Exploring Mars by Balloon

Technologies for controlling balloons have led to the possibility of balloon-based planetary probes, particularly for exploring Mars. A balloon "rover" could cover vast amounts of territory in a short time, and would provide higher-resolution images than are possible with an orbiter. Balloons could also drop surface probes and science packages at various points.Sources: Genius Now, EurekAl...

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New Media and the Nature of Authority

The other day we noted how the recent Gulf hurricanes have helped push blogging further into the mainstream. Indeed, the blogging revolution has moved from the realm of hype to a very real challenge to mainstream media... noted by none other than the executives of the major TV network news services.Blogger Terry Heaton reported on a recent meeting of media executives and bloggers (the fact that such a meeting took place at all is significant), and came away with the notion that the news execs not only acknowledge blogging, but understand that distributed media is changing the very way that we think about news and information.One concept that Heaton picked up on is that not only are bloggers influencing the MSM in a deep way, but that their relentless questioning is whittling away at the "illusion...

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US, UN, EU Battle for Control of the Net

The US government has deemed "unacceptable" a proposal from the European Union that would put the Internet under United Nations control. Currently, the core routing computers that run the Internet and house its master directories are run by ICANN, a private organization that is supervised by the US Department of Commerce.Some countries argue that placing the Internet under international management would better serve developing countries that are increasingly relying on networked communication. The US counters that doing so could make the Internet vulnerable to the whims of rogue countries such as North Korea, or larger powers such as China that don't support principles of free speech.The matter of Internet control is an important one, as that control implies substantial power. A body with...

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One Step Closer to "Electric Broadband"

The idea of serving broadband Internet access through existing electrical wires has been around for some time. Japan's Matshushita Electric has taken a big step toward making the theoretical a reality with a chip that allows users to connect to the Net simply by plugging their devices into an ordinary power outlet. The chip would essentially act as an interface between a device and the outlet.Besides the obvious advantages of leveraging power outlets for online access, Matshushita's system delivers speeds up to 170 megabits per second -- faster than conventional Ethernet. The system could also bring us closer to the pervasive computing environment, in which electrical devices of all sorts could be networked.UPDATE: Several alert readers have noted the irony that Japan has for now banned...

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IBM Poised to Counter the Boomer "Brain Drain"

IBM Business Consulting is staking out a position to help companies facing the oncoming mass retirement of Baby Boomers and expected "brain drain" that will result. As InformationWeek reports:IBM Wednesday introduced consulting services to help companies prepare for the loss of highly skilled and knowledgeable baby boomers set to retire in the next few years. The services, offered through IBM Business Consulting Services, will furnish companies with diagnostic tools based on advanced analytics, strategies, and methodologies to help them understand their employee base in real time, retain employees, transition knowledge from retirees to younger workers, and transform business processes to handle the demographic change and significant loss of skills.With the median age of the American worker...

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Nanotubes Extract Hydrogen from Water

As touted as it is as the energy source of the future, hydrogen is difficult and expensive to produce. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a process to extract hydrogen from water that's twice as efficient as previous methods.The process uses "defective" carbon nanotubes; their defect is that they are incomplete and therefore more reactive, pulling out hydrogen atoms.This process is of interest because it doesn't require high temperatures, which has been a limitation to hydrogen production. The researchers note, however, that their work is early and that it could be years, if ever, before their process becomes commercially viable.Source: Worldchang...

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[TIPS] - Do computers make kids dumb?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/21/how_dumb_kids/   "A study of 100,000 pupils in 31 countries around the world has concluded that using computers makes kids dumb. Avoiding PCs in the classroom and at home improved the literacy and numeracy of the children studied. "   Interesting reading, perhaps made moreso since it's being suggested by a techie. :-) —--------------   But, if that doesn't interest you, how about this: http://www.teacherpowerpoints.com/index.html  A site where teachers can share their powerpoints. There appears to be well over 100 powerpoints here ranging in subject from Astronomy to Math and beyond. Why not share one of you...

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[TIPS] - Time's 100 Most Important People of the Century

Agree with their choices or not, the Time's "100 Most Important People of the Century" is an interesting read, at the very least. There is also another link to the Time's 100 Most Influential People of 2005, see archives from previous years, and you can even listen to the "Making of the Time 100" or comment on their choices.   I'll just bet that you can think of a good, thought-provoking lesson from this site. The very fact that Hitler is named in that list should be enough to generate some good discussions with your upper grades. But, in any case, you just may want to keep this site handy.    http://www.time.com/time/time1...

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Groomzilla!

An interesting byproduct of changing gender roles and the "metrosexual" trend is grooms who take a proactive role in their wedding plans. Once the exclusive purview of the bride, more weddings are being planned by men, who can be just as fastidious and demanding as their future wives.The phenomena of metrosexuality, overall higher expectations for men in relationships, couples who marry later in life, time-pressed women, over-the-top weddings and TV shows like The Bachelor that emphasize the romantic, chivalrous groom, are all combining to fuel this trend. Interestingly, it also may be coming at the expense of another wedding tradition -- the bachelor party. Increasingly, grooms and their buddies are swapping lap dances for spas and manicures.Source: T...

