Nos9 - Slashdot User

Submission + - Distributed Computing

Submitted by NeilTheStupidHead on Sunday March 25, 2007 @02:20AM

NeilTheStupidHead writes: I've been asked to organize a distributed computing 'team' on a small (25-30 computers) network with PCs, Macs and Linux machines. I'm passingly familiar with SETI@Home and the BOINC client. What are the various distributed computing projects out there and how easy are they to implement/maintain/monitor? Preferably, I would like a project that has something do to with electrical engineering (specifically with circuit testing or design if possible). I've been instructed to look for the following 'features':

Graphical display of progress (i.e. screensaver) — This one is easy, most of the DC projects I've looked at have some kind of screen saver included

Individial and team status reports — a summary of work units/CPU time available either by email or on a website

Cross-platform support — again, an easy requirement, I hope. Most of the projects I've already looked at are available on the 'big three' (PC, Mac, Linux)

A number of users have requested that their spare cycles be dedicated to something that is both non-profit and 'practical' (i.e. no SETI or Climate Prediction)

Right now, the project that seems to fit the greatest number of my requirements is Folding@Home, but I would like to find as many alternatives as possible and choose the most appropriate.

Submission + - Grand Theft Auto IV

Submitted by CoffeeHedake on Sunday March 25, 2007 @02:15AM

CoffeeHedake writes: http://www.rockstargames.com/IV/ Noticed this on my TV this morning @ 2:00AM, a counter ticking down the time until a trailer for the new GTA? Odd. Not sure if anyone else on the East Coast has noticed....

Bookmark What were these lawmakers thinking? (daniweb.com)

by joetheprogrammer on Sunday March 25, 2007 @01:42AM

Journal Journal: Vista Still Primed for Double Extension Exploits.

Journal by twitter on Sunday March 25, 2007 @12:46AM

The Register lead me to this Mikko Hyppönen of F-Secure tells us that Vista's default file viewing behavior still "sucks".

Submission + - Can genetic research be a home hobby?

Submitted by

tinkertim

on Sunday March 25, 2007 @12:40AM

tinkertim writes: "Greetings fellow Slashdotters, especially ones that know something about DNA.

Some friends of mine and I are very curious to get to know more about DNA and want to understand whats 'under our hood' a little more.

We're particularaly interested in some subtle differences between men and women. Some women see things in 4 shades of colors, while men see things in 3. It would be neat to know if two people 'see' the same object the same way, especially amongst friends (and spouses). To know this, we have to be able to look at eachother's DNA and be able to understand what its telling us.

My questions are broad, and I apologize. I hope the nature of these shows those 'in the know' just how very much 'in the dark' the rest of us are.

Labs that do DNA testing have very expensive stuff in them. Is there a less reilable but still informative procedure one can follow using less expensive equipment at home?

Can hobbyists form relationships with testing labs without licenses and other such prerequisites?

Most overall, is this something a reasonably smart person can dive into just for the sake of learning? Lasers at one time were pretty hands off .. but now people have them on keychains. How far into the hands of average people will DNA sequencing technology journey?

Finally, I realize the implications of what I'm asking. For agruments sake, I ask you to to separate the technology from its implications. That being said, please feel free to present any implications that you feel aren't obviated by the question itself.

The question refers only to someone examining their own genetic blueprint for the sake of knowing what it says.

Thanks to all in advance."

Coldwell Banker To Sell Second Life Properties 175

Posted by kdawson on Saturday March 24, 2007 @11:59PM from the piece-of-the-rock dept.

Dekortage sends news of what may be a new development in the attempted mainstreaming of Second Life. We've seen plenty of examples of real-world news media, politicos, and PR campaigns setting up in SL. But so far most of this action has been about first-life organizations trying to gain real-world publicity by their forays into SL. CNN is reporting that the real estate firm Coldwell Banker is moving into SL for the purpose of selling and renting in-world properties. From the article: "Coldwell Banker has bought extensive tracts of property on the central 'mainland' of Second Life. (Most companies own 'islands' scattered all over.) It subdivided this digital land into 520 individual houses and living units, half of which it will sell and half it will rent... 'A small number of land barons mostly control real estate in Second Life, and we thought we could bring real estate to the masses,' [a VP explained]."

Submission + - Subtle Bullying of Competition in Tech Field

Submitted by

w3dg

on Saturday March 24, 2007 @11:54PM

w3dg writes: "Hey, I'm writing to ask any type of technical business professional a major question that has me a little shaky as of late. I advertise technician services on a certain online classified web page and more recently a big employer in the area that I reside has contacted me wanting to employ me for my honesty in the way I advertise myself and do the work I do. At first I thought this was going to be cool: do what I love and get paid for it by a good person in the business. I felt this way up until I called the potential employer. He asked me a few questions about me and I told him about myself and answered the few questions he had, and then he went on to explain the reasons tech work is so expensive in a manner that seemed a little threatening. I got the vibe a few minutes in that he wanted to employ me to shut me up and as a method to erase competition. Now, I know it sounds like a conspiracy, but the tone he used in his words was seemingly cold and I'm a decent guy with an average amount of confidence and it takes a bit to make me feel threatened, just as it does the majority of people who know their way. The reason I'm wondering if I'm crazy or not is because it's STILL on my mind, a day afterwards. I don't know if I'm being paranoid or if I'm right. I can give more details if needed for clarification, but I really feel uneasy about the whole situation. Is the tech world this fierce? Or am I just reading too deep into a tone of voice?"

Submission + - Apple TV's model is flawed

Submitted by

erlichson

on Saturday March 24, 2007 @11:25PM

erlichson writes: "Apple TV is one slick device, there is no denying that. But the idea of synching your TV with one iTunes/iPhoto installation is flawed in this modern net centric world where your photos and videos get uploaded from multiple devices and wireless camera phones. It's not a surprise that Apple created the Apple TV. It fits into their world view of your your Mac being the media center of your universe. This note explains why that model is quickly becoming dated and serves the consumer poorly. "

Submission + - NeoMD Genesis Flash Cart Released

Submitted by YokimaSun on Saturday March 24, 2007 @10:51PM

YokimaSun writes: The Neoflash Team have released a new Genesis Flash Cart, now you can relive those classic Genesis games all over again, the cart features build in 32M flash,support up to 32M single rom, re-programable,100,000 times erase/write, can upload/download and verify the rom from PC. More details and screens at DCEmu.

Submission + - New paint provides wireless network protection

Submitted by thefickler on Saturday March 24, 2007 @10:29PM

thefickler writes: Forget WEP and WPA; I'm switching over to the EM-SEC Coating System, a recently announced paint developed by EM-SEC Technologies that acts as an electromagnetic fortress, allowing a wireless network to be contained within painted walls without fear of someone tapping in or hacking wireless networks.

The EM-SEC Coating System is clearly the most secure option aside from stringing out the CAT5, and can be safely used to protect wireless networks in business and government facilities.

Journal Journal: More Firehose "fun"!

Journal by agent on Saturday March 24, 2007 @10:05PM

"Bill Gates Predicted Vista 20 Years Ago.
Submitted by bobdole2k on Saturday March 24, @06:33PM
bobdole2k writes:
'The Computer Science Club at the University of Waterloo has recently uncovered a recording of a talk Bill Gates gave in 1989. In the talk, Gates makes reference to many features that are in, or were planned for, Vista. He talks about advanced piracy protection involving a 'network', as well as a relational file system, which WinFS was planned to be. The talk is available

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