Windows System Requirements: Anthology

TechWeb compiled the Microsoft's stated requirements for each major Windows release since 1990's Windows 3.0. It also lists the average prices for desktop computer -- monitor included -- and portable PCs have been noted for all releases except Windows 3.0. It's pretty amazing to see "how far we've come" (har har).

See it here.

Google Notebook

Google Notebook is now accessible. It's another incredibly slick product from Google. It's pretty much just an easy way to keep track of things on the web. You can also publish your notebook, so it's kind of like a blog. If you're using Firefox (which you should be anyway) you can download the extension and it integrates very nicely. Check it out.

Legal Jargon

While I was perusing the Constitution, I found this acutely confusing clause, under Amendment 20, Section 4:

If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified.

My question is, why in the world do they need all that jargon? What I got out of it was this: If the president dies, the vice-president takes over. If a president hasn't been chosen before his term was supposed to start, the vice-president takes his place. If the vice-president hasn't been elected either, Congress appoints someone to take the place until a president or a vice-president has been chosen. Why can't they just say that, for crying out loud?!

Of course, like everything, jargon has it's advantages. Lawyers can spout off jargon so fast you have no idea what they're saying, and then they can take your money. It's the same way with computers, or anything else. If my friends and I are saying things like "hard drive," "RAM," and "3.4 gigahertz Core Duo with supercooling," people have absolutely no idea what we're saying (It's kinda fun!).

If you're trying to make a point about, say, electronics, don't talk about the transistors, resistors, capacitors, and all that stuff. Relate electricity to normal things, like watermelon. This B.C. comic illustrates my point perfectly.

Use jargon if you're an evil, conniving, demonic fart from outer-space; but if you're a kind, benevolent, caring, loving human being, you'll use human terms.

Nintendo DS Opera Browser Screenshots

The DS Lite is going to have application capability, and these are screenshots of the web browser for it. It's going to rock!

read more | digg story

Sony Takes the Wrong Path

Sony has announced the price of the PS3. It will retail at $500 with a 20 GB hard drive, and $600 for a 60 GB hard drive.

This is about the worst move Sony could make. With the Wii rumored to retail at only $200, the choice is obvious. Read more, or see the digg story.

Also, pictures of the PS3 controller have been released. See 'em.

The Honda Fit Gets Even Fitter

If you haven't heard of the Honda Fit, hear about it. It an really cool little sedan with an incredibly customizable interior. It also has the affordable price tag of $13,850.

I just found out that its already gas-efficient engine will be getting a hybrid partner in 2008. The Honda Insight hybrid engine just happens to fit perfectly between the front wheels. With its new hybrid engine, it will get about 50 miles per gallon.

Nifty stuff. Read More.