A better way to search
Oh yeah, I use Google and Dogpile, but I've found a new search tool that may replace them both -- check out Visimo Document Clustering. I typed in Linear Motors and got several hundred links...but the beauty of this search tool is on the left...up pops a clustered results bar that lists Linear Motors with 189 results, Motion Control with 30, Servo Motors with 19, Machine with 20, Electric Motors with 20, Engineering with 13, Linear Synchronous Motors with 11, Electronics with 11, Drives and Motors with 9 and Ballscrews with 7, plus a link fo rmore. You can also search in clusters. such as adding a keyword such as DC and up pops a window with DC highlighted...
- posted by Paula Porter @ 3:47 PM

 
Technology to watch in 2004
CNN did a pretty good job of technologies to watch for in 2004. Among them OLEDs, Gecko Tape, and MRAM...but of course the really big things for 2004 will all be on display starting tomorrow with the beginning of CES. If you can't make it, like myself, you may want to check in on the new products being introduced...I will.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 4:24 PM

 
Hot wheels on and off planet
Two things Americans love -- their cars and outer space...and the news was big yesterday with both with the rollout at the Detroit Auto Show of some of the 2005 models and prototypes and the Spirit getting set to roll around the Mars landscape.

After several years of trucks and SUVs taking control of the show, this is definitely the year of the hot looking car. Maybe because the baby boomers are becoming empty nesters and are trying to relive their youth with a hot little two-seater? Anyway, the best site to check out news of the auto show is the Detroit News. You gotta check out their concept gallery and look at all the dream cars (23 in the gallery). Dodge's Sling Shot would look great in my garage; Land Rover introduced their first concept with the Stormer; Mitsubishi introduced a Sport Truck Concept that looks like a sports car with a truck bed in back; the new Shelby Cobra is going to be another classic; Jeep has a new Rescue that looks like a baby Hummer...I could go on, but if you are into wheels this is the place to go.

And of course, our friends at NASA did what their European partners did not -- land successfully on the Red Planet and start sending back 3D pics. Check out the latest (color pics are said to be available sometime today) at http://marsrovers.nasa.gov.
- posted by Paula Porter @ 8:02 AM

 
New year, new growth?
Happy New Year! And of course with the new year, many analysts are trying to predict a better economy...The research group IDC is predicting a banner year for semiconductors -- 18% in fact. So what's the big push? Mobile phones and PCs -- read about it here.

How about this for a trend -- wireless transmitters for livestock? Mad cow and all, the RFID industry may be "stocking" up...

For a little fun, how about the top 10 searches for 2003?

Looks like this is going to be another fun year!
- posted by Paula Porter @ 7:38 AM