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Get Ready for Web 2.0

Emerging web technologies such as service-oriented architecture are colliding with social networking practices, collaboration tools such as wikis, easy-to-use media tools, Long Tail principles, James Suriowecki's approach to the "wisdom of crowds," and personalized media such as blogs to create what many are calling Web 2.0. Tim O'Reilly has written what is seen as the formal definition of Web 2.0. Dion Hinchcliffe of the SOA Web Services Journal blog is doing an excellent job of summarizing and explaining the phenomenon:I try to describe Web 2.0 as a term given to a natural emergence of related events, rather than some artificially imposed...

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With Katrina/Rita, Blogs Truly Come of Age

Despite the hype generated by political bloggers who chronicled and fact-checked last year's Presidential campaign, it took two nasty bitches to push blogging into the mainstream: Katrina and Rita.The two hurricanes are by far the most blogged-about -- and most searched-for -- topics in the history of the blogosphere, according to those who measure blog traffic. Bloggers in the affected regions provided first-hand accounts, while others used annotated maps and satellite images to show damage. Still others have served as fact checkers, calling out, for instance, former FEMA director Mike Brown's lack of previous emergency management experience, and referencing past reports noting the danger New Orleans faced even after President Bush and other politicians claimed that no one foresaw the...

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New Orleans, Gulf Coast Census to Drop

As those in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast begin to face the overwhelming task of rebuilding from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, some tough decisions will have to be made about what to rebuild and where. The only thing certain at this point is that the region will never be the same as before.Engineers are already evaluating structures, trying to determine what can be salvaged versus what buildings are total losses. Next, they will have to decide which areas to rebuild. Low-income neighborhoods are not likely to be reconstructed, at least not like they were. Who, after all, wants to rebuild a slum? But will the rebuilding include affordable housing, or will the new homes be priced outside the reach of low- and middle-income families? Also, building is not likely to happen in areas that...

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Albums on Memory Cards: Rockin' or Rock-Headed?

The recording industry's latest attempt to come to terms with technology has arrived in the form of albums on memory cards. Virgin Records is releasing the Rolling Stones' latest album, A Bigger Bang, on "Gruvi" memory cards from SanDisk. The card contains an encrypted version of the album, plus additional tracks from past Stones albums that can be unlocked for an added fee. None of the tracks can be copied to a PC or MP3 player, or shared with other listeners. Such limitation -- combined with the card's cost ($39.95) -- is certain to limit the memory card's appeal.RELATED: As if record execs didn't have enough to keep them up at night these days, there's buzz about an unsigned band out of Brooklyn and Philadelphia called Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Despite not having a record label, Clap...

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[TIPS] - MathWorld's Interactives and a bonus

http://mathworld.wolfram.com/topics/InteractiveEntries.htmlI lost over 2 years worth of tips when I had this machine upgraded(?) to XP. I failed to backup my archive. :-(    So, this tip MAY be a repeat from a while back.   This site has over 100 animated GIFs, over 400 applets, and over 80 interactive examples of math functions of all kinds. If - no, WHEN - you try some of the applets you'll find that they don't seem to do anything. Click and drag them to rotate them. Amazing graphs. The Interactive examples are those where you input values to see the change in the graphs.   Not for the younger students, but definately one to bookmark for the upper grades. —--------- And on another note, thanks to Barry for sending this one. Here's a National Geographic article that...

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[TIPS] - Ask Dr Grammar

 http://www.drgrammar.org/faqs/ —----snip--------- The Dr. Grammar Frequently Asked Questions page contains answers to questions previously asked of Dr. Grammar that may provide help with your grammar questions. The questions are listed alphabetically, so they can be searched quickly and easily. —--------- Answers to such commonly asked questions such as, "Should I use LIKE or SUCH AS?", or ,"Which is it, continuously or continually?" and a whole lot more. You may want to keep this one bookmark...

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RFID Tag With Display

Epson has developed a passive RFID tag with an electrophoretic display screen, allowing it to show LCD-like letters and numbers.Because the tag is passive, it has no batteries or other energy source of its own; it gets its energy from adjacent tag readers. The tag remains too expensive for widespread use, but costs are likely to come down as creative users find benefits in these tiny displays.Source: RFID in Ja...

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The Creature from the Network

A secondary school in the city of Trondheim, Norway, in collaboration with artist Lars Paalgaard and the Bengler Collective, an artist group specializing in electronic media, has created a "network organism" that lives and interacts within the community of 1,000+ wired students. The Nomen Nominandum (NN) project's webpage describes it best:Nomen Nominandum (Name to be Known, for those of you who didn't major in Latin) floats around on the school network. If you call for it by voice or mouse movement it may come to your machine. If you play with it in the right way it will stay until it gets bored. When sleeping it curls up on its secluded plasma screen. It has real-time moods, sleeps in on Mondays and may decide to go away for a month in January. Its growth is very slow and as with living...

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Love Me, Love My iPod

Is a car or home stereo that's compatible with iPods meeting a growing customer demand, or is it just cool? Does the distinction really matter? BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Ferrari and other luxury nameplates are leading the way in adding jacks so drivers can listen to their iPods on the road. Chevy is also getting in on the act, as will surely many (if not most) other car makes. High-end stereo maker Denton is including iPod jacks in its units as well. (Considering how long the iPod has been on the market, my initial response to this was, "What took you so long?")Of course, iPod users have always been able to listen to their favorite tunes in...

