March 31, 2003
Synthetic motor oil
Phil Bailey, writing for Canadian Driver, has just presented an excellent article on synthetic motor oils.
This is a sticky story for me, as the Mitsubishi V6 equipped Dodge Avenger I drive is expressly recommended against “synthetic” oils. Sigh Now, who do I trust ?
March 30, 2003
Net Jerks
“Can’t we all just get along ?”
I guess “No”.
In the BitTorrent community, a successful website is one that tracks new sessions. One such site was Donkax.com, transferring 10GB/day in information alone. According to their new page, somebody didn’t like them and the rest is history:
As per Donkax.com, Sunday 30th of March, 2003
Donkax.com received a distributed denial of service attack a few days ago.
An ISP’s router and colocation facilities router crashed and the IP for donkax was suspended for a week. The believed main perpetrator of this attack was discovered a few hours after the event had happened.
He goes by the name ‘Hex’ on the internet and he used mIRC trojan bots to attack donkax. These attack bots are controlled from an irc server Hex has with a shell company called abuse@sparkhost.com. His server is at hex.sparkhost.com and the ircd is accessible from that address. Feel free to contact abuse@sparkhost.commailto:abuse@sparkhost.com on this matter regarding thier servers being used for illegal activity to host these bots.
Hex is also an irc operator on the LCIRC network where the main channel there is #sdbot, a trojan application used for DDoS attacks.
He was last seen connecting with the address of ip68-99-18-229.om.om.cox.net(his real ISP) to the Donkax IRC server with a ‘few’ of his trojan bots. abuse@cox.net may be interested in that. He also seems to be part of the online game hacking clan, myg0t and often uses the name [myg0t]Hex.
I’m also pretty sure other some people in the BitTorrent community also have something do with this as some of the people that run BitTorrent groups and some users seem to have hated Donkax, the reason unknown to me.
Whether Donkax will return or not, I do not know. The colocation facility does not really want us hosting the site at their facility anymore because of the response from their ISP. We may find alternate hosting solutions for the near 10GB of bandwidth a day that Donkax was transferring near the end of its service. Feel free to e-mail memailto:apophis@donkax.com to talk about anything.
March 29, 2003
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie: Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door comes to the theater, hopefully one near me. Read the last sentence …
I have already seen this and enjoyed it. Reviews
Scruffy Cat Blues
Cowboy Bebop remixes: Music for Freelance
music by: Yoko Kanno, Mr. Scruff
musicians: The Seatbelts, Mr. Scruff
see Jazz Messengers and donate if you leech
Fish fish fish fish
Mr Scruff … do be careful of the trout!
March 28, 2003
New Mexico against Patriot Act
I would have never picked New Mexico to be a “dissident state” of the US. But they seem to have qualms with the Patriot Act and have issue a legislation to oppose it formerly.
Way to go New Mex!
PS I had to to find an alternate link, as the SantaFe NewMexican moves items into a “pay-per-view” archive.
Quote of the Week
“To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”
- Theodore Roosevelt
Hybrid Heartburn
Ward’s Autoworld is running a great article on the views and impact of the hybrid electric-fuel vehicles. The article covers almost all the points of the Hybrid Solution.
Quote:
“Hybrids, in our summation, are in the end the worst compromise, because you put everything in the car that has to be prepared for all situations. You add weight and you deteriorate performance,” BMW Chairman Helmut Panke says. “We are convinced the hybrid way is just something like a ‘wash me, but don’t get me wet’ type of solution.”
The counterpoint from Ward’s editor is also a good point.
My take ? I want a diesel-electric hybrid.
VW "flex fuel" Engine
Great news for Brazil, VW unveiled the first car with a dual fuel engine. Ethanol is popular because it is clean and cheap, but the shortage of 1990 meant people switched back to petrol. Except for cold weather starting problems, like bio-diesel, the new 1.6 liter engine could be a great selling-point for VW and the consumers in places like China.
March 27, 2003
Long Walk
I walked quite a bit today. I enjoyed the sunshine, the milder weather, and the smiles on all the other strollers. The long walk allowed my mind to wander around in separate time and space. I visualized parts of books I have read, debated various approaches to a technical problem I’m tackling and finally the world news.
The consequence of all that is my feet ache a little, my body is tired and my mind recognizes how my favorite news and information sources are almost all dry.
