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Comment Re:It's actually very simple (Score 1) 368

by bilbobob (#37350758) Attached to: Patent Reform Bill Passes Senate
Prior art is not dead, but does need to be public to be useful. This should be a wake up call to the small inventor to file for patent before you show anyone else - with the up side of giving additional protection to everyone when you want VC to commercialise. It should also be a wakeup call to any corporation relying on secrecy for R&D or complex formulas, if info is leaked (or some leaves a prototype in a pub), either it enters the public domain via the internet or traditional publication and is un-patentable, or someone else files for it instead of you. e.g if the "secret" formula for Coke gets leaked, someone else could potentially patent and "own" it. If the publish on the web then no-one, not even Coke could patent the formula. There isn't really an argument, so maybe this is more a lawyer unemployment bill - it's a start anyway.
Games

How To Make a Good Gaming Sequel 150

Posted by Soulskill from the forward-to-square-enix dept.
Kantor48 writes "In today's world of unimproved gaming sequels and saturated franchises, Arthur Kabrick looks at the best and worst sequels in recent history, and compares the changes they've made to the formulae of their franchises. By doing this, he comes up with a list of lessons that any game developer creating a sequel should follow, if at all possible, to ensure that the new game is a step up, rather than a step sideways or, as in some cases, a step down. The criteria include ensuring the game does not spend too much time in development, updating technology, and trying not to change the development team, as well as being wary of changing the basic formula so much that fans of the franchise are alienated."
Image

Underwear Invention Protects Privacy At Airport 325

Posted by samzenpus from the protecting-the-goods dept.
Thanks to Jeff Buske you don't have to be embarrassed while going through the full body scanners at the airport. Buske has invented radiation shielding underwear for the shy traveler. From the article: "Jeff Buske says his invention uses a powdered metal that protects people's privacy when undergoing medical or security screenings. Buske of Las Vegas, Nev.-Rocky Flats Gear says the underwear's inserts are thin and conform to the body's contours, making it difficult to hide anything beneath them. The mix of tungsten and other metals do not set off metal detectors."
Image

St. Louis Museum Offers Thrills, Chills, and Lawsuits 140

Posted by samzenpus from the everything-fun-is-dangerous dept.
theodp writes "Despite the whiff of danger, or perhaps because of it, the WSJ reports that the City Museum is one of St. Louis's most popular attractions. Housed in a 10-story brick building, the City Museum shows none of the restraint or quiet typical of most museums. It boasts a five-story jungle gym with two real-life jets kids can climb on, an enclosed Monster Slide that drops riders the length of three staircases, and a rooftop Ferris wheel. Sure, there are the occasional severed fingers and skull fractures, but museum founder Bob Cassilly contends that it is as safe as it can be without being a bore. 'They [lawyers] are taking the fun out of life,' says Cassilly, adding that 'when you have millions of people do something, something's going to happen no matter what you do.'"

Comment Re:does this mean (Score 2, Funny) 211

by bilbobob (#30376524) Attached to: Silicon As the New Lithium
More to the point, in 10 years time my girlfriend will have implants that can recharge my ipod. Obviously contactless power would be best; not sure USB piecings would go down too well. I might even start saving for my own pec implants now.

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