January 2007

…but Nike & Apple wouldn’t tell me.

I’ve learned a lot about this great little $30 gadget in the month or so since my first run with it and I thought this would be as good a place as any to compile a full online wiki of sorts for the Nike+iPod Sports Kit. There is a lot that Apple and Nike won’t publicize about this little gadget - this is the place. For a primer on the background and capabilities of this great tool, including photos and descriptions of how it works, see my previous post Nike + iPod Sports Kit from January 7th. In a nutshell: The kit uses to components: one is a shoe-based accelerometer that you attach to your shoe (Nike-branded shoes have a special cavity, but Nike shoes are not necessary - read more below) and the second component is a reciever that attaches to your ipod nano. The nano then records the vitals of your run: distance, time, and speed.One blogger has named the Nike+iPod Sports Kit as the Multiplayer Game of the Year (2006) and for good reason:

I’ve found myself totally enraptured by a new kind of online gaming experience, one that’s got excitement, thrilling rivalries, stats and achievements, mind-blowing graphics, and seriously perfect music. And sweat. Ridiculous amounts of sweat. My online game of the year? Jogging on the streets of Portland with the Nike+ iPod kit.

To get started: Purchase the kit from the Apple Store or your favorite electronics retailer. It’s also available online through the Apple Store, Amazon, and a host of others for just $29.

Don’t like Nike shoes? No Problem.

I’m not a fan of Nike shoes (much more of a Brooks guy, myself) so when I first heard about the Nike + iPod Sports Kit late last summer, I dismissed it as an option…I thought the chip was embedded in the Nike shoes and thus could not be used with any others. But then I read an online article about how you can attach the sensor to just about any type of shoe you would like.

Bloggers have posted numerous articles about how to “hack” your own shoes and install the sensor - such as the arguably most popular method exhaulted by podophile. I chose this easiest and cheapest route: packing the sensor into a tiny ziploc bag (the kind that extra buttons come in when you buy a sweater), wrapping the bag in a couple of layers of clear packing tape (to ensure the sensor wouldn’t get wet) and tucking this little puck into my shoe between the tongue and laces. It has been in that location for about 80 miles so far and has not been a problem. Podophile has compiled a roundup of hacks and accesories available for the sensor from small velcro packs, rubber sleeves, and even the instructions to knit your own little sensor pouch (shown to the right)! More here and here.

Brag About It

The internet rocks. Bloggers are coming up with new ways to brag about your running exploits every day and the Nike+iPod Sports Kit has taken this to a new level. Small “badges” that can be placed on your own website (such as the one to the right) are popping up all over the place. A nice graphical interface widget is available from web developer Rush Frisby. Another, more simple widget is offered for wordpress blogs by Crusty Bugger. The significant downside to each fo those widgets is that you must host a blog on your own server space. Since many of us (msyelf included) are authoring blogs on free space offered by wordpress.com, we must rely on simpler image scripts that are available. More detail on installing Crusty Bugger’s widget for wordpress blogs is described here. The one that is placed permanently on my left sidebar (and shown here in this post) is from justdoing.it and offers a wonderfully simple installation even to a limited, free blog such as this one. If you’re participating in challenges and would like to view progress easily without logging in to the Nike+ page, get the Nike+ widget from the official website. I’ve never been a fan of desktop widgets and this one crawls when it comes to loading so after checking it out, I deleted it.

Privacy Concerns?

Some grad students with too much time on their hands have published their concerns about the kit’s computer chip (read more about RFID technology). In all actuality, their work is pretty impressive, as explained in an online article:

This holiday season, gift-givers may unwittingly give their favorite athlete a workout accessory that can double as a tracking device. Researchers in computer science and engineering at the University of Washington say there are serious privacy breaches posed by the gadget, which is marketed to runners but may be equally attractive to stalkers and thieves.

“It is easy for someone to use the Nike+iPod as a tracking device,” says Scott Saponas, a doctoral student in computer science and lead author of a technical report and video posted online on Nov. 30. “It’s an example of how new gadgetry can erode our personal privacy.”

