Smart light bulbs for use in home

The GreenChip iCFL chipset for CFLs and GreenChip iSSL chipset for LEDs now allows homeowners to turn on and off thier lights through thier Apple iOS or Google Android devices.  GreenWave Reality is working with these chips to provide compatiblity with any PC, smartphone, or TV.  These bulb will also have the capability of self-regulation, based on outdoor lighting conditions and room sensors.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20063928-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

Dropbox against open source?

This article discusses dropbox's dissaproval of dropship, a file-sharing project used through Dropbox

ttp://razorfast.com/2011/04/25/dropbox-attempts-to-kill-open-source-project/


Also an article about the false sense of security Dropbox states for its users.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/Dropbox-Accused-of-Lying-About-Security?

Future of Java

Some of the programmers in colloquium may know more about this subject however, since I started out taking a Java course my first semester at UCM and my honors project will involve programming, I found this article interesting.  It talks about the Ceylon Project that will make Java code easier to learn and read.  This article does come from another blog site, so do take information with caution, but I think Marc does a nice job of outlining points of interest in
the Project.

http://blog.talawah.net/2011/04/gavin-king-unviels-red-hats-top-secret.html

USDI Renewable Energy Projects

Often times, it is difficult for me to focus on the political aspects of conservation so this week I have chosen to incorporate the ongoing governmental work to provide the United States with more energy efficency.  The Department of Land Management is continuing renewable energy projects along the West Coast in 2011.  These projects include solar, wind, and geothermal that are expected to provide 4,200 megawatts of emissions-free electricity to the grid in the next several years. The link provides a list of each project with location and other information.

USDI DLM Projects

Pepsi Going Green Too

Pepsi is using plants and recycling food scraps from their food company to make their newest plastic bottles. The Slashdot article explains a couple of plants Pepsi will be utilizing. One of these plants include switch grass, which from my plant identification class, is actually a rather common grass with its ability to survive in many climates. However, historically was found in North American tallgrass prairies that are now dwelling.With a large company like this going green maybe others will follow.

Slashdot: Pepsi-Moving-To-Bottles-Made-of-Plant-Material
Pepsico Environmental Sustainability site

Huge Yacht Powered by the Sun

Around the World in 80 Days turns energy efficient! The Turanor PlanetSolar is a taking an expedition by sea around the world.  The yacht uses 825 solar panels and a 4 man crew that will travel to promote alternative energies across many continents.  If the sun isn't shining the boat has been equipped with lithium-ion batteries and a computer that controls the the batteries and two 6 feet propellers.  To maximize the use of the sun PlanetSolar will remain within 30 degrees of the equator. Take a look at the link for some awesome pictures.

SolarYacht

Sleep Deprivation

Since we have been speaking a lot about addictions to technology lately I thought this article would tie in well. If you're having trouble sleeping at night part of the problem may deal with the addictions we have to our cell phones or other devices. I have also heard that the light that emits from our cell phones or alarm clocks may also have an effect on whether you feel rested the next morning, although this article did not allude any of that.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9213647/Can_t_sleep_Blame_your_computer_cell_phone


Something else I found is that Android is becoming the most popular smartphone operating system=great things for my honor's project! (If this source is correct...)
http://www.treocentral.com/content/Stories/2884-1.htm

Animal Magnetism

In one article from Wired.com, scientists determine that sea turtles can sense the Earth's magnetism. When turtles travel east and west there is a very small degree of change in the angle of Earth's magnetism.  However, if the turtles where to travel north and south they would experience large differences in the magnitude. These senses would allow sea turtles to find the exact nesting sites to lay their eggs.

Have you ever noticed how cows stand a certain way in the field? Google Earth has now helped researchers determine that cattle and deer may have a sixth sense for detecting Earth's magnetic pole, which would explain why cattle always stand in a north to south direction. Although they do not know what the physiological mechanism is yet, researchers believe the sense evolved for migration purposes.

These findings may also help further research in determination of birds migratory paths as well as other taxa.


http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/02/turtle-navigation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/08/google-earth-re/

Smartphones to Save Beehives

Yes, I do mean the little buzzing insects...This article explains how smartphones may help bee keepers manage beehives.  It sounds pretty hilarious to me, but there may be some truth to it. Of course, it would also be interesting to see the reseach on whether the cell phone waves effect the bees.
http://www.crunchgear.com/2011/02/17/irony-smartphones-can-possibly-save-the-bees/

Also, here is a link to Freshnews- this site gives you the new updates on each of the tech blogs, all on one page. You may find if useful when looking for articles.
http://www.freshnews.org/

Obama Rail Sustainable?

Justmeans wrote this past week about Obama's rail plan. They state it will create jobs, and help environmental conservation efforts. I'm not sure how sustainable it will be. Other sources state that, in other countries, this high speed rail system helped get some people out of thier cars but overall simply pushes more frieghts onto the highways. Check it out for yourself.

justmeans article: http://www.justmeans.com/Obama-s-High-Speed-Rail-Plan-is-a-Key-Step-Forward-in-Sustainable-Development/44371.html

"Ctizen Scientist" iPhone app

The new iPhone app, iNaturalist, corresponds with a website iNaturalist.org dedicated to getting people engaged with nature.  Although the iPhone app is not quite ready for release, it should be available within the next several months.  Those that participate will be able to upload pictures to the site, which is connected to Google maps, Wikipedia, and Flickr.  The great thing about citizens being able to contribute pictures from their backyard is that this will help scientists evaluate climate conditions and species ranges more accurately.  http://blogs.kqed.org/climatewatch/2011/01/29/citizen-science-the-iphone-app/

Sites mentioned in VoiceThread Response:
Neighboorhood Nestwatch Program: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2005.00s01.x/abstract
RSOE Alert Map:  http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index2.php?smp&lang=eng
USGS earthquake mapping- http://earthquake.usgs.gov/monitoring/anss/

A New Age of Tech Kids

As a mom of a soon-to-be tech-engaged son, I found this article to be very relevant and something many of us will come to know very well. This particular article describes how much new technologies, such as the iPhone, are implemented into young children's lives. I feel somewhat disappointed as I read this, particularly because my husband, who is an optical engineer and large Linux guru, and I will undoubtedly be racing for our son's interests. I also worry that by the time many children reach the age of 8 to 12 yrs, when they become most inquisitory, that they will be so immersed in the technology that they'll hardly notice their own environment.

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/01/preschoolers-better-at-navigating-iphone-than-tying-their-shoes.ars

Green Home Fencing

Anyone enjoy ways to become more sustainable in their future home remodeling? I, myself, hope to remodel a home in the future that is as low impact as possible. This S.A.F.E. Fencing System is by EarthSure Renewable Energy Corp. To find out more about the company and their products visit http://earth-sure.com/. I found this fencing system to very cool and something I know I will be looking into more. I'll keep posting other green home technologies that are out.