R2-D2 was originally a multi-use Android. His many uses throughout the movies have been Fighter Pilot Navigator, Mechanic, 3-D Projector and even covert ops (watch the movie, you'll see). Everyone likes R2-D2 for different reasons, I just liked his personality amazing what they could do with just beeps and squeaks to give an inanimate object a personality right? Well, this little guy could be yours for the low cost of $3000!!!

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So, going through some more car sites I found this company making what they hope will be the next step in the process for flying automobiles; a flying motorcycle. Now, ever since the Worlds Fair showcasing "Flying Cars of the Future" people have been excited about the use of flying vehicles, but I honestly do not believe it is something that this or the next generation will ever see. I say this because the other technologies which would make it possible simply aren't there yet. First off if cars fly we would need flying traffic lights, flying road signs, flying police officers and everything else a state would require to have flying transportation. Think about that concept, then also realize that most of the government and especially the DMV is still running Windows 98 or the decrepit 3.1 version still.... Sad, I know...
But take that into consideration when you start to think to yourself, WOW we are going to have flying machines! and flying cars!
But still if you want a Motorcycle that flys for $25K Check this site out and call these guys - might be cooler than your next BMW
http://www.thebutterflyllc.com/video/videos.htm

Alright, so I was reading some recent news on the laws of Digital Rights Management (DRM) and I came across and article in Wired which sums up the whole process really well. There are a ton of problems with DRM and all of them are going to hinder the future of computing by putting the creative process in the hands of large corporations to protect their copyright. I can understand their want to control their own property, but this entire thing is getting out of control. I found an article that really sums up the whole thing really well and how mixed up it really is.

How to Explain DRM to Your Dad

Wired Magazine - Listening Post - Friday, 16 February 2007
by Eliot Van Buskirk and Sean Michaels

My friend John was trying to think of a way to explain the problem with digital rights management to his dad and friend of ours who don't see what's wrong with it. He compiled a list of examples of DRM-related problems to help people understand what the big deal is with DRM.

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What do you do if you want your web site to run faster or otherwise add processing capacity using the same number of web hosting servers?

Multi-core CPUs have clearly been the answer offered by chip makers like Intel and AMD over the past couple of years. As operating systems and desktop software continue to bloat, multi-core CPUs offer a more cost-effective and power-efficient alternative to traditional multi-CPU configurations. Intel is now shipping core 2 quad-core processors and Sun has been marketing four- and eight-core "coolthreads" sparc-based systems for a year or more touting their reduced power and enhanced performance capabilities versus similarly equipped multi-cpu solutions from other vendors.

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I just received a link to this interesting article about new uses for LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) as a possible replacement for conventional incandescent and fluorescent lightbulbs.

I have been playing with LEDs for many years and have often wondered why they haven't been used in home and office light fixtures -- This article explains past LED challenges and gives good support for how LED lighting might help us reduce the need for new fossil fuel power plants and pave the way to U.S. energy independence.