infobong.com

Chris pointed me to a rather useful website, batteryuniversity.com, which, as the name suggests, provides useful information about how various types of rechargeable batteries work. This page really helped me understand how batteries lose their life, and the site also has a great table offering the dos and don'ts of battery operation. I can't say that I'm the most responsible battery user, so I found it validating to know that there's little you can do to extend the life of the lithium batteries used in notebook computers and video cameras. The site says a lithium battery "Loses capacity due to aging whether used or not." On the other hand, I was not aware that nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries are as susceptible to "memory" as the older style of nickel-cadmium batteries. I use these for my digital still camera and mp3, so I will be sure to cycle them all the way down before charging them.

Chris also gave me two free tickets to Friday's Caribou concert, which is so awesome of him. I was already excited about seeing them - I haven't seen a touring band since SXSW - and free tickets makes it that much better. Thanks Chris!