OLPC XO-2 Laptop

OLPC is developing a new version of the XO laptop with hopes of it being released in 2010. Their target price for the new laptop is $75, and it will have two touch screens, that can also act as one. This means that the keyboard will be touch screen.

Check it out here.





- Laura :)

Microsoft and OLPIC Team Up

OLPC and Microsoft recently announced that the OLPC XO laptop will be available in both Linux and Windows. Starting next month, the Windows XO laptop will be sold in five or six countries, and an even more countries in August or September. OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte believes this collaboration with Microsoft will be an opportunity for OLPC to expand.

Check out the article here.

- Laura :)

Web 2.0 Winners

Webware readers and Internet users voted for the 100 best web applications. There were over 1.9 million votes! Some of the applications are:

iTunes allows users to manage their songs, videos, photos, and podcasts, and sync them to one of Apple's iPod products. Users also get access to the iTunes Music Store where they can listen to 30 second previews and purchase songs.

Craigslist is an online, free classifieds service. Users can post items they want to sell, and can receive responses by telephone or e-mail. The responses on this site are usually quicker than one would get through the newspaper classifieds.

Hosted by Yahoo, Flickr is a free photo-sharing service. Users can show off their photos or can explore other users' photos. Flickr has recently allowed the sharing of minute-long videos.

Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that can be edited by anyone, anywhere. It is available in multiple languages, and has a variety of different articles on almost any subject.

Stardoll is an online version of doll dress-up. Users have their own profiles where they can show off the dolls they have dressed up, make blog entries, and have a photo gallery. Users dress up their favourite celebrities or pop culture icons.

- Laura :)

Bridge Building Contest

The annual Balsa Bridge Building Contest is happening soon! Physics 11 and 12 students build bridges and compete to see which bridge can hold the most weight without breaking, and the bridge itself has to be under a certain weight. This contest has been held since 1980, and the current record is 209.4 kg. This contest is for students is for students to learn about structure and strength while working with materials, such as balsa wood and glue. There are also some other awards, such as best workmanship and design. This contest is sponsored by University of British Columbia Engineering Physics Program, Simon Fraser University's School of Engineering Science, and Professional Engineers and Gescientists of BC to name a few. Some of the bridges produced by the students are very impressive!

Here are some pictures from the contest:

(My brother, on the right, and classmate, with their bridge for best workmanship and design in 2000)

Vancouver is a city of many interesting bridges. Here's my favourite:
(Alex Fraser Bridge, New Westminster-Delta BC)

For more information, check out these two sites:

Balsa Bridge

Balsa Bridge Photos 2007

Here is an interesting site from the Additional Links section in Balsa Bridge:

Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century

- Laura :)