E-Sabbath - Slashdot User

Submission + - France opens secret UFO files spanning 50 years

Submitted by Radon360 on Thursday March 22, 2007 @12:17PM

Radon360 writes: PARIS (AFP) — France became the first country to open its files on UFOs Thursday when the national space agency unveiled a website documenting more than 1,600 sightings spanning five decades. The online archives, which will be updated as new cases are reported, catalogues in minute detail cases ranging from the easily dismissed to a handful that continue to perplex even hard-nosed scientists. Known as OVNIs in French, UFOs have always generated intense interest along with countless conspiracy theories about secretive government cover-ups of findings deemed too sensitive or alarming for public consumption.

Submission + - Conn. Lawmakers Debate Image Protection

Submitted by Boom on Thursday March 22, 2007 @12:02PM

Boom writes: For actor Paul Newman, a state law is needed to protect people's images and words from being used without their permission in commercials or derogatory ways. For film and media companies, the law would conflict with their First Amendment rights and open up the entertainment industry to a slew of lawsuits.

Submission + - Space X Falcon 1 launch failure speculation

Submitted by jafac on Thursday March 22, 2007 @11:59AM

jafac writes: As discussed in this SpaceDaily article, the video footage from the launch, earlier this week (available at www.spacex.com), of the Falcon 1 vehicle, seems to show a problem with the stage separation. I noticed this when I watched the video last night — it appears that the top of the first stage bumps the engine nozzle.

The upper stage guidance does a good job of setting the craft straight after this bump, but some odd things happen after that, including some kind of ring flying off the engine, and a wobble that gets progressively worse until the vehicle goes completely out of control. I've been fascinated by the availability of these kinds of videos more and more; but this is the first one I've seen that documents a failed launch — (Elon Musk's denials notwithstanding), and because of that, it's probably the coolest video I've seen all year.

Submission + - Pirates crack Vista Activation Server

Submitted by

SlinkySausage

on Saturday December 09, 2006 @12:13AM

SlinkySausage writes: "It's going from bad to worse for Microsoft's anti-piracy efforts with Vista. APC Magazine reports pirates have released another ingenious workaround to Vista's activation: a hacked version of Microsoft's yet-to-be-released Activation Server, running in a VMWare image. This can be used to activate many copies of Vista, and by design, it never calls back to Microsoft. The hack is cheekily named "MelindaGates" (in reference to the original activation hack that implanted beta Vista code into the RTM version, which was dubbed "BillGates".)"

Submission + - What are the best things humans have invented?

Submitted by

jonadab

on Friday December 08, 2006 @11:50PM

jonadab writes: "

language, writing, paper, and the printing press

indoor plumbing, hot showers, and soft toilet paper

planes, trains, automobiles, and paved roads

TCP/IP, SMTP, HTTP, SSL, and XML

cubicles, mandatory meetings, and business suits

"

Journal Journal: McKinney Introduces Bill to Impeach Bush 4

Journal by Philip K Dickhead on Friday December 08, 2006 @11:25PM

- By BEN EVANS, Associated Press Writer
Friday, December 8, 2006

(12-08) 19:02 PST WASHINGTON, (AP) --

In what was likely her final legislative act in Congress, outgoing Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney introduced a bill Friday to impeach President Bush.

Submission + - Company alleges Wii controller infringes patent

Submitted by The Hobo on Friday December 08, 2006 @11:10PM

The Hobo writes: CBC news is reporting that a company called Interlink Electronics is suing Nintendo over its Wii controller, alleging infringement of its patent titled "Trigger operated electronic device". From the article, "According to the documents filed with the court, Interlink claims that Nintendo's "infringement of the patent is unlawful and willful [sic] and will continue" unless the court prevents it from doing so." The company is asking for damages, costs, and an order that Nintendo stop its alleged infringing uses. Nintendo was unaware of the lawsuit and could not provide an immediate comment.

Feed Complete Guide to Batman's Gear (wired.com)

From feed by wiredfeed on Friday December 08, 2006 @10:12PM

Holy gadget a go-go! See every tool the Dark Knight keeps tucked inside his utility belt (and some he should add). In Gear Factor.

Submission + - 100 years of Grace Hopper

Submitted by

theodp

on Friday December 08, 2006 @09:03PM

theodp writes: "Grab your COBOL Coding Forms and head on over to comp.lang.cobol, kids! It's Grace Hopper's 100th birthday, and many are still singing the praises of her Common Business-Oriented Language."

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