No matter who you talk to - friends, family and co-workers (some of whom quite possibly are friends) the biggest computer complaints those folks talk about are, in no particular order: pop-up ads and how slow their computers are. It looks like help is on the way as far as computer speed is concerned. Pop-up ads are like roaches. It doesn't matter if you block them or not, somehow they manage to find your computer...
Just yesterday Intel announced a breakthrough in data-carrying light that holds the promise of being able to transmit terabits of data per second on a single chip, making it possible to one day develop computers capable of downloading full-length movies in seconds as well as perform other data-intensive tasks. What researchers at Intel's Photonics Technology Lab have done is build a key component needed for a silicon-based photonic integrated circuit. That component is a silicon optical modulator that can encode data on an optical beam at 40 billion bits per second...
I don't know beans about the technical end of computers but 40 billion bits per second sounds pretty fast to me. And when will this magic potion be available Dr. Bones? The operative words from Intel are "one day". There's no time table from Intel yet but when that day comes we will have the ability to transmit terabits of data per second. Bring it on Intel. I'm ready...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1775] P.O.ed: A postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress. The 1st Postmaster General? Someone you may have heard of: Benjamin Franklin...
- 1908] Not Napoleon: Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte issues an order creating an investigative agency that will become the FBI...
- 1948] Bambino sighting: Babe Ruth is seen publicly for the last time, attending the premiere of "The Babe Ruth Story" in Manhattan...
- 1953] They say you want a revolution: Fidel Castro begins his revolt against Fulgencio Batista with an unsuccessful attack on an army barracks in eastern Cuba. Castro eventually outsts Batista 6 years later...
- 1968] Hey Jules: Paul McCartney writes a song in tribute to Julian Lennon while dad John adds his finishing touch to it on this date...
- 1981] I started to choke: New York Mayor Ed Koch is given the Heimlich maneuver when he chokes on food at a Chinese restaurant. It saves his life. The Bee Gees sing about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HOiMeDOrs ...
- 1984] Blue busted: Baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends pitcher Vida Blue for the remainder of the season for cocaine possession...
- 1984] Debuted on this date: The Prince movie "Purple Rain" premieres in Hollywood...
- 1987] Going to Hall: Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame are Catfish Hunter, Billy Williams and Ray Dandridge (from the Negro Leagues)...1997] Giants owner Wellington Mara and Dolphins coach Don Shula are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame...
- 1992] "Happy Trails": Mary Wells, Motown's 1st Diva, dies from cancer of the larynx, diagnosed in 1990. Mary was just 49. The life and death of Mary Wells: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmcydc1Qhkk&mode=related&search= ...
Music Memories:
- 1963] Released on this date: "Mickey's Monkey" - Smokey Robinson & Miracles...1969] "Beggar's Banquet" LP - Rolling Stones...
- 1972] #1 on this date: "Alone Again (Naturally)" - Gilbert O'Sullivan...and here's a great video clip of Gilbert singing the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_P-v1BVQn8 ...
Commentary...
I can't remember a worse week for sports. The leader of the Tour de France was disqualified yesterday, the NBA gambling fiasco is heating up as are dogfighting charges against Michael Vick, with Barry Bonds approaching Hank Aaron's home run record and still being investigated for steroid use, Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is ambivalent about witnessing the record but will, Gary Player says he knows golfers are using steroids. What else can happen? Ah, but there are also two good landmark occasions about to be witnessed. A-Rod, the player everyone loves to hate is one home run away from 500 and Tom Glavine, one win away from the highly coveted 300 winner's circle for pitchers and a ticket into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Speaking of which, we will witness the induction this weekend of two new worthy members of the hallowed hall: Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn....
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Kate Beckinsale (34), Jeremy Piven (42), Sandra Bullock (43), Kevin Spacey (48), Dorothy Hamill (51), Mick Jagger (64), Dobie Gray (65), Brenton Wood (66), Darlene Love (66) and Blake Edwards (85)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until the induction of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn, 4 days until all NFL training camps are open and 9 days until the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions...
