ASUS Kitchen PC a Step in the Right Direction

Now that our family is one of many using an online calendar, it's inevitable that a kitchen PC becomes what the family needs in the wired world. Online recipes, video tutorials, online shopping, and likely first of all, the calendar will all be accessed through this portal.

ASUS, after breaking ground with the EEPC netbook, is starting down the path with the first designated kitchen all-in-one PC.

Unfortunately, this isn't there yet, but it's certainly a step in the right direction for the wired family. Too pricey, no battery, but the touchscreen is the key.

Watch this to become a growing sector in computer sales, as netbooks have already shown.

WIRED has a review here.

"Everything's Amazing, Nobody's Happy"

Although this isn't the sort of things I typically post about, I do deal with teenagers and young adults on a daily basis, so this struck a cord with me.

Louis CK's appearance on the Conan O'Brien show. Enjoy.

Google Integration Improvements

Google continues to integrate their products in ways that make the sites, and a Google account, indispensable.

Google Labs has opened up more integration between Gmail and Google Docs, making Gmail more of a hub for all your online items.

Wired has some good tips on better integration of the tools if you are using them. Read it all here.

Change the Way You Type

For anyone who learned touch typing, the QWERTY keyboard has been a source of frustration you likely questioned then, but haven't now. In the fight against the status-quo, and in the guise of learning an easier system, the 'Fast Finger Keyboard' may be the trick.

Keys are aligned in an ABC format, making it easier for the newbie to know and locate the keys, perfect for the 'hunt and peck' among us.

Thankfully, with the flick of a switch, it becomes a QWERTY keyboard, though the keys would not have the correct letter on it.

Thinking outside the box? $27.95 soon at Amazon.

Found via Cnet.

Why Air Traffic Controllers Snap

Year and year, "air traffic controller" is always listed as the most stressful job. Want to know why?

This collection of videos show air traffic over a 24 hour period. It is awe-inspiring. Take a few minutes to read and watch the various videos, and take a moment to think about the number of people in the air at some of the peak moments, and how few hands their lives are in. It is amazing, and quite an intricate system that is in place.

Videos on Wired.

Student Sues Principal in Cyberbullying Case

Interesting development in the aspect of Cyber-bullying and the Free Speech rights we share.

Student Who Created Facebook Group Critical of Teacher Sues High School Over Suspension.

Power Point Gone Wrong

As someone who both attends and presents a fair number of presentations, I have a typical love/hate relationship with Power Point.

Few have summarized this relationship better Mr. Don McMillan.

Kill a few minutes and learn about presentation skills.

Google Adds Video Chat - Challenges Skype

In a previous post about Google adding SMS, the idea of Google as your total communication portal was further enforced. Now, Google Chat has added video, and is looking more and more like a solid Skype option.

Google Chat now offers voice and video to its chat function, giving it a further step towards total communication domination. Although Google Chat isn't overly popular as of yet, this is a significant step towards gaining market share. Once the SMS is enabled, Google could be the one portal for the vast majority of communication - e-mail, chat, video chat, audio chat, and SMS.

Webmonkey has a review and some video here. Cnet's Webware has another.

While it requires a download on both ends, the single interface is a nice option for a lot of people, and adding Skype-type of functionality may be a turning point in the chat tool's popularity.

Mind Meld - Computer Controlled by Brain Wave

"60 Minutes" presented a fascinating story about a computer controlled only by a brain, with no interface other than thought. The advancements here are astounding, and largely unknown.

While this is sure to create some paranoia about 'mind control', as the episode itself mentioned, it's important to note that the signals sent are only those intentionally sent. The demonstration of a first time user was particularly fascinating.

The full context of the show is presented here. Video follows.



The potential of this is astounding, life-changing, and exceptional. It fascinates the science that is being done around the world.

Netbooks Below Cost - With a Catch!

As previously suspected, there are rumblings that netbooks are going to be offered soon at less than cost under a program similar to how cell phones are subsidized.

Slashdot posted today how HP and AT&T may be talking about offering a netbook for less than cost with a two-year wireless contract. This model follows the cell phone model, though first shown via the Gillette company with razor blades (offering the razor at below cost, but making strong profit off the disposable blades).

As the wireless world becomes more and more stable and fast, the use of netbooks by the mass public will become more and more ubiquitous.