The Technology & Gadgets Blog

There may be a few of you who remember my old “occasional jokes” list that I maintained. Though that particular list kinda ran out of steam, I have attempted to ressurrect it by creating “yet another” blog, this one with occasional jokes that I have found or received. You’re welcome to check it out. It is my hope to post something new to it fairly regularly. The jokes should all be relatively clean, so if you want to read or receive by email “the Occasional Joke”, feel free to drop by.

Website Design Tips is a brand new blog that I have just started, the purpose of which is to inform website designers, programmers and CSS coders of the latest and greatest tips, tricks and strategies in website design. My desire is to help webmasters to be informed of and use the best possible tools in the creation of their websites, helping to “make the Internet a better place.”

My background, and the areas in which I continue to work, are in the fields of website design and PHP coding, and as such, this blog should be a good fit. If you are at all interested in website design best practices or CSS tips and tricks, I recommend that you check out the blog. Feel free to let me know any feedback you might have. Find the blog at http://www.website-design-tips.net.

Having just come back from a somewhat long business trip, I’m sure I would have found a use for one of these little units. According to their website, Inflight Power has developed an ingenious little attachment that can be plugged in to the audio jack on an airplane, and will convert that signal to power, usable for recharging USB powered electronic devices.

Modern flight relies on the ability of a plane to move fast enough for the wings to generate lift. In order to obtain and maintain the speed required for this lift, large engines consuming large amounts of fuel are required. But what if one were to create a plane that was lighter than air. This is exactly what Robert D. Hunt is attempting to build. Further to this, not only has this former nuclear designer attempted to build a “lighter than air” plane, but he is attempting to harness the power of gravity in order to maintain essentially fuel-less flight.

By increasing and decreasing the bouyancy of the aircraft, forward motion can be obtained first as the plane floats upwards, and then as the plane glides downwards. Hunt claims that using this method of flight will allow the aircraft to fly indefinately without the need for fuel.

You can read more on the Hunt Aviation website.

This vehicle is the winner of this year’s “Supermileage Competition” which was hosted on June 9 in Marshall, Michigan. According to the rules of the competition, the participants must build the most fuel efficient vehicle possible, which is only powered by an internal combustion engine. I’m not sure on all the technology involved, and details I could find seemed to be scarce, but apparently this vehicle was able to acheive 3145 mpg. If you find more detailed information on this, feel free to post it in the comments.

Found on: OhGizmo!

Are you ready for the car of the future? Moller International is in the process of developing what appears to be the world’s first Skycar. Looking like something out of the Jetsons, the M400 Skycar is capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), has a top speed of 375 mph, a range of 750 miles, carries 4 people and runs on ethanol. Basically, it’s a flying car that gets 20 miles to the gallon. You can put a deposit on one now.

Read more about the Skycar

Those who like S’mores, but hesitate (or are unable) to build the bonfire that normally goes with them, may wish to check out this table-top S’mores maker. Looks like it comes with just the burner assembly, not all the “fixin’s”. Fuel sold seperately.

Found on: Just What I Wanted!

This thing looks like a lot of fun! The WEGO KITE TUBE is an inflatable 10 foot diameter flying tube that can be towed behind a boat. While riding on the waves, it can become airbourn and fly like a kite under the rider’s control. At $600 it’s not cheap, but you can pick it up here.
Found on: Neatorama

The “Kenguru” is a great little run-a-bout for people who are confined to a wheelchair. This “electric mini-car” is designed in Hungary with wheelchairs in mind, allowing the driver to roll into the car and drive away without even getting up. With no front seat, the driver can simply open the hatch, roll into position and control the car via a joystick. The car costs about $12,500 and can travel up to 25 miles per hour.
Found on: Gear Factor

Here’s a fun little toy for your desk… er… kids. This toy chopper has solar panels built into the rotor, which spins when left in the sun. Available in a few different colors, you can pick it up here.

Found on: OhGizmo!