Good, No Great Idea

Oh no they didn’t?!?

Technological Marvels

Check out the world’s largest HD plasma TV from Panasonic! That’s take up a whole wall in a small room. This and more from c|net’s coverage of CeBit.

Moving Pictures

In the future, what once was static can be dynamic. Color changing concrete is just one method. How long before someone creates a low-cost LCD that can display Flash movies or video clips for hanging in your living room? I know Gates can get these, but when will it hit Best Buy? [via Coudal]

SEO, WordPress and You

I’ve been playing with WordPress today. Not that it’s any fun, mind you. I simply read a Web page and try it out for myself. Sometimes it works, other times, not so well. What I’m trying to do is change my permalinks from reading:

http://www.21stCenturyPaladin.com/?p=1624

to something the search engines like better, such as:

http://www.21stCenturyPaladin.com/technology/
quantum-leap-in-computer-interaction.html

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is an ever changing landscape where sites to to find favor with the High King of the realm—Google. So after a bit of searching, I found a well-traveled discussion over on Tom Raftery’s site. Interesting and informative but I did have that dreaded .htaccess problem.

So… I had to figure out where mine was? Couldn’t find it anywhere on my server. Turned out, I didn’t have one. So I used the code that WP made for me on the Options, Permalinks page, and upoaded it as a straight text file (I love Notepad) using ASCII instead of Binary and then renamed it once on the server. And viola! It works!

FYI, I went with the following for my Structure:

/%category%/%postname%.html

Only now, my layout is whacked. And not in a good way. Seems the site can’t find certain images. Back to the ole drawing board.

Quantum Leap in Computer Interaction

Maybe Minority Report wasn’t so far fetched after all? I’m not talking about the film’s story but about the computer touch screen technology, that at the time I thought was years off.

The good folks at NYU have created a multi-touch panel that’s simply amazing. It increases the opportunity for interaction between one or more humans and computer. I’m not sure if efficiency is enhanced by this major advancement, but it certainly does allow for a more intimate relationship. Make sure you watch the videos… they really tell the story.

Quake Goes Big

Now I know what I want for my birthday! [via kottke]

Update: See it in action.

Jet Powered Beetle

Now there’s something you don’t see every day. Wanna race?

Civic Type R Revealed

The original Pocket Rocket is living up to its name, straight from the factory! Almost 200hp on a car that only weighs around 2800lbs means it’s faster than Apollo Anton Ohno on the short track. Getting your mits on one, now that’s a problem. For one, it’s not coming out for at least a year and then when it does, Europe could get it first.

New Mac Mini

Apple does a wonderful job of maintaining brand power. Consistently good design is the main ingredient but technology does play a vital role. And by technology I mean, well-crafted design otherwise known as ease-of-use or good usability. How people use your product is just as important as what the product actually does.

I keep wondering why I haven’t purchased an Apple product in a while, maybe it’s now time. You can view the introduction of the new Mac Mini here.

The Family Truckster

Do you have a family that requires a roomy vehicle but don’t want to skimp on performance? How about this Audi RS4 Avant that has a V8 engine outputing 420bhp? That should do the trick.

PC Alternative to iPod

Ever since Apple released the iPod, PC fans have been pining for something so cool. Creative and others have been working at it, but with limited success. Finally, it seems they’ve achieved it with the Zen Vision: M. Styling is not too different from the iPod. (How many different rounded-edge rectangular shaped devices can there be?) But the power is on the inside. Thirty freakin’ gigs! Sweet color screen. Video. Capable. It won a Best of CES award so you know it’s hot. Give it a closer inspection at Engadget.

Or skip that and simply buy one! Ok iPod fans, let’s hear your side of the story. ;^)

Pure Electric Joy

Found something else I want. How cool are these?!? [via Coudal]

Watch TV From Anywhere

It’s not very often, well… scratch that, these days it’s pretty darn often that something totally new comes along. A company called Sling Media has created Slingbox which sends your home TV programming to a PC anywhere in the world. Of course, consistent broadband is required. In future months, they’ll add support for select PDAs, smart phones, and Macs too. Pretty slick! Especially if you’re already investing big money on programming.

I’ve Seen the Future and the Future is Flex

The Internet concept isn’t about HTML or even HTTP so much as it is about computers talking to computers. And what a concept it is! The problem thus far has been that computers and people don’t always see eye-to-eye. Enter Flex. Flex is a new technology platform from Macromedia that allows for interfaces that far more engaging and responsive. Mark my words, even though AJAX is getting all the press, it won’t be long before the smart companies are jumping all over this technology.

For a full-featured online demo of this technology just view the Platform Overview.

World’s First Bouncing Camara

Incredible technology and stylish too! [via kottke]