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[TIPS] - hubble photo gallery

There are times when I can't look at these images, as the enormity of the vastness of space gets to me. I just can't get my mind around it. At other times I just like the pictures. Here are three links to some images from Hubble. The last two are very similar, but I like the music in the last one better. It seems to fit. (For those who've been on this list for a while, you'll recognize that last link)  http://heritage.stsci.edu/gallery/gallery.htmlhttp://www.spacetelescope.org/goodies/slideshows/html/hubble_images_1.html or  http://www.arimilner.com/s&t_hubble.htm (my favorite mus...

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Interactive Toothbrush

What can be a simpler technology than the humble toothbrush? In truth, in the last few years, the toothbrush has gone high tech, with an assortment of bristles and electric pulse movements. UK designer Tom Bentley has added a new wrinkle to children's toothbrushes (add your own English dental joke here). His design is interactive, telling children whether they're brushing correctly (i.e. adding too much or not enough pressure) and when they've finished. The brush also interacts via RF with a crocodile toy that lets the child know when it's time to brush.Source: we make money not ...

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The New Net War: Microsoft vs. Google

Ten years ago, Netscape threatened to knock Microsoft out of its position at the center of the personal computing universe. Having initially missed the Internet boat, Microsoft quickly had to reposition itself, freely distributing its Internet Explorer browser, which quickly became the de facto standard and leaving Netscape in the dust.Today, another company is threatening Microsoft's dominance: Google. Once again, Microsoft is adjusting its strategy, shuffling management and making its MSN Web portal a key component. This time, however, the challenge is more than simply besting a single application. As a series of Web-based services, Google takes an entirely different approach to its business. It's also wealthy, with at least $7 billion in the bank. It's working to acquire cutting-edge...

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[TIPS] - MathisFun

http://www.mathsisfun.com/ From the site:The Idea The idea behind the site is to offer mathematics as well as some fun bits, and to combine the two wherever possible.   History MathsIsFun.com was started by a maths teacher from the South West of England to encourage an interest in Mathematics.   General   The main content of the site is aimed at basic math skills. However you will find some more complex stuff, and some easier bits. Hopefully there should be something for everybody....

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Wither the Digital Home?

For years -- decades, really -- technologists have been waxing enthusiastic about the "digital home," where all electronic devices are interconnected. But, as a recent article in The Economist reveals, the digital home remains, like the "paperless office," a dream... not because it's not technically feasible or manufacturers don't have products to offer, but because there's no consumer demand.Technology consultant Pip Coburn calls the motivation to adopt a new set of technologies a "sense of crisis" -- which is lacking in the case of the digital home. Why invest in complicated and expensive technology when present solutions meet their needs? The article cites a survey showing that 27% of consumers who bought home networking equipment had problems installing it and needed technical support....

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The iPod Nano Earns Cheers AND Jeers

The ars technica blog features an exhaustive review of the new iPod nano. They even perform an "autopsy" by taking the device apart (revealing components that the reviewers at Engadget estimate cost about $90)."The nano is nearly perfect," they write. "It is amazingly small and packs almost all of the features of the iPod photo and a few more." However, the feeling among those who have tested the nano is not universal, as Russell Beattie's less-than-enthusiastic review attests. Russell is clearly in the camp that believes the era of single-purpose devices has passed, and that Apple ought to be focusing on an iPod that integrates phone, video...

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Blogger Testifies Before Congress on Free Internet Speech

Michael Krempasky of the conservative blog RedState.org testified today before the Committee on House Administration of the US House of Representatives. The topic: Political speech on the Internet, and the prospect of it being compromised by the Federal Election Commission and others via the Online Freedom of Speech Act.His prepared speech, posted on the blog, is interesting reading not simply because it is an eloquent defense of free Internet speech, but because it offers a concise history of blogging and discusses its impact on politics and other areas.Source: Personal Democracy Fo...

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Cracking RFID

If RFID tags are going to be the glue that holds together the pervasive computing environment of the future, security must be a primary consideration. Several graduate students from Johns Hopkins University have completed an analysis of a widely used RFID device -- the Texas Instruments DST tag, found in ExxonMobil SpeedPass electronic payment devices, among other places -- and their findings are sobering.The students were able to crack the tags' 40-bit encryption algorithm using commonly available hardware and software components. With this equipment, they show how an attacker could eavesdrop on an active transaction session to grab a key and, theoretically, gain access to an otherwise secure system.The students are careful to point out that systems such as SpeedPass use elaborate anti-fraud...

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Challenge of the Megacities

Mention the phrase "city of the future" to fans of classic science fiction, and they'll likely conjure up mental images of ultra-clean, ultra-high-tech, ultra-planned environments that cater to their residents' every whim. Perhaps even with flying cars! The reality, though, is markedly different. The world's cities of the future are megacities that are homes to huge, very poor populations. As cities in the developed world shrink, cities in the developing world are overcrowded, polluted and unsanitary. By 2015, the world will have 33 megacities, 27 of which will be in the developing world. “By 2050, an estimated two-thirds of the world’s...

