billso.com

This article first appeared on my old blog at http://www.bloglines.com/blog/wsodeman?id=46

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060814/ap_on_hi_te/dell_battery_recall

“The [Consumer Product Safety Commission]. knows of 339 incidents in which lithium batteries used in laptops and cell phones — not just Dell products — overheated between 2003 and 2005, Wolfson said.”

When we’re talking about overheating, we’re talking about explosions and fires.

Last week, British officials banned laptop computers and audio players as carry-on items, following the gel bomb arrests.

A UPS cargo plane was destroyed by fire last February in Philadelphia. The blaze may have been started by a crate full of laptop computer batteries.

This Dell recall may inspire airlines or the FAA to draft tighter restrictions on laptop computers, iPods and cell phones in commercial airplanes. Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in both devices, as they perform well and last longer than other rechargeable batteries.

Passengers may not be happy. I always carry my electronic devices in my carry-on bag when I fly, simply because I don’t want them jostled and fondled in my checked baggage.

See the chapter on computer hardware in the IS 6100 textbook.

Laptop computers require a large amount of electrical energy. While it is possible to power a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) phone from an RJ-45 network jack, this only needs about 5 watts of electrical power.

You may be familiar with the watt, as it’s the standard measure for household light bulbs.

Five watts not nearly enough to power a laptop computer. Even the smallest laptops use much more powerful batteries.

In comparison, a AAA battery delivers only a few watts, and for a limited amount of time.

August 15: Here’s some additional information from Engadget, which has been covering this story for several months. Check the multiple links regarding explosions in this article. A reader posted a link to Dell’s statement here, including instrucitons on replacement batteries.

The New York Times reports that Sony management confirmed that the company manufactured and sold the affected batteries to Dell. The batteries were shipped to Dell customers in computers sold between April 2004 and July 18.

CNN reported on August 15 that Sony is paying most or all of the recall costs. While this minimizes Dell’s direct losses, they will see an immediate drop in sales revenue as customers choose Dell’s competitors.

The Houston Chronicle reports that customers are hammering Dell with e-mails and phone calls as news spreads about the recall.

Engadget reported on August 6 that an Apple PowerBook exploded. Apple has already mounted a recall for some PowerBook and MacBook models, and Sony batteries are involved.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/15/chronotechs-bluevoice-combines-wristwatch-headset/

Bluetooth Watches is offering a combination headset wristwatch that is the ugliest electronic device I’ve seen this week.

Bluetooth is the trade name for a radio-frequency standard that enables low-speed, short-range wireless network connections.

The short version: it’s a replacement for audio cables.

WiFi is much faster and has a longer range than Bluetooth, but Bluetooth requires less electrical power. Thus, Bluetooth is a good choice for small devices like mobile phones and headsets. Manufacturers can include Bluetooth features in their devices without adding a large battery and antenna.

Bluetooth is somewhat limited. While there are stereo Bluetooth headsets available that connect to PDAs, phones and iPods, these headsets don’t work with some computers.

Another major limitation of Bluetooth is its security features. Encryption is weak or non-existent in some implementations, and many users simply leave the Bluetooth settings wide open. This can allow a nearby hacker to gain access to a device.

Then again, because of the limited range and power used, a hacker would have to be within 20 meters of his victim in most circumstances.

This article first appeared on my old blog at http://www.bloglines.com/blog/wsodeman?id=42

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060811/us_nm/speeding_dc

“I don’t want to get off on a rant here…”
Dennis Miller, 1995

Reuters reports on mortgage banker Francesca Cisneros, who has been issued 70 different speeding tickets by the Police Scottsdale Francesca Cisneros, resulting in over US$11,000 in fines.

Until recently, she had been ignoring the tickets, which were mailed to her after police cameras recorded her Honda Civic violating posted speed limits around the city.

One important aspect of security is verification, especially involving one’s identity. Traffic monitoring systems such as Scottsdale’s sometimes take pictures of the car’s driver, in an attempt to verify the driver’s identity.

Another important issue is non-repudiation. This is an important consideration in digital agreements and e-commerce, as both the buyer and seller must pledge that they will not break their contract.

Driving is a good example of a social contract.

This article also involves the topic of reputation. The application of information technology and systems to traffic enforcement provides new opportunities to measure and share information about driver behavior and performance. Assuming that these systems can recognize and read license plates, it’s possible that these systems could identfy frequent offenders for additional scrutiny.

USA: W flip flops, and now claims that the USA can win the war against terror. We probably can, but not with the Republicans in charge.

Meanwhile at the convention, can you tell which Bush twin has been exercising? It looks like they twins are trying to reboot their robot mother, Laura.

USA: Richard Reeves provides a top 10 list of reasons why W is incompetent. As always, read the article for more details.

1. Bush has divided the country; we are all part of a vicious little hissing match.
2. Bush has divided the world.
3. Bush is leaving no child or grandchild without debt
4. Bush campaigns as a champion of smaller government, but is greatly increasing the size and role of government.
5. Bush is diminishing the military of which he is so proud now as commander in chief.
6. Bush is diminishing scientific progress.
7. Bush is diminishing the Constitution of the United States.
8. Bush has surrounded himself with other incompetents.
9. Bush has been unable or unwilling to deal with declining employment and the rising medical costs of becoming an older nation.
10. Bush is, as if by design, destroying the credibility of the United States as a force for peace in the world — an honest broker — particularly in the Middle East.