My friend Randy Bolten has started a blog, and it is fascinating:

Folks—
     Yes, it’s true.  I can’t contain myself any longer.  I’m launching a blog, called “Painting with Numbers.”  The URL is
 
http://painting-with-numbers.blogspot.com
 
As many of you know, I’m passionate about presenting information – especially financials and other numbers – clearly, elegantly, and effectively.  Doing it well is a communications skill, and not a black art practiced by the “numbers guys.” That’s what Lucidity(tm), my consulting/coaching practice is all about, and that’s what Painting with Numbers will be about.
     My first target in this blog is the incredibly unfortunately named “bailout” legislation.  There will be others:  public policy issues like health care, Sarbanes-Oxley, and international trade; accounting issues like stock option accounting, software revenue recognition, and “rules-based” vs. “principles-based” accounting guidelines; and issues from ordinary life, like choosing a deductible for your car insurance, or tipping in restaurants.  What all of these have in common is that they can all be better understood, and simplified, with a common-sense approach to the underlying numbers.
     So please take a look, and tell your friends.  Or your enemies, I don’t care.  I welcome and value your comments.  So go visit my blog and tell me what you think.  I can take it!
 
Regards,
Randy Bolten

I really love helping people who want to write a book! Here's another site I've started, still under construction, but with useful links.

Bentley Systems licensed KollabNet's amazing knowledge-management technology. They've just released a narrated slideshow that describes it.  The Bentley product is DM Studio, and I think it has the potential of making a huge impact on the AEC world.

I'm giving a workshop: Write Your Book in 30 Days! The first one is scheduled for November 15, 2008, in Santa Clara, CA; check it out here. And while you're there, you can sign up for my free AuthorTips.

TU Delft takes flight with three-gram 'dragonfly'
23 July 2008 by M&C

On Wednesday 23 July, TU Delft presented the minute DelFly Micro air vehicle. This successor to the DelFly I and II weighs barely 3 grams, and with its flapping wings is very similar to a dragonfly. Ultra-small, remote-controlled micro aircraft with cameras, such ast his DelFly, may well be used in the future for observation flights in difficult-to-reach or dangerous areas.

The DelFly Micro is a 'Micro Air Vehicle' (MAV), an exceptionally small remote-controlled aircraft with camera and image recognition software. The Micro, weighing just 3 grams and measuring 10 cm (wingtip to wingtip) is the considerably smaller successor to the successful DelFly I (2005) and DelFly II (2006). The DelFly Micro, with its minuscule battery weighing just 1 gram, can fly for approximately three minutes and has a maximum speed of 5 m/s.

More

enlarge image

$149.95

• Capture Everything:

  The Pulse smartpen records audio and links it to what you write. Missed something? Tap on your notes or drawings with the tip of your Pulse smartpen to hear what was said while you were writing.

• No Need to Lug the Laptop:

  The Pulse smartpen automatically captures everything as you write and draw. Transfer your notes to your computer, organize them, and even search for words within your notes. Find what you want in seconds.

• Share Your Notes:

  Transform your notes and audio into interactive movies. Upload your creations online for everyone to see, hear and play.