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A Nanobot Prototype

Researchers at Dartmouth College and MIT have developed a tiny steerable robot that's about the size of a piece of dust. The nanobot moves like an inchworm, with a steering arm that pulls it along.Presently, the robot can move only on a special surface. But it might prove to be the prototype of a nanobot for a host of applications, as well as a component of "smart dust."Source: Technology Research N...

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[TIPS] - Great freebies from Microsoft

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/default.mspx   Do you have Windows XP (SP2)? Well, you may then want to check out some of the MANY freebies from Microsoft. This page links out to free software for your digital camera, free "skins" and songs and screensavers, and a link to what they call "PowerToys and Add-ins." The Power Toys are worth taking a look at, for sure, especially for those who are quite comfortable with Windows.   Finally (and thanks to Kathy J for this tip) you may also want to download both MovieMaker (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx) and PhotoStory (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/digitalphotography/photostory/default.mspx). Both are wonderful, FREE programs. Make movies, tell picture stories, complete with...

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Broadband Video Milestone: Viacom May Buy iFilm

In a sign that broadband video content is becoming a mainstream business, media giant Viacom is working on a deal to purchase iFilm. The reported price of the deal is $50 million.In the short run, iFilm might not seem to be a profitable acquisition for Viacom. But as the owner of MTV and VH1 (among many other TV entities), Viacom could certainly make use of iFilm's presence to claim an early stake in broadband, reaching out to new audiences who might be more inclined to watch video via the Internet than through traditional TV.Source: PaidContent....

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Peer-to-Peer Banking

The creators of UK-based Zopa have combined social networking and peer-to-peer principles to allow users to be both bankers and banking customers. Zopa has introduced peer-to-peer banking, in which members can lend and borrow money to and from other members. Money is distributed among multiple borrowers to decrease the risk of defaults. Rates of return for lenders can range from 6 to 9 percent, depending on the credit-worthiness of the borrowers that each lender chooses to work with.If Zopa can negotiate banking regulations, it can spread to other countries, including the US. Nonetheless, Zopa is an example of a new business model made possible by the Internet and dynamic pricing technologies pioneered by eBay and others.Source: Business ...

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The FutureWire Wiki

In response to some suggestions I received through the recent FutureWire survey, I have begun an experiment in applying futures content to a wiki. It's still in first-draft stage, but I have imported some forecasts I had written previously in hopes that they can be more easily annotated and updated, and collect input from all the great future-focused minds out there.Please visit the wiki here (wiki.futurewire.net); all constructive input is welcome. I'll post the status of this wiki as the experiment continu...

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"Scientific American" Looks 50 Years Out

In its a special issue called "Crossroads for Planet Earth," published this month, Scientific American takes a look at how current trends will affect us 50 years from now. Healthcare, biodiversity, poverty, public policy, energy and economics are all covered from a futurist perspective.Source: Putting People Fi...

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[TIPS] - Working with graphics in Office

While the graphics tool in Office aren't designed to allow you to do what you might do in, say, Adobe Illustrator, I'm sure they do more than the average user realizes. This article just may be the teaser to get you started exploring those tools.  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010832981033.aspx   And, under the category of just plain cool images, check out this site called liquidsculptures. http://www.liquidsculpture.com/index.htm There is such beauty in this world the exists for a fraction of a second at a time, and this site has captures some it. Be sure to check out all the categories. (Thanks to Barry S for sharing this on...

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The Population Sink

Back in the late 1960s and early 1970s, "population explosion" was a key buzzphrase. The fear was that the world's population would continue to grow exponentially, increasing competition for natural resources and stress on the environment.More recent data, however, shows that the rate of population growth has fallen dramatically in the last few decades, and that the world's population will actually begin to shrink. One study has found that the world's population will likely peak at around 9 billion by 2070, and then contract. The UN Population Division forecasts global birthrates falling below replacement levels as early as 2045. Developed countries are leading this trend through secularization and more women working outside the home.Demographers and futurists see many ramifications in...

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Our 1,000th Post!

This week, FutureWire passed the 1,000 post mark! As always,a hearty "thank you" to all those who have supported FutureWire and made this milestone possib...

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US Braces for Avian Flu Outbreak

The federal government might have been caught flatfooted by Hurricane Katrina, but it intends to be more proactive in fighting a possible outbreak of avian flu (a.k.a. H5N1) this coming winter. At a cost of $100 million, President Bush has ordered an experimental French vaccine for the disease in response to outbreaks that have been reported in Indonesia.Scientists and health professionals disagree as to the risks posed by H5N1. Some suggest that the H5N1 virus is not rugged enough to spread globally, as did the 1918 flu that may have killed up to 50 million people. Others, though, are more pessimistic. "We know we're overdue for an influenza pandemic strain, and we know it will occur, but we don't know when or even exactly what virus will cause it," says Dick Thompson, a spokesman for...

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[TIPS] - This I Believe - by Bill Gates, and ehow

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4853839   Read it or listen to it. One thing we know for sure, if he believes it he's going to do it, and as Microsoft goes so goes the world. :-/ —------ Or, if you don't really care much about what Bill believes, try this site: http://www.ehow.com/ There you can learn how ot do LOTS of things, from playing horseshoes, to fixing a carborater or a clothes dryer, and MUCH mo...

