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RIP - Dick Teufeld->

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes "Dick passed away on Sunday 1/25/2011 and he did the voice of The Robot on 'Lost in Space'. Bob May passed away 1/18/2009 — he operated the 'body' of The Robot.

How many of us here grew up watching the show? While it was scientifically inaccurate (wildly), we all had a good time with its campiness.

RIP Bob, RIP Dick."
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Comment: Re:The same NASA (Score 1) 414

by solitas (#28749115) Attached to: Early Abort of Ares I Rocket Would Kill Crew

>> The same NASA that said we've seen foam strikes on the shuttle for years without any problems, so don't worry about it.

An interesting, but not updated, graphic about shuttle tile strikes:
http://bigpicture.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/15000_shuttle_hits.jpg

Has anyone seen anything more complete?

Robotics

R.I.P. Bob May->

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes "LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob May, who donned The Robot's suit in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," has died. He was 69.

(http://www.legacy.com/Obituaries.asp?page=LifeStory&personId=123022669)

May died Sunday (1/18) of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, said his daughter, Deborah May.

He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the series that debuted in 1965.

"He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"

(article continues)"
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Enlightenment

Mystery container found on beach (Scotland)

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes ""Experts are trying to identify a huge metal container that has been washed up on a beach in the Western Isles."

The tank, which is 27m tall standing upright, has no markings and is thought to have fallen from a ship before being washed up on the west of Benbecula.

Considering the wide range of experiences and occupations of Slashdotters, maybe someone here has an idea?"
Communications

Apple Imposes New Limits on IPhone Sales->

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes "SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Apple Inc. (AAPL) no longer accepts cash for iPhone purchases and now limits sales of the cell phone to two per person in a move to stop people from reselling them.

The new policy started Thursday, said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. Before then, there was no cash restriction and the purchase limit was five per person.

"We're requiring a credit or debit card for payment to discourage unauthorized resellers."

I can see a purchase limit, but whatever happened to "this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private"?"
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Biotech

Barry Bonds' HR Record Tainted by Elbow 'Armor'?->

Submitted by
solitas
solitas writes "An interesting article for the mechanical engineers and baseball fans on /. about the guard Bonds wears on his right elbow, and the possible physical and mechanical advantages it gives his swing.

Beyond his alleged steroid use, Barry Bonds is guilty of the use of something that confers extraordinarily unfair mechanical advantage: the "armor" that he wears on his right elbow. Amid the press frenzy over Bonds' unnatural bulk, the true role of the object on his right arm has simply gone unnoticed."
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Portables (Apple)

Energizer Aiming to Be Big Player in iPod Economy

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes "BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) — The Energizer bunny is looking for its place in the iPod industry with an external battery that could extend the life of millions of Apple's portable media players, which use rechargeable batteries that are notoriously difficult and expensive to replace.

For $29.99, Energizer's Energi to Go external iPod battery will provide up to 46 hours of playing time with two AA Lithium e2 batteries."
Communications

DHS Wants [super] Cell Phones->

Submitted by solitas
solitas writes "Full article title: "DHS Wants Cell Phones to Detect Chemical, Radioactive Material"

Apparently Homeland Security now is thinking about "distributed detection", of a sort, and exploring the idea of cellphones that have chemical/biological/radiation detectors built-into them (as GPS units are now).

They figure they could monitor the widely distributed network, weed-out the statistical noise over many sensors, and be able to pinpoint possible trouble areas (i.e. bio-bombs, rad-bombs, etc.) more efficiently.

...and THEN they'll quietly have alcohol/smoking detectors installed to monitor you."
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The magic of our first love is our ignorance that it can ever end. -- Benjamin Disraeli