Sunday, August 10, 2003

My two quotes from today: Martin Luther King Jr.. "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." Unknown. "All programmers are playwrights and all computers are lousy actors." Oh, also I had one of those moments where you hear something that you think you needed to hear.  It's interesting that without believing in much of a higher power, you wonder how that happened...or maybe you just heard something and made it be what you needed to hear.  Anyhow, it was an Ani Difranco song and here's the part I liked: how can i go home with nothing to say i know you're going to look at me that way and say what did you do out there and what did you decide you said you needed time and you had time you'll say did they love you or what i'll say they love what i do the only one who really loves me is you and you'll say girl did you kick some butt and i'll say i don't really remember but my fingers are sore and my voice is too Comments10:20:15 PM

Talk about easy parking.  :) Seattle Times (thanks Rajesh).  Introducing the Tango.  Electric.  Top speed of 130 mph.  0-60 mph in 4 seconds.  80 mi per charge.  3 hr recharge.  Mass produced at ~$20k. Engineers and executives at GM's Research and Technology Division, ecstatic when they first saw the Tango, tentatively offered parts at cost, distribution through a GM dealer network and $5 million to get started, pending a solid business plan and market survey. Backing the Tango could have given GM credits under a California state law requiring 10 percent of cars sold by major automakers to meet zero-emission standards. But they rescinded the offer this past spring. GM's lawyers are suing California over the 10 percent rule.   The three things that are exciting about this vehicle are:  1) 3-4x angled parking spaces in place of parallel parking for a single normal size car (that is attractive), 2) more flexible parking at home (a single car garage would do for 2 Tangos), and 3) 2x lanes on major highways (although the benefit of that would be years and years away and would require wide adoption -- I wonder if a portion of breakdown lanes could be converted).  A major problem with all electric cars (and laptops) like this one is battery life.  80 mi isn't a long distance.  Another great idea that probably won't see the light of day despite the benefits. [John Robb's Weblog] Comments10:14:22 PM

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