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A Car That Runs on Air

A French company called Moteur Development International (MDI) has developed a car that runs on compressed air. Scheduled to debut in London tomorrow, the Air Car has a top speed of 68 MPH and a range of 124 miles. It can be recharged via refilling the compressed air tank (two minutes) or charging an internal battery (3-4 hours). The car is pollution-free, and only needs servicing every 31,000 miles. More technical information is available here.MDI plans to build 3,000 vehicles a year, and is working on licensing deals around the world. In addition to a car, MDI has developed a five-passenger taxi, a pick-up truck and a van.Source: AiKnowle...

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Shale Oil Becoming Economically Viable

Rising oil prices are making oil extracted from shale an economically viable energy source. Shell Oil claims it can process oil from shale for about $30 a barrel -- profitable for Shell while being far below current oil prices -- and generate about 3 million barrels a day.As with most energy solutions, oil from shale is no quick fix. Shell will not know whether the process is truly viable commercially until 2010. But as an alternative energy source, shale oil is nonetheless worth exploiting; research shows that oil shale deposits in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah could yield 800 billion barrels of oil. That's three times the size of Saudi oil deposits, and enough oil to meet a quarter of the US's current oil consumption for the next 400 years!Shell is developing an environmentally friendly in...

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Re: [TIPS] - Top 101 sites for teachers

I don't know why this URL is being rejected, but thanks to Rick N. for sending this fix to what many of you are reporting as being a "Forbidden" site. Click on his link below, then in the top left corner are other links, the first one of which takes you to this Top 101 sites area.   Thanks, Rick.—------- however ... if you go to www.assortedstuff.com  .. and then click on their internal link (Top left corner) to the Top 101 sites .. it works!!!   Rick N*********James Gates <jgates@caiu.org> wrote: http://www.assortedstuff.com/top101/   I was considering not sending this and then picking from the list throughout the year, but that would be selfish. So, check out this person's list of the top 101 sites for teachers, arranged by subje...

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[TIPS] - Top 101 sites for teachers

http://www.assortedstuff.com/top101/   I was considering not sending this and then picking from the list throughout the year, but that would be selfish. So, check out this person's list of the top 101 sites for teachers, arranged by subje...

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The ROKR: Poised to be a Hit?

Apple, Motorola and Cingular are all betting that the new Motorola ROKR mobile phone/MP3 player will catch on with customers who want to carry one device instead of two, as well as cell phone users who don't yet use an MP3 player. The ROKR contains an integrated version of iTunes, letting users download (and purchase) songs directly to their device... creating what Apple and Cingular surely hope is a lucrative revenue stream. The device also features a video camera, Surround Sound speakers, and Bluetooth.The ROKR may be ideal for the majority of those who use MP3 players, as one survey found that half of those polled store fewer than 100 songs...

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Time to Consider a Maximum Wage?

As mentioned here and elsewhere, a silver lining of Hurricane Katrina is that it is forcing us as a nation to confront issues related to race and class. Socially-conscious economists have been wrestling with the growing global disparity between rich and poor. Even in a prosperous country such as the US, the richest 1% of the population control more wealth than all of the bottom 90%. Anyone who doesn't think that affluence in America is spiraling out of control need only watch MTV's new reality show My Super Sweet 16, in which obnoxious, spoiled rich teenagers plan (i.e. throw tantrums over) their Sweet 16 parties. Contrast this with the scenes we've watched from New Orleans over the past couple of weeks, and both the show and the behavior it showcases are particularly appalling.In capitalist...

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[TIPS] - bonus - free math software?

HELP STUDENTS LEARN MATH AND SCIENCECarnegie Learning is offering 500 free trials of the company's Cognitive Tutor middle and high school math software as part of the second annual Carnegie Learning Challenge. The Challenge begins October 3 and runs through November 4, 2005. Participants will receive the software (good for one curriculum for up to 30 students per school), plus full customer support and access to Carnegie Learning staff throughout the trial. Visit the Challenge site to register online. Web: http://www.carnegielearning.com/challenge --------------- I don't know how many, if any, of the 500 spots are still open, but it's worth a shot. &nb...

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[TIPS] - 4teachers

http://www.4teachers.org/ —------ 4Teachers.org works to help you integrate technology into your classroom by offering FREE online tools and resources. This site helps teachers locate and create ready-to-use Web lessons, quizzes, rubrics and classroom calendars. There are also tools for student use. Discover valuable professional development resources addressing issues such as equity, ELL, technology planning, and at-risk or special-needs students. —------- Don't forget, you can check my blog for archived tips dating back to May at http://tipline.blogspot.com &nb...

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Summertime Blues

Americans are pessimistic about the economy and their government, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press. It's little wonder that President Bush's approval ratings are at an all-time low... though Democrats aren't necessarily being seen as having all the answers, either.Most depressing of all, the trends causing Americans to feel so blue may be leading to worse times instead of better ones. The economic trends are pointing toward higher unemployment and an overall slower economy even before factoring in the effects of Hurricane Katrina. According to Pew, economic pessimism shot up in August to the highest level during Bush's tenure. It also marks the first time since January 2001 -- the very start of Bush's first term -- that more people were pessimistic...

