The province of Alberta in Canada has a problem that we should all have: too much wind power. Technically the problem is not too much wind, but too high a proportion of the province’s power coming from wind. The variability of wind power means that if too high a percentage of an area’s power comes from wind, when the wind stops the lights go out. Seems like a good opportunity to expand solar power. [digg]

Motorola’s latest cell phone offering is going in the opposite direction of the super-capable mobile computing platforms that are the tech industry darlings. It’s super simple, uses e-ink technology for great battery life, and remains slim and cool-looking. [slashdot]

It’s like some kind of Frankenstein’s monster for the alternative energy set: a bicycle with electric assist and a big ol’ sail. The Pterosail is, I suspect, a bit unwieldy for the average Joe but it sure looks like fun. [treehugger]

If you read this blog, you’re probably familiar with the WorldChanging blog. The WorldChanging gestalt is all about rolling up your sleeves, warming up the brain farm and applying the right solutions at the right time to Fix Things. So it’s entirely consistent that they’re asking folks who plan on buying their book to do so from Amazon on November 1 at 11:11am (Pacific Time), with the intention of rocketing that title to the top of the list, for one day at least. I plan on doing so, to stick it to the Man if for no other reason.

Wired News polls the experts to find out how to build a better voting machine. One that’s stable, hard to hack, and combines the best of digital and analog voting. Conceived as an engineering problem, our current problems make you wonder what’s taking so long.