The Teddy Borg is Alive! 354
probabilistic writes: "Check out what bored MIT students are up to -- a few of my friends, in their never-ending quest for network connectivity and female companionship, created the Teddy Borg. It might look like an innocent teddy bear, but behind the soft exterior lurks a GigaFast 5-port 10/100 ethernet switch."
Uses? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Uses? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Uses? (Score:5, Funny)
Wow, I can see this. Put MicroATX PCs inside teddy bears... one paw for power, the other for net... create beowulf cluster...
"See that pile of stuffed animals over there? That's my teraflop supercomputer."
Just watch out when your male cat starts coming in to hump the nodes. Gives a whole new meaning to "wiping data".
Re:Uses? (Score:5, Funny)
See that pile of stuffed animals over there?
that is my Bear-Wolf cluster.
Check this out
I made a quilt full of old ATX boards. it is a Tera-Mr.Floppy SuperComforter.
Re:Uses? (Score:2, Funny)
Great idea!
1. Build beowulf cluster out of teddy's
2. ????
3. Profit!
Re:Uses? (Score:5, Funny)
Already been done with furbys (Score:2)
Re:Uses? (Score:4, Funny)
I think they were bored. Now, I think it would really funny to put a small embedded processor in the bear with an IR receiver and transmitter. The IR receiver would harvest the signals from your TV/VCR/DVD remote control, and then the bear got "bored", it would replay those IR commands in random order
Or for the more ambitious, it could have a more powerful processor and an 802.11b interface. It would listen for wireless networks, and try to gain access. Then, of course, it would automatically run exploits against any host it found.
Either one of these bears would make a great gift for an unsuspecting recipient
Re:Uses? (Score:3, Funny)
Then you would have a fast ethernet switch that really "loves you"
Re:Uses? (Score:2, Funny)
It might not be common knowledge, so I figured that I'd point out that beowulf is Old English for bear...
Amazing (Score:3, Funny)
Actually I'm going to start a new project: given raw materials of a computer and a box, I will put the computer inside the box. Clever eh?
Actually no. It'll never be interesting because I'm not at MIT.
Re:Amazing (Score:4, Insightful)
Only if it was a cool case mod, which Slashdot routinely coveres, and which is basically what this is. And it is really well done, not just a "toss in a router and trail the cables out the back". The three points that I like are the power and uplink leds inserted into the eyes, the placement of the power and uplink cords into the GitS/Matrix standard "nape of the neck", and the color coordinated jacks in the paws. Where the hell did they get hot pink RJ-45 jacks and cable heads?
--
Evan
Re:Amazing (Score:2, Funny)
You have to go to Harvard to learn how to put parts into box.
Water cooling.. whatever that term means, is still being expirimented with in classes at Oxford, but who knows.
Wow. A Million dollar idea. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Wow. A Million dollar idea. (Score:2, Interesting)
Bored MIT students? (Score:2, Informative)
The Raven
Mundane into interesting... (Score:3, Insightful)
How about hiding a switch inside a picture frame... or even better a wireless switch...
Computers like any other technology component ultimately should be invisible or at the very least appealing to home users.
I have a feeling that this bear, like many other "whim" ideas may be the beginning of something much better.... A step in the "refinement" of home computing.
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:2)
The potted switch/router project.
I want to build a pot that will have a router and a switch in the base, with passage for water and such around it - then plant a nice (fake) dragon tree in it, and then place small spot lights at the bottom.
I've often found that you need a router at home in inconvenient places (as my current place has no phone jack in the "office" so it's sitting in the living room. Other projects include actual desks and functional pieces of furniture that contain hardware. A computer in every room is not enough - I want one in every desk/table/plant!
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:2)
I believe they're called Macs.
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:2)
Maybe you should read the actual meaning of the post rather than nitpick the details... It's really not all that hard, just takes a tiny moment of mental effort to actually ascertain the meaning of what's written.
In other words, try using the "other half" of your brain once in a while too.
Aesthetics may be lost on someone such as yourself who could never even conceive of its advantages. Like it or not aesthetics have ALWAYS played a part in any product produced. Helps make the world a more pleasant an, wait for it, *idea inspiring*... Stating that the "fashion movement" is something that should be shunned is as shallow as saying that aesthetics are all that matters.
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:3, Interesting)
Apply this to computers, and to a lesser extent, technology in general. A person that appreciates what a computer actually is, doesn't want one that looks like a teddy bear, or like some 1950's vision of the future, complete with some improbable Imac-esque form factor.
