Tag Archives: technology

World Agencies Are Eradicating Car Hacking

With Cars becoming more like smartphones nowadays, we thought we’d take a look at the growing concern of Car hacking, a phenomenon that’s sending chill up motorists’ and manufacturers’ spines across the globe, more efficiently than any air-conditioning unit could ever do.

However, perhaps even more importantly, we’ll tell you what the world’s governing agencies are doing to help eradicate car hacking and what YOU can do to prevent your car from being hacked. For the Silo, Louis S. Dixon and our friends at Select Car Leasing UK.

who discovered car hacking infographic

New York Fashinnovation Show Connected Technology And Fashion

NEW YORK, FASHINNOVATION, a platform where fashion and technology connect with a mission to inspire and share knowledge in the fashion, entrepreneurship and technology sectors, hosted its second edition of its semi-annual conference on February 13, 2019. The all-day red carpet event took place during NYFW at one of the city’s premiere venues, Tribeca Rooftop, and featured panels, live performances, installations, displays, and aimed to “humanize homelessness” with the launch of a book titled: It Can Be You by The NYLON Project.

Panel topics included fashion tech innovation for retail, manufacturing, production, design, textiles, blockchain, customization, sustainability, augmented reality and more. Other discussions focused on women empowerment, entrepreneurship, and even a Twitter-based elevator pitch competition. Featured guests, panelists and moderators include: Eno Polo, CEO, Havaianas, Michael Ferraro, Director of FIT’s Information Design & Technology Lab, Ryan Leslie, Co-Founder, SuperPhone, David Meltzer, Host of Entrepreneur.com’s “Elevator Pitch”, Renata Black, Co-Founder, EBY, Mark Price, CEO, FIREWIRE Surfboards, Lilian Liu, Manager of Partnerships, UN Global Compact, Gonzalo Pertile, Sustainable Director, J. Crew, Giulio Bonazzi, CEO of Aquafil, Ivan Poupyrev, VP, Google Jacquard, Carolina Wang, Co-Founder, EatGoodNYC, and Paul Dillinger, VP and Head of Global Product Innovation, Levi Strauss and more.

“The future is now, and as the tech and fashion industries converge, there’s no better place than New York Fashion Week to formalize conversations and networking opportunities by bringing these two industries together,” said Jordana Guimaraes, co-founder of FASHINNOVATION.

“There’s a reason why companies such as Farfetch and Revolve exist and are valued at billions of dollars – we need to pay attention to fashion tech innovation, and FASHINNOVATION is at this intersection,” said Marcelo Guimaraes, founder of FASHINNOVATION.
FASHINNOVATION Second Edition expected approximately 500 guests and was presented by partner sponsors Runway Moda, ELYSIAIS, Lyft, and DisruptivAgency. The conference showcased a fashion installation by Constanza+LAB (Spain) and 19-year-old IMI by Imogen Evans, a mid-day cocktail hour and networking event, pop-up displays, a red carpet step-and-repeat, a special live performance by DeeMo, and an after-party by TROY. NYLON Project’s book,  It Can Be You, which included 50 stories of homelessness from influencers around the world, including Melissa Molinaro, Claudia Salinas,

Madeline Stuart, Eric Bigger, Thania Peck, Josh Heffler, and Jessica Ross, to name a few, were featured in a panel.

The first edition of FASHINNOVATION took place during NYFW on September 12, 2018, with hundreds of people exploring fashion tech panels from NASA, FIT, IBM, and more.
For more information, go to https://fashinnovation.nyc/. For the Silo, Ruben Ochoa.

Photo Glitch Art Book Is Mysterious And Beautiful

“The growing flow of digital culture depends on the hidden protocols of its underlying systems. To explore how interfacing shapes spectatorship online, this pioneering study pinpoints experiences of flow through the friction of photo-based glitch art by Phillip Stearns, Rosa Menkman, and Evan Meaney.

Glitch photo

Homing in on the viewer, these three cross-disciplinary case studies present and analyze material that is new to the art-historical context. In particular, they focus on how glitched artworks in online environments make viewers aware of their own activity within the flow, causing a break from the increasingly naturalized integration of system and individual.

Glitch ArtbookMysterious and Beautiful

When a glitch invites the viewer to try out different positions in relation to the system, a tactical spectatorship unfolds.” That’s the introduction text of Vandela Grundell’s  book Flow And Friction: On The Tactical Potential Of Interfacing With Glitch Art. In simpler terms, our modern online life utilizes smartphones and digital cameras to not only represent who we are, but to present to others ‘how’ we are.

It’s a culture of ‘identity sharing’ that we live in and we are spending more and more time at online sites and hangouts where our digital selves mingle as shared photos, text and videos. However, sometimes things do not go as planned. Perhaps a faulty internet connection wreaks havoc with an upload…or maybe a dying battery in your i-Phone confuses the CPU and errors are introduced into the system creating a digital mutation.

glitch font

In the early days of computer, during the great Cold War and its technologically dependent Space Race this was known as a ‘glitch’.

Flow and Friction is a fascinating celebration of the mystery and the beauty that sometimes arises from glitched systems. 238 pages. Recommended.  For the Silo, Jarrod Barker.

Supplemental: Moire pattern, John Glenn’s “glitch” , the History of the word “bug” when used in Computing.

Better Colleges And Better Universities Equal Better Jobs

"Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province's most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market." Barrett image: thewordforge.com
“Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.” Barrett Image: thewordforge.com

When I wrote this, Ontario was in the midst of an unprecedented jobs crisis and in need of sensible and affordable solutions. One avenue is to improve our colleges and universities.

Ontario’s system of higher learning must reflect the requirements of jobs in the present and the future. And it must reflect today’s economic realities.

Students recognize an academic education is often not enough – it must be coupled with employable skills. Some 80 percent of college applicants cite “career preparation” as a major reason for enrollment – something they may not have considered when they were making their post-secondary choices in high school.

The path from high school graduation to employment is often far longer and more expensive than it needs to be, thus inefficient for both the student and taxpayer.

Currently 35 percent of all new jobs in Ontario go to college graduates and apprentices, and only 26 percent go to university graduates. Many university students end up in the college system after learning how adept it is at teaching job-ready skills. To encourage more students to choose college first, we must create more options and paths for these students and improve the credit transfer system in Ontario. This would allow for part of the degree to be done at the college level and part of the education delivered through a university.

By improving the credit transfer system using online education to create bridging courses between institutions, students who take a course at one institution can be brought up to speed at another – – smoothing the move between institutions that deliver different course content. The online courses should be designed to assess whether students meet the standard at the new institution, whether they are moving from a college to a university or from a university to another university.

Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart
Language labs have shown that technology is effective for educating, distant or not. In this photo, Undergraduate Ted Glomski, a third-year Chinese student, practices writing Chinese characters on a tablet PC computer in the Learning Support Services (LSS) Language Learning Lab. For fifty years, LSS has provided technology support to language classes, evolving from the language tapes and foreign films of old to mp3s, DVDs, wikis, blogs and touchscreens. photo: Michael Forster Rothbart

We need to be creative with programs that meet the expectations of students but also offer them at an affordable price.

