Molecular Expressions: The Silicon Zoo
http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/creatures/index.html
Although most of us will never examine a computer chip under a microscope, computer engineers are showing their creative side by hiding silicon artwork in a chip's layout. The Silicon Zoo has a collection of highly-magnified images that showcase the designer's talent, and each image is accompanied by an interesting, and often humorous, explanation. The silicon doodles have many different themes, ranging from cartoon characters to King Arthur's sword. Two Java tutorials are also on the Web site: the first describes how engineers create their "creatures," while the second explains how computer chips are searched to find them. There are many interesting sections of The Silicon Zoo, so be sure to explore! [CL]
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Handhelds.org
http://handhelds.org/index.html
Handheld computers are a common tool in businesses and homes, and their popularity is rising. Handhelds.org is "part of the Open Source Software movement, focused specifically on handheld and wearable computers." Even though the site has resources for both software designers and end users, it is mainly oriented toward developers. There is extensive hardware and software documentation, downloadable source code, mailing lists, and discussion forums. New visitors to the site will find the Frequently Asked Questions section a useful reference. Instructions for configuring and programming a Linux handheld are given in the Howto's section. Developers can also contribute to the site by uploading their source code. [CL]
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The Big Dig: Worth Its Wait
http://www.bigdig.com/index.htm
The Central Artery in Boston, Massachusetts is a notorious six-lane highway known for horrible traffic problems and an extremely high accident rate. A massive engineering undertaking, called the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, was started in 1991 to relieve the congestion and is now about 75% complete. The project's Web site is constantly updated with progress reports, milestones, and anything that is related to the "Big Dig." There are sections that discuss environmental issues, history, and the archaeological treasures that were uncovered during excavation. Photo and video galleries show various phases and the many obstacles that make this such a long and difficult project. [CL]
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DXing.com: The Web Resource for Radio Hobbyists
http://www.dxing.com/
Despite the fact that radio predates television by many years, it is still an important and widely used form of communication. DXing.com is sponsored by Universal Radio Research and is a very informative source of radio technology and news. For users interested in learning how radio works, many basics are described, such as frequency, wavelength, and modulation. An introduction to shortwave radio is a good guide to learn how to listen to worldwide broadcasts. A monthly radio program that provides "tips, broadcast insights and the latest developments (and gossip) from the world of domestic and international broadcasting" is featured on the site in Real Audio, along with archives of previous programs. There are many more areas of the site that have not been mentioned that make DXing.com a very comprehensive site. [CL]
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IC Knowledge [.pdf]
http://www.icknowledge.com/
IC Knowledge is a company that serves the semiconductor industry. Besides providing information about its products, the company's Web site has a few very interesting features. Of particular interest is the technology trends section, which covers microprocessors, die size, DRAM, microlithography, and MOS logic complexity. In History of the IC, the integrated circuit is examined to show how it evolved on a decade-by-decade basis. An extensive glossary of terms defines many of the technical words and acronyms that are often tossed around by professionals. Articles dealing with the economics of the semiconductor industry are also available on the site, as well as a handy table of physical constants. [CL]
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AbilityHub: Assistive Technology Solutions
http://www.abilityhub.com/
AbilityHub is a site "for people with a disability who find operating a computer difficult, maybe even impossible." The site is maintained by Mr. Dan Gilman, who understands the needs and concerns of the disabled because he personally suffered a spinal cord injury. There is a tremendous amount of information provided. Frequently asked questions lists cover several key topics. Assistive technology alternatives are discussed, including a remarkable technique that allows the user's eye movements to control the mouse cursor. In addition to physical disabilities, there is also information for the visually impaired and people with cognitive disabilities. [CL]
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Bad Human Factors Designs
http://www.baddesigns.com/
Here is a site that is not only useful, it is also somewhat amusing. The basic concept being conveyed is why learn from your own mistakes when you can learn from someone else's? Any type of engineer, student, or professional should know the difference between a bad design versus a good one. This site has a long list of bad designs, and new ones are added regularly. The material is maintained by a usability engineer, which means he obviously knows a lot about the topic. Some examples include a stapler, a paper towel dispenser, and a shower faucet. They might not make sense right now, but look over the site. You should soon realize the importance of a good design. [CL]
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Zooknic Internet Intelligence
http://www.zooknic.com/index.html
Zooknic Internet Intelligence is a collection of interesting facts and figures about Internet usage and trends. The User Maps section shows the geography of Internet users with color-coded maps; each country's share of the world's Internet users and the percentage of the country's population online are given. There is also a lot of data on domain names (i.e., .com, .org, .edu), such as worldwide totals, domain name geography, and top domain name holders. Some of these categories give historical data as well. A weekly email newsletter called Zooknic Zaps with much more information is scheduled to be released in March 2002; however, there could be a subscription fee. [CL]
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