The Real Sword is Mightier than the Virtual Sword!

From News.com: Online gamer stabbed over cyber-sword

BEIJING--A Shanghai online game player stabbed to death a competitor who sold his cybersword, the China Daily said Wednesday, highlighting a dilemma in China where no law exists for the ownership of virtual weapons. Qiu Chengwei, 41, stabbed competitor Zhu Caoyuan repeatedly in the chest after he was told Zhu had sold his "dragon saber," used in the popular online game "Legend of Mir 3," the newspaper said a Shanghai court was told Tuesday. "Legend of Mir 3" features heroes and villains, sorcerers and warriors, many of whom wield enormous swords. Qiu and a friend jointly won their weapon last February, and lent it to Zhu who then sold it for 7,200 yuan (US$870), the newspaper said. Qui went to the police to report the "theft" but was told the weapon was not real property protected by law. "Zhu promised to hand over the cash but an angry Qui lost patience and attacked Zhu at his home, stabbing him in the left chest with great force and killing him," the court was told. The newspaper did not specify the charge against Qiu but said he had given himself up to police and already pleaded guilty to "intentional injury." No verdict has been announced. More and more online gamers were seeking justice through the courts over stolen weapons and credits, the newspaper said. "The armor and swords in games should be deemed as private property as players have to spend money and time for them," Wang Zongyu, an associate law professor at Beijing's Renmin University of China, was quoted as saying. But other experts are calling for caution. "The 'assets' of one player could mean nothing to others as they are by nature just data created by game providers," a lawyer for a Shanghai-based Internet game company was quoted as saying.

Catch the Last Wave

I was riding the subway to work one morning, watching everyone make their way to their respective jobs. Janitors, maids, McDonald's employees, the occasional lawyer, and of course, techies like myself. Now, I make a good living as a database consultant. I used to make a lot more money during the dot-com boom, so its no surprise that I have some cutting edge electronics. I have had a PDA/cell phone combination device for several years, I just bought an IPod, and I've got some stuff at home regular people won't see for another ten years.

People with regular incomes have some nice technology too. Almost everyone on the train had a tiny cell phone. Some had portable CD players. Some had wired headsets. But there was one big difference. They were all utilizing established technology! I live on the cutting edge where nothing ever worked right. They live with established technology where everything works the first time and intimate knowledge of the technology is not required. How different their perception of technology must be.

I wonder what my interest in technology would have been growing up in the 80's if all I had to pique my interests was a cash register or Ma Bell phone? Instead I was thrown in with the hobbyist PC computing crowd back when we dreamed of having two floppy drives instead of one. There were inadequacies, things to be improved, contributions to be made. If all you could get was the uber-mousetrap, would you ever be inclined to make a better one?

Intel's Dual Bore. Yawn....

I've been reading all the press about Intel and AMD's upcoming dual-core processors that will incorporate most of the parts of two processors into one processor. The idea is a lot like condo-living. If you share common walls, groundskeeping, and outside maintenance with your neighbors, you should be able to save money vs. a stand-alone house. WIth dual-core processors, you share parts that would have normally made buying a real two processsor system expensive. What the processors will share is still kind of up in the air. Some chips will share almost nothing while other, more affordable chips, will share much more.

Having said all that, I have two points to discuss. First, community living can really suck! If you've ever been kept up all night while your upstairs neighbor blared "Rock the Kazbah" then you know what I mean! Intel and AMD might have to make serious performance compromises to fit two processsors into the form factor of one.

Secondly, and more importantly, two heads are not better than one, at least not the way software is currently being written. Most applications do just one thing at a time. Your copy of Nero isn't doing your taxes at the same time it's copying the latest DVD from Netflix. So you're only going to be utilizing one of the processor cores at a time. And those processors are slated to be markedly slower than today's single-core processors. Look for speeds to start out at 3.2 GHz for the initial release of the chips. This is the same reason dual-processor systems never caught on in the consumer market. It might be cool to have two Ford Mustangs in the driveway, but if you can only drive one at a time, you're better off putting that money into a nice Corvette.

