I have a question for you all, would you trust technology over your sweet old grandmother? By trust I mean honesty, is technology honest with you?

The reason I ask this question is because the Colorado State Secretary Mike Coffman thinks that his state should do away with electronic voting and go back to paper ballots. Now the only people I have known to volunteer to count ballots are sweet old people. Where I live I can honestly tell you I would believe and trust 90% of the people that are over 65 years of age. If your 64 or under I wont trust you ….

I myself agree with Colorado’s State Secretary, I think electronic voting is one of the scariest things. I love technology, and I love how technology helps us out everyday, but electronic voting has been proven time and time again that it is not an HONEST way of voting. It has been documented that most voting machines can and will be hacked. We all only get one vote so I myself as a voter want my one vote to go the person I voted for. Its not the technology of the voting machines that scares me, its the people that create and drive that technology.

I honestly think it will be easier for the end user, or end voter to still use a paper ballot, and you get the assurance that no one else touches it before it gets put into that ballot box.

I want to know what you all think about this matter, do you TRUST electronic voting?

Microsoft has retooled its online Linux FUD campaign, killing the “Get the Facts” site and replacing it with a softer Linux FUD site that takes at least a small step toward normalizing relations with the Open Source Software (OSS) community. The new “Windows Server/Compare” site still hammers the total cost of ownership, security, and complexity issues the old site did. But the in-your-face approach has been toned down, even if there’s still some tough love directed at Red Hat.

Microsoft says the new site is “designed to help enterprises with their server purchasing decisions, and provide customers with real-world examples of comparative evaluations.” That means lots of case studies, videos and quotes from customers, more along the lines of a typical marketing site. In announcing the site, Director of Platform Strategy Ryan Gavin struck a more conciliatory tone. “It’s important to clarify that we don’t compete with OSS per se, but with some products or technologies that may come out of open source. There will naturally be products that compete with Microsoft products, from commercial or open-source companies. Open source is a software development model; it’s a way of licensing technology, and it’s something that Microsoft participates in.”

Some observers are speculating that recent agreements with Novell, Linspire, Xandros and others led to the tactical switch. And that could very well be a contributing factor. But really, is it good business practice to alienate so many customers by continuing to recklessly disparage the software they’re using every day in the server room?

Via ArsTechnica

You have seen the other Palm Centro leaks, well a lot of people understand how we already feel about this device and the way that Palm is just headed. The Treo has become a staple in the the business world. Its the old mans smartphone. To us the brand is boring but reliable. Today an “official” shot of the device has been leaked.

It much nicer to look at and really looks likes something the TMobile Sidekick guys would come up with. But still has the same old man keyboard. These are suppose to be aimed at the youth market. The phone obviously expected to EVDO, and has Sprint exclusivity for 90 days, and $99 price tag. We see the price as it’s only saving grace.

Just like many people out there we think this a step backwards for Palm, we hate to say it but the creative aspect of this brand is dying, and we are pretty sure their Foleo will not save them.

In the yet-another-Google-phone-rumor department, Rediff.com is reporting that Google is just “a fortnight away” from launching its Google Phone.

According to Rediff Google is in talks with service providers in India for an exclusive launch. The Gphone will launch simultaneously in the U.S. and Europe.

Ummm. That’s was fast. I have my doubts on this one. Google must have the most tight lipped employees in the world of no one else saw this coming. Just seems odd to me. I’m putting my money on it that this does not happen anytime soon. But I have known to be wrong many a times. I guess I’m not the only one that is thinking that this is a bit of a farce.

Maybe it’s the fact there’s a Google Phone rumor every other week or so. Perhaps it’s the unnamed sources.

According to Rediff.com Google only needs FCC approval and it’s ready for lift-off. That’s a pretty big hurdle for a launch that’s supposed to happen real soon. And then there’s the whole partnering with wireless carriers thing Google has to work out for the Gphone.

I think this would be a neat new gadget for the market, but honestly does anyone really believe this?