In response to the growing demand for online learning, university and college programs can be taken at home using the internet. Universities and colleges do offer degree programs online that are flexible, cost effective and allow you to learn on your own time. They feature online instructors who help and provide feedback as you progress through the course.

We should encourage colleges to offer applied three-year degrees and limit the proliferation of four-year degrees in the college system. For example, a Bachelor of Applied Technology Degree is designed to teach leadership roles in the construction industry – – a program that meets a job market need, and is clearly suited to the college sector. Encouraging more three-year degrees like this one would allow colleges to cater to a student market looking for strong credentials without creeping into the degree market best served by universities.

Career colleges have a strong proven track record and are among our province’s most efficient paths to employment. They should be rewarded by a reduction in the costly and time-consuming regulatory burden they currently experience so they can be freed to take on students looking to gain access to the job market.

With these sensible and affordable solutions, improving Ontario’s colleges and universities will most certainly lead to better jobs. For the Silo, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett.

Supplemental- Online learning in Ontario http://www.ontariolearn.com/en/

Fashion And Technology Connect At New York Fashion Week

What would it be like to listen in on a discussion on new materials/textiles by a director at NASA, an entrepreneur focusing on branding for dogs and an international superstar in fashion? It may sound odd at first thought, however, in the fashion industry today everyone is linked through technology – which nowadays is every brand’s biggest competitor.

Marcelo & Jordana Guimaraes (husband and wife) are the founders of FASHINNOVATION – an event bringing the thought leaders in the fashion and technology industries in front of an audience to discuss topics including production/manufacturing, sustainability, textiles/technology, branding/design, e-commerce, celebrities in fashion and “fashion-tech on the rise”(startups). These conversations will take place in moderated panels sharing a common goal: to spark the entrepreneurial mindset through inspiration and knowledge.

FASHINNOVATION New York Flyer

FASHINNOVATION will take place during New York Fashion Week on September 12th, 2018.
“I’ve been involved in the entrepreneurial eco-system throughout my life – always with a focus on technology. The challenge with the fashion and technology industries, is having them always inter connected to have a finger on the pulse of the latest innovations – making things exciting and thought provoking. With the merge of ideas, the outcome is unimaginable” says Founder, Marcelo Guimaraes.

A look back at an earlier NYC Fashion week show-

Confirmed to participate are: Vice President of Shopify/Co-Founder of Shopify Plus – Loren Padelford, Co-Founder of Ministry of Supply – Gihan Amarasiriwardena, Global Fashion Industry Leader & Partner at IBM – Karl Haller, Best-Selling Author & Host of TV Show: Elevator Pitch – David Meltzer, Designer/Founder at Kris Harring – Kris Harrington, Co-Founder of Bolt Threads – David Breslauer, Fashion Designer (Project Runway season 11 & All Stars) – Layana Aguilar, Art Creative for MAC make-up & Fenti by Rihanna – Jason Naylor, Founders of HICKIES (collaboration w/ DVF) – Mariquel Waingarten & Gaston Frydlewski, Co-Founder of M.Gemi – Ben Fischman, Executive Director at FIT’s Infor Design and Tech Lab – Michael Ferraro, Co-Founder of Universal Standard – Alexandra Waldman, Founders of Haerfest – Tim & Dan Joo, Founder of ByBorre (NIKE & Louis Vuitton collabs)– Borre Akkersdijk, Founder of Zee Dog – Thadeu Diz, Co-Founder of WindowsWear – Jon Harari, Program Executive at NASA – Jenn Gustetic and Founder of Fashion Tech Consortium – Michael Reidbord. Institutions in participation include Singularity University (NYC Chapter) and Endeavor. Part of all proceeds will be donated to NFTE.

“It’s exciting to see the positive feedback on FASHINNOVATION from leaders in the fashion and tech industries. We have additional confirmations on the way ranging from fashion personalities to platinum record superstars – the eclectic mix of people and companies participating, will ensure that everyone who attends walks away with knowledge that is unmatched” says Co-Founder & PR Director Jordana Guimaraes.

The event will resume with a cocktail networking reception, with live performances by: “violin superstar” who’s performed w/ Beyonce, etc. – Ezinma and singer/songwriter Heather LaRose – recently hitting 1 million streams online & best known for her song “New Moon” featured on MTV’s “Teen Wolf”.

Powerful Mac Gamer External Graphics Solution

Sonnet Technologies recently announced the eGFX Breakaway™ Box 650, the latest and most capable model in the company’s series of Thunderbolt™ 3 to PCI Express® (PCIe®) eGPU expansion chassis for professional graphics and gaming applications.

Sonnet eGFX Breakaway graphics card box

The Breakaway Box 650 is designed and qualified specifically for large, power-hungry video graphics processing unit (GPU) cards, including the AMD Radeon™ RX Vega 64 and overclocked NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 10 series-based cards. The AMD-approved Breakaway Box 650 is equipped with a 650-watt power supply, which provides ample power for GPU cards with high transient peak power requirements.

“With the introduction of AMD’s Radeon Pro and RX Vega Series cards, we have experienced a high demand for an eGPU chassis capable of supporting the higher standards of these GPU cards,” said Robert Farnsworth, CEO of Sonnet Technologies. “The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 meets the demand, enabling users to tap the compute power of even the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 and Radeon Pro WX 9100 cards while still providing up to 87 watts of upstream Power Delivery to support popular notebook computers.”

 

The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 provides a single slot for connecting any size Thunderbolt-compatible GPU card, and features enough room for many high-performance water-cooled cards — making it ideal for professionals and gamers who need to run bandwidth-intensive graphics applications on their eGFX-compatible notebook, all-in-one, or other small-form-factor computers. The unit is equipped with a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 3 port that enables data transfers up to 2750 MB/s, and supports all Thunderbolt-compatible GPU cards — such as AMD Radeon R9, RX, RX Vega, and Pro WX models; and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 9 and 10 series, Titan X and Xp, V, and Quadro® models. In addition, the Breakaway Box 650 includes two eight-pin auxiliary power connectors and provides 87 watts of upstream power (Power Delivery), useful for powering and charging a connected notebook computer that supports Thunderbolt 3 charging.

The eGFX Breakaway Box 650 (part number GPU-650W-TB3) is available now from Sonnet Technologies and its dealers at an MSRP of $449 usd.        Featured image via egpu.io 

About Sonnet Technologies

Sonnet Technologies Inc. is a leading provider of Thunderbolt™ 3 to PCIe® card expansion systems; external graphics (eGFX) solutions for pro users and gamers; pro media readers; docks and adapters; and network, storage, and other interface cards for pro users in the audio, video, and broadcast industries. Sonnet’s Thunderbolt expansion products enable the use of pro audio I/O and DSP cards, pro video capture and transcoding cards, GPU cards, network and storage interface cards, and other high-performance PCIe cards with Thunderbolt technology-enabled computers. For 30 years Sonnet has pioneered and brought to market innovative and award-winning products that enhance the performance and connectivity of Mac®, Windows®, and other industry-standard computers. 

