Esquire has jumped on the train. Let this be a blog to poke at some ideas, questions and concerns.
What is Augmented Reality? AR) is a term for a live direct or indirect view of a physical real-world environment whose elements are merged with (or augmented by) virtual computer-generated imagery- creating a mixed reality. The augmentation is conventionally in real - time and in semantic context with environmental elements, such as sports scores on TV during a match.
Some of you might remember the movie Stranger Than Fiction - a movie that puts a spin on what I think was the start of augmented reality hitting the big time. It is such a trend within the geek world, it's all over the news feeds, twitter updates and blogs. Not saying it's a new thing, Hollywood has been doing this thing for years, but now its a little more affordable and can be done with anyone's PC or Mac.
Augmented reality has hit kids books, magazines and the auto world. Check out what BMW is up to. If you click on the video on the right corner of the page you will see how the mechanics benefit from this newly exposed technology.
Of course there would be iphone apps my personal favorite would be the car finder. How many times could I have used that!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
University Walks Green
Gowns go green. The University of Oregon has decided to put the green action into their graduates of 2010. The new gowns and caps will be made from natural wood fibers. Supposedly even the packages can be recycled ;)
What does this mean? Because they are made out of recycled wood.... what are the main benefits? Do the gowns and caps cost more? Is this a publicity stunt or is this for real - for real reason...
What does this mean? Because they are made out of recycled wood.... what are the main benefits? Do the gowns and caps cost more? Is this a publicity stunt or is this for real - for real reason...
Power Down
So with the previous post comes the inspiration for this one. Power Down For The Planet!
Okay so what is this all about you ask? If you read the previous post you know that there are some gadgets out there that will help you power down your plugs but for those who don't want to spend the extra 50-60 bucks, just unplug!
Take a look at this stat.
Just skipping around on the site you will find crazy statements like, you could save up to $60 bucks a year if you power down your computer. Statements like this... do you take as an inspiration or a lack of truth. .
On the site it also offers tips to help cut the energy -- even if you aren't powering down.
So here's the deal. Do something. Act now. If you don't want to get the newest gadget to power down for you - then do it yourself. Unplug those appliances you don't need throughout the day and realize how easy it is to save some cash.
Okay so what is this all about you ask? If you read the previous post you know that there are some gadgets out there that will help you power down your plugs but for those who don't want to spend the extra 50-60 bucks, just unplug!
Take a look at this stat.
Just skipping around on the site you will find crazy statements like, you could save up to $60 bucks a year if you power down your computer. Statements like this... do you take as an inspiration or a lack of truth. .
On the site it also offers tips to help cut the energy -- even if you aren't powering down.
So here's the deal. Do something. Act now. If you don't want to get the newest gadget to power down for you - then do it yourself. Unplug those appliances you don't need throughout the day and realize how easy it is to save some cash.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Belkin: Surge Protection
Don't stand by - conserve.
http://www.belkin.com/conserve/
My thoughts. Okay yes - duh - conserve. It was a total eye opener talk today, in regards to this one. I've thought about that.. the amount of energy I let flow out the outlets with the entertainment center, computer, clocks, idocks, toaster, coffee maker - - but it hasn't made it much past the simple thought of how much energy I'm losing. Not until now.
Some questions I have for Belkin... can you adapt a traditional cord surge to the "conserve" to attach more electronics?
Creative thinking when adapting to "work stations" -- with the work station timer!
http://www.belkin.com/conserve/
My thoughts. Okay yes - duh - conserve. It was a total eye opener talk today, in regards to this one. I've thought about that.. the amount of energy I let flow out the outlets with the entertainment center, computer, clocks, idocks, toaster, coffee maker - - but it hasn't made it much past the simple thought of how much energy I'm losing. Not until now.
Some questions I have for Belkin... can you adapt a traditional cord surge to the "conserve" to attach more electronics?
Creative thinking when adapting to "work stations" -- with the work station timer!
100 places
Today we had the joy of listening to Kevin Tuerff of EnviroMedia. The next few posts will definitely be taken from his thoughts today. I was so captivated. First this one stuck.
Take a look. 100 places to remember before they disappear
I mean WOAH!
Not only will you visually see the 100 places you must not miss out on but also throughout the site you will see that there are solutions as well. 100 solutions
Joss Stone.. wow how inspiring "Look after the earth that you have been given."
Look after it - it's a gift! It's all info we have thought about but how refreshing. I mean how refreshing!
I want this book. Not only for the message and the support but for the amazing images it has captured.
Take a look. 100 places to remember before they disappear
I mean WOAH!
Not only will you visually see the 100 places you must not miss out on but also throughout the site you will see that there are solutions as well. 100 solutions
Joss Stone.. wow how inspiring "Look after the earth that you have been given."
Look after it - it's a gift! It's all info we have thought about but how refreshing. I mean how refreshing!
I want this book. Not only for the message and the support but for the amazing images it has captured.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Eco Friendly Surf
Okay come on. With all of this green washing in companies going around you would hope to be able to trust some sectors. With that I would hope to be able to trust the surfing realm. First of all let me give you a little history of the surf board.
