cops

Economy center stage in green tech at year's end

As the year ends and the world's attention is fixed on climate negotiators in Copenhagen, the discussion about green technologies is as much about the economy as it is the planet.

In my annual Year in Review column, I point out that national governments are active participants in nascent emerging energy technologies, whether it be modernizing the grid or creating a manufacturing base for electric vehicles. Governments around the world this year pumped stimulus money into promoting domestic clean energy, not only to lower emissions but to position their countries' economies for the future.

Green technology professionals have always … Read more

Tech coalition: You need real-time energy data

At the Cop15 climate negotiations in Copenhagen on Tuesday, a group of advocacy groups and high-tech companies including Google and Intel urged governments to ensure consumers get real-time information on energy use.

Giving consumers regular data on consumption will help them take steps to be more energy-efficient and will be an effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, according to the coalition.

Studies have shown (click for PDF) that access to detailed information, rather than only getting a monthly bill, can reduce energy use by 15 percent in a home.

When aggregated at large scale, these savings would be significant. … Read more

DOE's Chu kicks off green-tech transfer fund

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu on Monday announced the creation of a program to transfer clean-energy technologies to developing countries at the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen.

Called the Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative (Climate REDI), the goal is to promote the use of efficient and renewable energy products to cut greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of life in poor countries, according to the DOE.

Climate REDI will be coordinated with existing technology transfer programs and organizations. Total spending will be $350 million over five years with the U.S. funding $100 million.

The three areas that … Read more

Pocket Radar for tattletales, athletic coaches

When it comes to speed radars, why should police officers have all the fun? Santa Rosa, CA-based Pocket Radar, Inc. has engineered a palm-sized speed radar for those curious about the speed of moving objects.

Tattletales might enjoy aiming the device at motorists or speeding cops, but Pocket Radar is intended for more serious applications.

In an interview with the Press Democrat, co-founder Steve Goody explains that it can also be used by hockey, bike racing, horse racing, and soccer fans. "It has an application for any sport with a moving object," he said.

Steve Goody, Chris Stewart, … Read more

Pedal-powered Christmas tree lights Copenhagen

When you're the host city for international climate change negotiations, using energy-efficient LED lights on the Christmas tree apparently isn't enough.

The traditional Christmas tree in Copenhagen's City Hall Square will be powered by people, rather than a distant power plant. The square has been equipped with 15 bicycles which, when pedaled, light up the 700 LED bulbs on the tree.

The 17-meter-high tree went up on Sunday during an opening ceremony in which Saint Nicholas climbed a fire truck ladder to the top of the tree and lit fireworks. Even during the ceremony, the lights were … Read more

Top 10 coolest cop cars

As much as I hate to see flashing blue lights in my rearview mirror, there's something undeniably cool about police cars that appeals to the kid in me.

However, as cool as the familiar Ford Interceptor is, I think law enforcement can do better. With that in mind, I present my top 10 (or so) coolest cop cars.

Flex hose keeps cops cool in the car

As weird as this CoolCop contraption appears, those of us who live with the humidity of a tropical climate can probably identify. Essentially a flex hose similar to what's found on vacuum cleaners, the $49.95 CoolCop attachment makes it easy to redirect your car's air conditioning into your shirt to keep you cool and dry. The idea is that policemen wear many layers of clothing, including a bulletproof vest, so they still sweat in an air-conditioned car.

The dashboard attachment hooks into into the air conditioning vent and serves mainly American police car models. Those so inclined … Read more

Sturdy program in a plain program

Dozens of Windows settings in an easily navigated series of tabs and lists might not sound exciting, but with the right approach, it can be useful. The publisher of SystemCop delivers. This program wasn't designed to look pretty; it is programmed to work. Inexperienced people will make quick work of learning how to operate the program, but may not understand the need for each setting. The very short Help manual doesn't explain much.

Operating the app takes only checking option boxes and pressing an Apply button. The difficulty comes in knowing when to enable or disable a setting. … Read more

Apple .Mac customers targeted for fraud

When Apple rolled out its Mobile Me service last month, it provided phishers with a golden opportunity to scam users of .Mac, according to a credit card protection service.

"We confirmed this," said Dan Clements, vice president at Affinion Group, the company that owns Card Cops. "...We called some of the .Mac users" found on a trading site used by the Internet underground.

Card Cops includes among its customers major banks worldwide. For the last eight years, the group has been helping its clients and law enforcement track down those who are trading personal information online. … Read more

The 404 110: Where it's not a virus, it's a worm

Mess with the best, die like the rest! We don't hack the planet, but we do spout off about the MediaDefender's hack (code name: IRONY), pedagogical foursomes, John Wayne as a weapon, and Korean child star Ju-On's surprise appearance in Denver. We also bust out the old squawk box for some much needed Disney sing-alongs. EPISODE 110 Download today's podcast