Daily Archives: November 15, 2007

OMG It’s So Cute!

i-9752b458400b54f1c64d9c8ebf6fe5df-tiny_pc.jpgI like to report advanced technology that runs open source systems, like LInux.From Manufactum of Germany, we have a two pound PC, running Linux, of course, just over seven inches maximum dimension. It runs at 500 MHz, can handle a gig of RAM (default 512 MB) and an 80 gig hard drive. It is pre-loaded with Debian with KDE as your desktop. That part is totally configurable, of course.Imagine replacing all the computers in your lab with something the size of a Tom Clancy novel. That would leave piles of room for, say, a bigger fridge in which you can store samples. And beer.

Crocs Afar

Repost from gregladen.comOne day, about six thousand years ago (or more like 15 thousand … the timing of this is disputed) a volcano in the vicinity of Mwea, Uganda blasted a huge volume of stuff into the air, covering the surrounding landscape and choking off most of the life forms living in a nearby lake. (A very nearby lake … the current configuration of the lake suggests that the volcano may have actually been beneath the lake at the time of the eruption). Continue reading Crocs Afar

Sidr (updated)

The deadliest cyclone ever is said to have been the 1970 Bhola cyclone in Bangladesh. Perhaps a half million people died in that storm. That would be more than the number who died in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.The Bhola Cyclone was a category 3 storm. Cyclone Sidr, now bearing down on the Bangladesh coast, is probably a Category 5 storm, possibly a strong Category 5. The population of Bangladesh has approximately doubled since 1970. This could potentially add up to a potentially very serious disaster. However, the latest word from Chris Mooney is that the storm is doing most of its damage to a mangrove swamp area.Keep in mind also that this area is the home of the rare Bengal tiger.There is this on CNN.The current sattelite view: Continue reading Sidr (updated)