Japan Spring 2012 Eclipse

Spring 2012 visit to Japan around Okazaki area.

Did not get to Tokyo or might have visited Skytree
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Skytree
http://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

But we did catch a glimpse of the late part of the total eclipse.
Early morning was too cloudy in Okazaki.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Solar_eclipse_set_2011-2014
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_May_20,_2012

Memes, Slogans

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_meme
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme
Nuanced difference rather too subtle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slogan

Snorg Tees has interesting funny cute tee shirt imprint set.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snorg_Tees
http://www.snorgtees.com/

For StarWars and science geeks.
“May the mass times the acceleration be with you.”

But being a physicist, and for those who do think that it is rocket science, would have wished for
“May the time rate of change of momentum be with you.”

Not on any of these sites (?), but one of my dad’s favourites was “Ithaca is Gorges”.

While on topic of memes - Boston Phoenix on Christian Memes
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/life/149151-its-adam-and-eve-not-adam-and-scumbag-steve/
http://www.christianmemes.com/
Entertaining.

LED Holiday Lights

Relative merits of LED holiday lights by Katherine Tweed at Greentech.
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/should-clark-griswold-switched-to-led-christmas-lights1

Comments:

Look for the warm white LED holiday lights sets - a bit less efficient, but they give a better feel.

Buy light sets for next year after the season is over. The post-holiday sales can beat year-to-year price drops by as much as three-to-one. But this is as valid for incandescent sets as for LED sets.

Probably should consider a life cycle analysis. A holiday light set (any type) recovered for reuse (craigslist?) might have better cradle-to-grave economics.

This brings up the “coffee cup life cycle analysis”
http://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=28765
You can search for and see endless debate and nuances. But one good conceptual summation, after materials, washing, kilns and so forth, is…

If you reuse a mug (or whatever) which was headed for waste stream, conservation is served. It is not clear cut. Older cars and air conditioners may be better off recycled. And market economics may not be well served by reuse.

Ultracapacitor Supercapacitor Tools

Popular Science DIY supercap screwdriver (and useful links therein)
http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2008-02/make-instant-charge-screwdriver

Also useful links herein... see tools, portable use section
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_double-layer_capacitor

Coleman FlashCell - came and went...
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/4223118

Supercapacitor screwdriver comes up as a half baked idea...
http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Supercapacitor_20Cordless_20Screwdriver

There are problems:

• Low voltages
• Series cell balancing issues
• Brief (millisecond) blips in charging voltage can do damage
• Linear capacity means energy in under 1V range goes forever unused/wasted
• Fast self discharge

Power over Ethernet for Lighting - LEDs

Have ongoing work interest in 802.3af and 802.3at Power over Ethernet
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet
for non-classical applications (not VOIP – voice, video). Mostly interested in sensors, actuators and protocol/serial conversions via 802.3af. Communications drives these applications.

What if we drove further and looked at how far 10W could get one in a real physical application with an eye to communications. Lock strikes, dampers, valves, keypads and small displays get into this realm. What if the deliverable was literally power? What could be useful at 10W? The answer is that LED lighting technology is now practical at this level.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_lamp
http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2012/10/led-lighting-update.html

Scenario for LED lighting:
-Space (house/suite) wired for Cat5e or Cat6. (as-built or retrofit).
-802.3af managed gigabit switches installed (for use with VOIP as starter) like Dlink DGS-1210-10P.
-Unused sockets get 802.3af LED lamps (prototype – Trendnet TPE-112GS – with a 5W USB desk lamp).
-Local and (intelligent switch) managed control of the LED lights.
-UPS backup of 802.3af injection, and thus lights, where needed.

This involves only safe low voltage wiring. International acceptance/use/deploy possible.

Build 5-10W LED lamp with RJ45 connector and module like Silvertel Ag9600/Ag9700 series or similar (Ag9605? Ag9603?). Interesting if one could get 802.3af direct to LED driver (current) circuit.

LED Lighting - Update

Posted on LED lighting in last few days of 2011.
http://albertputnam.blogspot.com/2011/12/led-lighting.html
Here is a nice roundup article from Greentech Media, Jeff St. John.
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/LED-Roundup-Redwood-Systems-Lumenergi-IKEA-and-the-GSA

Smart lighting comes up... and always seems to go down the wireless path. Why not think about where the power comes from differently? What if power came with your communications? LEDs need much less power, and what if you had a standard way of delivering low power via the network?

