestraMusic.com is also planning on introducing music videos to its site before Christmas this year. Unlike iTunes, which charges AU$3.39 for each of its music video downloads, DestraMusic.com will only allow users to stream music videos while on the site, but will not charge any money.
Until the launch of the official iTunes Music Store yesterday, Australian iPod owners had been unable to legally buy licensed digital music as most of the other on-line providers used the iPod-incompatible Windows Media format. Copy protected Windows Media files, however, can be played on most other players, such as models from Creative, Samsung, JNC and more recently Sony. iPod owners have been able to use DestraMusic's free download site for unsigned and independent artists, MP3.com.au. MP3.com.au sends its music files as unprotected MP3s.
Google turns to libraries
Tony Sanfilippo is of two minds when it comes to Google Inc.’s ambitious programme to scan millions of books and make their text fully searchable on the Internet.
Under the Print Library Project, Google is scanning millions of copyright books from libraries at Harvard, Michigan and Stanford along with out-of-copyright materials there and at two other libraries.
Google has unilaterally set this rule: Publishers can tell it which books not to scan at all, similar to how website owners can request to be left out of search engine indexes. In August, the company halted the scanning of copyright books until November 1, saying it wanted to give publishers time to compile their lists.But publishers aren’t submitting all their titles, and many of the titles Google wants to scan are out of print and belong to no publisher at all.
On the one hand, Sanfilippo credits the programme for boosting sales of obscure titles at Penn State University Press, where he works. On the other, he’s worried that Google’s plans to create digital copies of books obtained directly from libraries could hurt his industry’s long-term revenues.
With Google’s book-scanning programme set to resume in earnest this fall, copyright laws that long preceded the Internet look to be headed for a digital-age test.
The outcome could determine how easy it will be for people with Internet access to benefit from knowledge that’s now mostly locked up, in books sitting on dusty library shelves, many of them out of print.
‘’More and more people are expecting access, and they are making do with what they can get easy access to,’’ said Brewster Kahle, co-founder of the Internet Archive, which runs smaller book-scanning projects, mostly for out-of-copyright works. ‘’Let’s make it so that they find great works rather than whatever just happens to be on the Net.’’
To prevent the wholesale file-sharing that is plaguing the entertainment industry, Google has set some limits in its library project: Users won’t be able to easily print materials or read more than small portions of copyright works online.
Google also says it will send readers hungry for more directly to booksellers and libraries. Many publishers’ remain wary.
“To endorse Google’s library initiative is to say it’s okay to break into my house because you’re going to clean my kitchen,’’ said Sally Morris, chief executive of the UK-based Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers.
“Just because you do something that’s not harmful or (is) beneficial doesn’t make it legal,’’ she added.
Morris and other publishers believe Google must get their permission first, as it has under the Print Publisher Program it launched in October 2004, two months before announcing the library initiative.
Google has deals with most major US and UK publishers. It scans titles they submit, displays digital images of selected pages triggered by search queries and gives publishers a cut of revenues from ad displays.
Under the Print Library Project, Google is scanning millions of copyright books from libraries at Harvard, Michigan and Stanford along with out-of-copyright materials there and at two other libraries.
Google has unilaterally set this rule: Publishers can tell it which books not to scan at all, similar to how website owners can request to be left out of search engine indexes. In August, the company halted the scanning of copyright books until November 1, saying it wanted to give publishers time to compile their lists.But publishers aren’t submitting all their titles, and many of the titles Google wants to scan are out of print and belong to no publisher at all.
On the one hand, Sanfilippo credits the programme for boosting sales of obscure titles at Penn State University Press, where he works. On the other, he’s worried that Google’s plans to create digital copies of books obtained directly from libraries could hurt his industry’s long-term revenues.
With Google’s book-scanning programme set to resume in earnest this fall, copyright laws that long preceded the Internet look to be headed for a digital-age test.
The outcome could determine how easy it will be for people with Internet access to benefit from knowledge that’s now mostly locked up, in books sitting on dusty library shelves, many of them out of print.
‘’More and more people are expecting access, and they are making do with what they can get easy access to,’’ said Brewster Kahle, co-founder of the Internet Archive, which runs smaller book-scanning projects, mostly for out-of-copyright works. ‘’Let’s make it so that they find great works rather than whatever just happens to be on the Net.’’
To prevent the wholesale file-sharing that is plaguing the entertainment industry, Google has set some limits in its library project: Users won’t be able to easily print materials or read more than small portions of copyright works online.
Google also says it will send readers hungry for more directly to booksellers and libraries. Many publishers’ remain wary.
“To endorse Google’s library initiative is to say it’s okay to break into my house because you’re going to clean my kitchen,’’ said Sally Morris, chief executive of the UK-based Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers.
“Just because you do something that’s not harmful or (is) beneficial doesn’t make it legal,’’ she added.
Morris and other publishers believe Google must get their permission first, as it has under the Print Publisher Program it launched in October 2004, two months before announcing the library initiative.
Google has deals with most major US and UK publishers. It scans titles they submit, displays digital images of selected pages triggered by search queries and gives publishers a cut of revenues from ad displays.
