tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68407082024-03-13T14:08:23.134-07:00Bortnick's BlogYour source for Technology news that I find interesting, projects that I am working on, and general information about what is going on in my life. This site is run by Michael Bortnick.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-29372292218739669462008-12-29T09:38:00.000-08:002008-12-29T09:39:20.763-08:00Wii Remote HacksThese have been around for a while, but this is still cool.<br /><br />http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/johnny_lee_demos_wii_remote_hacks.htmlMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-79063412487208616102008-10-08T06:40:00.000-07:002008-10-08T06:41:14.789-07:00CDC OverviewI follow Marketplace pretty closely. Here's a great overview of the CDO mess that is at the root of this crisis.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="302"> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /> <param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /> <param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1876936&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /> <embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=1876936&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="302"></embed></object><br /><a href="http://vimeo.com/1876936?pg=embed&sec=1876936">Crisis explainer: Uncorking CDOs</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user384668?pg=embed&sec=1876936">Marketplace</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com?pg=embed&sec=1876936">Vimeo</a>.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-62652239140124528712008-05-05T09:30:00.001-07:002008-05-05T09:30:37.892-07:00Family Guy Matrix<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/m57jDLT-G9E&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/m57jDLT-G9E&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-24045886826212466612008-04-13T18:48:00.001-07:002008-04-13T18:48:14.422-07:00Work Life Balance<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/42E2fAWM6rA&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/42E2fAWM6rA&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-88929917220183772512008-03-27T18:39:00.000-07:002008-03-27T18:40:47.982-07:00Microsoft Healthcare VisionHere's a concept video that Microsoft made a while ago.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6F1u36Y-qlE&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6F1u36Y-qlE&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-30298041910219374292008-01-04T13:46:00.000-08:002008-01-04T13:47:07.888-08:00Azyxxi on YouTubeI found out the cat's out of the bag, so I may as well post this.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dp_q_ixEQRo&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Dp_q_ixEQRo&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-81554821288755866832007-09-26T14:33:00.001-07:002007-09-26T14:33:51.741-07:00EngineeringToo funny. We definitely need more engineering talent in the US.<br /><br /><embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/712008/nice_idea.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed><br><font size = 1><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/712008/nice_idea/">Nice Idea</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">The most popular videos are here</a></font>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-78782221268667135182007-06-24T10:40:00.001-07:002007-06-24T10:40:14.482-07:00IKEAA new house requires new stuff. We've got an exciting weekend planned with a vist to The Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, and IKEA. Get the reference?Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-18157489606951119132007-06-14T20:33:00.001-07:002007-06-14T20:33:40.298-07:00First Mobile Blogger PostTest PostMichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-63763377089481585282007-06-04T21:09:00.000-07:002007-06-04T21:10:47.909-07:00Netflix PrizeNeed some seed money for that startup? Prove you're smarter than everyone else and you can get $1M for your company. http://www.netflixprize.com//download<br /><br />Let me know if you want to join my team.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-43521638929097264152007-04-12T06:58:00.000-07:002007-04-12T07:03:13.047-07:00Progressive Health Coverage<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/us/12mass.html?ex=1334030400&en=72e83e124a9326e2&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss">Massachusetts </a> is about to release their innovative health care coverage for its citizens. This sounds like a good start but I wonder if corporations will start ditching their healthcare coverage for employees as is suggested in the article. Alternatively, wages may start to increase now as this essentially lowers the supply of discretionary spending and reducing purchasing power since everyone is affected.<br /><br />Let's hope that this works!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-41516661003551827682007-04-06T20:54:00.000-07:002007-04-06T20:55:33.201-07:00Google 411 (Free)Google just launched their free 411 service. It's pretty good from my tests. That 1-800-GOOG-411 or 1-800-466-411.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/04/06/google-launches-free-411-business/"></a>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-34038328937125671362007-02-16T05:17:00.001-08:002007-02-16T05:17:44.539-08:00Linux Mobile PhoneOpenMoko is going to be a good substitution to the iPhone.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRvtAAXTIlg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jRvtAAXTIlg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-54175563499172959102007-01-28T19:06:00.001-08:002007-01-28T19:06:52.323-08:00The KnackI haven't heard this for years! Someone sent this to me back in about 2000 when I still held an engineering position.