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PlayStation (Games)

Submission + - PS3 Cell Faster than Core i7 965 XE

billdar writes: "PS3News is reported on transcoding tool that allows for the conversion of video material on the Full HD format, with the help of a PlayStation 3 with faster than real-time performance. Connected to a PC via a gigabit ethernet, the PS3 performs as an external, dedicated video encoder. All encoding is handled by the PS3 which runs an embedded version of Yellow Dog Linux entirely from ROM, thus shifting the CPU-intensive processing away from the workstation. According to the article, the PS3 "Cell processor clocked a performance of 29 FPS, that is 1.2 times real-time conversion — the cell has a similar performance as the CUDA Badaboom encoder in combination with an Nvidia Geforce GTX-285. By comparison, Intel's current top-CPU, the Core i7 965 XE, does it still at 18 FPS — normal desktop CPUs even create only about 5 FPS.""

Comment Re:Be firm.. (Score 1) 902

Be firm, but don't be a jerk. Be reasonable, and honest - justify and explain. In writing if it helps. Just don't promise more than you can deliver, and be explicitly clear about the complexity of solutions.

If somebody gets in your face and calls you a ********, I want you to be nice. Ask him to walk. Be nice. If he won't walk, walk him. But be nice. If you can't walk him, one of the others will help you, and you'll both be nice. I want you to remember that it's a job. It's nothing personal.

Ahh... Road House continues to provide life's answers...

It's funny.  Laugh.

Submission + - Work Attire

billdar writes: - Business Suit
— Shirt, Tie, & Slacks
— Pollo Shirt & Jeans
— Work Shirt, Dickies, & Steel Toes
— T-Shirt and Shorts
— Nothing, and proud of it!
— Nothing, but not so proud...
— Cowboyneal Under-roos
Hardware Hacking

Submission + - PS3 enters DARPA Urban Challenge (terrasoftsolutions.com)

billdar writes: Terrasoft Solutions posted an article on their development of a stereo vision object detection system built upon Sony's PS3 for Axion Racing's entry into the DARPA Urban Challenge. The PS3 running Yellow Dog Linux replaced one of the on-board Dell servers to process the realtime stereoscopic sensor data. The whole system was developed and integrated onto the vehicle in ten days. So far, Spirit has been making the competition's highlight reels.
Security

Submission + - Burglar alarm for Linux?

Vellmont writes: I live in an apartment, and I've recently become enamored with the idea of turning my Linux server into a burglar alarm. The goal would be to provide the same features of a professional burglar alarm (motion detection, keypad de-activation and activation, and a loud alarm) plus some extra features that's easy for an internet connected computer such as paging alerts. Has anyone found hardware that can be fairly easily interfaced with Linux, as well as an open-source project that drives the alarm?
Supercomputing

Submission + - Terrasoft Hosts Cell Processor HACK-A-THON

billdar writes: "The HPC Consortium HACK-A-THON is being hosted this year focusing on optimizing engineering and scientific code for the Cell Processor. "With on-site support from IBM, Mercury, and RapidMind, event participants will enjoy opening day presentations, daily tutorials, and assistance while working in the recently completed 3000 sq-ft HPC facility at Terra Soft's Loveland, Colorado headquarters. PLAYSTATION(R)3s, Mercury and IBM Cell products will be available on-site. An inviting, creative atmosphere will be supported by home cooked catering, and a continuous flow of warm beverages"."
Security

Submission + - US defense contractors bugged with Canadian coins

FiSHNuTZ writes: From the article: "Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada, says a branch of the U.S. Defense Department. Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the movements of defence industry personnel dealing in sensitive military technology."
Businesses

Clearing Up Holiday Sales Rumours 86

Gamespot's regular 'Rumor Control' column tackles some confusion around who had the most holiday sales among the three new consoles. A CNBC broadcast prompted GamesIndustry.biz to proclaim the 360 the winner, with some 2 Million in sales. The Wii followed closely behind with 1.8 Million, and the PS3 followed that number with 750,000. The catch here is that, while it's possible a viewer could have assumed this was official NPD data, it wasn't. From the article: "The segment is an interview with Billy Pidgeon, an analyst with IT market intelligence firm IDC. In it, a graphic appears on screen showing estimated console sales in North America for November through December 25, 2006. The numbers match up with the figures being attributed to the NPD, but CNBC attributes IDC as its source on them. The confusion likely comes from a blurb of text that appears at the bottom of the screen shortly after the graphic is taken down. It notes that the 'NDP Group' (sic) pegged the Wii as selling more than twice the number of PS3s for the month of November, which is true, but also something that was announced last month." The numbers may prove to be true, but we're going to have to wait a bit longer to see who actually came out ahead last month.
Privacy

Submission + - smarter and safer--myspace users get savvy

cheryl writes: FAU and UW professors have teamed up to discover that teens using myspace are thinking twice prior to posting their personal information states an article posted on the Miami Herald this morning: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/st ates/florida/counties/broward_county/16378589.htm Findings include maintaining a private profile and being selective in choosing which pics to upload — provocative or not — can help prevent unwanted attention, which the majority of users are doing.
The Media

Submission + - 2006 Linux/Open Source Timeline

coderpath writes: "For the ninth year in a row, the editors at LWN.net have put together a timeline highlighting the most important events of the last twelve months. It has been an active and interesting year — just like the ones before. The GPLv3 process was launched — and threatened to split our community over differing views of freedom. Software patent issues came and went. The Linux desktop went 3D. Large companies became more involved with Linux and free software — and not everybody is pleased with the result. Distributors reevaluated and reworked their dealings with the community. And, while all this was happening, the community continued to produce great code which made all of our systems better."

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