March 24, 2003
Ghost in The Shell 2
Spot the poster for INNOCENCE: GHOST IN THE SHELL 2.
Japanease Anime always has a story to tell, with graphic metaphors, while the US specializes in entertainment with graphic explosions.
Shaolin Soccer
I have always been an escapist, dwelling quite comfortably in my imagination. I guess that is why I design and play games, daydream incessantly, read epic legends and watch cartoons. I don’t own a TV and I only listen to the news when driving, which isn’t often lately. But I react to WAR, no matter how hard I try to ignore it.
In my quest to find alternate grey cell occupation, I turn to “brain candy”. Today it’s Shaolin Soccer , a silly Chinese modern fairy-tale with self deprecating slapstick humor, genuinely well executed wire-work, plenty of so-so CG and some soccer, if you can call it that.
What impressed me the most is how the classic Shaolin monks versus Evil Baddy tale can be adapted to something like soccer. I wonder if Episode III will be this good a stealing a classic plot line.
March 22, 2003
Pacifist with a Gun
Sam Roberts’ #1 tune carries the great line it seems You’re a pacifist with a gun, Eileen
So instead of watching CNN, BBC World News or whoever else with the over-anal-ised WAR reporting… read some lyrics instead.
Lyrics:
Don’t walk away Eileen
I’ve been living for you since the age of seventeen
Don’t walk away Eileen
You’ve been telling lies and now it’s time to come clean
Hey! You come around and I can’t keep time Hey! You turn around and I’m left behind
Eileen says I’m a boy not a man Cryin’ on the corner with my head in my hands I called her name and she ran Slippin’ through my fingers like a fist full of sand
Hey! You come around and I lose my head Hey! You turn around and I’m left for dead
And she reads my mind when I’m sleeping And she always arrives when I’m leaving Yeah she’s blocking out the sun, it seems You’re a pacifist with a gun, Eileen
March 19, 2003
WAR: Car Industry Turmoil
Automotive News is running a special on the impact of the WAR we know all expect.
I wonder if China even notices this is going on ?
March 17, 2003
March 17th: Happy St Pat!
Raise a toast! Wear green! Enjoy but be sensible!
Please help Guinness and vote this day into a Canadian Holiday
In the news:
Three creeps stabbed a bouncer, and two patrons who came to his rescue, during the festivities here in Montreal. The cops and area bouncers caught one.
Amelie
Well, I’m on a movie kick, as my usual intake of Teevee is delayed as some shows have off-weeks … and soon everything stops until the fall. In the meantime, with the gracious loan of a boat-load of DVDs from friends ( props to Ogre and Mimi ), I finally got to see Amelie.
I heard sooo much about it … heck, I almost made-up what the movie must be like and got it all wrong.
My first impression, after the end titles are rolling by … is that I watched a “Classic Italian” movie, but with a French play-by-play, instead of the absolute silence of those black-and-whites.
I enjoyed this movie, smiled at it all, but I note the “spoon-fed” methods they chose and wonder if that was for the audiences benefit or deterrent ?
March 16, 2003
The Guru
I haven’t laughed and smiled this much in a longtime. The Guru is a comedy that mixes Bollywood, cameos of “Grease”, theme of “Boogie Nights” and genuinely funny bits of acting. Some of the one liners lines are worth putting on a T-Shirt!
“Holistic Plumber”
Featuring Heather Graham , Marisa Tomei and starring as the Guru, Jimi Mistry
See it in the theaters, in some parts of the world on DVD and certainly now even online.
March 15, 2003
Consumer Reports: Car Reliability
You can see in the current Consumer Reports Car Issue the reliability of brands, among other things.
The most stunning information for me is the rating VW got. Ouch. 90 defects per 100 cars ? Say, is this something against Mexico ?
Though, the methodology is questioned by many.
[UK] Customs Smash Red Diesel Scam
from Auto Express UK, Thursday 13th March 2003
Customs officers in Ul-ster have dismantled a secret factory capable of ‘cleaning’ 50,000 litres of red diesel every week.
Acid is used to wash the red dye out of the cheap, low-tax agricultural derv so it can be sold at a profit to unsuspecting motorists. However, the residual acids can harm vehicles’ fuel pumps. Customs believes the plant cost it around £1million a year in lost revenue.
