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Mars

Mars Images Reveal Evidence of Ancient Lakes 128

Matt_dk writes "Spectacular satellite images suggest that Mars was warm enough to sustain lakes three billion years ago, a period that was previously thought to be too cold and arid to sustain water on the surface, according to research published today in the journal Geology. Earlier research had suggested that Mars had a warm and wet early history but that between 4 billion and 3.8 billion years ago, before the Hesperian Epoch, the planet lost most of its atmosphere and became cold and dry. In the new study, the researchers analysed detailed images from NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, which is currently circling the red planet, and concluded that there were later episodes where Mars experienced warm and wet periods."
Games

The Struggle For Private Game Servers 125

A story at the BBC takes a look at the use of private game servers for games that tend not to allow them. While most gamers are happy to let companies like Blizzard and NCSoft administer the servers that host their MMORPGs, others want different rules, a cheaper way to play, or the technical challenge of setting up their own. A South African player called Hendrick put up his own WoW server because the game "wasn't available in the country at the time." A 21-year-old Swede created a server called Epilogue, which "had strict codes of conduct and rules, as well as a high degree of customized content (such as new currency, methods of earning experience, the ability to construct buildings and hire non-player characters, plus 'permanent' player death) unavailable in the retail version of the game." The game companies make an effort to quash these servers when they can, though it's frequently more trouble that it's worth. An NCSoft representative referenced the "growing menace" of IP theft, and a Blizzard spokesperson said,"We also have a responsibility to our players to ensure the integrity and reliability of their World of Warcraft gaming experience and that responsibility compels us to protect our rights."
Image

Scientists Say a Dirty Child Is a Healthy Child 331

Researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of California have shown that the more germs a child is exposed to, the better their immune system in later life. Their study found that keeping a child's skin too clean impaired the skin's ability to heal itself. From the article: "'These germs are actually good for us,' said Professor Richard Gallo, who led the research. Common bacterial species, known as staphylococci, which can cause inflammation when under the skin, are 'good bacteria' when on the surface, where they can reduce inflammation."

Comment Get creative, hide them in a customized cabinet (Score 1) 696

My wife and I each have cell phones, PDAs, bluetooth headsets, and rechargeable batteries.

That's 8 chargers right there, and the tangle of cords was too much for either of us. Too often, something went uncharged because the lack of outlet space left these devices spread around the house.

Solution: I bought a small cabinet for the living room, about 10" deep, 42" high, and 48" wide. It had two drawers set above two doors. The drawers were about 5" deep, and were lined, perfect for storing/charging our electronic devices.

After making some minor repairs and some paint, (it was on clearance due to some cosmetic damage.) I removed the rear panel and began to create a new home for all of our chargers.

I added brackets to the top edge of the back to the drawers to hold the cables neatly in place. This prevents the cables from slipping out of the drawer, and keeps them from getting tangled.

I cut out a small portion of the rear support under the drawers to allow the cables to be fed up from inside the cabinet.

I then cut a hole in the rear panel, that matched the wall outlet placement at the location where the cabinet would stand. Then I re-assembled the unit.

I then mounted two power strips inside the cabinet, on the rear vertical supports. These would accept the power-blocks and chargers.

It now sits in our living room, a nice addition to the decor, and a neat way to hide/charge all of our devices, my devices in one drawer, my wife's devices in the other.

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