Wireless internet and the rocky road ahead

The discussion about mobile wireless internet access practically everywhere is raging on. There is speculation about google entering this huge market and promises on how WiMax can transform Africa where current internet access infrastructure is archaic or non-existent. So far there is some considerable success in places with dense WiFi spots or mobile companies that offer data plans at reasonable cost. The road ahead looks difficult.

However, it is not only the infrastructure that is decelerating progress. Looking at what people do around me and talking with friends and collaborators in several countries, I have arrived at the conclusion that another major stumbling block is our internet access habits. I take myself for example. On most days I have internet access 100% of the time via my work and home desktops. Do I worry if I need to surf from the sofa? No, because I can use my wife’s laptop with the home wireless. Do I worry when I am not at home or at the office? No, because it is refreshing to be away from the PC for a little bit, and yes, because some times I need internet access but never carry the notebook with me. And do I worry when I travel? Here the answer is a large YES! So what can one do?

Maglev = magnetic levitation + wind = green energy

Hey, do you feel guilty when you leave your PC on all night for those downloads and virus scans? There might hopefully be a solution to produce enough energy to alleviate this bad feeling if the Maglev project delivers as much as it promises. Just imagine a very large building spinning on a cushion of air, utilising huge vertical blades. The Maglev home page (http://magturbine.com/) requires username and password but has a link to a useful related article in Forbes. Ah yes, this technology is developed by chinese scientists. I hope these boys manage to get some results quickly before chinese coal plants cover the entire surface of the earth with black dust…

Electronics companies green ratings by Greenpeace. How realistic is it?

Green is good because of course it sells. Big guns like Nokia and Microsoft are striving to show a green face, especially if this is presented via Greenpeace…. This time around in the report of the 26th of November 2007, Sony-Ericsson is #1 with a score of 7.7 out of 10 while Nokia has fallen from #1 to #9 spot with 6.7 out of 10. I am all for Greenpeace’s and the manufacturers’ efforts but despite the fact that data covers both use of green materials and takeback / recycling policies there is serious reasons to be sceptical about the high scores, especially those related to takeback and recycling. Most multinationals have very different strategies between countries and on top of that the methods used are not so effective. For example why does my printer manufacturer’s printer cartridge program not include Greece and Portugal? Even if I lived for example in Ireland would the plane (stated as the default means of postage) not pollute the environment even more for transport to the french recycling center? Planes are the worst polluters from all means of transport, about ten times worse than trains, so it all seems insane. Oh yes, and what about those huge laser printer cartridges?

You can find the company ratings and judge for yourself at: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/toxics/electronics/how-the-companies-line-up

Relevance of the term “digital”

Unless somebody has been hibernating or decided to live deep in the amazon basin for the last three decades they must have noticed the gradual encroachment of technology in all aspects of our life. Things were interesting enough in the late 70s and the early 80s with the first personal computers. The introduction of CDs for data and music led to the triumph of optical storage, and if predictions for holographic discs live up to technical and cost expectations we will be the owners of 12 cm (or smaller) discs for many years to come. With the arrival of miniDV, video recording has become higher quality and more reliable, so if any of you have old VHS tapes you better hurry to transfer them to your hard disc and DVD discs, before they are completely useless… Photography has followed a more conservative path but the last 5 years have seen cataclysmic changes. Chemical film development is now a process of the past and only a bunch of traditionalists would refuse to admit that CCD and CMOS sensors can do for them as much (or more) as film. The final factor that arrived to stitch everything together in an allpresent net is of course the internet that we all love. Communication? Interaction? Games? Business? It’s all there for everybody to read, hear, see and more importantly contribute!

Welcome!

As of today, in this blog, there will be relentless chat about technology. I expect the content style to morph continuously as more posts are added. I consider this as a perfectly natural development, as we all know that what really counts is what is finally posted according to our developing ideas, knowledge and experience. Actions and not just thoughts! Before the start of my venture in the chaotic and exciting world of the internet, a few words about the blog’s title. I wanted it to be:

1. Based on a greek word. After all I am greek and like the idea :-)
2. Based on an ancient greek word as a tribute to the ancient greek enlightened minds that had so few means and kick started the world of technology and democracy out of nothing.
3. Technology related. And what more suitable word than the electron? Think electronics, electrical & electronic engineering, our thoughts converted to controlled flows of electrons in the internet and our blogs…

Your thoughts and suggestions are the most valuable contribution and are greatly appreciated.

Welcome and stay tuned!

Dimitrios Matsoulis