For a quick summary of their work, check out the video on the right-hand side of that page or the livescience news article. The software they’ve put together is actually fairly impressive. For all of the details, check out the full published paper. While the work is impressive, I see no real concern over privacy issues. If someone out there is that eager to track me, there are much easier ways to do it. Additionally, I never wear my running shoes (that contain the Nike shoe sensor) except when I’m running.

What’s Next?

The Nike+iPod Sport Kit is likely only in its infancy, given its quick spread through the running community. Whether or not Nike will toss out the accelerometer in favor of more accurate GPS support is unknown, although unlikely since other products (such as the Garmin Forerunner 305 and others) already exist for that market. But Nike still has some avenues to explore. A new product - the Speed+ watch is rumored to be coming soon and give all of the capabilities to the system, but make the ipod uneccessary. For those of us who often run without music but still desire the ability to digitally log our runs, this would be just the ticket.

Also recently leaked is word of another watch that will compliment the Nike+iPod kit in that it will not replace the nano, but offer nano controlling capabilities from the wrist. This will allow the runner to minpulate all aspects of the controls right from their wrist, without having to fumble with the nano itself.

Questions?

My desire is to make this a one-stop-shop for questions about this product…so if you have any questions, post them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to keep this post updated. Subscribe to the feed or check back frequently for updates.

This past week, the local paper - The Tonganoxie Mirror - ran an article regarding Comet McNaught and the wonderful inpiration that is has been for students learning about Astronomy. Read the full article here. I was hoping some photographs of the comet would be published, but alas, they are available online in previous posts here, here, and here.

The photographs of Comet McNaught that are now streaming northward from the other hemisphere are awe-insipiring. I’ve never seen anything quite like it in person or otherwise. From spaceweather.com:

The game may not be over for us yet. With such an incredibly large tail, reports have been coming in of viewers observing the sweeping, curved tail of Comet McNaught even from the northern hemisphere! We won’t have clear skies locally tonight or tomorrow (but a good 5-6″ of snow on the way), but by mid-week, we might just have a shot. The online viewing suggestions have been to look west about 1-2 hours after sunset from the darkest spot you can find (in particular, getting away from light pollution).

A storm is brewing among some meteorologists in the broadcast community. Recently, Heidi Cullen, the host of a prominent climate change program on The Weather Channel has written a blog entry calling for withdrawing the certification (granted by the American Meteorological Society) from broadcast meteorologists who dare to question the claims that global warming is a result of human activity (hold on to your hat - the hypocrisy is thick):

If a meteorologist has an AMS Seal of Approval, which is used to confer legitimacy to TV meteorologists, then meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming. … Meteorologists are among the few people trained in the sciences who are permitted regular access to our living rooms. And in that sense, they owe it to their audience to distinguish between solid, peer-reviewed science and junk political controversy. If a meteorologist can’t speak to the fundamental science of climate change, then maybe the AMS shouldn’t give them a Seal of Approval.

First, a primer on the AMS Seal of Approval. The seal of approval is a certification process by a professional organization that is a respected, sought-after label by many in the broadcast industry. For this reason, it is a great boost for a resume, a show of acceptance by the professional community. For this reason, the certification process should be taken seriously by all scientists in the community.

As stated by James Spann, a broadcast meteorologist out ABC 33/40 in a recent blog entry (emphasis mine):

I have been in operational meteorology since 1978, and I know dozens and dozens of broadcast meteorologists all over the country. Our big job: look at a large volume of raw data and come up with a public weather forecast for the next seven days. I do not know of a single TV meteorologist who buys into the man-made global warming hype. I know there must be a few out there, but I can’t find them.

