davetribbett's blog

FINANCIAL REFORM

The Continued Comedy of Reform

When it comes to the country's financial system I think it is clear that our lawmakers let us down over the last decade or so. It is easy to point out things that every president and administration has done wrong in the last 30 years but it is impossible to pin this on a single party because both have played a substantial role in the collapse. To see this you don't need to look any further then the two idiot, thieving, lying, cheating, stealing, scumbags that are in control, the retard from Alabama Richard Shelby and the out and out liar from Connecticut Christopher Dodd. Both are criminals, period.

TAGGING THE WORLD

One Thing at a Time

The world is being tagged for the Internet to see. This is a trend that started some years back in Japan when they started to use QR codes (Quick Response) to tag everything from advertisements to t-shirts. The vast majority of Internet enabled, camera based cell phones have the ability to read these codes, in fact the Nokia handsets are intrinsically capable of reading the codes while all other phones have downloads available that can be used, many are free.

TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

MIT Identifies 10 World Changing Technologies

In the recent publication of MIT's Technology Review a list of 10 technologies were described as having the potential to change the world. I subscribe to this magazine and was excited when I read the article abstract on the site thinking it would lay out the likely suspects of nanotechnology and genetics but it turned out to be much more specific than that. When I quickly glanced through the list I was surprised by the inclusion of cement as a top ten technology, maybe for Rome I thought. Obviously, there is a little more to it than that. This story will be released in the May/June issue.

The list did have some surprises that I wouldn't have thought about, below is a quick summary of the 10 items listed in the article. Each entry has a short video or abstract associated with it, click on the associated image to open the link. I've also included any relevant links that can supply a more descriptive explanation about the technologies described here. Also, here is the primer video for the article from the editor and publisher of Technology Review, Jason Pontin.

Augmented Reality

House Windows

This is the one of the coolest implementations of tracking technology and video orientation I've ever seen. The project was named Winscape and represents two high definition video monitors configured to look like actual windows in a home, these monitors represent a dynamic scene and change perspective based on a tracking tag that would is worn. The picture on the left shows the actual configuration, between the windows on the bookshelf is the tracking device used to decipher viewer orientation.

The company that built this is Rational Craft and planning to release a hardware/software kit for somewhere between $2,500 and $3,000. I have no idea what that includes because the setup is controlled via an iPhone app and the sensor tag is a Wii remote. I guess the price includes the TVs and the sensing itself, not sure.

Shop Tour 2010:

Part II

This is a continuation of the wood shop tour, if you haven't see it here is the link to part I. The last article left about halfway through the storage areas of the shop so this post will pick up there.

There is only one cabinet left to describe and that's the most recent addition to the shop, but still isn't entirely complete. I made this cabinet to store hand tools like screwdrivers, chisels in the main part and then smaller items in the door. The components for the cabinet door are cut and ready to be glued and screwed, the door will expose about 2½" of depth which is enough to store the smaller items.

The cabinet is made from cherry for the frame and birch plywood for the carcass and panel.The dimensions are 28" wide by 7" deep and 32" high which allows for a fair amount of storage. The pliers will likely be moved to a different cabinet and configuration at some point because this really wasn't made for them - thanks God there is always something else to build.

SHOP TOUR: 2010

I figured after almost twelve years it might be time to do another shop tour, the original was posted  on the Badger Pond woodworking forum back in 1998. The Badger Pond site has since been assimilated but the shop tour is still alive here.The larger images that go along with that tour are located here in the original shop tour gallery. Some things have remained the same but several things have changed including the size of the shop, in 2004 my son and I moved the front wall about 3 feet out. This move added about 30 sqft of floor space and 300 hundred cuft of volume which I use.

Over the past few weeks I've been getting the shop back into shape and ready for use, after today's efforts I think it is ready to be photographed and posted. Each of the small pictures when clicked on will display the larger size image. The pictures were shot with both a wide angle lens and a straight 35mm lens using a Sony Alpha-100 digital camera. As you can see from the pictures I take advanatge of all the space I have so do click the pictures to see the details. Check out the storage areas between the stud cavities, in the rafters or hanging from the ceiling.

