26476940
submission
Kittenman writes:
A "study" reviewing 30 people over 65 and 30 people between 18 and 49 found that the older age group used 100 words to tell the same story told in 70 words by the younger group.
This submitter finishes here.
24229768
submission
Kittenman writes:
US Programmer Jesse Anderson has taken advantage of Amazon 'Cloud' computing and used it to get programs (the virtual monkeys) creating the complete works of Shakespeare, by simulating random text entry until the Bard's words appear. The article comments that the virtual monkey creates a nine-character string, and then checks that string against the complete works — and that there are 5.5 trillion combinations possible in the English language.
One wonder how many "To be or not to be" sequences were produced.
23973370
submission
Kittenman writes:
Several media sources are covering the discovery of an exo-planet orbiting two suns. The planet has been nicknamed 'Tatooine', after the Star Wars planet that housed Luke Skywalker.
No mention of whether the discovery is linked to upcoming re-release of the Star Wars saga on Blu-ray.
22376992
submission
Kittenman writes:
The BBC website is covering comments from an 'online entrepreneur' (Charles Duncombe), who states that as a website has only about six seconds to grab the attention of a reader, it's important to make the page as correct and professional-looking as possible. A comment this Grammar Nazi totally agrees with (or rather, a comment with which this Grammar Nazi totally agrees).
21661982
submission
Kittenman writes:
SLATE is carrying some details of how eccentric treasure hunter Bill Warren is proposing looking for the body of Osama Bin Laden in the Arabian sea. Sonar will be used, and a submersible. Success seems unlikely, and expenses can only soar from the original US$1 million.
18822550
submission
Kittenman writes:
The "Sun", a UK tabloid is covering the invention of the smallest petrol engine. Various facts and figures are released with the data ("700 times more energy than a conventional battery"). The article cites that it could be replacing batteries within six years. This reader is dubious and wonders about filling it up at the local pumps.
18168228
submission
Kittenman writes:
The Telegraph (and several US locals) are covering a story about a Japanese woman who had her underwear on the line while the Google car went past. She is now suing Google: "I was overwhelmed with anxiety that I might be the target of a sex crime," the woman told a district court. "It caused me to lose my job and I had to change my residence." . Possibly the Streisand effect may apply here — but another example of privacy infringement by the Google car.
17944268
submission
Kittenman writes:
Several sites (including the BBCs on-line 'click' magazine) are carrying news of luminous toilet paper. The marketing blurb states "Perfect for power cuts, this groovy glowing loo roll means that if you don’t want to wake anyone up in your household by turning on the light, it’ll cast its green glow over your bathroom, so you can find your way around.". Several imaginative uses are probably available, and we're not even scraping the bottom yet
17792004
submission
Kittenman writes:
NASA has released an game allowing players to (quote) "Step into the role of an explorer in a futuristic lunar settlement... Your mission is to restore critical systems after a meteor strike cripples life support equipment.". The game (Moonbase Alpha) has been released using VALVE's STEAM network. The Website includes a lot of background information and 'training' for any would-be moonbase commanders. Are we looking at some fun educational tool, or a recruitment tool (in the mode of 'The Last Starfighter').
17484324
submission
Kittenman writes:
A new species of lizard has been discovered by Ngo Van Trii, a Vietnamese scientist, who discovered live specimens in a tank at a restaurant, awaiting their call to lunch. The species is unusual, in that all specimens found are female (though this may explain their presence in a restaurant).
17481496
submission
Kittenman writes:
The name of Renault's new all-electric car, to be named the Zoe (from ZE — Zero Emissions and also from the Greek word 'Zoe', meaning Life) was objected to by two families in France, named Renault, with daughters named Zoe. The judgement is in — the ruling is that the name is a common noun, and open to common use. There are appeals from the families, who don't want their daughters to go through a lifetime of mockery. However — other proper names may now be open for adoption. Windows Fred?
17232696
submission
Kittenman writes:
The NZ Herald is reporting that an Irish filmmaker, George Clarke, has noticed someone using a cellphone in the 'special features' section of the DVD 'The Circus', a Charlie Chaplin movie filmed in 1928. The cellphone is (reportedly) visible in the "unused footage" section. Clarke states: "The only conclusion I can come to — which sounds absolutely ridiculous I'm sure, to some people — is it's a time traveller,". Other conclusions are also possible, no doubt. One also wonders what network the traveller was using in the 1920s. Or maybe it was a satellite phone — which raises other issues. Or maybe it was something else altogether. Most remarkable is that not only that a person has an obscure Chaplin movie on DVD but that they also scanned the 'special features'.
10837826
submission
Kittenman writes:
The BBC are reporting that budget cuts are going to curtail the orbit plotting of Asteroid Apophis. Apophis cuts through Earth's orbit twice a year, and in 2029 is expected to pass within 30,000 Kms — substantially closer to the Earth than the moon is — and within the orbit of several local satellites.
NASA rated the chances of a collision in 2036 at 2.7% — though these odds have since been lengthened. Without accurate orbit data, this correspondent wonders how.
10228564
submission
Kittenman writes:
The BBC is covering a 'Solar Stormwatch' community program that needs human involvement, analyzing photos produced from space instruments. Apparently solar storms can't be recognized by computer programs (really? surprising) but need humans to look for the patterns. A short training course will allow someone with time on their hands to analyze photos, pass in a result and potentially save all life on the planet. Over a cup of tea (or a beverage of your choice), apparently.
9953272
submission
Kittenman writes:
Microsoft has won court permission to close down one of the ten biggest spam networks (Botnets) in the Stats. Known as Waledac, it's responsible for emailing over 651 million pieces of spam to hotmail accounts (and no doubt millions more to others). It's interesting (to me) that Waledac is being closed by Microsoft — not by an ISP. Either way, it's good news.
