Quantum Computing for Laypeople

Just read one of the clearest explanations I've seen for Quantum Computing by Michael Nielsen (via Reddit). If you're not sure what the fuss is all about, this will probably help you understand.

Cloud Based Ultrasounds

PLoS One has a recently published research article on using Cloud Computing for working with 3-D Ultrasound images. Not a use I had run across before, and figured some of y'all might find the intersection of Cloud Computing and Medical Diagnostics as interesting as I did.

Salon now discovers the double-dip

Seems that Salon has now discovered the likely upcoming second dip in the double dip recession. Columnist was Robert Reich no less. Who I "thought" was advising some of the folks who seem to be getting criticized in the column. Maybe no one is wanting to listen?

TL:DR - They Really Are Just Trying to Sell You More Detergent

One of the things I've been doing the last month is trying a little Mythbusters type experiment. Essentially, I wondered what would happen if I did all my clothes (except the reds), together in one load. The reason it has taken a month is that I wanted to compare my whites (in particular) to see if they showed any signs of dulling or discoloring. Also to check the colors to see if running them in Warm/Warm seemed to make them fade any faster than cold/cold which was the recommendation for colors.

I can say that after a full month I was unable to tell any difference between the whites and colors that I ran in their own separated loads (I tagged the ones to make sure I never mixed those), and the whites and colors that I ran in combined loads. Of course, the separated loads tended to have to be done more often and with smaller loads, which leads me to believe it really is just an attempt to sell more detergent (as well as the other additives that claim to "capture" colors to keep them off your whites). I did keep the reds in their own loads as I've been told over and over again that reds really DO bleed, but I have to admit I'm tempted to try a load with an equal amount of red in it for my next experiment.

Anyway, the conclusion is that it's ok to run all the clothes (except red) in Warm/Warm, and to run them all together. So feel free to make your life easier and more convenient, and maybe save a little money while you're at it :-)

Do Want! Sartre for Autos

This article talks about a European Proposal for Auto "Trains" that you could join and leave at will to take over the actual driving chores on long drives. Obviously once it's shown to work, that could also be easily adapted for the daily commute (have lead vehicles leaving every 10 minutes from the current park and drive locations - just you don't have to park anymore), and I suspect you could even "rent" a lead vehicle for a family vacation if you have several cars. I'm very much looking forward to this!