428734
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
Arthur C. Clarke, one of the deans of the golden age of hard science fiction has turned 90. According to CNN, Clarke wished for three things: "for the world to embrace cleaner energy resources, for a lasting peace in his adopted home, Sri Lanka, and for evidence of extraterrestrial beings." Clarke, confined to a wheel chair by post-polio syndrome, was honored by Sri Lanka's President and visiting astronauts.
238977
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
A new software program reported by LiveScience uses artificial intelligence and game theory to assist divorcing couples in settling disputes. "The program, which is based on the game theory concepts developed by mathematician John Nash, separately asks the husband and wife to "rate" every disputed item by assigning points to each in a way that reflects each item's relative importance to him or her." Unsurprisingly, the developers, Emilia Bellucci and John Zeleznikow from Victoria University in Australia, report that lawyers are interested in their product.
205845
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
Scientific American is reporting on newly declassified window film that 'promises to block hackers' access to your wireless transmissions — and protect against EMP attacks and explosions, to boot.' The film shields against electromagnetic transmission in either direction from 10 hertz through the near infrared just shy of visible light. Although it is now available to the general public, it's not going to be at Home Depot anytime soon. You'll need to be rich as well as paranoid for this.
199657
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
Lots of things were reported to be hidden in the grooves of vinyl LP albums; satanic chants, the last five girls Paul slept with, etc. BoingBoing is providing a link to a story on computer games hidden in the grooves of old vinyl. Most were for the Sinclair Spectrum. You recorded the vinyl track to tape and loaded the tape into the computer. A King's Quest sort of game from a Thompson Twins album is emulated on the web.
177685
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
The Vista version of Halo 2 has earned a "Partial Nudity" tag from the ESRB according to gamer site Kotaku. The partial nudity is not part of the game and consists of a photo of some engineer(?) mooning as part of a Vista Error Report. The ".ASS Error" caption is a nice touch. Maybe someone got tired of Vista crapping out on their code. Or is that you, Balmer?
99866
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
MSNBC is reporting that Chinese scientists "have succeeded in implanting electrodes in the brain of a pigeon to remotely control the bird's flight." The implants stimulate the flight control areas of the bird's brain and are controlled by the scientist's computer. I for one can think of several good uses for this technology in upcoming election campaigns.
58744
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
The Detroit Tigers lost their ace relief pitcher Joel Zumaya for three games of the American League Championship Series last fall due to inflammation of his right wrist and forearm. Since he throws at over 100 mph, it was though that his injury was from throwing. It turns out to have been from too much time spent playing Guitar Hero in his spare time. The Detroit Free Press is also reporting that the news is aiding sales of Guitar Hero II. You may not be able to play like Slash, but you can play like Zumaya, apparently.
57294
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
Your Favorite Yuletide Beverage:
- Tom and Jerry
- Hot Buttered Rum
- Peppermint Schnapps
- Eggnog, with or without
- White Russian, Dude
- Mulled wine
- Beer, it's not just for breakfast
- Whatever roommate bought
19779
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
EU Information Society Commissioner Viviane Reding says that citizens should be able to turn of RFID chips to protect their privacy. She says that people need to have the ability to control access to their personal information.
11279
submission
Kozar_The_Malignant writes:
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that electronic passport scanners have been installed at SFO. Ten of the scanners were received last week and have now been put in service. Various creative responses have been discussed here before.