Artwork That Reminds Us History Is Absolute

Colorization processed G. Orwell photo- mensxp.com

“The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” -George Orwell

The facts of the past cannot be objectively altered regardless of belief or opinion. They can, however, be tainted by those wishing to assume power. It is critical that we understand the past as it happened and do not allow the view to be obscured. Only in this way can we ensure that we do not repeat the mistakes of our forebearers, only in this way do we as a society learn and move on from our past transgressions. Those who would revise the past must be confronted with resistance and overcome with the truth. We are bound by our ancestors to carry their truth along the banks of the future no matter how heavy the burden may be.

Golden Age Rorschach, 2014, 38” x 26”, Acrylic paint over inkjet print mounted on Dibond by Aura Goldenberg.

Aura Rosenberg is based in New York City and Berlin, Germany. Since 1993 she has worked on a project titled Berlin Childhood. Over the years the project has taken on many forms including a published book, souvenirs of Berlin’s Victory Column, photographs, and a film. The title comes from a series of texts by Walter Benjamin written during his exile from Berlin in the 1930s. Rosenberg began creating a photograph to correspond with each text which Benjamin wrote in order to combat his homesickness during exile. Chantal Benjamin, the granddaughter of Walter Benjamin moved to Berlin and contacted Rosenberg. The two became friends and Rosenberg began filming Benjamin and her daughter around the city also in correspondence with the original texts. Presently Rosenberg is editing her archive of footage and recording a narrative soundtrack of Walter Benjamin’s great-granddaughter reading his texts aloud. Rosenberg also creates work based on themes of sexuality. One of her current project is a continuation of an older work titled Porn Rock.

“145 Elm Ridge Drive Toronto”
Study Of Politics In Cell Tower Placement by Vid Ingelevics.

Vid Ingelevics is a Canadian artist. Much of his work examines representations of the past. His current long form project titled Freedom Rocks focuses on the history of the Berlin Wall since its removal in 1989. Ingelevics began researching what happened to the wall after it fell and discovered pieces of it across the world including in the United States and Canada. Initially, Ingelevics and his collaborator went to Washington, D.C. to learn about the movement of the remains of the wall. In the years following the removal of the wall there was a strong market for fragments. Pieces of the Berlin Wall now appear in the most unlikely corners of the world. Ingelevics work looks at why fragments of the Berlin Wall move around the world and who pays for this as well as putting the wall in the context of history rather than relegating it solely to the realm of political symbolism.  For the Silo, Brainard Carey.

Brainard  is currently giving free webinars on how to write a better Artist bio and statement and how to get a show in a gallery – you can register for that live webinar and ask questions live by clicking here.

Featured image- “Touching the Wall”, Berlin, 2014. From the larger project, Freedom Rocks, a collaboration between Vid Ingelevics & Blake Fitzpatrick begun in 2004 that explores the post-1989 history of the Berlin Wall.

Supplemental- Digital Rorschach examples from 2012 / 2013 series by Canadian Artist Jarrod Barker.

Space Race by Jarrod Barker. 2013.

Blue Nude Torso In Plaid Design. Jarrod Barker. 2012.

Monarch. Jarrod Barker. 2013/16.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket

History is absolute. Endeavor to know it and to speak its truth.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.

Books to Read

What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Heather Hubbs has recently read On Tyranny, Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century by Timothy Snyder and user Julia has been revisiting Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

The Broadband Struggle Of Modern Living In UK Rural Areas

Living in a rural location has its perks. It’s peaceful, it’s quiet, and you’re out the way of all that city centre pollution. Bliss. However, when it comes to keeping up with technology, it can become a bit of a broadband nightmare.

In this piece, we’ll be delving into the struggles that people living in rural communities are facing and find out what is being done by the government and other people in the rural communities to help get these affected areas better connected in the 21st century.

For example, we’ll be showing you via the infographic below just why rural communities have such a poor internet connection and what one MBE industry leader is doing to help. We’ll discover the future of deliveries to rural areas, take a look at a trust that is installing defibrillators in phone boxes and much more.

Compliments of fuelfighter.co.uk Click me for more!
Compliments of fuelfighter.co.uk
Click me for more!

BenQ releases Curved 35-Inch Immersive Gaming Display

COSTA MESA, Calif.  — BenQ America Corp., an internationally renowned digital lifestyle solutions provider and professional gaming monitor pioneer, today introduced the company’s all-new XR3501 curved gaming display. Designed to provide a more immersive gaming experience, the 35-inch panel brings gamers a dramatic 2,000R curvature — the highest of any LCD monitor — as well as a lightning-fast 144-Hz refresh rate, ultra-wide 21:9 aspect ratio, and BenQ’s RevolutionEyes™ technology — allowing gamers to experience enhanced visual comfort, a larger viewing area, and seamless peripheral views for a more authentic sense of engagement with today’s dynamic content.

35-Inch PC Display Featuring 2,000R Curvature and 144-Hz Refresh Rate Adds a New Level of Entertainment.
35-Inch PC Display Featuring 2,000R Curvature and 144-Hz Refresh Rate Adds a New Level of Entertainment.

“BenQ’s new XR3501 monitor is set to transform gaming into a faster, wider, and more engaging all-around experience,” said J.Y. Hu, Vice President, Business Line Management at BenQ America Corp. “Featuring a 2-meter curvature, a fast-action refresh rate, and a 2560×1080 resolution, the panel provides breathtaking visuals that surround users with edge-to-edge excitement. Players will experience their favorite games in an entirely new way while features such as Black eQualizer, RevolutionEyes technology, and PIP will definitely put them ahead of the pack.”

BenQ’s XR3501 monitor has been designed for casual gamers looking for a more enveloping gaming experience. With over 20 options for color vibrance, the VA panel provides higher color reproduction with better viewing angles, which proves vital when using such a large curved screen by adding an extra layer of color optimization. Users can also adjust color levels directly via OSD or DisplayPilot for complete color control. Using Black eQualizer, the panel brightens darker scenes within games without over-exposing white levels — giving gamers the advantage of seeing details more clearly than their competitors, while picture in picture allows multiple sources to be connected and viewed on the monitor. 

With a focus on “Eye-Care” and visual comfort, the XR3501 is equipped with BenQ’s RevolutionEyes technology. Featuring ZeroFlicker™, the monitor eliminates flickering at all brightness levels, reducing visual strain to provide a more comfortable viewing experience. When combined with the device’s built-in Low Blue Light modes, the monitor also successfully filters the exposure of emitted blue spectrum light — effectively reducing eye fatigue and elevating gaming performance to provide exceptional visual comfort, even during long hours of gaming or dynamic content viewing.

BenQ’s curved XR3501 monitor is now shipping across North America at an MSRP of USD$999. Details on BenQ’s full line of gaming monitors can be found at http://gaming.benq.com.

 

About BenQ America Corp. 
The BenQ digital lifestyle brand stands for “Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life,” fusing lifestyle with technology, enjoyment with productivity, and aesthetic design with purpose-built engineering. It is this mantra that has made BenQ the No. 1-selling projector brand powered by TI DLP® technology in The Americas(1). BenQ America Corp. offers an extensive line of visual display and presentation solutions that incorporate the very latest technologies. The company delivers a broad range of Colorific™ projectors, RevolutionEyes™ monitors, interactive large-format displays, mobile audio products, cloud consumer products, and lifestyle lighting for any application and market — education, home, gaming, enterprise, government, house of worship, digital signage, A/V, and IT — with cutting-edge models that lead the industry in performance, reliability, environmental sustainability, and aesthetics. Whether it’s interactive digital whiteboards for classrooms, full HD 3D projectors for home theaters, short-throw projectors for boardrooms, interactive flat-panel displays for digital signage, or LED-backlight monitors for professional gaming, BenQ continues to defy the limits of digital displays. The company’s products are available across North America through leading value-added distributors, resellers, and retailers. 

