OnLive: The Future of Online Gaming?

This week at the 2009 Game Developer's Conference (GDC), Warner Bros. unveiled a new gaming system that... does away with the need for gaming systems? OnLive is the new "micro-console", but doesn't work the way the XBox 360, the PS3, or the Wii does, in that the hardware itself isn't in your home.

Rather, the hardware is miles away, running the games you play on cloud servers, and then sending a video signal of the game you're playing in HD or SD to a small box in your home. This box can be plugged into your PC, Mac or your TV set. While this is a new and seemingly unusual way to play video games, the positive is that it eliminates the need to update to a new console or PC hardware every few years. Instead, all you need is the small OnLive box and a display. Think of it as YouTube but for your video games.

There are many questions about how this subscription-based service is going to perform, given that it requires a strong broadband connection to even play the games you'd like to play, as it streams them over the Internet. It's definitely something to keep an eye on in the future, as several big name video game publishers have already signed on to lend it their support. 

To read more about OnLive and how it functions, head over to IGN.

10 Green Buildings

There's a new trend in architecture of designing eco-helpful green buildings. No, I don't mean the old lady's house down the street with the nuclear paint job, I'm talking about structures that are sustainable in that they are both energy and water efficient, and even made out of environmentally friendly materials.

Fortunately, this idea is really catching on, leading to some definitely unique and thought-provoking designs in terms of being long lasting and sustainable. HowStuffWorks has put together a list of 10 Sustainable Buildings showcasing some of the more inspiring green designs from around the country. And seriously, some of them are pretty cool.

They sport everything from cisterns that collect rainwater to irrigate the landscape to PV panels that collect solar energy to supply up to 60 or 70 percent of a building's energy consumption. In addition, there are even buildings like the Factor 10 House in Chicago, which sports a wall of recycled water bottles as well as other materials made from recycled goods.

To see the full list of green buildings, be sure to read more at HowStuffWorks. Exciting stuff for the future, for sure.

Living on Less

Economy got you pinching your pennies? Well you're not alone. I'm the first one to admit that I never paid attention to prices. I use to get my daily 3 pm non-fat cafe mocha pick me up, until one day I sat down and added up my coffee trips for a month. I was spending over $50 a month on coffee. I didn't even dare add up how much I was spending on eating out for lunch. I'm sure that figure would have made me cry. Since then, I have been evaluating my spending habits and coming up with ways to cut costs yet still have fun.

I've listed a few of my ideas below. I hope they help you too!

• Cut Out the Coffee - Try brewing your own and bringing it to work. Otherwise cut down on your trips to the coffee house to at least two times a week. You'll be amaze at how much you save.
• Brown Bag It - Bring your lunch from home as often as you can. Those $5-$10 lunches can sure add up.
• Eat In - Make dinner instead of going out or ordering in. This is also a chance to bring the family closer as each person can help prepare the meal.
• Nix the Movie Theaters - Your couch is way more comfortable than a theater seat and homemade snack and a rented video is much cheaper.
• Family Game Night - Bust out the boardgames or play charades. That's a cheap way to entertain the kiddos.
• Homemade Crafts - Puppet theater is a good way to keeps the children entertain at home. Make inexpensive puppets out of brown paper lunch bags, old shirts and socks and felt.

Every little bit you do goes a long way. Leave me a comment if you have more suggestions on how to save money.

Austin, TX Building Largest Solar Plant in The U.S.

Plans to build a 30 megawatt solar power facility in Austin, TX has been approved, with local energy provider Austin Energy paying $10 million annually for the renewable power and Gemini Solar Development building and operating the plant starting in 2010. The plant met some resistance due to the added cost in tough economic times, but Austin is working diligently towards its goal of producing 30% of its power from renewable sources by 2020.

The plant will reside on 300 acres chock full of solar photovoltaic cells provided by Suntech, and will sit approximately 20 miles from downtown Austin. Check out Austin Puts No Limits On Solar at Forbes.com for more details on the pending solar project.

Half Price Books Chooses Green Mountain Energy

For me, there's nothing better than spending exorbitantly on a stack of books, and Half Price Books stands as the great enabler of this particular addiction of mine. Try as I might to curb it, I often find myself browsing their hallowed halls for book deals galore.

What a pleasure it was, then, to see that Half Price Books has actually become one of Texas' largest retail green power purchasers, and is now going exclusively with green power in over 30 of their locations. How is this possible, you ask? Well, Half Price Books is going with "Texas wind power from Green Mountain Energy Company, Texas’ only electricity provider dedicated to cleaner energy".

It's certainly nice to have a company standing up and making a big step towards renewable energy. Hopefully, we'll see more and more retailers jump in as well. To read more about Half Price Books and Green Mountain Energy's announcement, check out the press release.

Eco-Friendly Lawn Care Tips

This past year I made the decision to be more eco-conscience. It's been a gradual step and so far, I've been recycling at work and at home, unplugged unused appliances, put in energy efficient light bulbs throughout the house and bought an Energy Star rated refrigerator.

