Feb. 25, 2008
Vista. It’s better than you think
IT World Canada
Dr. Chevalier offers his thoughts on why Vista still hasn’t been embraced and accepted.
“It may be true that large corporations have not embraced Vista. Yet. The challenge there is the same challenge every OS change incurs. It’s not about the software. It’s about the rollout plan, the investment protection and about the users…By delivering Vista on PCs that are going into the home, Microsoft is creating individual user acceptance in advance of corporate acceptance. This is both intelligent and pragmatic.”
Microsoft XBOX loses to Sony Blu-Ray
Network World
Now that Blu-Ray is the new HD-DVD, Mitchell Ashley points out how you can still make use of your player.
“There is one potential use for all the already purchased HD-DVD players and those still on retailers’ shelves. Use them as DVD upscale converters. They’ll play regular DVDs at better quality than a standard DVD player.”
Houseplants will Twitter you when thirsty
The Globe and Mail
Charlie Sorrel writes about a new system called Botanicalls, which helps plant enthusiasts take the guess-work out of when to water their plants.
“The principle is simple, but you’ll need to be a confident circuit-maker to get the kit up and running. Two nails are pushed into the soil. When the humus is wet, a current flows between them. When that current drops, the Arduino-based circuit will connect to the Botanicalls network via a built-in, low-powered Zigbee radio and send you a Twitter update. It’s up to you to actually water the plant.”