Spring is sprung

• ‘Grass is riz,  I wonder where the birdies is? quote
• Some early garden shots taken during a weekend visit to Mount Juliet, near Stoneyford, Kilkenny county

Mount Juliet - June 2010 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Slide show

Kitchen art - Lumenico

• These are some early prototypes of of brothers Kitchen artwork project. He is a electronics/lighting expert and is currently specialising in art projects for communities

http://lumenico.com

Early examples of hang gliders

• I was looking for some trailer dimensions for one of my Microlights when I stumbled on some early examples of hang gliders made from simple aluminium tubing and polyethylene sheeting and drafting tape!

 

• Wikipedia “Author: Barry Palmer (1961) This is possibly the predecessor of the earliest example of a modern hang glider. It is one of 7 or 8 gliders built by engineer Barry Palmer. The first, which was built of salvaged aluminium tubing, polyethylene sheeting and drafting tape, had an out of pocket expense of $10.89. The spars and keel were 22 feet in length, so launches of the 40 lb aircraft could be accomplished easily even in no wind. Flights got up to 600 feet in length and as high as 80 feet. The last of the series flew in the summer of 1962, and had a swinging seat, which expanded the flying capability and control well beyond the "true hang" armpit supports. The triangle control frame begun in 1891 for hang gliders,at least, was incorporated in at least one of the photographed hang gliders by Barry Hill Palmer”

Visible Earth - NASA

• Found this amazing photograph courtesy of Visible Earth – NASA

HDR using Photo stitch?

• This is a test photo I took on the way home today on the back road coming into Thomastown. It is made up of four photos stitched together using Microsoft’s Live Photo Gallery photo-stitch tool. There are two left side shots, top and bottom and two right side shots top and bottom. Each had under and over exposure, simply by the fact I was pointing towards the ground and sky

Windows phone series 7 – yes please!

• Now that’s the way to do it

Lexus e-bike prototype

• Early prototype of the Lexus e-bike. Both VW and Lexus are having a stab at the e-bike market, but like the GoCycle they have some way to go yet to produce a lightweight, pedal driven stowaway that meets the criteria of low cost, low consumption, small environmental footprint and long range i.e. >65Km
• This model looks over designed and would benefit from rear suspension to take the knocks out of the stiff carbon fibre frame – flax would be better, or just plain old aluminium would do. Overall though there are some nice touches, like the Kevlar drive and hub-based gears and neat cable-work tightly integrated

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Model citation jet

• Nicely flown model plane. Considering the wind, that was a cool bit of flying. Mind you, a little bit of wind will make it that bit more stable on landing providing there is not too much low level turbulence

Pivot and other stuff

• I’ve been off air for the last few months mostly coming up to speed on Office 2010 whilst developing some rather cool Excel training materials in PowerPoint 2010 as a potted set of training materials with hands-on demos, combined with videos and narration
• In between work and play I’ve also been developing a new company selling e-bikes over at http://cyclotronic.eu. A 2 year incubator company selling LEV (Light Electric vehicles) whereby I intend to have my own branded models and technology at a some stage. Grin factor 10 when you ride an e-bike into town, especially when you power up the hills – it’s like being a bionic man! Muscle power + electricity – a powerful cocktail for you adrenaline junkies and not to healthy types as well..
• Out of the Office 2010 apps, Excel 2010 impresses; mostly due to the outstanding speed it loads and performs calculations on Pivot table data. With Power Pivot it can handle a million rows of data on the 32-bit version and 100’s of millions of rows in the 64-bit version of Excel 2010 allied with Windows x-64 bit + oodles of RAM
• How does Power Pivot work? Clever compression algorithms that compress data both on disk and in memory .. more
• Gary Flake of Live Labs demos Microsoft Live Power Pivot. He shows off rather impressive PhotoSynth (Silverlight?) like application that can be used to Pivot web data. You can download it here. There will also be a Silverlight application you can embed in your own site, with your own content later this summer 2010

MS PP site
MS PP Gallery site – password is Pass@word1

Office 2010 documents shared on FaceBook

• Interesting collaboration project with FUSE at Microsoft Cambridge Research, Docs.com and Facebook whereby you can edit and share Office 2010 docs in the cloud with your friends and colleagues. Currently invitation only
• One of several incubation projects under Ray Ozzie’s tutelage to further Social cohesion

PowerPivot for Excel

• I’m just brushing up on my Excel skills prior to Office 2010 going to RTM later this year
• I noted that the PowerPivot site has some good demos and hands-on labs available via www.powerpivot.com. There is also a good blog and two sample sets of data (pivot sample data) here and (SQL Server data) here
• For a Windows 7 installation, for the SQL data set for Adventure-works demo, you will need SQL Server 2008 Express edition with Advanced services from here. Instructions and prerequisites here. NOTE: You have to install SQL Server Express SP1 BEFORE you commence the main install and reboot the system. Then you won’t get any compatibility warnings and fail the ‘restart’ section of the install! SP1 is more of a pre-patch 

