Blogs
SWUGN Year in Review - Part 0
December 14, 2009 8:53 am | by Richard Doyle's Community Blog | CommentsWell it's not quite the end if the year yet, but with the Holiday Season coming up I think it's close enough. The SolidWorks User Group Network enjoyed another banner year in 2009. Over the next few days, I'll recap what I think were the top monthly stories in the SolidWorks Community....
Saving Energy Where It Matters Most: A Hopeful Look at the Big Picture
December 14, 2009 4:52 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsMost of the time, I feel like I'm doing my part to save energy, and I'm getting better all the time. But sometimes I feel like what I do to try to offset the unfathomable amount of energy that's consumed around me, and around the country, is so tiny that my
Army Develops Robotic Helicopter Sniper
December 10, 2009 11:21 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsCollateral damage has become synonymous with modern urban warfare. In fact, the concept of “total war,” where there is “less (or no) differentiation between combatants and non-combatants (civilians),” has existed since The Peloponnesian War. As far back as 431 BC, civilian casualties were considered an acceptable (and often desirable) outcome of total warfare.
Have You Used an Electric Meter to Measure Your Energy Use?
December 10, 2009 9:56 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsThis week, you read about using an electric meter to measure and manage your energy use. Using a meter could
Motion Control Device Adds Pizzazz to Web Surfing
December 10, 2009 9:22 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsBack at CES ’09, I had the chance to preview Hillcrest Labs’ MEMs Accelerometer based motion control technology. They’ve since marketed it as a consumer device, the Loop Pointer.
Air Force Confirms Existence of Stealth UAV
December 10, 2009 8:42 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsThe Air Force has confirmed the existence of a new Stealth Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). Designated the RQ-170 Sentinel, “The Beast of Kandahar" has been spotted over Afghanistan as early as 2007. The military plans to deploy it for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.
ECN Launches Annual 'Tops in Test' Contest
December 10, 2009 8:38 am | CommentsECN magazine is announcing both a new test-oriented blog and an annual contest on Best Test Practices.
Bug or Windshield?
December 9, 2009 6:30 am | CommentsAs I write this blog in early December the Dow is reaching 14 month highs, indicating a belief that the worst is behind us. While many believe there will be more bumps in the road and the unemployment picture hasn’t improved much, the tide is changing. Thoughts are shifting from conservation of resources to the best deployment of resources to generate growth as consumer demand improves.
"I'd Like to Check Out Two Books, One DVD, and One Electrical Meter, Please."
December 8, 2009 7:52 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsYesterday I wrote about my experience using a digital electrical meter at home. Today I'll discuss what I'm doing with promoting their use in my home town. According to one popular environmental Web site, there are a number of libraries providing fre
Company unveils world’s first commercial spaceship
December 8, 2009 7:14 am | CommentsThese are the voyages of the VSS Enterprise. To ferry civilians into space. To collect $200,000 a head. To boldly go where few space tourists have gone before!
FCC grills Verizon on increased Early Termination Fees
December 7, 2009 10:16 am | CommentsThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is investigating why Verizon Wireless doubled their Early Termination Fees for “Advanced Devices.” The $350 ETF for “Advanced Devices” went into effect 11/15, and applies to PDAs and Smartphones (such as RIM Blackberries).
You Can't Manage Energy Use That You Don't Measure
December 7, 2009 5:52 am | by Energy Savers Blog | Comments"You can't manage what you don't measure" is a common management adage. It applies well to energy as well. I think I do a decent job at restricting my energy usage at home. After all, I'm supposed to be an energy expert. But who would have thought th
“Wingsuits” developed for airborne troops
December 4, 2009 5:22 am | by Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor | CommentsHere’s another example of life imitating art—SPELCO (Special Parachute Equipment and Logistics Consortium) is working on a personal glider that looks straight outta Science Fiction. With its glide ratio of 5:1 and self-propulsion system, the “Gryphon” could become an invaluable tool in the future warfighter’s arsenal.
Have You Used LED Light Strings?
December 3, 2009 9:53 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsThis week, you read about LED holiday light strings, which can use 90% less energy than regular incandescent light s
Save Money with LED Holiday Light Strings
December 1, 2009 8:55 am | by Energy Savers Blog | CommentsIt's hard to believe, but the holidays are in full swing and many of you are starting to decorate your homes. Those of you who started around Halloween are probably feeling pretty smart because you got your decorating done while the weather was nice.
