The Menlo Briefs

Like shooting fish in a barrel - Scientists around the world are testing ways of thwarting mosquitoes by disrupting the sense of sight, smell and heat mosquitoes use to find their prey. Microwaves, rancid odors, and poisoned blood are amongst the contenders, but researchers in a Seattle suburb have a different idea: lasers. The scientists' actual target is malaria, which is caused by a parasite transmitted when certain mosquitoes bite people, but the mosquito laser works by picking off mosquitoes one by one as they fly in the air. It was built from parts bought on eBay. [more]

Responsible listening - These days it seems that personal music players and headphones are more ubiquitous than ever. However, there are some issues of etiquette which should be observed when using them at work. [more]

You've got to respect her moxie! - An 8-year-old Girl Scout from the depths of North Carolina sought to revolutionize the Girl Scout cookie business. Wild Freeborn's father is a web designer who helped her create a YouTube video in which she coined the memorable line: "Buy cookies--they're yummy." She sold 700 boxes. One problem: the Girl Scouts ban online sales of its cookies. [more]

I'm not convinced this is a good idea... - Consumers are growing accustomed to having mobile Internet through their smart phones and more car buyers are seeking connectivity in their vehicles that will allow them to move seamlessly between their digital lives at work and home. This month Ford will release a fully functional, dashboard computer -- complete with keyboard -- geared to contractors and other business folks who want to access the Web, review documents and log inventory while on the go. In the spring, AT&T will launch an in-car entertainment service with 22 satellite TV channels. [more]

Mistrial...by iPhone? - A juror in a big federal drug trial in Florida admitted to the judge that he had been doing research on the case on the Internet, directly violating the judge’s instructions and centuries of legal rules. When the judge polled the jury, he got an even bigger surprise: the first juror wasn't alone; other jurors had done the same thing. “We were stunned,” said a defense lawyer, Peter Raben, who was told by the jury that he had been on the verge of winning the case. “It’s the first time modern technology struck us in that fashion, and it hit us right over the head.” It might have been the first time, but it likely won't be the last. [more]

There's a new sheriff in town - The Carbon E7 is a concept vehicle that drew on the suggestions of more than 3,000 law enforcement professionals to guide its design. The result is a futuristic prowler with a 300-horsepower clean diesel engine, flashing lights visible from all angles, an ergonomic cockpit, an onboard computer with voice command and instant license plate recognition, integrated shotgun mounts, and more -- including optional detectors for weapons of mass destruction.. [more]

Don't look now, but the philodendron is Tweeting you - We've written previously about thirsty plants making phone calls, but the telephone is just so 2008. What's the new cool way for your plants to communicate with you? With Twitter, of course! [more]

Are you a stupid user? - Have you ever had the experience of pushing on a door and having it not move only to realize that you missed the enormous sign that says "PULL"? How did that make you feel? Did you slink through hoping no one noticed, particularly since you've worked in the building for years and you use this door every day? Did you feel "stupid"? IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT! A door shouldn't need a user manual! It’s evidence of failed design. The same is true for software! The need for a user manual is evidence of failed design. Come to Menlo for a Taste of how we use High-tech Anthropology^® to avoid this common failure of software design.

Users criticize new Facebook layout - Recently the social networking site Facebook implemented some changes to the user interface. A Facebook spokesperson said, "The new Facebook home page is one step in the continued evolution of the site, designed to give people more ways to share and filter all types of content, such as status updates, photos, videos, notes and more." One problem: people hate it. In a recent online poll 94% of users voted that they disliked the changes. [more]

Paging Dr. iPhone - Dan Diamond is a family practitioner who works at the Doctors Clinic in Silverdale, Washington, not far from Seattle. On his iPhone he has twenty-two applications installed, ten of them are health related. "I don't have everything I need to know memorized," Diamond says. "This makes me look like I do." [more]

Issues of proper Tweetiquette - Twitter is one of many social networking tools in the marketplace today. It has roughly 11 million unique users each month, which results in a lot of Tweets. Unfortunately, with all those messages flying around, it's inevitable that someone's going to stick their foot in their mouth. [more]

Have a story idea for the Menlo Briefs? - We're now on Twitter! If you have a story idea for a future issue of The Menlo Briefs, tweet me at @menlobriefs! Not using Twitter? You can e-mail me at briefs2009@menloinnovations.com.