Plug Computer
I've been fascinated with the shrinking technology. Cheap powerful and small are the keys to success in todays market. Cell phones today not only hold address books but are expected to run apps, surf the net and do email. There is a device out there called a
plug computer it looks pretty much like a wallwart but has SD , USB ports and a megabit Ethernet port. It runs a Linux OS and while it probably has more capabilities than as a thumb drive server. It looks like it might be admirably suited for that function. For either home or office capability this device has a lot of potential for sharing thumb drives or camera photos. The device is energy saving and runs on just a couple watts .
With the rise in broadband users, people continue to consume and share increasing amounts of digital content each year. The time and money invested in personal photos, home movies and in content purchased digitally is significant and continues to grow. Network connected consumer electronics devices, smart phones and social websites have emerged to help consumers share and access their personal content in the home and over the Internet. With the growth in digital content, there is a need for services to secure, manage and share content simply and reliably.
Today digital home services such as media servers, file sharing and backup software all need to be installed on a PC. A plug computer is a small, powerful computer that connects to an existing network using Gigabit Ethernet. This type of device eliminates the need for an always-on PC in the digital home to access these services.
Its a product worth watching, unfortunately, the only thing for sale is the development kit. Still if one is somewhat handy and has a $100 dollars in the budget it could well be worth checking out.
Email Automation
Email automation isn't about creating spam bots, but about an event causing emails to be sent to the right people. This works well for engineering people who want to be aware of how often certain events happen or to materials people that need to know that they need to order more material. By setting up an automated emailer companies can eliminate the middle man and ensure direct communication to those who need to react. One can then send an email back to the device, to clear an alarm shut it down or whatever.
This isn't anything new, sophisticated users have used alarms to trigger scripts in UNIX based systems for several years now. The problem with this is that requires an idepth knowledge of the operating system and connection whole DCS system with the plant network an exposure risk that many plants are not willing to risk.
There is a low cost hardware solution.
KIBe-E is a device capable of featuring events and alerts notifications by sending and receiving e-mails, without the need for a PC.
You can connect a switch, sensor or alarm to your KIBe-E and quickly receive an e-mail notice of any unexpected situationoccurring within the system / machine / device you are monitoring. Because of its bi-directionality, KIBe-E can receive incoming e-mail messages and actively operate by enabling or disabling an output, such as a relay or any other device.
It is very easy to install and configure; it allows you to send up to 128 e-mail messages through an Ethernet network connected to the Internet through a Cable Modem, ADSL, wireless or telephone connection. All e-mail messages sent through KIBe-E can be configured according to the notice to be given. at about the size of a deck of cards it can be DIN rail mounted or screwed directly to a wall.
We at PCO are proudly selling these gems, and expect that they will find usage in the oil and chemical industrys, automated assembly lines and even in the car wash/vending machine bussiness. Contact us if you would like any further information.
MSFT Flight Simulator is Down for the Count
The future of Microsoft's Flight Simulator series is uncertain after the company fired all of Flight Simulator's developers this January. Microsoft still insists that it is "committed" to the series, although the ACES studio, which develops the simulator, was closed when the company shed 5000 jobs.
Nels Anderson, the founder of FlightSim.com, a MSFS enthusiast website, called it a "dark day" for the simulation market. "Microsoft have apparently cancelled a 27 year franchise. Flight sims were one of the few things about Microsoft people actually liked. It made them money and had an enormous following. To cancel something like that is an amazing thing to do," he said in an interview with the BBC.
Derek Davis, who is the editor of the PC Pilot Magazine, however, said that there could be a bright side to the news: "I don't know what the eventual fate of Microsoft's Flight Simulator series will be, but I think we're going to see a rise in sales and an increase in third-party development. There is now some stability to be had — we're all going to be using FSX for some time — and that is going to make it far easier for developers to produce new aircraft," he said. Flight Simulator X (FSX) is the current edition in the series.
The Flight Simulator series is possibly the longest-running computer game series ever, with the first version of the game released back in 1982. It is known, not only for its official releases, but also for its dedicated fan base, which has produced large amounts of third-party addons for the game.
Prior to the dissolution of the ACES studio, an eleventh version of Flight Simulator was planned for release in about a year and a half. Also in development at the studio at the time of its closure was Microsoft Train Simulator 2, which was expected to be released this year.
Bill Gates Spreads Malaria?
Bill Gates, the founder of computer software company Microsoft tried to bring attention to malaria while speaking at the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference on Wednesday February 4 in Long Beach, California. He did so by releasing a "swarm" of mosquitoes from a jar, into the crowd.
"Malaria is spread by mosquitoes. I brought some. Here I'll let them roam around. There is no reason only poor people should be infected," said Gates as he opened the jar. After waiting a minute, Gates then stated that the mosquitoes were not infected with the disease.
"There is more money put into baldness drugs than into malaria. Now, baldness is a terrible thing and rich men are afflicted. That is why that priority has been set," said Gates jokingly.
The prank was first reported by Dave Morin, Facebook's manager, on the social networking and micro-blogging site Twitter. Morin stated that "Gates just released mosquito[e]s into the audience at TED and said: 'Not only poor people should experience this,'" followed by a smiley face.
Gates donated nearly US$170 million to the PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative in September 2008 to fund research to fight malaria, and develop a vaccine.
The TED conference, held annually, features, among other things, the latest in technology, science, and politics. People who have previously spoken at the conference include former United States president Bill Clinton and former vice president Al Gore.