 

(1) Based upon Q1’15 Quarterly Projector Shipment and Forecast Report from PMA Research

About BenQ Corporation
Founded on the corporate vision of “Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life”, BenQ Corporation is a world-leading human technology and solutions provider aiming to elevate and enrich every aspect of consumers’ lives. To realize this vision, the company focuses on the aspects that matter most to people today — lifestyle, business, healthcare, and education — with the hope of providing people with the means to live better, increase efficiency, feel healthier, and enhance learning.

Click to view on I-tunes
Click to view on I-tunes

Such means include a delightful broad portfolio of people-driven products and embedded technologies spanning digital projectors, monitors, interactive large-format displays, audio products, cloud consumer products, mobile communications, and lifestyle lighting. Because it matters. 

About BenQ Group
The BenQ Group is a $22+ billion powerhouse comprised of nearly 20 independent companies operating in over 30 countries across numerous industries with a combined workforce of over 100,000 employees. Each Group member is a recognized leader in its own field, contributing to the BenQ Group’s vast resources, broad R&D, and distinct strategic strengths. By leveraging each company’s vertical specialization to create true scale across horizontal markets, the BenQ Group controls a highly efficient value chain with the unrivaled ability to deliver critical components and world-class solutions in the following industries: TFT-LCD, green energy, fine chemicals and advanced materials, lighting, IC design, precision components, system integration, branded business, and service. The Group is committed to profitable and sustainable businesses that share its long-standing vision of Bringing Enjoyment ‘N’ Quality to Life. The BenQ Group companies are: BenQ Corporation, AU Optronics Corporation (world’s top manufacturer of large-size TFT-LCD panels), Qisda Corporation, Darfon Electronics Corporation, BenQ ESCO Corp., BenQ Materials Corp., BenQ Guru Corp., BenQ Medical Center, BenQ Medical Technology Corp., BenQ AB DentCare Corp., Daxin Materials Corp., Dazzo Technology Corp., Forhouse Corp., Lextar Electronics Corp., LILY Medical Corp., and Raydium Semiconductor Corp.

All trademarks and registered trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners.

UK’s “ICE Totally Gaming” A Must Visit In The Gaming And Technology Sector

ICE TweetThe ICE Totally Gaming exhibition returns to London in the UK next month, but it’s a huge event for the industry worldwide where innovation comes to the fore and the future is literally paraded in front of our eyes. The three-day event offers conferences, seminars, networking and much more from companies around the world, and, of course, Canada is represented.

 

There’s a reason why the reach of Totally Gaming is so vast, as it encompasses online casinos, sports betting, social gaming and street gaming amongst other areas, bringing together the best minds and freshest technology into one place. Last year there were 23,506 attendees from 156 countries, and although Canadians represented just 0.93% of that, the fact that 218 of us (yes, I did the math) were willing to make that trip shows just how important it is to the industry, even over 6,000km away.

But why is that trip worthwhile, and will 2015 be value for money if you’ve got vested interests in gaming, technology and the business behind it? With the amount of knowledge on offer for the ticket price, I’d have to say yes.

ICE Totally Gaming 2014 Recap
This year’s seminars – which are all free to attend – include information on emerging and growing markets such as Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies, expert knowledge from the likes of the International Masters of Gaming, and informative start-up workshops which can help build networks with mentors and even open business-to-business dialogue. You can pitch your own business to ICE to get some floor time, and there are heads of industry there that make it a must for anybody with an idea or a business plan, or even just a desire to make it in the field.

One of the seminars sure to be a big hit is the aforementioned Bitcoins and Cryptocurrencies offering, with notable industry figures taking to the podium for various sessions. As the world of money online is constantly changing, arming yourself with knowledge is one of the best weapons. Jon Matonis, board director of the Bitcoin Foundation, will open things up and delve into why cryptocurrencies have been so well adopted. Further to that, you can learn about risk management, boosting business, regulation and more. Having all this information in one place would be invaluable.

The Bright Group's Raif Oymen
The Bright Group’s Raif Oymen

It’s not the only one sure to instill potentially revolutionary ideas on the attendees, however. The workshops and mentorship for start-ups feature some successful names already well embedded in the gaming industry, who will be dispensing advise on getting your business of the ground and, more importantly, keeping it afloat.  Martyn Evans of Unboxed Consulting talks lean start-ups, Phil Smith of Joelson Wilson will discuss the merits of London for a new business, and there are more workshops for crowdsourcing, licencing and finances. For more details on all of these information-packed seminars, you can look here.

Leading companies like IGT choose the event as a premiere for their freshest ideas, and the big internationals make sure it’s a part of their calendar. “ICE is a really good opportunity,” said The Bright Group’s Raif Oymen, who will be exhibiting after travelling all the way from Australia.

If you have to be at the forefront of emerging technology and know where the cutting edge of the gaming markets is then it should be a key date in your calendar. Even more importantly, if your career aspirations or business future relies on the gaming sector then there won’t be a bigger, more beneficial way to spend three days in the whole year.

Supplemental- Mapping the Future of Gaming

LEGO Mindstorms EV3 book is a guide to building and programming Robots

Raise your hand if you want to build a Lego robot arm.
Raise your hand if you want to build a Lego robot arm.

San Francisco, CA,  The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book (No Starch Press, June 2014, 396 pp., $34.95, ISBN 9781593275327) is the latest No Starch Press book to tackle the LEGO MINDSTORMS robotics system. This second edition of the best-selling LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book remains the ultimate beginner’s guide to this powerful kit for anyone who wants to start making their own robots. http://post.oreilly.com/rd/9z1zpuf5li32jp78bt80j96lr32hkugv7u2d0q5lpag

Author Laurens Valk brings his robotics expertise to bear as he teaches readers  the techniques essential to successful robot building. Valk has been building  MINDSTORMS robots for years and was even recruited by the LEGO Group to test  and develop this new generation of LEGO MINDSTORMS. The depth of his knowledge  comes through on every page.

LEGO Mindstorms Book Cover

The first full-color MINDSTORMS book from any major publisher, The LEGO MINDSTORMS EV3 Discovery Book features all new content that takes readers from gearing and fundamental mechanics through advanced programming techniques as they build these six robots:

The EXPLOR3R, a wheeled vehicle that uses sensors to navigate around a room and follow lines
– The FORMULA EV3 RACE CAR, a streamlined remote-controlled race car legged walking creature that adapts its behavior to its surroundings
– SK3TCHBOT, a robot that lets you play games on the EV3 screen
-The SNATCH3R, a robotic arm that can autonomously find, grab, lift, and move an infrared beacon
– LAVA R3X, a humanoid robot that walks and talks

Valk rounds out the fundamentals with more than 150 building and programming challenges that encourage readers to discover the countless possibilities of the EV3 kit and to start inventing robots of their own.

