Clipmarks | Technology Clips

DNA Technology Posts Dramatic Speed Increases

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 02:28:37 GMT

clipped by: Silkweaver
clipper's remarks: An excellent example of the acceleration trend of all information dependent technologies.

Clip Source: blog.wired.com

A prominent genetics institute recently sequenced its trillionth base pair of DNA, highlighting just how fast genome sequencing technology has improved this century.

Every two minutes, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute sequences as many base pairs as all researchers worldwide did from 1982 to 1987, the first five years of international genome-sequencing efforts.

That speed is thanks to the technology underlying genomics research, which has been improving exponentially every couple of years, similar to the way computer tech improves under Moore's Law

Up to 2006, the various cycles of new technology and introduction were cutting costs in half for a similar product every 22 months

By 2006, Harvard's George Church estimated that his lab could sequence a genome for $2.2 million. In 2007, the sequencing of James Watson's genome was said to cost less than $1 million. Looking into the future, the NIH wants genomes to cost a mere $100,000 by 2009, and $1,000 five years later

Tags: dna, dna sequencing, acceleration

Solar sail gets another chance for launch

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:09:59 GMT

clipped by: Mohir

Clip Source: space.newscientist.com

IT'S an idea that has been plagued by misfortune. Now, proponents of technology that seeks to propel spacecraft using the pressure exerted by photons from the sun on thin "solar sails" look set for another chance to get their idea off the ground.

Missions by the US non-profit Planetary Society to test solar sail technology failed in 2001 and 2005, because the rockets needed to get them into space malfunctioned. Now they look set for a comeback as early as 29 July, when a tiny NASA spacecraft called NanoSail-D is scheduled to go into Earth orbit.

The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of deploying sails in orbit. The spacecraft will unfurl four 3-metre-wide sails made of plastic film coated with aluminium. In addition to feeling pressure from sunlight, it is hoped that the sails will experience a slight drag from Earth's outer atmosphere. Similar sails could one day be used to bring normal satellites back to Earth after their missions, reducing orbital clutter.

Tags: energy, solar, solar sail

The Problem with "I'll wait until my manager sends me to training"

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 21:37:59 GMT

clipped by: Sheroug

Clip Source: timstall.dotnetdevelopersjournal.com

With all the new technologies coming out, many software developers want to get sent to training seminars. Sometimes "Training" is fun - your company spends thousands of dollars to send you to a fancy building, during regular working hours, where you have an in-person expert guide you through some marketable skill

This is great - until a developer uses it as an excuse for inaction, as in "Rather than learn technology XYZ on my own, I'll wait until my manager sends me to training

such thinking has some big problems

Because live training seminars are expensive, managers are very reluctant to send you

If you're truly motivated, usually there are free (or cheap) alternatives instead

Therefore, by the time management is willing to sink $3000 to send you to a training seminar, you could probably learn it faster yourself via some other method.

Having special training for a cutting edge technology or proprietary tool is great

But a motivated developer shouldn't need to wait to be sent to training

Equality in Education?

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:37:07 GMT

clipped by: Lara Nieberding
clipper's remarks: Education has always been based on an elitist hierarchy.
Technology is a tool. It is not a solution.

Clip Source: thevitamins.wordpress.com

Online education ‘increases inequality’

The Virtual University and Educational Opportunity, a research paper written by Lawrence Gladieux and Watson Scott Swail, concludes that new technology can create a "digital divide" between "white and minorities, the wealthy and less advantaged".

"Advantage magnifies advantage," say the researchers. "Those who use computers on a regular basis are more apt to use them routinely in problem solving and critical thinking."

"While education is the great equaliser, technology appears to be a new engine of inequality."

Without intervention, the research warns that social division within education will continue to grow.

"Those with limited computer experience will be handicapped in their ability to access knowledge and avail themselves of the ever-increasing variety of learning experiences."

Tags: education, technology, online education

Just remember...

