KDE vs Gnome vs XFCE

I just realized something about the way that linux is having a little 3-way battle within itself. Once you decide to bite the bullet, and download linux, you'll have three main interfaces: Gnome, KDE, and XFCE. Call, then Winny, Mack, and Lynn. This should paint a picture of their popularity. But which is better? Well, if you like the mac interface, then go with Gnome, it is very similar. KDE, on the imitates Windows, but adds some eyecandy. Also, in my experience, KDE is slower than Gnome. Then there's XFCE, which is KDE, but optimized for slower machines, and it lacks much of the eyecandy. They are all 100% skinable, so you can make it look like XP, MacOSX, or Vista (w/o Aero) plus, they have some pretty nicely done open skins. Human and Plastik, to name a couple.

Zune 80GB vs iPod Touch 8GB

The Zune and iPod Touch are two great devices, sleek, large vibrant screens, and loads of storage capacity. If at the end of the comparison, you find that neither suits your needs, then consider Archos and Cowon players. If you can find it, the Creative Zen Vision W is another good player, though it is discontinued.
Anyways, on to the main topic. The Zune, in all it's Microsoft-ness, is actually, a rather nice device, and in the absence of competitors makes an awesome video, that is, without comparing it to the iPod Touch. With a 3" screen, an 80GB hard drive, and a silky 30fps framerate, you just can't go wrong. Add in WiFi,, (sorry, no streaming and no web browsing :( )Not to mention that it costs a whole $50 cheaper (MSRP $249.99) than an iPod Touch.
Now, the iPod Touch is a nice device in it's own regard. It has a larger screen, 8GB of space, and WiFi, with web browsing, access to an app store, where you can download orr buy tons of cool apps, and then of course the touchscreen, and the camera (after all it's basically an iPhone without a GSM tuner, and a slightly modifiied firmware.) MSRP $299.99
So, who wins? Well, if you plan on using more than 16GB, the Zune wins (there is a 16GB version). But if you want access to the internet, an even larger screen, or some cool program in the app store, the iPod Touch is for you.

a few things you didn't know your cell phone could do

1) Google
Did you know you can google without having wap 2.0 service or browser? Well, you can! Simply send a text message (SMS) to 46645. A bot will respond via text, and will give you listings. If you prefer a more human approach, there's a live service called Chacha, in which live people respond, giving more accurate results, but it takes longer, and is subject to human error.
2) E-mail.
You can also receive, and sometimes send E-mail. For example, to E-mail a phone simply type 2345678910@message.alltel.com. Of course, giving online services your cell phone number is just asking for trouble, especially, if you don't have unlimited texting. To get around this, setup a gmail account, and simply set it to forward all mail to your cell number. This method also works in reverse, provided your carrier offers an sms-to-email gateway. The number for T-mobile is 500, so you just send an sms in a special format to 500, and it will send an email to the email address. You can't use gmail as a buffer for that, but you can get an alias from your carrier.

AACS, DeCSS flashback?

There has been a fair amount of hype emanating from the AACS. Mainly how the key is very only 128-bits long, and has already been made known! All that's left is to plug it in to a decrypter such as DumpHD, and it'll dump it into an unencrypted file. You can then play it on your PC. Of course, you can also buy Nero 8 Ultra Edition, but it's expensive at $100! In other words, if you're thinking of building an HTPC, Nero 8 Ultra Edition and the Bluray/HD DVD plug-in is essential! There are other programs for playing bluray, but none that play HD DVD also. Add this to the fact that Bluray / HD DVD / DVD ROMs are only $160, and HD DVD is a cheap (and obsolete) feature. This makes it perfect for those who bought into the HD DVD standard too early, and already have a small library. In fact, you'll only need 1.5 HD DVDs for it to be worth it. At $30 each, the $40 extra from a Bluray-only drive, will pay for 1.5 Bluray DVDs that have to be repurchased.

Electric Bicycles, SUV of the future?

While the thought of bicycling to your daily commute or even errands, may seem daunting, with an electric bicycle, this is almost eliminated. These electric bicycles are comprised of at least six components. These are, the frame, the battery, the motor, the controller, the throttle, and the charger. While you could just hook up a cordless drill to your chain and call it an E-bike, it would be extremely difficult to drive, not to mention the unfulfilled need for torque. Let's start with the most apparent component, the motor.
The motor can take three forms:

