Tech Friday: Text to Image entertainment
Posted By RichC on January 27, 2012
While playing with an image on the text-image.com text to image site, I thought about using an avatar or personal photo … but instead figured I’d use some “descriptive text” and marry it to a rather frightening photo. After clicking on the photo to enlarge it full size does the somewhat hidden suggestive photo help decipher the random letter sequence? If you still can’t figure out the photo, try backing away from the computer screen and “clear your scuba mask.” 
Or look here …
BMW M Cars get tri-turbo diesel – BBC Top Gear
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
Hey BMW … how about bringing those all-wheel drive tri-turbo M diesels over to the U.S.
BMW’s M Division may have started out with a raspy, fighty little petrol 3 Series, but today it stands for something more. Much more. Say hello to the birth of the 3.0-litre triple-turbo straight six diesel M car.
BMW recently revealed its intention to create a new range of M-tuned cars that would sit between the standard range and the ‘proper’ M cars, and today we find out that on launch, the brand will offer a four-wheel-drive BMW M550d and M550d Touring, a BMW X5 M50d and a BMW X6 M50d.
More at topgear.com
Nice to get a box of oranges from Florida this time of year
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
I just remembered that I took a Palm Pre photo of the oranges (and Marmalade) my in-laws sent earlier in the week. I put a couple in my center console for my drive and now every time I jump back in the car … Mmm … I get a whiff of this very nice fragrance (who doesn’t love the smell of fresh Florida oranges!).
Let’s just hope that my snacking on an orange today offsets that McDonald’s McChicken sandwich and that large coffee that I just scarfed down!
Ghost boat adrift for 3-years and 3,500 miles
Posted By RichC on January 26, 2012
Ghost boat found after three-year, 3,500-mile journey
- After wandering the sea for more than three years, the Queen Bee out of Nantucket was found 20 miles off the northern coast of Spain.
(US Coast Guard photo)
via npr.tumblr.com
New coffee love and an ongoing Encore mount project
Posted By RichC on January 25, 2012
I was going to comment on the “more of the same” State of the Union address from President Obama last night and Gov. Mitch Daniels response, but the reality is that I’m getting tired of hearing the same thing again and again. More divisive rhetoric that splits the country and very little hope that we’ll see less government; OR that those in Washington DC will address the deficit, debt and the long term entitlement issues looming on the horizon. I did think that Gov. Daniels delivered one of the better responses that I can remember … and that his inclusion of Republicans as “part of the problem” was big of him (sort of which he were campaigning for the GOP nomination).
But instead of detailing the SOTU, I’m going to mention the coffee creamer and sweetener Coffeemate product that my sister-in-law introduced me to over the holidays (Thanks Claire). If you add a little cream or sugar (or their substitutes) to your coffee as I do, try the all in one creamer. I’m fond of the liquid but am planning to try the powder when on the boat.
Interesting article: Why innovation is dying in America
Posted By RichC on January 24, 2012
…all new inventions in the U.S. are assigned a political party. In the transportation and energy sectors, anything to do with petroleum, natural gas, biofuels, clean diesel, hydrogen and any means of producing electricity other than wind turbines or solar panels is Republican.
Hybrids, plug-ins and battery-electric vehicles are Democrat technologies, in addition to anything related to solar or wind energy.
Drew Winter from WardsAuto wrote an insightful article earlier this month, although I had a little bit of an opinion too. I agreed with Mr. Winter’s assessment that innovation is assigned a political label … such as "Govt Motor’s Volt" (as it is referenced by some) being targeted as dangerous (not appropriate), 
but I will also point out that non-innovation gets targeted too – the Keystone XL Pipeline Project comes to mind.
I welcome better energy innovation for our country, be it solar, wind or even the electric cars (perfect for some drivers), but as believe the development need to be privately advanced. The computer and electronics innovation Winter mentioned was "privately advanced;" it proves that capitalism works without government’s heavy hand or funding. I cringe when I see government nosing into capital ventures and business … be it by one party or the other. The recent bankrupt Solyndra solar company loans (D), agri-lobby biofuel mandates and tax credits (R), Wall Streets banks and automotive company bailouts (both R & D) and the senseless roadblocks targeting natural gas, shale and sand oils or big oil’s offshore drilling are not helping our nation’s energy or automotive industry policies. What we need is less government involvement creating a level playing field, even if it seems skewed toward the establishment players (enforce the laws are already in place when innovation is squelched.)
Innovation needs to stand on its own merit … let investors fund and consumers choose what makes the most sense without manipulation by either party. If our governments debt and deficit is not a good enough reason for a smaller federal government, their heavy handed involvement in competitive businesses is a pretty good reason to support shrinking Washington DC (bigger government and more regulations is not the answer).
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.