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[TIPS] - Beat the Calculator

Learn how to do math in your head quickly and (relatively) easily. Some very cool tricks on how to square various numbers, multiply two, two digit numbers, and more. It will be tough to learn ALL the tricks, but there will surely be some that your students can learn to save the day.   http://mathforum.org/k12/mathtips/beatcalc.html   &nb...

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[TIPS] - bonus - aurora watch next two nights

From the spaceweather.com mailing list....- ----------------------snip-------------------------   Space Weather News for Sept. 14, 2004 http://spaceweather.com   Sunspot 798/808 flared twice more yesterday, and at least one of the X-class explosions propelled a coronal mass ejection (CME) toward Earth. NOAA forecasters estimate a 70% chance of severe geomagnetic activity when the CME arrives--perhaps tonight, Sept. 14-15. Sky watchers at all latitudes should be alert for auroras.   Observing tips: Although auroras are sometimes bright enough to shine through city lights, you'll see more from a dark-sky site in the countryside. The best time to look is usually during the hours around local midnight.   Visit http://spaceweather.com for more information and updates.Would...

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More on Traditional Cash vs. Digital Currency

Yesterday we reported on how digital cash is beginning to supplant traditional coinage in Japan. Today, MobHappy discusses how people are using prepaid cell phone airtime as currency, especially in developing countries. It's nothing more or less than high-tech bartering, but it illustrates the value that people around the world place on cell phone airtime, as well as the flexibility and portability that this type of "currency" offers.And for those of us who are still stuck with spare change, Amazon.com is teaming up with Coinstar to issue Amazon vouchers for change deposited in Coinstar machines. The incentive for consumers is that if they accept the Amazon voucher, Coinstar waives the 8.9% fee.Source: Techd...

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The DIY Generation

Trendwatching.com identifies the rise of "Generation C" -- not an age demographic, but a mindset of creative people who take advantage of new technical tools to create and publicize their own content.We know about bloggers and tools such as Flickr that allow people to share photos online. But Trendwatching notes a whole collection of tech resources that break down the barriers between creative people and potential audiences:Xingtone.com, allowing people to compose and even sell their own ringtones.Self-publisher Lulu.com, which allows authors to publish their works in book form "on-demand" as they are ordered (meaning no upfront printing costs).RedPaper,...

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Now, Even Wal-Mart Has a Blog!

You know that blogging has truly hit the mainstream when Wal-Mart -- that bastion of middle America -- starts a blog. WalMartFacts.com could be a useful tool for the discount retailer that, despite its size (or perhaps because of it), suffers from continued public image problems. The most recent posts, for example, highlight how the retailer is helping victims of Hurricane Katri...

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[TIPS] - World Almanac for Kids

http://www.worldalmanacforkids.com/explore/TONS of things to learn and do in this site. You can explore fun facts about animals or inventions or Presidents, and even space. Or, in the Fun and Games area you can play games, take fun quizzes, and even enter a classroom contest.   Here's a teaser - The computer mouse was invented in 1968, by Doug Englebart, but he did not use that name for it. He called it an "x-y position indicator."   Or this one: You can figure out the temperature in the summer by listening to cricket chirps. Count the chirps you hear in 15 seconds, and add 39. That should give you the Fahrenheit temperature outdoors within a couple of degrees! (WIthin a couple degrees? Then heck, just add 40 - easier math, right? :-) ...

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Groundbreaking Artificial Hand Includes a Thumb

One of the limitations of prosthetic hands is that they lack functioning opposable thumbs. After all, it's a thumb that makes the human hand so functional. Researchers at Britain's University of Southampton have developed a motorized hand that includes a thumb, allowing the user to grip and manipulate objects.The thumb has two motors, one for rotating and the other for flexing, giving it a broad range of motion. A prototype is in the works, and future versions may include fingers that can sense pressure to simulate touch.Source: RealTechN...

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Roland Piquepaille Blogging for ZDNet

Roland Piquepaille, an emerging tech blogger whose posts are frequently cited here and elsewhere, is now blogging for tech publisher Ziff-Davis (ZDnet). His blog, Emerging Tech Trends (RSS), covers most of the same topics as does his old blog. Always good to see bloggers landing some gigs as a result of their work. Congrats, Rola...

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Number of Japanese Aged 100+ Doubles in Five Years

The number of Japanese age 100 and older is expected to surpass 25,000, with 1 million Japanese centenarians by 2050. Japan has a nationwide average of 20 centenarians per 100,000 people, twice the US average.Currently, the oldest person in Japan, Yone Minagawa, is 112 years old. Putting this in perspective, Yone was born in 1893, the year that Rudolf Diesel patented his diesel engine and Thomas Edison opened the world's first motion picture studio. She was two years old when Marconi invented radio, seven at the turn of the 20th Century, 12 when Einstein introduced his theory of relativity, 15 when Picasso co-founded cubism, 19 when the Titanic sank, 39 when Hitler took power in Germany, 52 when World War II ended, and 76 when Apollo 11 made the first manned moon landing. Her life spanned...