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wplyCogv3to"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wplyCogv3to" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-35517674424502344922007-01-27T09:20:00.000-08:002007-01-27T09:21:34.909-08:00This should have been VistaI haven't previewed Vista yet, but this seems far more advanced.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWe-TIy2Lbs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWe-TIy2Lbs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-84107407555921370292007-01-11T14:34:00.000-08:002007-01-11T14:35:30.587-08:00Lucky Rally WatchersI always wondered if any of the spectators got hit. Here's the answer. Apparently all these folks had a Pulp Fiction moment like Samuel Jackson.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FE8wrJ84w88"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FE8wrJ84w88" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-3822542352707322992007-01-07T13:08:00.000-08:002007-01-07T13:12:16.765-08:00Navizon v3 ReleasedGot GPS? Got a cell phone that runs java or windows mobile? Have wi-fi? Navizon is one of the best ways to keep track of your location and to share it with your friends. The newly release version 3 adds a much improved map (Google) and a much easier way to see where your friends are. Additionally, this version seems much more stable than v2 and v1.<br /><br />You can purchase the premium version for $19.99 after a 15 day trial or get someone's bluetooth GPS and drive around for a while to build up 10,000 points to get 1 reward point worth $19.99 to your PayPal account. You can continue to map out your area or another state and get additional points as well. Hello Nashville! (I'm travelling there this week)<br /><br />Enjoy!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-78243037510191290162007-01-03T20:47:00.000-08:002007-01-03T20:48:33.992-08:00Updated LocatorI've written a Google Maps implementation integrating in my Navizon location. This should show my current or last known position on Google Maps. So while I'm commuting or when I want people to know where I am, you can click on the Navizon badge to the right to see where I am.<br /><br />Enjoy!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-39780483203945162512006-12-11T06:11:00.000-08:002006-12-11T06:16:21.262-08:00Social NetworkingSo I read an article this weekend stating that there is a simple way to tell your age - What's your email to IM ratio? Over unity (1) and you're probably 35 or older. Way over unity, and you're ancient. Approaching 0 and you're probably 2.<br /><br />The point here is that if you want to tap into the young professionals and keep on the tech curve, you have to start IM-ing and finding use of other social networking tools.<br /><br />One new app that is based off an existing idea is <a href="http://www.twitter.com/home">Twitter</a>. This is probably one of the easiest apps that I have seen to use and understand. <br /><br />For all of you that know me out there, please sign-up and start becoming a techy youth!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-26518427130390188902006-11-15T08:21:00.000-08:002006-11-15T08:22:56.036-08:00Wireless PowerOne of the biggest inventions that I thought would come during my lifetime was Wireless Power, that is transmitting power without a cord or plug. This seems to have been conceptualized in the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6129460.stm">MIT Labs</a> and could be in production in a couple years. This is very exciting to see and hopefully it will reach cell phones and portable devices in the near future.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-39611297247495886642006-09-17T19:08:00.000-07:002006-09-17T19:09:57.451-07:00CFL - That's a more efficient America to you<a href="http://www.1000Bulbs.com ">Compact Fluorescent Light</a> (CFL) bulbs. Now that I tried a few of these in our house, I'm a proponent. Let's reduce America's energy needs!Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-38075363851078677412006-09-17T17:10:00.001-07:002006-09-17T17:10:45.472-07:00Rally SUV SaveAmazing. <br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9JTAhpDiDY"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/B9JTAhpDiDY" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-23404980620498798812006-09-13T08:06:00.000-07:002006-09-13T08:08:01.049-07:00iTVIs <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5342408.stm">iTV </a>better than Tivo in the long run?<br /><br />It's not clear if the functionality will support more than playing movies downloaded via iTunes. I'm sure you'll be able to record your favorite shows though, otherwise this is a glorified Apple product.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-83391502821701556592006-09-12T18:47:00.000-07:002006-09-12T18:48:24.404-07:00Green Tea and the Japanese DietSushi has been one of my favorite staple meals in the past 3 years. Here's an <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/5334836.stm">article </a>that reports that this diet has strong positive health affects.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6840708.post-1314199592441246192006-09-08T11:11:00.000-07:002006-09-08T11:13:04.088-07:00Board vs. Investors<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5328754.stm">Here</a>'s an interesting article on the Board member elections at Heinz. If I remember correctly from my Corporate Law class, it is rare for investors to win seats on the Board.Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05083297960106776420noreply@blogger.com