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:22:53 GMT

clipped by: Lara Nieberding
clipper's remarks: ultimately you do not own anything online.

Clip Source: virtuallyblind.com

Coming Soon to a 3D Printer Near You: Mixed Reality Intellectual Property Infringement

2) In most games, you agree — via a clickthrough screen — that you have no ownership over the cool stuff you create. Even if you aren’t ripping off Lost or Nike (see links above) and are only doing original creations, you have to be careful about intellectual property issues. Sometimes (like in Second Life) the Terms of Service allow you to retain ownership of the intellectual property in your in-world creations. For most games, though, the Terms of Service and End User License Agreements say you own absolutely nothing.

3) We’re getting close to consumer-level 3D fabrication technology, which will let you make plastic 3D models (a.k.a. professional-grade home-made toys) based on that cool stuff you create on your computer. The technology is already reasonably priced for small businesses, and in fact, one company, Fabjectory is already selling plastic versions of Second Life avatars.

Tags: intellectual property, virtual worlds, virtually blind

Program Search through Adobe

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:00:32 GMT

clipped by: Moonowler
clipper's remarks: Adobe Web in Google Desktop, Yahoo! toward searchable flash.

Clip Source: www.clickz.com

The software manufacturer announced yesterday that it would begin providing optimized Flash technology to leading search engines that will make rich Internet applications (RIA) and dynamic content created using Flash more easily identifiable.

The optimized Flash technology will now allow search engines to identify text within Flash programs that would otherwise have escaped them without requiring any change in behavior on the developers' part. The result should be millions of newly searchable RIAs and dynamic experiences, including brand experiences on the Web.

Adobe is also hoping this will convince developers to use Flash in places where they otherwise would not have, as the search problems had long been a sticking point with the program.

"Flash should add to the experience, but never be 100 percent of it," he said. "We're defeating the purpose of what Flash is meant to be if we get too extreme. The old principles still apply."

Tags: adobe, google, yahoo!, flash

Alice in Wonderland Chess Set

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 20:49:36 GMT

clipped by: burned1000
clipper's remarks: amazing set, with LED glass technology

Clip Source: yasminsethi.com

Tags: chess, cool, led

Man auctions his soul

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:45:10 GMT

clipped by: nzclipfreak
clipper's remarks: undoubtedly not the first soul sale - first internet auction? a curious social conjunction: society, religion, technology, history

Clip Source: edition.cnn.com

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) -- A New Zealand man has put his soul up for auction to the highest bidder, noting that is "a merry old soul" rather than a "funk soul brother" but that he would "would like to think there is a bit of funk in there somewhere."

The auction closes at 12:00 p.m. Thursday local time (0000 Thursday GMT), and bids so far had reached US$189 (NZ$$250).

Advice from a lawyer was that the winning bidder would not be entitled to anything but Scott's soul and would not be able to own or control him in any way, he said.

Scott said the successful bidder will receive a framed deed of "soul ownership."

Tags: society, religion, technology, history, nz

The "Idea Acceleration Chamber"- " Kage Roi"

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:25:58 GMT

clipped by: wildcat

Clip Source: www.dailygalaxy.com

You've heard lots about genomic this and nano-that, but deep down we've all really known what high-tech was meant to provide: great big room-filling voice controlled displays.

Technology company Kayac have developed a prototype "idea acceleration chamber" called "Kage Roi". Microphones monitor conversations and search the web for relevant images and pages, displaying them directly on the meeting table, and even controlling the ambient lighting to match the desired mood.

Not since nuclear power has a technology with such an awesome potential for use and abuse come about. Once the idea is liberated from the corporate world and makes its way into the home, it could be the most awesome setting for parties and alcoholically-influenced discussions you've ever seen

while many struggle to make faster this and bigger that, others realise that outside of specialists there isn't any need to make some things better, but to blend them better with their human users.