Now, the power users, such as myself, do tend to multi-task a lot and they will benefit from dual-core technology. I tend to have several programs up at the same time doing things. I've screwed up several DVD-R's trying to use Visual Studio at the same time I'm using DVD-Shrink to encode a movie on my single-processor system. With a dual-core system, you should be able to run two performance programs at the same time without much problem. But remember, each of those programs will run slower than they might run on a single processor system due to the lower clock speed of the dual-core chips. I don't think Intel and AMD will ever be able to overcome this due to the fact that sharing resources will always slow a processor down. Also, manufacturers are going to want to sell the faster processors for more money. Why sell two fast processors for 1 1/2 times the cost of one when you can just sell two at the full price?

Who knows, this could be the beginning of a major change in the way software is written? If user interfaces and applications are changed to take advantage of multiple processors, this will change the way we use computers. Next stop, dual RAID arrays for everyone!

Catch the Next Wave!

Kermit the Frog’s Cell Phone Hacked!

NEW YORK - Kermit the Frog has a problem keeping his personal life personal.

The green-skinned socialite's latest saga involves highly sensitive details including phone numbers and personal notes posted for all to see on the Internet in what could be a case of mobile device hacking.

A spokesman for T-Mobile confirmed earlier reports that information from Kermit the Frog's star-studded address book has been posted online.

"His information is on the Internet," said Bryan Zidar. "We don't know if it was hacked or if someone got a hold of his password."

According to Zidar, Kermit used the Sidekick II, a multi-purposed personal electronic device that uses an online server to store at least some information, including phone numbers.

While Zidar said it is possible for the information on that device to be hacked from the company's server remotely, the company is still investigating the specifics of Kermit's case.

Zidar said that since Sunday night a number of sites had posted Kermit's personal contacts, but the sites kept changing as the Secret Service, which Zidar said investigates computer crimes, shuts them down.

"As soon as one comes up the secret service is all over it," he said.

Names on Kermit's contact list include Fozzy the Bear, Bert and Ernie, Elmo, Miss Piggy, and surprisingly, Raggedy Ann according to e-mails from people who captured some of the posted listings. Kermit had a torrid relationship with Ann during a brief period in the 60’s when He and Mrs. Piggy were separated. Mrs. Piggy will not be please to find Ann’s number in Kermit’s speed dial!

The Ford Escape Hybrid

Ford Vehicles: Escape Hybrid

Vonage

Vonage is an all-inclusive home phone service that replaces your current phone company.
This is like the home phone service you have today - only better!

Vonage combines domestic US local, long distance, and Canada calls for one flat price because it runs over your high-speed Internet connection. Say goodbye to confusing bills and surprising charges. With Vonage you get unlimited local and long distance calling, Canadian calling, plus great features like Caller ID, Call Waiting and Voicemail. Best of all you only pay one low price.

Use Vonage like you use any telephone
With Vonage, you pick up the phone, hear the dial tone and dial the telephone number of your choice. There are no extra numbers to dial and no special routines to follow. It's that simple. You don't have to be an engineer to use our service.

You can be up and running within minutes of receiving your Vonage package. We send you everything you need to get Vonage phone service, right down to the extra cable wire. Best of all, there's no technician, no wiring in the walls, and no technical experience needed! Setup usually takes less than 5 minutes.

Easy Installation
Plug in your Phone Adaptor (the analog-to-digital phone converter we send you for FREE) to your high speed Internet connection. Then take any standard telephone and plug it into the phone adapter.

Surfing the web
And if you'd like to surf the web and use your Vonage service at the same time, the Phone Adaptor can share your Internet connection with your computer. Talk on the phone and surf the net with ease. (Depending on your home network setup, this may require additional equipment.)

How this lets your call travel
Vonage works just like the telephone you have in your home today. You pick up the phone, dial the number and it connects to whom you're calling.

In more technical terms, Vonage uses the phone adapter that we send to you for free to convert your voice from an analog signal to a digital signal. The digital signal then can be sent over your high speed Internet connection because it is recognized as data and then is sent over the Internet.

When someone calls you, they dial your number. Behind the scenes, your number looks very much like an e-mail address. This number instructs the call to travel over the Internet and through our network to the phone adapter we sent you free, your phone rings, and all you have to do is pick up and answer it.

