CharmingGeek.net Funness

I need one of these really annoying alarm clocks. Maybe if my alarm clock ran from me, I’d actually get out of bed in the morning. Wait, no I do that already and go back to sleep. Maybe if my alarm clock hid from me…
Who am I kidding?

Information has been trickling out slowly about Microsoft’s Origami Project. By last week, it was pretty commonly believed that this was something like Intel’s Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC). Today shows that to be the case. The unveiled mobile PCs are made by three manufacturers. Samsung is already getting press for releasing the first phone with a built in 8GB hard drive and announcing the Samsung YP-Z5 which I talked about a few days ago. The others will be built by ASUS (the company that is powering my PC right now) and a Chinese company called Founder. Rumor has it that LG Electronics, Acer, and Averatech won’t be far behind.
Built on the tablet PC platform, the UMPC is essentially a small touch-screen laptop without the keyboard, although Intel has shown a prototype for a version with a fold-out thumb keyboard much like what we see on Blackberries and PDAs today.
Now, Bill Gates has been talking for a while about his dream of a device available for under $500 that will be wearable, usable, and always on, meaning enough battery life to run all day. It doesn’t look like the Origami Project met his goals, but it comes close. At $600-$1000, it’s much cheaper than a laptop or the much talked about OQO and not much more than a 60GB iPod + iTrip and case. The battery life of 2.5 hours is certainly not all day, and that will have to improve. Still, I’ll add one to my wish list.

I made myself peacan crusted tilapia with seasoned cheese grits and finished off with some chocolate pudding. I. Am. So. Full.
I recommend the recipe if you happen to have grits and tilapia laying around like I did.
Don’t eat too much though. You’ll need a nap before doing the dishes.

Ever wonder what it would be like to obey the speed limit? I’ve noticed that the speed limit on most the DC Beltway is 55. Now there are times where driving along there at more than a roll is just not possible, but when traffic isn’t stopped, 55 if a joke. It’s actually scary to go that slow as cars blow past. Then you can forget it if you ever have to merge into another lane. On a four-lane, controlled access freeway, 65-70 is a safe speed. 55 is a crawl and the officers who allow 10-15 over know it. Then if you’re going 5 miles faster than all the other cars, you get a ticket for reckless driving. How about some practical traffic laws?
This video shows how ridiculous these speed limits are. A group of college students decided to drive around Atlanta, going the speed limit the whole way. They called it an act of civil obedience that really shook things up for about an hour. [read more]

Maybe you live in North Carolina, or maybe you’re ready for a break from this winter weather. Before you board a plane, take this quiz to find out what you know about dining around the world.
Thanks to Ninebucks for this link.

But I really love the sound of heels and men’s dress shoes on sidewalks. It’s one of my favorite parts my daily commute.
I have one pair of shoes that really sounds like music on the concrete, unfortunately, most days I don’t feel like dressing up that much for work. Isn’t it nice that other people have to?

How about some real competition with the iPod nano? Finally, here’s some.

Slated for release on March 5, the Samsung YP-Z5 boasts 2 and 4 GB flash versions. With a larger 1.8″ screen (as compared to the nano’s 1.5″), battery life exceeding 30 hours (better than doubling iPod’s)and a price point almost exactly the same as the comparable Apple-branded player, Another plus, this sturdier player probably won’t look like it’s been run over after carrying it in your pocket for a few days.
Although the Samsung has the same profile as the nano, the Samsung is about twice as thick. (Samsung: 3.54″ x 1.66″ x .45″ ; Apple: 3.5 x 1.6 x 0.27)
Verdict: This is going to be a direct competitor to the nano, and a very viable one. Unfortunately, it’s too close to the same thing. Right now, the nano is thinner, the Samsung has better battery life, which one looks better is a matter of personal preference I guess. Looks like Samsung has a solid foundation here. What they need right now, though is a one-up on Apple, and as the maker of the same flash memory that Apple uses for the iPod, I expect either an 8GB version or a considerable price-cut coming from Samsung in the near future.

Also, keep your eye out for more details on the Sansa e200, a sleek (3.5″ x 1.7″ x 0.5″) new model from flash-memory mogul SanDisk, which is poised for release in late March or early April. It also features a 1.8″ screen, slim size, and 2 or 4GB versions, but this little monster will also be available with up to 6GB memory installed PLUS a microSD expansion slot. Other features: a removable, replacable, rechargable battery, video playback, FM tuner, and voice recording. Priced for competition with the iPod, I could be seen carrying one of these in the near future.

Not really. Some details on the deal. [Time.com] Maybe some members of congress should read this before turning US foreign relations into an oportunity to make a name for themselves. (Am I the only one that smells 2008 approaching?)
For all the talk about turning over control of US ports to foreigners, I feel like I should point out that:

In Los Angeles, California, companies from China, Denmark, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan lease operations. [CNN.com]

foreigners own almost 30% of US port terminals [Iranian.ws]

This second article, from Iran, offers a very interesting outlook on the situation. The opinionist argues against foreign-owned ports. Of course his primary modivation is protecting closed Muslim countries like Iran from western influence. I think he makes my point for me.

It’s an exciting time to be alive, what with all the breakthroughs in food technology we’re experiencing lately.

That’s right, food scientists have finally broken the cheddar barrier. For centuries it was thought that cheddar and more cheddar could not be combined … But somehow, the good folks at the Sunshine bakery have figured out a way to put both cheddar and more cheddar in the same snack.

There’s not much worse than waking up, looking at the clock, and realizing it’s five minutes before your alarm goes off. Not only do you have that impending sense of doom, but that five minutes of sleep is also completely lost. I guess you can imagine how my morning started today.
So now I’m at work, feeling increadible empathy for Dilbert. I’ve always thought Dilbert was funny. Now it’s almost scary.