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Biotech

Bionic Eye Could Restore Vision 167

MattSparkes writes "A new bionic eye could restore vision to the profoundly blind. A prototype was tested on six patients and 'within a few weeks all could detect light, identify objects and even perceive motion again. For one patient, this was the first time he had seen anything in half a century.' The user wears a pair of glasses that contain a miniature camera and that wirelessly transmits video to a cellphone-sized computer in the wearer's pocket. This computer processes the image information and wirelessly transmits it to a tiny electronic receiver implanted in the wearer's head."
Science

Scientists Dubious of Quantum Computing Claims 107

Dollaz wrote with a link to the International Business Times, which questions the authenticity of D-Wave's Quantum computing. We discussed the 'Sudoku playing' computer yesterday, but scientists in the field have expressed a lot of distrust of the company's findings. The machine was not available for inspection during or after the demo, and even if the technology was working as intended there is some doubt that it can be scaled. The article points out that "notwithstanding lofty claims in the company's press release about creating the world's first commercial quantum computer, D-Wave Chief Executive Herb Martin emphasized that the machine is not a true quantum computer and is instead a kind of special-purpose machine that uses some quantum mechanics to solve problems." Good to see people in the field questioning 'breakthroughs'.
Programming

Submission + - How do you hire a programmer if you're not one?

NewMediaBlogger writes: "I'm a geeky business guy — I know basic SQL/Linux/PHP, but am definitely not a programmer. I have a software idea I want to develop, but am not confident enough in my own skills to determine whether or not a programmer is "good". I don't know a elite programmer I can hire to build a team for me.
How do you judge a programmer if you are not one yourself?
Is there an external consulting service you use? Skill testing in the interview process? "Trial" work contracts? Other?"
User Journal

Journal Journal: Music execs criticise DRM systems

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6362069.stm

Almost two-thirds of music industry executives think removing digital locks from downloadable music would make more people buy the tracks, finds a survey.

Haha.

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