Does that mean that I prefer clunky XT style cases, with their "mildewed in a lost cave for 12,000 years" beige? Lord no, simply that in loving the things beyond their plastic shell, I actually have a good idea what might make them look their best without trying to turn them into something they're not. Sleek polished black, with only the slightest hint of organic curves, subtle blue LEDs... you get the idea.
Oh, and the wireless hub/switch thing? Sorry if that seems like it's nitpicking to you, but those are more than buzzwords to me. But thanks for showing to the world that they're nothing more than that to you.
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:2)
I'm glad you know so much about the difference between switches and hubs. My knowledge was limited to the difference in bandwidth and packet collision. I am willing to admit I didn't have the knowledge of wireless transmission, thankfully, thats not my chosen area of expertise. When you happen to make a mistake in my particular area of expertise, I'll be sure to correct you in the same courteous manner you have chosen to display.
You may know the difference between what's buzzword and what's "real" but you have some significant ground to make up in social graces.
Re:Mundane into interesting... (Score:2)
Be Careful (Score:4, Insightful)
Some girls just don't have a sense of humor.
Re:Be Careful (Score:2)
Know where I can get a big enough one? Those Linksys boxes are pretty big..
Hope it wont hurt the 802.11 range too much.
Re:Be Careful (Score:2)
That's GOT to be cute, right?
Re:Be Careful (Score:2)
The perfect gift for your girlfriend (Score:3, Funny)
You like it because its a Giga switch
It's Raisn d'Etre (Score:5, Funny)
Then I saw the poll at the end.
Desirable to geek chicks.....
Guess this is why I'd never get into MIT. These guys KNOW how to get laid!
Re:It's Raisn d'Etre (Score:2, Funny)
Re:It's Raisn d'Etre (Score:2, Interesting)
I guess it just enhances the myth
Re:It's Raisn d'Etre (Score:3, Funny)
Re:It's Raisn d'Etre (Score:2)
Am I the only person on slashdot who suspects that maybe this probably isn't that desirable to geek chicks?
Correct me if I'm wrong. Please.
What kind of teddy bear? (Score:5, Informative)
Bother (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bother (Score:5, Funny)
Ah, now there's a way to defeat the Borg that was never tried on Star Trek... offer up Pooh as bait and then after his consciousness has been assimilated, point the Borg at the HoneyNet project [honeynet.org].
Pish posh. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Pish posh. (Score:2)
Re:Pish posh. (Score:2)
Once you do it, nobody will flood-ping the network out of fear of being "shut down" by the bear.
.net? (Score:3, Funny)
Why this is especially funny (Score:2, Funny)
i submitted (Score:3, Funny)
instead we have MIT boneheads embedding a switch in a bear.
Re:i submitted (Score:3, Insightful)
i submitted a story last week about IBM embedding strong cryptographic chips in their computers and it was rejected.
Just a theory, but it seems as though the flavor of stories change at different times of the week. Fridays tend to be more cooky, wacky, fun, pranks. Weekends are more of the softy stuff, like JonKatz movie reviews and amusement parks. Monday morning it's back to business with new breakthrough discoveries and lawsuit announcements. Of course, you've got to stick in the random noise of zeitgeists being brought to public attention, and political happenings.
In summary - you probably should have waited to post your IBM story on a monday morning.
Or, paid Taco a subscription fee... :(
Re:i submitted (Score:2)
Slashdot story submissions are far more likely to be accepted if you a) name drop (MIT, Linus Torvalds, etc.), or b) use a lot of 133t jargon or technical specifications.
This story did both. Though I'm not sure why they'd be impressed by a switch referred to by it's model name, number, and speed. "Hey, I just installed a LNEPCI2 EtherPCI lan card with coax port" "wow, man, you must be some sort of god!"
Re:i submitted (Score:2)
Well, if it works as planned, I guess I'll have to head over to a toy store near me.
Although...wouldn't a Tux Borg be cooler? I wonder how that'd affect the chick magnet factor, though.
Re:i submitted (Score:2)
won't the magnets screw up the switch?
Never thought about that. And besides, I'm not sure how a magnet is supposed to attract chicks. Besides, there are so many of them around during the Easter season anyway, all fluffy and yellow and stuff, except for the ones that get dyed other colors.
Oh wait, you mean we aren't talking about that kind of chick? Never mind, then.
so that is what it takes... (Score:2, Offtopic)
Gimme a break already.
Re:so that is what it takes... (Score:4, Informative)
Re:so that is what it takes... (Score:3, Funny)
College students (and lots of bonus points for being MIT students)
Star Trek
"female companionship"
The challenges of geekhood
Network connectivity
Taking things apart and modifying them, not necessarily for a useful purpose.
