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The Almighty Buck

EVE Player Loses $1,200 Worth of Game Time In-Game 620

Posted by Soulskill from the sorry-about-your-luck dept.
An anonymous reader writes "Massively.com has reported that an EVE Online player recently lost over $1,200 worth of in-game items during a pirate attack. The player in question was carrying 74 PLEX in their ship's cargo hold — in-game 'Pilot's License Extensions' that award 30 days of EVE Online time when used on your account. When the ship was blown up by another player, all 74 PLEX were destroyed in the resulting blast, costing $1,200 worth of damage, or over 6 years of EVE subscription time, however you prefer to count it. Ow."
Idle

Halo Elite Cosplay Puts Others To Shame 115

Posted by samzenpus from the using-your-time-wisely dept.
AndrewGOO9 writes "Pete Mander, a special effects artist from Ontario, Canada seems like he might have either had way too much time on his hands or just really enjoys Halo. Either way, this is one of those costumes that makes all of the cosplayers at a con feel like their best efforts just weren't quite up to par."
Earth

Sticky Rice Is the Key To Super Strong Mortar 194

Posted by timothy from the what-can't-sticky-rice-do? dept.
lilbridge writes "For over 1,500 years the Chinese have been using sticky rice as an ingredient in mortar, which has resulted in super strong buildings, many of which are still standing after hundreds of years. Scientists have been studying the sticky rice and lime mortar to unlock the secrets of its strength, and have just determined the secret ingredient that makes the mortar more stable and stronger. The scientists have also concluded that this mixture is the most appropriate for restoration of ancient and historic buildings, which means it is probably also appropriate for new construction as well."
Image

How Nintendo's Mario Got His Name 103

Posted by samzenpus from the can't-wait-for-the-origin-movie dept.
harrymcc writes "In 1981, tiny Nintendo of America was getting ready to release Donkey Kong. When the company's landlord, Mario Segale, demanded back rent, Nintendo staffers named the game's barrel-jumping protagonist after him. Almost thirty years later, neither Nintendo — which continues to crank out Mario games — nor Segale — now a wealthy, secretive Washington State real estate developer — like to talk about how one of video games' iconic characters got his name and Italian heritage. Technologizer's Benj Edwards has researched the story for years and provides the most detailed account to date."
Cellphones

Owners Smash iPhones To Get Upgrades, Says Insurance Company 406

Posted by timothy from the dog-ate-it dept.
markass530 writes "An iPhone insurance carrier says that four in six claims are suspicious, and is worse when a new model appears on the market. 'Supercover Insurance is alleging that many iPhone owners are deliberately smashing their devices and filing false claims in order to upgrade to the latest model. The gadget insurance company told Sky News Sunday that it saw a 50-percent rise in claims during the month Apple launched the latest version, the iPhone 3GS.'"

Comment Re:Land Lines (Score 1) 435

by LizzyDragon (#29126601) Attached to: The Decline of the Landline
I dropped my landline due to all the telemarketing calls I was getting and switched to my cellphone exclusively. I did this over two years ago and have yet to get a telemarketing call on my cell. And I haven't sign up for any do-not-call lists.
Science

Joachim De Posada Talks About Delayed Gratification 105

Posted by samzenpus from the a-bird-in-hand dept.
grrlscientist writes "Here is a short talk in which Joachim de Posada shares a landmark experiment on delayed gratification — and how it can predict future success. With priceless video of kids trying their hardest not to eat their marshmallow."

Comment Re:The thrill is gone. (Score 1) 408

by LizzyDragon (#28259065) Attached to: In the next 12 months, I expect to travel by air ...
I have to agree with you. Flying has become less glamorous, but it's also much cheaper. I wasn't around for the "glory days" of flying back in the 60's, so I don't know what I missed. But I'm glad I can hop across the US for less then $300 roundtrip. If airfare wasn't so cheap, I wouldn't be able to see all kinds of cool corners of the country.

Comment Re:Credit Card miles (Score 1) 408

by LizzyDragon (#28259033) Attached to: In the next 12 months, I expect to travel by air ...
I really hope the administration doesn't start imposing user fees like the way Europe and other places do. Many countries charge fees for flight tracking, using ATC and other services that help keep flying very safe. If the US starts charging for the use of ATC, I fear pilots may take unsafe measures to avoid those fees.

Comment I still enjoy flying (Score 2, Interesting) 408

by LizzyDragon (#28258953) Attached to: In the next 12 months, I expect to travel by air ...
Okay, I admit it. I still enjoy flying. No, I don't like the TSA and their absurd war against liquids, shoes and matter in general. But once I'm past security, I find it thrilling to step into a metal tube that will go 500+ mph and lift itself into the air. I never get tired of looking out the window and admiring the view. In fact, I'm saving up money now so that I can get my pilot's license. I usually fly 2-4 round trips a year for vacation or weekend trips around the country. I usually fly coach, and I don't feel squished if I can get my bag in the overhead bin. It's one of the few advantages of being 5'2". I also take the train occasionally- it depends on the price and time involved. The nice thing about Amtrak trains is that they are more spacious then a plane and there's no security so I don't have to show up to the station 2 hours early.

Comment Lack of Scheduling (Score 3, Insightful) 290

by LizzyDragon (#28258723) Attached to: Most Blogs Now Abandoned
I think one reason many blogs fail is because the blogger didn't set up a posting schedule beforehand. Many blogs that I like to read promise they will put up a new post every Sunday, or every M-W-F or whatever works for them. I like it because I know when to look for new posts and also because it shows commitment on the blogger's part to the blog.
Image

Bitterness To Be Classified As a Mental Illness 511

Posted by samzenpus from the that-should-fix-everything dept.
Some psychiatrists are trying to get excessive bitterness identified as a mental illness named post-traumatic embitterment disorder. Of course this has some people who live perfect little lives, and always get what they want, questioning the new classification. The so called "disorder" is modeled after post-traumatic stress disorder because it too is a response to a trauma that endures. "They feel the world has treated them unfairly. It's one step more complex than anger. They're angry plus helpless," says Dr. Michael Linden, the psychiatrist who put a name to how the world works.

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