Submission + - Build a Wiki System with Rails
An anonymous reader writes: Learn how to build a simple, file-based Wiki system using the Ruby on Rails web application framework. You won't believe how easy it is.
Feed iPod takes bullet for soldier (engadget.com)
Filed under: Portable Audio
Kevin Garrad of the 3rd Infantry Division looks to have gotten a little assistance from an unexpected source while on a street patrol in Iraq recently, when the iPod in his pocket got in the path of a bullet fired at close range, slowing it down enough that it didn't pierce his body armor. As if that wasn't a rare enough occurrence, as you can see above, the iPod in question was an HP iPod -- imagine the odds![Via Digg]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Submission + - Comcast Weans Hogs Off Their Packet Teat
eldavojohn writes: "The telecommunications giant Comcast has severed its services to internet hogs who use more bandwidth than others. From the article, "Carreiro said he received a message from a Comcast Security Assurance representative in December, who warned him that he was hogging too much of the company's bandwidth and needed to cut down. When Carreiro contacted customer service about the call, they had no idea what he was talking about and suggested it was a prank phone call. Unconvinced, Carreiro contacted Comcast several more times, but was again told there was no problem. A month later, he woke up to a dead Internet connection. Customer service directed him to the Security Assurance division, which Carreiro said informed him he would now be without service for one year." This is quite alarming to me, considering that I am forced into using a particular ISP based on some deal my neighborhood made many years before I moved here."
Submission + - FCC announces inquiry into "net neutrality"
yuna49 writes: Last Thursday, the US Federal Communications Commission announced a "Notice of Inquiry" (warning: pdf) into "the behavior of broadband market participants, including:
In published statements, the two Democrats on the Commission pressed for a "Notice of Rulemaking" rather than a "Notice of Inquiry" arguing that the Commission should declare a policy of non-discrimination now rather than waiting months or years for another study to be conducted. The Republican majority ignored these arguments and voted for an Inquiry to which the Democrats concurred.
- How broadband providers are managing Internet traffic on their networks today
- Whether providers charge different prices for different speeds or capacities of service
- Whether our policies should distinguish between content providers that charge end users for access to content and those that do not
- How consumers are affected by these practices."
In published statements, the two Democrats on the Commission pressed for a "Notice of Rulemaking" rather than a "Notice of Inquiry" arguing that the Commission should declare a policy of non-discrimination now rather than waiting months or years for another study to be conducted. The Republican majority ignored these arguments and voted for an Inquiry to which the Democrats concurred.
Diebold Sues Massachusetts for "Wrongful Purchase" 422
elBart0 writes "Diebold has decided to sue the commonwealth of Massachusetts for choosing a competitor to provide voting machines for the disabled. Diebold wants to force the state to stop using the machines immediately, despite the upcoming municipal elections in many towns. The commonwealth chose the competitor based on an open process that included disabled groups. Diebold executives appeared confused when encountering election officials who made an intelligent choice."
Submission + - Secure Software Institute going to test coders.
UnderAttack writes: "The SANS Secure Software Institute went public today with a couple of free sample tests. The goal of the institute will be to offer assessment tests for developers. Right now, most certifications like ISO9001 and such focus on process vs. skill. The SANS SSI tests on the other hand are highly technical, focus on secure coding skills, and will be offered for various languages.
Given all the focus on security these days, tests like this may soon be required for y'all. SANS, the company behind SANS-SSI, offers vendor neutral testing. I am sure we will soon see more software developer training from them."
Given all the focus on security these days, tests like this may soon be required for y'all. SANS, the company behind SANS-SSI, offers vendor neutral testing. I am sure we will soon see more software developer training from them."
Submission + - Seeing colors in the night
Roland Piquepaille writes: "In 'Things that show color in the night,' the Boston Globe reports that a company named Tenebraex is helping color blind people to travel. But it's also developing goggles to help soldiers and physicians to see all colors at night, and not only the green color of current night vision systems. These goggles, which should become available this summer, will be sold for about $6,000 to the Army. But as states one of the founders of the company, with monochrome night vision, 'blood is the same color as water.' So these expensive night vision devices might be more targeted to Army physicians than to regular soldiers. Read more for additional references and pictures of the ColorPath night vision system."
