Swan Family Feeding

Born last spring, the two swans with a little gray in their feathers still are the cygnets ("swan babies"). Each year, the mother nests on the lake in back of me and spends several weeks there. On several years, the offspring did not survive. More recently, their success rate has been improving.

Microsoft Expands its Market

While awaiting the release of Windows 10, Microsoft ups the ante with the announcement of Office for Android. At the same time, the company is also aggressively pushing individual parts of MS Office products for Apple devices. Microsoft Word is now the top download on iTunes for iPhone and iPad. Free is the most powerful word in advertising. It worked to put Microsoft on the map and it is surprising competitors have not been able to take advantage of this niche. If Microsoft is smart, MS Office will also be included free initially on Windows 10. Although this may be a lucrative strategy, Microsoft has one more trick up its sleeve; the push for inexpensive smartphones.

Aside from extending its audience, the new Office products also provide greater compatibility and consistence. In the past, Office Mobile for iPhone was available but failed to produce the same user-experience even in the Office package. The revamped Word, Excel and PowerPoint apps now deliver a more consistent user-experience thus reducing the learning curve of Microsoft products dramatically on Apple and Android devices.

Also key to Microsoft's marketing plan is the introduction of cheaper smartphones. The Lumia 535 is packed with powerful features and costs only 110 euros (about $136). At that price, the phone provides a significant threat to the iPhone as consumers love Apple but price is an entirely different thing. Will this combined strategy and other efforts by Microsoft be enough to turn around the company? Only time will tell.

Origin of Strange Sounds in the Night

All around the world, reports of eerie sounds in the distance have many people concerned. Although these strange haunting noises may appear supernatural, science has another answer. Often heard in the winter months, these sounds are produced usually by machines on the ground and distorted by unusual weather phenomena. When a temperature inversion occurs, sound will rebound from the atmosphere above and come back to Earth. Since only the higher range of sound dissipates under these conditions, a distortion of the original sound occurs so that instead of hearing something like road construction or highway noise, witnesses will report "other worldly noises". Rest assured, there is nothing paranormal about these sounds. The longer the signal, the more it distorts. After traveling sometimes hundreds of miles, the tones received often bear little resemblance to the original sound source.

Large Box Turtle Visitor

Found this turtle in my backyard by the lake. I haven't seen it lately. Hopefully it's all right. It doesn't appear to like noise. I think it was just the sound of me working in my yard that scared it off. Nevertheless, what a spectacular animal!

How bad is Ebola Compared to Other Viruses?

Although Ebola is no picnic, the prognosis with early detection is remarkably good. Here in the US, those chances increase significantly. In countries affected by civil war and a near complete destruction of their infrastructures, of course patients will be less likely to recover. Limited medical supplies, lack of funding and in extreme cases, no real hospital to speak of has plagued these nations with a sad outlook. To combat a lack of permanent medical facilities, the US and other countries have setup makeshift hospitals and deployed army personnel to assist in the construction. Despite current efforts and pledged support, only about $100,000 of funding has cleared. Red tape remains perhaps a bigger enemy though comparably, Ebola is certainly not even close to a worst case scenario.

Unlike the H1N1 Flu, Ebola is not an airborne virus. This is significant because it reduces the chance of viral spreading without direct or indirect contact. Transmission occurs only when a person comes into contact with bodily fluids and is not likely transferred through the respiratory system. The Bubonic Plague of the Middle Ages and influenza epidemic of the early 20th century show how much worse and pandemic a virus can be. Unlike the past, today we know what causes viruses and understand the importance of hygiene and following proper medical procedures. While we still get it wrong from time to time, Ebola is yet another chapter of our learning experience. It may not be easy but it is most certainly controllable. Education and political will though remain key to containment as disinformation is a green eyed monster. People associating Ebola with coincidental vaccinations mistaken as a source of the virus need to understand how Ebola is spread and why a future vaccine may be the best chance of preventing its spread. Until then, the antibodies of those who have survived the virus may be our best weapon to stave off a true pandemic.

Recommended Reading:

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/
http://www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/31104/title/Vaccines-are-Safe/

How to Charge a Cell Phone without Power

In a bind, this YouTube video shows how to charge a cell phone without power. Using a phone charger, key and 9-volt battery, it is possible to draw current from the battery to induce a charge. The video does not discuss whether a full charge is possible but it does show an easy method that will hopefully produce enough of a charge to make an emergency phone call. Note that I did not actually run the test myself so proceed with caution if your phone costs more than your car.

Is Windows 10 a Threat to Other Operating Systems?

Windows 10 combines the best of the old and new. Unlike its predecessor, the new O/S does not appear to force you into a completely different experience than users are accustomed to. If features previewed in the latest beta remain consistent, the product will likely boost PC sales and possibly set a new precedent.

The biggest advantage of Windows 10 is consistency. While other operating systems often vary in functionality from device to device, the new Windows provides a consistent platform for both users and developers. This allows for an easier learning curve and standardization for programmers. Being able to write code once that adapts well for each device is a significant advantage that Microsoft on the surface at least appears to be embracing well.

Companies like Haskell New York Inc. that provide their own in-house staff to develop and maintain an online presence and internal system can leverage the consistent model to produce systems without having to adapt for each platform. Having learned from its mistakes of the past, it is unlikely Microsoft will try to force a radical redesign so quickly in the future. This is great news for IT professionals as well as it means easier support and less procedures to remember.