First. There was Balsa and other solid wood boards. Then came fiber glass, the all time classic components and not too far after Epoxy hit the scene. As of lately hollow boards have been popular and the search for a more economic and eco friendly materials. FireWire Surfboards have been all the craze and this is my attempt to understand why.
Firewire is using a form of epoxy resin and an EPS foam (which is supposed to be better than the leading foam used in most fiber glass boards).
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/technology.php?techid=tech#tech09
Their Argument :
Firewire Surfboards use epoxy resin and EPS foam, materials that are exponentially less harmful than traditional surfboard materials. Over a 5–year lifespan, including the construction process, a traditional PU surfboard releases 50 times more Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) than a Firewire surfboard. In recognition of this, Firewire Surfboards won the coveted EuroSIMA Environmental Product of the Year Award in 2005.
BS?:
I'm not sure how I want to weigh this argument. Yes - I agree some components of fiberglass boards are horrid BUT the ultimate turn around of the boards are drastic. A fiberglass board can last you many years beyond an epoxy pop out. I say a "pop out" because epoxy boards (FireWire) are made by a machine. They are produced in Asia and shipped back to the U.S. Not all boards are and not all fiberglass boards aren't - but FireWire they are. They have a "shaper" that has now been called a "designer" and they aren't assembling everything over seas.
First. There was Balsa and other solid wood boards. Then came fiber glass, the all time classic components and not too far after Epoxy hit the scene. As of lately hollow boards have been popular and the search for a more economic and eco friendly materials. FireWire Surfboards have been all the craze and this is my attempt to understand why.
Firewire is using a form of epoxy resin and an EPS foam (which is supposed to be better than the leading foam used in most fiber glass boards).
http://www.firewiresurfboards.com/technology.php?techid=tech#tech09
Their Argument :
Firewire Surfboards use epoxy resin and EPS foam, materials that are exponentially less harmful than traditional surfboard materials. Over a 5–year lifespan, including the construction process, a traditional PU surfboard releases 50 times more Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) than a Firewire surfboard. In recognition of this, Firewire Surfboards won the coveted EuroSIMA Environmental Product of the Year Award in 2005.
BS?:
I'm not sure how I want to weigh this argument. Yes - I agree some components of fiberglass boards are horrid BUT the ultimate turn around of the boards are drastic. A fiberglass board can last you many years beyond an epoxy pop out. I say a "pop out" because epoxy boards (FireWire) are made by a machine. They are produced in Asia and shipped back to the U.S. Not all boards are and not all fiberglass boards aren't - but FireWire they are. They have a "shaper" that has now been called a "designer" and they aren't assembling everything over seas.
It's Simple.
With a few other projects going around in my head it has landed my web searches onto the components of shoes and just how "sustainable" shoes are - or aren't. The components that use hard rubber, synthetics, and other harsh substances that do not biodegreate for thousands of years was for some reason an eye opener for me.
I was encouraged by the company Simple and what they are doing for their products. http://www.simpleshoes.com/info/index.aspx?g=info
We have carried them in the surf shop I work at for a few years and I have bought them with great love for their product but now I really understand why we support them. Check it out.
Since 1991 here is what they have been up to and working towards!
I was encouraged by the company Simple and what they are doing for their products. http://www.simpleshoes.com/info/index.aspx?g=info
We have carried them in the surf shop I work at for a few years and I have bought them with great love for their product but now I really understand why we support them. Check it out.
Since 1991 here is what they have been up to and working towards!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
PSP
PSP has been on my mind. What's that you ask? Personal Sustainability Project< meaning take care of yourself and sustain your mind, body, and soul before you can begin to trickle that onto the world.
http://www.strategyforsustainability.com
The link above is by far the main reason why I have been so captivated by all of this. We had the opportunity to read Adam Werbach's book and PSP's were implemented for Wal-Mart as they approached the challenge to change their economic footprint. It's an aspect that everyone has thought of. Of course you need to work on yourself before you can really live your goal but to put this idea into a corporate company like Wal-Mart and for this to be almost as polar from anything you would assume Wal-Mart to stand for was a difficult idea for me to wrap my head around. At first I just saw this as a publicity stunt, something to hush the critics of the company. The more you peel back the layers the more you see that
this is real, it's a lifestyle lived from the bottom to the top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_FrmlVG_Mw&feature=related
It's a matter of not joining the enemy but trying to understand that they have a foot print. They are here and they aren't going any where. America has chosen to support them no matter if you can think beyond the minds of the NW - America supports them.
http://www.strategyforsustainability.com
The link above is by far the main reason why I have been so captivated by all of this. We had the opportunity to read Adam Werbach's book and PSP's were implemented for Wal-Mart as they approached the challenge to change their economic footprint. It's an aspect that everyone has thought of. Of course you need to work on yourself before you can really live your goal but to put this idea into a corporate company like Wal-Mart and for this to be almost as polar from anything you would assume Wal-Mart to stand for was a difficult idea for me to wrap my head around. At first I just saw this as a publicity stunt, something to hush the critics of the company. The more you peel back the layers the more you see that
this is real, it's a lifestyle lived from the bottom to the top.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_FrmlVG_Mw&feature=related
It's a matter of not joining the enemy but trying to understand that they have a foot print. They are here and they aren't going any where. America has chosen to support them no matter if you can think beyond the minds of the NW - America supports them.
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