The Daily Picture

The Daily Picturehttp://archive.dailypicture.net/Picture of the day. A Daily Picture for you to add to your website. free.Copyright 2008 archive.dailypicture.netTue, 13 May 2008 09:47:00 GMTThe Daily Picturehttp://server1.blog-city.com/images/bc_v5_logo_small.gifhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/360http://backend.userland.com/rssHow To Learn Digital Photographyhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/how_to_learn_digital_photography.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/how_to_learn_digital_photography.htmTue, 13 May 2008 09:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=how%5Fto%5Flearn%5Fdigital%5FphotographyDailyPicture.net

How To Learn Digital Photography

45 sec - 25 Aug 2007

If you want to really learn digital photography... if you have a digital camera but don't understand half of its features... if you are considering moving up froman old "film-style" camera to a digital camera but aren't quite sure what kind of camera to get... this website is just for you. http://www.teknologos.com/mastering_digital_photography.html - learn digital photography, camera, photos, how to photograph, take pictures, film

]]>Metzger Studios, State Room Boston Photographyhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/metzger_studios_state_room_boston_photography.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/metzger_studios_state_room_boston_photography.htmTue, 13 May 2008 09:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=metzger%5Fstudios%5Fstate%5Froom%5Fboston%5FphotographyDailyPicture.net

Metzger Studios, State Room Boston Photography

Unknown length - 1 Apr 2008

State Room Boston Wedding Photographer Scott Metzger is unobtrusive without missing an opportunity and is known for his photojournalistic eye. He understands his photography is the window through which you will remember the events.

]]>Indian Wedding Video Queens New York City Wedding Video & Photo Production Services Experienced Wedding Videography Videographerhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/indian_wedding_video_queens_new_york_city_wedding_video__ph.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/indian_wedding_video_queens_new_york_city_wedding_video__ph.htmTue, 13 May 2008 09:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=indian%5Fwedding%5Fvideo%5Fqueens%5Fnew%5Fyork%5Fcity%5Fwedding%5Fvideo%5F%5FphDailyPicture.net

Indian Wedding Video Queens New York City Wedding Video & Photo Production Services Experienced Wedding Videography Videographers Video Photographers Photography in NYC NY

Unknown length - 3 Mar 2008

A traditional Indian Wedding Video was videoed by Forever Video in New York City in 2005. If you plan a travel wedding or other events in the following cities or states and need video & photo services, please contact Forever Video, http://www.forever-video.com , (416) 519-8433, (647) 500-0898. We provides videography & photography for weddings, sweet sixteen birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvah, anniversaries, commercial, corporate conferences and all events at affordable prices in Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Niagara Falls, Ottawa, New York City (NYC), Long Island, New York (NY), Philadelphia (PA), New Jersey (NJ), & Connecticut (CT).

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]]>Rope and Pulley DJ Machine: Yes I Look Dumb [Itp 2008]http://archive.dailypicture.net/rope_and_pulley_dj_machine_yes_i_look_dumb_itp_2008.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/rope_and_pulley_dj_machine_yes_i_look_dumb_itp_2008.htmTue, 13 May 2008 07:17:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=rope%5Fand%5Fpulley%5Fdj%5Fmachine%5Fyes%5Fi%5Flook%5Fdumb%5Fitp%5F2008DailyPicture.netToday at NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Show, I discovered my next workout machine: Michael Chladil's Rope and Pulley. Seriously, gone are the elliptical and the rowing machine—I'm going to install this and do the silly dance you see above every day, until I'm at least as fit as any Wii could make me.

Each of the four ropes you see controls a different looped sample: drums on my left hand, keys on my right, with electronic bass and some kind of FX thing rounding it out. As you see, when I rock it solo—my giddy look notwithstanding—it just sounds damn good, but when the inventor himself joins in, it's better still. Pedals on the floor restart each loop, so that you can tap it into place.