PHILLIES WIN

Cole struggled a bit but managed his way through 5 and two thirds before being replaced by Chad Durbin. A good sign was Cole coming back from a bad inning and shutting them down for 2 and two thirds. Chase hit a two run shot that scored the winning run but Polanco continues to contribute, batting .500 right now. Baez and Contreras both came in and got the job done while Madson closed it out. The bullpen looks way better than anyone expected, especially this early in the season. The game details are below:

Everything Connected:

IBMs Video Explanation of the Internet of Things

This is an excellent video put together by IBM as part of their SmarterPlanet initiative, as is usually the case from IBM the video is very well done and gives a good  perspective on the future of connected things. Obviously they have a big stake in the game, not only do they design and manufacture RFID chips but they are also heavily involved with most of the other components used including software.

The idea of establishing a central nervous system for the planet is a by product of building an Internet of things, especially when the concept is extended using contributions from nanotechnology and even the new digital brand of biology. IBM stays relatively conservative in the video trying to represent the simplest concepts that make up IoT, but they do an outstanding job with them. I originally found this on ReadWriteWeb where it was referred to as: "...artistic, succinct, optimistic and inspiring video explaining what could well become a big factor in how the future unfolds.", I agree.

PHILLIES WIN

Another win for Halladay as he masterfully pitched his way through all nine innings to a 2-1 victory. He is awesome, all that can be said. His after game interview was great, just a really good guy with a hard driving competitive spirit - Phillies are lucky to have him and he's lucky to be on the Phillies! It was a pitchers game but Jimmy Rollins hit the second pitch of the game out of the park. A great team wins these kinds of games.

Next Philadelphia Game: April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET vs. Washington Nationals

Upcoming Philadelphia Home Games:
vs. Washington Nationals, April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 14, 2010 07:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 15, 2010 03:05 PM ET

Past and Future

Technology

Two videos are included here, the first represents the last hundred years of technology and the second shows the next 100 years. I love these types of videos, always eye opening with lots of surprises. Both videos reflect major advances in electronics and communications with the future 100 years representing advances in nanotechology and genetics. As Kurzweil describes the future and the singularity in the second video, it is clear that he believes humans will ultimately merge with technology and form cyborgs. Ray doesn't actually come out and say cyborgs but that is what he's talking about.

Last 100 Years of Technology

As I was digging through a number of sites I came across this video from PredictionTV. It goes backwards through 100 years of technology predicitions, well done with no voice over just video and music. As I watched this video I realized how silly the questions were during the infancy of various technological advancements, at least in hindsight.

PHILLIES WIN

And another great game and the Phillies pull it out. Jamie pitched great except for the third inning where he gave up 5 runs starting with a double to the pitcher with 2 outs! It was a disastrous inning but it wasn't all Jamie's fault, Polly had a foo-pa on third that could have ended the inning. Jamie proved he is a veteran though, he gave up only two more hits and no more runs through the next three innings. If Cole could learn how to do this he would be a much, much better pitcher. Jamie is amazing.

Polly had another great game, he is quickly becoming a favorite player of mine. The guy is amazing at the plate, right he is batting .542 and I think he has 8 RBIs already. Clearly, this guy is a clutch player and will help win lots of games. It is also clear he fits in well, he and Ryan appear to be good friends. Polanco is still working his way into the third base position but he has already made some incredible plays, at least to equal to that of Pedro. Speaking of Pedro, he is on the Astro's and they had him playing 1st base! He played it really well too. I like Pedro so I hope he does well there.

PHILLIES WIN

The Phillies looked great once again tonight. Happ gave 'em 5 good innings with the BP coming in and doing an excellent job as well.  Raul broke out tonight hitting two doubles with a few RBIs, that was good to see. Everyone got a hit tonight but Shane, he went 0-5 but made solid contact all night - he'll get his before this series is over. The Phils just exploded with 16 hits and now averaging 8 runs per game thru the first four. So far so good, in fact better than good. The pitching, especially the BP looks better than anticipated, especially this early in the year. Tomorrow the old man goes to work, I hope can watch some of it.

Next Philadelphia Game: April 10, 2010 06:05 PM CT vs. Houston Astros

Upcoming Philadelphia Home Games:
vs. Washington Nationals, April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 14, 2010 07:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 15, 2010 03:05 PM ET

Transcription Factors 

Impact Individualism

A recent study done by researchers at Stanford University indicates a clear connection between how individual genes are expressed and the noncoding region of the genome, what used to be called Junk DNA. This isn't a big surprise considering that just 23,000 genes could not possibly represent all the complexity and variation in a human being, but this was the accepted thinking up until recently. This research goes a long way in confirming what many already suspected, the noncoding area of our genome represents a critical and controlling aspect of our development in the way it impacts expression.

