http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php Copyright 2009, Stefan Gråman Stefan Gråman en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081231-113337 I wish everybody a Happy New 2009. I will be back on Jan 7 with new updates.

Gott Nytt 2009 allihopa. Jag är tillbaka den 7 jan med nya uppdateringar.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081231-113337 Stefan Gråman Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:33:37 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081231-113337 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081224-085745 Merry Christmas and a Happy New Yeatr! Make sure you know all the Christmas carols, visit The Singing Christmas Tree and enjoy the holiday :) (Click "related link" below)

God Jul och Gott Nytt År! Besök den sjungande julgranen och lär dig alla julsånger och ha en riktigt trevlig helg :) (klicka "related link" nedan)


]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081224-085745 Stefan Gråman Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:57:45 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081224-085745 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081219-200546 NASA is planning to raise money by selling off its space shuttles when they stop flying in 2010.

The U.S. space agency is in much need of money in order to produce the next generation Ares rockets, which will attempt to return astronauts to the moon.

And they may raise some funds by selling off their space shuttles, at a cost of at least $42 million.

The advertised price is just the starting figure for any one of the orbiters Discovery, Atlantis or Endeavour, which between them have flown 86 missions into space since 1984.

Included is the minimum $6 million cost of stripping a shuttle of toxic and other hazardous materials, preparing it for travel and flying it to an airport of the buyer's choosing.

Maybe something for your garden?

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081219-200546 Stefan Gråman Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:05:46 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081219-200546 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081218-091924 I took vacation from this week on until Jan 7, 2009 and Whoops - forgot to update my blog...

Christmas time are busy time so many things to take care of. Clean up at home, get presents for the wife and kids, write post cards and a bunch of other stuff. Tomorrow I will buy a Christmas tree for the kids so I hope to have some nice pictures to show aftre the weekend.]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081218-091924 Stefan Gråman Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:19:24 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081218-091924 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081213-160214 In science-fiction and in the movies, display screens are always impressive. Whether it's the giant plasma screen or the holographic projections, things are always visually appealing in fiction. What about in reality? What is the future of display technology? Most probably, something like the prototype handheld flexible displays that HP rolled out a few days ago.

This prototype from HP uses SAIL technology (self-aligned imprint lithography), a process by which a thin film of transistors is sandwiched with an E Ink film. This creates an unbreakable multipurpose plastic display. E Ink is the type of display technology that powers e-book readers like the Amazon Kindle and more recently, the Esquire E Ink cover page.

HP rolled out this prototype with the ASU Flexible Display Center. It's supposed to be unbreakable and uses a low-cost process that's like printing on a sheet of plastic. Apparently these screens use 90% less materials and are still cheap to make. This technology will most likely result in cheap, sharp and colorful flexible displays for future technology. This technology is still very young, but the market for such screens could grow to US$2.8 billion by 2013.

The applications for these types of displays are endless. They can become display screens of cell phones, laptops, computers and other devices. What's really cool is that they could roll up, which is something that is really useful. Large screens could be easily deployed.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081213-160214 Stefan Gråman Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:02:14 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081213-160214 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081209-214824 Time goes fast when you have fun, and Katharina is having fun since 5 years now. She is the big girl now, not only by age but also by size. I measured her the other day and she's now 115 cm tall, that's normally the size of a 7 years old... and next summer she's off to pre-school. Joakim is also a big boy compared to his size of 96 cm, being 2,5 years old, but he still have to wait a while before going to pre-school as well.





]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081209-214824 Stefan Gråman Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:48:24 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081209-214824 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081204-210100 I was sick for a couple of days and unable to blog at least every other day... Got some temperature and headache and don't know what, not very fun anyway. And when I was finally ok Joakim took by where I finished. Today he was without any temperature again so he will be able to go back to kindergarten and I to work. Don't get sick out there, it's no fun this time of the year... :(]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081204-210100 Stefan Gråman Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:01:00 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=12&entry=entry081204-210100 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081128-152459 Ever wondered what to do with all the foam you get when you buy new computer (and similar) stuff? Try this...

