Comment Re:Neat, but don't sea cucumbers do something simi (Score 1) 104
Yes - sea cucumbers puke their guts out, literally. However, I think the term "flee" is a little strong for a creature that tops out at 2 meters per minute.
Comment Re:Solar commuter cars won't work and here's the m (Score 1) 557
My own figures:
The Tesla and EV1 both use ~12kWh/100km, or about 200 Watt-hours per mile.
I don't know what you drive, but a typical compact is about 4.5 by 1.5 meters, or about 6.75 square meters of horizontal surface area. If no more than a third is glass, that gives 4.5 square meters for cells.
Solar insolation is certainly no more than 1000 Watts/sq.m even at noon, but you're also gathering sunlight the other 3 to 5 hours you're at work. The final total will obviously vary hugely depending on your location and time of year, but on a good summer's day you might get 6500 Wh over the whole work day. But 15% efficiency sounds about right.
Sooo...
4.5 sq.m * 15% * 6500 Wh/sq.m =~ 4400 Wh produced
15 miles * 200 Wh/mile = 3000 Wh consumed
So even with a less-than ideal day, you might still be fine. Of course, a cloudy winter day in Minneapolis or a 30 miles commute would kill you, but at least you wouldn't have to charge up some days.
Submission + - Web-Based Photo Editor Roundup
mikemuch writes: "ExtremeTech has a roundup of 5 web-based image editing programs. The mostly Flash and AJAX-based webware ranges from simple touch-up services like Snipshot to the Photoshop wannabe Fauxto. They vary greatly in interface and extra goodies; some offer bookmarklets for getting images from a web page you're browsing, some offer artistic or goofy effects for you pix, but all fear the specter of Adobe's online version of Photoshop on the horizon."
Submission + - Copyright Royalty Board threats internet radio
Mike89 writes: On March 2, 2007, The CRB approved royalty rates that will bury any small webcaster, and create a heavy burden even for big broadcasters like Yahoo, AOL Music and Pandora. How high will these rates be? Around 100% of a small webcasters revenue, give or take a few points, in most cases. How did this happen? The RIAA told the CRB thats what they wanted, and the CRB just gave it to them. Save Net Radio has information on ways you can help stop this.
