Wind Energy Basics, Second Edition: A Guide to Home- and Community-Scale Wind-Energy Systems by Paul Gipe is a very down-to-Earth book and a practical voice in the over-estimating, over-selling, pipe dream world that is the wind energy industry. Many people think or are told that they'll be able to spend a little chunk of money on a wind turbine, strap it to their rooftop, and … [Read more...]
Book Review: Cut Your Energy Bills Now
The second in a series of three Green books (Got Sun? Go Solar being the first) I've been reading lately, Cut Your Energy Bills Now - 150 Smart Ways to Save Money and Make Your Home More Comfortable & Green by Bruce Harley, is all about the practical application. 150 ways to save energy and indirectly save money is right. The book is filled with common things that most … [Read more...]
Book Review: Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, the co-editor of the popular site boingboing.net, is a work of fiction for young adults (and even us adults) that was on the New York Times best-seller list for seven weeks. Although a fictional account of the events after an event similar to 9-11, the story relates to those interested in IT security very readily. Deeply embroiled as a political … [Read more...]
Book Review: Got Sun? Go Solar
Got Sun? Go Solar by Rex A. Ewing and Doug Pratt (2nd ed.) doesn't exactly relate to IT like most topics here on 404 Tech Support but nor have we been strangers to talking about the saving energy and going green motives of the day. This book is an excellent source for that part where the "rubber meets the road" when discussing renewable energy. If you've been thinking about the … [Read more...]
Product Review: Apple iPad
I had the opportunity this past week to check out an iPad and use it as my own for a few days. The conclusion I'm walking away with is that I'm underwhelmed and grateful that it wasn't my own money that I spent on the gadget. This may be one of the few critical iPad reviews out there but of course, it isn't all negatives. There are a number of positive features on the device … [Read more...]