Friday, January 19, 2007
"For houses, it's hip to be green"
As the cost-effectiveness of geothermal, wind and solar power goes up, so does the cachet. A number of companies are cashing in on the trend.
By Aili McConnon, BusinessWeek
More than 1 million U.S. households now warm their homes in the winter with heat from the earth instead of using furnaces or fuel lines. Elton John, Virgin Airlines chief Richard Branson and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen use ground-source energy in their homes.
Even George W. Bush has a geothermal system in his vacation home in Crawford, Texas. Designed by architect David Heymann, Prairie Chapel Ranch captures solar energy and has a cistern that gathers rainwater and wastewater, purifies it and then uses it to irrigate the greenery around the presidential vacation home.
Upscale your conscience
Reducing the size of your carbon footprint and increasing the number of renewable energy systems you use is becoming something to brag about. From geothermal systems to wind turbines to solar panels, going green is starting to get glamorous, as well as being politically correct and simply forward-thinking. As renewable and conservationist technologies become economically competitive with traditional fuels, several alternative-energy companies saw demand skyrocket in 2006.
'The green-energy movement"
As the cost-effectiveness of geothermal, wind and solar power goes up, so does the cachet. A number of companies are cashing in on the trend.
By Aili McConnon, BusinessWeek
More than 1 million U.S. households now warm their homes in the winter with heat from the earth instead of using furnaces or fuel lines. Elton John, Virgin Airlines chief Richard Branson and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen use ground-source energy in their homes.
Even George W. Bush has a geothermal system in his vacation home in Crawford, Texas. Designed by architect David Heymann, Prairie Chapel Ranch captures solar energy and has a cistern that gathers rainwater and wastewater, purifies it and then uses it to irrigate the greenery around the presidential vacation home.
Upscale your conscience
Reducing the size of your carbon footprint and increasing the number of renewable energy systems you use is becoming something to brag about. From geothermal systems to wind turbines to solar panels, going green is starting to get glamorous, as well as being politically correct and simply forward-thinking. As renewable and conservationist technologies become economically competitive with traditional fuels, several alternative-energy companies saw demand skyrocket in 2006.
'The green-energy movement"
Monday, January 15, 2007
One Laptop per Child
One Laptop per Child: "Introducing the children's laptop from One Laptop per Child—a potent learning tool created expressly for the world's poorest children living in its most remote environments. The laptop was designed collaboratively by experts from both academia and industry, bringing to bear both extraordinary talent and many decades of collective field experience in every aspect of this non-profit humanitarian project. The result is a unique harmony of form and function; a flexible, ultra low-cost, power-efficient, responsive, and durable machine with which nations of the emerging world can leapfrog decades of development—immediately transforming the content and quality of their children's learning. "
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
BBC NEWS | Technology | $100 laptop project launches 2007
BBC NEWS Technology $100 laptop project launches 2007: "$100 laptop project launches 2007
The laptop could one day cost as little as $100
The first batch of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year.
The scheme is hoping to put low-cost computers into the hands of people in developing countries.
Ultimately the project's backers hope the machines could sell for as little as $100 (£55).
The first countries to sign up to buying the machine include Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Thailand.
The so-called XO machine is being pioneered by Nicholas Negroponte, who launched the project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab in 2004.
Test machines are expected to reach children in February as the project builds towards a more formal launch.
Wireless networking
Mr Negroponte told the Associated Press news agency that three more African countries might sign on in the next two weeks.
The laptop is powered by a 366-megahertz processor from Advanced Micro Devices and has built-in wireless networking.
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Ian Thompson, Spain
Send us your comments
It has no hard disk drive and instead uses 512 MB of flash memory, and has two USB ports to which more storage could be attached.
'I have to laugh when people refer to XO as a weak or crippled machine and how kids should get a 'real' one',' Mr Negroponte told AP.
'Trust me, I will give up my real one very soon and use only XO. It will be far better, in many new and important ways.'
The computer runs on a cut-down version of the open source Linux operating system and has been designe"
The laptop could one day cost as little as $100
The first batch of computers built for the One Laptop Per Child project could reach users by July this year.
The scheme is hoping to put low-cost computers into the hands of people in developing countries.
Ultimately the project's backers hope the machines could sell for as little as $100 (£55).
The first countries to sign up to buying the machine include Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Nigeria, Libya, Pakistan and Thailand.
The so-called XO machine is being pioneered by Nicholas Negroponte, who launched the project at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab in 2004.
Test machines are expected to reach children in February as the project builds towards a more formal launch.
Wireless networking
Mr Negroponte told the Associated Press news agency that three more African countries might sign on in the next two weeks.
The laptop is powered by a 366-megahertz processor from Advanced Micro Devices and has built-in wireless networking.
HAVE YOUR SAY
I'm 62 years old. I've seen massive changes in people's lives through technology over the years.
Ian Thompson, Spain
Send us your comments
It has no hard disk drive and instead uses 512 MB of flash memory, and has two USB ports to which more storage could be attached.
'I have to laugh when people refer to XO as a weak or crippled machine and how kids should get a 'real' one',' Mr Negroponte told AP.
'Trust me, I will give up my real one very soon and use only XO. It will be far better, in many new and important ways.'
The computer runs on a cut-down version of the open source Linux operating system and has been designe"
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Boracay Hotels and Spa Resorts - Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa
Boracay Hotels and Spa Resorts - Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa: "
(Opening in 2008)
Location
The Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa is located in a secure, beachfront position overlooking two breathtaking white sandy bays on the picturesque island of Boracay. The resort is just one hour's flight south of Manila, with a transfer time between the airport and resort of approximately 30 minutes.
Accommodation
The resort offers 217 rooms, including 43 villas and suites, of which 31 have a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi. All guest rooms offer spacious floor plans and ocean views from a private balcony or terrace. Villas also include a pergola for alfresco dining and a day bed for relaxation or massage."
(Opening in 2008)
Location
The Shangri-La's Boracay Resort & Spa is located in a secure, beachfront position overlooking two breathtaking white sandy bays on the picturesque island of Boracay. The resort is just one hour's flight south of Manila, with a transfer time between the airport and resort of approximately 30 minutes.
Accommodation
The resort offers 217 rooms, including 43 villas and suites, of which 31 have a private plunge pool or Jacuzzi. All guest rooms offer spacious floor plans and ocean views from a private balcony or terrace. Villas also include a pergola for alfresco dining and a day bed for relaxation or massage."
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