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081128-152459 Stefan Gråman Fri, 28 Nov 2008 14:24:59 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081128-152459 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081123-191925 Så kom då snön till slut till ungarnas stora glädje. De var ute en stund i eftermiddags och röjde runt i den 0-gradiga kylan men tyvärr blåste det så mycket att det var inget skönt alls. Dessutom vill man ju inte att de ska bli förkylda eller få lunginflammation eller något annat så var inne igen efter en halvtimme. Men de får säkert leka mer i snön imorgon på lekis...


]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081123-191925 Stefan Gråman Sun, 23 Nov 2008 18:19:25 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081123-191925 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081121-104356 Today the 8th installment of Lara Croft games series Tomb Raider is released. I'm a big Lara fan since back to Tomb Raider II in -97. I played all the games up to Tomb Raider 5 but after that I have had less time to play due to work and family. I have my own screen shot section here but because of the above there are no more updates allthough I wish I could update all games.

Tomb Raider 3 was the one I liked the best, and it has a great Lara rendering. From Tomb Raider 4 she was changed and I didn't like it at all and lost some interest. The first Tomb Raider game is also a great quality game, and the vilian was the best up to date. It's just a pity the graphics back then was not as good as you would like it to be, Lara has breast that could puncture a balloon... The VCI level of Tomb Raider 5 was extremely hard but at the same time probably the level I enjoyed the best.

This new game looks great. Great graphics, interesting story, good-looking Lara rendering (reminds me of TR3) and I have an interest in start playing again. I hope my system is up the hardware requirements of the game once I bought it.

If you like to watch the release trailer, click here.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081121-104356 Stefan Gråman Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:43:56 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081121-104356 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081120-104218 Nu kan du testa om du kan bli svensk medborgare – med ett enkelt webbtest. Att söka om svenskt medborgarskap kostar pengar – 1 500 ­kronor per ansökan, men med det här testet kan man kontrollera om man uppfyller kraven och inte söker i onödan. Webbtestet är i fem steg där man bland annat får fylla i vilket land man kommer från, hur länge man varit i Sverige och om man har permanent uppehållstillstånd. Man ska också uppfylla ett ”skötsamhetskrav”. Klicka på "Related link" nedan för att göra testet!

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081120-104218 Stefan Gråman Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:42:18 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081120-104218 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081117-220442 Upgrading can be a real pain in the butt at times. However, upgrading to an entirely new platform could leave you pulling hairs for hours. That's probably why Belkin stepped in and attempted to streamline the process as much as possible with their Switch-to-Mac Cable, allowing you to easily and automatically copy over your important documents, browsing preferences, and music without ever having to hassle that "tech" friend of yours every 5 minutes.

Unlike existing products where you have to drag and drop specific files you want to transfer, the Switch-to-Mac Cable-with its easy-to-use Migration Assistant-automatically moves your music, movies, photos, files, and Internet preferences, making the transition from PC to Mac as seamless as possible.

Basically, it looks just like you're paying more for the automated software included in the Belkin bundle rather than the cable itself; there are similar cables that do pretty much the same thing for about half the price, but having it all done for you (and leaving less room for human error) could be just the thing you'll need to make that Mac jump as easy as possible.

Expect the Belkin Switch-to-Mac Cable to be available sometime next month for US$50.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081117-220442 Stefan Gråman Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:04:42 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081117-220442 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081114-102703 För första gången har forskare lyckats fotografera en hel grupp planeter i ett annat solsystem. Planeterna är mycket stora men har ändå likheter med himlakropparna i vårt eget solsystem. Det är med hjälp av två stora teleskop på Hawaii som forskarna gjort sin upptäckt. På en och samma bild kan tre planeter ses kretsa runt stjärnan HR 8799 som befinner sig på ett avstånd av 128 ljusår från jorden.

