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Software

Submission + - 5 of the Best Free Linux Data Recovery Tools (linuxlinks.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Data recovery is the process of retrieving data from corrupted or damaged storage media when it cannot be accessed. The storage media in question will often be a hard disk, but it can also be removable media such as CDs, DVDs, Blu-rays, and storage tapes. There are many different reasons why a system administrator may need to use data recovery tools.

At boot up, mainstream Linux distributions perform routine scans to identify and fix any inconsistencies in the file system. A damaged file system might be caused by the computer not shutting down in an orderly fashion, which can occur say in the event of a power cut. However, such routine scans will not detect hardware failure which might exist for a long period without being noticeable to users. Accesses to bad sectors on the media can make the situation worse, and with further usage as well as the passage of time, the media can eventually become unreadable.

To provide an insight into the quality of software that is available, we have compiled a list of 5 high quality Linux data recovery tools. These tools may well be a life-saver in the event that you need to retrieve data from corrupted media. We would strongly recommend that you become familiar with how they work just in case you are ever put in the position of needing to recover data.

Comment Don't think about the contribution side just yet (Score 1) 1

by jamesswift (#31226916) Attached to: Starting a programming project

If you like the idea of your project just start it.
It's always a mental hurdle to put down those first designs and/or lines of code but once you start the ball rolling it becomes much easier.

Possibly set up a repository on github or similar and code away.
Wiki up the top ten things needed to be done.
Break down the first one into several steps and then tackle them one by one.

That should get you started at least.

Good luck.

Submission + - Starting a programming project 1

Submitted by leachlife4
leachlife4 writes: I am a freshman Computer Science major, I have taken two years of programming in high school which used Visual Basic for the introductory course and Java for the 'advanced' AP class. Having received credit from the AP test I was able to take CS II (which was also taught in Java) my first semester here in college where I felt extremely bored, my professor encouraged the use of UML diagrams and MVC program structure. This semester i am taking a discreet math course and a Computer Architecture course based on MIPS assembly. Recently I have become involved with *nix and have learned a bunch, but I would like to contribute to the OSS community. I have an idea for a project and have written out rough guidelines for what i would like to implement, but I am at a loss for where to begin with the design and implementation of the program. I would like to program this in C++ though I have limited knowledge thus far. I really want to learn a lot from this project but also end up with a good and usable program. What can i do to get myself going on this project (which may well be outside of my knowledge so far), or at this point should I not even be thinking about beginning to write code and still be working on planning?

Submission + - Free Software Foundation urge Google to free VP8 (fsf.org)

Submitted by jamesswift
jamesswift writes: The FSF have written an open letter to Google urging them to free the VP8 codec with an irrevocable royalty-free licence.

"With its purchase of the On2 video compression technology company having been completed on Wednesday February 16, 2010, Google now has the opportunity to make free video formats the standard, freeing the web from both Flash and the proprietary H.264 codec."
NASA

Submission + - Shuttle Endeavor returns to Kennedy Space Center a (examiner.com)

Submitted by MileHighScience
MileHighScience writes: Space shuttle Endeavor, on the fifth-to-last mission of the shuttle era, returned to Earth Sunday after delivering two important components to the International Space Station. One, a cupola with seven windows, will give astronauts on board the ISS the opportunity to have a 360-degree view into space.

Submission + - Thermaltake Element T Case Review @ Tweaknews (tweaknews.net)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: With a budget chassis like this, we can overlook some minor shortcomings due to the low price. There is room for lots of hardware in the Element T, with three big bays and six HDD mounts with a placement for a 2.5-inch drive. It is lightweight but sturdy while being relatively easy to work in.
NASA

Submission + - First Interview with NASA Chief Technologist (space.com)

Submitted by shadowspawn1
shadowspawn1 writes: The NASA Chief Technologist is the principal adviser for NASA regarding agency-wide technology policy and program development. You want NASA to develop your rocket-packs? You'll need to make your case to this fellow.

'SPACE.com spoke with Braun near the end of his first week doing what he calls his dream job. The chief technologist talked about how NASA can tap new innovations and game-changing technologies to realize any number of possible futures for exploring the moon, the asteroids, Mars and beyond'
Firefox

Submission + - Grammar Checking Add-on for Firefox (afterthedeadline.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: My project just released a grammar, style, and spell checking add-on for Firefox. It's smart because it uses context to generate spelling suggestions and decide which errors to show. After the Deadline for Firefox works with most web pages. You can check grammar in Google Docs, vet your comments on Slashdot, and check your tweets with the push of a button. Our goal is to give everyone tools to write better, no matter where they are. The technology is open source too.
Google

Submission + - Google hack author may have been identified (ft.com)

Submitted by SpuriousLogic
SpuriousLogic writes: US analysts believe they have identified the Chinese author of the critical programming code used in the alleged statesponsored hacking attacks on Google and other western companies, making it far harder for the Chinese government to deny involvement.

Their discovery came after another team of investigators tracked the launch of the spyware to computers inside two educational institutions in China, one of them with close ties to the military.

A freelance security consultant in his 30s wrote the part of the program that used a previously unknown security hole in the Internet Explorer web browser to break into computers and insert the spyware, a researcher working for the US government told the Financial Times. Chinese officials had special access to the work of the author, who posted pieces of the program to a hacking forum and described it as something he was "working on".

The developments will add to the furore over the hacking campaign, revealed last month when Google said its systems had been compromised. It threatened to pull out of China, and secretary of state Hillary Clinton asked the Chinese foreign minister for a probe.
Graphics

Submission + - Real-time movie-quality CGI for games? (hplusmagazine.com)

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: An Intel-owned development team can now render CGI-quality graphics in real time! "Their video clips show artists pulling together 3D elements like a jigsaw puzzle, making movie-level CG look as easy as following a recipe." It's hoped that the simplicity of "Project Offset" could ultimately give them the edge in the race to produce real-time graphics engines for games.
Media

Submission + - A history of media technology scares (slate.com)

Submitted by jamesswift
jamesswift writes: Vaughan Bell at Slate has written an interesting article on the centuries old phenomenon of hysterical suspicion of new media and the technologies than enable them.
The best line comes near then end "The writer Douglas Adams observed how technology that existed when we were born seems normal, anything that is developed before we turn 35 is exciting, and whatever comes after that is treated with suspicion."

Submission + - Old NES console fetches $13,105 on eBay (thinq.co.uk)

Submitted by arcticstoat
arcticstoat writes: If you're thinking of throwing out your ageing 80s game hoard, then make sure you have a good look through it first, as you could be sitting on a virtual lottery ticket. A 39-year-old Mum on recently managed to sell her old NES with five games for $13,105 US on eBay. The reason? Simple; it came with the US NTSC version of Stadium Events, which is commonly considered to be the rarest licensed Nintendo game in the country. The key feature to look out for is apparently the Nintendo quality seal, which has to be gold, round and transparent.

Comment The system goes on-line February 10th, 2010... (Score 3, Funny) 310

by jamesswift (#31082404) Attached to: Google Buzz — First Reactions

Human decisions are removed from strategic advertising. Google begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. Eastern time, February 29th. In a panic, they try to pull the plug.

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