Active Matrix versus Passive Matrix

February 6th, 2007

Active matrix and passive matrix are two methods of implementing an LCD display.

Active matrix screens require a switch device per pixel to actively maintain the state of the pixel.

Passive matrix screens require that each pixel independently be able to hold its state until it can be refreshed.

Tracking the size of gmail.

January 10th, 2007

January 10, 2007 - 2803 MB
January 18, 2007 - 2806 MB
February 6, 2007 - 2814 MB

Places with fewer than ten residents

December 12th, 2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_places_with_fewer_than_ten_residents

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Towns

Largest Deserts, Cities and Countries

December 12th, 2006

Sahara

Syllepsis and Zeugma - wikipedia article(s) of the day.

August 21st, 2006

Syllepsis is a figure of speech in which one word simultaneously modifies two or more other words such that the modification must be understood differently with respect to each modified word. This creates a semantic incongruity which is often humorous.

and

Zeugma is a figure of speech describing the joining of two or more parts of a sentence with a common verb or noun. A zeugma employs both ellipsis, the omission of words which are easily understood, and parallelism, the balance of several words or phrases.

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli - the obscure Wikipedia article of the day

August 20th, 2006

Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli - in Aztec mythology, the personification of the morning star (Venus in the morning). His brother Xolotl was the planet Venus as the evening star. Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli is a manifestation of Quetzalcoatl.

The number 89

August 5th, 2006

The reciprocal of the number 89 contains the Fibonacci sequence…

0 * 1/10 + 1 * 1/100 + 1 * 1/1000 + 2 * 1/10000 + …

See the Wikipedia article for more.

What is a tumbleweed?

July 15th, 2006

“Tumbleweed” is a name given to shrub-like annuals. Every fall, the shrub part of the plant breaks away from its base and “tumbles,” blown by the wind. This serves to scatter the seeds over great distances as the plant tumbles away.
Wikipedia tumbleweed article

The music in all the diamond and jewelry store commercials

May 24th, 2006

The composer of the music used in the diamond and jewelry store commercials is Karl Jenkins. Amazon has a CD of his music called “Diamond Music” (see below). The most famous piece is on Track 1: “Palladio: I. Allegretto.”

Syzygy and YKK

May 22nd, 2006

Syzygy is the shortest word in the English language that contains three y’s. Wikipedia definition here. Used in the astronomical sense, it’s where three celestial bodies align.

Ever notice the letters “YKK” on your zipper? YKK is the name of a manufacturer of many things, including zippers. YKK is the abbreviation of the Japanese… Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, or Yoshida Company Limited. YKK was started in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida, who decided to manufacture the zipper. Company background here.