Wow, I am really really excited about this one. I have lusted after this phone for so long, I just never had the quevos to purchase one, via overseas.

Im not really excited that is coming to sprint’s service per say, Im excited with what HTC is bringing to the table for Sprint. The Sprint Touch has several big advantages over the GSM version, though. The processor speed is doubled: 400 Mhz as opposed to 200 Mhz. The modem is fast EVDO (software upgradeable to EVDO Rev A) . When the Rev A upgrade comes, it will activate the built-in GPS, and you’ll be able to use Telenav for GPS navigation. And this version of the device lets you pop up virtual 12-key and 20-key keyboards with buttons big enough for you to use your fingers, as opposed to the standard Windows Mobile onscreen keyboard with its tiny buttons (which is also an option.) Sprint didn’t give a price for this gadget, but said it’s probably coming in November. Its no iphone but its the closest windows device that comes close. But The Geeks Henchmen disagree.

Ummm…. I really want this phone. Actually I am almost starting to need it, the PPC6700 just cant cut it anymore. If anyone has a special friend that could hook us up with a sprint test model for a review that would be wonderful…. 

mmmmm… wasabi

Well what did you expect? Nothing was too much of a secret. But this is going to get some of you mac fans furious, but I am not one to consider feelings most of the time. Sorry that’s just me.

Well I had this long touching post written the day of Apples release of the new imac’s and .mac updates, but I never posted it. The reasons why I didn’t post it are many, but only one phrase sums it up for me, UN-IMPRESSIVE!

Yes the new imacs are pretty, just like the last ones. Yes the new keyboards are sleek. Yes some of the new software updates are neat. But did we expect anything different? It makes no sense to me why Apple would come out with all of these updates on the heels of the release of the Jesus phone. Why wouldn’t you release the new platform devices first, like the imac before you release the industry changing IPhone. I was so excited for the release of the new imacs, I really thought they would do something to trump the greatness of the IPhone, but that obviously did not happen. I thought just maybe they had a trick up their sleeve, but nothing.

Now I know a lot of people are saying that the new imacs are going to be great, which they most likely are. But I am just saying the announcement and keynote were just not exciting at all. I simply was not impressed. The thing is that we were and still in awe of the IPhone, so once again I ask the question why didn’t you come out with the new updates for the imacs and .mac first ???

Since I am always hunting for the best price for you guys, and probably some of you didn’t get in on the $149.99 deal from best buy, so I figured I would serve this one up while it still lasted.

Over at NewEgg they are selling the HD-DVD player for $162.99. granted you

don’t get the instant gratification, and you have to pay shipping of $7.52. It is  3 day shipping though.

After going through that whole process I would still go buy it from Best Buy, but if are one of those ebayer types that never pays attention to shipping then hell your getting an HD-DVD player for $162.99, AWESOME!!!

Link to sale.

A new device could add hope to those who live in semi-consciousness from brain injury. Like a pacemaker, this device manufactured by Medtronic Inc. is embedded under the skin near the chest. But its two electrodes journey to the brain instead of the heart. Buried into the area controlling consciousness, the electrodes can jump-start patients to a more awake state, lending support to the damaged nerves in the area. One subject went from following voices with his eyes to speaking 16 words and drinking on his own. Eleven more patients will be tested in the pilot study, getting implanted with gadgets that, while sporting a decent battery life, have no MP3 or MP4 support.

Edit: Some more new on this via engadget 

“A 38-year-old man who had been in a near-coma for six years was recently awakened via the use of a pacemaker and two electrodes which were deeply implanted in his brain. The electrical device, manufactured by a company called Medtronic, was used to send impulses to the area of the brain regulating consciousness, and researchers believe that the stimulation may be enhancing brain circuits that are still capable of functioning. The man, the first of 12 to undergo the procedure, has gone from a vegetative state to being able to play cards, speak with family members, and take trips outside. While this isn’t exactly a new technology — as doctors have been experimenting with deep-brain stimulation in the treatment of Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and brain injuries for some time — it is a clear sign that there’s hope for patients whom the medical community has been, heretofore, unable to treat.”

