iPhone Dissected

In 2004-05, I had a gifted student, David H., who was taking apart and building new computers since he was 2 years old. He used to bring different computer parts from home and take them apart in class. David’s help with hardware problems at our PC lab was very useful. Recently, I found an article “A Ring Tone Meant to Fall on Deaf Ears” in New York Times. According to this article, David researched and uploaded the British Mosquitotone's version of the high-pitched sound into his cellphone and used it as a text-message ringtone Highring (A.K.A Teen Buzz) with his friends at Roslyn High School. Many adults can't hear a high-pitched sound at 14,400 hertz.

"David was asked, did he think this new device would alter the balance of power between adults and teenagers? Or did he suppose it was a passing fad? "Well, probably it is," said David, who added after a moment's thought, "And if not, I guess the school will just have to hire a lot of young teachers."

Today, after searching for information about iPhoto hardware and software, I found an article "Apple's iPhone Dissected: We did it, so you don't have to" by Anand Lal Shimpi.



These pictures reminded me of David. As I wrote in my previous post, the Modern Leonardos and Michelangelos dissect computers, software, webcams, and cell phones to fulfill their quest for knowledge.

Images:
http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=3026

Links:
David’s projects in 2004-05 -- Binary and Face (takes time to load).

Progress Progresses Too Fast

On Sunday, April 22 was the Earth Day. Today, our Middle School students have watched a cartoon “The Lorax” based on a book by Dr. Seuss.

I speak for the trees! Let 'em grow!
They say I'm old fashioned and live in the past,
but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast.

I didn’t know that “The Lorax” has been banned in Laytonville, California School District on grounds that it "criminalizes the forestry industry."

This week, I will discuss with my students e-waste problem. E-waste includes computers, cell phones, different entertainment electronics (TV, CD players, etc.), and household appliances. However, I would like to focus more on computers.

Did you know?

• Computer and television monitors with cathode ray tubes (CRTs) contain four to eight pounds of lead on average.

• Printed circuit boards in computers, music players, and other electronic gear contain toxic metals such as chromium, nickel, and zinc.

• Batteries may contain nickel and cadium.

• Relays, switches, and liquid crystal displays (LCDs) may contain mercury.

• Plastics used in many electronic products also contain flame retardants that are toxic and persist in the environment.
  (Green Choices)

The old computers should be upgraded, donated or recycled.

Computer Upgrade

Before buying a computer, make sure that it can be upgraded. You can add more RAM, and change a motherboard, processor, and video card.

Donate

1. Donate only Pentium computers or G4/G5 Mac computers that can run current software and browsers
2. Don’t forget to include accessories
3. Keep the operating system
4. Include all original installation disks, CDs, and documentation
5. Use disk cleaning software to delete all personal information
6. Empty browser’s cache, delete favorites, cookies, history, email addresses and messages.

Recycle

There are many organizations that will help you to recycle a computer and accessories. Try to recycle with organizations that signed “The Electronics Recycler's Pledge of True Stewardship.” This pledge requires from a recycler “not to export hazardous electronic components to developing countries, not to dispose of equipment in municipal landfills or incinerators not equipped to handle it, and not to use prison labor, among other things.” (Green Choices)

To learn more about e-waste, visit the following websites: Techsoup, Earth 911, and Green Choices.

You´re in charge of the last of the Truffula Seeds.
And Truffula Trees are what everyone needs.
Plant a new Truffula. Treat it with care.
Give it clean water. And feed it fresh air.
Grow a forest. Protect it from axes that hack.
Then the Lorax and all of his friends may come back.

I hope our students will speak for the trees.

Images: http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyd/136725626/
http://www.ekcsk12.org/science/regbio/LoraxStory.htm