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Katrina Could Boost Housing Market, Construction Industry

Concerns about the bursting of the housing market "bubble" might be mitigated by Katrina, as thousands of dislocated Gulf Coast residents deplete an already low housing inventory. Rebuilding efforts, which could cost anywhere from $100 billion to $200 billion, will likewise put a strain on construction labor and materials... perhaps to the point of accelerating wage and price inflation.Construction of single-family homes are expected to hit 2.04 million units this year -- the highest level since 1973, a period when young Baby Boomer families were flooding the housing market. In 2004, housing prices rose by a whopping 12.5% -- four times the rate of inflation. In some states, home prices were up by more than 30%!Any increased value in the housing market is only sure to exacerbate fears among...

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FEMA on Sustainable Futures

If anyone understands the effects wrought by poor planning and limited foresight, it ought to be the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Perhaps with new leadership in place, FEMA can begin to put plans such as those for sustainable reconstruction into action, especially in New Orlea...

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Japan Sees Fewer Coins in Use

Yet another casualty of technology may be traditional coinage. In Japan, digital cash and credit cards have apparently led to history's first decrease of the number of coins in use (by 0.05% in July).Aside from the demise of a currency that's been around since antiquity, this drop shows that, in Japan at least, purchases of even very small items are being made digitally. The implications of this are huge, for it suggests an electronic "paper trail" through which purchases of all sorts can be tracked and monitored.Sources: Smart Mobs, RFID in Ja...

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[TIPS] - howtoons.org

—--------snip------------ Howtoons are one-page cartoons showing 5-to-15 year-old kids "How To" build things. Each illustrated episode is a stand-alone fun adventure accessible to all, including the pre-literate. Our Howtoons are designed to encourage children to be active participants in discovering the world through Play-that-Matters -- fun, creative, and inventive -- and to rely a lot less on mass-consumable entertainment. —--------------snip----------    http://howtoons.org/   You'll see cartoons about how to make cool air cannons (see a couple videos of them, as well), how to count in binary, and even how to make a zoetro...

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Why Pimp Your Ride When You Can Geek It?

So, you had your heart set on that sweet SUV until the gas prices soared out of control? Well, you can still ride in style by "geeking" your car, or outfitting it with the latest in technology.GPS screens are only the beginning. Experts in "telematics," the art of geeking cars, have installed full PCs that monitor the vehicle's vital signs and enable advanced communications such as e-mail and "personalized telemetry," which can tell your friends where you are at any given moment. Cars are also being outfitted with cameras that record the road around the car... handy if one is the victim of a hit-and-run accident.And if you worry that all this technology is distracting, cars are even being equipped with cameras that watch the driver for signs of drowsiness or inattention... and "yell" at him...

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[TIPS] - animated Atlas

 http://www.animatedatlas.com/movie2.html If you're studying the 13 colonies and the expansion of America, or the Civil War, or the Post Civil War era, then you'll want to keep this site handy. A documentary style animation for each of those eras is well done, and would be a great addition to your studies, I believe.   &nb...

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[TIPS] - cool interactive math games

http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/techno/games.htm   This site not only has a whole page full of interactive math games, but it's got areas where you can make you own, as well. This is the Oswego School District site, and as you can see from the URL, this is a staff member's (cchamber) page. Very nice.   Oh, and if you back up to the folder (http://www.oswego.org/staff/cchamber/techno/) you can find other Math and Word games, as we...

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New Podcast

I am hoping that tomorrow I will have time to upload a new podcast. I have been meaning to do it for some time now.Br...

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Want to Lose Weight? Eat a Good Breakfast!

Mom was right -- breakfast is good for you. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it might also help you lose weight.A study of 2,400 teenage girls by the Maryland Medical Research Institute found that those who ate breakfast had a lower average body mass index than those who skipped a morning meal. The fact that breakfast foods are typically healthier than foods eaten later in the day (sugar-laden cereals and fatty meats such as bacon notwithstanding) might have contributed to that outcome. Additionally, the girls who ate breakfast might have had healthier overall eating habits and more balanced diets than their breakfast-skipping counterparts. Eating breakfast might also prevent sugar drops and cravings, which in turn lead to unhealthy snacking.Source: CNN....

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The (Disconnected) State of the Mobile Worker

A recent white paper from Nokia, "The State of Workforce Mobility" (PDF), contains some surprising and important observations about how mobile devices are deployed and used in the workplace:Although more businesses are deploying mobile technology, less than a quarter of workers use cell phones for business purposes, and only 10% use laptops for work.Business users do not replace their cell phones as frequently as one might think. Mobile phones are in operation an average of two years... longer than the consumer average of 18 months.Size doesn't matter. Large companies are no more or less willing to provide mobile technology to their employees than small ones.Chinese businesses are leading the pace in mobile phone adoption, with 68% of Chinese decision makers saying they would consider replacing...

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Cell Phone Users Don't Know, Can't Use Devices' Features

With video downloads and Internet access, cell phones are more powerful than ever, and technologists expect them to be the gateway to personal information. However, a recent survey reveals that most users are unaware of their cell phones' capabilities... and often can't use them if they are.The survey, conducted by UK-based mobile software developer SurfKitchen, found not one mobile phone user who could correctly identify their phone's data package. High prices, poor usability and unreliable service posed additional barriers to users getting the most out of their phones. As with most all technology, the problems lie not with ill-informed consumers, but with providers who favor "bells and whistles" over simplicity. Going forward, usability and reliability will be key issues for phone manufacturers...