Article from Auto Express
So … acid can remove the dye eh ? Hmm …
Star Wars X-Mas Special
I think I once saw this pre-eminent kitsch TV special, but my mind certainly availed of its powers to block out such memories. It is said, George Lucas invoked all manners of wrath to find and destroy the broadcast tapes, but some unlucky folks still have them on old Beta & VHS tapes.
The .Torrent of Star Wars Christmas Special your are about the see is very dangerous to your sanity. Better place an Elder Sign on all entrances before viewing.
BubbaComp
If you are Canadian then this might make sense: the BubbaComp
Has Spring Sprung?
Wow, Montréal’s weather announces itself to be within seasonal ranges in the next week. Could it really be … Spring ?
I bloody hope so.
March 12, 2003
Brits Pioneer 100mpg Carbon Car
Article from: Auto Express UK, March 11th
It’s a Lotus Elise, but not like any you’ve seen before. This is a British car capable of returning 100mpg, and it has two hugely influential backers - the UK Government and the motor industry - so it might succeed where other ‘green’ projects have failed!
click for larger picture
It’s called the AeroCarbon, and is so aerodynamic that its ultra-low petrol consumption makes hybrid vehicles look thirsty. It boasts a drag coefficient of only 0.22 - by comparison an Elise has 0.34 - and the four-seater is also only half as heavy as similar-sized conventional cars. “The carbon fibre spaceframe and panels save weight,” said Dr Steven Cousins of Cranfield University, Beds, where the car is being developed. “It’s a safe, crashworthy design, and this country has the expertise to exploit the benefits of this material.”
The 660cc engine and powertrain are from Honda and will give the car a top speed of 92mph. It has a Lotus Elise suspension, steering and windscreen, while Ford, Caterham and space rocket company APECS are also partners in the project. Yet despite £2million of investment, more commercial backers are needed. “We want extra funding to take it to production,” said Cousins, who has been developing eco vehicles for a dec-ade. “Hybrids and fuel cells are not the only route to 100mpg, and both will need light bodies like the AeroCarbon’s to achieve it.”
Article from: Auto Express UK
March 10, 2003
Red Rabbit
Tom Clancy’s recent novel, Red Rabbit (2002), wedged between Patriot Games and Hunt For Red October, covers the story of a Russian defector, or “Rabbit” in spook terms, and the plot to assassinate Pope Jean Paul II.
I finished the book today, after putting it down maybe 4-5 times. There are some strangely compelling and personal links for me as I have Russian ancestry, I was born in Budapest and I was whisked out of Hungary as a kid. Having been to London more then once, I could visualize almost all the settings, understand the motivations and frankly, worry wholeheartedly about the decision of a family to risk everything and escape. Beyond that, the reasons made sense to me.
Well, I live in a significantly better place due to the courage of my folks.
March 09, 2003
Fuel Cell
Fuelling a myth
By Rob Coppinger and Julia Pierce
The Engineer
Talk of a hydrogen revolution is no more than an elaborate piece of window dressing and will never result in the new clean fuel economy that many people hope for.
The rest of the article
Ulev, Sulev & Diesel
Turns out the Californian SULEV standard is very strict. I found the following presentation concerning Advanced Diesel Engines for the EU and US auto markets by Prof Dr.-Ing. Peter Hofbauer.
If this interests you, check page 12 (for current standards), 24 (for an idea what can be done) and the last one (for sheer fun).
Essentially, Diesel in North America cannot achieve even ULEV standards unless Sulphur content goes below 10 ppm, as the NOx Traps would burn out at anything higher.
- A review by the “4 Clean Air” group.
- Another article on Improved Catalyst Systems states that “The emission levels already achieved in prototype vehicles in the USA make it clear the in the future be possible to build vehicles whose exhaust gases in urban areas will be cleaner then the air taken in…”
- How about a step-by-step review of the workings of a catalyst.
- Urea a molecule I just learned about.
Honda Hybrid Civic
Is the winner of the 2002 Engine of the year, 1 litre to 1.4 litre category. Heck of an achievement.
Concerning incentives, Canadians get zip right now, while in the US it can be a sizable Tax Refund.
Some reviews:
- Ars Technica
- Insight.Net <- these guys are bit rabid in their opinions
Found On Road Dead
It may be that Ford, will soon be no more.
Articles of the past have been critical of the company, but few have the information backed venom like 100 years of deception by Ellis Brasher.
The coup de grace is the infamous Nazi link to Ford.
then again, I like VW …
You know, this is the worst thing for someone soooo dependent on Google as I.