About the Author
Laurens Valk is a member of the MINDSTORMS Community Partners, a select group of MINDSTORMS enthusiasts who help test and develop new MINDSTORMS products. One of his robot designs is featured on the EV3 packaging as a bonus project. His previous work, the best-selling LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT 2.0 Discovery Book, introduced more than 50,000 beginners worldwide to the powerful world of LEGO
MINDSTORMS robotics. He blogs about robots at robotsquare.com. http://post.oreilly.com/rd/9z1zd3clg63cmhkarcqv9pht1e936tdk1htdcus1rs8

Live in the Future: Weiser’s ‘Smart Lock’ and app turns smartphones into home key

It won't be long before "Open Sesame" does the trick ;) CP
It won’t be long before “Open Sesame” does the trick 😉 CP

TORONTO -WeiserR, a leading brand of the Hardware & Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands Holdings (NYSE:SPB), answers consumer demand for both convenience and security with its Kevo smart lock.

The highly anticipated Bluetooth enabled deadbolt is now arriving at home improvement and electronics retailers across Canada. By simply installing Kevo and downloading the mobile app, your iPhone becomes your key. Convenient and versatile, Kevo gives owners the ability to unlock the door with their smartphone and a simple touch; send electronic keys (eKeys) to family, friends and service people; and receive notifications whenever a user enters or exits their door.

“Kevo is not just another lock, it represents a shift in lifestyle for busy homeowners. Whether keeping track of your teenage daughter, granting temporary access to a housecleaner or monitoring your front door activity while on vacation, Kevo redefines the meaning of smart, simple security,” said Mark Wallace, Senior Group Marketing Manager of Spectrum Brands – Hardware & Home Improvement. 

A Total Key Management Solution
Using the Kevo mobile app, homeowners can send eKeys to family, friends or service people, anywhere, anytime. Once an eKey is sent, recipients can simply download the mobile app, if they don’t already have it installed, keep their iPhone in their purse or pocket and unlock the door with a simple touch. With several levels of permissions, Kevo Owners and Administrators have authorization to send, delete and disable eKeys within seconds. After distributing eKeys, they can choose to receive notifications when a user locks or unlocks the door, for convenient home security management. Homeowners agree, eKeys are the answer to every-day challenges in key (and home security) management:

“Using Kevo is like living in the future. My new smart lock, and therefore my home, now magically recognizes me by touch. Being able to issue (and revoke) virtual keys to family members or service providers is priceless. Install was a breeze, even for a guy like me who’s never replaced a deadbolt, and only required a single screwdriver.” – David Zatz, blogger at “Zatz Not Funny”.

“I have two dogs that I walk and two children, ages four and two. I am always carrying the kids, groceries, my bags from work; holding the dog’s leashes, etc.,” said Kathy Z. of “3 Boys and a Dog” blog. “This device is invaluable to me because instead of fumbling for keys (that I inevitably drop), I can simply touch my lock with one finger and gain access to my home. I always have my phone on me, either in my pant pocket or in my purse, and I can just leave it in there, touch my Kevo and I am in. The convenience factor is huge!”

Weiser’s Kevo mobile app includes a simple interface that delivers much more than eKey management. After setting up a Kevo account, owners can customize and control everything through their app, including:

.         Managing eKeys and settings associated with each given lock;

.         Receiving notifications when a user enters or exits the door;

.         Monitoring lock activity and tracking user history;

.         Updating Kevo lock software directly from a smartphone;

.         Instant access to Kevo’s Help Center; and

.         Kevo web portal offers the same management features as the app via a browser.

 

Kevo combines UniKey Technologies, Inc.’s (UniKey) secure touch-to-open technology and Weiser’s 110 years of experience engineering and manufacturing residential door locks. This combination of expertise translates to unmatched convenience and security features that include:

.         Inside-outside technology – Kevo offers patent-pending intelligent positioning technology that detects whether an authorized user is inside or outside of the home before granting access, to help prevent unauthorized entry.

.         Touch-to-open convenience – Users can keep their phones in their pocket or purse. No more fumbling for keys, simply touch the lock to open for the ultimate in convenience.

.         Kevo fob – No smartphone? No problem. Users can enjoy the same touch to open convenience with the fob. A single fob can be authorized to work with up to 25 Kevo locks.

.         Multiple levels of encryption – Kevo uses multiple levels of encryption to increase digital security and is continually reviewed by industry leading independent security experts.

.         SmartKeyR technology – Weiser’s patented SmartKey re-key technology provides superior security and re-key convenience unlike any other smart lock on the market.

“History has shown that extremely powerful solutions that deliver a simple and elegant user experience are what evolve industries. Combining forces with Weiser, we are able to deliver a complete, mass market product that will truly revolutionize the way we gain access to our homes,” said Phil Dumas, founder, UniKey.

Compatability, Pricing and Availability
Kevo is compatible with smartphones that support Bluetooth Smart Ready/Bluetooth 4.0 hardware and have the Kevo mobile app available. The app is currently available for iPhoneR 4S, 5, 5c and 5s, as well as the fifth generation iPodR touch, third generation or higher iPadR and iPad mini. The app will become available for additional platforms such as Android, pending software upgrades, to fully support Bluetooth Smart Ready/Bluetooth 4.0 technology. Homeowners can purchase their Kevo deadbolt for the suggested price of $249.99 at a wide range of retailers nationwide. For additional information on what is included in the Kevo package and a list of on-line retailers, please email marketingdirector@thesilo.ca .

Brampton’s Skylink offers home app for mobile- allows phones to control home devices

Ahhh Jane Jetson- you really know how to take advantage of technology.
Ahhh Jane Jetson- you really know how to take advantage of technology.

 

We know they let you watch TV on the go, surf online, send emails and, oh yeah, make phone calls. But an innovative new tool now also gives you the power to use your mobile device to switch on any light in your home, open your garage door or turn on any other piece of electronic equipment, no matter where you’re located.

Ontario Technology firm: The Skylink Group – which previously introduced Skylink HomeControl, an affordable and easy-to-use system to wirelessly control your entire house – recently launched a mobile application, Skylink HomeControl App, that effectively turns your smartphone, tablet or PC into a remote control.

The handy app allows users to control just about anything in their home with the touch of a couple buttons on a virtual keypad, which can be customized to the specific devices they want to be able to access remotely.

 

 

 

You might be surprised to learn that home automation has been around for a long time and since the earliest days of electricity in the home, inventors and entrepreneurs have scrambled to find a useful and profitable way of harvesting radio waves and electricity.   Tesla was one such visionary and among his many accomplishments is perhaps the first use of control by remote- considered at the time, an important form of automation. In 1898 he constructed and demonstrated this remote control model boat in New York. image: kerryr.net
You might be surprised to learn that home automation has been around for a long time and since the earliest days of electricity in the home, inventors and entrepreneurs have scrambled to find a useful and profitable way of harvesting radio waves and electricity.
Tesla was one such visionary and among his many accomplishments is perhaps the first use of control by remote- considered at the time, an important form of automation. In 1898 he constructed and demonstrated this remote control model boat in New York. image: kerryr.net

 

 

 

Anyone who already understands how to use a mobile device or a computer tablet will be able to use this app easily. That’s the key to getting the
greatest benefit from new technologies – making them easy to understand and user friendly,” says Philip Tsui, CEO and the Chairman of Skylink Group.

