Google TNG

google The destiny of Google Search is to become that Star Trek computer. @Slate looks at how we're getting it done goo.gl/12gGF Thu, Apr 11 20:29:14 from web

 "What does it mean that Google really is trying to build the Star Trek computer? I take it as a cue to stop thinking about Google as a “search engine.” That term conjures a staid image: a small box on a page in which you type keywords. A search engine has several key problems. First, most of the time it doesn’t give you an answer—it gives you links to an answer. Second, it doesn’t understand natural language; when you search, you’ve got to adopt the search engine’s curious, keyword-laden patois. Third, and perhaps most importantly, a search engine needs for you to ask it questions—it doesn’t pipe in with information when you need it, without your having to ask."

Time to China

whatifnumbers 216: Minimum possible ping time, in milliseconds, to the opposite side of the world via surface fiber-optic cables Sun, Apr 07 20:47:47 from web retweeted by LA3ZA

My results…

C:\ping a_china_server

Pinging a_china_server [10.55.6.14] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=339ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=335ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=342ms TTL=124
Reply from 10.55.6.14: bytes=32 time=349ms TTL=124

Ping statistics for 10.55.6.14:
Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
Minimum = 335ms, Maximum = 349ms, Average = 341ms

Time Travel

Iran for the win:

"The Tehran scientist told the Fars state news agency that his device can 'predict the future in a print out after taking readings from the touch of a user,' adding that it uses a set of complex algorithms to 'predict five to eight years of the future life of any individual, with 98 percent accuracy.'"

My favorite part:

“'This project is not against our religious values at all. The Americans are trying to make this invention by spending millions of dollars on it where I have already achieved it by a fraction of the cost,' he said. 'The reason that we are not launching our prototype at this stage is that the Chinese will steal the idea and produce it in millions overnight.'”

Via the Blaze

Google Inactive Account Manager

google Plan your digital afterlife with Inactive Account Manager goo.gl/FJNQ9Thu, Apr  11 14:29:30 from web

"You can tell us what to do with your Gmail messages and data from several other Google services if your account becomes inactive for any reason. 

For example, you can choose to have your data deleted — after three, six, nine or 12 months of inactivity. Or you can select trusted contacts to receive data from some or all of the following services: +1s; Blogger; Contacts and Circles; Drive; Gmail; Google+ Profiles, Pages and Streams; Picasa Web Albums; Google Voice and YouTube. Before our systems take any action, we’ll first warn you by sending a text message to your cellphone and email to the secondary address you’ve provided."

Xiegu X1M: Kit Photo

Not a high resolution photo, but it will give you a flavor of what NH6VR got when he ordered the kit.

Ham Radio Thwarts Zombie Apocalypse

RadioGeek Neat PR Gimmick: Ham Radio Thwarts Zombie Apocalypse m.prnewswire.com/news-releases/… Tue, Apr 09 13:33:54 from NewsRack on iOS retweeted by 73s

Xiegu X1M: Kit

Neil ordered a X1M kit from Kight Radio in March. When he got it, it was more kit than he was expecting:

"My X1M "kit" finally arrived, and it is not what we all expected. I think we were expecting an Elecraft KX3 - style kit with no soldering involved, just fitting the boards together and assembling the hardware. 

Unfortunately, when I opened the box, I was greeted with bags of thru-hole parts, and all of the connectors. This wouldn't be too intimidating except for the fact that there was no board layout or assembly guide. Not even a chinese one. 

I'm not afraid of soldering really, but I haven't done anything like this in about 30 years, and I think I need to practice on something a little less complex, and with some instructions. 

I think we were expecting a "snap-together" type of kit because of the relatively small difference between the kit and assembled prices ($30). 

Oh well. 

I have worked something out to get an assembled version. More to follow..... 

--Neil W2NDG"

Xiegu X1M: BNC Connector

There have been some messages floating around about problems with the UHF type connectors on the X1M. Ed updates that his radios at Import Communications will use a BNC connector:

"I have asked the factory to install BNC connectors on the radios for the NorthAmerican market."

Xiegu: New Picture from BG8HT

I'm not quite sure what to make of it.

Wouxun KG-UV950P: Yahoo Group

That didn't take long... Wouxun KG-UV950P Yahoo Group.