Outlook social connectors

• Social connectors are links into external sites like Linkedln, Facebook, MySpace and Windows Live. They show up in your contacts, or during mail creation in the lower pane
• Quote: “The Outlook Social Connector allows you to synchronize your contact data right into Outlook and obtain information about your friends and colleagues. See status updates from various networks and recently posted files.
  Easily track your communication history. Use the Outlook Social Connector to display a quick view of related Outlook content when you click on an email from a contact, such as recent e-mail conversations, meetings, and shared attachments. Developers can connect and feed social streams from line-of-business applications or integrate their solutions directly into Outlook”
• They also work work with earlier versions of Outlook 2003/2007. Compatible versions of Outlook 2010 beta-32bit include, Home and Business, Professional Plus and Pro

BPOS anybody? – Business Productivity Online Services

• Just signed up for a 30 day trial of BPOS, aka Microsoft hosted services in the cloud. It’s early days, but the basics are already up there. When Office 2010 & SharePoint 2010 are out, later this year, I hope to see BPOS provide Word/Excel/PowerPoint and maybe OneNote 2010 in the cloud, alongside the existing hosted services. Should be a winning solution as a light-touch, non-infrastructure solution for small to medium sized businesses; possibly large enterprise businesses as well, although some may prefer to handle their own infrastructure/data storage and security concerns
• As a user with the Standard Business suite you get: Exchange Online, Live Meeting, Office Communications Online, SharePoint. With the Deskless worker suite, you get Exchange Online, SharePoint Online (read only)
• If you have Outlook 2007 or the 2010 beta installed, you will be able to create a separate profile in Outlook to handle exchange mail or you can use OWA – Outlook Web App, cloud based email
• Live Meeting 2007 can be based in the cloud (web based) or via the Live Meeting console. Communicator 2007 R2 can be cloud based or you can download the client. There is also a BPOS client that you can download which acts as a launch-pad. If you sign-in as a Desk-less user you get a minimal subset of functions (third graphic shown)
• The administration is fairly straight forward for someone with limited technical skills, plus there is plenty of online help to configure Exchange and SharePoint etc. You can migrate your domain across and your Exchange accounts/MX records via downloadable tools. You can also do bulk uploads via a .CSV file

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

iPad

• Would I buy an iPad? Nope, not until I see version 2, with a camera, more books and PC like apps that I can use
• Do I like the look of it? Sure, it’s pretty, but I’m not impressed with 10 hours of battery life, nor how big it is, nor how heavy it is. First thing that will happen, is it will roll off your knee or you’ll drop it with a resultant cracked screen
• If you get a chance to hold a Amazon Kindle v2 (not the DX model) you’ll see what an e-reader should be all about. The Kindle fits in my jacket pocket, runs for a whole week on one charge, can be held whilst reading and is very easy on the eyes
• I think the iPad is competing with better net-books that have a full app suite, touch and probably as good battery life. It also kind of competes with their own MacBook..
• If they came in at $299 I might be interested, but at $499 I could buy a Lenovo net book with Windows 7 and have touch with a full app suite
• Pretty? Pretty useless in my honest opinion. Video on the go? Any net-book can do that. They should have made it thinner, lighter and focussed squarely at the books market. It’s really just an iPhone on steroids but without a phone!
• People are already taking the mickey out of it. It’s a shame, because I think Apple make some amazing products and their app-store is sheer genius

Jay Leno’s garage – Audi R8-10

• Jay owns an V8-R8, which he loves to bits as an manual gearbox out-and-out racer. Here he walks us through the updated V10 version
• Mad economy, 20mpg!! Not the sort of car to go to the shops with, but great for the odd track day – if you have the money and the free time

Ribbon Hero

• Now that we’re well passed the beta stage of this add-in I thought I’d give it another go
• What does it do? It’s role play tool that sets you challenges and measures your performance using Microsoft Office applications… and.. let’s you score points against you buddies and colleagues via Facebook. Kind of Mr. Clippy, but this time you win balloons!
• In Office 2010 there will be social connectors made available at a later stage, which in theory let you connect to Facebook, twitter etc and presumably share your skills via data mining emails or.. via metrics gathered via role play tools like Ribbon Hero
• I suspect this will end up forming part of a training platform via role play possibly with metrics linked to your job; maybe even linked to a remuneration scheme. Hard to tell how this will be routed. But there is plenty of scope for diversification
• I’d prefer a WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation)application training guide hooked into the ribbon to smart-sense what it is I’m trying to do, then present me with a number of options and let an WPF avatar trainer walk me through the process – hell, why not do the work for me, so I can take the day off and go flying ;-) Man that’s what I call being productive, arf

CycleOps Powertap SL Plus Hub System

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• Interesting take on a smart-hub. No this is not a powered hub, but a torque sensor that delivers data on your workout when you are training. It can be hooked up with the Garmin 705 GPS based training watch as well. Too expensive IMHO. It’s for the really ‘serious’ riders out there, who need to do their winter training off the road combined with a CycleOps Jet Fluid Pro Winter Turbo Trainer Kit

More info:

Top Features of the CycleOps Powertap SL Plus Hub System

• Wireless 2.4 GHz transmission with Ant+Sport
• 15mm alloy axle
• Carbon/alloy hubshell
• USB download
• Coded heart rate strap
• Hub weighs a mere 412 grams
• Patents issued and pending
• Displays and records:
  • Peak Power
  • Time in Zones
  • Power (current, average, max.)
  • Heart rate (current, average)
  • Cadence (current, average)
  • Speed (current, average, max.)
  • Energy expenditure (total kjoules)
  • Ride distance (miles or km)
  • Ride time
  • Programmable odometer
• What's in the Box
  • Powertap Hub
  • Coded CPU
  • Coded Heart Rate Strap
  • Handlebar Mount
  • USB Download Connector Cable
  • Poweragent 7 Software
  • Cable Ties
  • Battery Cover Removal Tool
  • Instruction Manual & DVD

Pro level power measurement: Powertap SL+ in either Shimano or Campagnolo configurations, with various hub hole sizes, and supplied with a Powertap CPU and Heart Rate strap.

We've updated the world's first-ever wireless power meter, giving it a stiffer axle and the flexibility of ANT+Sport. Now you can choose to focus on power measurement to have your best season ever.
Power to the People: With a wide range of features, there is a Plus Series PowerTap for every rider - every ability - and a wide price range. The SL+ maintains the same standard of accuracy as our first-ever wireless PowerTap but with a lighter, stiffer 15mm axle. Which PowerTap is right for you?
The Precision of PowerTap, The Flexibility of ANT+Sport: Data can be the difference between first and second. PowerTap is the precise instrument that gives you access to real-time performance measurement, and is accurate to within +/- 1.5%. Add the PowerAgent software package, and you'll have all the tools you need to guarantee you make the most of your data.
With the flexibility of ANT+ Sport, all Plus-series PowerTaps can be paired with any ANT+Sport device. So, use the included PowerTap CPU or provide your own device to stop estimating and start measuring.

First pedelec (e-bike)

• A short video showing my first foray into the e-bike market. I bought the Cyclamatic Power Plus a low cost CE approved pedelec. Technically an e-bike is a throttle activated only bike, whereas a pedelec is peddle assisted, i.e. you peddle and a motion sensor kicks in and spools up the brushless electric motor. Maximum speed is limited to 25kph, range >40km. I’ve added a decent lock and a set of 25W LED lights. This will be my main commute bike when I work in Dublin. I’m going to import a couple more, then build my own from scratch using a custom built carbon fibre frame and custom electronics as a basis to building a business model

Garbage powered cars anybody?

Webcam chat at Ustream

• This video is from the LA Autoshow 2009. After the first guy drops out, Brian Nesbitt comes on and talks about E85 (ethanol) based fuel and the difference between the European  manufacturers. Bottom line, the Yanks are dragging their heels and shouldering up to the big ‘oil’ power..

First e-bike setup and test

• Posted earlier on this bike from SportHQ, advertised on Amazon for £499, but luckily for me I spotted it had dropped to £399 in the January sales. Tim at SportHQ was kind enough to lower the price!
• It arrived a few days later over the Xmas break. I unpacked it and had it assembled, tires inflated via my car electric pump and off we went. It’s a Pedelec, which means as you peddle it engages to 250W brushless electric rear hub motor, seamlessly making hill climbing a synch! It has a 24V 10Amp battery, 7-speed Shimano SIS derailleur, rear hub brake and standard front calliper brake. The battery can be removed for charging. The handbook says to connect the battery charge plug into the battery prior to connecting the LiPol charger to the mains. You then reverse the process by pulling out the mains supply plug, a relay is heard to drop out, then disconnect the battery connector. The battery box is sealed from water, so should be rain proof. Comments on Amazon rate this bike at 4.5 stars, with one complaint about some of the bolts rusting. This can be easily remedied with a little grease or household Vaseline and general maintenance with the oil can every couple of weeks. Front suspension is average quality, but for the town/city it is adequate and you could always buy a seat post knuckle-over suspension like the SR SUNTOUR SP-NE
• I took it for a spin around my close up and down a 10 degree incline and hardly had to use force to get uphill. Just freewheel to disengage the motor, peddle to start again and the peddle sensor detects the main chain-wheel moving and engages the motor. The split throttle can also be twisted towards you to manually engage the motor. The throttle doesn’t incrementally step up, but there is no sudden jolt, the motor just spools up, so it’s more of a switch. I will try a few more hills with steep inclines to know more of how the pedelec system performs

Product Features

• 17" mountain bike frame (suitable for use from 5ft 5 to approximately 6ft 2) - 250 watt brushless motor
• New Lithium-ion battery provides huge power (up to 45km range) and weighs a fraction of traditional lead-acid batteries. Also won't suffer 'memory effect' and has a very low self-discharge rate -
• Shimano Tourney SIS-Index gears with quick-shift - Adjustable height seat raises to up to 43" from the ground
• Servo "anti-cling" safety brakes - premium front suspension for comfort
• Quick release battery and front wheel - Front and rear mud guards - Legal for road use - no road tax or driving licence required. Legally, no helmet nor insurance required (although we recommend both!)