I have been interested for years with the OLPC $100 laptop. Primarily for the role it will play in reshaping the socio-economics of developing countries, secondly for its technological accomplishments in low power draw. My only remaining question is….why can’t I get one? Well there have been hints that I can buy one for $100 bucks as long as I buy one for someone else in the developing world.
Its not the most powerfull laptop, but the cost and low wattage (4 watts browsing the internet, 1 watt reading a document) make the OLPC a gadget intriging. Especially since you charge it by pulling a string (exersice anyone?).
Month: January 2007
BBC Climate Change Challenge
The BBC has a neat game where you get to be the president of Europe (!) and guide Europe to environmental success.
“A game where you are president of the European Nations. You must tackle climate change and stay popular enough with the voters to remain in office.”
It’s fun to play!
The 59 Smartest Online Organizations
Squidoo has a list of not 60 but 59 of the “smartest orgs online,” and they are all winners! The list is English and North American-centric, which means that there are probably 59 smart organizations in tons of other languages that need to be listed.
This list really is great, I found some new sites that I didn’t know about and thought of others that can be on there.
VENTURI ECLECTIC Vehicle Powers Itself
This car is entirely powered by renewable energy. The Eclectic uses solar power, wind power, and regenerative energy from braking. It is “the first autonomous vehicle in the history of the automobile.” Awesome!
Inhabitant has some pics and a short article:
“Eclectic produces energy from sources that already surround us, combining 2.5 square meters of photovoltaic cells, one or more wind turbines, and NiMH (NIV-7) batteries. Intended for driving in urban areas, it offers a range up to 50 km at a speed of 50 km/h (electronically restricted), while continually producing and storing energy, even when not in us”
The Mystery of the Northern Lights
Next month, in a joint Canadian / American project, five satellites will be launched to help figure out the mystery behind aurora borealis, or the Northern Lights. This project, called THEMIS, includes recording interaction between charged particles expelled by the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field.Â
When these particles interact with the magnetic field, they sometimes release energy near the polar regions, resulting in aurora substorms. The electron release interacts with molecules in the atmosphere and appears as the northern lights.
The scientists involved are from Canada and the United States, including NASA. In addition to the satellites, twenty observatories will take digital images and monitor magnetic signatures from substorms. Most of the observatories will be located in northern Canada, including Whitehorse, Inuvik, and Gillam, Man.