Saturday, March 01, 2003

Wi-Fi over power: Amperion is offering an interesting bit of technology. They have a system that lets an electrical utility encode bandwidth over powerlines, but here's how they solve the step down problem -- the problem of getting bandwidth from the powerlines to the home through transformers. They're using 802.11b signaling from the poles to a customer premises equipment (CPE) device called PowerWiFi. Where they're clever additionally is that the CPE could be individual computers if there's a strong enough or clear enough signal or to some sort of bridge. They mention HomePlug, an in-house data-over-power system, but I assume they'd still be bridging via an external device into the house's power. [80211b News] 7:38:48 AM    comment []

Snowflake Photos [Slashdot] 7:22:24 AM    comment []

I Still Think Firewire is Better. Lockergnome has links to a number of cool USB products from japan: USB Toothbrush, for those times when you're playing nethack and don't want to stop but your mouth feels like something died in it. USB Coffee Mug, or is it a coffee warmer? Either would rock. I always hate having to get up and reheat my coffee in the microwave. USB Electric Blanket, to help keep you warm on those cold winter nights. Though my laptop gets pretty damn warm on its own. I don't think I'd need this one. [life - listed chronologically] 7:22:04 AM    comment []