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Comment Shirow Masamune / robotic control software (Score 1) 203

by Karl the Pagan (#21613769) Attached to: Toyota Unveils Violin-Playing Robot
Perhaps as in the "Ghost in the Shell" fiction series each function of a robot or cyborg's abilities will be linked to specialized software tailor made for that application. The power users will combine and tweak their control software, hackers could inject viruses, or feedback in cybernetic systems could drive users mad.

It's all been predicted... now we just need to show that the alternative (AI) is possible and test if it is more desirable.
Software

Submission + - Java Artificial Intelligence Sample Code Liberated

Submitted by
F452
F452 writes: "An objection I've had to many programming books and web sites is that they don't make sample code available under a free software license. This is within the rights of the author, of course, but it seems counter to the spirit of teaching and sharing knowledge to restrict the use of example code.

I was happy to exchange words recently with an author who was open and responsive to making the sample artificial intelligence code from his book available under a free license. With Saturday being Software Freedom Day, it seemed like a good time to write about our email conversation and point you to the freed code. Topics include: Control Systems, Scripted Behavior, Discrete Searching, Searching State Space, Genetic Algorithms, Thinking Logically, and Supervised and Unsupervised Neural Networks."
Microsoft

Submission + - Microsoft Office for $60

Submitted by Descalzo
Descalzo writes: For a limited time ('till April) Microsoft is offering Office 2007 Ultimate Edition for students for the low, low price of $60. From the release:

As part of Microsoft Corp.'s commitment to education, the company is introducing a promotion inviting students who are actively enrolled at educational institutions and have a valid e-mail address from the institution to purchase Microsoft® Office Ultimate 2007 at a student price of $59.95 (U.S.). "The Ultimate Steal" promotion will run in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States starting today and in France, Italy and Spain starting Sept. 20, 2007. The promotion will end April 30, 2008.
Of course, if you can't prove you're really a student, they'll charge you the full price: $680.
Portables (Apple)

Submission + - iPod Touch found in the wild at Apple Stores.

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: The new Apple iPod Touch was originally scheduled for a September 28th release, however it has been released early in limited supply. I was able to purchase two of the 8-GB models today at a local Apple store in Houston, TX. From a scan of the official Apply forums it appears they have shown up at various retail outlets around the US, not limited to only Apple Stores. Also, not all stores have them yet.

Pre-orders from on-line retailers, including Apple's on-line store have yet to ship :(
Microsoft

Submission + - ".docx"... or is that "jock itch"? (journalscape.com)

Submitted by
brindafella
brindafella writes: "This week I had my first 'attack' by ".docx": I received a file in Microsoft's 2007 Office Open XML format that I could not see inside and make sense of. It was maddening.

I have an up-to-date and legal XP/Office 2000 and it had not a clue about this young pup yapping at its heels.

I now know what's in the file, but someone else might like the challenge of turning the gobbledegook into straight text. Here is the blog entry with the munched-up .docx file contents listed. Please forgive me for likening ".docx" to a case of "jock itch". (Say the two out aloud!)"
Java

Submission + - FPC Bench, a piece of Java technology. (java.com)

Submitted by
Davide
Davide writes: "Java.com links to FPC Bench Project as a good resources for JavaME developers.

FPC Bench is a Java benchmark to test and compare the performance of a phone with other phones. FPC Bench is a complete test tool to test performance and features.
  • CPU/Memory benchmark (single threaded and multi threaded)
  • NetMeter benchmark (GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, WIFI speed)
  • Check for total heap memory size
  • Check for free heap memory size
  • Check for full screen's maximum resolution in a Java canvas
  • Check for double buffering
  • Check for RMS size
  • Check for RMS speed (external/internal memory speed)
  • Check for available profile/configuration
  • Check for the latest APIs:
JSR 75: File System access API.
JSR 82: Bluetooth/OBEX API.
JSR 118: Mobile Information Device Profile API.
JSR 120: Wireless Messaging API (WMA 1.1).
JSR 135: Multimedia API (MMAPI)
JSR 139: Connected Limited Device Configuration 1.1
JSR 172: Wev service specification.
JSR 177: Security and Truste Services API.
JSR 179: Location API.
JSR 180: SIP API.
JSR 184: Mobile 3D Graphics.
JSR 185: Java Tech for Wireless Industry API.
JSR 205: Wireless Messaging API (WMA 2.0).
JSR 209: Advanced graphics and user interface.
JSR 211: Content Handler API.
JSR 226: Scalable 2D vector graphics for JavaME.
JSR 229: Payment API.
JSR 234: Advanced Multimedia API.
JSR 238: Mobile internationalization API.
JSR 239: Java binding for OpenGL ES.
JSR 248: MSA Umbrella.
JSR 248: Fully featured MSA.
JSR 256: Mobile Sensor API.
JSR 257: Contactless communication API.
  • Check for real time 3D graphics features:
maxLights.
maxSpriteCropDimension.
maxTextureDimension.
maxTransformsPerVertex.
maxViewportDimension.
numTextureUnits.
Antialiasing.
Dithering.
LocalCameraLighting.
Mipmapping.
PerspectiveCorrection.
TrueColor.
"
Unix