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Please try again in a minute or so.
March 08, 2003
Smoke and car mirrors in auto-industry bribe
Toronto Star
$625 million corporate welfare for the “Big Three” domestic car companies to build two plants in Windsor and Oakville.
VW Iltis
Produced in Germany by VW and in Canada by Bombardier, the VW Iltis is military jeep with a long history. With the changes in the world, ie “No East-Block Invasion”, some of the finer Iltis are available for purchase, straight from the bunker to you. :)
In Canada, where they are road legal, these true off-road/on-road rugged vehicles can be ordered from Iltis.ca for roughly 12,500$.
These are fun vehicles!
Being an avid “G.eneral P.urpose, aka Jeep” fan, this is hard to resist. The 1.6L TDI especially.
Lupo 3L
The following is a Babelfished front page of the German 3 Liter Lupo page. If the links won’t start, try right-click and open in a new window.
Though, news indicates that the Lupo family is End-Of-Life in 2005, probably the same time as the Audi A2.
VW is currently developing an all-new vehicle in the small car segment to replace the Lupo. The new model is expected to go on sale in 2005, when the Lupo reaches the end of its life cycle. The concept for the model is such that it can be regarded as the VW group’s first World Car. Modifications are being considered for individual markets, such as trim and engine variants. It is not yet clear which market the vehicle will be introduced on first, but it seems certain that it will come under the VW brand group.
Recomfirmed by Autonews
| Intro |
| outside |
| inside |
| technology |
| data |
| info. order |
As first car manufacturers world-wide Volkswagen presents the absolutely adequate 3-Liter-Auto: the Lupo 3L TDI. thereby the competitionless low consumption does not become over restrictions of the space offer, which obtains security or the equipment. It is made possible rather by improved aerodynamics, consistent weight reduction as well as most modern engine and transmission technology.
The trailblazing new of the Lupo 3L TDI is the combination of improved aerodynamics, purposeful lightweight construction measures and most modern engine and transmission technology.
The Lupo 3L TDI fulfills already today the sharpest exhaust standard Euro-3D. That means for the buyer of a Lupo 3L TDI that its purchase of this car with 1.500 DM is promoted by the German legislator, about which 500 DM fall on the fulfilment of the Euro-3D-Norm and 1,000 DM on falling below of 90 gram carbon dioxide per kilometer.
Here you experience more over the new Lupo 3L TDI!
Transport Canada
Well who knew ? Transport Canada actually does investigate Fuel Efficient vehicles.
How do I get job with Transport Canada’s Advanced Technology Vehicles Program ??
Favorite quote form the article above:
“It costs $3.80 to go from Ottawa to Montreal in the A2.”
Yeah … too bad the A2 is going to be canned. No worries mate, the VW Lupo 3L is the same fuel efficiency.
Opel Eco-Seedster
This rather pretty race car is out to beat the Lupo 3L in fuel economy and without a doubt, top speed.
Aiming to reach 2.5l /100-km using a 1.3L Turbocharged diesel, this car still make it to 250 kph! More then one internet news hack will tell you this means a Le Mans dream car!
Opel is a GM brand and their official site for this car is informative.
although why they need to resize my browser window is beyond me
props to 0-100.it for the pictures
Around the World in 80 Days ... in a VW Lupo
VW introduced the Lupo 3L TDI in 1999, making it the lightest VW. The 3L stands for 3l/100km. Around the same time, a .TV group in Germany wanted to make an EcoFriendly show. Something like 1000 liters around the world.
Match the two and you get : Lupo 80 Days
It was 33,333 kilometers to 1,000 liters. Now if you replaced the Shell Diesel with BioDiesel … hmm.
A nice summary found at DieselNet.
Furthermore, the Transport Canada has been looking at this car since 2000.
props to VWvortex.com for picture
March 07, 2003
The Good, The Bad and ...
Oh boy! A new Theater release of this calssic is coming! It now has additional scenes and English dubs done recently by Eastwood, Wallach and a voice actor in place of Lee Van Cleef.
It will be shown :
Before its repremiere on AMC, the restoration will be screened twice in New York. The Tribeca Film Festival will have it on May 8, and then it will play at the Film Forum on May 30. It will probably only play in major cities - in Los Angeles the Nuart will have it for a week starting June 20.
props to Ain’t It Cool News
Skoda Fabia
Sometimes simplicity overshadows everything else. The Skoda Fabia, built on the VW Polo PQ24 chassis, delivers excellent value for a small car due to being built in Czechkoslovakia
.
