Hinsdale Reference

Programmers Create Computer Crash Recorder

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:02:03 -0600

Life rarely offers the opportunity for a corrective second shot; on the playground there is the �do-over� and the golf course the �Mulligan�. Two software developers have created an instant replay application that allows software designers to �proofread� their programs live and �records� any crashes from bugs in the system. Follow the link for the full story from the New York Times.
Home computer users may have a long wait for a similar product so in the mean time follow the simple advice to prevent a disastrous loss of your data: back-up, back-up, and back-up. Backing up your data onto an external hard drive or burning back-up CDs will give a baseline for recovery from if your computer crashes.
For advice on preventing computer crashes and instruction on creating back up discs and using external hard drives consult the book Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies. Recent articles from Forbes (hardcopy available at HPL) and David Pogue�s NYT column (follow the link) offer further options in hard drives and back up software.

Starbucks Saves Lives

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:41:22 -0600

Baristas, like bartenders, get to know their regulars. Sometimes this interaction leads to a deeper friendship, as is the case with Starbucks barista, Sandie Anderson and patron Annamaries Ausnes. Starbucks, or rather their employee -- Sandie Anderson really saved Ms Ausnes� live by donating a kidney. Read the story as reported on EfluxMedia.
Then there�s Michael Gates Gill�s more metaphorical salvation through employment -- How Starbucks Saved My Life. Gates� home life and career were in the dumpster when he filed an application at Starbucks. Working with a much younger and ethnically diverse workforce he discovers the joy of the daily grind.

Send in the Clones

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:39:08 -0600

Send in the Clones � Cuttings of Rare Plants and Hopes of Repopulation

You might have clones living in your home. No, you don�t have to check the basement for �pods�. (The science fiction film Invasion of the Body Snatchers featured alien invaders who hatched clones from pods). If you have cuttings that have matured into rooted plants you have cloned a houseplant.
In an effort Olmsted would applaud 900 cloned giant redwood trees have been created in an effort to reestablish the endangered tree.
This story and audio clip from National Public Radio�s All Things Considered presents another example of scientists seeking to preserve a rare wild coffee plant. It�s the story of the impact of alien species on the island of Rodrigues. Douglas Adams� Last Chance to See provides some of the source material for the radio story and is available at Hinsdale Public Library.

Improvements to Ease the Travel Holi-Daze

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 19:38:35 -0600

An estimated 27 million people will fly to their Thanksgiving celebrations and the FAA and the airlines are taking action that should result in faster and safer trips. President Bush announced the creation of �express lanes� in the air. During the Thanksgiving rush, November 21-25, 2007, the FFA will authorize temporary use of military flight paths over the continental United States in an effort to reduce flight delays.
But will the weather cooperate? Not according to WGN�s Tommy Skilling.
Check your guests� flights with this universal flight tracker.

Greener IMB

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:54:51 -0600

IBM joins Google as one of the high tech corporations going green. IBM has created a process to recycle silicon from computer chips, which then can be used to create solar panels. Recycled silicon may reduce the cost of solar panels by an estimated 30% and reduce the amount of material becoming land fill. To read more about this win-win situation follow the link to full article from Information Week.

Research Advancing on Alzheimer�s Blood Test

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:20:31 -0600

Stanford University researchers report promising results in development of a diagnostic blood test for Alzheimer�s disease. The test, designed to identify a link between blood proteins and Alzheimer�s, may also be useful in early diagnosis. The test would be less invasive than a spinal tap and less subjective than a clinical diagnosis alone.
Follow the link for the full report from New York Times.

T-Rex Goes Turbo

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:38:46 -0600

New research is challenging the concept that T-Rex was a sluggard. As recently as 2002 researchers and computer models were estimating a maximum speed of 10 mph � suggesting T-Rex might have been a scavenger. The National Geographic sponsored research re-establishes the king of the dinosaurs as a fearsome fleet-footed predator, whose top speed may have been just under 25 mph.

