While not the first, Amazon’s release of the Kindle in 2007 revolutionized the way many enjoy books these days. Since that time, other manufacturers including Barnes and Noble have released “electronic paper” or “e-ink” readers. Not to be confused with other ‘tablet computers’ which typically feature a colored, backlit, LCD display, e-readers mimic the look of traditional text on page in black and white. This technology is said to be more comfortable for long term reading, allows for reading outdoors and in direct sunlight, and is also much more energy efficient. This increased energy efficiency allows for hours of e-book reading and infrequent e-book charging. There are many other benefits to e-readers also: starting a new book can be done from almost anywhere and virtually instantly (requires WiFi or optional 3G, however these features are not required when reading). E-readers are more portable and take up less space, they are also more environmentally friendly.

When it comes to e-readers, it is typically a two horse race: Amazon’s Kindle and the Nook by Barnes and Noble. I will say that after extensively reviewing both, each is a great product.  I ultimately decided on the Nook Touch for mostly aesthetic reasons. The Nook features an all-black matte design that is comfortable and light in the hand. It is hefty enough feel like you are holding something, but small enough to be portable in any bag, purse, or beach bag.

From an ease of use standpoint, functionality could not be easier. Featuring a very simple menu, I found myself reading my first book in a matter of minutes. The integrated Barnes and Noble shop features an expansive catalog and each of the books I was seeking were available. Reading and navigating the books is straightforward also, “flipping” through the pages is as easy as pressing either the left or right part of the screen, or using cleverly disguised buttons on the side bezel.

Overall I am quite happy with the purchase. I have found myself reading more, and enjoying the Nook everywhere from an airport terminal to the beach. I have found with my use it needs a charge once every week and a half or so, which is fantastic. If you are an avid reader, or are looking for a way to read more, I strongly urge you to consider an e-reader. At around $100 (plus book purchases) they are fairly affordable and are available both in stores and online.

President Obama using a SCIF tent from a hotel room in Brazil.

Ever wish you had more privacy to make a personal phone call on the run? We’ve all been there.

Imagine what kind of privacy would be needed if you were talking to foreign dignitaries or military personnel about top secret military operations, like the recent one in Pakistan? For moments like that, President Obama, like presidents before him, relies on a special enclosure called a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities) tent. Made from a top secret material, this otherwise humble looking fabric prevents electronic transmissions from entering or exiting the area, and can be erected anywhere the president and his advisors need it.

The tent is surrounded by a ring of electronic waves, designed to scramble communications inside the tent from being heard outside by a listening device or an eavesdropper. All communication is secure, encrypted, and relayed from fiber optics in the tent to secure satellites. Though the specifications are classified, SCIFs are mandated to be totally soundproof and possess an “Intrusion Detection System” to detect break-ins.

The president’s SCIF is guarded at all times, and can require a combination of pin numbers, access badges, and biometric data to gain entry. For more information, click here. [BBC via Gizmodo]

The technology behind the system is actually quite complex. Due to varying heights and batting stances of players, the strike zone is not the same for every batter. As a player places his front foot down in the batter’s box to take his stance, a KZone technician ‘sets’ the strike zone based on his position in the box and his height. Special ‘sensor’ cameras are mounted in center field, high above home plate, and down the first and third base lines. These cameras, which are not used for video broadcasting purposes, track the pitch as it crosses over the plate. The data from the cameras is sent to four computers running a sophisticated algorithm which compares the pre-set strike zone and the location of each pitch. This data is then used to generate the three dimensional image which we see on television. Sportsvision claims that the system is accurate to within 2/5ths of an inch.

Currently the system is used only for entertainment purposes. Both baseball officials and purists agree that computers will not replace the human umpires anytime soon. As professional sports integrate technology into officiating more and more, one can only wonder if it is simply a matter of time before fans at home will be yelling at KZone and not the man in blue.

The trash compactors are solar powered and no additional wiring or electrical connections are required, allowing for a quick and easy installation. Direct sunlight is not required to charge the small battery in the unit which stores power for use in inclement weather and at night. An optical sensor inside the cans initiates the compaction process. When almost full, an indicator light turns yellow and a wireless alert, similar to a text message, notifies a central server computer that pickup is required. When the can is full, a red indicator light is illuminated. An ‘inner bin’ is capable of holding trash during the compaction process and after the unit is full to prevent litter.

The units are capable of storing up to 200 gallons of trash, opposed to the 55 gallon limit of the old wire baskets. This increased efficiency will reduce trash collections from 17 times per week to 5, saving fuel costs and emissions from collection vehicles.

1. Business Class Features

• Auto Attendants and Customizable Call Routing
• Customizable hold music and commercial announcements
• Voicemail to email/text message alerts
• Web based control panel to make phone system changes
• “Find Me” call routing – inbound calls can be configured to try multiple locations and devices to locate a specific end user
• Conference Bridges – multiple on-site and outside callers can simultaneously participate in password protected conference calls

2. Flexibility
VoIP allows companies to seamlessly integrate remote offices and employees who are often on the go. As long as a high speed Internet connection is available, a user can simply plug their phone in to make and receive calls as if they were in the office.

3. Scalability
Adding new lines and extensions to your VoIP based system is far simpler than with traditional phone systems. There’s no need to purchase and install expensive new equipment in your phone closet; in most cases it is as simple as buying another phone.

4. Ease of Installation and Maintenance
Unlike legacy phone systems, VoIP does not require the installation and ongoing maintenance of expensive equipment in your office phone closet. VoIP systems can utilize the network infrastructure already in place in an office setting, requiring only the purchase of new phones.  In some cases, your existing phone system can be connected to a VoIP network using a process known as SIP Trunking, allowing you to enjoy the cost savings and features associated with VoIP without replacing your existing equipment.

5. Cost Effective
Many VoIP plans include unlimited domestic calling and very competitive international calling rates. As mentioned, VoIP uses less physical hardware than traditional analog systems and require less replacement and repair.

Visit www.OrbisVoice.com to view the complete list of features that an Orbis Voice VoIP phone system can offer.

The upgrade is part of a $342 million energy initiative from Peco meant to promote new low-energy programs. Peco estimates the new display will be 40% more energy efficient than its predecessor which was comprised of 2,600 individual screw-in light bulbs. Since its original installation in 1976 over 17,500 messages have been displayed on the building, a tradition that will now continue well into the 21st century.

1. Anti-Virus Program

2. Firewall
Odds are you are protected by a hardware firewall in your router at work or at home, but if you ever use your laptop in a coffee shop or an airport, it is imperative to have software protection as well. Firewalls control the communication in and out of your computer, allowing only traffic specified by you and thus protecting against unwanted attacks.

3. Malware removal
Try as we may to guard against it, infectious programs and files occasionally find a way on to our machines. There are a number of free tools available on the internet that aid in removing this malicious content. Like anti-virus software, it is good to be in the habit of keeping these programs up to date and running them on occasion. Two of the products that we recommend using are listed below, and you can download them both for free.

4. Windows/Operating System Updates
Microsoft is constantly releasing Security Fixes for its operating system, as well as other updates designed to improve performance. Be sure that you have Automatic Updates configured on your machine and that you install them when needed. Again, this is something that can be easily done automatically when you are typically away from your machine.

5. Passwords
As we migrate more of our everyday lives onto our computers, almost everything is password protected. It is important to remember a few password do’s and don’ts.

Douglas Engelbart along with a team of researchers from Stanford University introduced the world to “the mouse” at a computer conference in San Francisco.

The prototype was in fact made of wood and had only one button on top (pictured here). Read more about the presentation and see photos of mice through the ages by clicking here.