Archive for March 11th, 2009

Is IE8 the end of the line for Internet Explorer?

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

IE8 is the last version of the Internet Explorer Web browser. At least, that’s what I’m hearing through the grapevine. It seems that Microsoft is preparing to throw in the towel on its Internet Explorer engine once and for all.

And just what will be its replacement? I’m getting conflicting stories on that one. Some are still claiming that Microsoft will go with WebKit, which, thanks to the popularity of Apple’s Safari browser and also Google’s Chrome, is rapidly becoming a de facto standard for all non-IE and non-Firefox implementations.
(more…)

Stern: Climate change deniers are ‘flat-earthers’

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Economist Nicholas Stern warns of ‘absolute lunacy’ of do-nothing approach of Czech president Václav Klaus and fellow climate change sceptics
Climate change deniers are “ridiculous” and akin to “flat-earthers”, according to Sir Nicholas Stern, who advised the government about the economic threat posed by global warming. The respected economist compared climate naysayers to those who deny the link between smoking and cancer or HIV and Aids in the face of mounting scientific evidence.

Stern — who prepared his influential report to the UK Treasury in 2007 at Gordon Brown’s request — said the evidence that human-induced climate change was occurring was “crystal clear”.

“If you look at all the serious scientists in the world, there is no big disagreement on the basics of this … it would be absolute lunacy to act as if climate change is not occurring,” he said.
(more…)

A Green Pimp My Ride: Ree-V Converts Cars to Electric

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

3344737068_61010e90e3
If you want your car converted to run on biodiesel or vegetable oil, there are plenty of places to turn–conversion kits are available for the DIY crowd, and the less mechanically-inclined can have professionals give their car biodiesel capability. But what if you want an electric car?

A Colorado company called Ree-V has stepped in to fill that niche by providing full-service electric car conversions. And while companies like Toyota, GM, and Ford have announced intentions to release PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) models, a conversion could cost significantly less.

Conversions to a lead-acid battery cost a pretty penny–between $17,500 and $200,000. And most converted cars are only suitable for quick trips around town. Ree-V’s 1995 Geo Metro conversion, for example, has a top speed of 70 MPH and a range of 25-35 miles.
(more…)