HR 8799 återfinns i stjärnbilden Pegasus och kan ses med blotta ögat om rätt förhållanden råder. Den är, en mycket ung stjärna "i sina bästa år" och skiner betydligt starkare än solen. De tre planeterna har en massa 5 till 13 gånger större än massan hos Jupiter, den största planeten i vårt eget solsystem. De bildades sannolikt för bara 60 miljoner år sedan, vilket innebär att de är nyfödda i jämförelse med exempelvis jorden som är drygt fyra miljarder år gammal. På grund av sin ungdom glöder de fortfarande av hettan som finns kvar efter deras födelse.

På många sätt skiljer de sig alltså markant från planeterna som kretsar runt solen. Men intressant nog har de en likartad placering, med den minsta av dem närmast HR 8799 och den största längst bort – precis som här hemma där dvärgarna Merkurius, Venus, Jorden och Mars är nära solen medan jättarna Jupiter, Saturnus, Uranus och Neptunus ligger i bana mycket längre bort. Spännande, spännande...


]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081114-102703 Stefan Gråman Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:27:03 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081114-102703 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081111-155400 Maybe you spend half the day in Photoshop? Why not try the real life version of the Photoshop GUI for an Adobe CS4 advertisement, as seen on DesignYouTrust.com

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081111-155400 Stefan Gråman Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:54:00 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081111-155400 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081107-225642 Luxman som grundades i Japan redan 1925 kommer återigen att importeras till Sverige. Det är företaget Classic Design Sweden AB som meddelar att de sedan en tid är svensk officiell distributör för Luxman. Enligt uppgift så kommer i stort sett hela sortimentet att finnas tillgängligt genom distributören.

Ett av Luxmans flaggskepp från 80-talet nämns speciellt och det är den integrerade klass A-förstärkaren L-550 som nu har fått beteckningen L-550AII. Så mycket mer än att riktpriset ligger på 36 000 kronor är inte känt i denna stund.

Efter att Alp köpte Luxman i början av 80-talet har företaget gått igenom flera försäljningar, agenturer har upphört i bl a Europa och så småningom hamnade det i Japan under privat ägare. Där har man åter börjat tillverka de klassiska 80-talsmodellerna i nya "omarbetade" utgåvor som t ex L-550AII och agenturer finns åter i bl a Sverige. Dessutom är de en av de få som fortfarande tillverkar rörförstärkare.

Själv är jag lycklig ägare till en Luxman A-373 (sent 80-tal), för övrigt min andra Luxman förstärkare. Jag har även en Tuner T-111 från 1984 (tror jag det var). Båda har än i dag ett utmärkt ljud och jag skulle aldrig drömma om att byta dem.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081107-225642 Stefan Gråman Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:56:42 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081107-225642 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081106-101018 This matchday really gave me mixed feelings. Upfront I had some good substitutions made, for one I got Xavi from Barcelona instead of Kim Källström who didn't play at all last matchday. Considering Barcelona scored 5-0 away against Basel Matchday 3 it seamed like a good idea to bring him in for the home game. And in the end he plays only 30 min... :( I was not happy Tuesday evening.

But after Wednesday's game I was happy again. Both Del Piero and Mutu scored and I got 42 points in the end. Not that much maybe but way over average for this Matchday (30 points) and I advanced almost 30 000 places in the overall standings. For the next matchday I will consider Roma and Arsenal players since I think they needs to be watched out for.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081106-101018 Stefan Gråman Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:10:18 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081106-101018 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081105-104533 Although many would agree that Windows 3.x has been dead for many years, Microsoft hammered the final nail into its coffin early this week.

The Redmond based software company stopped issuing licences for the Windows 3.x operating systems on 1st November 2008. Microsoft maintained support for Windows 3.x until the end of 2001, and it has lived on as an embedded operating system until 1st November 2008.