Tags: kayac, tech, displays

University of Florida - Academic Technology - Privacy Policy - Google Analytics

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:22:47 GMT

clipped by: webonics

Clip Source: www.at.ufl.edu

University of Florida Web Privacy Policy

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to the University. Instead, contact the specific office or individual by phone or in writing.

University of Florida Web Privacy Statement

Google Analytics

The Academic Technology site uses Google Analytics to collect anonymous traffic data. To disable tracking, you can reset your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent.

Google Privacy Statement

The CCTV camera that can listen out for trouble

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:51:19 GMT

clipped by: A53GG4

Clip Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

The CCTV camera that can listen out for trouble

Intelligent CCTV cameras are being developed in Britain that not only see trouble but are able to hear it, scientists said.

The technology will recognise violent sounds such as breaking glass, someone shouting, or the noise of a crowd gathering

It could slash the speed with which crimes are caught on camera and responded to by police but raises questions about the extent of 'surveillance Britain' and the use of such technology.

The three-year project by the University of Portsmouth aims to adapt artificial intelligence software already being developed to identify visual patterns in cameras.

The existing software is so sophisticated it can identify minor visual cues such as whether a car aerial is up or if the car has a dent as well as more complex activity such as violent behaviour.

The new software will alert operators immediately to any unusual activity and call the police.

Tags: tech

Technology Eduvcation Social Justice

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:07:44 GMT

clipped by: Emil972

Clip Source: technorati.com

Goldin and Katz on Education, Technology, and Growth By Steven D. Levitt For those of you who like a little more serious brand of economics, Harvard economists Claudia Goldin and Larry Katz have an excellent new book entitled The Race Between Education and Technology. Here is what I said about it on the book jacket: A masterful work by two leading economists on some of the biggest issues in economics: economic growth, human capital, and inequality. There are fundamental insights in the book, not just about our past, but also our future.

3G Technology Networks

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 10:04:04 GMT

clipped by: telecom123
clipper's remarks: 3G (or 3-G) is a designation for the third-generation mobile telephony. The services associated with the third generation provides the possibility of transferring both voice and data (a telephone call) and non-voice data...........

Clip Source: www.rsilicon.com

3G (or 3-G) is a designation for the third-generation mobile telephony. The services associated with the third generation provides the possibility of transferring both voice and data (a telephone call) and non-voice data (such as downloading programs, exchange of email and instant messaging).

Initially the installation of 3G networks was slow. This was due to require operators to acquire an additional license for a frequency spectrum was different from that used by previous 2G technology. The first country to implement a commercial 3G network on a large scale was Japan . There are currently 164 commercial networks in 73 countries using the WCDMA technology [1].

Tags: 3g, 3g network, 4g, 3g technology

careers in telecom

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:57:17 GMT

clipped by: telecom123
clipper's remarks: The Information and Communications Technology industry is one of the most exciting in the world. Constant developments and innovations are changing the way people live, work and play.........

Clip Source: www.ejunction.org

The Information and Communications Technology industry is one of the most exciting in the world. Constant developments and innovations are changing the way people live, work and play.

Tags: careers in telecom

MyScreen files patent for Mobile Advertising in India

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:50:43 GMT

clipped by: clipblogs

Clip Source: unwireindia.com

Toronto-based MyScreen Mobile has continued to make significant moves in hopes of dominating the mobile advertising space. This time they have taken their technology to India and filed a patent application. Myscreen has filed patents for its technology in the USA, Canada and other parts of the world.

MyScreen recently secured a $10 million investment to grow the company in other countries and it seems like India is the first move. If you are unfamiliar with MyScreen, they are a permission and incentive-based advertising for your mobile phone. It allows mobile subscribers to be compensated for the advertising (images, text or video) that shows up on their device. Supposedly you’re in control of when, what and how the advertisements shows up and the payout is in cash, ring tones, extra air time, music downloads, and games.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: myscreen, mobile, patent, advertsing, marketing, india, usa, canada, toronto, telecom