The Czech’s have a history of being car fanatics and rally drivers. It is then no surprise that a Skoda Fabia WRC edition was introduced in Geneva, but the also premiered a Skoda Fabia vRS with a 130 bhp diesel engine! The regular car weighs 1000-kg with a 90-bhp TDI engine, which gives a pretty good idea how potent the vRS edition must be. Oh, and the UK will receive it in last part of this year. Serious fun while being economic.
When do we get cars like this ? Heck, when do we get VW Polo ?
Another good review from VWvortex.com
Iceland to open first public hydrogen filling station
Reuters
Reuters / March 07, 2003
The station to be built with Shell and to be opened on April 24 will initially serve three DaimlerChrysler hydrogen-powered buses that will run on regular routes in the city for two years, the group said.
Read more of the article
Study finds hybrid cars greener than hydrogen cars
Reuters
March 07, 2003
NEW YORK — Hybrid cars, which combine electric motors with small petroleum engines, will outpace the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell cars until at least 2020, according to a university study.
Read more of the article
Sony-Ericsson & Mac
Take one Sony-Ericsson T68i + a Mac equipped with Bluetooth, stir in Sony-Ericcson Clicker.
It bodes well for the future of Bluetooth when an individual can glue together two disparate technologies and make it really cool.
The software, Sony-Ericsson Clicker by Jones Salling from Sweden, allows you to associate AppleScript to your Bluetooth enabled cell-phone’s menu system. It can, for example, act as DVD remote, an Apple Keynote remote, etc…
My favorite is the use of proximity sensing as a security and convenience tool. It can halt iTunes playing when you walk away from the Mac, but even better, it can lock the Mac down until you come back. Now that is something.
Bluetooth has a 30 foot range and the best use I had seen for it before was the wireless cell phone headsets. Now, this, plus new generation of mice and keyboard and you have some serious use of wireless.
Surfin v64
The latest hypothetical Beta of Safari is hypothetically pretty neat. Renders some websites A1 now.
March 06, 2003
GhandiCon
I smile when I see a new term that makes complete sense: GhandiCon
Ghandi’s quote :
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
According to OpenSource.org, OSS has reached GhandiCon Three with the release of another so called Halloween Memo, Halloween VIII
2003 And Beyond: Microsoft Monoculture
Tip of the hat to Andrew Grygus, the author of this overview. This document is a long a painful way to rediscover that if it weren’t for my consumption of computer games, I would ditch Microsoft entirely.
Quote :
Why Choose Microsoft Solutions?
Despite matters discussed above, some of which can be interpreted as detrimental to businesses, most businesses Will choose Microsoft solutions , and many will choose only Microsoft solutions.
A principal factor is that America’s business leaders simply don’t want to think about complex technology issues - they want to think about golf. Microsoft promises them that, and being a large, and hugely successful corporation, they have high credibility with top business executives.
Might also want to track VarLinux.org for more.
thanks Eric for the heads-up
The power of a font
It happened again: I got lost in time while playing with a font.
By playing, I mean inventing words to see the way successive characters interrelate and alter, the way the font substitutes beautiful ligatures.
It was Zapfino by the master hands of Hermann Zapf, possibly better know for Zapf Chancery. This font, supplied free among many by Apple with Mac OS X, evoked in me concepts of “occasion” and “classical handwriting” like few before it. It could title a movie about the War of 1812 or an invitation letter to a Bal Masqué.
Maybe even the name of a ship, a noble and a story of high adventure. A font can be powerful inspiration!
March 05, 2003
FanFilm: Hobbit Teaser Trailer
Some people simple cannot accept that Peter Jackson will not make a movie based on : The Hobbit.
Others just decide to make the movie themselves.
Please note that the site is being pounded today.
Animatrix, Episode 2
Speaking of the Matrix, the second episode of the Animatrix cartoon/anime is now online.
Safari 1.0 Beta v62
There is no such browser. It doesn’t have Tabbed Browsing. Nothing to see, move along.
Bulletproof Monk == Ripoff Matrix
I saw the poster, read a note on surfin’ safari and agree: This is a Matrix ripoff.
Of course, the Matrix is pastiche, but this wasn’t even an attempt to be different.