You get local, regional, and long distance U.S. and Canadian calling.
Advanced Services:
Area Code Selection
Real Time Online Account Management
Real Time Billing information
Take Your Vonage Home Phone Anywhere for Savings When You Travel
Great benefits:
Keep Your Existing Phone Number
Great International Rates
Free Live Customer and Technical Support and Online Support
Free Calls to Any Other Vonage Subscriber
Free Phone Adapter
Money Back Guarantee
Phone Features:
Personalized Voicemail

Call Forwarding
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Caller ID Block (*67)
Repeat Dialing
Call Return (*69)
International Call Block
Call Transfer
Bandwidth Saver
Dialing 911

All you need is a high-speed Internet connection.
A high-speed Internet connection (also known as Broadband) is the connection to your home that provides fast access to the Internet. These connections can be DSL or Cable modem with brand names such as Verizon DSL, Optimum Online, and Road Runner.

To help you connect to the Internet, we send you a FREE Phone Adaptor, which converts your analog signal to digital so it can be sent as data over the Net.
Plug in your Phone Adaptor (the analog-to-digital phone converter we send you for FREE) into your high speed Internet connection. Then take any standard telephone and plug it into the phone adapter.

Use Vonage like you would use any telephone.
You pick up the phone, hear the dial tone, and dial the telephone number of your choice. There are no extra numbers to dial and no special routines to follow. It's that simple. You don't have to be a tech wizard to use our service, only someone who wants a great price and great features from their phone company every day.
And if you'd like to surf the web and use your Vonage service at the same time, the Phone Adaptor can share your Internet connection with your computer. Talk on the phone and surf the net with ease. (Depending on your home network setup, this may require additional equipment.)

High-definition radio ready to crank it up

You've been hearing about high-definition television for years. Are you ready for high-definition radio?
A Maryland company called iBiquity has developed a technology that will allow AM and FM stations to switch to digital broadcasts.

Why should we care?

Sound quality is the biggest reason, iBiquity says. Digital AM radio will sound more like FM, and music broadcast on digital FM will sound more like a CD, the company says. That's why they're calling it HD (high-definition) Radio.

Subscribers to the XM and Sirius satellite radio services already can hear clean, static-free broadcasts of music, news and talk shows. XM and Sirius receivers are available in many new cars and in special aftermarket receivers. There are even a few satellite radio sets for home stereos and at least one satellite boombox.

Of course, satellite radio subscribers pay for that privilege. XM service costs $9.95 a month; Sirius $12.95.

The good news about HD Radio is that you won't have to pay a monthly fee when you're listening to local stations.

The bad news is you're going to need a new radio.

Radio stations and the companies that own them are eager to make the switch. Viacom, Infinity Broadcasting and Clear Channel, three companies that own the bulk of U.S. radio stations, have all announced support for the service. Gannett, owner of USA TODAY, is also an investor in iBiquity.

IBiquity said at the Consumer Electronics Show in January that it expects to have as many as 300 stations using digital transmitters by the end of the year. The first digital broadcasters will go on the air early this year in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas and Philadelphia.

Kenwood, Alpine and Jensen have said they will have HD car receivers on the market sometime this year. Sanyo and JVC plan to release units next year or in 2005. Visteon and Delphi, which make radios for Ford and other car companies, also are supporting iBiquity. And Harman Kardon said it will offer an HD-equipped home receiver this fall for about $2,000.

Manufacturers say the new car receivers initially will add as much as $150 to the price of a radio, but the price should drop over time.

By Ric Manning, Gannett News Service

Voom

VOOM, provided by Rainbow DBS, Cablevision System Corporation's satellite division, is the first television service to provide a comprehensive array of high-definition (HD) programming for the rapidly growing but underserved HDTV audience. VOOM's lineup of more than 30 HD channels features an exclusive package of brand-new, commercial-free channels such as WorldSport, Epics and Animania. The service also includes over 70 of the most popular cable channels in standard-definition (SD), 18 digital music channels, and over-the-air digital broadcast channels in HD, where available. VOOM is offered across the continental United States through local Sears retailers, by calling 1-800-GET-VOOM, or by visiting www.voom.com.

Slink-e and CDJ from Nirvis.com

CDJ - Free Jukebox Software for your CD and MP3 collections

Take control of your music collection with this easy to use interface to your entire music collection; CD's and MP3's. CDJ is a full featured jukebox program for Windows which allows you to control up to 96 Sony CD jukebox players and includes an MP3 player. CDJ automatically recognizes your CDs using the CDDB Internet database without ever removing the discs from the changer. No need to type anything in! Just plug it in and go. Also supports cover art, lyrics, X-10 and more. Click on the image to find out more about CDJ. Macintosh users should visit the TitleTrack website.