Software that turns writings into 3D images
Scientists have developed a software that can turn written languages into 3D images. Researchers led by Pierre Nugues at Lund University in Sweden have developed the software called 'CarSim' that analyses eyewitness accounts of an incident - in Swedish - to determine the positions of the vehicles and people involved, reports New Scientist.
"It is able to cope with potentially ambiguous statements like 'it overtook without signalling' by looking at their context to work out what the word 'it' relates to," the report said.
The software can interpret everyday written language, used to turn descriptions of an event such as a road accident, into 3D images.
The researchers hope it will help people visualise a complex chain of events such as the build-up to an accident, or as a training aid to teach drivers about safe driving.
"It is able to cope with potentially ambiguous statements like 'it overtook without signalling' by looking at their context to work out what the word 'it' relates to," the report said.
The software can interpret everyday written language, used to turn descriptions of an event such as a road accident, into 3D images.
The researchers hope it will help people visualise a complex chain of events such as the build-up to an accident, or as a training aid to teach drivers about safe driving.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
A Personal Thought on Google Talk
Yet another product from Google, and yet another killer application. I have used this and the sound quality is simply awesome. Beats every other voice call application on the internet. However, its still early days and only time will tell if Google Talk can last the competition.
Visit my website at kunalnanda.com
Visit my website at kunalnanda.com
Friday, July 01, 2005
Yahoo! 360� - My Blog - Outsourcing services marketplace blog
Short articles
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Outsourcing services marketplace
Hi All,
I have been very interested in outsourcing topics these days and came across the following web site: http://www.go4outsourcing.com
This is what the website had to say about itself - Go4outsourcing.com is a leading web-based services marketplace that connects buyers with quality service providers locally, nationally and globally, in a cost-effective and secure environment.
Go4outsourcing.com is the right destination for finding appropriate projects. Showcase your services at Go4outsourcing.com, the leading online services marketplace.
At Go4outsourcing.com, you will find different projects on one portal, save time and money by marketing your skills and services through Go4outsourcing.com
I have been to this website and looked pretty good to me, so I thought why not discuss this with other like-minded people as registration is free of charge.
Cheers...
I have been very interested in outsourcing topics these days and came across the following web site: http://www.go4outsourcing.com
This is what the website had to say about itself - Go4outsourcing.com is a leading web-based services marketplace that connects buyers with quality service providers locally, nationally and globally, in a cost-effective and secure environment.
Go4outsourcing.com is the right destination for finding appropriate projects. Showcase your services at Go4outsourcing.com, the leading online services marketplace.
At Go4outsourcing.com, you will find different projects on one portal, save time and money by marketing your skills and services through Go4outsourcing.com
I have been to this website and looked pretty good to me, so I thought why not discuss this with other like-minded people as registration is free of charge.
Cheers...
Sunday, December 26, 2004
A personal thought on Thunderbird
Thunderbird, just like Firefox, is another product from the Mozilla organization's stable. Just yet another way of telling the world there is an alternative available rather than being forced to use a product that is inferior and far more susceptible to security problems. Yes, I am talking about Outlook Express. Despite Microsoft's best efforts to plug OE's security holes, it still is and will be a security nightmare for anyone who uses it. Thunderbird, on the other hand, has been built from scratch and does not, i repeat, does not have the same problems that plague OE. It is secure, easy to use and has all the right features for a free applications.
I know there are a lot of other free email clients available, however, Thunderbird probably has the cleanest interface and by far the most extensible of all.
The recent news is that Mozilla is already working on a calendar project called Sunbird. This should put it in direct competition with Microsoft Outlook which is no doubt a superb personal information manager as well as a terrific email client. For the moment I am sticking with Thunderbird and waiting for the new calendar application which should be integrated sometime in 2005.
I know there are a lot of other free email clients available, however, Thunderbird probably has the cleanest interface and by far the most extensible of all.
The recent news is that Mozilla is already working on a calendar project called Sunbird. This should put it in direct competition with Microsoft Outlook which is no doubt a superb personal information manager as well as a terrific email client. For the moment I am sticking with Thunderbird and waiting for the new calendar application which should be integrated sometime in 2005.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
A personal thought on MSN Desktop Search
Something that was bound to happen did happen and finally Microsoft did live upto its promise of releasing a beta version of their desktop search. And to be quite honest, it looks and feels far better than Google. It has a more range of files types that can be searched and quite surprisingly it does a pretty decent job at it. The actual search is also pretty quick and is on par with GDS.
Google will have to seriously think about improving their desktop search tool and incorporate more file types in their indexing as at the moment only text, html and outlook files can be indexed.
However, I am eagerly awaiting the release of Yahoo desktop search as well. It is supposed to be based in X1 which has been around for a while now. All this competition is healthy and excellent for computer users all over the world.
Google will have to seriously think about improving their desktop search tool and incorporate more file types in their indexing as at the moment only text, html and outlook files can be indexed.
However, I am eagerly awaiting the release of Yahoo desktop search as well. It is supposed to be based in X1 which has been around for a while now. All this competition is healthy and excellent for computer users all over the world.
