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Horizon MiniPak personal fuel cell charger hits shelves for $100 {Engadget}
Jun 16th 2010 7:45PM @bjsguess The web site for the product claims that it takes an hour to charge one cartridge, and that the charger runs at 60 WH. So about 60 watts go in and 12 Watts come out. Seems very inefficient. Hooked to a PV panel and the cost probably goes higher initially until the PV panel pays for itself.
EVO 4G launch day antics: Sprint's computers overwhelmed, Radio Shack listing CDMA iPhones? {Engadget}
Jun 4th 2010 5:39PM For me, Radio Shack turned out to be a near disaster. On pre-order a few weeks back no one asked what my present Sprint account type was. Today, because I hold a business account, Radio Shack could not set up the plan: "We only do individual plans". On top of ordering systems crawling, I waited quite a while to learn that Radio Shack screwed up. Even they didn't know for quite some time.
In the end, the phone was purchased at full cost and this enabled maintaining the current contract with Sprint - something I had not considered but is actually a better deal. But to arrive at this solution I was on my own: the Radio Shack manager had no interest in helping. She was impolite and unimpressive, and this was first thing in the morning at the start of her day. Shudder to think what she might morph into later.
So I purchased bare minimum from them and I won't go back for something as complex as this again.
Sprint customer service, meanwhile, was as they have been for quite some time: helpful, courteous and ready to bend over backwards.
Both for the mobile phone (evo) and Sprint, I made the right choice.
Steve Jobs on Foxconn: 'We're all over this' {Engadget}
Jun 2nd 2010 6:16AM Steve responds when people die.
Good to know from the same fella who sterilizes the applications that run on his products.
Washington establishing timeline for sales of 'loud' EVs {Engadget}
May 20th 2010 5:41PM Asshats.
One of the great appeals of my hybrid is that it has low air and noise pollution.
Like that annoying backup beeper, yet another thingie to disable.
Cockpit Chronicles: Frank's final flight {Gadling}
Feb 15th 2010 10:22PM Well done!
Your airline is very fortunate to have such experienced hands as mentors. In your film, Frank comes across as all business, something to be desired in this wonderful profession. Giving the flying public a glimpse of the personalities involved raises the confidence level this side of the flight deck door. Thank you.
Cockpit Chronicles - Practicing takeoff and landings in a 737 (with Video) {Gadling}
May 3rd 2009 10:04PM Fascinating. And really good video.
Did your camera use a light?
Why Are Parents Opting Out of Routine Vaccination? {News Bloggers}
Sep 29th 2007 10:20PM The decision to avoid routine vaccination was difficult. There are considerable familial, social, and medical pressure that is brought to bear when one attempts to exercise basic rights. And it is still a basic right to have informed consent over what is put into ones' body. The Nuremburg code is something parents of choice and conscience may find themselves leaning on as America continues to go down the tubes.
The author's comments belittle those of us who agonize over this choice. It's an insult to the enormous amount of time and effort I gave (and continue to give) to the subject. Ada Calhoun ought to do the same before passing such a judgment. Instead she sat down and cranked out spittle, apparently after exposing her mind to "Oprah". How sad that Calhoun is given a platform at all when there are plenty of people who have done a lot of work to make their choice (either for or against).
The decision for me became one of risk/benefit. The hidden truth is that most modern vaccines are unnecessary. Have a look at the statistics for these diseases in western nations. A risk of being struck by lightning surpasses the risk of tetanus. The vaccine lobby, which consists of our charming "government/industry partnership" (the FDA and CDC) and rolls right on down to public health agencies and individual pediatricians and GP's, is hard at work in attempts to frighten the public. If this tact fails they'll suggest that the low prevalence of disease is a direct result of the vaccine programs. Some credit is due in this regard, but one should factor in that no vaccine is 100% effective, nor is there a 100% vaccination rate. The repeated stories of disease outbreaks among the vaccinated population ought to be meaningful.
Vaccination, in the light of all the evidence, becomes a social duty - to maintain "herd immunity". The scientific principles involved here are deep and wide. Suffice it to say that there is a good argument to suggest that this is nothing but disease-chasing: a cellular playing field where evolution wins out every time. Take an antibiotic and your body will develop a resistance. There is credence for the theory that vaccination against certain diseases helps create stronger versions of the diseases themselves. There is also considerable unknowns as to what we are doing as a species to our own immune systems when we inject genetically altered material and chemical preservatives and adjuvants directly into our bloodstream.
Vaccines, in my view, are used for social convenience. Americans in particular are a dirty lot and have little concept of public health. Vaccines allow the behaviours to continue and may (if the shot works) lower the risks. But as I imply above, this is temporary.
So we hand wash, avoid the public during outbreaks, and take good care of ourselves by eating well, getting lots of sun, and resting properly.
So far my 4 year old twins have NO neurological or immune system troubles; no ear infections; no sign of any disease; and have had excellent recovery from basic rhinovirus and flu. If we do a cursory survey of other children in our neighborhood we seem to stand out as rather exceptional. Not lucky, just un-altered.
I attempted to base my decision on sound evidence. Unfortunately the arguments for and against vaccination are equally convincing or at least tend to null out. The science is not all there, but the statistics are clear as a bell.
If a well-documented disease outbreak puts us at risk and isolation is deemed ineffective then we may opt for a protective vaccine. But it will be done by informed consent, period, and not based on fear but sound evidence.