Submission + - Anti-texting while driving movement heats up
coondoggie writes: "Legislatures on both coasts are looking at developing laws against texting (ala Blackberries and other devices) and driving. Three South Jersey lawmakers say texting while driving is even more dangerous than using a cell phone because it requires drivers to divert their hands and eyes. And according to a Philadelphia Inquirer story they've introduced a bill to ban it. And the aren't the only ones.
Washington's legislature has a pending bill making it a primary offense to text and drive. "Primary" means law officers can stop anyone they see texting behind the wheel; they do not need another reason to make the stop. The state House already approved the bill, backed by the Washington State Patrol.
http://www.networkworld.com/community/?q=node/1291 2"
Submission + - Seniors love the Wii
textureglitch writes: Nintendo's mission to expand the $30 billion global video game market far beyond the children and young males who make up its core consumers is well under way. The Wii's focus on intuitive gameplay rather than high-powered graphics has made it outsell the more expensive Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 so far, and now CNN reports that retirees love the Wii.
"I played tennis, if you can call it that, as a high school student. I had such fun doing it," Ebert swung the Wiimote just like a tennis racquet and said playing the game reminded her of the feeling she had all those years ago.
Flora Dierbach, 72, chairs the entertainment committee of Erickson Retirement Communities in Chicago and helped arrange a Wii bowling tournament.
"It's a very social thing and it's good exercise ... and you don't have to throw a 16-pound bowling ball to get results."
"I played tennis, if you can call it that, as a high school student. I had such fun doing it," Ebert swung the Wiimote just like a tennis racquet and said playing the game reminded her of the feeling she had all those years ago.
Flora Dierbach, 72, chairs the entertainment committee of Erickson Retirement Communities in Chicago and helped arrange a Wii bowling tournament.
"It's a very social thing and it's good exercise
Submission + - A Million-Dollar Laptop Created
aluminumangel writes: "For those of you who don't know what to do with all your money, why not a one million-dollar laptop from the U.K-based company Luvaglio? From the article: 128GB of solid state disk space, Blu-ray, and a detachable rare diamond that acts like a power button and a security key. Wow, is anyone impressed?"
Submission + - Draft 3 of GPLv3 due on Wednesday
H4x0r Jim Duggan writes: "Richard Stallman announced on Saturday that discussion draft 3 of GPLv3 will be released on Wednesday March 28th. The new wording addresses what Microsoft has done it's deal with Novell, but more input will be sought on how to prevent others from doing what Novell did for their part in that deal. Discussion draft 3 will responde to eight months of public comment and committee discussion."
Submission + - Desktop Linux Gotchas
stinkymountain writes: "Desktop Linux isn't exactly a no-brainer for corporate users, as least not yet. An article in Network World http://www.networkworld.com/techinsider/2007/03260 7-guide-linux-migration-tips.html.
lists six different issues that need to be addressed before desktop Linux can be successfully deployed. That includes everything from addressing end users fears about their pet macros not working to making sure basic corporate apps are supported to ironing out links between the desktop OS and backend directories."
Submission + - Error messages deface Vista ads in Prague
Fennec writes: "Jeremiah Paleck wasn't too excited about the Vista launch, so he decided to have some fun, creating a sheet of Windows error stickers for A4 sticker paper (informing us gravely, "Error: The operation completed successfully"). BoingBoing and Engadget report, with an image of the sticker neatly placed in a Windows Vista advertisement at a bus stop in Prague. It seems that perhaps Vista's advertising campaign has been infected with a little "viral marketing"..."
Submission + - Diebold takes Massachusetts to Court
An anonymous reader writes: Diebold is taking Massachusetts to court, arguing the state made a mistake not picking Diebold to supply voting machines for the disabled;
in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/ 26/voting_device_pact_at_issue/
in the Boston Globe: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03
Submission + - New Horizons photographs Earth-sized storm
Matthew Sparkes writes: "The New Horizons spacecraft has taken the closest ever photos of Jupiter's Little Red Spot, which is actually a storm the size of Earth which has been raging since 2005. New Horizons targeted the storm when it passed Jupiter to gain speed for its journey to Pluto. The source of the red hue remains an open question. Some scientists believe hurricane-like winds lift material from beneath Jupiter's cloud-tops up to an altitude where radiation from the Sun can chemically alter it, producing the red colour. Scientists have estimated that winds in the storm were whipping around the atmosphere at 180 metres per second."