This year, to be even more environmentally friendly, I've decided to take care of my lawn in the greenest way I can. This should be interesting since I don't have a green thumb and thus have had lawn service for the past 2 years.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass along the eco-friendly lawn care tips I come across. See tips below.

• Lawn Mower Blades - Keep lawn mower blades sharp because dull blades will make your lawn mower work twice as hard and use more fuel. Also, dull blades tear your grass, making it look brown and vulnerable to disease.
• FREE Mulch - Leave grass clippings on your lawn, it makes for great mulch and it won't cost you a cent. Not to mention less work, no racking or bagging!
• Tall Grass - Raiser your mower's blades 3-4 inches. Taller grass needs less water, competes better with weeds and prevents soil from washing away.
• Aerating the Lawn - I had no idea you had to do this but you do and apparently there is a green way to do it. Instead of using a machine, get yourself some spiked sandals and take a walk around the yard. I'm going to try it but I know my neighbors will look at me funny.
• Lawn Mower - Use the old fashioned push mower. Not only will you be green but you'll save money on gas and it is less dangerous around children. AND you can mow early in the morning and not wake the neighbors!
• FREE Water - Invest in a rain barrel, or make one yourself, to collect rain water from your gutters. This will give you an inexpensive way to water your plants.
• Lawn Moister Meter - Buy a lawn moister meter to make sure you're not over watering you lawn. You'll not only conserve water, but you'll cut down on your water bill in the summer.
• Leaf Blower - You'll get more exercise and use less gas if you use an old fashion rake. But I understand if racking is too much work, I have a huge lawn. So in that case, invest in an electrical leaf blower.
• Chemicals - Go for fertilizers and pest control products that are non-toxic. They decrease the amount of toxins that run-off into our waterways and tend to be safer to use around your pets and children.

Saving 101: Gas Prices

How does local, real-time gas prices sound to you? GasBuddy.com offers a conglomerate/network of more than 181 gas information sites dedicated to finding you lower prices. The key component of GasBuddy is capturing the volatile oil market in the palm of your hands, which translated, means taking advantage of the difference in prices at various gas stations across the area you live in.

Essentially you can target the lowest price in your area and shave a few cents off every gallon you pump. I've examined the site myself and have noticed a few features I think are worth mentioning:

• 10 lowest prices by city and state. For example, currently GasBuddy lists Utah and Salt Lake City as the lowest at $1.713 and $1.690 respectively, with the price trend down. Believe it or not, here in Houston we're sitting at #9 with $1.754 per gallon.
• Just in case you're fond of our neighbors to the north, or are part Canuck, you'll find comfort in the 10 lowest prices by province and city.
• Weekly gas prize giveaway—This week is $250... ah snap!
• There is giant map of the U.S. that allows you to dig down and search for prices by county and city.

Here's where GasBuddy really catches my eye. I'm looking at Houston gas prices that were updated yesterday at 6:44 a.m., with the lowest sitting at $1.69. It even details the street (6155 South Loop E & S Wayside Dr), station and the area of town it resides in. So if you live in Houston Central, you have 15 gas stations with prices under $1.80 per gallon.

Don't take my humble word for it, check out GasBuddy.com and take advantage of a pretty kick gas service... oh wow. Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Google Voice: Email and Voicemail Swap Bodies

The introduction of Google Voice on Thursday marks an interesting foray into the world of telecom. Google is subtly mixing two very different forms of communication into one interface/product. Google Voice allows you to store transcripts of voicemail phone messages in your email inbox, as well as provide one number for all calls and texting that can then be routed to your home phone, cell, etc. Apparently it also features the ability to listen in to incoming calls, conference call and more. Don't believe me, just check out Google Turns Voicemail Into E-mail over at Wired.com

Discover Suing Amazon Over Kindle

According to CNET, big time nonfiction media company Discovery Communications, has it's sites aimed at the Kindle and Kindle 2 and it's creator in Amazon.com, citing security and copy protection features that it Discovery believes violates a 1999 company patent that was officially issued in 1999. File this under stories to watch.

Check out Discovery hits Amazon with Kindle patent suit for more information.

How to Move Your House Plants

Are you getting ready to move to a new home but not sure what to do with your prized petunias? Well don't fret, it's not that difficult to pack up your house plants and move them to your new digs.

Below are a few tips to move your plants to their new home with ease.

• Start the plant moving process about 2-3 weeks prior to your move.
• If you're moving across state lines, check with the local U.S. Department of Agriculture to see if your types of plants are allowed into the new state.
• Make sure all your plants are in non-breakable plastic pots.
• If you're using a moving company, ask if they will move plants. Some moving companies won't.
• Rid your plants of any bugs, mildew and disease.
• Prune large plants to make them easier to transport.
• Avoid extreme temperatures when moving your plants. Lack of air or extreme heat can kill them.
• Wrap large plants with sheets to avoid the branches from breaking.
• Pack your plants in boxes to make them easier to load. Poke holes in the boxes so your plants can breath.
• If your move lasts longer than three days, make sure to let your plants have a little water and sun light.
• Upon arrival, unpack your plants as soon as possible.