Homework 10.27.08: Liquid Cooling Hardware

Computers are getting faster and constant upgrades in hardware are taking computer speed to new levels. Unfortunately, this is not happening problem free. As computer speeds increase, desktops are require higher power levels along with more transistors, and thus heat levels are increasing dramatically. Perhaps too much for current fan cooling systems to keep up with.

This requirement of a better cooling system has led to the development of high tech Liquid Cooling systems. These new liquid cooling systems are being installed in higher end computers to more efficiently combat the heat that top speed CPU's generate and protect the computer better when it is overclocking (being run at higher speeds than the manufacturer).

Liquid Cooling systems are basically radiators for a computer. The LC attaches to the computer's processor and uses two tubes to transfer heat. One liquid filled tube absorbs hot air and brings it outside the computer, where it is dispersed, the liquid is cooled, and brought back to the processor by the other tube.

The primary advantages to Liquid Cooling is more efficient cooling with less processor heat. Some processors have been able to clock double the manufacturer speed, problem free. Along with this the systems are much more quiet than current cooling sinks which rely on louder and louder fans as heat increases. Unfortunately these systems are not a quick upgrade, and require technical skill to install.

People in Technology: Mark Cuban

One of the most interesting people in technology, in my opinion, is Mark Cuban. Mark is famous for being the loudmouth owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise, however, Few people know how Mark Cuban originally became wealthy. Many assume his millions were made through the Dallas Mavericks without recognizing the fact that you need millions to buy a professional franchise which is very far from the truth.

Mark was born outside of Pittsburg, PA to a working class family and put himself through College at Indiana University. He began his work in technology as a software salesman at a company called Your Business Software, but was fired for showing up to work late. He used established clients from his YBS to start his own company MicroSolutions, a software reseller and systems integrator. MicroSolutions blossomed quickly and would pave the way for internet technologies Carbon Copy, Lotus Notes, and Compu Serve. Mark sold his first cash cow MicroSolutions for $6 million (pocket change compared to what he was about to make).

Mark's big money project was his founding of internet webcaster audionet. Cuban and a fellow Indiana alum started Audionet to cover college basketball on the web with one server and an ISDN line. Audionet was renamed Broadcast.com and when the internet boom hit Mark felt it in his pockets. In 1999 Yahoo bought Broadcast.com for $5.9 billion in yahoo stock.

Mark was savvy enough to diversify his funds. One major way of doing this was his purchase of the Dallas Mavericks. He bought the majority stake in the Mavs from Ross Perot Jr. for $285million. his net worth today is $2.8 billion and his is listed ad number 166 on forbes list of the world's richest people.

Homework 10/6/08: google news

Ford has innovated a new electronic device to help promote the safety of teenage drivers. The technology is located in the car key and will held hinder carelessness of new drivers by sending signals to the automobile. Some of the the things they key is capable of doing are not allowing the the car to reach speeds over 80 mph and enabling a seat belt chime that repeats until the belts are buckled. Along with this the car will chime each time the driver reaches speeds of 45, 55, and 65 to curb careless accelaration and help young opperators drive more fuel efficiently. The new teen key will be available on 2010 Ford Focus models, followed by Mercury and Lincoln.

Although this key seems like a parent's dream, Ford is concentrating a market strategy to counter negative teenage PR. The fear of teens not wanting anything to do with a car key that restricts radio volume and top speed is very real. Fords planned pursuit to combat the bad PR is simply encouraging teens that they will likely be given more opportunities to take the family car if parents know they are driving safely. Also Ford is hoping to have a strong appeal to the parents who are actually paying for the car.

This technology is something that could make big waves in the auto industry. Since the introduction of electronic keys with anti-theft chips in them the market has been open to some new innovations. This new system required just a few simple advances from old electronic keys and was based off of their existing technology. The new key was created by the same people who created the microsoft SYNC system in automobiles.