This is just one component of Michael's Lost/Found project—in the video you can see another pulley contraption he uses to draw circles, creating literal "feedback loops" of sound. Chladil's goal is not to make the next Soloflex, but to help non musicians access music making in a more natural, gestural way. For better or worse, that's also the goal of the inventors of the Beamz laser lute. Fortunately for Chladil, not all appendages can be used to tug ropes (last we checked). [Ropeandpulley.com]

]]>Teste Touch: Deez Nuts Are Made for Ticklin' [Itp 2008]http://archive.dailypicture.net/teste_touch_deez_nuts_are_made_for_ticklin_itp_2008.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/teste_touch_deez_nuts_are_made_for_ticklin_itp_2008.htmTue, 13 May 2008 07:17:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=teste%5Ftouch%5Fdeez%5Fnuts%5Fare%5Fmade%5Ffor%5Fticklin%5Fitp%5F2008DailyPicture.net
The Teste Touch, a humongous pair of testicles swinging from the ceiling, were a big hit at NYU's ITP showcase tonight. As you can see in the video, the nuts are designed to reflect a real scrotum, expanding and contracting based on the outside environment.

The Teste Touch's built-in temperature sensor lets it respond to heat like real testicles; when it's cold, the balls shrivel up like George Costanza's, and when it's warm, they look like something you'd find in a JCC steam room. When tickled or touched, the sac moves and giggles, and while this may not be totally accurate, it is entertaining.

Jason Krugman, Stella Kim, and Ben Chao, the three students who masterminded the whimsical Teste Touch, kept it pube-free on purpose; they wanted the balls to be friendly and huggable, and not, you know, gross or anything.
[TesteTouch]

]]>Virtual Pinball Game "Moving Parts" Addictive Even In Cooperation Mode [Itp 2008]http://archive.dailypicture.net/virtual_pinball_game_moving_parts_addictive_even_in_cooper.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/virtual_pinball_game_moving_parts_addictive_even_in_cooper.htmTue, 13 May 2008 07:17:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=virtual%5Fpinball%5Fgame%5Fmoving%5Fparts%5Faddictive%5Feven%5Fin%5FcooperDailyPicture.netToday, when we visited NYU's Interactive Telecommunications Program spring 2008 show, we were immediately drawn to "Moving Parts," a crazy pinball game that's the brainchild and thesis of physical-interaction designer Daniel Soltis. It's made of real wood, with wooden buttons and plungers, but the board itself is empty, and stays that way. The game you see is merely a projection from above, but man does it feel real.

The experience is so immersive you forget that it's not real—no wonder real pinball is on the endangered-species list. The virtual kind gives you different types of play, four in fact:
• Cooperative, where you have two paddles on your side and one on your partner's side, and you both share a score
• Synchronized, where both sides tap the buttons simultaneously to make the paddles swing fully, so you lose if your partner doesn't help
• Competitive, straight-up pinballin'
• Multiball! You'll see this one at the end of the video, a total clusterfuck with balls flying everywhere

I give Daniel bonus points for cool virtual realism: The actual wooden playing board peaks in the middle, sloping downward. The virtual balls react to this, slowing as they roll uphill to the middle, then speeding up as they roll towards either end.

It was so much fun I almost forgot to ask what the point was. Daniel says that in the age of Wii, it's important to study interaction of players who are not necessarily competitors. Also, he likes to observe how mechanics affect gameplay. We couldn't get Daniel to admit he was merely trying to come up with a great game to sell to bars, but hell if he didn't invent that too. [Moving Parts; ITP]

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]]>Alienware Assimilates Dell's Gaming Business, XPS Gaming Machines On the Way Out [Dell]http://archive.dailypicture.net/alienware_assimilates_dells_gaming_business_xps_gaming_mac.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/alienware_assimilates_dells_gaming_business_xps_gaming_mac.htmTue, 13 May 2008 07:17:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=alienware%5Fassimilates%5Fdells%5Fgaming%5Fbusiness%5Fxps%5Fgaming%5FmacDailyPicture.net

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Dell is killing its four big balls XPS gaming machines (not the entire XPS line, like the standard notebooks, which are selling really well) to focus all of its juice on Alienware as its sole gaming brand. The timeline isn't overly specific, but the clock is ticking for Dell's XPS WoW notebook and their car-sized (and priced) 730 tower. We actually sorta figured this was coming.