Windows 3.0 was originally released on May 22nd 1990. 3.0 came with a lot of improvements, but also with a lack of multimedia and network features, which led to 3.0 being replaced quickly by Windows 3.1. However, the improvements that Microsoft achieved with 3.0 were impressive. The platform offered 32-bit performance, advanced graphics, and full support of the more powerful Intel 386 processor.

New features included at the time were program, file, and print managers, a completely rewritten application development environment with modular virtual device drivers (VxDs), native support for applications running in extended memory and fully pre-emptive MS-DOS multitasking. Microsoft also improved the set of Windows icons.

The program manager and file manager gave users Macintosh-like big icons to click and drag-and-drop. Although it was replaced quickly, Windows 3.0 was widely accepted and respected among third-party hardware and software developers because Microsoft released a new Windows software development kit (SDK) which enabled the developers to focus on writing applications instead of device drivers.

Windows 3.x has found a role onboard some long-haul jet aircraft. As an embedded system, it was used to power such things as cash tills in large stores and ticketing systems. One of its more glamorous uses as an embedded operating system is to power the in-flight entertainment systems on some Virgin and Qantas long-haul jets.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081105-104533 Stefan Gråman Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:45:33 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081105-104533 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081103-094136 Helgen som gick var lugn och skön, en av de bästa på länge. Ungarna var inte altför aktiva och jag fick många tillfällen att sitta ner och ta det lugnt. En del tid tillbringade jag framför TVn och tittade då på Absolute Zero, en BBC-dokumentär om absoluta nollpunkten och på F1 avslutningen i Interlagos i Brasilen. Massa vann loppet men Hamilton blev världsmästare efter en sanslös rysare.

Nu känner jag mig i alla fall tillräckligt motiverad för att göra något vettigt nästa helg, vad nu det kommer att vara. Men det finns ju lite att ta tag i hemma efter flytten fortfarande så vi får se.

Och imorgon smäller det i amerikanska presidentvalet...]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081103-094136 Stefan Gråman Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:41:36 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=11&entry=entry081103-094136 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081030-114533 The forcast for today was snow, which is very early in the season. Not yet November and already snow... However, this morning there was no snow outside, just fog and 0C (32F). The ground was frosen and the surface slippry.

I was hoping for some snow yesterday, that would have made the kids happy and snow this early usually melts away rather quickly anyway. But this morning Joakim refused to eat his breakfast and was set to crying mode and I was late gone to the kindergarten because of that so probably it was just fine without snow. However, there were other places in south Sweden who got snow.

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081030-114533 Stefan Gråman Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:45:33 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081030-114533 http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081027-094528 Igår den 26 oktober blev Eric Ericson 90 år. Detta firades med en jubileumskonsert i Konserthuset med bl a Bachs H-mollmässa som är ett av Erics favoritverk. Jag har själv sjungit i kör mer eller mindre oavbrutet sedan jag var 10 år tills för några år sedan, och är man intresserad av körsång och musik är det omöjligt att inte någon gång komma i kontakt med Eric och hans körer och dirigerande. Det går inte nog att betona hur mycket han har betytt för svensk körsång och musikliv i allmänhet genom sitt verk inom musiken, både i Sverige och utomlands.

Under sina dryga sextio år som kördirigent har Eric varit en banbrytare inom både ny och tidig musik, lett Radiokören och Orphei Drängar och dessutom undervisat i stort sett varenda kördirigent i landet. Hans betydelse för det svenska körsoundet kan knappast överskattas och de stående ovationerna redan när denne numera bräcklige 90-åring får när han får hjälp in på podiet i Konserthuset igår var helt på sin plats (såg ett reportage i ABC-nytt).

Grattis Eric och Tack för allt!

]]> http://www.graman.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry081027-094528 Stefan Gråman Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:45:28 GMT http://www.graman.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=10&entry=entry081027-094528