Category Archives: Technology

carbon-neutral technology

Environment, Technology

A company called 3PAR is promoting a new idea in computer hardware. When you buy one of their products, they automatically include carbon offsets [1] for the energy it will use. The products themselves aren’t exactly everyday consumer items, but I can see this idea catching on as manufacturers realize that green values can be a differentiator.

[thanks for the link, Adam!]

[1] Wikipedia has more info on carbon offsets. They’re controversial, but I personally think they do real good and raise awareness. If people start thinking about the amount of energy something uses as an added up-front cost, it helps make efficiency part of the buying decision.

Blue Origin reveals its rocketship

Space, Technology

From MSNBC, via Boing Boing:

After years of working behind closed doors and locked gates, Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos has finally lifted the curtain that shrouded Blue Origin, his space tourism venture.

Among the goodies now displayed on Blue Origin’s Web site are photos and videos from the venture’s maiden test flight in November, as seen from the ground as well as a rocket-cam … pictures from the West Texas launch range and Blue Origin’s production facility in a Seattle suburb … and even the Blue Origin coat of arms, emblazoned with the motto “Gradatim Ferociter” (Step by Step, Courageously).

NASA and Google team up

News, Space, Technology

Apparently NASA and Google have solidified a year-old relationship that uses Google technology to index and deliver NASA content.  From Ars Technica:

In the first of many tasks that will be worked on by the new alliance, Google will work with the ARC to make NASA’s information available on the Internet to anyone who wants to see it.

Sounds like a great partnership to me.  Google Maps Mars?  Hubble Image Search?  Maybe even a searchable archive of communications transcripts like the ones Glen worked on?