This story seems to be gaining attention by the hour - even internationally (The Independent: Forecasters do battle..). So as the discussion continues, I have a couple of questions of my own for Heidi Cullen and others who agree with her stance on stifling discussion of the issue:

1. If skeptics should be denied certification, what about their on-air presence?
2. Do you have any co-workers who don’t toe the line on anthropogenic global warming? Should they be fired?
3. Before being granted a degree in climatology or meteorology (another version of “certification”), should some sort of oath be taken regarding global warming?
4. Why no discussion of other influences on the earth’s climate that may be responsible for warming: termites, solar variability, cattle emissions, volcanic activity, etc…?
5. Is peer review, healthy skepticism, and other forms of critique utilized by meteorologists and climatologists the world over not a cornerstone of science?

Comet McNaught is on its way to a close encounter with the sun. Currently, McNaught is visible even during the daylight hours, but unfortunately, we have been shrouded in clouds throughout the weekend. I’m hoping for a chance to view it tomorrow or the next day.

Click map for a larger view of skymap from spaceweather.com

How to find McNaught in the daytime sky: If you’re going to be someplace where the sky is clear over the weekend or early this coming week, be sure to look for McNaught around noon - local time. McNaught will be found approximately 5 degrees to the left of the sun. Check out the sky map. The best way to measure 5 degrees in the sky? Your closed fist, stretched at arm’s length, is approximately equal to 5 degrees. Be careful though - the sun is a formidable foe when it comes to trying to view objects in the daytime sky! Also, do not ever aim binoculars, telescopes, or cameras at or even near the sun - the risk of eye damage is too great! Be sure to look around online to get daily updates on the location, intensity, and projected path of the comet. Below I’ve included some links to help you out.

• For daily updates on McNaught, chck out SpaceWeather
• Check out the list of the brightest comets of the last century (Comet McNaught is currently #2!)
• Also check out the spaceweather Gallery of photos - be sure to view each page
• Check out my personal on previous posts: Not for Naught: Chasing a Comet, Comet McNaught 2.0, and Comet McNaught Rounds 3 & 4
• View the Sky and Telescope Gallery of Comet McNaught photographs

As we count down the final days of Comet McNaught (C/2006 P1) viewing from the Northern Hemisphere, I was able to snap off a few more shots over the past two days.

With a significant winter storm approaching Kansas, I don’t expect any more good viewing windows to open up between now and early next week. But I have to say I’ve been very pleased with the view this comet has provided me. While I was able to observe comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 01) back in 1997 (see a great image gallery here), I never had the opportunity to photograph it or study is closely (and as easily via the internet). But Comet McNaught was just the ticket and afforded me a great break from the usual routine for about a half hour each evening this week. Tonight was likely the last night I’ll have to view McNaught as a winter storm approaches Kansas tonight. The next clear evening will likely be early next week. By then it’ll likely be too late for good viewing from up here in the northern hemisphere.

But Comet McNaught is not done yet (from SpaceWeather):

In the days ahead, Comet McNaught will pass the sun (temporarily disappearing in the glare) and emerge in good position for southern hemisphere viewing later this month. Meanwhile, solar heating will continue to puff up the comet, causing it to brighten even more. It could become one of the brightest comets in centuries, visible even in daylit skies.

Comet McNaught tonight (click to enlarge):

And a couple shots from last night (01/10/2007):

Comet McNaught has been documented incredibly well. Read all about the discovery and historical highlights of Comet McNaught. Check out this great time lapse video from wvlightning.com. See more photographs in the McNaught Gallery from SpaceWeather.com and the gallery from space.com.

Up Next: Now that the comet viewing window is apparently closed, attention can now focus on the significant winter storm taking aim on the central plains. The cold front pushed through Northeast Kansas tonight (great pre-frontal warming today with highs in the mid-60s throughout Kansas!) dropping temps about 30 degrees in 4 hours. Some ice tomorrow, more sleet/ice Saturday night, possibly followed by a few inches of fluffy snow Sunday AM??

See related:

• 01/09/2007: McNaught 2.0
• 01/08/2007: Not for Naught: Chasing a Comet