PHILLIES LOSE

Next Philadelphia Game: April 9, 2010 07:05 PM CT vs. Houston Astros

Upcoming Philadelphia Home Games:
vs. Washington Nationals, April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 14, 2010 07:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 15, 2010 03:05 PM ET

The Phillies tried as they kept coming back from deficits the entire game. Kyle struggled through 4 innings before getting pulled, it was 5-3 Nationals. Early in the game they did great moving guys around the bases and getting runs but as the game prgressed they left too many guys on. A mistake by the third base coach probably costs the Phils a run, but they left quite a few on base after that. Werth seemed to break out a bit, with 3 doubles. They were in postion to at least tie the game in the 9th but once again Vistorino left two stranded trying to do too much. They move on to Houston for 3 before coming to Philly for the home opener on Monday.

PHILLIES WIN

Next Philadelphia Game: April 8, 2010 04:35 PM ET vs. Washington Nationals

Upcoming Philadelphia Home Games:
vs. Washington Nationals, April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 14, 2010 07:05 PM ET
vs. Washington Nationals, April 15, 2010 03:05 PM ET

The game wasn't televised but Cole got the win and Madson got the save. Ryan had another homer, a two run in the 5th.

PATIENT HEALTH RECORD

The Realities

I've been wanting to write something about this topic for a few years now, having been intimately involved in healthcare for some 18 years I feel like I have a good perspective. In this post the intention is clear, layout the realities of a national patient health record. Specifically, the content includes the following:

PHILLIES WIN

Next Philadelphia Game: April 7, 2010 07:05 PM ET vs. Washington Nationals

Upcoming Philadelphia Home Games:
vs. Washington Nationals, April 12, 2010 03:05 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Washington Nationals, April 14, 2010 07:05 PM ET Purchase Tickets
vs. Washington Nationals, April 15, 2010 03:05 PM ET Purchase Tickets

WP: Halladay (He was awesome, 9 SOs, 1 run)

The Phillies looked like what they are, the national league champs. Just an awesome performance, Placido with the Salami (Grand Slam) and Howard with a 2 run Homer. Everybody contributed today, even the BP held them off for the two final innings. A great start to the season. Feels good to have them back on!

As a side note, the Eagles traded Donavon, about time if you ask me.

IMAGES of the CLOUD

ENTERPRISE 2.0

Over the past several months I've accumulated some great images and graphics that try to describe the different conditions of the web. The primary focus of these images spans everything from the enterprise to government and healthcare, they include detail diagrams as well as  summaries, in all cases they are aesthetically pleasing. This post focuses exclusively on the Enterprise with followups planned for other areas of Internet consumption.

Most of these are from Dion Hinchcliffe over at ZDnet, I told him what I was planning to do and he was fine as long as I acknowledge it as his work. There are diagrams from other authors as well, many are bloggers but some are from the big corporations like MrSofty and Google.

The images contained here have been used and resued all over the internet in blogs, slideshows and videos. To the extent I could, each image or graphic will link back to the original post where it was presented. In most cases the images are straight forward and easy to understand, typically the content is high-level and doesn't require too much thinking.

The diagram on the right is a simple graphic that ties together the various players in the cloud, each color represents a different group:

Internet of Things:


Augmented Reality

The Internet of Things has growing momentum, both in terms of the underlying technology as well as the adoption by corporations, universities and across many industries. One of the primary applications of IoT is its use in augmented reality systems as can be seen in several examples included in this post. While AR is not the only application of IoT, it is an area where progress can be seen and measured directly. This is primarily because there are so many entities creating deliverable and consumable implementations. These bleeding edge AR-IoT models are starting to create momentum on mobile platforms like the iPhone and Android which have themselves contributed to the recent interest and growth of IoT.

MICROSOFT:

Vision of the Future

The following video link represents a video that was released some time ago by MrSofty. The video centers around the future and how it will be dominated by touch screens and augmented reality. It clearly has a big push for their surface computing initiative but also includes many of the benefits of the Internet of things. The original video at this link is very well done by MrSofty and actually paints a reasonable picture of the future, many of the technologies shown are already in production or in prototype stage. The video attached is the parody from Sarcastic Gamer, absolutely hilarious! I dug this up while researching augmented realtiy, which is the next article in the Internet of Things series. Enjoy the video.