Shubnell

You can't go back and make a new beginning, but can begin now to make a new ending. I am beginning to think I will end this week with a Happy Friday! Read Full Story

TWAIN is a standard for communication between imaging devices (usually scanners) and computers. Because it’s always written in upper case, it’s often assumed that TWAIN is an acronym – with the “AIN” coming from 'acquired image network'. It doesn’t. According to the twain.org website, the word “twain” was chosen from Kipling’s the Ballad of East and West, which coined the phrase “…and never the twain shall meet…” to symbolize how hard it was to connect a scanner to a computer. It was... Read Full Story

The Feb. 18 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival is already sold out. Ten women are still competing for the title of Bacon Queen 2012 and will move on to the live Bacon Queen pageant, Feb. 16 at Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Des Moines. The judges will choose and crown the 2012 Blue Ribbon Bacon Festival Bacon Queen. Might not sound like much, but for a state that raises 30 million pigs a year, pork is a big deal. Des Moines also hosts the annual international World Pork Expo in June. Read Full Story

It seems fitting after discussing the Bacon Queen to add this new menu item for Jack in the Box. It is the Bacon Milkshake. The food chain felt the need to create some bacon buzz. It's all part of a new ad campaign that asks: If you like bacon so much, why don't you marry it? Alas, Jack sold us out, it's just a bacon flavored syrup added to a shake. Word from reporters is that the real taste is Ugh! Oh, well, give them credit for trying to get on the bacon bandwagon. Too bad it doesn't... Read Full Story

Singer Aimi Eguchi is Japan's latest artificial star. She is a member of the Japanese pop band AKB 48. Eguchi's character is entirely computer generated, using features from six other band members. She is not the first, but the second computer generated singer in Japan. Hatsune Miku, a computer generated cartoon, is the first. Miku regularly sells out "live" concerts featuring 3-D holographic images of the singer performing on stage. The statement to, 'not believe everything you see' is... Read Full Story

In February 1910 William D. Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America on this day in 1910. Scouts were originated by Englishman, Sir Robert S.S. Baden-Powell. Boyce was visiting England and one foggy day in London town, he lost his way. A young boy guided him, but refused any monetary reward. A surprised Mr. Boyce asked why. The boy replied that he was a Scout and Scouts did not accept a reward for doing a good turn. This gesture of good will so inspired Boyce that he searched out Baden... Read Full Story

Have written before how 3D printing is becoming more and more mainstream, but the following is amazing. A 83-year-old female patient had developed a chronic bone infection and doctors believed reconstructive surgery would have been risky because of her age and so opted for the new technology. A transplant jaw made by 3D printer claimed as first time a 3D printed object has been used in an operation. The implant was made out of titanium powder - heated and fused together by a laser, one... Read Full Story

Robots have come a long way in the past few years and it seems like their usefulness is growing every month. Here is a LINK which shows video of a new lifelike dental robot, used to teach dental students. Technology is useful in so many ways. Better to let those students make their first mistakes on a robot, before getting into real mouths. Read Full Story

Where else but in Texas could you find the world's biggest anything. Dallas is home to this one. The McDonald's PlayPlace is in the box, and the building is adorned with gigantic hamburgers, French fries, Cokes, and a Ronald McDonald. The exterior is the only Happy Meal-shaped McDonald’s in the world. The interior has Austrian crystal chandeliers, Ralph Lauren wallpaper, granite floors, and mahogany booths. It is at 13105 Montfort Drive, Dallas. Read Full Story

Capsaicin, the thing that makes peppers hot, is fat soluble and thus water does not counter the burning sensation. If it is cold water it will temporarily overpower the capsaicin’s effect on the nerve receptors and tell your brain you are feeling a cold sensation, but once the cold water is swallowed the heat will come back. Dairy products work best to counteract capsaicin because they contain a protein called casein which binds to the capsaicin, hindering its ability to bind to your nerve... Read Full Story