While the cross-competition issue is obvious, our suspicions became more solid because of the bit buried in the announcement of Alienware's mondo 17-inch gaming notebook that Alienware was going to move into budget gaming PCs for more mainstream gamers. Why cannibalize themselves on both the upper and lower ends? Course, this just means the Alienware name is going to be tied even more closely to Dell, so whatever cachet left in the name is probably toast, like your wallet after buying one. [WSJ]

]]>Landscape Photography 101http://archive.dailypicture.net/landscape_photography_101.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/landscape_photography_101.htmTue, 13 May 2008 05:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=landscape%5Fphotography%5F101DailyPicture.net

Landscape Photography 101

3 min - 12 May 2008

<a class="link" rel="nofollow" href="http://wph8100.nichepart1.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=YT">http://wph8100.nichepart1.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=YT</a>

]]>Intactivist Photographyhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/intactivist_photography.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/intactivist_photography.htmTue, 13 May 2008 05:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=intactivist%5FphotographyDailyPicture.net

Intactivist Photography

1 min - 27 Jan 2008

From the film, "They Cut Babies, Don't They?" Intactivist photographer James Loewen discusses creating photographs to bring awareness and discussion to the human rights issue of infant genital mutilation.

]]>Chinese Wedding Video at Toronto City Hall GTA Wedding Video & Photo Production Services Experienced Wedding Videography Videogrhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/chinese_wedding_video_at_toronto_city_hall_gta_wedding_video.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/chinese_wedding_video_at_toronto_city_hall_gta_wedding_video.htmTue, 13 May 2008 05:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=chinese%5Fwedding%5Fvideo%5Fat%5Ftoronto%5Fcity%5Fhall%5Fgta%5Fwedding%5FvideoDailyPicture.net

Chinese Wedding Video at Toronto City Hall GTA Wedding Video & Photo Production Services Experienced Wedding Videography Videographer Video Photographer Photography in Markham & Toronto

Unknown length - 3 Mar 2008

"A Little Salute for the Couple" - it is a Wedding Video taped in front of the Toronto City Hall in Remembrance Day 2006. If you plan a travel wedding or other events in the following cities or states and need video & photo services, please contact Forever Video, http://www.forever-video.com , (416) 519-8433, (647) 500-0898. We provides videography & photography for weddings, sweet sixteen birthday parties, bar/bat mitzvah, anniversaries, commercial, corporate conferences and all events at affordable prices in Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Niagara Falls, Ottawa, New York City (NYC), Long Island, New York (NY), Philadelphia (PA), New Jersey (NJ), & Connecticut (CT).

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]]>Metals Manufactured In Space Could Increase Jet Engine Efficiency [Space Metals]http://archive.dailypicture.net/metals_manufactured_in_space_could_increase_jet_engine_effic.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/metals_manufactured_in_space_could_increase_jet_engine_effic.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=metals%5Fmanufactured%5Fin%5Fspace%5Fcould%5Fincrease%5Fjet%5Fengine%5FefficDailyPicture.net

The European Space Agency is looking into manufacturing intermetallic materials in zero gravity space to cut the weight of jet engines in half and increase fuel efficiency. Intermetallic materials are different than alloys in that they are combined at the molecular level, as opposed to merely melting down metals and creating a homogeneous mix. Scientists want to manufacture Titanium Aluminide up in space because on earth, the difference in the metals' weight prevents the allow from diffusing correctly. The ESA currently plans to go up to the International Space Station to conduct tests on the manufacturing process. [BBC via io9 via DViCE]

]]>Wall-E Movie is Jonathan Ive's Latest Design Job [Wall-E]http://archive.dailypicture.net/walle_movie_is_jonathan_ives_latest_design_job_walle.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/walle_movie_is_jonathan_ives_latest_design_job_walle.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=walle%5Fmovie%5Fis%5Fjonathan%5Fives%5Flatest%5Fdesign%5Fjob%5FwalleDailyPicture.net

CNNMoney/Fortune has a story out saying that Eve, the female character to stand opposite Wall-E in the movie of the same name, was designed in part by Apple lead designer Jonathan Ive. The robot design is kinda cool, in that it reminds me of the most recent incarnation of Marvin the Paranoid Android, but the real story to be told is of Ive's day spent with the Pixar guys working on Eve.

Wall-E director Andrew Stanton said he wanted the design to be high-end, but also "seamless and for the technology to be sort of hidden and subcutaneous." Stanton called this philosophy straight out of the Apple playbook and called up El Jobso in 2005. Steve sent over Johnny Ive for the day.

