Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

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Interstellar Travel


08 Oct

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Posted in Science, Technology | 1 Comment »

This might be the only time in my life I have wished I lived in Orlando. In fact, I’m not certain I wish I lived in Orlando, I simply wish that I had been in Orlandofor the 100 Year Starship Public Symposium.

We all know I am fascinated by space. NASA is my favorite government agency. The idea of interstellar travel is one I find fascinating. And while I may not have been able to contribute to either the hard science or the science fiction addressed at the conference, I would have loved to been there to experience it.

MythBusters (ep 172)


06 Oct

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I want a Newton’s Cradle- the one with the 2.5” ball bearings or even the 6” ball bearings. Something that could double as a coffee or dining room table would be fine. However, we weren’t surprised by the largest scale results. Energy may have been directly transferred in to the steel plates, but it doesn’t travel in a straight line, it disperses in three dimensions, meaning the concrete absorbed a lot of it.

For the tipping point of the car, we thought they should have started with tethering and overbalancing the car then pulling it back to the balance point.

Crowdsourcing Science


22 Sep

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Posted in Healthcare, Science, Software, Technology | 1 Comment »

I’m a huge fan of crowd sourcing. In my own life, I sometimes get so caught up in a problem that I stop seeing it clearly. An outside source, even (especially) one who knows nothing about the problem, can often provide insight that I need to solve it.

And that’s why I love the idea of using a video game to help solve actual scientific puzzles. In less than ten days, doing this in their free time, because they enjoy it, players of the video game Foldit, solved a molecular mystery that had been stumping scientists for over ten years.

Want to discover new planets?


14 Sep

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If you’re an astronomer, especially one who’s interested in finding new planets, Chile is apparently the place to be. Astronomers in Chile just announced the discovery of 50 new planets, one of them a possible super-Earth (no idea what makes it super). In fact, this same telescope in Chile is responsible for the discovery of the both the possible super-Earths. Talk about a cool place to work.

However, it looks like Europe will soon be the place to be, once the European Extremely Large Telescope (great name) if built. The new super-Earth will be a prime target for the telescope.

Space Race


22 Aug

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It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of space exploration. And as such, I love the idea of a new space race- the race to Mars. We’re still a minimum of ten years out, probably closer to 20 or more- NASA is thinking mid-2030s, but Europe and Russia have teamed together to attempt a mission, as well.

I shouldn’t get too excited- but Mars in my lifetime? How cool is that. I know we went to the moon then never went back, but still, Mars, a whole other planet.

All I really have to say is “On your marks…”

I have a Phone!


15 Aug

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After nearly 3 weeks, I have a phone again. So what that it thinks my name is Hank and has all of Hank’s contacts and none of mine. I can fix that easily enough.

All of the service people we dealt with at Sprint were very nice. With the SIM card that didn’t work, we had a great guy who called us back after our initial call to try something else.

The problem is, Sprint doesn’t use SIM cards. Only the Nextel phones do, and 90% of their tech people don’t know anything about activating SIM cards and Nextel phones.

I Still Don’t Have a Phone


09 Aug

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I am done. Really. Just done.

After the BlackBerry debacle, I ordered a non-smart phone. Because I wanted to have it while the husband was away for a week, I ordered a Nextel phone. Turns out, unlike Sprint phones, Nextel phones require SIM cards. Naturally, the one I ordered did not come with one.

So, I ordered a SIM card. It arrived the day the husband got back. And guess what? It’s not the right SIM card, despite the seller claiming it is. So the phone still doesn’t work.

At this point, I’m not even certain I want a phone.

Mission to Jupiter


06 Aug

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My love of the Astronomy Picture of the Day site means I’m excited about NASA’s new Juno Mission to Jupiter. Even better pictures than Voyager! A camera dedicated to a public feed so that we can all see what they are seeing! Sure, the probe won’t get there for 5 years, but imagine!

There will be 3 Lego figurines aboard Juno. They will depict Galileo, who was the first to discover 4 of Jupiter’s moons, as well as the Roman gods, Jupiter and his wife Juno.

It may not be a shuttle, but NASA is still doing some cool stuff.

Return to the Sea


04 Aug

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Posted in Dental Care, Healthcare, Pets, Science, Technology | Comments Off

Yesterday, a giant sea turtle was returned to the sea, healthy, and apparently happy to be back.

I like this kind of story. Given that endangered species are in general endangered because of humans, it’s nice when we’re also responsible for saving one life.

Granted, the poor thing was probably injured by a boat to begin with, but we don’t know for certain. Surfers brought the turtle to shore and a lot of people worked very hard to save his life. I love that an orthodontist was brought in to put braces on his shell to help close the holes.

I Almost had a New Phone


31 Jul

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A little over a week ago, I dropped my phone in a puddle. Water damage is irreparable. New pone for me. Because I’m not even a year in to my contract, I wasn’t about to pay full price for a new phone. I bought a used on off of eBay- replacement phone for under $30 instead of $300.

Except, Sprint won’t allow me to have a BlackBerry without having a BlackBerry data plan- at $30/month. I didn’t pay that much for the phone, so… No.

So back on eBay. Another $20 for a non-smart phone.

Anyone want a used BlackBerry?

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