billdar - Slashdot User

New iConji language for the symbol-minded-> 0

Submitted by

billdar

on Sunday May 23 2010, @12:55AM

billdar writes "As texting evolves into it's own language, a NCBR article covers an ambitious project to develop a new symbol-based language called iConji for mobile texting and online chatting. "iConji is a set of user-created 32x32-pixel symbols that represent words or ideas, not dissimilar from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics or American Sign Language." There is an instructional video for the iPhone app and it is also integrated into Facebook."
Link to Original Source

PS3 Cell Faster than Core i7 965 XE 0

Submitted by

billdar

on Wednesday July 01 2009, @10:49AM

billdar writes "PS3News is reported on transcoding tool that allows for the conversion of video material on the Full HD format, with the help of a PlayStation 3 with faster than real-time performance. Connected to a PC via a gigabit ethernet, the PS3 performs as an external, dedicated video encoder. All encoding is handled by the PS3 which runs an embedded version of Yellow Dog Linux entirely from ROM, thus shifting the CPU-intensive processing away from the workstation. According to the article, the PS3 "Cell processor clocked a performance of 29 FPS, that is 1.2 times real-time conversion — the cell has a similar performance as the CUDA Badaboom encoder in combination with an Nvidia Geforce GTX-285. By comparison, Intel's current top-CPU, the Core i7 965 XE, does it still at 18 FPS — normal desktop CPUs even create only about 5 FPS.""

Comment: Re:Be firm.. (Score 1) 902

by billdar on Wednesday June 10 2009, @09:36AM (#28279541) Attached to: How Do IT Guys Get Respect and Not Become BOFHs?

Be firm, but don't be a jerk. Be reasonable, and honest - justify and explain. In writing if it helps. Just don't promise more than you can deliver, and be explicitly clear about the complexity of solutions.

If somebody gets in your face and calls you a ********, I want you to be nice. Ask him to walk. Be nice. If he won't walk, walk him. But be nice. If you can't walk him, one of the others will help you, and you'll both be nice. I want you to remember that it's a job. It's nothing personal.

Ahh... Road House continues to provide life's answers...

HP Recalls 70,000 Laptop Batteries 75

Posted by timothy on Tuesday May 19 2009, @11:34AM
from the or-just-stick-with-renter's-insurance dept.

angry tapir writes "Hewlett-Packard has recalled Lithium-Ion batteries used in some of its laptops, as they pose a fire hazard. The recall covers about 70,000 batteries used in the company's HP and Compaq-branded laptops. The affected laptops can be found here."

Comment: Re:Not worth the responsibility (Score 1) 837

by billdar on Monday April 27 2009, @10:06AM (#27730273) Attached to: Handmade vs. Commercially Produced Ethernet Cables

More often than not, this is has been the deciding factor with going Microsoft...

Work Attire 0

Submitted by billdar on Tuesday March 03 2009, @12:40AM

billdar writes "- Business Suit
— Shirt, Tie, & Slacks
— Pollo Shirt & Jeans
— Work Shirt, Dickies, & Steel Toes
— T-Shirt and Shorts
— Nothing, and proud of it!
— Nothing, but not so proud...
— Cowboyneal Under-roos"

PS3 enters DARPA Urban Challenge-> 0

Submitted by billdar on Monday October 29 2007, @09:57PM

billdar writes "Terrasoft Solutions posted an article on their development of a stereo vision object detection system built upon Sony's PS3 for Axion Racing's entry into the DARPA Urban Challenge. The PS3 running Yellow Dog Linux replaced one of the on-board Dell servers to process the realtime stereoscopic sensor data. The whole system was developed and integrated onto the vehicle in ten days. So far, Spirit has been making the competition's highlight reels."
Link to Original Source

Burglar alarm for Linux?

Submitted by Vellmont on Wednesday January 10 2007, @01:09PM

Vellmont writes "I live in an apartment, and I've recently become enamored with the idea of turning my Linux server into a burglar alarm. The goal would be to provide the same features of a professional burglar alarm (motion detection, keypad de-activation and activation, and a loud alarm) plus some extra features that's easy for an internet connected computer such as paging alerts. Has anyone found hardware that can be fairly easily interfaced with Linux, as well as an open-source project that drives the alarm?"

Terrasoft Hosts Cell Processor HACK-A-THON

Submitted by

billdar

on Wednesday January 10 2007, @12:58PM

billdar writes "The HPC Consortium HACK-A-THON is being hosted this year focusing on optimizing engineering and scientific code for the Cell Processor. "With on-site support from IBM, Mercury, and RapidMind, event participants will enjoy opening day presentations, daily tutorials, and assistance while working in the recently completed 3000 sq-ft HPC facility at Terra Soft's Loveland, Colorado headquarters. PLAYSTATION(R)3s, Mercury and IBM Cell products will be available on-site. An inviting, creative atmosphere will be supported by home cooked catering, and a continuous flow of warm beverages"."

US defense contractors bugged with Canadian coins

Submitted by FiSHNuTZ on Wednesday January 10 2007, @12:46PM

FiSHNuTZ writes "From the article: "Canadian coins containing tiny transmitters have mysteriously turned up in the pockets of at least three American contractors who visited Canada, says a branch of the U.S. Defense Department. Security experts believe the miniature devices could be used to track the movements of defence industry personnel dealing in sensitive military technology.""