But oddly enough, Ive was as tight lipped as ever, despite being commissioned by Jobs for the task. So while the Pixar designers were running design ideas by Ive for Eve, all he would do is nod his head yes or no, as to whether or not he agreed. "Apple is so proprietary and so secretive that he couldn't even really allude to where the future of technology was going," said Stanton. And Pixar is a company which Jobs owns a stake in. Kinda creepy if you ask me. [Fortune]

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]]>Giant Missle Command: The Best Use of Multitouch to Date [Displays]http://archive.dailypicture.net/giant_missle_command_the_best_use_of_multitouch_to_date_di.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/giant_missle_command_the_best_use_of_multitouch_to_date_di.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=giant%5Fmissle%5Fcommand%5Fthe%5Fbest%5Fuse%5Fof%5Fmultitouch%5Fto%5Fdate%5FdiDailyPicture.net

So, multitouch has some interesting applications, but all pale in comparison to playing a two player version of Missile Command. The clone was installed by Steve Mason at the Obscura Digital production studios massive 8'X4' multitouch wall—and as you can see in the video after the break, It looks like a good time, not to mention a decent workout.

]]>SK Telecom Denies Merger Talks With Virgin Mobile [Cellphones]http://archive.dailypicture.net/sk_telecom_denies_merger_talks_with_virgin_mobile_cellphone.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/sk_telecom_denies_merger_talks_with_virgin_mobile_cellphone.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=sk%5Ftelecom%5Fdenies%5Fmerger%5Ftalks%5Fwith%5Fvirgin%5Fmobile%5FcellphoneDailyPicture.net

Despite mocoNews' and WSJ's reports last week that SK Telecom and Virgin Mobile were set to merge the Helio and Virgin Mobile USA brands, SK Telecom denies these rumors and says its fully committed to Helio. Dow Jones quoted SK Telecom spokesperson Mina Ryu as saying the all stock transaction merger was "groundless" While SK Telelcom did say they were actively pursuing opportunities for expansion in the U.S., they clearly stated they weren't in "any sort of talks" with Virgin Mobile. [mocoNews]

]]>16 Year Old Builds Elaborate S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Chernobyl Themed PC [Casemod]http://archive.dailypicture.net/16_year_old_builds_elaborate_stalker_chernobyl_themed.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/16_year_old_builds_elaborate_stalker_chernobyl_themed.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=16%5Fyear%5Fold%5Fbuilds%5Felaborate%5Fstalker%5Fchernobyl%5FthemedDailyPicture.net

It took around a year to put together from scratch, but a German PC modder going by the name "Froop" managed to build an elaborate PC casemod inspired by the Chernobyl theme in the game S.T.A.L.K.E.R. The result is "Unit 4," a working PC model of Chernobyl complete with a flip-top that allows you to peer into the bowels of the destroyed power plant. The construction process is outlined in its entirety in the following links, but you can check out some pics of the early stages as well as the final product in the gallery. [Thebestcasescenario and bit-tech forums via TechEBlog]

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]]>Sprint: Still The Best For Data [Sprint]http://archive.dailypicture.net/sprint_still_the_best_for_data_sprint.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/sprint_still_the_best_for_data_sprint.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=sprint%5Fstill%5Fthe%5Fbest%5Ffor%5Fdata%5FsprintDailyPicture.net

Sprint, we just don't know how to feel about you. First, we hear your Nextel merger was an oopsie. Then there are reports that you're spending $100 million battling the iPhone in a futile televised slap fight. And to top it all off, we hear that you've just lost 1 million customers. That's some bad news. But it's probably good to note that Sprint is still good for something: their EVDO service may be the best for data-only 3G computer connection. AT&T and Verizon Wireless both cap their "unlimited" data plans at 5GB, which can lead to pricey surcharges. Sprint doesn't do this, and they were the first to roll with a Revision A network.