Toys
Of course, I don't know how it got through without even mentioning Linux or Anime. Maybe Slashdot needs to work on its story filter.
Re:so that is what it takes... (Score:2)
Perhaps it was too thoughtful for the moderator. Too much analysis going on. Not enough "yeah, me too." or "Teddy bear...cool"
I can see how posters might feel ripped off after spending time reading a post like that, rather than one that delves into the serious life-altering issues of routers in Teddy bears.
On the other hand, writing about funny moderators really is off-topic. Mods, you know what you have to do.
Ho hum... (Score:2)
Now, if you put a Wi-Fi hub in the teddy, that would be something.
For extra credit, make it so that your girlfriend likes it and keeps it in the bedroom, so that you can surf the web conveniently behind her back..
Re:Ho hum... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Ho hum... (Score:2, Funny)
be the "anatomically correct" Wi-Fi bear
with above mentioned camera.
Just keeping up the bad taste.
(Female participants are encouraged to
add their own tastless comments.)
Urm... (Score:2)
The page you were looking for has apparently been eaten.
Sorry. I was hungry.
It been slashdotted already?
I got that too... (Score:2)
I'll have to give it a try again a bit later once things settle down.
A scrap of meta-relevance (Score:4, Interesting)
Ok, slim material, but I did like seeing the status LEDs in the eyes.
The Bears Eyes! (Score:3, Funny)
And as far as his "vain hope of attracting women" goes, well, dude thay're the vainest! (ie don't cross your fingers, and wait for the phone to ring)
:)
Not just Borg... Matrix too! (Score:2)
Hmm, I think I need an Ant Farm with geeky cables, LEDs, etc.
People here just don't get it (Score:5, Insightful)
Judging by people's posts thus far, most just don't get it. What's the point to this--it's just a switch in a teddy bear? Heck--I could do this on my own. It's not that interesting. Oh wait, since it was students at MIT, it must be really neat.
Frankly, I doubt most people here could ever get it. This teddy bear is so cool only because it makes a much nicer UI than a cheezy box with a few blinken lights and ports. It's soft and fuzzy. It's not beige and scary. If I had a daughter, I'd love the idea of giving her a laptop and a switch like this. All of a sudden, the idea of a "sleepover computer party" wouldn't be so gosh darn nerdy. They could stay up all night playing with Virtual Barbie or whatever is the software of the year.
Plus, what's so special about these MIT guys is that they have documented the heck out of this little endeavour. I'd gladly hire one of these guys to work with me. Sure, it's not the best idea every conceived--but at least it's documented. I could now go and reproduce their efforts without much thought.
In all, it seems rather impressive to me. It's a neat new UI that's not typical. It's documented to all heck. That beats half of everything I've ever done.
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:2, Funny)
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:2)
Well would your imaginary daughter like this hello kitty laptop?? [exonome.com]. I personally am much more scared of something like that.
psxndc
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:2)
Please don't. Sorry, buy guys aren't attracted to computer chicks.
Are you speaking fomr the perspective of a jilted girl geek or one of the rest of us?
Perhaps I'm weird, but I'd kill for a computer geek girlfriend. I'd really like to find someone as into watching dune for the 100th time as I am.
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:2)
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:2, Funny)
I knew one fine geek chick who was one of the most gorgeous women I have ever seen. EVERY man wanted her on our uni IRC server. She steadily worked her way down the nick list, setting friend geek against friend geek till we were all a writhing mass of jealous, back stabbing obsessives. Then she broke all our hearts by leaving
** Geeks and Girls just don't mix **
Re:People here just don't get it (Score:3, Funny)
You mean a Furby?
I think they missed it (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I think they missed it (Score:5, Funny)
Ahh...herein lies mistake #1...you seem to have forgotten at which school this was done...
Re:I think they missed it (Score:2)
Andre060
Re:I think they missed it (Score:3, Funny)
Dangerous.... (Score:4, Funny)
"Awwww, what a cute teddy bear! His eye's even light up!" (reaches out and grabs bear, ripping out cables in the process)
"Nooooooooooooooooo! Not my game of Quake!"
All your bear are belong to us? (Score:3, Funny)
Not what I had in mind... (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah. I stopped reading right there. I don't want to know how to access the bear's ports, thank you very much!
teddy borg poll (Score:2)
Fire hazzard.
I was forced to vote evil in the absence of a fire hazzard option.
They should have used a Furby (Score:2, Funny)
You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:5, Informative)
The ping in the last picture [mit.edu] on the Teddy Borg has the IP 18.238.3.106 listed. I can ping it from here.
