Captain_Loser - Slashdot User

Submission + - Spring Framework's powerfull Inversion of Control

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 27, 2007 @12:04PM

An anonymous reader writes: If you're a typical web developer, you'd no doubt welcome a solution to data access issues and embrace any tool that would make configuration easier. It's hard to have a conversation about Web applications in general, and these issues specifically, without somebody somewhere mentioning Spring. Find out more about the killer feature that seems to provide critical mass for Spring and what the Spring Framework Inversion of Control buzz is all about.

Submission + - Apple TV Shipping Date Slips

Submitted by on Tuesday February 27, 2007 @11:56AM

An anonymous reader writes: As per the Apple store, the shipping date for the Apple TV has gone from "February" to "Mid March". I do not know if this new date will be applied to those who have pre-ordered as I'm one of those who are waiting for somebody else to take the plunge, pull the machine apart, and get us a report on what makes it ticks.

Submission + - Real-life 'Tricorder' For Chemical Analysis

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 27, 2007 @11:45AM

An anonymous reader writes: Purdue University researchers have created a handheld sensing system its creators liken to Star Trek's "tricorder" used to analyze the chemical components of alien worlds. But the system could have down-to-earth applications, such as testing foods for dangerous bacterial contaminants including salmonella, which was recently found in a popular brand of peanut butter.

Submission + - eBay hacker keeps busting through site's back door

Submitted by pacopico on Friday February 23, 2007 @03:14PM

pacopico writes: A hacker specializing in eBay cracks has once again managed to masquerade as a company official on the site's message boards, according to this story on The Register. A company spokesman denies that "Vladuz's" repeated assaults on eBay point to a larger problem with the site's security. Of course, eBay two days ago claimed to have found a way to block Vladuz altogether, only to see him pop up again. Is eBay Vladuz the online version of the Exxon Valdez?

Feed Ethanol Prez Stumps Alt Fuel (wired.com)

From feed by wiredfeed on Friday February 23, 2007 @03:12PM

On a visit to an alternative energy company North Carolina, Bush touts newfound support for alt fuels with alcoholic jokes, comments on hog farmers. Plus: Hollywood helps hybrids. In Autopia.

Submission + - Superbots Cooperate for Many Feats

Submitted by anthemaniac on Friday February 23, 2007 @03:06PM

anthemaniac writes: Wei-Min Shen at USC has taken a Lego approach to robots and tossed in some intelligence to create "superbots." While each autonomous module is no more talented than a Roomba or even the iDog, one piece can find another and self-assemble. Combined, they can form a wheel, climb a rope, or walk like a human. The videos show various combinations and feats.

Bookmark Java 2007: The year in preview (ibm.com)

by killmuji on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:54PM

Submission + - Why is Microsoft charging $4000 for DST patches?

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:48PM

An anonymous reader writes: After a phone call to Microsoft, I was informed that even companies with extended patch support still have to pay $4000 for retired product DST patches. (Keep in mind when you sign up for the extended patch support license, you pay extra.) 1. How did MS figure that $4000 a client would cover the cost of the patch? Are they following the pricing schemes of the oil industry? What is the true cost of such things? 2. Why isn't MS getting more slack for charging this ridiculous amount of money? Is this price gouging? 3. Wouldn't it be in Microsoft's best interest to at least offer the Win2k workstation patch as a free download? Would it have been a chance to help improve the company's image? 4. Since Win2k machines still receive Windows Updates, why are they free yet the DST fix is not?

Submission + - 71 New Search Keywords In Google & Still Count

Submitted by

Voelspriet

on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:48PM

Voelspriet writes: "It's not perfect, but hey, it's new. Google accepts all kind of new search words, triggered by info boxes on Wikipedia, Amazon, CIA, Answers.com and some obscure sites. I compiled a list of 71 keywords that result in a direct answer on #1 in Google. (You don't have to open the source, you get the answer right away.) The syntax is keywords & trigger (country, artist or company). Let me know if you find more..

Age structure (country)
Airports (country)
Area (country)
Birth rate (country)
Capital (country)
Climate (country)
Coastline (country)
Constitution (country)
Currency (country)
Dependent areas (country)
Diplomatic representation from the US (country)
Economy (country)
Employees (company)
Environment — current issues (country)
Environment — international agreements (country)
Ethnic groups (country)
Executive branch (company)
Exports (country)
Flag description (country)
Founded (company)
Genre (artist)
Geographic coordinates (country)
Geography — note (country)
Government (country)
Head of state (country)
Headquarters (company)
heliport (country)
HIV/AIDS — deaths (country)
Illicit Drugs (country)
Imports (country)
Independence (country)
Industries (country)
Inflation rate (country)
International organization participation (country)
Internet TLD (country)
Internet users (country)
Judicial branch (country)
Key People (company)
Label (artist)
Labor force (country)
Land use (country)
Language (country)
Legal system(country)
Legislative branch(country)
Literacy (country)
Map Reference (country)
Maritime claims (country)
Military Branches (country)
Music: (artist) — old one.
National hazards (country)
National holiday (country)
Nationality (country)
Natural resources (country)
Population below poverty line (country)
Political parties and leaders (country)
Political pressure groups and leaders (country)
Prime Minister (country)
Products (company)
Public Debt (country)
Radios (country)
Railways (country)
Religion (country)
Revenue (country)
Slogan (company)
Televisions (country)
Time Zone (country)
Terrain (country)
Trading Partners (country)
Unemployment rate (country)"

Submission + - Verizon DSL

Submitted by

jerseyjim

on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:34PM

jerseyjim writes: "I'm baffled by Verizon's DSL and wonder if any Slashdotters have any suggestions. Verizon's DSL service has been intermitted for the last six months. Connects fine for a week or so and then it can't connect sometimes for days. I'm guessing Verizon has my computer polling for a dynamic IP address and I'm also guessing that it times out on my side when it doesn't get a response from Verizon. I'm also guessing it must be a wide spread problem because the recording at Verizon tech support tells you to reboot the computer and modem after waiting 15 seconds if you have connection problems. The Verizon tech has me checking wires, line filters, and resetting the default setting on the modem. I really don't think this is the problem since I'm speaking to the tech on the DSL line and early this morning spontaneously it reconnected without resetting anything and besides I've went through those steps countless times with other techs. Two weeks ago Verizon was sending a tech to my house. No one arrived. No phone call either. A follow up call by me said the problem was fixed at their end. Anyone have any insight into this?"

Journal Journal: Brie and KBR 2

Journal by GMontag on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:16PM

I busted a gut this AM when I saw this post with a picture of a wedge of Brie and a label warning all who can read that it contains milk.

Seems the Brie people and the KBR folks are having to put up with the same or similar idiots.

What are the chances that KBR is getting a lot of applications from folks in Marina Del Rey?

Journal Journal: Skoach: Web 2.0 time-management app to combat ADD

Journal by EzBulka on Friday February 23, 2007 @02:13PM

This looks like a really neat tool in the works. It's a browser-based time and task management package aimed at people with ADD but useful for anybody with time management issues, i.e. everyone. It has been designed by both ADD professional and software professionals. Now accepting Beta testers. I'm in!! http://skoach.com/betaTesting.html