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]]>PC World Editor-In Chief Harry McCracken Moving On [Media]http://archive.dailypicture.net/pc_world_editorin_chief_harry_mccracken_moving_on_media.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/pc_world_editorin_chief_harry_mccracken_moving_on_media.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=pc%5Fworld%5Feditorin%5Fchief%5Fharry%5Fmccracken%5Fmoving%5Fon%5FmediaDailyPicture.net

PC World Editor-in-Chief Harry McCracken announced in a blog entry today that he will be stepping down in June to build his own tech site from scratch. McCracken gained notoriety last May, after temporarily resigning due to the publisher's pressure to kill an anti-Apple piece. Giz wishes Harry the best of luck in the next stage of his career. [PC World]

]]>Gadget Turns Your Water Bottle Into a Portable Shower [Gadgets]http://archive.dailypicture.net/gadget_turns_your_water_bottle_into_a_portable_shower_gadge.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/gadget_turns_your_water_bottle_into_a_portable_shower_gadge.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=gadget%5Fturns%5Fyour%5Fwater%5Fbottle%5Finto%5Fa%5Fportable%5Fshower%5FgadgeDailyPicture.net

When you have been rouging it where showers are hard to come by, you will be happy to to have a Universal Shower Diffuser close at hand. Basically,the device attaches to the top of a standard PET water bottle and restricts the flow of water so that it can be dispensed like a shower head when squeezed. Just make sure you don't use that bottle you took a leak in during the car ride—unless you are into that sort of thing. Available for around $50. [Made in Design via Swissmiss via Likecool]

]]>New Nikon Patent Brings In-Viewfinder Display To DSLRs [DSLRs]http://archive.dailypicture.net/new_nikon_patent_brings_inviewfinder_display_to_dslrs_dslr.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/new_nikon_patent_brings_inviewfinder_display_to_dslrs_dslr.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=new%5Fnikon%5Fpatent%5Fbrings%5Finviewfinder%5Fdisplay%5Fto%5Fdslrs%5FdslrDailyPicture.net

A newly published patent application from Nikon has revealed plans for an new viewfinder technology involving a small display screen that can be viewed within the optical viewfinder. The photographer could switch between the optical image and digital display for a number of reasons, the most notable being the ability to enable a wide viewing angle when zoomed in on a subject.

As you can see from the image at the top of the post, the digital display shows a wide angle image while a centered frame illustrates the viewing area provided by the lens. The patent also illustrates that this wide preview mode would be accessed via a button placed near the lens mount and that it will most likely show up on DSLRs—whether that means high end models only remains to be seen. However, as with all patent applications, there is no guarantee it will ever see the light of day. [Photography Bay]

]]>Hardbox External Hard Drive Hides Your Illiteracy With a Book Called Hardbox [Portable Media]http://archive.dailypicture.net/hardbox_external_hard_drive_hides_your_illiteracy_with_a_boo.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/hardbox_external_hard_drive_hides_your_illiteracy_with_a_boo.htmTue, 13 May 2008 02:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=hardbox%5Fexternal%5Fhard%5Fdrive%5Fhides%5Fyour%5Filliteracy%5Fwith%5Fa%5FbooDailyPicture.net

This Hardbox enclosure from Korean company Sarotech looks even more book-like than the Western Digital MyBook drives that have been around for a few years. There are two status indicator lights on the front, behind which sits 3.5-inch SATA drives that connect to your PC via USB. It's great for hiding the fact that you don't have any books but have loads of external hard drives. That is, until someone looks closer and realizes you've read a book called Hardbox. Maybe Hardbox means something different in Korean. [Sarotech via AVING via Oh Gizmo]

]]>Kristi Vickers - Senoir Photographyhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/kristi_vickers__senoir_photography_2.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/kristi_vickers__senoir_photography_2.htmTue, 13 May 2008 01:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=kristi%5Fvickers%5F%5Fsenoir%5Fphotography%5F2DailyPicture.net

Kristi Vickers - Senoir Photography

2 min - 19 Feb 2008

http://www.bluorchidphoto.com Kristi Vickers, BluOrchid Photography specializes in maternity and newborn portraits, Seniors, and Weddings. BluOrchid is located in Marion, Arkansas

