Category: tech

Tonight’s Stormette

The roadway was covered by a very thin and slick layer. My ‘carmometer’ read 33&#176 or 34&#176 all the way, but the ground is colder than the air.

I walked to my car tonight put on my gloves and started to brush off snow. I know this kind. I’m a snow connoisseur. It was wet, clung to surfaces and iced under tires. I’m guessing a 7:1 water:snow ratio.

Some of you are nuts! I drove home on I-91. More cars had spun into the woods than I ever remember. They must have called in extra State Troopers. Each of the accidents had one or two!

I-91 was in worse shape than I expected. On my drive from Hartford to Meriden I passed no plows or sanders. There was one on the Wilbur Cross, but he was getting off at the exit for the yard.

The roadway was covered by a very thin and slick layer. My ‘carmometer’ read 33&#176 or 34&#176 all the way, but the ground is colder than the air.

Helaine will probably get upset at me for saying this, but the snow is very pretty tonight. Looks are deceiving.

Tablet Order Cancelled

I was hoping to get a tablet for the holidays. Very exciting. Helaine Santa ordered an Asus Tranformer Prime (TF201). It was considered hands down the best hardware available.

Yes Apple fans the TF201 has better hardware than the iPad2 though Apple’s IOS 5 is currently a smoother, more intuitive operating system than the version of Android that ships in the Prime.

The point is probably moot. An hour ago I asked Helaine to cancel the order.

First, you might be wondering, why am I still waiting for this tablet on January 9th. Good question. I have no good answer.

Meanwhile as the CES opens (and with my tablet still a no show) Asus has announced the next model!

The original Transformer Prime TF201 is barely a month old, and it received solid reviews for its strong performance and sleek design. Hot on its heels is the Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime TF700T. This model is due out in the second quarter of 2012, and will complement the existing model; pricing starts at $599 for the 32GB version, and $699 for the 64GB version.

The new model has new placement for the GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth receivers. There have been some complaints those elements under performed in the original model.

Meanwhile Acer has unveiled the Iconia Tab A700. It also looks to have beefy guts in a slender form.

I’m used to computer hardware quickly supplanted by new models, but while I’m still waiting for delivery? Please!

It’s Perihelion

It’s as if a big, nerdy weight has been lifted off my shoulders!

I just went online trying to find the date of perihelion this year. I figured it was coming. Wrong. It came at 8:00 PM. Perihelion is Earth’s closest proximity to the Sun.

I like mentioning it (and will tonight on the news) because it’s anti intuitive. Who would expect the Earth and Sun to be closest when we’re our coldest?

Perihelion is part of a small set of facts most people don’t know. Let me help you win your next barroom bet!

The Earth’s orbit isn’t circular. The Earth’s orbit is (close to) an ellipse. We’re 3,000,000 miles closer to the Sun today than in July. As you see that distance is inconsequential in the heating department.

The four seasons are not equal length! Summer plus spring is around a week longer than fall plus winter. Johannes Kepler had this figured out in 1609. Thank heaven for small favors!

spring 92.76 days
summer 93.65 days
fall 89.84 days
winter 88.99 days

The first day of autumn and spring do not have equal day and night! They would if we had no atmosphere and didn’t measure from the moment the Sun breaks the horizon until it falls below it (adding the extra time it takes for the Sun’s diameter to pass the horizon to our day).

It’s as if a big, nerdy weight has been lifted off my shoulders!