Can you imagine (Score:2)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Low 34
Avg. 280+
By the way, Something feels very wrong about Pinging a teddy bear.
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
--- 18.238.3.106 ping statistics ---
34299 packets transmitted, 32478 packets received, 5% packet loss
round-trip min/avg/max/mdev = 91.575/47.851/509.107/187.775 ms
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:5, Funny)
[root@localhost root]# nmblookup -A 18.238.3.106
Looking up status of 18.238.3.106
RECURSION <00> - B <ACTIVE>
FOURTHEAST <00> - <GROUP> B <ACTIVE>
RECURSION <03> - B <ACTIVE>
RECURSION <20> - B <ACTIVE>
FOURTHEAST <1e> - <GROUP> B <ACTIVE>
SLUG <03> - B <ACTIVE>
[root@localhost root]# smbclient -L RECURSION -I 18.238.3.106
added interface ip=10.88.20.10 bcast=10.88.255.255 nmask=255.255.0.0
Password:
Sharename Type Comment
--------- ---- -------
OPENGL Disk
MYMUSIC Disk
SHARED Disk
IPC$ IPC Remote Inter Process Communication
Server Comment
--------- -------
Workgroup Master
--------- -------
[root@localhost root]# smbmount
Password:
[root@localhost root]# ls -l
total 49639
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 4225 Sep 12 09:14 hallbudget.wks
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 35725704 Jan 18 01:21 sp6i386.exe
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 12739202 Nov 6 01:56 star wars episode 2 teaser.mov
-rwxr-xr-x 1 root root 2359352 Dec 22 1998 XZerg1high.bmp
[root@localhost
[root@localhost
Password:
[root@localhost
Test
[root@localhost
Test
Oh dear! World writeable share.....
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You too can ping through Teddy Borg (Score:2)
Slashdot requires you to wait 20 seconds between hitting 'reply' and submitting a comment.
It's been 19 seconds since you hit 'reply'!
I hate that.
Re:about that ip address (Score:3, Informative)
Bears & companionship (Score:5, Funny)
He wired it up with an old heating pad, some silcone tube-type bits, some small motors, plugged it into the wall outlet and, er, got personal with it. Unfortunately sometime soon after the climatic moment while they were still in embrace a bit of fluid shorted out some bit of electronics to a particularly sensitive part of his body.
His resulting scream apparently roused attention and he required some small bit of recuperative medical care afterwards. When I ran into him a few days later and hear the story he was a bit defensive but interested in a applying some new ideas he'd come up with.
I lost track of him soon thereafter but I could never see an advert for those Teddy Rumpkins or whatevers afterwards without wondering just who had designed them and what exactly their full capabilities were to be.
BTW This is the 100th anniversary of the Teddy Bear [steiffusa.com].
Hey look! (Score:2)
Good news to everyone who has gotten used to the word "Rejected"!
I want to see it catch on fire (Score:3, Funny)
Martha Stewart Peripherals (Score:3, Funny)
Smell the over-clocked goodness.
Already done.. (Score:2)
Complaining about story (Score:5, Insightful)
Ruh roh... (Score:2)
How about a more pop-cultured stuffed animal? (Score:2)
They already have a flapping-arm Domo Kun that flaps its arms if you run an IR remote control to it.
important news items (Score:2)
- MS Paints Bulls-Eye On AOL [internetnews.com]. Certainly of no import to the technically oriented. Little squabbles over who's going to control internet access for millions isn't much of a news item.
- Stupid White Men Debuts At Number 3 On New York Times Best-Seller List [michaelmoore.com]. Everyone knows the average geek can't stand to read more than five minutes of political commentary, especially if it has nothing to do with Linux. Little things like investigating the shenanigans surrounding the 2000 presidential elections aren't at all interesting - in fact, they're downright unpatriotic! Besides, most techies are white and we wouldn't want to offend their touchy egos.
Yes, the more I read slashdot the more I'm convinced that our editors do a wonderful job of culling out all those 'unimportant' stories so that we don't have to exercise our brains and do the culling for them. Especially when it's so much more critical to know about the latest kernel release, or the newest toy.
Max
where's the (Score:2, Funny)
:)
Re:i admit it... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Advice. (Score:2)
Re:What's the point of this bullshit? (Score:3, Funny)
We all know this is just MIT's devious plan to begin marketing computers to elemetary-aged girls. :)
Re:Teddy Ruxpin Borg? (Score:5, Funny)
First person to crack up buy the round after work.