Archive for April, 2009

Spray-on computer design

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Some people use spray-on hair.  Likely they are worried that their authentic hair is inadequate.  However, the look achieved tends to confirm and reinforce the shortcomings of the underlying thatch.

I was reminded of this by the new fashionable laptops from Dell.  Here is one of 110 options (the match to the shirt above is pure [...]

It’s not easy being green

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

Kermit was prescient.

If you want to be a green brand, it’s hard.  The first brands to claim greenness were distinctive outliers.  But they didn’t have many customers with aligned motivations.  Years hence, we are rapidly drawing toward a point where being green is an ante, minimum table stakes.  Consumers are increasingly conscious of environmental responsibility, [...]

Netbooks could change everything

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

When Intel introduced the Atom processor, which ushered in the netbook, they seemed very conflicted about it.  They wanted to sell some, but not at the expense of the mainstream Centrino business.  It turns out they had good reason for caution, because now everything could change.
Previously, any computer with less than a nine inch screen [...]

I like the new Windows campaign

Monday, April 13th, 2009

Having participated in the PC business as a manufacturer for 12 years, I’ve had a varying relationship with Microsoft.  The manufacturers chafe at their much lower value (profit) capture in the PC equation, but rely on Microsoft to catalyze demand, and do all other manner of enablement in a $250 billion market.  So, PC makers [...]

Can kites become an energy source?

Friday, April 3rd, 2009

Friday I attended a field test of a "Kite Engine.”  It was conducted in an actual field, owned by Chapel Hill’s favorite dairy farm and ice cream shop, Maple View Farm. I recommend this place as a must when you visit Chapel Hill (another must).
WindLift is a budding wind power company with a difference.  Instead [...]