The Skylink HomeControl System is designed for do-it-yourselfers and uses control modules which can be wired out of sight and wireless receivers plugged into wall outlets or lamp sockets, even wall switches and dimmers which replace your existing wall switches. For professionals, the Skylinkhome Wireless Control System has modules with three wires that can be installed almost anywhere.

The Wireless Control System can be used to control anything electronic, including:

.         Lamps

.         Coffee makers

.         Fans

.         Stereos

.         Fire places

.         Ceiling fans

.         Indoor and outdoor lighting

.         Garage doors

.         Security systems

.         Countless other electronic devices and appliances

Often cited as the "McDonald's of Home Automation" X-10 modules were considered a major breakthrough when they entered the consumer market in the 1970's. A central control unit (here seen in lovely 70's woodgrain) controlled separate modules that were plugged directly into a home power outlet. An appliance requiring automation such as a lamp, was plugged into the module and controlled via wired or wireless control from the X-10 'brain'. CP
Often cited as the “McDonald’s of Home Automation” X-10 modules were considered a major breakthrough when they entered the consumer market in the 1970’s. A central control unit (here seen in lovely 70’s woodgrain) controlled separate modules that were plugged directly into a home power outlet. An appliance requiring automation such as a lamp, was plugged into the module and controlled via wired or wireless control from the X-10 ‘brain’. CP

 

For those who may not have a smartphone or computer tablet, Skylink also has a remote control – the credit card-sized SkylinkPad – which can be used to wirelessly control devices in your house.

 

In addition to convenience, the Skylink HomeControl System helps users realize significant energy savings. With the touch of a button, you can shut off all of your lights or set up motion sensors to work with the system. The wireless system also uses timers to ensure that lights and electronic equipment can be shut off when they’re not needed. Dimmers also reduce energy usage, contributing to a greener environment and lower electricity bills.

 

About Skylink Group:

The Skylink Group understands the needs and concerns of the homeowner in providing a safe and comfortable environment for their family whether they are at home or away. Established in 1990, Skylink Group operates out of Brampton, Ontario. On
Twitter at @skylinkhome.

Supplemental– The Genius of Nikola Tesla http://www.teslasociety.com/radio.htm

The History of Home Automation http://www.eddriscoll.com/timeline.html

3DPrinter Leader botObjects

printing will change everything. You heard it here first. CP

On September 11th, 2013 – (New York City, US – Global Release) botObjects finally announced the ProDesk3D the world’s first Full Color 3D Desktop Printer (the ProDesk3D).

The firm aims to change the face of the 3D desktop printing market with the launch of the ProDesk3D, enabling the advancements to trigger mass market adoption of this technology – opening up a new generation of innovation, by doing so – accelerating the customer growth around the world. On the back of recently announcing their US high school education plans and its 3DDPE (3D Desktop Printing Education) Program – the firm believes that this market and the ProDesk3D is rightly timed for ‘hype to turn to reality’ – with new types of consumers buying this technology to innovate at home, and high schools shifting their expense policies to accommodate this technology in the curriculum. The market is now seeing a much wider set of professionals buy too – seeking automation & manufacturing efficiencies, new ways to gain client satisfaction, and finally, identifying new business opportunities as a result of using this technology.

 

Co-founder of botObjects Martin Warner
Co-founder of botObjects Martin Warner

 

“Our customers and friends are sharing with us their ideas for this technology and how the ProDesk3D gives them finally a product that can address the shortfalls in competitor products – such as professional resolution, better speed, amazing advantages of full color, and a product that is really plug and play. The ideas we are hearing are sensational from advancements in human prosthetics, to teeth dentures, to toy figurines, to advanced precision-based components, to food manufacturing testing and much, much more.

This revolution is happening at such a rapid pace that we won’t recognize it in 10 years time – everyone will touch this market in some way or another”, said Martin Warner, CEO & Co-founder.

botObjects announces expands its distribution footprint to UK, Austria and Korea We are pleased to announce today our Sole Distributor and strategic partner –EBM 3D Limited who in celebration will be launching Xerika, their brand supporting the best of new technology across the UK.

Today, botObjects proudly announced that 3D-Fabrik as their Sole Distributor and strategic partner in Austria. 3D-Fabrik will be announcing new web announcements & local pricing shortly. Continuing the Asian distribution release efforts, botObjects announced Alien Technology Asia as the Sole Distributor and strategic partner in Korea. botObejcts also confirmed that new web announcements due out shortly for this territory.

 

Co-founder of botObjects, Mike Duma.
Co-founder of botObjects, Mike Duma.

 

“We are extremely proud to announce our new strategic partners today, and look forward to announcing more countries very shortly in the build up to the global release of the ProDes3D”, said Mike Duma, CTO & Co-founder.

 

 

 

World’s First Colour 3D Printer Set To Enter Every Home And Business

New York City, US – Global Release.  Last month, botObjects began taking advanced orders on the world’s first Full Color 3D Desktop Printer – at aggressive prices aimed at enabling most customers from home users, business professionals to educational institutions the opportunity to buy the ProDesk3D.
Why the finger of God? (courtesy of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam fresco 1508-12) Because this 3d printer and those like it are GAME CHANGERS. We all will have unbelievable powers of creation. Sure right now, there's an over-run of plastic Yoda heads and bubble-gum machine toys but eventually the novelty will wear off and the real output will begin. There are likely new home-based manufacturing businesses that will spring up as 3d printer prices fall and their capacities and features rise. Here's a freebie- how about manufacturing fishing lure bodies from your desktop? CP

While some observers pegged the launch price at $3000 or more, the firm decided to launch an early order price at $2,849 for the standard edition – hoping to make it an easier decision for customers as it is highly competitive with its contemporaries, yet significantly more advanced, and in a more mature stunning case. [ To keep things in historical perspective- “The first laser printer success was the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet, released in 1984. The HP LaserJet bacame the de facto standard for the personal computer industry. By 1987, HP and clone laser printers could be purchased for about $2,500 and 2005 prices were under $1,000. ” Xerox Corporation u-s-history.com CP ]

The company also recently announced its next generation website, and along with it, released significant information that future customers wanted, such as 3D full color print samples created on the ProDesk3D.  botObjects aims to show how advanced the ProDesk3D is, with color 3D printed samples never seen before in the 3D Desktop Printing category.  Also, the firm announced technical information about the ProDesk3D, confirming an advanced specification aimed at delivering the first real 3D desktop printer for the mass market – with features aimed to deliver higher quality with color range, all-round ease of use, and printing speed.  The firm also confirmed that the ProDesk3D will print at 25 microns – some 4 times more accurate than its competitors, and at a maximum speed of 175mm per second – delivering industry leading speed for an FDM 3D Desktop Printer.

