Archive for January, 2008:
Bug Labs at CES 2008
The BUG is a new device from Bug Labs that makes it easy to build portable electronic devices with a plug and play modular hardware system and open source software. You purchase a base unit and as many optional modules (web camera, LCD screen, camera, GPS, etc.) as you want. You can snap four different modules into the base to create your own wifi-enabled device.
This concept has a lot of promise. We’ve been able to customize our PCs for years by simply plugging in new components. Now we’ll be able to easily customize our mp3 players, video players, PDAs, and other portable devices as well.
10 Reasons It Doesn’t Pay To Be “The Computer Guy”
Any IT person should be able to relate to this sad, funny, and true blog post by Saun Boyd.
Source: Life Reboot
Top Ten Reasons it doesn’t pay to be the computer guy:
Guitar Wizard
Here’s another cool video from CES 2008. Guitar Hero fans, such as myself, should get a kick out of Guitar Wizard, a computer program and guitar interface that is similar to Guitar Hero only it allows you to actually learn how to play a real guitar. The creator also claims that you can use your own music in the game and if you already own a guitar (either acoustic or electric) then you can use that as well. I may have to pick this “game” up if it makes it to mass market.
Bill Gates last day at Microsoft
Unfortunately, I couldn’t attend CES 2008 this year, so I’ve been watching the videos as they come in on Google Video today. One of my favorites is probably this one shown during Bill Gate’s keynote speech. Gates is planning on stepping down from working at Microsoft full-time this year so he can focus on his charitable foundation. This humorous video depicts what his life will be like now that he’s no longer a Microsoft employee and what his last day at the office will be like.
The Indiana State Fairgrounds
I think a lot of people forget that there are events going on at the Indiana State Fairgrounds all year long, not just during the state fair. Whenever I’m looking for something cheap or free to do on the weekend, one of the places I check is the event calendar on the State Fairground’s website.
Two Queensland Koalas are coming to the Indy Zoo
This summer, two Queensland Koalas will be on exhibit at the Indianapolis Zoo from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. These animals are on loan from the Sand Diego Zoo, so come check them out while you can, as they may not be back for many years.
I asked my wife if she was excited about the return of the koalas to our zoo and to my surprise she claims she isn’t. Usually, she’s ecstatic about any new zoo exhibit, as she takes more visits to the zoo than any other person I know. However, in this case, she claims that the last time the koalas came to the zoo back in 1994, all they did was sleep all day. You see, koalas are nocturnal and tend to hide in trees during the day and snooze, so they don’t make for interesting viewing during the day when the zoo is actually open. If you’re lucky enough to be there after hours, I’m sure they’re quite interesting to watch.