Submission + - Why adopt Python to manage UNIX systems

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: As a system administrator, you run across numerous challenges and problems. Managing users, disk space, processes, devices, and backups can cause many system administrators to lose their hair, good humor, or sanity. Shell scripts can help, but they often have frustrating limitations. This is where a full-featured scripting language, such as Python, can turn a tedious task into an easy one. Python is a scripting language that looks like it was made for system administrators.
Security

Submission + - Facebook users hit by drive-by downloaded exploits (blogspot.com)

Submitted by cottagetrees
cottagetrees writes: Facebook users are getting hit by drive-by downloaded exploits, according to security researcher Roger Thompson of Exploit Prevention Labs. According to his blog post at http://explabs.blogspot.com/ , Thompson discovered last night that ads on Facebook were using the MDAC exploit to force-download adware onto the computers of unsuspecting victims. From the post: "It's hard to sort out, but here's the critical sequence of connections ... Facebook calls to bannerconnect 208_67_70_3 Referer: http://ads.ak.facebook.com/ads [snip] ,Host: ad.bannerconnect.net bannerconnect calls to yieldmanager 208_67_70_3 Referer: http://ad.bannerconnect.net/st?ad_t [snip] ,Host: ad.yieldmanager.com 208_67_70_3 Referer: http://ad.bannerconnect.net/st?ad_t [snip] ,Host: ad.yieldmanager.com yieldmanager calls to valuead 69_63_219_104 Referer: http://ad.yieldmanager.com/iframe3? [snip] ,Host: reduxads.valuead.com 69_63_219_104 Referer: http://ad.yieldmanager.com/iframe3? [snip] ,Host: reduxads.valuead.com valuead calls to megapromition, which throws an exploit (MS06-014), which runs an adware installer85_17_161_17 Referer: http://reduxads.valuead.com/test?pi [snip] ,Host: www.megapromition.net "
Announcements

Submission + - Applke excludes iTunes from $100 iPhone rebate

Submitted by
treeves
treeves writes: "Apple announced they're going to specifically exclude iTunes songs from the list of things that can be purchased using the $100 rebate credits given to early buyers of iPhones, and didn't say why they're doing it.

It is reasonable to assume that one reason is that it will force people to buy more expensive items (only a few items under a hundred dollars can be had) and that people will have to spend more than $100 in most cases, or not use all of the rebate. If they could buy songs, they could spend right up to $99.99.

Seems like another way to anger those same people you were trying to assuage by giving the rebate in the first place, no?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ach7AweWoeyo&refer=home"
Businesses

Submission + - SCO Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Submitted by theonetruekeebler
theonetruekeebler writes: The SCO Group has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection:

"We want to assure our customers and partners that they can continue to rely on SCO products, support and services for their business critical operations," said Darl McBride, President and CEO, The SCO Group. "Chapter 11 reorganization provides the Company with an opportunity to protect its assets during this time while focusing on building our future plans."
Security

Submission + - TD Ameritrade pwned by Spammers

Submitted by Anonymous Coward
An anonymous reader writes: Today TD Ameritrade confirmed what anyone with an account there already knew: Their databases have been compromised, not once, but in an ongoing manner over a period of several years. As previously noted on Slashdot, this has resulted in hundreds of spam emails sent per week to account holders, mostly for penny stock pump-and-dump scams. What's especially troubling is that TD Ameritrade also admits that the compromised database contained not just email accounts, but names, physical addresses, phone numbers, account numbers, date of birth, and Social Security Numbers. However, according to a press release issued by the CEO of TD Ameritrade, "While more sensitive information like account numbers, date of birth and Social Security Numbers is stored in this database, there is no evidence that it was taken". Riiiight. The full press release and a FAQ related to the matter is available at their website.
Biotech

Submission + - MS Patients Walk Faster Using Virtual Reality (tfot.info)

Submitted by
Iddo Genuth
Iddo Genuth writes: "Among other symptoms, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), affects the gait of the patient. This is the result of weak muscles, sensory disorders and general fatigue, and is also caused by incoordination induced by neuronal abnormality. A device developed by a group of scientists headed by Professor Yoram Baran from the Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, helps MS patients and others suffering from similar problems to walk faster and easier. The device which is composed of two main components- a sensory element that measures the movement of the body and a small screen attached to the patient's eyeglasses lets the patient see a virtual floor moving beneath him as he walks, which helps him to remain stable and improve his walking abilities."
Google

Submission + - Google Quietly Closes AdSense API to Small Sites (idealog.us)

Submitted by
NewsCloud
NewsCloud writes: "Google has raised the required minimum traffic limit for publishers who wish to use its AdSense API to 100,000 page views per day. The AdSense API was introduced in March as a way for sites with user generated content to share advertising revenue with their members. Says Google, "This policy change will probably result in fewer developers going live and give us a chance to enhance our support resources and processes to more easily support a greater number of developers in the future...we hope to be able to lower it in the future as we become more efficient at supporting our developers!" Meanwhile, some publishers report waiting a month for their API usage to be approved. I take Google at its word for now but worry that small developers could be increasingly squeezed out of the mashup space if this were to become a trend."

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