Presto: 802.3af and 802.3at Power over Ethernet (PoE).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet

Will discuss more about PoE and LEDs in subsequent posts.

Somerville Maker Faire - 2012-OCT-13

Somerville Maker Faire - on Saturday October 13, 2012 - sadly cannot make it - visiting family.
http://www.makerfairesomerville.com/

Took a look at hackerspaces list
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Boston
and was intrigued by Artisan's Asylum.
http://hackerspaces.org/wiki/Artisan%27s_Asylum
http://artisansasylum.com/

Saw them mentioned in the Boston Phoenix 10.12.12 p14
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/life/145599-robot-invasion/

Which led to
http://www.makerfairesomerville.com/

ESC Boston 2012 - Design East

Attended ESC Boston 2012. Now called Design East.
http://east.ubmdesign.com/
http://events.ubm.com/event/1713/esc-boston-embedded-systems-conference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems_Conference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_Systems_Conference#ESC_Boston

Glad to see a few of the familiar faces and ask them about new trends in the industry.
Lantronix http://www.lantronix.com/ xPico
Microchip http://www.microchip.com/ Metering and Wifi
Various systems based on ARM processors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARM_architecture
Our mantra is "more RAM". Even if just for one sensor and minimal OS features - still want DB and security - 256M minimum.

Power over Ethernet 802.3af and 802.3at.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_over_Ethernet
http://www.silvertel.com/

Should give positive mention to Symmetry http://www.symmetryelectronics.com/  for hosting Lantronix, Silvertel and others.

Looked at Wurth Ethernet 802.3af magnetics with LED. http://www.we-online.com/web/en/wuerth_elektronik/start.php

Toradex - USB sensors and ARM processors. http://www.toradex.com/

Interesting talk on Internet of Things http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_of_Things
by Micheal Anderson of PTR http://www.theptrgroup.com/

Blogged before of Google Goggles to read meters. Visited Vision Components http://www.vision-components.com/en/  and looked at their smart cameras.

RS485 Rule of Thumb: N x L x kB x P < 485

RS485 rule of thumb: N x L x kB x P < 485
This is for RS485 bus architectures like those for Modbus RTU, BACnet MSTP, Johnson Controls N2 and so forth.

N x L x kB x P < 485

Where

N = the number of quarter (or less) load devices. If using older full load devices then consider each device as four devices. For example three quarter load devices plus three full load devices and two sixteenth load devices would mean N = 3 + 12 + 2.

L = the length of the line in 100m multiples. For example 1000m (1000yards) means L=10.

kB = the speed in kBaud. For example 9600 baud would be kB=10

P = The problem factor. P is a number which is usually unity when all the line characteristics are well conditioned. Double it for poor biasing. Double it for poor termination. Double it again if runs are close to motors or transformers. Double it for improper capacitance. Double it for poor twisting. Double it for ground faults like poor/weak or multiple grounding.

So a 100m line with four quarter loads running at 20kB with a couple of problems P=4 (320) is probably okay. But a 1000m line with ten quarter loads running at 10kB with P=1 (1000) is likely problematic.

[Updated 2012.09.19 by rescaling L to make the arbitrary number '485' easier to remember.]

Bikes Boston - Like-em - but Wrong Way Bikes = Worst Boston Danger

Like bicycles. Like that Boston is working to be bike friendly.
http://www.bostonbikes.org/

Enjoyed the bicycle exhibit at BSA Space (Fort Point Channel)
http://www.bostonbikes.org/2012/05/lets-talk-about-bikes/
http://bsaspace.org/exhibits/lets-talk-about-bikes/

Actually happened to be at BSA Space because of Sunspec Alliance presentation on City of Boston Solar innovations http://www.sunspec.org/2012/07/made-history/

Have worked in Downtown Boston many years now. My only injuries and close encounters with injury have not been crime related, construction related, nor auto related - but bike related. The issue is bikes going the wrong way down one way streets. Know (and have ingrained from childhood) that I should look both ways when I cross the street, but on one way streets it is often only a glance of assessment, with then realistically/rational focused intent on the oncoming traffic. One then goes out and gets hit/clipped/dodged by a wrong way bike.