Vertigo Man wades in with : This looks interesting, and though it uses many of the same FX as the Matrix, in content it is not a “rip-off” of the Matrix so much as the Matrix is a “rip-off” of Mahayana Buddhism and Daoism (with a sci-fi twist of course). “All is illusion” is only a 5000 year old concept, after all…
Valid comment, but still doesn’t account for the mysctic monk/newbie monk/hot chick combo, especially considering the whole “No Way Dude!” gimmick.
And Toronto is not a US city … no matter how you shoot it.
Subaru Boxer 11 Sports
I don’t make it a habit of co-opting a page, but since AutoExpress and EVO, the sister magazine I am so fond off, have such an ugly un-navigable website … well, I just did. Gomen Nasai
This car reminds me of the Subaru SVX in classification and the older Nissan 300ZX in overall shape.
Subaru’s own description.
(picture from Subaru-Global.com)
Next Impreza Puts On A Brave Face
© AutoExpress UK
Out go the outrageous spoilers and scoops, in comes radical styling - this is the shape which is set to become the all-new Subaru Impreza.
The Japanese manufacturer has had enough of being criticised for its bland products. “We have proved that we have world-class technology,” says company boss Masaru Katsurada. “It’s about time we showed that we can build a world-class sports car, too.”
And it looks as though the firm has succeeded. This radical 400bhp 4WD, four-door, four-seat concept was revealed at this week’s Geneva Motor Show, and it represents a ‘toe-in-the-water’ exercise by the company to gauge potential buyers’ reactions to its new styling direction. The car has already become one of the hottest talking points of the event, and looks certain to go down in history as one of the most adventurous cars that Subaru has ever produced. Officially, the vehicle is being called B11S, or Boxer 11 Sports.
This car is intended to be a hi-tech flagship for the firm, and our sources reveal it could head the new Impreza range, which is scheduled for launch in just over two years’ time.
Behind the scenes, Subaru bosses concede that the Boxer 11 Sports is one of the most adventurous projects the company has ever worked on, and they are unsure of the reaction it will get. “We need plenty of feedback from this car,” said a Subaru executive.
Officially described as a design prototype, the B11S is intended to showcase the firm’s most advanced engine, suspension and transmission technology. The exterior design highlights a look that will not only grace a replacement Impreza, but all the other forthcoming models the company builds. It seems that the firm has dug deep into its styling department and finally discovered the word ‘passion’.
You would expect nothing less, really, especially when you learn that Subaru president Kyoji Takenaka made a special point of joining design division supremo Kiyoshi Sugimoto - the man who was responsible for the original Legacy look - in the initial brainstorming sessions about the B11S’s styling.
Despite the fact that he arrived at Subaru back in May 2002, new chief stylist Andreas Zapatinas is reported to have joined after the final lines were drawn on this prototype. But given the model’s radical look, that’s difficult to believe - although Zapatinas seems happy to play along with the story.
The car uses a twin-turbo version of the firm’s 3.0-litre flat-six engine, producing 400bhp at 6,400rpm. Subaru’s first five-speed electronically controlled adaptive automatic box transfers power to the road - it’s the only unit the firm produces that can handle this level of performance. One engineer implied that a six-speed manual was in the pipeline, but there were teething problems with it. The B11S will also employ Subaru’s acclaimed symmetrical 4WD system with Variable Torque Distribution (VTD) giving a 35-65 split in favour of the rear axle.
While the new Subaru is impressive, bosses still seem wary. Let’s hope they don’t tone down the concept car too much before it hits the showroom.
- Dan Strong
(Article from AutoExpress UK)
Click for larger pictures (from Subaru-Global.com).
2003 Geneva Motor Show pictures
Good stites for more:
- Geneva 2003 International Motor Show official site
- Review @ car design news
- News @ Autmotive News Europe
Audi Nuvolari Concept
Audi suprised some folks with the introduction of a 2+2 Gran Tourismo concept car named after Tazio Nuvolari
As you may note the prominent center triangle and left-right airdams, racing derived lines to scoop air are now a necessity on regular cars, if a Bi-Turbo V10 can be called that.
End of life : A2
The rather boxy, all aluminum Audi A2 will be the last incarnation.
March 04, 2003
Subie B11S
Although the looks of this prototype have not yet endeared me, the flash presentation for it did.
Apple's Music Service
The ‘Net is abuzz with talk about Apple Computers Mac oriented music service with agreement from 4 out of 5 labels.
