Still Haven't Registered for JavaOne? Do it by September 10 and You Might Be a Winner

Register for Oracle OpenWorld, JavaOne and Oracle Develop, a Discover Pass or a Discover Plus Pass between September 3 and September 10, and you could win one of 10 super cool prizes:

Flight of a Lifetime
A 45-minute aerobatic plane flight with Sean D. Tucker or a certified member of the Team Oracle biplane crew. Two prizes available.

VIP Backstage Passes at the Appreciation Event
Hang out behind the scenes and schmooze with the amazing lineup of performers (Grammy Award winners Black Eyed Peas, Don Henley, Steve Miller Band, Montgomery Gentry, Berlin, and The English Beat) at the Appreciation Event on September 22 at Treasure Island. Two prizes available.

Backstage Pass to Meet The English Beat
Meet members of The English Beat backstage at the Appreciation Event on September 22 at Treasure Island. Five prizes available.

Backstage Pass to Meet Don Henley
Meet Eagle cofounder Don Henley backstage at the Appreciation Event on September 22 at Treasure Island. One prize available.

Two Ways to Enter

You'll be automatically entered in the Sweepstakes after purchasing a 2010 Conference Pass for Oracle OpenWorld, JavaOne and Oracle Develop, Discover or Discover Plus during the registration eligibility period, September 3 - 10, 2010.

You can also enter by hand-printing your name, address, city, state, zip code, email address, and day and evening phone numbers on a 3" x 5" card and mailing it in an envelope to:

Oracle OpenWorld & JavaOne and Oracle Develop 2010 Sweepstakes
Attn: Sandra Gutierrez
999 Skyway Road, Suite 300
San Carlos, CA 94070

Mail-in entries must be postmarked on or before September 10, 2010 and received by Oracle on or before 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, September 15, 2010 to be eligible for the drawing for the Sweepstakes prize. OpenWorld 2010 conference details and Conference Pass availability and pricing information are available at www.oracle.com/openworld. Entries are limited to one (1) entry per eligible person. Prize drawings will take place after 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 15, 2010.

Register today!

Disclosure: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 21 years of age or older. Limit one entry per person. Entrants are responsible for complying with their employer's promotional items policies. Entries accepted from 09/03/2010 to 09/10/2010. Mail-in Entries must be postmarked by 9/10/2010 and received by 9/15/2010. Ten winners will receive one of the following prizes: 45-minute aerobatic plane flights with Sean D. Tucker or a certified member of the Team Oracle biplane crew (US $200) or various VIP / Backstage Passes to the Oracle Appreciation Event scheduled to take place 9/22/2010, 7:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m. at Treasure Island, San Francisco, California: Estimated Value: $100 USD for each pass. Winner responsible for all travel or other costs required to use the prizes. Click here for complete Official Rules. Sponsored by Oracle.
original link click here

External hard drives are great way to back up your favourite photos, videos, music and work documents – especially as they can be stored separately, ensuring your important files remain safe should anything happen to your laptop or computer. If you’ve never bought an external hard drive before then there’s a few pointers here that may help to have on your shopping list before you go and make that final purchase.

1. Buy A Brand
Do yourself a huge favor and buy a brand name that you easily recognize. Sure these may cost a little more than brand but with computer accessories like this you really do get what you pay for. If a Western Digital 1TB external hard drive costs $90 and another brand ITB hard drive costs $70 why do you think that is? Because the company likes you? Because they like making smaller profits? No it’s because it’s a cheaper drive made with inferior parts that’s going to break a lot sooner than you might expect.

The other aspect of sticking with a brand is your warranty. For example Maxtor, Western Digital and Iomega are all reliable companies and well known for their external hard disks. If something goes wrong with your drive you can have it fixed. With brand you’ll probably not even be able to find an email address that you can contact the parent company on. Is saving a few dollars worth that risk?

2. Google It
Whatever brand or model you decide on make sure you do some research before purchasing. Always, always Google the exact brand and model of the drive you’re considering buying. Look for reviews and especially any feedback on how reliable a drive is. You’ll be very surprised to find that some companies have particularly bad reputations in terms of equipment reliability and what’s known as the "click of death" in the external hard drive industry. Spend time in Google checking out your prospective purchase. You’ll be glad that you did.

3. Connectivity
When it comes to external hard drives you’ll need to choose carefully when selecting your connection types. Your external hard drive will support either USB or Firewire. Firewire is the fastest option available at the moment but your computer may not support this. The vast majority of modern computers will, however, feature a USB port.

