The Space Cube Arrives

The PC Pro Blog ruminates about the world’s smallest functional computer, The Space Cube, that measures around two inches square:

Quote:
There’s a surprisingly capable CPU packed away in the tiny chassis with a top clock speed of 300MHz. It’s arrived with us clocked at a slightly more modest 200MHz,but a simple jumper built in to the case enable the processor to be clocked up to either 250MHz or the full 300MHz that it’s capable of.

It’s fair to say that the Space Cube isn’t overloaded with storage space, either. Sixteen megabytes of flash memory is included on-board, and the OS – a version of Red Hat, the popular Linux operating system – runs off a 1GB CompactFlash card that slots into the side of the Space Cube. There’s also 64MB of DDR SDRAM that, admittedly, doesn’t even match up to the lowliest of netbooks – let alone a desktop PC.

Sweet…

Quote:
Most intriguing, though, is the Space Wire port. It may sound like a mere science fiction fantasy, but this incredibly thin socket is a crucial part of the Space Cube’s armoury. That’s because it’s a type of proprietary interface use by the ESA, NASA and JAXA when the Cube actually goes into space. It’s useful for connecting various sensors and processing units to the Space Cube, as well as the complicated-sounding Downlink Telementary Sub-Systems, which sounds like something more akin to Battlestar Galactica or Star Wars than anything used in real life. It turns out that Space Wire is also used as a common interface for linking together modules and electronics that are often designed in different institutions.

Wonder if it comes with tiny Borg?

The Space Cube Arrives was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

The Space Cube Arrives

The PC Pro Blog ruminates about the world’s smallest functional computer, The Space Cube, that measures around two inches square:

Quote:
There’s a surprisingly capable CPU packed away in the tiny chassis with a top clock speed of 300MHz. It’s arrived with us clocked at a slightly more modest 200MHz,but a simple jumper built in to the case enable the processor to be clocked up to either 250MHz or the full 300MHz that it’s capable of.

It’s fair to say that the Space Cube isn’t overloaded with storage space, either. Sixteen megabytes of flash memory is included on-board, and the OS – a version of Red Hat, the popular Linux operating system – runs off a 1GB CompactFlash card that slots into the side of the Space Cube. There’s also 64MB of DDR SDRAM that, admittedly, doesn’t even match up to the lowliest of netbooks – let alone a desktop PC.

Sweet…

Quote:
Most intriguing, though, is the Space Wire port. It may sound like a mere science fiction fantasy, but this incredibly thin socket is a crucial part of the Space Cube’s armoury. That’s because it’s a type of proprietary interface use by the ESA, NASA and JAXA when the Cube actually goes into space. It’s useful for connecting various sensors and processing units to the Space Cube, as well as the complicated-sounding Downlink Telementary Sub-Systems, which sounds like something more akin to Battlestar Galactica or Star Wars than anything used in real life. It turns out that Space Wire is also used as a common interface for linking together modules and electronics that are often designed in different institutions.

Wonder if it comes with tiny Borg?

Hopefully the most absurd rumor ever!

From the August 24 Telegraph:

Quote:
Cher ‘to play Catwoman’ in next Batman film

The 62-year-old singer and actress is reported to be in talks to play Catwoman opposite Christian Bale in the third Batman film from British director Christopher Nolan.

We’ve gone from Lee Meriwether, Julie Newmar, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Halle Berry to Cher?!?!?



The article goes on to claim:

Quote:
A studio executive said: “Cher is Nolan’s first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years.

"The new Catwoman will be the absolute opposite of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry’s purring creations.”

This is absurd!

The piece further claims that Johnny Depp as been cast as The Riddler.

This is the first I’ve seen or heard of either of these rumors. Let’s hope at least the Cher one is false.

Hopefully the most absurd rumor ever! was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Hopefully the most absurd rumor ever!

From the August 24 Telegraph:

Quote:
Cher ‘to play Catwoman’ in next Batman film

The 62-year-old singer and actress is reported to be in talks to play Catwoman opposite Christian Bale in the third Batman film from British director Christopher Nolan.

We’ve gone from Lee Meriwether, Julie Newmar, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Halle Berry to Cher?!?!?



The article goes on to claim:

Quote:
A studio executive said: "Cher is Nolan’s first choice to play Catwoman. He wants to her to portray her like a vamp in her twilight years.

"The new Catwoman will be the absolute opposite of Michelle Pfeiffer and Halle Berry’s purring creations."

This is absurd!

The piece further claims that Johnny Depp as been cast as The Riddler.

This is the first I’ve seen or heard of either of these rumors. Let’s hope at least the Cher one is false.

Things you discover while researching an article

Apparently, the Apple TV runs inordinately hot, reaching 44° C (111° F). There is no off switch for the device and the only only way to power down is to unplug it.

I see that as a big, wasteful, and potentially hazardous flaw.

(The Roku Netflix Player doesn’t have an power switch either but it doesn’t run hot.)

Things you discover while researching an article was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Why My Mother-in-law Cannot Have Email

She already gets into far too much trouble with the Home Shopping Network.

Quote:
29% of Internet Users have Purchased from Spam, According to New Research from Marshal

London, 19 August, 2008 – 29 percent of internet users have purchased goods from spam emails, according to new research by Internet security company Marshal. The most commonly purchased items include sexual enhancement pills, software, adult material and luxury items such as watches, jewellery and clothing.

Why My Mother-in-law Cannot Have Email

She already gets into far too much trouble with the Home Shopping Network.

Quote:
29% of Internet Users have Purchased from Spam, According to New Research from Marshal

London, 19 August, 2008 – 29 percent of internet users have purchased goods from spam emails, according to new research by Internet security company Marshal. The most commonly purchased items include sexual enhancement pills, software, adult material and luxury items such as watches, jewellery and clothing.

Why My Mother-in-law Cannot Have Email was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Hugo Award for Graphic Novels

This comes from ICv2:

Quote:
The World Science Fiction Society, which sponsors the Hugo Awards (and the annual World Science Fiction Convention), has added a category for Best Graphic Story to the awards. “Any science fiction or fantasy story told in graphic form appearing for the first time in the previous calendar year” will be eligible.

SWEET! It’s about time.

Hugo Award for Graphic Novels

This comes from ICv2:

Quote:
The World Science Fiction Society, which sponsors the Hugo Awards (and the annual World Science Fiction Convention), has added a category for Best Graphic Story to the awards. “Any science fiction or fantasy story told in graphic form appearing for the first time in the previous calendar year” will be eligible.

SWEET! It’s about time.

Hugo Award for Graphic Novels was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon