Geek Boutique

TEDTalks

And now for a little shameless self-promotion... I am a producer for the TED Conference, an annual gathering where leading thinkers and doers meet up and listen to the best speakers around. We just launched TEDTalks -- a video/audio archive of past TED speakers. Each year, only 1,000 people attend TED and get to hear these fascinating talks, but they deserve to be seen by a much wider audience, so we're making the content available to everyone. We launch with six talks, but plan to release more each week.

I had nothing to do with all the hard work that went into making this happen. Kudos to my colleagues June Cohen and Jason Wishnow: I am proud to ride on your coattails!

And now for a little shameless self-promotion... I am a producer for the TED Conference, an annual gathering where leading thinkers and doers meet up and listen to the best speakers around. We just launched TEDTalks -- a video/audio archive of past TED speakers. Each year, only 1,000 people attend TED and get to hear these fascinating talks, but they deserve to be seen by a much wider audience, so we're making the content available to everyone. We launch with six talks, but plan to release more each week.

I had nothing to do with all the hard work that went into making this happen. Kudos to my colleagues June Cohen and Jason Wishnow: I am proud to ride on your coattails!

leestoetzel.com

My husband has just set up a website for his stunning artwork. Take a look.

Plant Eyes

Check out this beautiful and slightly eerie video.

Motorola RAZR V3 + T-Mobile + Mac OSX + Bluetooth

It nearly killed me trying to set up my phone to use it as a modem, but now that I've finally got it, I hope others can benefit from my struggle.


Here's the setup I have:
Motorola RAZR V3
T-Mobile with data service
Mac G4, running Mac OS 10.4.2


1. Click here to download the Motorola GPRS modem scrpits.


2. Unzip the scripts, and copy the "Motorola GPRS CID1" script file to the "/Library/Modem Scripts" folder.


3. Set up Bluetooth in the system preferences menu. "Show Bluetooth status in the menu bar" should be checked.


4. Turn on your RAZR and be sure that Bluetooth is on and discoverable (Connections > Bluetooth > Find Me).


5. On your Mac, in the Bluetooth settings (System Preferences > Bluetooth) select the Devices tab, and then press the "Setup new device" button. You can also select this item from the Bluetooth icon on your task bar.


6. Follow the prompts and pair the RAZR with your Mac.


7. In step 4 of 5 of the pairing process, make sure to check the "Access the Internet with your phone's data connection" checkbox, and select the "Use a direct, higher speed connection to reach your Internet Service Provider (GPRS, 1xRTT)" radio button. Select continue.


8. In the next screen, leave the username and password blank. For the GRPS CID String enter "internet2.voicestream.com", and for Modem Script, select "Motorola GPRS CID1". Click continue. Then click Quit.


9. Open "Internet Connect," select the Bluetooth tab at the top, and click "connect."


That should do it. I'm posting from the train with a working connection!


A huge tip 'o the hat to Mike Chambers (I've copied the majority of his instructions and changed a few things specific to this configuration) and to the many people who posted comments to his blog entry.

The future is now

Well, almost. These people have set out to make the space elevator dream a reality. Inspired by the X-Prize, they are holding the Annual Space Elevator Games. There are actually two different competitions -- the Climber Competition and the Tether Strength Competition. For an explanation of how a space elevator might work, be sure to watch the movie on the website.

I feel so fringe

I just registered to vote in my new home state of Pennsylvania and joined the Libertarian Party. I agree with more of what libertarians have to say than any other political party these days.

There is a libertarian magazine that I've liked for years and you don't have to be libertarian to enjoy it. My brother reads it and didn't even realize it had a political angle. Check out Reason Magazine online.

The darker side of country living

The other night we woke up to a loud noise that sounded suspiciously like our daughter's voice, only it was coming from downstairs and she sleeps upstairs in a crib. Obviously it caught our attention. As my husband lept out of bed to run downstairs and get to the bottom of the situation, there was a loud banging at the front door. It sounded like someone was trying to get in. Total panic. When Lee got to the bottom of the stairs, this is what he saw: our cat standing at the door on the inside (responsible for the weird talking/crying sound) and on the other side of the glass (doing the banging) a BOBCAT.

One reason I love country life...

This weekend I got to cheer my friends Reenie and Darin on to victory in the log-sawing contest at the Kimberton Fair. My list of favorite PA moments is growing fast and this is definitely on it. Reenie also won in the women's category.

Darin manages this beautiful Natural Lands Trust site across the street from where we live, which also might help explain their skill with that saw.

Skyped!

I needed to make an international call yesterday. So I was reminded of the Skype software and old skool Yahoo! phone handset (for computers and cell phones) that I just received in my gift bag at TEDGlobal, and decided to give it a try. Skype members can make international calls to one another for free through their computers. Since the person I was calling is not a Skype member, I used SkypeOut, a service where you pre-pay 10 euros and then can call phone numbers worldwide at shockingly low rates -- usually under 2¢ per minute. This just gets deducted from your balance so there are never any bills. You can also use their SkypeIn service to set up a phone number for yourself (in pretty much any area code) and voicemail.

The call was apparently a little tinny on the other end, but I'm guessing that will improve in no time. And maybe it was the phone.

It turns out, though, that I don't know so many people on Skype at the moment. Since we've moved out to the woods, probably 75% of our calls are long distance, so if you're friend or family, sign up!

Congratulations Jambo!

My brother (and co-author of this blog) and his business partner, Charles Ribaudo are on their way to achieving rock star status! Today at Demo they announced the launch of their company, Jambo Networks, a software service that uses wi-fi devices to enable face-to-face meetings. Their presentation was a smashing success in every way. At the moment, they are on the homepage of Forbes.com. Here's a direct link to the four-part profile on Jimmy, Charles, and Jambo. Enjoy the ride, boys – it's just beginning!