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[TIPS] - bonus on Katrina links

http://www3.essdack.org/socialstudies/katrina.htm   While it may be personally difficult to keep hearing of the almost incomprehensible devastation and pain and suffering going on down there, it cannot be ignored. And, it may very well be an excellent "teachable moment." That site contains links to tons of information that I'm sure you can use. There is information about the storm itself as well as about that region and even some folks who have created Math questions relating to the storm. A very nice collecti...

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[TIPS] - Games on Google Maps

http://moloko.itc.it/trustmetricswiki/moin.cgi/GamesOnGoogleMaps   By now you've seen the satelite view of your house on http://maps.google.com or have used the program at http://earth.google.com to zoom around the world. (Some of you even saw the moon.google.com, right? ;-)  )   But, a group of folks have now made games using google maps. There is a Tic-Tac-Toe game, a Risk game, and even an Oregon Trail game. Many more, too. See if you can find one that just might fit into your class work.   —---------- By the way, before you give money to some Katrina Relief website, check this out: http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/08/katrina.web.scams.ap/index.html?section=cnn_topstories &nb...

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[TIPS] - Kindersite.org

This site is for the little ones. http://www.kindersite.org/ Click the Directory link at the top to see a large list of educational games, songs, and stories. Very cute stuff.   Oh, and I mistyped my blog addess the other day. It's http://tipline.blogspot.com. (I had mistakenly put a space between tip and line.) That's where you'll find the archive of my tips. Feel free to leave comments, too, if you wi...

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The "New" New Orleans

They say that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. New Orleans and the Gulf Coast have been handed (maybe thrown) more lemons than they can handle over the past week. But can the region turn a disaster into an opportunity?Despite assertions from its residents that the Big Easy will rise again, powerful politicians have questioned the wisdom of spending billions to do so. As the Katrina disaster fades from the headlines and emotions ebb, expect more pols to echo this sentiment. Already, polls are finding that a majority of Americans believe that New Orleans will never fully recover from the disaster. Many of those who have been evacuated may never return, and with so many sights and sounds of human suffering, the image of the Crescent City as a carefree party town will be forever tempered.That...

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Zero Energy House

With energy costs rising steadily and shortages of fossil fuels a distinct possibility this winter, homebuilders and architects will want to take a close look at architect Zoka Zola's Zero Energy House in Chicago. The term "zero energy" is a bit of a misnomer, as the house does have electricity, though it's produced entirely from the house's own solar cells and windpower.The house is positioned to take maximum advantage of the sun for both heating and light. Plants and trees (including a "green" roof) provide both cooling and insulation. Ample windows provide ventilation to cool the house in the summer. In the winter, concrete interior walls...

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The Mobile Convenience Store

UK-based Benjy's Sandwiches is taking the lunch truck concept to the next level, outfitting Benjy's Delivered "vanchise" vans that unfold to sell virtually any type of food.The vans can serve worksites, catered events and other locations without requiring external power. Benjy's Delivered vans typically serve sandwiches, hot food, hot and cold drinks, salads, fresh fruits, snacks and desserts. The vans also appear neater and cleaner than the typical mobile lunch truck, making them more appealing to discerning customers.Vans such as these can serve all kinds of temporary locations efficiently and economically. With disaster relief on our minds...

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Vending Machines... They Aren't Just for Sodas Anymore

Coca-Cola will pilot a next-generation vending machine in Ireland that will sell not only soda, but digital content such as ringtones and downloadable music.The content, which will be managed by UK-based Inspired Broadcast Networks, will be downloadable to customers' mobile phones via their carrier, Bluetooth connections, or memory cards. The machines will be networked to Inspired's command-and-control center via DSL.The machines will be rolled out to 200 locations in Ireland over the next several months. However, it's not clear if or when these machines will enter the US market.Source: TheRegister....

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[TIPS] - Great Questions of History

--------snip----------GREAT QUESTIONS OF HISTORY - An ExplanationThere has long been a need for a web site dedicated to determining what Americans think about important issues in their history. The Great Questions of History site addresses this need and makes history come alive by allowing people to vote on these key questions. It provides up to the minute vote results and bar graphs showing vote percentages. Although the numbers are not scientific, they do illustrate how Americans feel about matters that were (and are) crucial to their country and the world.-----------snip------------  http://www.greatquestionsofhistory.com/ Even if you don't actually vote, I'll bet you'll find the questions EXCELLENT. "Why was America's indpendence inevitable?" "Was the Civil War unavoidable?" "Was...

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Through Katrina, Will America "Rediscover Its Poor"?

The one positive thing that Hurricane Katrina may do for the US is to mobilize us to engage our national problems of race and poverty. The images that we have all seen over the past week, combined with local, state and federal governments' inept response, have shocked and outraged us. More importantly, the disaster has forced us to acknowledge the uncomfortable truth that too many Americans are poor and therefore powerless.Peter Canellos of the Boston Globe writes, "The searing images of New Orleans -- including the sight of sick and elderly patients literally lying on a conveyer belt at Louis Armstrong airport -- could well mark America's rediscovery of its poor." Canellos notes that catastrophic flooding in the Mississippi River region in 1927 marked the first time that the US Government...

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