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Programming

Submission + - Ontario pulls subliminal gambling machines

Submitted by
davecb
davecb writes: "Gambling machines made by a particular vendor have been pulled from Ontario casinos: it turns out that instead of a random sequence of cards shown before the (hopefully!) random result, every machine displays a 5-card maximum jackpot for just long enough to be recognizable.

Does this remind you, perhaps, of voting machines made by a certain video-gambling-machine vendor?"
Sun Microsystems

Sun Releases ODF plugin for Microsoft Office 50

Posted by Hemos from the making-it-easier dept.
Verunks writes "Microsoft Word users now can easily import and export to the OpenDocument Format. The StarOffice 8 Conversion Technology Preview, a plug-in for Microsoft Word 2003 that allows users of Microsoft Word 2003 to read, edit and save to the OpenDocument Format (ODF) is now available"
The Courts

Creative Commons v3.0 Launched 39

Posted by Hemos from the veresion-3-of-everything dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Creative Commons announced the release of its licenses on Friday 23 Feb 2007. Changes include "Clarifications Negotiated With Debian and MIT", CC-BY-SA "compatibility structure", endorsement control, etc."
Security

Tricking Vista's UAC To Hide Malware 221

Posted by kdawson from the protective-coloration dept.
Vista's User Account Control, love it or hate it, represents a barrier against unwanted software getting run on users' computers. A Symantec researcher has found a simple way to spoof UAC and says that it shouldn't be completely trusted. The trick is to disguise the UAC warning dialog in the color associated with alerts generated by Windows itself.
United States

Submission + - IRS Pressures eBay to Provide User Earnings Data

Submitted by
JeremyDuffy
JeremyDuffy writes: "Ars Technica has an article about the IRS wanting eBay to turn over information on its users' earnings. This pretty much sums up the issue:

With so many people making part or all of their living through eBay, the government wants its cut. This isn't an issue of any new taxes, but an attempt to collect the income tax that is already required. Because eBay does not report information about its sellers to the government, income reporting is left up to individuals, and the temptation not to list eBay revenue as income can be a strong one — and in some cases, it's not always clear when one has to do so.
And,

eBay isn't the only Internet business that has been feeling the heat in recent months. The government is also considering how to apply tax laws to virtual worlds and goods, and it faces some of the same problems that it does with eBay. While some sellers can make a good living out of hawking such items, few report the profits as taxable income, and Uncle Sam wants its cut.
To me this seems like one of those things you know is wrong, even if you can't articulate exactly why. Second Lifers, and Warcrafters beware."
XBox (Games)

Submission + - Gamer creates auto-"play" robot for the 36

Submitted by root_42
root_42 writes: As the BBC reports US gamer David Harr created a small device to restart games of Perfect Dark Zero for him. As a devote gamer he collected all achievement points, except for the final 60. Those could only be achieved by playing 2,000 offline games of Perfect Dark Zero. So he just built a "robot" that pushed the buttons so as to start and re-start the games, instead of him, which would have taken 40 hours in front of the Xbox.
Software

Submission + - 3D3 Solutions releases free 3D scanner

Submitted by
3d3 Solutions
3d3 Solutions writes: "Free FlexScan3D Lite Offers No Cost Entry Into 3D Scanning


Arizona based, 3D3 Solutions, an innovative 3D scanner development company announces the availability of FlexScan3D Lite, a free version of it's 3D scanner to enable individuals and companies to capture real world objects with no investment in a high end scanner.

Phoenix, AZ February 27, 2007 — 3D3 Solutions announces the availability of the FlexScan3D Lite, a free software-based 3D scanner that enables users to plug in a projector and a digital camera to generate 3D models of real world objects. This no-cost solution opens the door to many who want to get into 3D scanning but have been unable to make the investment.

It is available for free downloading on the 3D3 Solutions website: http://www.3d3solutions.com/try.php and it is also available on its partner website Reverse Modeling: http://www.reversemodeling.com/try.html

FlexScan3D Lite is being used by many students and companies and is viewed as a money saving solution that requires no cash investment to get started with 3D scanning.

