ux quick bits

$100 OLPC Laptop Becomes a $5 PC

“What we are doing is taking a bunch of old machines that barely run Windows 2000, and turning them into something interesting and useful for essentially zero cost,” says Walter Bender, former president of the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project.

The new Sugar on a Stick download features 40 software programs, including core applications called Read, Write, Paint, and Etoys. Many other applications are available for download, most of which emphasize creative collaboration among children. The USB software can boot up an aging computer, or a netbook, and save data from any of the programs.

In addition, Sugar-powered machines are designed to work with server software that can also be downloaded for free.

As reported in the MIT Technology Review

“…the median number of lifetime tweets per user is one.”

Video gaming continues to expand into new markets including all sorts of demographic profiles and subject matter.  Continuing on the same theme as yesterday’s link, The Science Daily tells of the benefits of play for the elderly.

“The researchers knew that play can help ageing people stay cognitively fit and stimulate much-needed social interaction. What they hoped was that they could design and build a computer-enhanced play platform that elderly people could use easily, would enjoy, and that would enhance quality of life.”

The goal: “to create an attractive, easy-to-use play platform that could support a wide variety of computer-driven games, and that would allow caregivers to assess the cognitive skills of individual players over time.”

Well, makes a change from teenage boys and shoot ‘em ups hogging the gaming arena, I think Nintendo are on to something!

“There are some who believe the audience expansion movement is beginning to fade. We still have a long way to go in expanding the gaming population.” said Nintendo boss, Satoru Iwata.

And, according to the Guardian: “…the [new] Vitality add-on – which uses pulse measurements to determine heart rate, ecitement and concentration levels – could help Nintendo find new avenues for videogames in the same way that Brain Training or Wii Fit broke into new territory”.

Satoru Iwata explains: “Traditionally videogames have been used to create excitement, but it may not be long before games help people unwind or even fall asleep,”

A formula 1 racing car powered by chocolate.

This is innovation!

“It is the first Formula 3 racing car designed and made from sustainable and renewable materials, putting the world first by effectively managing the planet’s resources.”

AbilityNet reported in April that:

“Amazon intended to release its next version ebook reader the Kindle onto the market with built in text-to-speech.

A great step forward do I hear you shout, a chance for ebooks to reach new markets? Access to reading for people with sensory or physical needs, support for people with Dyslexia. All true ….. But….

The publishing industry didn’t see it this way - they claimed that having the story read out was an infringement of copyright, and would have a detrimental effect on audio-book sales…”

…and so Amazon were forced to disable text to speech on their new ebook reader.

It’s incredible that people cannot adapt to modern times, rethink their business model and also make a profit while providing useful services. It’s also incredibly short-sighted. Someday we’ll all see, know or be people who could make use of this technology, and probably be willing consumers!

Become a fan of the Reading Rights Coalition on Facebook and sign the petition to help try and get this decision reversed.  Also, particularly if you’re in the US, have a look at how else you can show your support on readingrights.org.

BBC Click report on some of the technologies exhibited at the Science Beyond Fiction conference in Prague.

Examples include an eye - or gaze - tracking system that warns drivers of potholes or other dangers without distracting them, cars that adapt to your mood, and shoes that can simulate the sensation of walking on snow!

For any Europeans out there, the European Commission is apparently offering funding for projects that will “further the understanding of how science and technology can be used to bring real benefits to society in the future”.