perkonis - Slashdot User

CIA Shows Off SuperSecret Spy Goodies-> 1

Submitted by Velcroman1 on Tuesday February 22 2011, @12:12PM

Velcroman1 writes "In a world where Russian femme fatales become international brands and an iconic British spy franchise has made a culturally resurgent reboot, it seems only fitting that the notoriously secretive Central Intelligence Agency is giving the world an insider’s look at some of its wackier exploits.

Last week, the U.S. spy organization launched a revamped website with links to YouTube and Flickr containing Agency historical videos and picture galleries.

“The idea behind these improvements is to make more information about the agency available to more people, more easily,” Director Panetta said in a statement. “The CIA wants the American people and the world to understand its mission and its vital role in keeping our country safe.” In terms of pure coolness the Flickr stream takes the cake — including never-before-seen gallery of special agent supergadgets."
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Nebula Award Nominations Announced!-> 0

Submitted by

Anonymous Coward

on Tuesday February 22 2011, @11:42AM

Anonymous Coward writes "The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) have just announced the nominees for this year's Nebula Awards!"
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Solar Power.....at night-> 0

Submitted by Dthief on Thursday December 30 2010, @10:30PM

Dthief writes "Something new is headed for the Southwest desert: solar power plants that can make electricity whether or not the sun is shining.

The Solana plant will be able to meet winter heating and lighting needs by putting electricity on the grid early in the morning—before the sun is shining—and help satisfy summer cooling demand by producing power after sundown. The plant, which can power up to 70,000 houses, has signed a 30-year agreement to sell electricity to utility company Arizona Public Service.

Mark Mehos, a solar program manager for the National Renewable Energy Lab in Golden, Colo., said such molten salt storage systems add about 20% to the construction cost of solar plants but more than make up for it by boosting a plant's flexibility and productivity.

Electricity from solar plants is expensive, especially at a time when natural-gas prices have plunged, making gas-generated electricity cheap by comparison. Utilities, which are under state mandates to buy more clean power, say solar power may look more economical in the future if fossil fuel prices rise or if a tax is imposed on carbon emissions by power plants."
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New Zealand Government Opens UFO Files-> 0

Submitted by astroengine on Wednesday December 22 2010, @01:46PM

astroengine writes "Following hot on the heels of a series of international UFO sighting disclosures, the New Zealand government has joined the party and made public 2,000 pages of UFO eyewitness accounts dating back to 1952. Helpfully, the NZ newspaper The Dominion Post has scanned the documents and has made them available online. Among the accounts of alien encounters and strange lights in the sky is one of New Zealand's most famous UFO mystery: the Kaikoura sighting. But was it aliens? Probably not, but it makes for an entertaining read."
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U.S. Gasoline Usage Peaked In 2006-> 1

Submitted by thecarchik on Tuesday December 21 2010, @08:19PM

thecarchik writes "Even if you may not have heard of the Peak Oil theory, everyone knows that we'll continue to use more and more gasoline in years to come. Right? Well, errrrr, no. Maybe not. At least, that's the conclusion of both industry analysts and the oil companies themselves. The peak year for U.S. gasoline consumption to date was 2006, when we collectively used 374 million gallons every single day.Even with as many as 27 million more vehicles on the road in 10 years and a resumption of economic growth, says the experts, gasoline consumption will never again hit that 2006 high. In fact, 20 years hence, it may have fallen as much as 20 percent from today's levels. Since then, a combination of factors has cut demand and will continue to do so in future years. Even with as many as 27 million more vehicles on the road in 10 years and a resumption of economic growth, says the experts, gasoline consumption will never again hit that 2006 high. In fact, 20 years hence, it may have fallen as much as 20 percent from today's levels."
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Retailers Dread Phone-Wielding Shoppers-> 0

Submitted by

Ponca City

on Friday December 17 2010, @01:02AM

Ponca City writes "The WSJ reports that until recently, retailers could reasonably assume that if they just lured shoppers to stores with enticing specials, the customers could be coaxed into buying more profitable stuff too, but now marketers must contend with shoppers who can use their smartphones inside stores to check whether the specials are really so special. "The retailer's advantage has been eroded," says Greg Girard adding that that roughly 45% of customers with smartphones had used them to perform due diligence on a store's prices. "The four walls of the store have become porous." Although store executives publicly welcome a price-transparent world, retail experts don't expect all chains to measure up to the harsh judgment of mobile price comparisons and some will need to find new ways to survive. "Only a couple of retailers can play the lowest-price game," says Noam Paransky. "This is going to accelerate the demise of retailers who do not have either competitive pricing" or a standout store experience."
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Voyager 1 Beyond Solar Wind 245

Posted by CmdrTaco on Tuesday December 14 2010, @10:18AM
from the merging-with-the-infinite dept.

healeyb noted that Voyager 1 has now reached a distance from the sun where it is no longer able to detect solar wind. Launched in 1977 to get up close and personal with our solar system's gas giants, scientists estimate that in another 4 years it will cross the heliosphere.

The First Private Orbital Spacecraft Launch-> 0

Submitted by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday December 08 2010, @09:09AM

An anonymous reader writes "T-02:50 minutes to the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Dragon, the first private spacecraft that would be able to carry seven astronauts to orbit. The launch countdown is now on hold and engineers are examining telemetry. You can watch it live here."
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Single software licence shared 774,651 times-> 0

Submitted by nk497 on Monday December 06 2010, @07:54AM

nk497 writes "A single licence for Avast security software has been used by 774,651 people after it went viral on a file-sharing site. Avast noticed that a license for its paid-for security software, sold to a 14-user firm in Arizona, was being distributed online. Rather than shut down the piracy, the company decided to see how far the software would spread — it's since popped up in 200 countries, including the Vatican City. Now, the company is turning it into a marketing opportunity, with a pop-up encouraging users of the pirated copy to download a legal copy of the free or paid-for version. Avast isn't sure how many pirates have gone legal, but said some have made the switch."
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Homemade Robotic Xylophone Plays Holiday Melodies 70

Posted by timothy on Monday December 06 2010, @05:04AM
from the percussion-from-a-distance dept.

compumike writes "Just in time to add a bit of geeky holiday cheer to your office, this video demonstrates how to build a robotic xylophone featuring handmade solenoids and aluminum bars, and shows it playing several classic holiday tunes. New songs can be programmed in with C macros, and this project could even be extended to perhaps play a melody when a new e-mail arrived or a software build has finished compiling!"