2005¦~2¤ë18¤é

Beyond the Big c: Copyright Becomes "No Right to Copy". The editors of Scientific American wake up. "Overly strong property rights can threaten the Internet as a medium capable of fostering dynamic interchange of ideas." The editors praise the Creative Commons copyright as a remedy - but that's just a stopgap measure, isn't it? By Editors, Scientific American, February 15, 2005 [Refer][Research][Reflect] [OLDaily] 3:53:51 PM

From RSS To PDF: Acrobat 7 Does It. I personally cannot see any good use for RSS in PDF files. But others might - so here is the link. By Luigi Canali De Rossi, Robin Good, February 11, 2005 [Refer][Research][Reflect] [OLDaily] 11:03:35 AM

Floating Homes German company Forster Trabitzch want to build you a floating home. At two stories tall with lots of sexy curves and parking space for the family yacht (seriously), the models certainly look good, but do any of these things actually exist? The sample photos on the company site all show the illustration from different angles and pasted into different settings, despite the brochure's promise of three different models to choose from. The site is pretty devoid of things like words or information (though I guess a picture of a house floating on water does get the point across) and their "press" section is scanned in articles clipped from German newspapers. Anybody out there know if they're real? And if they are, can you strap a motor on the back and race them? (Thanks, Mike!) FLOATING HOMES¡XForster Trabitzch [ForsterTrabitzch] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 10:03:20 AM

LISA Panic Button for Elderly (aka iPod shuffleboard) Lusora hopes you have fallen, and you can't get up. Their new LISA pendant offers "security to elderly people who want to live at home, and their family," who obviously want nothing to do with them. The pendant itself contains accelerometers that can detect rapid acceleration (falling over, breakdancing) and use its integrated radio to contact an appropriate monitoring company or hip-hop producer. The device is just part of the LISA ZigBee-based monitoring system that can, among other things, transmit a still image of the room grandma's taken her spill in. Hopefully, they'll build one that shocks the wearer when they go wandering a little too far from the bingo hall. $300 for the pendant, which probably doesn't include the monitoring service. ZigBee "Panic Button" Calls For Help [ExtremeTech] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 10:02:40 AM

Wind Cheetah Tricycle Nevermind that it's a tricycle. Just glaze over that word entirely and look at this thing. It's still a tricycle. But it's the most advanced recumbent tricycle in the world, as well as the only one to set six (count 'em!) speed and endurance records. Even the Guggenheim Museum recognizes it's awesome (although they let Matthew Barney have a camera and look what happened there). And sure, maybe the cheap models start at over three thousand, and maybe that's a lot to pay for a tricycle, but c'mon¡Xthis thing is to tricycles what Thunderdome is to two bums kissing. The Windcheetah [CoolHunting] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 10:02:18 AM

Amy Jenkins opening tonight in NYC. David Pescovitz: Last year, I posted about video artist Amy Jenkins who was invited to create an artwork inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo's 5th Avenue shoe store. The company then decided that her artwork was "distasteful" because it showed Amy's daughter breastfeeding and then falling asleep. (More background here.) Now, using a plasma display loaned to her by a BB reader, Amy is finally showing the piece, entitled The Audrey Samsara, in NYC at her solo show at the Kustera/Tilton Gallery. The opening is tonight and the show will run through March 26. Link [Boing Boing] 9:31:37 AM

Japanese warning signs. Xeni Jardin: Boing Boing reader Willenberg says, "Juergen Specht has a huge collection of Japanese warning signs online, and another with Hawaiian warning signs. It's an interesting comparison -- Japan is a mono-cultural country but the signs are pretty easy to understand and very international while the signs in USA require always English language skills." Link [Boing Boing] 9:21:36 AM

Audible plunges on new initiatives. SAN FRANCISCO -- Shares of Audible Inc. tumbled more than 30 percent early Wednesday as investors reacted negatively to the company's plans to launch several new business ventures. The stock was down $8.11, or 31 percent, to $18.59 in early trading. "Management's strategic decision to double-down - investing in new businesses such as wireless and education - should eliminate the hoped for margin ramp in 2005," Adams Harkness & Hill analyst Steven Frankel told... [AlwaysOn Network] 8:19:59 AM

A Problem Shared Is a Problem Solved. Nice thoughts on open-source innovation: Innovation is not a department. Make sure it's job number 1 for everyone. Bring back the company suggestion box, but make it virtual and transparent. Don't just ask for ideas, clearly formulate the problem, and then ask for solutions. Seek out and attract enthusiasts for your product and collaborate with them. Give away your product for free to people that might help you to improve it. [elearningpost] 8:18:11 AM

The Wireless, Battery-less Light Switch EnOcean, a Siemens spin-off, is developing a fully wireless light (or any other device) switch, no batteries required. Using a piezoelectric generator, the act of pushing the switch generates just enough electricity to transmit its unique switch code. Claimed range of the switch comes in at around 300 meters, which should give end-users plenty of flexibility. Other devices coming from EnOcean include a wireless magnetic contact module (to check the open/closed status of a door or window) and repeater modules to extend the range of their devices. Very cool stuff integrating low-power electronics, incredibly small generators and intelligent RF design. Corporate Site [EnOcean via ElectronicsWeekly] Scott Clevenger writes: There is a kiosk in our mall here in Norfolk, Va. hawking these Lightning Switches. From what I can tell they work pretty darn good and have a good range. So if you must have one now, pay a visit to their kiosk in McArthur Center Mall in Norfolk (http://www.shopmacarthur.com/) or get one off the interweb. - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 8:16:31 AM

KeyScan Keyboard with Scanner In what might be perceived as an effort to reduce desk clutter by obsessive-compulsive engineers, KeyScan has unveiled a keyboard with an integrated color scanner (obviously not of the flat-bed variety, although that would make for a much more amusing photo). Additionally functioning as a rudimentary, albeit convenient fax machine and copier, KeyScan also offers a "secure" version of the keyboard, featuring a fingerprint and smart card scanner for easy authentication, provided you are who you say you are. Product Page [KeyScan via I4U] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 8:15:57 AM

Bluetooth Rearview Mirror LG is showing off a prototype Bluetooth-enabled rearview mirror at 3GSM in Cannes. The idea is simple enough: pair up the mirror with your phone and get caller ID information displayed as you drive. In addition, the mirror functions as a hands-free speakerphone, so you don't have to dig around for your handset while swerving. Swerving should always be given your full attention, lest you miss a child and valuable points. LG Shows Bluetooth Car Mirror at 3GSM [MobileBurn] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 8:15:37 AM

Concept Mac mini A/V Dock What if a Mac mini docking station existed¡Xwould it look like this? Lester Ward mocked up this unit, with the idea that it could be used to add additional hard drive capacity (via FireWire) and standard video outs (like component Y/Pb/Pr). It would even offer an LCD display and IR remote port. It's not an awful idea, really, but it does sort of ruin half the appeal of the Mac mini, which is obviously its size. I wouldn't expect this from Apple, of course, but it might be an interesting project for a 3rd party peripherals vendor. Of course, the G5 Xserves are a convenient rack-mountable 19-inches wide... Concept for Mac mini A/V dock [Asteroid] - lev (tips@gizmodo.com) [Gizmodo] 8:14:33 AM