The next question now is what type of USB port do you have – USB 1.0 or 2.0? If your computer only has a USB 1.0 port then your external hard drive is going to transfer data VERY slowly. USB 2.0 is the minimum you should consider as connection options for both your computer and your external hard drive. If you don’t have a USB 2.0 port (also called HiSpeed USB) on your computer you may need to get a USB 2.0 card fitted.

4. Speed
Now of course we need to talk about speed. The faster your hard drive operates the faster data will get transferred to your computer and vice versa. Without boggling you with computer jargon there’s a couple of technical things you need to include on your shopping list.

Seek time – this needs to be 10ms (milliseconds) or less.
Buffer size – more is better. Get a drive with at least a 4MB buffer.
RPM – higher is better. 5400 RPM as a minimum. 7200 RPM being preferred.
Stick to the above basic pointers and you’ll do just fine.

5. Capacity
This is the simple part of the whole "buying an external hard drive" equation. Buy as much as you can afford. If you can afford 100GB then get it. However if you can afford 200GB then get it. Then again if you scraped together a few dollars more you could afford 300GB then do it.

This isn’t a sales pitch. Far from it. There is simply no such thing as having too much data storage space. The 160GB drive that I have here was filled up in a little under a month. Currently 1TB external hard drive sounds good for my future needs.

Always add 50% to your data storage requirements. Honestly. You’ll thanks yourself within the first 90 days of buying your external drive.

Hopefully now you’ll be better prepared for purchasing your new external hard drive. It’s one of the best purchases you’ll ever make.

PHP 5.3.3 Released!
The PHP development team would like to announce the immediate availability of PHP 5.3.3. This release focuses on improving the stability and security of the PHP 5.3.x branch with over 100 bug fixes, some of which are security related. All users are encouraged to upgrade to this release....
read more

Wave open source next steps: "Wave in a Box"

Since the announcement that we will discontinue development of Google Wave as a standalone product, many people have asked us about the future of the open source code and Wave federation protocol. After spending some time on figuring out our next steps, we'd like to share the plan for our contributions over the coming months.
We will expand upon the 200K lines of code we've already open sourced (detailed at waveprotocol.org) to flesh out the existing example Wave server and web client into a more complete application or "Wave in a Box."
This project will include:
an application bundle including a server and web client supporting real-time collaboration using the same structured conversations as the Google Wave system
a fast and fully-featured wave panel in the web client with complete support for threaded conversations
a persistent wave store and search implementation for the server (building on contributed patches to implement a MongoDB store)
refinements to the client-server protocols
gadget, robot and data API support
support for importing wave data from wave.google.com
the ability to federate across other Wave in a Box instances, with some additional configuration
This project will not have the full functionality of Google Wave as you know it today. However, we intend to give developers and enterprising users an opportunity to run wave servers and host waves on their own hardware.
Since the beginning, it has been our vision that the Google Wave protocols could support a new generation of communication and collaboration tools. The response from the developer community to date has been amazing and rewarding. Even more so now, we believe that developers and other projects are a critical part of this story.
While Wave in a Box will be a functional application, the future of Wave will be defined by your contributions. We hope this project will help the Wave developer community continue to grow and evolve. We'll discuss more technical details of our plan on the Wave Protocol Forum, which is the best place to keep up with the latest progress on the open source project and learn how you can contribute.
Wave on
by Alex North, Software Engineer, Google Wave team

As promised, here are the details on the Electrolux Bio Robot Refrigerator, a concept that has been making quite a splash in the blogosphere! In lay terms, the fridge is a concept where the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. A non-sticky gel surrounds the food item when shoved into the biopolymer gel, creating separate pods. The design features no doors or drawers, and the food items are individually cooled at their optimal temperature thanks to the robot. And since it can take any orientation (hung vertically, horizontally, and even on the ceiling), and can be modified in size, you can fit it in any apartment.

More details in the images…

Besides being good for your flubber, skipping seems to be a good way for harnessing energy to recharge batteries. I know this idea is not so new; we have seen how jumping a rope can power a torch and juice batteries. However design is not only about problem solving, but also about refining existing solutions, hence the E Rope. Refinement comes in the form of aesthetics and interface. Both look gorgeously done in this one. Moreover, the video says it all…..

If we talk about the future of dining (everyday home meals), it’s quite alright to assume ready-to-eat steaks and pot roast being available in capsules. Compact food meaning easier to cook and clean-up and this is where the Electrolux Eco Cleaner, a portable, compact dishwasher comes in play. Using ultrasonic waves to ionize food particles on the dishes, this dishwasher converts the food/grease to reusable compost for plants. Thereby waste will no longer be waste, but healthy meals for the greens. Squeaky Clean dishes, just a by-product!

