Goodbye, Carbonite

I have been using Carbonite as my backup service for 2 years now, but I will not be renewing.  Carbonite has an infuriating feature.  To save storage space on their end, they automatically de-select video files from your backup sets.  Which means that to backup family videos, you have to manually go and select video files every so often.  I have had enough of this.My subscription will run out soon, and I will switch to a different...

2010 NA Car Of The Year, My Vote

I don't really get a vote on the 2010 North American Car Of The Year, but if I did, here is how I would vote.Car Vote: 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrd The Fusion Hybrid is, according to numerous sources, the best hybrid sedan on the market.  From car magazines to Consumer Reports, the hybrid Fusion is very highly rated for its ride and handling, refinement, and neat instrument cluster.  The styling update is handsome, making the car look faster...

The Chevy Volt Dance!

This so bad, it is classic. I hope, for GM's sake, they bury this song and dance qui...

NASA's Billions

This article from New Scientist reports that NASA needs about $3 Billion more dollars in their budget to support "meaningful" human space exploration, and that the Obama administration is likely to give them part of their request. In October, a report by a White House panel headed by former Lockheed Martin CEO Norman Augustine said NASA would be unable to support meaningful human space exploration without at least $3 billion more per year. In...

Make It Stop! AAAAH!

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the Smart Woody....

Do People Want Small Cars?

Do people want small cars?  The market research so far says "not really".  Paul Eisenstein has a good compact writeup of the issue here. Will people buy small cars? Yes, they will, and as time goes on, they will have no choice.  I expect the mechanism for this to be pricing.  Automakers will have no choice but raise prices on large and thirsty vehicles, and limit production volumes, to encourage people to buy the smaller cars. ...

Wanted: The Perfect Portable Internet Device

I want someone to make a little computer which has the following specifications.  Dell, are you listening?Tablet format (hidden or no discrete keyboard)10 or 11" touch screenPowerful processor to play video files without stutter (Intel CULV? Ion chipset?) 2GB+ RAMBluetoothWebcamWi-Fi NWindows 7 Home Premium (not Starter)3 hours of battery life using wi-fi or video playbackPrice below $600Something like the Dell 11z or Acer 1410 but in a tablet...

The Return of 55mph? Probably Not Yet.

Over at the Examiner, Mark Tapscot is warning that the EPA is going to inevitably mandate a national speed limit, as a result of its CO2 endangerment finding.I don't think the EPA will do it, in part because I am not sure they can. The EPA has a mandate to regulate major emitters of pollution, and in general works on the large scale industrial policy level. The EPA makes rules on smog forming automobile emissions, also known as Tier II, for example.Speed...

Review: Kirkland Beer (Costco Beer)

At Costco the other day, I saw that they were selling Kirkland branded beer. Kirkland is Costco's store brand. It was reasonably priced for "real beer", about $18 for a case of 24.Four flavors are included, one sixpack each: Hefeweizen, Pale Ale, German Lager, and Amber Ale.I have tasted each flavor, and they all have similar characteristics. They have a solid hoppy taste, with nice color and a light...

Mini-Review: WeatherTech Floor Mats

If you get any auto magazines, such as C&D or AW or MT, you have probably seen the multipage ads for WeatherTech floor mats, the ones that show the ankles and tow cleavage.  I decided to order a set of front "semi custom" mats for my car.  While they are expensive, at about $60/pair delivered, they do fit quite well.  They have a built in hole to mount on the mat retainer hook.  They are made of a nice, heavy rubber with...

Stolen Cop Car Possibly Used In Detroit Rape

I heard on the radio this morning that a parked unmarked police cruiser, a Dodge Charger, was stolen from Detroit, ironically, from a policeman who was with the auto theft unit.  Later, a woman who's car had stalled out on I-94 was raped by two men who drove up in a vehicle that matched the description.  The wire story is here. The stolen car's license plate is 8JP H46.  If you are ever followed by a vehicle that looks like a police...