(About 890 words)
Tech News by Sue Crane, Vice President / Editor, Big Bear Computer Club, CA.
U.S. dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster says "blog" topped the list of most looked-up terms on its Web site during the last 12 months. The word will now appear in the 2005 print version of Merriam-Webster's dictionary, defined as "a Web site that contains an online personal journal with reflections, comments and often hyperlinks." However, Oxford University Press says "blog" is already included in some print versions of its Oxford English Dictionary and has entered mainstream usage. According to an Oxford U. Press spokesman. "Now we're getting words that derive from it such as 'blogosphere' and so on." According to the Pew Internet & American Life project, a blog is created every 5.8 seconds, and blog analysis firm Technorati estimates that the number of blogs in existence now exceeds 4.8 million.
CDW, a national technology solutions provider recently announced that its Tech Twister technology makeover contest. The company's teaming up with IBM, Intel and Linksys to offer small businesses a chance to win a complete technology makeover. Tech Twister is open to any small business with five to 100 employees. Go to CDW's Web site and fill out the online application to enter the contest http://www.cdw.com/Webcontent/land/page/techtwister_110804.asp . All entries must be completed and received by 5pm PST on February 15, 2005. The winners will be chosen during the months of December 2004, January 2005 and February 2005.
In a sign that wearable technology is gaining greater acceptance, the Gap on Thursday introduced a fleece jacket with a built-in radio for kids. The Hoodio has a control keypad located on the sleeve and a hood that conceals the speakers. Xybernaut sells a wearable, 1.9-pound computer with an 8.4-inch touch screen. And MP3 players are now in sunglasses. Oakley's Thump line is available in seven combinations of lenses and colors. The shades have earphones and lenses that flip up and down. Meanwhile, NanoHorizons has developed socks containing silver and gold nanoparticles, which kill foot odor and bacteria.
NanoDynamics has come up with a golf ball that can correct its own flight path so it flies straighter than conventional balls. The design of the ball--and the materials it's made of--serve to better channel the energy received from the club head and thus correct a wobble or slight drift. The company believes the ball complies with the rules of the United States Golf Association. It will provide samples for testing and USGA approval in January or February. Earlier this year, Easton Sports announced it was developing a set of bike components made from carbon nanotubes that would be stronger and lighter than conventional parts. And 0ther companies have developed nano tennis balls that don't lose air and golf shafts constructed with nanomaterials.
During the string of hurricanes that hit the U.S. last summer, satellite phones were often the only reliable means of communication, because they use orbiting satellites rather than landlines and cell towers to transmit signals.. "They cover such a broad area, I can use it anywhere," says one Iridium customer. "The call may get unclear, but if you wait about five or six seconds, it gets better. A cell phone would just drop the call."
Microsoft's new small business software gives you financial info at a glance. Looking to offer small businesses an integrated approach to accounting, contact management and general productivity, Microsoft announced that a beta version of its newly announced small business management product is now available for testing
Kawada Industries in Japan, has been putting the final touches on a large biped Robot that can do what no humanoid its size has done before: lie down, get up, and help a human carry light loads, like suitcases and briefcases.
Passwords will soon be a thing of the past according to Microsoft Chairman, Bill Gates. Gates predicted that people will soon rely on other ways of verifying their identity. "A major problem for identity systems is the weakness of passwords," Gates said. "Moving to biometric and smart cards is a wave that is coming, and we see our leading customers doing this."
Japanese electronics giant TDK has developed a tough new coating named Blu-ray that makes DVDs scratch-proof. In a test conducted by CNET News.com, a DVD treated with TDK's coating survived a determined attack with a screwdriver and a Sharpie permanent marker with no effect on playability.
Researchers at the Toho University School of Medicine in Tokyo have found that long hours spent in front of a computer screen may increase the risk of glaucoma in near-sighted people.. The research is based on a study of 10,000 workers in Japan, with results correlated to data on how many hours were spent on the computer and pre-existing visual problems, such as myopia. Scientists said they believe the optic nerve in myopic people might be more vulnerable to computer-caused stress.
Watch for hefty increases in annual subscription rates for antivirus software as major Security companies encourage subscribers to upgrade to full Internet Security Suites which include firewall, anti-spam and anti-spyware as well as antivirus.
There is no restriction against any non-profit group using this article as long as it is kept in context with proper credit given the author. The Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an international organization of which this group is a member, brings this article to you.