February 25, 2009
Making Communities Plug-in Ready

Project Get Ready led by the Rocky Mountain Institute.

Project aims to make communities plug-in ready | Green Tech - CNET News

Posted by Dave at 11:01 PM
Atmospheric Battery Charger

Great link from a discussion on the NYC Resistor list. Joule thieves of the first order.

At the end it also mentions another energy scavenging technique, turning the heat of a candle into electricity. I'll post separately on that.

View: Atmospheric battery charger

Posted by Dave at 10:34 PM
Illuminato

Oh, the Arduino geeks are going to be happy campers. A version of the hacker standard with many more I/O lines - 42 in all - and double the program memory.

Liquidware : Illuminato

via Bre on Twitter

Posted by Dave at 10:16 PM
Map of Advanced Metering Infrastructure


View Larger Map

Part of Google's energy initiative, this map demonstrates, among other things, the complete lack of interest on Con Ed's part in pursuing a smart metering strategy in New York State.

Google Maps - Smart Metering Projects Map

Posted by Dave at 09:43 PM
SD cards in Sony EX1

Using an Express Card adapter. Much cheaper than Sony's cards, but no 60fps overcranking (as in this clip).

Hyper Link: SD Cards in the Sony EX-1

Posted by Dave at 01:06 PM
February 24, 2009
Skyscraper Farms

A design for the Hudson Yards in Manhattan.

Inhabitat » Spiraling Skyscraper Farms for a Future Manhattan

Posted by Dave at 07:12 PM
Arduino/Servo tutorial

Super simple intro to controlling servos with Arduino. Step one towards Girl-E.

MAKE: Blog: How-To Tuesday: Arduino 101 potentiometers and servos

[HRC33322S] Hitec HS-322HD Standard Heavy Duty Servo

Posted by Dave at 01:06 PM
February 23, 2009
NYC FIRST Robotics Competition at Javits

March 6-8.

New York City/New Jersey FIRST: Discovering the Genius in Every Kid

Posted by Dave at 07:27 PM
EasyPay Xpress Metrocard

I don't expect to be a straphanger again soon, but the 21st century token is here. Like the EasyPass for highways and tolls, it refills from your credit card. The endless subway.

MTA - EasyPay Xpress

Posted by Dave at 05:51 PM
February 22, 2009
Foro Binacional Ríos-Petén

A Mexico-Guatemala conference on the border region, particularly Tabasco-Peten. They affirm that the time for words is over, now is the time for action. Followed by a lot of nice words. No mention of dam plans, a nod towards protection of the ecosystem.

...el mandatario explicó que el valor estratégico es como zona de seguridad para combatir a la delincuencia organizada, el tráfico de armas, mercancías y la trata de personas.

Asimismo es la región se considera centro logístico para la industria turística y comercio internacional además como reserva de la biodiversidad fundamental para el continente americano.

Talk of creating a business zone similar to the northern border with the U.S.

Impulsar el comercio transfronterizo; crear centros de negocios en ambos lados de las fronteras; establecer la estrategia para el control de la tuberculosis bovina; armonizar los marcos jurídicos de los estados de la región en materia de medio ambiente y de desarrollo económico, así como implementar el programa de desarrollo de la frontera sur como se hizo con la frontera norte de México.

Inaugura AGM Foro Binacional Ríos-Petén

Posted by Dave at 10:34 PM
Galileoscope

A low-cost telescope for International Year of Astronomy 2009.

The Galileoscope: An IYA2009 Cornerstone Project | Galileoscope.org

Posted by Dave at 11:56 AM
February 18, 2009
February 05, 2009
Sweet Stink Solved

Fenugreek smells like maple syrup? and it's used in fragrances?

New Jersey Plant Is Called Source of Sweet Smell - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

Posted by Dave at 03:49 PM
Cacao in Chaco

Finding of first cacao drinking north of Mexico. It was an expensive luxury, traded from a long distance.

I'll definitely take our Jungle Carnaval tour to see the cacao grove near Palenque. They have to taste the cacao fruit, straight out of the pod, hacked open with a machete.

Mystery of Ancient Pueblo Jars Is Solved - NYTimes.com

Posted by Dave at 02:31 PM
February 03, 2009
Periodic Table of Visualization Methods

Must be seen to be believed. Mouse over the chart and have your mind grown.

A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods

Posted by Dave at 09:45 PM
Smart Growth Manifesto

It's all I can do to not get dumber. And shorter.

The Smart Growth Manifesto - Umair Haque - HarvardBusiness.org

Posted by Dave at 02:19 PM
February 02, 2009
Google Earth 5 released

Oceans, historical imagery, narration recording on tours and fly-throughs.

Google Earth

Posted by Dave at 01:15 PM
Mex Cartels in U.S and Guatemala

Not just doing business - buying land and setting up operations.

Tougher Border Can't Stop Mexican Marijuana Cartels - NYTimes.com

When negotiating to acquire ranches in Guatemala, they give the owners a choice of plata or plomo - silver or lead.

Alarma en la Frontera Sur (in cache)

Posted by Dave at 12:23 PM
February 01, 2009
New JVC HD camcorders

Record in 35mb/s Quicktime directly to SXS or SDHC cards.

JVC introduces new solid-state camcorders

Posted by Dave at 11:29 PM