Sections: Uncategorized Aug 31st, 2004 3 Comments 
The new iMac is the desktop computer in it's most simplistic form. It's designed in the same “less is more” fashion that has made the iPod so popular. Sure the “pizza box” computer has been done before but never this well executed. The simplistic form is just fantastic. Well done Apple.
Sections: Auto Safety Aug 24th, 2004 1 Comment This is from the New York Times:
Over all, crash fatalities declined across the board in 2003 to the lowest levels in six years, the government figures show, with 42,643 people killed in traffic accidents in the United States. Much of the decline appeared to come from fewer people driving drunk and more people buckling up. But the United States has not made as much progress as some other developed nations, because rates of seat belt use remain lower here and because of the growing numbers of S.U.V.’s and pickup trucks, which tend to pose greater hazards than cars both to their occupants and to others on the road.Industry groups have insisted for years that S.U.V.’s are at least as safe as passenger cars, if not safer. One group run by industry lobbyists, called the Sport Utility Vehicle Owners of America, says on its Web site that it is a myth that S.U.V.’s guzzle gas or that their higher rollover rate makes them more dangerous for their occupants. Ron DeFore, a spokesman for the group, cited statistics from the insurance industry, which found last year that fatality rates for newer sport utility vehicles were markedly improved from older models.
“Most people have gotten a skewed vision about the S.U.V. and think they’re unsafe, and that’s just not true,” Mr. DeFore said.
But the main reason for the safety gap in S.U.V. and car fatalities, according to federal regulators, is that S.U.V.’s are more likely to roll over, a particularly deadly accident event that is a symptom of their higher ground clearance.
“It’s largely a function of the rollover problem,” said Rae Tyson, a spokesman for the traffic agency. “In certain types of crashes, you’re more likely to be better off in an S.U.V., but that is offset by the fact the you’re more likely to roll over.”
Joan Claybrook, president of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen and a former top auto safety regulator, said, “There’s no question that the rollover problem with S.U.V.’s really undermines their safety.”
The traffic safety agency reported last week that there were 16.42 deaths of S.U.V. occupants in accidents last year for every 100,000 registered S.U.V.’s. The figure for passenger cars was 14.85 deaths for each 100,000 registered; pickups were slightly higher than cars at 15.17 deaths per 100,000, while vans were lowest at 11.2 occupant deaths for every 100,000 registered.
You can read the entire article here
Sections: Uncategorized Aug 11th, 2004 1 Comment 
Another bold move by BMW's design team… the new 3 series brings back some character that some people the more recent designs lacked. While I'm sure there will be much debate from arm-chair designers initially over this car I think it's important not to make too many conclusions until you can get hands on.
I think that 330i wagon is the one I'd go for…
Gabriel Bridger is an associate creative director, and part-time blogger living in Chicago. Bridger.us is a rambling collection of thoughts, comments, and various media in no particular order and, at times, of no particular merit.
