Journal Journal: $10 wok keeps TV station on air
Why pay $20,000 for a commercial link to run your television station when a $10 kitchen wok from the Warehouse is just as effective?
Submission + - Microsoft ordered to pay 1.5 Billion
Anonymous Coward writes: "CNN has it all; Microsoft ordered to pay 1.5 Billion dollars in patent infringement case. (http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/22/technology/micros oft_alcatel/index.htm?eref=rss_topstories)
From the article; "NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — A federal jury said Thursday that software maker Microsoft Corp. infringed audio patents held by Alcatel-Lucent and should pay $1.52 billion in damages.
Tom Burt, Microsoft corporate vice president and deputy general counsel, said the verdict was unsupported by law or facts.
TECHNOLOGY
"Today's outcome is disappointing for us and for the hundreds of other companies who have licensed MP3 technology.
"We will seek relief from the trial court, and if necessary appeal," Burt said. ""
Submission + - IBM 1401 Orchestral Composition
Anonymous Coward writes: "From the IBM DEveloperWorks 22 February 2007 edition:
"IBM 1401, A User's Manual" is probably not on your must-read list (anymore) — but I'd certainly recommend giving it a listen. Icelandic avant-garde composer Johann Johannsson has released an orchestral composition of the same name, which includes recordings of the old mainframe made by Johannson's father in 1971 (when his 1401 was taken out of service). http://www.ausersmanual.com/"
"IBM 1401, A User's Manual" is probably not on your must-read list (anymore) — but I'd certainly recommend giving it a listen. Icelandic avant-garde composer Johann Johannsson has released an orchestral composition of the same name, which includes recordings of the old mainframe made by Johannson's father in 1971 (when his 1401 was taken out of service). http://www.ausersmanual.com/"
Submission + - Egyptian Blogger Jailed for Insulting Islam
turgid writes: The Guardian reports that an Egyptian blogger has been sentenced to four years in prison for insulting Islam (3 years) and the country's president, Hosni Mubarak, (1 year) in the country's first prosecution of a blogger.
Amnesty International has more information.
Amnesty International has more information.
Submission + - Stanford gears up for robot race
nght2000 writes: The Stanford Racing Team displayed their entry for the DARPA Urban Challenge this past weekend. The story was reported in the Palo Alto Daily News. The DARPA Urban Challenge features autonomous ground vehicles conducting simulated military supply missions in a mock urban area. Safe operation in traffic is essential to U.S. military plans to use autonomous ground vehicles to conduct important missions. The vehicle, a 2006 diesel powered Passat named Junior, was donated by Volkswagen of America. Volkswagen's Electronics Research Laboratory in Palo Alto, California is once again joining the Stanford Team by providing vehicle support, modification and testing. This year the team is being sponsored by no less than Google, Intel, Red Bull and others. Stanford won the 2005 DARPA Grand Challenge with their Volkswagen Touareg robot named Stanley. The Urban Challenge is scheduled to be held at an undisclosed location on November 3, 2007.
Feed NSA Spy Documents Stay Sealed (wired.com)
Submission + - DiVitas aims at cell, Wi-Fi convergence
Submission + - Homebrewed Industrial Process Monitor?
pionzypher writes: I work at a glass plant for a major beer company. My job for the most part entails monitoring the furnaces that melt the glass. I have been working on a project on the side, collecting data from various sources and compiling it into an easily used form for the higher ups. I've finished two of our three furnaces, but one remains. This furnace uses technology from the early nineties. There is no networking, the hardware is completely closed and unavailable for any screen scraping.
Two of the items I'm looking to monitor (and would appear to be the easiest starting point) are two valves for a gas and oxygen line which will provide data on a portion of our energy usage. I was thinking of a microcontroller board or something similar tied in to monitor the positions of the valves. I'm unsure where to begin though.
What books, microcontroller boards or alternatives would you recommend for someone new to this? Do's and Don't's?
Two of the items I'm looking to monitor (and would appear to be the easiest starting point) are two valves for a gas and oxygen line which will provide data on a portion of our energy usage. I was thinking of a microcontroller board or something similar tied in to monitor the positions of the valves. I'm unsure where to begin though.
What books, microcontroller boards or alternatives would you recommend for someone new to this? Do's and Don't's?