 

Martin Warner, CEO & Co-founder said, “We are delighted to be ahead of our plan, and release information that customers want to see, such as our own 3D print samples, so they can see the quality of finish and the gorgeous color range in the samples.  We also released the technical specification, the available price and much more.  Now customers can order today!”

botObjects [ and The Silo btw CP ]  believes that the 3D Desktop Printing revolution, is the next great technology wave, much like the PC revolution, and will no doubt dramatically change the rate of innovation at home and in the workplace, while influencing the approach to education both in school and in industry.  Areas such as product design, rapid proto-typing, many forms of engineering, architecture, precision-based manufacturing, home utility replacement, gaming & art and much more will dramatically change as a result of 3D Desktop Printers.  As software becomes easier for people to create 3D models, the ProDesk3D aims to make this a reality, announcing its own easy-to-use ProModel Software, coupled with the ProDesk3D to enable customers to create the models of their choice very quickly and efficiently.

Examples of full colour 3d printed BotObjects. To make real consumer and home inroads- practical objects at reasonable prices will need to happen, but these are a pretty cool start. CP
Examples of full colour 3d printed BotObjects. To make real consumer and home inroads- practical objects at reasonable prices will need to happen, but these are a pretty cool start. CP

Speaking on the announcement, Mike Duma, CTO & Co-founder said, “We know that people are extremely excited about the ProDesk3D, and we thank everyone for their patience.  We have had over 100,000 enquiries, and numerous countries interested in distributing the ProDesk3D.  We have announced a great deal of information so that our customers can learn more and evaluate whether to purchase the ProDesk3D.  We also added something special – our new limited edition ProDesk3D Blue – we know that customers will love this design just like the ProDesk3D.”

botObjects announced it can now take early orders by telephone today, and expects to take early orders on its website soon. [ now happening at   http://botobjects.com/ CP ] The firm confirmed that the first early order batch expect to ship 1st October 2013.

 

Supplemental- The CAD/CAM lab at UC Berkeley http://ced.berkeley.edu/resources/cadcam-lab/

The History of Computer Printers http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blcomputer_printers.htm

Moedls app turns smartphones into inexpensive 3D scanners http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130225-moedls-app-turns-your-smartphone-into-a-3d-scanner.html

 

 

Falcon9 and Dragon blast-off LIVE stream

Life imitates art....space is beginning to be serviced by private companies just as Ian Fleming suggested it would in Moonraker. Who can forget Drax and his fleet of private spaceshuttles? CP
Life imitates art….space is beginning to be serviced by private companies just as Ian Fleming suggested it would in Moonraker. Who can forget Drax and his fleet of private spaceshuttles? CP

 

 

 

 

Click  to open Rocket Launch LIVE window

 

Drax :-: "First there was the dream, now there is reality. Here in the untainted cradle of the heavens will be created a new super race, a race of perfect physical specimens. You have been selected as its progenitors, like gods your offspring will return to Earth and shape it in their image. You have all served in public capacities in my terrestrial empire. Your seed like yourselves will pay deference to the ultimate dynasty which I alone have created. From their first day on Earth they will be able top look up and know that there is law and order in the heavens."  Hugo Drax Villain Moonraker
Drax :-: “First there was the dream, now there is reality. Here in the untainted cradle of the heavens will be created a new super race, a race of perfect physical specimens. You have been selected as its progenitors, like gods your offspring will return to Earth and shape it in their image. You have all served in public capacities in my terrestrial empire. Your seed like yourselves will pay deference to the ultimate dynasty which I alone have created. From their first day on Earth they will be able top look up and know that there is law and order in the heavens.” Hugo Drax Villain Moonraker

Dolby Laboratories Media Emulator In Minnetonka Master Suite

DolbyMediaScreenshots
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Minnetonka Audio Software Inc. (MASI), a leader in production software for motion picture, broadcast surround sound, and consumer electronics applications, recently announced that it is now providing worldwide distribution and resales of the Dolby(R) Media Emulator toolkit from California-based Dolby Laboratories Incorporated. This fortifies Minnetonka Audio’s already comprehensive offering of production problem solvers. Minnetonka Audio has added Dolby Media Emulator to its SurCode for Dolby E Master Suite 3 product bundle without raising the bundle price.

 “Our strategic decision to distribute Dolby Media Emulator strengthens our current product mix and expands our reach into more post suites,” said Jayson Tomlin, vice president of business operations at Minnetonka Audio. “For our customers, Dolby Media Emulator is a bargain in itself. By bundling it with the SurCode suite without raising the price, we’ve created a one-stop shop for media producers that is truly an outstanding value.”

Dolby Media Emulator is a software tool for authoring and post that provides real-time emulation for Dolby broadcast formats. Acting as a plug-in for popular digital audio workstations, Dolby Media Emulator enables an audio engineer to simulate accurately how content will sound when played back through licensed consumer electronics.

Dolby Media Emulator lets an operator preview the results of differing metadata values when decoding Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and HE-AAC audio formats.

One application worth highlighting: Take a look at this diagram. See all of those speakers? Consider that Dolby Surround formats are varied but most include multiple speakers and therefore multiple positions of "sound". The vast majority of consumers are listening to complex surround signals through only one or two speakers. That means, a proper mix MUST take this into account. Minnetonka's Dolby Media Emulator makes sure you get this right. CP
One application worth highlighting: Take a look at this diagram. See all of those speakers? Consider that Dolby Surround formats are varied but most include multiple speakers and therefore multiple positions of “sound”. The vast majority of consumers are listening to complex surround signals through only one or two speakers. That means, a proper mix MUST take this into account. Minnetonka’s Dolby Media Emulator makes sure you get this right. CP

 

“With the majority of surround programs being played back in stereo and mono environments, correct metadata and downmix settings are a critical requirement for deliverables,” said Markus Hintz, director of global sales and business development at Minnetonka Audio. “In addition to previewing their metadata settings, audio engineers can use Dolby Media Emulator for standardized loudness measurement, proper  monitoring of LtRt sources, and downmixes from all other sources.”

Rather than resort to using home audio gear in a professional workflow, engineers can use Dolby Media Emulator to validate mix and metadata decisions against a certified standard in their familiar monitoring environment.

To aid in specifying proper metadata values, Dolby Media Emulator can measure and properly determine the dialogue normalization (dialnorm) value with a standardized loudness meter. The included loudness meter supports international ITU-R BS.1770, ITU-R BS.1770-2, and EBU R-128 loudness standards and incorporates the optional Dolby Dialogue Intelligence(TM) algorithm. Its ability to configure and control the monitoring environment and evaluate metadata parameters makes Dolby Media Emulator an essential product for postproduction, DVD, and DTV facilities that master, author, or broadcast program material with Dolby surround sound formats. Dolby Media Emulator runs as an Avid(R) Pro Tools(R) RTAS(R) plug-in, and as a VST(R) plug-in for popular programs such as Nuendo(R).

Dolby Media Emulator is available for immediate delivery from Minnetonka Audio resellers and distributors, and also directly from Minnetonka Audio’s eShop. In-depth information on Dolby Media Emulator and how it enriches existing tools and workflows is available at www.minnetonkaaudio.com

Revamped auto e-testing in Ontario is “ineffective money grab”

The maniacal Hal9000 computer was in charge of operating a spacecraft in Kubrick's 2001:A Space Odyssey.
The maniacal Hal9000 computer was in charge of operating a spacecraft in Kubrick’s 2001:A Space Odyssey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time to scrap Ontario’s Drive Clean program and the latest reboot of the decade old Drive Clean program should get the boot altogether. I make this claim following the Wynne government’s latest set of changes introducing a bureaucratic and excessively onerous procedure for consumers and car dealers to follow if their vehicle fails the new Drive Clean test. The changes build on a government revamp of the program that now have vehicles undergo an OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) test instead of an emissions test directly at the tailpipe – changes that resulted in an immediate jump in failure rates from 5 per cent up to 10.5 per cent.

