Useful Internet Based Tools

Phixr is an online photo editor. With Phixr, you don't need software or browser plugins. Phixr has several editing tools you can use to edit your photos, such as red eye remover, color effects, fun effects, add frame, and rotate, just to name a few. I really love editing photos, and I found this tool very useful. You can visit the website at www.phixr.com.

Visit Guerrillamail.com, and you can get a disposible temporary e-mail address. To create an e-mail address, all you have to do is click on, Get Temporary E-mail. You also have a choice of choosing an e-mail name. The e-mail address is good for 1 hour. After 1 hour the e-mail address will be deleted. If you need more than 1 hour, you can reset it back to an hour. I think this would come in handy for preventing you from having to deal with spam from websites. You can visit the website at www.guerrillamail.com.

Visit batchgeo.com, this site allows you to make google maps with mutiple marker locations. If you have a spreadsheet with contacts and addresses, then you can map out the location. All you have to do is copy the information from the spreadsheet to batchgeo, and then click map now. This can be useful for several purposes including calculating distances, house or apartment buying, or finding the best route to visit several locations. If you would like to try this, just visit www.batchgeo.com.

AllMyFaves.com offers a visual directory of favorites that you probably use daily or have bookmarked. There are different categories you can choose from, such as blogs, business, games, kids, shopping, etc..I don't know about you, but I have so many bookmarks that is is hard to locate things at time. I fould this tool pretty useful. If you would like to try it out, just visit www.allmyfaves.com.

Futuremessage.org is an internet tool, that allows you to send messages in the future. The way it works, you type the message, choose what date you want to send it. The information is stored in a database and when the time comes your message is sent as an e-mail, text, or Tweet. You can choose one or up to all three methods. I personally am always forgetting birthdays, with this I could sent a future birthday message. If you would like to check this out, just visit www.futuremessage.org.

Microbial fuel cell generates electricity from mud

Scientists are looking into harnessing bacteria to produce electricity through microbial fuel cells. These microbial fuel cells convert chemical energy to electrical energy to offer a clean, efficient and reliable alternative to batteries and other environmentally harmful fuels. Office of Naval Research has developed an microbial fuel cells that can convert decomposed marine organisms into electricity.

The most promising electricity-generating microorganism is called Geobacter. Geobacter, has tiny hairlike extensions called pili that it uses to generate electricity from mud and wastewater. With its powerful return of clean energy it could reduce carbon emissions in the environment.

To read more about microbial fuel cells click on the following link.

Late last year Austin, Texas lauched a pilot of the car2go program. The way the program works is, 200 smart fortwo vehicles were made available 24/7 within the city to a select group of city employees. As a member you can use the car as long as you like. When you are done, you can park it in any available public parking space within downtown Austin area or at specially marked car2go spaces. You can go online and book a vehicle in advance. The pilot showed that 90% of people use car2go spontaneously and for one-way trips. The trial was so successful that beginning in May, 2010, the number of cars will increase and all Austin residents and students can apply for a membership. I was curious to see exactly how it all worked, so I visited the car2go website. I clicked on the FAQ's link, and there most of my questions were answered.

Augmented reality windshield from GM

GM partnered with Narnegie Mellon University has developed a working heads-up display that turns an ordinary windshield into an augmented reality information dashboard. According to the article, this enhanced vision system can help drivers by highlighting landmarks, obstacles, and road signs on the windshield in real-time to inprove safety and navigation.

Cameras mounted on the dashboard track the driver's head and eyes to determine where he or she is looking.

To sense what is in front of the car, the systems uses a variety of sensors, including night vision, navigation systems, and caneras to gather data.

I don't know about you guys but I would think something like this would be very distracting to a driver. I mean if you are looking at images on your windshield then you are not looking at the road.

Target offers mobile coupons

I don't know about you guys, but I use coupons all the time. Well, mobile coupons are coming to Target. This is not a new technology but Target is the first major retailer to offer these digital bar-coded coupons. Shoppers interested in getting the mobile coupons must register on Target's web site. Once you are registered, you will get text messages on your phone with links to a web page that feature various coupons. There will be new coupons each month and can be used at any Target store nationwide. Other large chain stores are also planning to offer mobile coupons. One in particular is J.C. Penney.