Local Lustron Home Lures Another Enthusiast

Sun, 19 Aug 2007 12:02:12 -0600

The Lustron home, one of the many prefabricated solutions to the post-war housing shortage, formed the housing stock of a few neighborhoods in nearby Bedford Park. The enamel-coated metal houses have their fanatics, who strive to preserve surviving examples. To read one story of one convert�s luck strike follow the link to the Sun-Times article. To learn more about the Lustron Homes follow the link to Lustron Home: the History of a Post-War Prefabricated Housing Experiment from our catalog.

The Wall Street Journal (and others) Declares the Minivan Dead

Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:28:21 -0600

The vehicle that saved the American auto industry and Chrysler in particular, has seen its finest hour. Manufacter's big rebates and re-styling aren�t strong enough incentives to make them attractive to the 30-somethings who were seat belted into the back of the first generation minivans. Just as the station wagon was labeled as pass� upon the minivan�s arrival, the new breed of cross-overs may have put the Caravan on blocks

Exhausted DuPage Area Code to Get Some Back-up

Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:25:05 -0600

It�s time to reprogram your speed dial menu on your phones. As of June 30th, 2007, all the possible phone numbers in area code 630 were taken, so a new area code, 331, will appear this fall.
Meaning even if you�re dialing a local number, say your next-door neighbor (with a 630 phone number) you�ll have to dial 11 digits. A minor inconvenience your neighbors in the northwest suburbs (847 and 224) have be dealing with for three years.

Summer Time and the Livin� is Greasy: Picnic Chips, Kettle Chips and Saddles

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 14:39:17 -0600

What would summer be without picnics? And what would picnics be without potato chips? The New York Times foodies must be in the same frame of mind. Follow the links for articles on the possible origin of the potato chip and a sampling of regional varieties, as well as the how and why of saddle-shaped-crispy chips.
But don�t eat any green chips. Well, not a whole bag of them. Speaking of green, this chipper recycles it�s �waist products�.

Business Goes for the Green

Thu, 21 Jun 2007 15:40:22 -0600

Google (dot org), the philanthropic arm of the search engine company, is pledging $10 million towards the development of electric/gasoline hybrid autos. The �plug-in� hybrids use less gas than the current hybrid technology; when tied into a (yet-to-be-developed) network of solar collectors, they could also generate excess electricity. For more on the six Google grants follow this link.

Putting their ideals to work at their corporate headquarters Google installed a huge photovoltaic system to generate up to a third of their electricity.

Other corporations are using carbon offsets and other measures to lessen their impact on the environment. The organization Climate Counts wants you to know who�s truly making an effort. Rankings of Striding, Starting and Stuck are given to each company. All of the scorecards can be viewed at www.climatecounts.org.

Farmers Markets of Chicagoland

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 14:34:46 -0600

Emerald zucchini, ruby-red raspberries, heirloom tomatoes and the other treasures of the farmers markets will soon be here. Finding your local market, or one nearby, is a cinch thanks to the Chicago Tribune�s listing. (The list originally appeared in the May 9, 2007 Good Eating section.)

Spam King Headed for the Can-Robert Alan Soloway Indicted for Internet Fraud

Thu, 31 May 2007 15:45:07 -0600

In what might be called sweet revenge, Federal prosecutors in Seattle charged Newport Internet Marking Corporation owner, Robert Soloway, with multiple fraud counts, money laundering and many other charges. Soloway and NIM allegedly generated SPAM on a grand scale while using false names, co-opting legitimate domain names, and forging email accounts to avoid detection.

A Find Clive Cussler�s Dirk Pitt Would Envy

Mon, 21 May 2007 11:09:13 -0600

Odyssey Marine Exploration leaked information on what might be the richest salvage operation of a colonial-era shipwreck: an estimated $500 million treasure of uncirculated gold and silver coins. The 400- year-old wreck discovered in an historical shipping lane southwest of England, goes by the code name, �Black Swan�, until the formal announcement (expected in the near future).