I wonder what this really amounts too in the end.
Bored Amateur Movie Makers
You know, I bought a Mac for iMovie and I’m not the only one.
The AlamDV2 toolkit is used by a lot of amateur movie makers to achive some great special effects.
On such is this test film. SFV. Enjoy.
Geneva 2003 International Motor Show
Press only presentation begin today in Geneva and we should hear some nifty things, spot some nifty pictures in the upcoming days.
Well known introductions:
From VW AG : [VW, Audi, Lamborghini, Skoda, Seat, Bugatti, et al]
* Audi A3 & VW Touran, both based on the PQ35 chassis, or 5th generation Golf for the layman
* Gallardo, aka Baby Lambo , the Porsche 911 segment competitor from the Audi managed Lamborghini with help from Cosworth ( a VW company ) and road car tuner Quattro GmbH
Ford : [Ford, Mazda, Volvo, et al]
* Ford Focus C-Max, based on the C1 platform, is the answer to the Renault Scenic, a highly successful Mini-MPV in Europe. This is also the segment the VW Touran aims for. Diesel engine option comes from PSA ( Renault, Citroen, et al)
Subaru: [ GM partner]
* B11S Prototype , this Coupe is meant to indicate future directions of the firm. Most likely designed by Andreas Zapatinas, a former Fiat & Alfa Romeo man. And the nose says it all!
… more to come
Better PPPoE on OpenBSD
I’m a big fan of OpenBSD and since version 3.0, this OS has a new firewall technology called “pf”.
Now the upcoming 3.3 release has also gone one step further and includes ALTQ, an “Alternate Queue” system for packets.
Combine the two and you can stop one of the most annoying problems on DSL type connections: chocking of your link by TCP ACKnowledge messages.
All I can say is YEAH!!!!
Dungeon Master Coffee ?
No … just a Java incarnation of the classic game by FTL.
March 03, 2003
Boxy == Good
Gotta love the Niponese sensibilities : “If your competitor makes a boxy car, you should too!”
- Honda Mobilio Spike
- Scion (Toyota) xB
- Nissan Cube
- Suzuki Lapin (I like this ones name the most)
Ostensibly these vehicles are aimed a the “Youth Market”, which one author described as those who “missed Top Gun in the theaters.”
These cars only a “flavor edition” of the B-segment cars, most of which have yet to make an entry into the US or Canada. But they are coming.
The “A-segment” vehicles, or entry-level & low cost, seem only to be destined to emerging markets like China, Brazil, Africa and so on.
B-Segment
Honda Diesel Accord
It had to happen. Honda Motor Company developed in-house a 2nd generation diesel engine compliant with Euro 4 emission standards. The 2.2 liter i-CTDi engine will power the European Accord as an option starting 2004.
BitTorrent
Many of you know Napster, heard or used KaZaA, but BitTorrent ?
BitTorrent is referred to as an “Ad Hoc Peer-to-Peer Network Protocol”.
I must say, over 100 kBps downloads means I can watch silly TeeVee at my loft, without ever owning a TV set. Naturally, there is much more then that … ymmv
Bulsh*t B*ng0
My good buddy Dr.Vanderzob forwarded a neat little meeting oriented game: bulsh*t b*ngo
MT-Textile & SmartyPants
I’m a big fan of Wikis, especially Squeak, for their HTML shorthand.
Since I use Movable Type, it quickly came to my attention that two “plugins” would be of great benefit.
So, I’m now using MT-Textile and SmartyPants (which has one of the best logos around IMO)
Toyota Echo Hatchback
Finally introduced into the Canadian market, the Toyota Echo Hatchback, better known Europe as the Toyota Yaris or Toyota Vitz in Japan. (aside note, “Witz” is the German word “Wit” or joke)
This little hatchback carries an excellent reputation for price/quality and beyond a doubt, it is one of the most fuel economical vehicles around.
The surprise is to read that the Canadian car will be built in Japan and come only with the 1.5 liter VVT-i engine. Toyota usually builds their cars on the same continent as the buyer.
The ugly duckling sedan version is already very popular in Québec, more so then the rest off the continent.
For California, Toyota created the Scion label to sell another two type of cars on the same platform. I’m guessing they are also built overseas.
Now if only we could purchase the D-4D Diesel engined variant. (Please note the UK gallon is imperial, nut US :D )