Help make OS/2 Open Source

OS/2 fans are circulating a web petition asking IBM to make OS/2 open source. I remember using OS/2 from 1992 - 1996, back when it was only "true multitasking os running dos". Back in the old days, Windows would run dos programs in protected mode, rather than a separate 32-bit memory space. OS/2 was more reliable and more stable than Windows. Unfortunately, there were never a significant number of apps writtern for OS/2 and the operating system slowly faded away. Of course, as we now know, Microsoft used its *Monopoly* power to make sure new PC always shipped with windows.

iTunes may add music videos

Apple, reportedly, in talks with labels to license music videos for its iTunes music store. This has led to speculation that Apple will develop a iPod for playing videos, since other manufacturers now lead the way with portable video players. Back in May, Steve Jobs strongly denied he has any plans to add such a product. He cited the small screen size and battery life as the main reasons.

Filed under: iPod, iTunes

Fujistu develops bendable color display (ePaper)

This has been predicted for quite some time, but its still pretty amazing. EPaper is a display technology that retains an image without power making it more like paper than a CRT or an LCD. The Sony Librie is a device that uses ePaper to create an EBook that runs for months on a few AAs. The Sony Librie was BW but Fujistu has released a color ePaper that is also bendable. Pictures from Akhibara News shows it being used as a poster or as a sign. Imagine when they are so cheap that people can print labels with ePaper and have it change along with contents. Or how about boxes made out of ePaper, now thats interesting packaging.

Google Maps Recommendations

(updated 22/01/2006)

Some new map hacks:

Hot-or-not maps: geo-dating!
Area 51: satelite images + overlays
SR-71 spotting: quite amusing --- the SR71 blackbird captured in satelite images

Check out beenmapped.com, it lets users bookmark cool places. There have been other sites that have found great Google Satelite images but this site includes a good interface and a top 10 list. I particularly like the map of the Forbidden City in Beijing. Apparently from 50 miles up, it looks kinda like the design of a computer chip. Someone should also bookmark satelite images of the Great Wall and other wonders.

Other Google map hacks that I like

Calculate walking distance
Wifi Map
Rental listings on Craigslist

You can also find other map hacks, here, here, and here.

Filed under: Google, Maps

Patent Initiative Rejected

In a suprise move, European parliament strikes down directive on Software Patents. The directive would have introducted US style software patents to Europe. To learn more about the issue, check out No Software Patents.org.

The End of Innovation

I thought the world was past apocalytic predictions like the End of History is coming, but a new study by a physicist at the Pentagon predicts the end of innovation. The study is based on counting the number of great innovations per billion people. So, the GIPB has gone from a peak of 20, reached in 1800, to a measly 7. If the trend continues, we will back to a medieval pace by 2024. The article from New Scientists also includes a number of objections form prominent scientists, centered around the criteria of a great innovation. Hueber uses a book called the history of science and technology as his reference. I guess we will find if he is right or not, because 2024 is less than 20 years away. For my part, I always wondered why subjects like Physics and Chemistry have seemed to stagnate in modern times.

Filed under: innovation, technology, prediction

Man vs. Machine Round 2

British Grandmaster is soundly defeated by Hydra, a next generation chess machine, which was using only 32 out of its 64 clusters. Hydra won 5 games and the 6th was a draw.

Open Source Webpage Editor released

Version 1 of Nvu released. It is oss and based on Mozilla Composer.