Forget all your Playstation 3s. Forget your Playstation 3 thin models with multiple lovely colors, forget even the earlier design by this same designer, Tai Chiem, that PSP 2 concept he whipped up last year, no! Check this thang out. It’s the Playstation 4. Tai Chiem’s Playstation 4 concept: that’s how you know it’s wild. And with clear material and minimalistic aesthetics in play, you’ve got one Tai-tastic amalgamation, to be sure.

BONUS: that other spaceshippy looking thing is his “xbox 720.” Lollers! I’m reminded of the comic on Penny Arcade where they first talk about the xbox controller being harder to hold than a grizzly bear. It’s HUGE!

SO! PS4! What’ve we got here? Bluetooth integration, plastic/glass backs and middles. LCD screen(s) on both the controller and the system itself. The same classic aesthetic bone structure for the controller that PS has always had. The same ability to turn the system on it’s side (I always thought that was a super-simple super-genius feature of the PS series.) And the continuation of the standard “CD” disk size for games.

I’m hoping for the games to come in cube form, allowing you to just scan the cube for a new game. How cool would that be? Totally cool.

My source seems to insist that this AirSwing from Toshiba is Minority Report technology, which always makes me want to write about it, honestly. I think I’ve probably referenced this film in more posts than any other science fiction film, and this includes Blade Runner.


There are no special gloves like the ones that Tom Cruise wore at the beginning of Minority Report, but the AirSwing does use webcams to make this technology work.

I have a video of this after the jump so you can see it in action. You can see how the user’s reflection is on the screen, super-imposed with a menu of selections. I’m not certain if the reflection is a result of the screen being reflective or some part of the Airswing program.

Either way, the user can wave his or her hand or some other gesture, and can scroll through mall maps, flight plans, or other type of selections.

Best of all, this particular program does not take much processing. So it won’t freeze up on you while in action.

Of course, this is still concept tech, and is not in any particular place at this time. However, I can think of many places where I would use it. I can just see an interface like this being used for customer service in any store in the future

After happened last year about the ondoy. Almost every one wanted to be same when the rain start to fall again. The philippine started to set up a high-grade automatic rain gauge and was set up this Wednesday in Montalban, Rizal for a reliable and upgraded flood forecast system.It's use the natural solar energy by using a solar panel.

Rain gauge in Barangay San Rafael in Montalban is positioned inside the cell site of the Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) to automatically send rainfall data to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) through SMS (short message service).

The initiative is part of a program of the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) to help upgrade the country’s flood forecasting system.

The PDRF, headed by PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan, is the private sector arm of the Special National Public Reconstruction Commission created in the wake of the devastation brought about by typhoons “Ondoy”, “Pepeng”, and “Frank”. PAGASA Administrator Dr. Prisco Nilo said that installing a rain gauge in areas where bulk of flood waters come will help the agency monitor rainfall.

"We have set up automatic rainfall stations to improve monitoring of rainfall for timely and reliable warnings,” Nilo said.


The rain gauge, which costs about P500,000, is a grant from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

Just when you thought that a rudimentary device could not get “techno-fied”, along comes the Digital BBQ Tongs.

The Digital BBQ Tongs are more than just ordinary barbecue tongs with a LED display, but they have special sensors in the tips to detect the meat’s temperature. So in case you are wondering if the burgers or chicken really are cooked all the way through, just listen to the tongs.

Yes, these tongs will actually tell you, with an chimed alarm, when the meat is done. In fact, it has seven preset meat types and one custom setting. No more eating undercooked food and risking terrifying health problems ever again!

Not only does it come with a backlit LCD display, but it also has an LED flashlight for times when…actually, I can’t think of a time when you would use the LED flashlight. I mean, if you are barbecuing at night, then move your grill underneath the porch light! At least the LED flashlight might give you that extra light if it is needed.

If you like the concept behind the Digital BBQ Tongs, and want one of your own, feel free to go to the Taylor Gifts site and lay down $40. By the way, it comes with the 3 AAA batteries that power it.
CLICK HERE

Bored about your old type of psp?..I haved found latest version of PSP it's called the PSP2 it have a big screen good for playing.Stereo speakers on either side double as a jog wheel and camera control.The Sony finally implementing two joysticks.Thinking that sony really making a new improvement to their playstation portable but i guess that the price of this one will be much expensive.

Most dogs owner wanted to train their dogs. One reason it's hard to train is that the dog don't hear the voice of the owner. Im just surfing into the internet and found this cool staff called Ultrasonic Voice Recording. It is used for dog training,only dogs can hear the voice that you recorded.