Now do not get me wrong. I am an avid bicyclist. I believe many pro-bike concepts: Boston and every city and suburb should be bicycle friendly to a point of pain (trail, lanes, parking, rentals, etc.). Like the new bicycle parking structures http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/bikes/
rentals http://www.thehubway.com/
and trails http://www.biketothesea.com/

Legislation should impose stricter penalties on motorists who engage bicyclists in harmful ways. Children under ten should be allowed/encouraged to ride their bike (slowly at pedestrian speeds) on sidewalks. BUT bicyclists on the road must obey ALL the same rules that motorists obey. And if they need to "cheat" then they should walk their bike on the sidewalk (become a pedestrian).

Violators hurt the cause of those advocating bicycling. If you like bicycling, and what it does for society and the environment, then challenge your fellow bikers to obey the rules of the road.

Hara Model Railway Museum near JR Yokohama Station

Friend sent a link to Hara Model Railway Museum. Seems impressive! Will try to visit next trip.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hara_Model_Railway_Museum
http://www.hara-mrm.com/index.html   (Japanese only?)

Here is a small plain webpage for train displays near and around Nagoya. http://kikuko-nagoya.com/html/railroad.html
This is somewhat similar. http://www.kisekigo.com/jrmus/

Went to SC Maglev and Railway Park in Nagoya this spring http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SCMaglev_and_Railway_Park
via Aonami line.
http://museum.jr-central.co.jp/en/access/

Visited the old transportation museum in Chiyoda in Tokyo in 2005. Tried to visit the new Tokyo transportation museum in 2009.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railway_Museum_(Saitama)
http://www.railway-museum.jp/en/information.html
BUT went on a Tuesday!

Dreamliner 787 Japan

Made trip to Japan to and from Boston via JAL Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787_Dreamliner

Great to be able to get on at Boston and go directly to Japan. Increased cabin pressure, humidity and temperature made the trip much more comfortable than on earlier aircraft. Dreamliner was not as big as was expecting, but should have realized the size from the roughly 250 seats. Wing dynamics are interesting to watch as they bend up when in flight. Those sitting in the center will not be able to see the wing tips out the windows during flight.

JAL service was great as always. Personnel were extremely polite, helpful and accommodating. It is a refreshing change from what one finds on North American airlines.

The dimmable windows were interesting, but actually somewhat irritating because it seemed that one in a hundred were malfunctioning. That may not seem bad at first glance, but in full sunlight when passengers are trying to sleep it meant glaring beams of light from varoius locations in the aircraft. Was not really possible to tell if the windows were broken, or that passengers beside the windows were dense or obstinate, or what was going on. Manual shades mean manual actions (either social or technical) can be taken to address such issues.

LED colored "mood" lighting was interesting, but did not seem to add much to the flight experience. And seemed like the crew was eager to play with the feature - like bringing the lights up midway through the "nap" section of the flight to offfer snacks. Seemed past long-haul flights siuch snacks were served in dimness/dakrness to avoid disturbing the general somnolence.

Dreamliner looked and felt new. From the seat base up it presented as modern as any aircraft. But the struts and structures (and wiring and such) below seat level seemed oddly like a throwback to pre 1990's aircraft.

The JEN/Magic entertainment system has more fetaures and function and options than ever.
http://www.jal.co.jp/en/inflight/inter/jen/magic5/

Lots of movies and games, and even ebooks. Touch screen worked well, but unclear how robust that will be in longterm. BUT handheld controllers have gotten even smaller, and are hard for the age-vision challenged to use. Also, the three main buttons - light, attendant cancel, and attendant call - seemed to be in prime spots for being constantly bumped into, or available to small fingers to play with.

Pinterest - Social Photos

Recently saw Pinterest on the news.
http://pinterest.com/
Sadly cannot say found it on the web. High growth for idea.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinterest
Can help facilitate craft/make projects? 
http://pinterest.com/all/?category=diy_crafts

Found some nice images in a search for "Model Railroad".
http://pinterest.com/search/?q=model+railroad
http://pinterest.com/rkalan/outstanding-model-railroads/
http://pinterest.com/source/miniatur-wunderland.com/
http://pinterest.com/noisescientist/trains-trees-tunnels/

And of course there is the obligatory search for "cute".
http://pinterest.com/search/?q=cute

American Manufacturing

Article in the Atlantic on American manufacturing.
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2012/01/making-it-in-america/8844/

Knew manufacturung had changed, and even knew about details of machines, technology and communications. But the social and technical systemic re-arrangements were a revelation. Gets to low level reasons for changes that have high level effects in the overall economy. Without the personal stories, was like something would have stumbled across in Scientific American. But the personal stories made the piece flow.