[In the scene below- astronaut Dave is refused entry back into the main spaceship after retrieving the body of fellow astronaut Frank. The Hal9000 computer incorrectly diagnosed a failure in the spaceship’s communication antenna array. CP]

When our previous government introduced the program in 1999, emission reduction was both the goal and the result – today numerous drivers are being told their car has failed the test simply because its on-board computer isn’t ‘ready with the only reduction coming to the motorists wallet. It’s clear government introduced a more stringent e-test as a way to justify a program that has obviously outlived its usefulness.

To ensure all monitors/on-board computers are ready, the Ministry of the Environment has suggested motorists should spend a few days driving the vehicle on the highway and around town.

It seems hypocritical that a program geared to emission reduction would also encourage Ontarians to drive around aimlessly to remedy a technical glitch before they can pay more money to take another e-test. The fact that this is an unworkable, ineffective money-grab that has well passed it’s best before date. The Auditor General specifically warned the Liberals last year to delay the implementation of their new e-test in order to ensure that all technical testing was completed and problems were resolved.

In typical Liberal-fashion, the government ignored the advice of the Auditor General and rushed ahead with their new emissions test – neglecting any due diligence whatsoever.  For the Silo by Toby Barrett

Contact Toby for more information at 519-428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629

Watch LIVE and archived streams of Mars Rover Curiosity

We’re back on Mars!

If you’re a space geek, science fan or techno nerd then you may already know a bit about the latest planetary lander called Curiosity. Today (August 6th, 2012) this engineering marvel (not to mention the challenge of sending and landing) sits near Gale Crater (this crater is so big there’s a mountain called Mount Sharp inside it CP) and prepares to investigate some of the most geologically interesting areas on the Red Planet.

What’s the big deal? This is an investigation that could unravel the greatest mystery of all…..”is/was there life out there?” So without further ado, here is the LIVE stream with real time chat. Update Aug6 10:03PM EDT the first LIVE stream has ended but has been archived and will play in the window below. Other LIVE streams will play in real-time as the mission developments continue. CP Update Aug22  1:03PM EDT we will be streaming the LIVE NASA press conference with updates on the mission and rover status. Video feed begins at 2:30 PM EDT CP

 

Live broadcasting by Ustream

  Stop-motion landing sequence video

 

August 22nd 2012 post NASA stream-

Testing out the optics on board the rover. These are an array of basalt rocks likely similiar to “Coronation”

 
The MARS/NASA/JPL team showed media the first scientifically laser-beamed and analyzed Mars rock during today’s press conference. This Basaltic rock (called Coronation by the team) displayed interesting hydrogen variations and preliminary results showed more hydrogen measured on its surface with exponentially decreasing amounts as the laser probed deeper.

Planetary Scientist Joy Crisp answering media questions during today’s Live feed.

The plan now before searching for water, is a ramping up of technical and rover checkouts, a more thorough planning order of activities and lengths, driving the rover to new sites for rock drilling and investigating what scientists are calling ‘scours’- ground indentations made by the Sky Crane thrusters during the descent of the Mars rover.
Scientists caution the fact that there are no definitive time tables for upcoming tests. This is due to such unpredictable conditions as weather forecasting and rover checkouts and performance. As these tests are conducted and checkouts are completed, the Mars team hope to learn how to ‘fine tune’ future tests after properly calibrating the rovers testing instruments. For example, the wavelength instrument is affected by the slight temperature shifts from the time of the Mars day and from the rover’s movements.

Spectrum results from Mars Rock “Coronation”. Note the Hydrogen peak after laser ‘zap’ #1. image:NASA/TheSilo

Reporter questions focused on the geological aspects of today’s conference and the team responded enthusiastically about plans to drive the rover to areas that have bedrock and opportunities for testing varied rock types. A short video in honor of deceased science fiction author and Mars fan Ray Bradbury rounded things out. As one scientist put it “ We are only 16 days into a two year mission.” Stay tuned. CP


 

 

The Canadian .CA Registry partners with Swedish company Open DNSSEC AB (svb)

“Ultimately, governments will be the saviour of the Internet,” said keynote speaker, Dragon’s Den star Robert Herjavec at the 2012 Canadian Internet Forum photo: Scott Parker , The Ottawa Citizen

OTTAWA – June 11, 2012 – The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) and the Swedish company OpenDNSSEC AB (svb) are pleased to announce they are partnering on an initiative to make the Internet more safe and secure. CIRA will provide support for the continued development and enhancement of OpenDNSSEC, a free administration tool that uses open source code to simplify the implementation of Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC). DNSSEC is a set of extensions that will significantly improve online security.

“The support from CIRA is valuable to OpenDNSSEC AB in its effort to develop the software. It gives us the opportunity to strengthen the project with Sara Dickinson from the research and development company Sinodun as a project manager,” said Patrik Wallström, Acting President of OpenDNSSEC.

“We are pleased to offer our support to the OpenDNSSEC project,” said Byron Holland, President and Chief Executive Officer of CIRA. “It is through initiatives like this that CIRA can help foster a safe and secure Internet experience for all Canadians.”

OpenDNSSECis being developed in an international co-operation project with several participats: .SE (The Internet Infrastructure Foundation), Kirei, NLnet Labs, Nominet, SIDN, Sinodun Internet Technologies, and SURFnet. The OpenDNSSEC software was released in beta in 2009, and it has undergone significant improvements since that time.

Patrik Wallström, Acting President of OpenDNSSEC photo: Mith Media/The Silo

OpenDNSSEC AB was formed in 2011 to support other top-level domain administrators in their use of the tool to manage Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC). The company develops the software and offers training and support agreements.

More about the software and DNSSEC

OpenDNSSEC simplifies the management of DNSSEC, an extension of the Internet’s open directory service DNS, which prevents Internet and e-mail addresses from being manipulated and ensures that they lead to the right online destination. In OpenDNSSEC, which .SE was involved in the development of, the necessary processes are automated to eliminate the need for manual management.

Under DNSSEC, Internet zones are cryptographically signed. When looking up a domain name, the signature is controlled using a key published by the party responsible for this zone.

OpenDNSSEC is available for free download at: http://www.opendnssec.org.

.SE (The Internet Infrastructure Foundation) is a not-for-profit public-service organization that acts to promote the positive development of the Internet in Sweden. .SE is responsible for the Internet’s Swedish top-level domain, .se, encompassing domain-name registration and administration, as well as the technical operation of the national domain name registry. Proceeds from domain-name registrations are used to support projects that contribute to the Internet development in Sweden, through proprietary operations and the financing of independent projects. Read more at http://www.iis.se.

About CIRA
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority is the member-driven organization that manages Canada’s .CA domain name registry, develops and implements policies that support Canada’s Internet community, and represents the .CA registry internationally.

Supplemental- http://www.canada.com/business/Nations+must+step+global+rules+Internet+governance+conference+told/6217740/story.html