Sunday, December 12, 2004
A personal thought on MSN Spaces
So MSN started Spaces... Well is Microsoft ever going to start something new or are they always going to be try their hand at something that has already been started by someone else. So I just logged on to MSN spaces and it was not really that great. Blogger is still the best blog-hosting site that I have come across. Spaces is already has had some controversy with the terms and conditions stating that Microsoft has the right to edit your blogs, something I read on a news web site the other day.
But to be honest, Spaces has just started and Microsoft is not going to let this go down so easily. They have had a lot of bad publicity over the recent times, what with IE and Longhorn.
I will give Spaces another shot, but I dont think that I am going to be blogging there for a long time. Blogger.com rocks!!!
But to be honest, Spaces has just started and Microsoft is not going to let this go down so easily. They have had a lot of bad publicity over the recent times, what with IE and Longhorn.
I will give Spaces another shot, but I dont think that I am going to be blogging there for a long time. Blogger.com rocks!!!
Saturday, December 04, 2004
A personal thought on Firefox
This is probably one of the most talked about products on the Internet these days. The mere fact that a small group of people have made an open-source software that is far more powerful and flexible than a product owned by a multi-billion dollar global giant is extremely tempting to make a big budget hollywood blockbuster. Yes, I am talking about the new kid on the block, well not really. Firefox has made me a complete fan of the awesome features built into a piece of software that is not only secure, but also far more advanced than Internet Explorer in many ways.
Where do I start to mention the features in this nifty application. There is the tabbed browsing, RSS feeds, an endless library of extensions and themes, standards compliant browsing and many more. Detailed features can be read at the Mozilla organization's web site (http://www.mozilla.org).
The most important point is that finally there is a product that may force Microsoft to atleast rethink about its future strategy on Internet Explorer, now that its overall share of the web browser market is steadily on the decline.
Hope that the guys at the Firefox team can pull it off...
Where do I start to mention the features in this nifty application. There is the tabbed browsing, RSS feeds, an endless library of extensions and themes, standards compliant browsing and many more. Detailed features can be read at the Mozilla organization's web site (http://www.mozilla.org).
The most important point is that finally there is a product that may force Microsoft to atleast rethink about its future strategy on Internet Explorer, now that its overall share of the web browser market is steadily on the decline.
Hope that the guys at the Firefox team can pull it off...
Friday, December 03, 2004
A personal thought on Gmail
I have been using Gmail since 23rd May 2004. With over 700 messages and almost 30MB of space used, I don't think that I have ever used a better web-based email service ever, considering I have been using web-only e-mail since the start of Hotmail.
Despite the fact that both Yahoo and Hotmail increased their storage space for their free accounts, the features and the overall look and feel are no match for Gmail. I know, I know, not everyone has a Gmail account at the moment, but trust me when I say this, whoever has one is not using any other email accounts.
The only regrettable fact is that Google still has not releases it to the publicly as they are still in testing phase. But if anyone does need a Gmail invite, just post a comment on this article and I will send an invite to your email address, provided I still have any. However, that said and done, some of the cool features of Gmail are conversations, the really powerful search feature (of course!) and the completely secure connection. The moment you login to the moment you logout, the connection is still secure. This cannot be said of any other email service as with Yahoo and Hotmail, the only time you login is the connection secure.
The best part I enjoy about Gmail is that since it is only limited to a few number of subscribers, it is amazingly fast. Plus the lack of banners and ads make it even more faster. All the drama about privacy breach as a result of the text ads based on the content of your emails is, basically, a load of crap. If anyone is so concerned about that then they have a choice not to join. Its not as if Google is forcing anyone to join Gmail. It is, of course, a corporation which will need to earn money to provide a free service. And the text ads, I don't even notice them at all.
Well, lets hope that Google decide to launch this awesome service to everyone, instead of a select few, including me, hehehehehe...
Despite the fact that both Yahoo and Hotmail increased their storage space for their free accounts, the features and the overall look and feel are no match for Gmail. I know, I know, not everyone has a Gmail account at the moment, but trust me when I say this, whoever has one is not using any other email accounts.
The only regrettable fact is that Google still has not releases it to the publicly as they are still in testing phase. But if anyone does need a Gmail invite, just post a comment on this article and I will send an invite to your email address, provided I still have any. However, that said and done, some of the cool features of Gmail are conversations, the really powerful search feature (of course!) and the completely secure connection. The moment you login to the moment you logout, the connection is still secure. This cannot be said of any other email service as with Yahoo and Hotmail, the only time you login is the connection secure.
The best part I enjoy about Gmail is that since it is only limited to a few number of subscribers, it is amazingly fast. Plus the lack of banners and ads make it even more faster. All the drama about privacy breach as a result of the text ads based on the content of your emails is, basically, a load of crap. If anyone is so concerned about that then they have a choice not to join. Its not as if Google is forcing anyone to join Gmail. It is, of course, a corporation which will need to earn money to provide a free service. And the text ads, I don't even notice them at all.
Well, lets hope that Google decide to launch this awesome service to everyone, instead of a select few, including me, hehehehehe...
