Comment pot calls the kettle black (Score 1) 231
Rest assured. If you infringe on a Microsoft patent, they'll be very active at making your life miserable.
Comment trace of cocaine use of cocaine (Score 1) 441
Because money has cocaine on it doesn't mean it was used with cocaine. It could just means it was stored with bills that were.
Comment It's what kids should be doing (Score 1) 1
Instead of video games.
Model planes I mean.
Comment Of course ... (Score 1) 334
Internet is a disease for a country that likes censorship.
Submission + - Need input on how to model a maple seed helicopter (rubber-power.com) 1
JumpSocial writes: "I'm trying to make a model airplane that flies like a maple seed. You know the twirly ones that you throw in the air and they auto-rotate to the ground? I've made a few prototypes and can't get it to work efficiently. Any input would be appreciated. I'd like to finish the design this week so feel free to email me if you have anything to add! There are a few prototypes here that don't work very well: http://www.rubber-power.com/Gallery20.htm. I expect that a 12" maple seed should descend pretty slowly once it's working right."
Submission + - Paper airplane flies from your own wind (rubber-power.com)
JumpSocial writes: "Kids have become preoccupied with buttons. Microwaves, TV remote control, computers, video games. Even if it isn't electronic there is a level of materialism and brand recognition. "If it ain't made of carbon fibre and it ain't worth 800 bucks, then it ain't worth nothin'". There is a trend towards more traditional activities such as model airplanes. Check out this PAPER AIRPLANE that can fly in the wind generated by your own body."
Comment Re:Crystal radio (Score 1) 246
But a Windmill doesn't slow down the Wind much..
Comment Bird Radar (Score 1) 368
Why can't the jets have an on-board radar that detects the birds when they ahead?
It could alert pilots and perhaps even cause a computer to evade.
Especially if the radar/computer system can compute bird trajectories.
Comment what a privilege (Score 2) 352
I feel privileged to be allowed to run more than three applications.
Submission + - Google Earth Raises Discrimination Issue in Japan 3
Hugh Pickens writes: "The Times reports that by allowing old maps to be overlaid on satellite images of Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, Google has unwittingly created a visual tool that has prolonged an ancient discrimination says a lobbying group established to protect the human rights of three million burakumin, members of the sub-class condemned by the old feudal system in Japan to unclean jobs associated with death and dirt. "We tend to think of maps as factual, like a satellite picture, but maps are never neutral, they always have a certain point of view," says David Rumsey, a US map collector. Throughout the recent history of the burakumin, the central issue has been identification and some Japanese companies actively screen out burakumin-linked job seekers. Because there is nothing physical to differentiate burakumin from other Japanese and because there are no clues in their names or accent, the only way of establishing whether or not they are burakumin is by tracing their family. By publishing the locations of burakumin ghettos with the modern street map, the illegal quest to trace ancestry is made easier, says Toru Matsuoka, an opposition MP and member of the Buraku Liberation League. Under pressure to diffuse criticism, Google has asked the owners of the woodblock print maps to remove the legend that identifies the ghetto with an old term that translates loosely as "scum town". "We had not acknowledged the seriousness of the map, but we do take this matter seriously," says Yoshito Funabashi, a Google spokesman."
Submission + - Judge shields Craigslist from prosecution in SC (cnn.com) 1
viyh writes: "A South Carolina judge has ordered the state attorney general's office to stop pursuing criminal charges against Craigslist.com while a lawsuit related to prostitution ads on the popular classifieds site makes its way through the courts."
Submission + - San Jose ruins life over graffiti (mercurynews.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The city of San Jose in it's fight to keep the streets safe from art decided to ruin the life of a graffiti artist who was planning to go to art school. After arresting him(at his school) for comical graffiti drawings "involving a rooster" they are now considering charging with various felonies. They have also banned him from possessing those evil, evil markers.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_12439138?source=rss
Submission + - Elastic Band Powered Airplane Modernized (rubber-power.com)
JumpSocial writes: "We've all seen the traditional elastic band powered airplanes.
Here is a modernized version.
What it looks like:
http://www.rubber-power.com/How-to-fly-a-rubber-band-powered-airplane.htm
How to build it:
http://www.rubber-power.com/About.htm
You can download the plans for free and it can be built out of common materials.
Here's what's different about it:
1) In order to remove the need for music wire, wire cutting, bending and fastening, the traditional wire hook for the rear motor hanger as been dropped. A toothpick is used instead. This works extremely well and serves as an anti thermal device since the elastic drops when unwound.
Simple model plane construction. 2) Leading Edge Only (LEO) for stabilizers. This simplifies construction drastically and forms a rear bumper. When the plane hits the wall or the dog and falls, the rear stabilizers don't break because the rear motor stick hits the floor before the stabilizers. (Photo's courtesy of Rolf Christophersen, Germany).
3) Dihedral and polyhedral were dropped in favour of winglets. This system is remarkably easy to assemble and is surprisingly robust because the tissue paper enforces the winglets. A dab of hobby or white glue and the winglets can be glued while other work is in progress. The winglet joints are not exposed to lift stress and the right angle is easy to set.
4) Build Onto Tissue (BOT) consolidates steps. This idea was borrowed from the famous AMA Cub design by Frank Ehling in 1967. (AKA AMA Racer, MAAC Cub). The Squirrel is simplified a step further by using only right angles so that no printed plan is needed. It takes about 1/3 or 1/4 the time to build a Squirrel.
5) All parts cut out of 3x36" sheet evenly with no waste. All parts are straight so cutting is fast and easy. Workshop preparation is trivial. No cutting is required during workshops because all parts are easily pre-cut. No cork board, wax paper, pins, knives, pliers or other traditional building tools are needed.
6) It is very stable and looks very unusual when its flying because of the strange winglets. It has proven to be a show stopper.
7) With its removable wing it is not only adjustable but several can fit in a shoebox. This increases the survival rate of the model amongst children and pets.
8) The wing is covered on the bottom to speed construction. The leading edge therefore acts as a turbulator and appears to increase the efficiency.
9) The use of a glue stick as well as white craft glue speeds construction considerably without adding any toxic chemicals. Also the glue stick doesn't add water to the leading and trailing edges (like white glue) and it is less prone to warping and does not need to be pinned to a building surface!"
Submission + - Iran blocks access to Facebook (bbc.co.uk)
An anonymous reader writes: Iran's government has blocked access to social networking site Facebook ahead of June's presidential elections, according to Iran's ILNA news agency. ILNA suggested the move was aimed at stopping supporters of reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi from using the site for his campaign. Mir Hossein Mousavi, a former prime minister, is seen as one of the leading challengers to incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the 12 June elections. His page on Facebook has more than 5,000 supporters.
Submission + - Wood powers pickup (sunjournal.com) 1
audubon writes: An Auburn businessman and his son are making their way back to Maine this week, proud owners of a wood-fueled pickup truck.
Ford Reiche and his son George left Birmingham, Ala., Tuesday behind the wheel of a bright green vehicle they've dubbed the Termite, according to Reiche's blog.
Reiche, president of Auburn-based Safe Handling, is documenting the trip online at blog.safehandling.com. They hope to arrive back in Maine Sunday afternoon.
