mboedick - Slashdot User

Submission + - Linux and the Indy 500

Submitted by

tbone1

on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @09:11AM

tbone1 writes: "Teams from the Indy Racing League are in Indianapolis to prepare for The Indianapolis 500 on the 27th of May. There is a story in the Indianapolis Star about a local Linux programmer who is trying to get the Linux logo on a car. Usually it's the big companies who have year-long deals with the top IRL teams — Marlboro, Target, Motorola, etc — but for a small team racing at the 500 only, a small logo can be purchased for $11,000, or you can be a primary sponsor for about $350,000, and possibly get "Team Linux" in the car's name."

Submission + - Rogue Wi-FI Hot Spots New Security Threat?

Submitted by

csavage

on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @08:56AM

csavage writes: "According to this article in the Dallas Morning News, the latest security threat is rogue wi-fi hotspots setup to capture unknowing users' data. Although the article is lacking in true details of the threat, it does bring up a good point about how can you tell whether or not you're connecting to a "safe" wi-fi network."

Submission + - Using Sensors to Fight Poaching

Submitted by

u-bend

on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @08:50AM

u-bend writes: "In an attempt to combat elephant poaching in the Republic of Congo, a trailside metal detector system is being installed on commonly used poaching routes. If successful, it is hoped that that this method can be used in other poaching hot spots, such as Russia, the Galapagos Islands, and Costa Rica. Better not go camping with old fashioned metal tent pegs.
From the article:
'Endangered animals killed for their skins, meat or tusks may soon have a life-saving technology on their side. A metal-detecting sensor that can be buried alongside oft-used trails help identify weapons and alert authorities to potential poachers.'"

Submission + - Happy birthday, Helvetica

Submitted by

doodson

on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @08:20AM

doodson writes: "Happy birthday Helvetica! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6638423.stm"

Submission + - Oxford University Goes Facebook.

Submitted by MilkyJoe on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @07:54AM

MilkyJoe writes: Staff at Oxford University are exploring the use of Facebook to help organise academic life for staff and students, "be it [for] tutorials, research or something new." According to Grazyna Cooper, Head of IT Learning Programme at Oxford University Computing Services, there are circa 25,000 users registered on Facebook as either staff, students or Alumni. In 2005-06 There were 18,431 students in residence at the University.

Submission + - Caughtya - Use technology against parking abuse

Submitted by

Patof

on Wednesday May 09, 2007 @07:44AM

Patof writes: "An entry on USA Today, titled Tattlers unite! Citizen sites share the shame says:

Beware, scofflaws of all types. Big Brother may not be watching, but your fellow citizens are, and thanks to a flurry of tattletale websites, your violations can be held up for the world to see.

One website in particular grabbed my attention: Caughtya.org. Caughtya focuses on the abuse of disability parking spaces by people who don't have disability parking permits. The site displays photos of illegally parked vehicles, along with details of the date/time/location of the infraction.

Caughtya was also mentionned on Good Morning America. When I Googled for more info, I saw that it was mentionned on The Wall Street Journal

What is so fascinating about this is the use of technology to tackle an ongoing social problem, with apparently a good measure of success. With cell phones and integrated cameras becoming more affordable, more and more people are able to act. Technologies that were not readily available just a few years ago are now accessible enough that people can get them. Technology empowering people. It's not just about having a cool phone that takes photos anymore. Yeah, of course, you could take cool photos, but now the photos you take can be put to good use.

I know what *I* am going to do next time I see someone parked in a disability parking space without a placard: Take a photo and post it on Caughtya!"

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