Saving Money - Then and Now.

Thinking about how saved money in childhood in semi-rural Nova Scotia.
- burned wood (from wood lot).
- raised chickens (fed bread and leftovers).
- drove old car.
- gardened (potatoes, peas, tomatoes, strawberries).
- harvested field mushrooms.
- made maple syrup.
- passive solar (window warmth).
- insulated (straw, fiberglass, fabric window coverings and wall hangings).
- used old machinery for snow removal and yard care.
- used library.
- frugal with clothes and entertainment.

But spent money on lights, TV and telephone without much worry.

Today many things still apply in suburban environment, but it is different...
Save money by:
- efficient lighting (like LEDs)
- [burning wood is frowned upon due to smoke and CO2].
- wind/solar self sufficiency.
- insulate.
- drive new car and get new appliances which are more efficient and take less maintenance.
- use Internet (and still library!).
- take train and boats (mass transit).
- garden.
- raise small livestock, if ordinances and neighbours allow.
- manually mow lawn and remove snow for exercise (or at least use electric).
- frugal with entertainment and clothes.

But spend money on lights, Internet, TV and telephone without much worry.

Property/school taxes, water/trash bills and mortgage are significant costs in suburban home life.

Travel to and from AHR in Chicago

Interesting metering, dashboard and cloud showings at AHR... new devices/sensors/technologies too.

BUT report herein is about travel challenge for the day... to get all the way Home -> AHR -> Home without automobiles.

2:30 Up and tended to son/wife (sick) and prepared for travel.
4:50 Walk to Oak Grove.
5:15 First MBTA Orange Line train Oak Grove to State.
5:35 MBTA Blue Line State to Airport.
5:55 Airport shuttle 55 to Terminal B stop 3 AA.
6:05 No luggage. Had printed boarding pass. Through TSA.
6:15 At gate and get return boarding pass.
6:30 Boarding.
6:55 Flight departs - ginger ale - hour nap.
8:30 Flight arrives Chicago.
8:45 CTA Blue Line from O-Hare to Jefferson.
9:30 CTA Red Line from Jefferson to Cermak/Chinatown.
9:45 Walgreens for bottled water and walk to McCormick and AHR.
10:15 Arrive McCormick and get Exhibitor registration.
10:30 Walk AHR floor.
14:00 Granola bars - bottled water.
16:00 AHR ends.
16:10 Booth close up - bottled water.
16:30 Walk to Cermak.
16:45 CTA Red Line from Cermak to Jefferson.
16:55 CTA Blue Line from Jefferson to O'Hare.
17:40 Arrive O'Hare.
17:50 No luggage. Had printed boarding pass. Through TSA.
18:00 At gate and checked boarding pass - okay.
18:45 Boarding.
19:15 Flight departs - ginger ale - hour nap.
22:30 Flight arrives Boston.
22:40 Airport shuttle 55 to from Terminal B to MBTA.
22:50 MBTA Blue Line Airport to State.
23:10 MBTA Orange Line train State to Oak Grove.
23:30 Walk home.
23:50 Arrive home.

All completed with walking, mass transit and air flight.

Miniatures - Roadside America

Posting by Mark Frauenfelder about Roadside America in PA.
http://boingboing.net/2012/01/16/be-prepared-to-see-more-than-y.html
Tried to login and post comment using boingboing account, but something about "Real-time updating is paused. Logout Add New Comment Please wait..."

Great posting. Have been near there in PA and never realized. Minatures = wonderful.

Anyone been to Bekonscot? http://www.bekonscot.co.uk/
Legoland(s)? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legoland
Hidden gem found while visiting in-laws in MO... http://wfprr.com/
Anyone visited Romney Hythe & Dymchurch? http://www.rhdr.org.uk/
Kudos to Robert Little in comments to boingboing article for G&D reference http://www.gdlines.com/