Slink-e - A Serial Controller for Sony S-Link (Control-A1 and Control-S) and all Infrared Equipment - $249

The Slink-e home automation device allows your computer to talk to Sony S-Link/Control-A1/Control-S equipment as well as any device which uses a remote control. The Slink-e can also receive commands from your IR remotes allowing you to control your computer via remote control. Since the Slink-e uses RS-232, it can be interfaced to any computer or operating system. The Slink-e forms the hardware interface for programs like CDJ (shown above), but can also be used with home automation software packages or your own custom programs via our ActiveX control.

Lexus Introduces RX 400h, World's First Luxury Hybrid SUV

January 6, 2004 - Detroit, MI - Lexus introduced what will be the world's first luxury gas-electric hybrid SUV today at a press conference at the North American International Auto Show. The RX 400h will be powered by a V6 Hybrid Synergy Drive system that combines sub-eight second zero-to-sixty acceleration with fuel-efficiency equivalent to the current average for a four-cylinder compact sedan. The RX 400h will also be rated Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), one of the most stringent emissions rating in the industry.
"The new RX 400h re-defines the midsize luxury SUV market while raising awareness and acceptance of hybrid gas-electric vehicles among luxury car and SUV buyers," said Denny Clements, Lexus group vice president and general manager. "This is truly a breakthrough in terms of hybrid gas-electric powertrains because, for the first time, it adds a new performance dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low emissions."

Lexus created the car-based, luxury SUV segment with the launch of the innovative RX 300 more than five years ago. For 2004, Lexus made significant enhancements to the luxury content, performance and safety features with the introduction of the RX 330, making this vehicle the perfect match for the new V6 hybrid system.

The new RX 400h will become the premium model in the RX series, offering smoother and quieter operation, increased performance, significantly better fuel economy and a host of high technology, safety and comfort features.

Vehicle Dynamic Management
The RX 400h will introduce another industry first called VDM, or Vehicle Dynamic Management. Monitoring a variety of sensors, the system is designed to anticipate the onset of a vehicle skid or slide and then helps correct the situation with a combination of braking and throttle control. The new VDM system is less obtrusive than conventional VSC but ultimately more effective.

More Powerful, Advanced Drivetrain
The 400h hybrid powertrain combines a powerful electric motor with the highly efficient 3.3-liter V6 engine found in the RX 330 to significantly improve low to mid-speed acceleration and overall fuel efficiency. The system is a "full hybrid," meaning that the RX 400h is capable of operating in separate gas or electric modes, as well as a mode that combines power from both.

The RX 400h will develop a peak system output of approximately 270 horsepower and deliver combined fuel economy significantly better than the current average compact sedan rating of 27.6 miles-per-gallon. Zero-to-sixty acceleration will also improve over the current RX 330's sub-8 second time. The RX 400h with optional all-wheel-drive, which features a rear-drive electric motor, will accelerate quicker yet.

The RX 400h uses a regenerative braking system to further boost system efficiency. When the vehicle is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motor functions as a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes and converting it into useable electricity to recharge the batteries.

One of the most remarkable features of the RX 400h is how similar this SUV is to its cousin, the RX 330. The computer-controlled powertrain seamlessly blends power from the V6 gasoline engine, the electric drive motor and the generator. The driver does not feel the vehicle changing operational modes. In fact, the only give-a-way is the absence of the traditional tachometer. In its place, the RX 400h has an illuminated power meter that displays the level of power generated by the gas-electric hybrid powertrain. The driver will also be able to monitor the gas-electric power distribution on the available seven-inch touch panel display screen that comes with the navigation system.

Luxury and Convenience Features
Lexus craftsmanship and attention to even the smallest details continue with the RX 400h. Nearly every feature available in the RX 330 is found in the RX 400h, with the exception of an exclusive RX 400h use of brushed aluminum accents inside that convey a high-tech look and feel to match its capabilities. The three-spoke steering wheel features easy-to-use controls for the audio system as well as the hybrid system's on-board computer monitor located in the center instrument panel.

"We believe the RX 400h will exceed the expectations of luxury vehicle buyers and establish a premium market for performance-oriented, fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrids," said Clements.

Preliminary Specifications
Powertrain: Engine - 3.3 liter V6
Electric motor(s) - Permanent magnet
Estimated total horsepower - 270
Expected EPA emissions rating - Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)
Transmission - Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
Wheelbase: 106.9 in.
Length: 186.6 in.
Width: 72.6 in.
Height: 66.1 in.