The Lite edition of the software features the core functionality from the commercial and academic versions of FlexScan3D:
  • Includes all of the high end scan processing algorithms and hardware interfaces
  • Supports cameras up to 2.5 megapixels.
  • Supports projectors up to 800x600 resolution
  • Output is points in *.asc format
  • Supports Textures via UV mapping
The commercial versions support unlimited mega-pixels and 1024x768 resolution projectors. Additional bundled software from the full version allows you to take the data from a point cloud to a "watertight" 3D mesh.

FlexScan3D represents the next evolution in the 3D scanning market that requires a more cost effective solution for a mainstream audience. The full version of FlexScan3D can be used to quickly capture objects to create a 3D digital model for use in a variety of disciplines including engineering, research & development, architectural reconstruction, medical and dental reconstruction, games, art, and other applications.

3D3 Solutions has recently expanded its offering of FlexScan3D to include: Academic Licensing, Student Personal Editions, FlexScan3D Core System, and bundled solutions with GSI to create a watertight mesh. It is also offering a FlexScan3D-rapidformXOR bundle, through its partner Reverse Modeling for users that want to create parametric Cad models from scan data.

FlexScan3D packages are available worldwide from 3D3 Solutions and Reverse Modeling, it's US reseller. For more detailed pricing information or restrictions on licensing, and to learn more about the innovative FlexScan3D scanner, please visit http://www.3d3solutions.com or call 800-732-6010 in North America.

About 3D3 Solutions

3D3 Solutions is the developer of FlexScan3D, a 3D scanner that lets anyone capture digital 3d models directly from physical objects in seconds. 3D3 Solutions' novel approach to 3D scanning makes it an attractive option for those who have been looking for a powerful and cost effective 3D scanning solution. To find out more about how 3D3 Solutions can meet your digitalizing needs, visit http://www.3d3Solutions.com

About Reverse Modeling

Reverse Modeling, based in Los Angeles, CA, provides a suite of 3D scanning hardware, software and services to solve complex modeling problems. We specialize in the conversion of physical objects into 3D computer models. 3D scanning is widely used in the reproduction of architectural artifacts, pre and post medical and dental reconstruction, reverse engineering, legacy data update, quality inspection, rapid prototyping, animation, and various other applications. To learn more about Reverse Modeling, and to find pricing information please visit the company's website at http://www.reversemodeling.com

Contact information:
3D3 Solutions

info@3d3Solutions.com
http://www.3d3Solutions.com


Contact information:
Reverse Modeling
PO Box 4760
Covina, CA 91723
800-732-6010
http://www.reversemodeling.com

###"
Education

Submission + - Gates-Backed High Tech High Flunks Out

Submitted by
theodp
theodp writes: "On Sunday, Bill Gates' Washington Post Op-Ed on How to Keep America Competitive said the U.S. must build on the success of schools like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-backed High Tech High to remain competitive in the global economy and reduce the need for H-1B visas. Try telling that to High Tech High Bayshore parents and students, whose tears and desperate pleas fell on deaf ears Friday as the board of directors of the High Tech High Foundation voted unanimously to close their school. Perhaps someone at the Post — say Director Melinda French Gates — should see that a little fact-checking is done when they give Bill a bully pulpit."
Nintendo

Submission + - Goldeneye Setup Editor V2.0 Released

Submitted by
SubDrag
SubDrag writes: "The Rare Witch Project releases version 2.0 of the Goldeneye Setup Editor for Goldeneye 007 on Nintendo 64. This version contains a full 3d environment to add, remove, clone, and change objects, as well as many other aspects of each level. The level editor supports editing of all levels contained in the original cartridge, and affords the opportunity to create entirely new levels with all new objectives and objects.

http://www.rarewitchproject.com/specials.php?id=ge editor2"

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