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Submission + - Bacteria discovered that both eats and excretes pure electrons

Submitted by Presto Vivace
Presto Vivace writes: Biologists discover electric bacteria that eat pure electrons rather than sugar, redefining the tenacity of life

Some intrepid biologists at the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered bacteria that survives on nothing but electricity — rather than food, they eat and excrete pure electrons. These bacteria yet again prove the almost miraculous tenacity of life — but, from a technology standpoint, they might also prove to be useful in enabling the creation of self-powered nanoscale devices that clean up pollution. Some of these bacteria also have the curious ability to form into ‘biocables,’ microbial nanowires that are centimeters long and conduct electricity as well as copper wires — a capability that might one day be tapped to build long, self-assembling subsurface networks for human use.

Submission + - Microsoft reveals Windows 10 will be a free upgrade (mashable.com)

Submitted by mpicpp
mpicpp writes: Microsoft just took another big step toward the release of Windows 10 and revealed it will be free for many current Windows users.

The company unveiled the Windows 10 consumer preview on Wednesday, showcasing some of the new features in the latest version of the operating system that powers the vast majority of the world's desktop PCs. The developer preview has been available since Microsoft first announced Windows 10 in the fall, but it was buggy, limited in scope and very light on new features.

Importantly, Windows 10 will be free for existing Windows users running versions of Windows back to Windows 7. That includes Windows 7, 8, 8.1 and Windows Phone. Microsoft specified it would only be free for the first year, indicating Windows would be software that users subscribe to, rather than buy outright.

Microsoft Corporate Vice President of the Operating Systems Group Joe Belfiore showed off some of the new features in Windows 10. While Microsoft had already announced it would bring back the much-missed Start Menu, Belfiore revealed it would also have a full-screen mode that includes more of the Windows 8 Start screen. He said Windows machines would go back and forth between to two menus in a way that wouldn't confuse people.

Belfiore also showed a new notification center for Windows, which puts a user's notifications in an Action Center menu that can appear along the right side, similar to how notifications work in Apple OS X.

Microsoft Executive Vice President of Operating Systems Terry Myerson revealed that 1.7 million people had downloaded the Windows 10 developer preview, giving Microsoft over 800,000 individual piece of feedback.

Myerson explained that Windows 10 has several main intents: the give users a mobility of experience from device to device, instill a sense of trust in users, and provide the most natural ways to interact with devices.

Submission + - Engineer Ends Console War, Combines Xbox One And PS4 Into Epic 'PlayBox' Laptop (hothardware.com) 1

Submitted by MojoKid
MojoKid writes: It's official, we can finally stop arguing over which is the superior game console, the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Quite frankly, it's a pointless debate, and it took a self-taught engineer to put the argument to rest, which he did by combining both game systems into a 22-inch laptop. Meet the "PlayBox," a gaming laptop that's equal parts Xbox One and PS4 rolled into one. The PlayBox wins the argument because it allows you to play games on either system, and when it comes down to it, the ability to play games is all that matters. Built for a "specific customer," the owner of this prototype system needn't worry about exclusives since he now has a system that can play them all, and do it while taking up no more space than a single console.

Submission + - What Sets Off Fundamentalists? (washingtonpost.com)

Submitted by Lasrick
Lasrick writes: Responses to last week’s terror attacks in Paris are split into two camps: The first believes that Islam is a violent religion that inspires its followers to seek glory in terrorism. The second believes that political considerations drove the Paris attackers (and most other acts of Islamist terrorism). Ron Hassner explores the issue of what inspires fundamentalists of any religion to violence...or not? 'Therefore, what is truly puzzling about fundamentalist wrath is not merely why some fundamentalist Muslims but not others choose to resort to terrorism against cartoonists but why there is no such Islamist terrorism against abortion clinics, for example, a prime concern for Protestant fundamentalists. For reasons anchored in theology, history and politics, these Christians would never consider reacting with force to a cartoon mocking Jesus just as a cartoon mocking Moses would barely elicit a shrug from a fundamentalist Jew. But fundamentalist Jews riot, and violently so, in response to desecrations of the Sabbath and the unearthing of Jewish remains by archaeologists, two themes that neither their Muslim nor their Christian counterparts have much interest in.' Very valuable read.

Comment Re:Not a bad idea...or so it seems (Score 1) 125

by X-Ray Artist (#48797189) Attached to: Obama Proposes 30-Day Deadline For Disclosing Security Breaches

This is just a show - "I am doing something about this awful data breach problem."

If there any exemptions, you can bet it won't be the "little guy" getting them. More likely the "little guy" will be the example of the consequences. After all the "little guy" makes no significant political party contributions.

Just an observation....

Submission + - What happened to all the hot tech of CES 2014? (dailydot.com)

Submitted by MollsEisley
MollsEisley writes: Making an impression at CES is only the first step. Sustaining any of that momentum is the real challenge. So how did the showstoppers of CES 2014 hold up over the course of the year? Where are they now?

Submission + - Samsung Unveils First PCIe 3.0 x4-based M.2 SSD, Delivering Speeds Of Over 2GB/s

Submitted by Deathspawner
Deathspawner writes: With its SM951 SSD, Samsung ticks all of the right boxes. It might be an unassuming gumstick SSD — it has no skulls or other bling — but it's what's underneath that counts: PCIe 3.0 x4 support. With that support, Samsung is able to boast about cable-melting speeds of 2,150MB/s read and 1,550MB/s write. But with such speeds comes an all-too-common caveat: you'll probably have to upgrade your computer to take true advantage of it.

