Comment Re:Obligatory setup... (Score 1) 86
According to what I read, "innuendo" is an Italian suppository.
Nokia Releases Qt SDK For Mobile Development 76
An anonymous reader writes "Nokia has released its unified Qt-based SDK for cross-platform development for Symbian and MeeGo (plus Maemo) devices. The blurb reads: 'Today sees the release of the Nokia Qt SDK, a single easy-to-use software development kit (SDK) for Symbian and Meego application development. Developers can now develop, test, and deploy native applications for Nokia smartphones and mobile computers. The beta version of the SDK is available for download from today, ready for developers to kick off development for new devices, including the just-announced Nokia N8.'"
Comment Just to ask the obvious.. (Score 1) 1127
Are you kidding?
Submission + - SPAM: Particle swarm optimization for pictures
Roland Piquepaille writes: "Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is a computer algorithm based on a mathematical model of the social interactions of swarms which was first described in 1995. Now, researchers in the UK and Jordan have carried this swarm approach to photography to 'intelligently boost contrast and detail in an image without distorting the underlying features.' This looks like a clever concept even if I haven't seen any results. The researchers have developed an iterative process where a swarm of images is created by a computer. These images are 'graded relative to each other, the fittest end up at the front of the swarm until a single individual that is the most effectively enhanced.' But read more for additional details."
Bookmark New Software Translates Dog's Bark (reversemonster.org)
Submission + - Unique insight into art of video game animation (osliving.com)
callingamerica writes: This Open Source forum thread began as a brief introduction to 'Apricot' — a new Open Source game by the Blender Team — but with the input of an experienced animator and ripostes by the Apricot team leader, the thread has developed into a fascinating look at the inside issues in game animation.
The main argument of the thread is that while the Apricot game has a team of 6 skilled artists, integrators and developers, it does not have a trained animator and is therefore shooting itself in the foot as one forum member vehemently describes: "Artists are not animators. Most people would not ask their GP to practice plastic surgery on them, that requires a specialist who has much more training. Animators do go though a lot more training, in many fields of expertise." Read the thread to find out more.
Submission + - Magic (as in Harry Potter) is genetic (bmj.com)
hyazinth writes: This groundbreaking result (published in the British Medical Journal and hence, definitely true) puts the scientific breakthrough of 2007 (also in human genetics) to shame. I am just glad that good old-fashioned magic has apparently nothing to do with midichlorians.
Submission + - US Consumerism Poses Global Recession Threat (abc.net.au)
Horar writes: "From the article: One of the world's leading economists has issued a scathing denunciation of American consumerism, saying overspending could lead to a "catastrophic" recession... He says the United States has a current account deficit of $US811 billion for last year, which means America is borrowing [more than two] billion a day from overseas.
What are the implications of this for the IT industry if there is such a recession? Alternatively, what would happen if rampant consumerism is brought under control? Isn't it that very consumerism that pushes the development of the devices and technologies which most slashdotters could not live without?"
What are the implications of this for the IT industry if there is such a recession? Alternatively, what would happen if rampant consumerism is brought under control? Isn't it that very consumerism that pushes the development of the devices and technologies which most slashdotters could not live without?"
Submission + - Vista tougher than XP on piracy (efluxmedia.com)
Josh Fink writes: "The folks over at efluxmedia have an intersting, if one sided piece on how Vista's piracy rates are half that of XP. From the article: "Microsoft announced yesterday that piracy rates for Windows Vista are half those of XP and this proves that the giant software maker really created its toughest operating system up to date....Additionally, Microsoft announced on Monday that it plans to offer an update for WGA that will run the piracy check regularly, without the computer users initiating the process." I do not believe that Vista is 'tougher' I just believe that it has not been accepted yet by the IT/user world yet. As for WGA being updated and running without consent, I think Microsoft might be called out in the world of privacy, just like how it was when WGA was released."
