Looks like Segway may have some very interesting models up its sleeve for 2005. I’ve personally assigned a certain “hey that’s cool” level of interest to Segway’s human mover thingie in the past, but honestly, there’s just no way I would even be able to think about using one.

That might be changing.

Over at Don Chalmer’s Toy Store (found via engadget of course), there are pictures of a couple new, cool looking models that are a little more up my alley – meaning they’re off-road-climber types. Click links or images below to take you to Don Chalmer’s web site:

The Centaur is a 4–wheeled Segway…

The Brand New Centaur. A four wheel Segway that climbs, turns, balances, and has its own Power Boost switch for those spots that need extra oomph. Check back often for the release dates of this amazing machine. Due out July 05. Price: $5995.00

And the AT-HT is pretty much the standard Segway HT, but built to run on something other than your standard urban pavement:

Coming in 2005 – the all Terrain HT. This baby is ready to climb all over. 400 watt/hour Saphion Lithium Phosphate batteries. Check back often or contact us for details on release dates. Due out in Feb 05. Contact us for more info. Price: $4995.00

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I ran across this weblog tonight while perusing other sites – was found via a link from another blog.

The F-Secure Antivirus Research Team’s Weblog is a great resource for computer security professionals to keep an eye on. There are obviously some smart people working for F-Secure and it shows in their team blog.

The weblog is here: http://www.f-secure.com/weblog/ …

  … and their RSS feed is here:

Also, F-Secure’s 2004 Security Summary is available and well worth the read. Wow – good find!

Engadget points to a mention of a USB computer locking mechanism that includes a key you insert into the USB slow on your computer and a strange little medallion that you wear. When you step far enough away from the computer, the computer is locked at the console, and when you return, it’s unlocked for you automatically.

Sounds great. Sounds like a security hole waiting to happen if it’s not well-executed, but if it’s solid, it’s pretty darn cool. For under $20 per piece, you have to wonder, though…

But – If this does work, it sounds very interesting. I’ve ordered a few to see what they’re like and if they are actually reliable and secure. I will post a review once I get a chance to put them to the test. I’ll likely be using Bryan Batchelder’s replacement software, after reading a few reviews of the software that comes in the box (for example, if you have multiple screens or know anything about windows security at all, it’s east to defeat – not so good). It’s quite cool that someone is doing that kind of alternative software work, since its clear the original software will not be even remotely close to adequate.

In fact, after reading Bryan’s weblog, I’ve subscribed: 

Smart guy, cool stuff!

By way of Omar Shahine comes this excellent resource:

• Windows XP File Association Fixes by Doug Knox

If your file associations in Windows XP ever get wonky, the .reg files provided by Doug Knox will allow you to quickly and easily put them back to their Windows default settings:

“The files listed here are all ZIP files, which contain a REG (Registry) file. Download the ZIP and open it.  Extract the REG file to your hard disk and double click it.  Answer yes to the import prompt.  REG files can be viewed in Notepad.  Each of the REG files contains the default settings for the file extension indicated.”

Eric Rice interviewed me Wednesday afternoon, to get just one simple blogger guy’s perspective on the blogosphere and the process of giving to the relief efforts needed so badly in South Asia after the tsunamis and earthquakes that have devastated so many people in that region. It was the AdSense donation idea that sparked the interview, but we talked about other aspects of the blogosphere and its collective reaction to the tragedy, as well.

Thanks to Eric for taking the time to do a podcast about something that’s very important: those things we can do now to help others in need.

Download the podcast (an MP3 audio file) from EricRice.com and see links there for a few places you can go to offer your help, as well.

My spirits were lifted this evening when I received this email from the Google AdSense Support team in response to the AdSense donation idea that Scott and I had – it’s just one step, but it’s a very positive one!

I know it’s not a trivial task for Google to put something like this in place, but I hope it happens, as do a number of others – It can make a very real difference!

<Fingers Crossed>

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Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 18:40:10 -0800
From: "Google AdSense" <adsense-support@google.com>
To: greg@greghughes.net
Subject: Re: [#18769680] AdSense donations for disaster relief - Google can make this easy - please read

Hello Greg,

Thank you for this excellent idea. A number of other AdSense publishers
have also brought your blog to our attention, and I have alerted the
AdSense team to your efforts.

As individuals, and as a company, we are committed to doing whatever we
can to assist with the tsunami relief effort. Google, as you know, has
recently set up www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html to aid our users who
are looking for more information and for ways to help, and we are
currently examining a number of other ideas.

Please know that I have forwarded your suggestion on to the appropriate
persons at Google, and they are currently investigating the feasibility of
such an endeavor. I will follow up as soon as I have more information on
this matter.

On behalf of the AdSense team, I would like to thank you again for
proposing this selfless measure and for your generous commitment to donate
your AdSense revenue to those affected by the tsunami.

Sincerely,

Ben
The Google AdSense Team

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