I know MIT's $100 prototype computer is old news, but now that CNET has photos available for the $100 laptop I thought I'd make a posting about it. I think it's funny that the photos advertise this laptop to function as a handheld, ebook, laptop, tablet pc, "theater", and writing pad; considering their optimism for this device, it's hard to believe the price tag will remain at $100, especially considering the form factor and the likely demand to arise from wealthy markets as well. Probably the coolest feature on the laptop is the hand-crank used to charge the battery, and funniest goes to the ac cord that also functions as a handle :)

When I first moved into my new apartment one of the first things I noticed was an old Primestar dish sitting on the roof next to the porch. Primestar was bought out by DirectTV in 1999 and unfortunately no longer supports Primestar dishes (so it won't be possible to share my dad's DirectTV service) but I found a page that describes how to convert the dish into an 802.11b antenna. Although not terribly useful, if it can strengthen our wireless signal for the porch and our attic it might be cool. We'll see if I have the energy to try it out sometime...