Submission + - New telescope to challenge theory of universe (cio.com.au)
Bergkamp10 writes: Australian astronomers will be using a new specially constructed 'rapid survey' telescope to digitally map the southern sky, imaging in six filters with six exposures per filter. The filters have been specially designed to 'decode' stars, with astronomers calling it a 'new window' into the parameters of the universe. The impact on stellar astrophysics will be significant, allowing for much more insightful data collection on how stars were formed and how they got to where they are today. The telescope, called Skymapper, can look at objects in our solar system and according to the report can focus its 'decoding' powers on objects at the farthest regions of the visible universe. Once the project to digitally map the southern sky is complete the results will become available to anyone via an online virtual observatory.
Submission + - Girls make history, win top honors in science (nytimes.com)
Josh Fink writes: "The New York Times has an interesteing piece about how girls have made history by winning top honors in Math, Science and Technology in one of the nation's most prestigeous science competitions: The Siemens Competition . The event took place at New York University on December 3, 2007. "James Whaley, president of the Siemens Foundation, which oversees the competition for Siemens AG, a global electronics and engineering company, said the competition results send a great message to young women.""
Submission + - 1949 Truck Stolen via Internet Con, I Got it Back (blogspot.com)
benadamsdotcom writes: "Don't Mess With Texas. Four months ago, my 1949 Chevy truck was stolen through an elaborate ebay scam that included a fake cashier's check, a face-to-face meeting (he looked me in the eye and shook my hand), a Texas Drivers License, an invalid license plate, and organized criminals. In November, I tracked down my truck through cyber-space to the other side of Texas. After setting up an elaborate sting, I drove across Texas and recovered my truck."
Submission + - Digital mutiny: 2,000 page iraq leak (wikileaks.org)
An anonymous reader writes: Looks like them wikileaks guys are finally putting something out there.
from the site:
This spectacular 2,000 page US military leak consists of the names, group structure and equipment registers of all units in Iraq with US army equipment . It exposes secretive document exploitation centers, detainee operations, elements of the State Department, Air Force, Navy and Marines units, the Iraqi police and coalition forces from Poland, Denmark, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovakia, Romania, Armenia, Kazakhstan and El Salvador. The material represents nearly the entire order of battle for US forces in Iraq and is the first public revelation of many of the military units described. Among other matters it shows that the United States has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention.
from the site:
This spectacular 2,000 page US military leak consists of the names, group structure and equipment registers of all units in Iraq with US army equipment . It exposes secretive document exploitation centers, detainee operations, elements of the State Department, Air Force, Navy and Marines units, the Iraqi police and coalition forces from Poland, Denmark, Ukraine, Latvia, Slovakia, Romania, Armenia, Kazakhstan and El Salvador. The material represents nearly the entire order of battle for US forces in Iraq and is the first public revelation of many of the military units described. Among other matters it shows that the United States has violated the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Submission + - Media founders arrested for publishing subpoena (phoenixnewtimes.com)
tubesteako writes: "The founders of the alternative Phoenix newspaper, New Times, were arrested yesterday after publishing details of a grand jury subpoena. The subpoena ordered the paper to release to the authorities:
"Every note, tape, and record from every story written about Sheriff Arpaio by every reporter over a period of years."
As well as:
"All internet web site information for the Phoenix New Times internet site related to the web pages.""
Submission + - The world's biodiesel potential
Roland Piquepaille writes: "Two researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M) have ranked 226 countries according to their potential to make large volumes of biodiesel at low cost. Their evaluation of the world's potential to produce biodiesel shows that Malaysia, Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay and Ghana are the developing nations most likely to attract biodiesel investment for several reasons including agricultural and political factors. The researchers have estimated that 'a grand total of 51 billion liters of biodiesel could be produced annually — enough to meet roughly 4-5 percent of the world's existing demand for petroleum diesel.' Read more for additional references and maps showing the global biodiesel potential and its production costs."