We are starting in a computer world and almost everything are improving and having a new design.
Most of the people wanted to have a new design or style. Im looking for new kinds of credit card or new design. I just found this tricard a credit card concept that is clear card and it shows your balance in the card.

I think we all know that newspapers are dying. However, it may be something that will always be around in some form, like radio.

This is a concept newspaper that uses E-ink with a semi-transparent surface. Basically, it is creates a display on a surface that looks just like a newspaper, but won’t leave any black ink residue on your hands.

There is a video after the break if you want to see it for yourself. It uses a fingerprint identifier to see who the user is, and then it looks like you are surfing the web.

I believe that this is what Apple wanted to do with the iPad, but bigger. Considering that the iPad already does what the iPhone can do, but bigger, maybe this will be the iPaper. iPaper. I like that, and it could easily catch on.

However, I’m not certain whether people will open up to a huge folding display that is actually larger than most mobile devices. After all, newspapers are very large and bulky, and they take up way to much tabletop space. We might be at the point where people prefer to have something on a smaller screen rather than a larger one.

Still, I guess I like any technology that looks like it is out of Minority Report, and showed up a few times in that film.

THE PAGE_Adaptive Delivery Device from Scott Liao on Vimeo.

Thinking caps on because this takes some imagination to digest. The HMK 561 is a carbon fiber bike with special electrical properties that hold power right inside the frame. Carbon fiber is highly conductive so the designer uses it as a power distribution network instead of wires. The power drives the lights and the motors in between the rims but get this… there’s regenerative braking. All that energy drives a system that turns the wheels using a counter-turning axel in lieu of gears and chains. Far fetched? No, because there’s already a prototype.

The good folks at Suzuki are serious about going green and have been spotted testing their latest concept, the Suzuki Crosscage Hydrogen Fuel Cell Motorcycle. With no gears, no noise, no clutch and no emissions, this hydrogen fuel cell / electric hybrid two-wheeler just might be the future of motorcycles and is closer to reality than you might think. Seriously, there is a guy riding one in these pictures, you won’t hear it coming, but it is.

Design: Suzuki [ Via: Hell For Leather ]

new heart-shaped d°light huggable, d°light UrHeart is just what you need this Valentines! It is a huggable heart-shaped light with a thousand roses; a perfect gift for your special someone. Imagine a dimly lit room with candlelight dinner setting on the table, your loved one sitting beside it, and you walking in, holding the d°light UrHeart … imagine the face light up with joy!

This is Diana Lin Design's special Valentines’ edition d°light UrHeart. Are you looking for the Valentine’s gift that will WOW your special someone? Have you considered a gift that can be held such as a teddy bear or a classic gift of roses? Valentine's day is about showing your special someone just how special she/he is. What better way to do it than by presenting them with a very unique gift!

So WHO will you d°light?


-provides a soft ambient lighting to any room in the house: Living room, study room or bedside table. It’s an ideal night light or the perfect conversational piece.

-works the best in a candle light environment and can be complimented by candle light dinner.

For those who want to earn some free meals at your hotel stay might want to look into this hotel in Denmark.

Apparently, Crowne Plaza Hotel will reward a guest who goes on the exercise bike for about fifteen minutes. This is enough for the guest to pedal out 10 watt hours of electricity. I’m not certain how much that is good for, but if a guest is willing to sweat it out that long, he or she gets a $36 meal voucher. Again, I’m not certain how much that is good for. (For all I know, the meals at this hotel could cost $75.)

You’ve got to admire this hotel’s unique way of giving their guests a break while power is generated. Now, if these bikes were put in the gym rather than outside the hotel, then you’ve got a marriage of physical fitness and green power!

Speaking of green power, I’ve discovered that this same hotel also has solar panels up on the roof. All it needs now is someone pedaling all the time, and this place would be practically self-sustaining.
by mark r

Instead of just being the adventurous type, be the adventurous type that forces everyone to watch videos of you bouncing down the mountainside on your bicycle. This X170 sports cam is the perfect way to film every single one of your action moves. It comes with all sorts of ways to attach it to just about anything.


The camera itself records directly onto an SD card, plus it has a 1.5 inch screen that allows for easy playback. The lens is wide angle and records at 720 by 480 pixels at 30fps. As far as the mounting goes it includes a helmet-grip, head-strap, goggle and handlebar mounts, then finally your average Velcro strap for anything else. The battery life is pretty weak, it only runs for an hour on the AA batteries. Since they are just normal batteries, you could always just carry around some spares. You can purchase one of these for $200 through Drift Innovation.