11/25/2004

Thanksgiving 2004

Sections: Photos — Posted @ 9:30 pm by Chris

We had another wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with the family. As always, the food and company were great. Almost the whole family was able to join us. We missed Doug and Grandpa who were both sick, Aunt Susie and Uncle Gary who had to work, and Aramie.

11/20/2004

Updated Aona Systems Web Site

Sections: Palm Software — Posted @ 12:16 pm by Chris

The Aona Systems web site has been redesigned. Please take a look at http://www.aonasystems.com and let me know what you think. Also, please inform me of any bugs or problems with the site.

11/9/2004

Firefox 1.0 Released

Sections: Software — Posted @ 11:49 am by Chris

Firefox 1.0 has been released today! Congratulations to the whole Firefox team and to everyone on Spread Firefox who has helped spread Firefox to the computer users across the world. It seems that thousands of people are downloading their copy right now because the Mozilla site has been brought to a screeching halt. But, don’t worry, I am sure the Mozilla guys will get more machine muscle soon to help serve out the Firefox product pages. In the mean time, you can download Firefox 1.0 straight from their ftp servers. Here are some quick links to the Windows, Mac, and Linux versions.

11/6/2004

Top Supercomputer Goes Back To IBM

Sections: Hardware — Posted @ 11:56 pm by Chris

IBM is expected to take back the title of fastest supercomputer when the new Top 500 list is released next week. The Top 500 supercomputers list is available at www.top500.org and is the official authority on whose computer is the fastest.

Nasa’s Columbia supercomputer was expected to take the top spot, with a speed of 42.7 teraflops, until IBM announced today that their computer is hitting speeds of 70.7 teraflops. This computer, called Blue Gene/L, is being built by IBM for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories, which is part of the US Department of Energy. What is even more amazing is that this machine is only a ‘prototype’ version and the full thing, when competed next year, should be capable of hitting speeds faster than 360 tereflops!

For more information, take a look at the news articles running on CNet, BBC News, and lots of other places.

11/3/2004

My Favorite Books

Sections: Books — Posted @ 6:37 pm by Chris

The books below are some of the best writing I have ever read. I recommend that everyone at least read them once. I will be adding to this section as time goes on but it will remain a list of the best of the best. With any of these books you can’t go wrong.

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

A classic science fiction story about a war with an alien species and the children shaped to fight it. The whole series of books is great but this book, the first in the series, is the best.
Neuromancer by William Gibson

This story paints the most vivid depiction of the future I have ever read. But what else would you expect from the novel that coined the term ‘cyberspace’.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

The whole ’5 book trilogy’ are the funniest books I have ever read. This book is the first story in the series. Read the series to find the answer to life and why you should always bring a towel.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson

A wholly believable future is described in this novel about a future America weaved together with virtual reality, pizza delivery, robot guard dogs, Sumerian myth, Infocalypse, religious extremists, and Samurai fighting. The ideas about the future of virtual reality alone make this book worth the read.
Just for Fun by Linus Torvalds

A book from the creator of Linux about the birth of his operating system. This novel is filled with humor, interesting insights, computer history, and ultimately an intriguing story about how a simple desire can end up changing the world. Read this book if you want to know why I do what I do.
1984 by George Orwell

The classic novel about Big Brother and its control over humanity. Even though it was written in 1949, it is still a prophetic warning about powerful government, limited rights, and other dangers of the modern world.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

I read this story in junior high and it changed my life. It is quick read so you have no excuse not to read it. This story paints a world where books are illegal and thinking is a thing of the past. In our age of computers, television, and other technologies, this book’s message is more important now than it has ever been. Please read this book !!!

11/2/2004

My Favorite Magazines

Sections: Magazines — Posted @ 4:49 pm by Chris

The magazines below are some of the writings I look forward to reading every month. I consider them the best sources in publication for news about science and technology. And at between $1 to $2 an issue when you subscribe, there is no reason not to read them for years to come.

Wired Wired follows the latest trends in computers, science, politics, and society from a cutting edge technological viewpoint. Covering the latest news, breakthroughs, and movements effecting the tech world, this magazine is a must for anyone who wants to be “in the know.” And at only $1 an issue, there is no reason not to read it.
Popular Science A science magazine for the non-scientist, Popular Science is a great read for anyone who has an interest in what is new and what the future might hold. The magazine covers science, medicine, computers, aviation, auto, and electronics in such a way that you don’t need a PhD to understand it.
Scientific American Scientific American has been publishing ground breaking scientific research for over 150 years. The magazine reports on current research in scientific areas ranging from computers to astronomy. Although sometimes the articles might be a little over your head, you will be sure to increase your IQ by at least 10 points by reading this magazine every month.
Linux Journal Linux Journal is a must read for any Linux enthusiast. It is filled every month with articles on applications, programming, projects, business, and the current state of Linux world domination. If you use Linux in any way or are even interested in the Linux OS, you need to subscribe to this magazine.