I do have to say that sometimes technology really is the bee’s knee’s. I hope this product succeeds, it is quite amazing. But shouldn’t the device be called a “Brain-Waker” not a “Brain Pacemaker”, eh who cares its still pretty cool. Now only if they could make one that injects caffeine straight to the brain for dull drum Thursdays.

Chairman of the FCC Kevin Martin

Eh…. Not really. Wow that was by far the longest title yet. Well so it happened today, we all new it was going to happen, the 700mhz frequency was approved today by the FCC . The 700mhzland has been long sought after frequency for the great distances it can reach. Since Google wants to melt there doughy little hands into every aspect of every market they said, “Hey lets buy a Radio frequency”. Don’t quote them on that, they probably said something a lot more sophisticated and in-depth.
Now all in all this approval really isn’t that bad, but only if the FCC keeps to its “Open Access” plan. But the FCC being a part of our government we never know who’s hand might get greased to push a vote or favor through. A total of 60 megahertz will be auctioned off, with twenty-two of them “open,” and another 10 set aside for a “national public safety” network. The auctioning off of the frequency is expected to raise as much as $15 billion for the federal treasury.

The auction begins sometime early next year, and so it begins…..

I wanted to give a little info out about Chairman Kevin Martin, and who he has worked for, and what he did in the past. Here is the excerpt about him from the official FCC website:

“Chairman Martin was nominated by President George W. Bush to a Republican seat on the Commission, and was sworn in on July 3, 2001. He was designated chairman by President Bush on March 18, 2005. Chairman Martin was re-nominated for a second term as commissioner and chairman by President George W. Bush on April 25, 2006.

Before joining the FCC, Martin was a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. He served on the Bush-Cheney Transition Team and was Deputy General Counsel for the Bush campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, Martin was an advisor to FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth. He has also served in the Office of the Independent Counsel and worked as an associate at the Washington, DC law firm of Wiley, Rein & Fielding. Before joining Wiley, Rein & Fielding, Martin was a judicial clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William M. Hoeveler, Miami, FL.

Martin received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Masters in Public Policy from Duke University, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar and the Federal Communications Bar Association.”

Now Chairman Martin is no virgin when it comes to ethic scandals, does anyone remember the Bellsouth & AT&T merger?

I never try to mix politics with technology but sometimes they just mix , and a lot of the time it ends up in a negative manner. So that is why I am so skeptical of this “Open Access” plan. Now I am not saying Google even has the cash flow to play the game, if it stays open I hope they have the cash on hand. I just hope the FCC plays nice with everyone and does not play favors.

Can anyone give me a reason to not think like this?

The question I have for you all is, what works for the ladies these days? I have always hated buying flowers or candy and things that really can never be used ever again. So my question to YOU the female gender of today, what do women like these days? Well Phillips and Swarokvski’s think that women now want blinged out gadgets. Yes I just wrote blinged, not even sure that’s a word, or really what it means other then just stuff that shines and sparkles.

What I have done here is compiled a group of gadgets that I might think the ladies might like. I for see a future of women that no longer need flowers to feel loved, but gadgets, lots of gadgets.

Phillips and Swarokvski’s USB jewel encrusted pendant $79-$200. 

Color Motorola Pebl : $ depend on contract

Clique Hue HD webcam: $79.99 

ColorWare pre-painted IPhone: $649

One thing I think many men would agree on would be that if a women were into gadgets that the man would spend far, far more on her then he would if he bought flowers. You see I would feel better about buying a $200 jewel encrusted USB drive rather then $50 on some flowers that will die in 5 days. Plus you could throw in a dope ass mix tape on that jump drive.

So if the ladies could make some comments about these gadgets, and if any of these would actually interest you that would be great. So ladies lets make a push for gadgets, no more killing the earth with your greedy flower plucking, lets start a new gift giving trend…..GADGETS!!!