Submission + - testing cmdrtaco test (cmdrtaco.net) 3
Anonymous Coward writes: "askjdllkjads ljksdakjldsakjl ajklsdakljadsjkl sdalkjdaskljlkdjsakjldasasd"
Submission + - Scientists break speed of light
Submission + - Diebold changes name, estimates huge revenue drop
An anonymous reader writes: Diebold has announced it is renaming its failing elections systems subsidiary to Premier Elections Systems, after failing to find a buyer. They also are lowering their revenue estimates by $120 million, roughly 60% below original estimates of $180 to $215 million.
Salon columnist Farhad Manjoo comments: "Henceforth, when reaching for an example of mind-boggling incompetence, please say "Premier" rather than "Diebold," because Diebold Election Systems is now Premier Election Systems."
Submission + - Help building computer for visually-impaired kid?
a_red_man writes: My nephew is three years old, and was born with visual-impairments. He has already had several eye surgeries since he was born. Recently his parents learned that there is a possibility that his condition may be degenerative over time, which is a scary thing to hear. I'm hoping and praying that he does not lose all of his sight, and that this is NOT degenerative.
Cognitive testing places him mentally well above his age. I think he's aware that he doesn't see the world exactly the same as everyone else does, but he can see enough of it to know what's happening around him. He's always seen the world that way — so it's all he knows. He's smart, funny, inquisitive about the world, and a joy to be around!
Like many things in life, I have remained blissfully uninformed about dealing with visual impairment in children until it touched my own family. And, like many readers of Slashdot, I believe that technology can be a significant enabler.
I'm seeking advice on putting a computer together for him for educational purposes (reading/math/etc) and I don't know where to start. I'm working off of the assumption that his vision will not worsen, so I'm assuming he'll be able to see but at a level that counts as legally-blind. He can read letters and words in children's books, but has trouble reading words on a computer monitor unless they're very large. I know there are features and programs out there for people with visual-impairment, but I'm curious to see if anyone out there has had personal experience and can point me in the right direction (operating system, programs, existing vendors, etc?).
Cognitive testing places him mentally well above his age. I think he's aware that he doesn't see the world exactly the same as everyone else does, but he can see enough of it to know what's happening around him. He's always seen the world that way — so it's all he knows. He's smart, funny, inquisitive about the world, and a joy to be around!
Like many things in life, I have remained blissfully uninformed about dealing with visual impairment in children until it touched my own family. And, like many readers of Slashdot, I believe that technology can be a significant enabler.
I'm seeking advice on putting a computer together for him for educational purposes (reading/math/etc) and I don't know where to start. I'm working off of the assumption that his vision will not worsen, so I'm assuming he'll be able to see but at a level that counts as legally-blind. He can read letters and words in children's books, but has trouble reading words on a computer monitor unless they're very large. I know there are features and programs out there for people with visual-impairment, but I'm curious to see if anyone out there has had personal experience and can point me in the right direction (operating system, programs, existing vendors, etc?).
Submission + - Sony to unveil PS4 in 2008?
njkid1 writes: "In an interview posted on GamePro last week, former Sony CEO Ken Kutaragi stated that ideas for PlayStations 4, 5, and 6 have already been conceptualized. However, new, yet still unverified sources now claim that his recent retirement has enabled him to streamline plans for a PS4 prototype sooner than anybody thought."
Submission + - iTunes-only Track Debuts in the Top Ten
hondo77 writes: Carrie Underwood's new single, "I'll Stand By You", has debuted at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 100,000 copies in less than a week. The reason to care is that this single is only available on iTunes. Macworld reports that this is the first time an iTunes-only single has debuted in the Top Ten. The icing on the cake is that all proceeds from the sales go to charity as part of the Idol Gives Back program.
Submission + - Rumor: Nintendo of America to Relocate
Submission + - Jack Valenti Dies of Stroke
Kyrka writes: Jack Valenti, the former aide to President Lyndon Johnson who became Hollywood's top lobbyist, devised its movie-rating system and fought for trade concessions and copyright protection, died today in Washington. He was 85.
http://www.eog.com/news/full-article.aspx?id=22828
Feed The Suitcase Bike finally unfolds, should hit production soon (engadget.com)
Filed under: Transportation
We understand, it's practically impossible to either bike everywhere you need to go or have your General Motors' Flex-Fit rack ready to rock when you're far from home, but the suitcase bike can seemingly tackle both of those issues with ease. Amazingly, the oft talked about, but hardly taken seriously Suitcase Bike has apparently been green-lit for production, and could be available to suckers interested consumers "later this year." While it shouldn't be too hard to guess, we'll do the honors anyway: the presumably hefty suitcase can morph into an unsightly form of transportation with just a few clips, folds, and snaps, and while public humiliation isn't necessarily included in the price, we can't help but imagine that it'll be bundled in whether you like it or not. Still, having a pair of wheels on your person at all times could certainly come in handy, so be sure you click through and catch the unfolding video to see if it's really worth the reported $399 asking price.[Via TreeHugger]
Continue reading The Suitcase Bike finally unfolds, should hit production soon
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Feed Top scientists list favourite gizmos (theregister.com)
Innovations that changed the world
A survey, asking the world's top boffins what they think the greatest innovations have been in their fields, has turned up a dizzying list of inventions, from the world wide web to the humble microscope.
Feed ThinkOptics' WavIt 3D Media-PC Remote gunning for Wiimote (engadget.com)
Filed under: Media PCs, Peripherals
We're hearing some fairly bold words from a startup company with a purported Wiimote killer, even though it's about as far from the gaming realm as it could possibly be. In what's likely a shameless attempt to link the WavIt 3D Media-PC Remote to the well-regarded Wiimote, ThinkOptics has reportedly "made a pointing system for the computer and TV that makes the Nintendo Wii's controller look downright primitive." Realistically, the Wavlt doesn't look much better than any other overachieving wireless pointing device, but it does hope to interact with TVs and HTPCs in order to make on-screen navigation a bit less painful. Additionally, the creator is looking to incorporate the motion-sensing device into home automation in order to raise and dim lights, crank up the furnace, or mute your youngster's blaring music from the living room. The controller supposedly utilizes both RF and infrared technologies, and although it can track minute twists, flips, and turns, it does lack both an accelerometer and built-in Bluetooth. Notably, the wand will rely on the 2.4GHz band as well as Zigbee's 802.15 protocol, and while no firm release date was set, official pricing information should be unveiled shortly. [Warning: Read link requires subscription]Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Feed Super Paper Mario Leads Onslaught of New Wii Games (wired.com)
Feed Jack Valenti, 85, passes away (engadget.com)
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
It's with a puzzling mix of emotions -- mostly compassion and sensitivity -- that we report Jack Valenti, former Kennedy and LBJ cabinet member, and 38-year head of that most reviled of entertainment associations, the MPAA, died today at 85. Oddly, Jack was actually the subject of the very first Engadget Interview way back in 2004, and like him or not, he leaves a profound legacy of influence in politics, entertainment, and even on digital media as we know it today. So long, Mr. Valenti.[Via BoingBoing]
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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