]]>Zune Hits 2 Million Sales, Drinks Creative's Milkshake [Microsoft Zune]http://archive.dailypicture.net/zune_hits_2_million_sales_drinks_creatives_milkshake_micr.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/zune_hits_2_million_sales_drinks_creatives_milkshake_micr.htmMon, 12 May 2008 22:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=zune%5Fhits%5F2%5Fmillion%5Fsales%5Fdrinks%5Fcreatives%5Fmilkshake%5FmicrDailyPicture.net

Industry numbers group NPD has just confirmed that Microsoft's Zune's sold 2 million units, just slightly under one year after it sold its first million. Where is Microsoft getting the marketshare for the extra million? Mostly from Creative, who dropped from 4% marketshare to 2% from Q1 '07 to Q1 '08. Apple's also gone down from 72% to 71%, so there might be some defectors in the fruit squad as well. Total marketshare for Microsoft now stands at a decent 4%. [PMP Today via Tech Digest]

]]>Preventing Bike Theft by Parking Bikes Up in the Air [Bikes]http://archive.dailypicture.net/preventing_bike_theft_by_parking_bikes_up_in_the_air_bikes.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/preventing_bike_theft_by_parking_bikes_up_in_the_air_bikes.htmMon, 12 May 2008 22:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=preventing%5Fbike%5Ftheft%5Fby%5Fparking%5Fbikes%5Fup%5Fin%5Fthe%5Fair%5FbikesDailyPicture.net

Bike theft is a pretty sizable problem in cities, with only the most industrial-strength locks keeping nimble-fingered thieves from taking off with your two-wheeler. This Bike Tree concept helps alleviate this problem by raising bikes up and out of reach of bike thieves. It also helps save space, allowing more bikes to be parked in a smaller area. I like it; let's see some of these installed in NYC, eh? [Coroflot via Treehugger]

]]>Microsoft Goes Big Brother on Low-Cost PC Makers Using XP [ULPCs]http://archive.dailypicture.net/microsoft_goes_big_brother_on_lowcost_pc_makers_using_xp_u.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/microsoft_goes_big_brother_on_lowcost_pc_makers_using_xp_u.htmMon, 12 May 2008 22:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=microsoft%5Fgoes%5Fbig%5Fbrother%5Fon%5Flowcost%5Fpc%5Fmakers%5Fusing%5Fxp%5FuDailyPicture.net

According to confidential documents obtained by IDG News, Microsoft plans to issue a list of ~~demands~~ incentive-backed requests to ultra low-cost PC (ULPC) makers interested in Windows XP, such as Asus and OLPC, asking that their screens are smaller than 10.2 inches, hard drives are under 80 GB and touchscreens are not used. In addition, they want these computers to have less than 1 GB RAM and a processor under 1 GHz (except for the Intel Atom). In exchange for manufacturers' cooperation, Microsoft will offer them WIndows XP Home for a price between $26-$32, contingent on the region it's sold in.

Developing and third-world countries will pay $26 per XP license, while developed nations will pay $32 per license. While this request does not seem to be a strict mandate, It looks like Microsoft is trying to curb the use of Linux, and prevent the smaller, cheaper computers from stealing market share from their bigger, Vista-equipped counterparts. I'm curious how this will affect those who choose not to participate, and make XP machines to their own specifications. [PC World via Electronista]

]]>Dealzmodo: Wal-Mart Spotted Offering Funai NB500 Blu-Ray Players For $298 [Dealzmodo]http://archive.dailypicture.net/dealzmodo_walmart_spotted_offering_funai_nb500_bluray_pla.htmhttp://archive.dailypicture.net/dealzmodo_walmart_spotted_offering_funai_nb500_bluray_pla.htmMon, 12 May 2008 22:47:00 GMThttp://archive.dailypicture.net/console/comments/popup/?f=dealzmodo%5Fwalmart%5Fspotted%5Foffering%5Ffunai%5Fnb500%5Fbluray%5FplaDailyPicture.net

Personally, I think that a "budget" Blu-ray player priced at $300 is not a true bargain, but given the prices of most of the majors out there it definitely falls into that category. The untested BD Profile 1.1 Magnavox (Funai) NB500 has been spotted on Wal-Mart shelves sporting 1080p/24 and 1080p/60 video output resolutions, bitstream HD audio output, DVD upconversion to 720p, 1080i, 1080p and HDMI 1.3 for $298. [Blu-ray Forum via Engadget HD via Electronic House]

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