428886
submission
SixFactor writes:
Bioengineering proves itself again a field of significant breakthroughs. From a Washington Post article, researchers in Maryland are about to conjure life from completely artificial DNA. This is a rich article that covers profound angles like, life as an operating system, energy, genetically manipulated food, patent law, and most interestingly, raises shades of Jurassic Park:
Many scientists say the threat [referring to "bio-error"] has been overblown. Venter notes that his synthetic genomes are spiked with special genes that make the microbes dependent on a rare nutrient not available in nature.
And we all know what happened to those critters with amphibio-dino genes, don't we? So, just because we can, should we?
422177
submission
SixFactor writes:
From InformationWeek, some hopeful news for troubled Vista users.
On the one hand, it could be argued that Microsoft is being responsive to its users' needs. On the other hand, "responsive" in Redmond appears to involve significant (v — >c) time dilation.
The money quote from the article:
Microsoft marketing VP Michael Sievert told InformationWeek in March that Vista was "high quality right out of the gate" and that the company would likely dribble out small updates as required via its Windows Update service.
I do not know if 300 or more changes constitute a dribble, but Service Pack 1 is at least a step in the right direction. But I think I'll wait for SP2 before replacing XP on my Windows machines.
151239
submission
SixFactor writes:
An idea to use plankton to fight climate change, is getting serious consideration. Plankton blooms, induced by fertilizing desolate patches of ocean with iron, are being tested for their capacity to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and transport the greenhouse gas to ocean depths. If the tests yield immediate and measurable results, the effort could be a viable implementation of carbon offsets. However, if overdone, imagine getting to a "tipping point," where the concern is no longer global warming, but the opposite. One thing is notably absent from the article: there is no requirement for an Environmental Impact Statement. But I do foresee happier balleen whales.
147715
submission
SixFactor writes:
First on tap is plasma shield designed to dazzle and stun using a combination of laser-generated plasma and sonic shock waves — a concept called Dynamic Pulse Detonation. A range of 100 meters is anticipated, with laser testing in 2008, and full vehicle-borne platform testing in 2009. A related project mentioned in the article is a laser rifle, with variable lethality settings. Sharks optional.
142915
submission
tieTYT writes:
Domain Name Wire reports on a startup that, on behalf of large trademark owners, is shutting down typosquatting websites using an unprecedented degree of automation. DNW editor Andrew Allemann writes, "CitizenHawk's TypoSquasher tool crawls the web in search of typos of a company's brand name. Whenever it finds an infringing domain name TypoSquasher captures evidence including screenshots, whois information, and how the domain is being monetized. It then automates legal processes to get control of the domain, including sending cease & desist letters and contacting the company that helps monetize the domain (such as a domain parking company)." There is also a tool on the CitizenHawk home page that lets you explore typosquatting domains around your trademark. For instance, there are at least 6795 domain names that contain the word Microsoft or some clear mispelling of it.