Submission + - Ansel Adams Act Would Allow Photographs in Public Spaces (congress.gov) 1

Submitted by davidannis
davidannis writes: Photographers have been harassed for taking pictures in public places since 9/11. One was arrested for participating in an Amtrak contest. The park service is charging fees. Representative Steve Stockman (R, Texas) addresses the problem with the Ansel Adams Act which he introduced today. It says "It is contrary to the public policy of the United States to prohibit or restrict photography in public spaces, whether for private, news media, or commercial use." The act prohibits government agencies from prohibiting photography for National Security Reasons without a court order, from charging photographers fees, and prohibits equipment from being confiscated.

Federal law enforcement officers or private contractors shall not seize any photographic equipment or their contents or memory cards or film, and shall not order a photographer to erase the contents of a camera or memory card or film.

Submission + - My Secret Weapon to End Procrastination (katiehumphrey.com)

Submitted by Katie Humphrey
Katie Humphrey writes: Are you constantly making comments about wanting to lose weight, eat healthy, exercise more, take out time for yourself (need I go on?), but you find that you procrastinate more than taking action?

Don’t worry. It’s in our nature to put things off that aren’t part of our daily routine. It’s easier to talk about what you want than do something about it, or take massive action once and never follow through.

So I’m going to share my SECRET WEAPON with you. It’s what gets lazy-old-me (yes, my natural inclination is to watch movies all day than be productive) who burns out easily (I get stressed about the most minor things) to consistently take care of my health, family, personal needs and business even when I don’t want to.

It’s what helps me reach my goals and “start fresh” every day, even when I’ve been off the grid, on vacation or on a not-so-healthy rampage (hey, I’m human!). I never worry about being motivated or finding the inspiration to follow through on the goals I set because of what I’m going to share.

Find out my secret weapon in today’s video (play below), plus learn the “3 W’s” for getting back on track to a healthier, happier you

Submission + - Human skeleton has become lighter over time (sciencemag.org) 1

Submitted by sciencehabit
sciencehabit writes: Compared to those of other primate, human bones are weak, with a relative lack of spongy bone that makes our skeletons lighter and increases our risk of fractures and osteoporosis. The the driving force behind the change might be modern human’s sedentary lifestyle, free of the bone-strengthening exercise of chasing down prey and spending hours foraging for food. A second study further supports that hypothesis by comparing the density of spongy bone in the hip joints of nonhuman primates, ancient hunter-gatherers, and ancient farmers. The hunter-gatherers’ hip joints were about as strong as those of the apes, whereas the ancient farmers’ hips showed a significant loss of spongy bone. The researchers conclude that a lack of rigorous exercise, rather than any evolutionary pressure toward lighter skeletons, is the reason for modern human’s weak bones.

Submission + - Energy Saving Cellphones (micromaxinfo.com)

Submitted by Samiarman
Samiarman writes: Every decision you make – no matter how large or small – is an opportunity to make a difference. Celebrate Earth Day this month or any day by helping the environment from the friendly confines of your cell phone. Here are 13 simple tips to easily turn your cell phone green. 1. Unplug Your Phone Charger When Unused Did you know your phone’s charger still draws energy even when it’s not plugged into your phone? Unplug it when it’s not in use. 2. Minimize Your Phone’s Backlight If your phone’s backlight is illuminated for longer than you need, you’re wasting energy. Reduce it so you’re only using what’s necessary. Your phone’s battery will thank you. 3. Power Off Your Phone Entirely If you’re in a movie, an airplane or somewhere else you know you can’t be reached, why not power off your phone? Just keeping it on vibrate uses its battery when you don’t need it. Your voicemails and texts will come later. 4. Use GPS Instead of Driving If your cell phone has the capability, use GPS navigation from your phone for directions to save driving time and gas. 5. Only Replace Your Phone When Necessary Don’t buy a new phone until you need it. Recycle your old phone when you do. 6. Use Your Phone’s Alarm Clock Chances are your phone has an alarm clock. Unplug and retire your traditional alarm clock at home and use your cell phone for this function instead. 7. Use Your Phone’s Backlight at Night By your bed at night, use your phone’s backlight as your flashlight instead of a traditional night-light. 8. Only Charge Your Phone When Necessary Many people are accustomed to charging their cell phones every night whether or not the battery has been depleted. To be less wasteful, don’t charge your phone until the battery really needs it. 9. Read News on Your Phone If your phone can, save paper by reading your news and magazine content from your cell phone. 10. Save Paper With Your Phone Your phone can be used as a digital notepad of sorts. Instead of using paper, make cell phone lists by texting or emailing yourself. If u want to more useful tips and know more about cellphones just click on Energy Saving Cellphones.

Submission + - NYC to replace most of its payphones with free gigabit WiFi in 2015

Submitted by mrspoonsi
mrspoonsi writes: NYC announced its plans: LinkNYC — a network of 10,000 gigabit WiFi hotspots that will line the streets of all five boroughs of New York City. The project will replace all but a small handful of historic payphones with "Links," small towers equipped with WiFi, an Android tablet with select city-service apps and, of course, the ability to make phone calls. What's missing? The word pay: it's all free.

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