• A 'pedal' motor
• A 'grunt' motor
• A hub motor

Of the three, by far the most prominent is the hub motor. Why? These motors allow you to keep your pedals, and are easy to install. The 'pedal' motor is a motor that replaces the pedals. And the 'grunt' motor is in a similar position to the hub motor, but drives a gear which is the wheel.
The next decision is brushed or brushless. The brushless motor uses a brush, whereas the brushless one doesn't. As a result, the brushless motors are more efficient and more expensive, whereas the brushed are less efficient, more powerful, cheaper, and the brush needs to be replaced every few years. Considering that most of the hub motors are brushless, cost only a 'little' more (about $50 to $100) and are maintenance-free.
Where are you going to put your hub motor? You have two places, the front and the rear. If you need to tow about 200lbs of trailer up hill, then a dual hub is for you, but bear in mind that the dual system will literally double your cost. The front motor has certain advantages:

• Easier to install
• Steers easier
• You can use both wheels at the same time when you pedal
• Balances the weight easier

It also has certain disadvantages:

• You'll need to install a torque arm
• No front suspension
• Difficult, if not impossible to install disc brakes
• Little traction

Similarly, the rear has it's pros:

• No loss of traction
• Easily install a front disc-brake
• Allows for front and rear suspension
• No torque arm required

And it's cons:

• Poorly balanced weight
• Dropouts might need to be adjusted
• Harder to install

Thanks to CGameProgrammer on VisforVoltage forums (source of reference). Now, All that's left is to decide which motor. There are a broad selection of motors from a handful of different companies:

• Wilderness Energy's BD-24 - A 24-volt, 600W brushed hub motor
• Wilderness Energy's BD-36 - A 36-volt, 600W brushed hub motor
• Wilderness Energy's BL-36 - A 36-volt, 600W brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Sparrow - A cheap brushed hub motor
• Crystalyte's Roadrunner - A cheap brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Phoenix Brute - A powerful brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Phoenix Cruiser - A powerful and fast brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Phoenix Racer - A fast brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Cannon - A 36V, 500W brushless hub motor
• Crystalyte's Journey - A 36V, 500W brushless hub motor
• BionX P250 - A 24V ,250W brushless hub motor that allows disc brakes
  
• BionX P350 - A 36V, 350W brushless hub motor that allows disc brakes
  
• BionX P500 - A 36V, 500W brushless hub motor that allows disc brakes

Next, are the batteries. There are three basic types: SLA, NiMH/NiCd, and Li-ion/Li-Poly/LiFePO4. Each has it's strength and it's weakness. SLAs are cheap, but very heavy, and very big. NiMH/NiCd, they're about half the weight of SLA, but about 70% heavier than Lithium, they're also priced between lithium and SLA too. Then there's Li-ion/Li-Poly/LiFePO4, these are very light, and also very expensive. So really, the low-end is SLA, the mid-range is NiMH/NiCd, and the high-end is Li-ion/Li-Poly/LiFePO4. Get the best you can afford, the difference in weight between SLA and Li-ion is enormous, and you'll know if your batteries die.
Then there's the controller. These are measured in Amps, and in Volts. The Volts is the voltage at which it runs, and the Amps is the maximum amperage. For most uses, aim for about 40A. Also, the 7240 controllers for the Phoenix motors are very powerful, and can go up to 45MPH on a Racer! Bear in mind, though, that the maximum legal limit is 20MPH, though I seriously doubt any trouble at 23MPH, but I'm not a lawyer so I cannot and will not be held liable or responsible for your actions. Another thing to look for is a key 'ignition'.
Next is the throttle, which is mainly a matter of preference, unless your bike uses twist shifters, in which case you'll need a thumb controller. There are six variations, and three kinds:

• Thumb
• Twist
• Half-twist

I don't need to say anything except that a half-twist isn't "twist halfway for full throttle", rather it means how long it is. And then there's the variation of whether or not it has a battery gauge on it.
The only thing left now is the frame. If you have a long commute, you may want a recumbent. Always go for a steel frame, and if you're going to install a front motor, make sure it doesn't have a front suspension. Aluminum isn't strong, even if it's a whole 2lbs lighter, therefore, avoid it.
One last thing, the charger. Make sure it's good for your kind of battery chemistry and follow the advice of the manufacturer.

"Don't be evil"

The "Don't be evil" motto certainly summarizes Google's legal behavior. As I'm probably one of the only people who actually read the Terms of Service, I can say that Google's is just that - not evil. Though it was ridden with loopholes as with most, Google's TOS certainly reflected the spirit upon which the corporation was founded. I for one, certainly appreciate that no third party transferral of private information was allowed without consent or Google's data handling, and, quite unfortunately, in accordance with government request. I do realize that a corporation such as Google can't simply refuse to comply with the gov't (or infantile gestapo), and as such it is forgiven. Again, at the very end of the TOS it stated that it complied with the DMCA, again I realize the pressure Google's under, but somehow I just feel like I wanted more.