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December 2004

Computer Microscope: QX5

The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the QX5 digital microscope, costing only $89 and marketed to kids, is being used by scientists, doctors and researchers. The microscope costs less than one-tenth of its professional-grade counterparts. Created by Digital Blue, the microscope comes with a powerful lens and can be used to send images over [...]

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LED Floodlights

Enlux, a company in Arizona, has created floodlights built from LEDs. They did this by removing the diodes from their individual plastic housings and clustering them on a heat-dissipating circuit board, known as a light engine. They also created finned aluminum housing that spreads the heat across its surface. The 22-watt floodlight ($80) gives off [...]

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Solar Heated Outdoor Shower

This looks interesting — it’s a solar shower that heats 5 1/2 gallons of water with a built-in solar collector. Created in Europe, the imported shower is able to heat water to 140°F in 1-2 hours in sunny weather. The manufacturer claims that the shower is capable of capturing heat from the ambient temperature in [...]

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Remove Chlorine From Your Bath Efficiently

We previously noted that we consider Vitamin C to be the best way to remove chlorine from your shower water. But what about baths? Surely soaking in chlorinated water is just as harmful. Indeed it is — especially for children. If you have a shower filter, one way to avoid this is to fill your [...]

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Human Powered Snow Thrower

This new snow throwing tool, called a “Whovel”, uses your body weight to lift and throw snow and slush. After suffering repeated back injuries, the company founder began working on snow removal designs that could reduce back injuries, while avoiding the many problems associated with gas-powered snow blowers. Available from: Whovel.Com ($119 + $35 shipping)

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VoIP Internet Phone Service

VoIP (Voice Over IP) is telephone service which allows you to use your internet connection to make telephone calls. Instead of making calls through regular telephone lines, you place calls through a phone connected to your broadband service (e.g. cable or DSL). You can read about more VoIP technology here. Most people use VoIP save [...]

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Best and Worst Personal Care Products: Ratings

A while ago we published a link to a site that rates Personal Care Products. We had some requests from readers who were interested in finding the report, so here is an update. The EWG has also published the most comprehensive study on chemical contaminants found in humans. Blood and urine from nine people was [...]

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Cell Phone Reviews

There is a wide range of cell phones available today. Your choice is often narrowed by the fact that particular cell phones will only work with specific carriers. For example, if you buy a Nokia phone, it will only work with Cingular as the carrier. As far as cell phone service is concerned, Verizon is [...]

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Panasonic Toughbook Update

The Toughbook computers by Panasonic are among the few consumer-oriented computers that are “ruggedized” to resist drops and the hazards of travel. Toughbooks have magnesium alloy cases and dent resistant lids. A shock-mounted hard drive insulates and protects data from the bumps and knocks of the road. Toughbooks also have good battery life, Panasonic says [...]

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100% Corn-Based Packaging Now In Use

Cargill Dow’s innovative line of 100% corn-based bioplastic “NatureWorks Packaging” is now being used by a number of food companies to package fresh produce and salads. Dow Chemicals, a partner in the Cargill Dow company, has a questionable environmental and ethical track record. However, the Natureworks product is making breakthroughs for bioplastic into the food [...]

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