Phone Halo

This is a new gadget called the Phone Halo. The price is around $60 and it turns your BlackBerry or Android phone into a handheld finder. If you loose your keys or phone, you can just open up the Phone Halo apps on your phone, then toggle it to beep. It has a transmitter that can transmit a beep back to your phone, then you can hit a button on the unit to start ringing your handset even if you have it set to silent.

Sony 3D TV

Sony announced that that its 3D TV will arrive June 10th, in Japan. The 3D TV has a 46-inch screen and the cost will be $3,875.00 (wow). Each set will come with two pairs of 3D glasses (only two pair).

Since there are currently limited options for watching 3D content at home, Sony is counting on video games to drice initial sales. Also Sony is partnering with Discovery for a 3D TV network, and ESPN plans to add a channel of 3D content.

Energizer UsbCharger

The Energizer UsbCharger comes with software, that according to the United States Computer Emergency Response Team , contains a backdoor that allows unauthorized remote system access. The major risk is an attacker is able to remotely control a system, including the ability to list directories, send and receive files, and execute programs. The backdoor operates with the privileges of the logged-on user. According to Energizer they have discontinued the sale of the product and removed the site to download the software. The article goes on to tell you how you can remove the components of the software from your computer.

Microsoft TechFest science fair

Monday, March 1, 2010, Microsoft gave a preview of trends in software and computing that the company expects in coming years. Microsoft's chief research and strategy officer said "computing is evolving from the graphical user interface to natural user interface, such as speech, touch, and voice". The article mentions something called muscle computing. With muscle computing there is an input system that is worn on the arm that projects virtual buttons onto the skin. This allows a computer to be controlled with taps along an arm or even on the side of a coffee cup held in the hand. Also, using armbands with muscle sensors that work as computer interfaces. Instead of clicking a button, users move their fingers and hands to control input. There were several other interesting prototype systems that Microsoft mentions in the article.

Networked Sensors

Sometime this month a couple of engineering professors, at Worchester Polytechnic Institute, will be testing networked sensors. These sensors are used to track firefighters while inside a burning building. One of the things mentioned in the article is something I personally never thought about. The fire-retardant jackets, worn by the firefighters, actually deflects flames so well that the firefighters do not realize how hot the flames really are. Not only will the sensors alert the firefighters just before flashover, which is when a room reaches 1,100 F, but the sensors also send their location and vital sighs to a laptop located outside of the building. This really hits close to home for me, because both my brother and husband are volunteer firefighters and several of my sons friends are junior firefighters. I really think this is a great technology that all fire stations should take advantage of if at all possible.

Dashboard Internet

There are laws in some states where you are not allowed to use your cell phone while driving. Well, guess what Ford Motor Company is working on? At the Comsumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas, Ford introduced Dashboard Internet. This technology allows you to use Twitter and Facebook from behind the wheel. I personally think this is insane. Feel free to read the article and tell me what you think.

Security Chip Hacked

Found an interesting article about the TPM chip, made by Infineon Technologies. Christopher Tarnovsky , a former U.S. Army computer-security specialist, was able to hack this particular chip , which is suppose to be the industry's most secure. According to the article it took 6 months for Tarnovsky to figure it out. He first had to soak the chip in acid and then he applied rust remover. There were other things but I'll let you read the article. I guess I never thought that hacking would require acid or rust remover. When I think of hacking I picture someone using some type of computer equipment.

Virtual Computing

Through virtual computing, users can download and use more than one operating system and perform multiple functions at the same time You get the benefits of additional programs and hardware without having to purchase or install them on your computer. I am really excited about trying virtual computing first hand.

Biometrics

I think Biometrics is a highly secure identification technology that should be available to everybody. I am just wondering how expensive this technology is?

My name is Robin, and I am in the CIT program at ECC. The last place I worked was at the phone company. I worked there 20 years and was layed off January, 2008. I have no IT work experience, and so I guess you can say I am green. I attended college straight out of high school but only for a couple of semesters. I decided college was not for me, at the time. I started at ECC January, 2008 and if all goes well, will be graduating May 2010.