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Linux

Submission + - Best Backup Server Option for University TV statio 2

idk07002 writes: I have been tasked with building an offsite backup server for my university's television station to back up our Final Cut Pro Server and our in office file server (a Drobo) in case the studio spontaneously combusts. Total capacity between these 2 systems is ~12TB. Not at all full yet but we would like the system to have the same capacity so that we can get max life out of it. It looks like it would be possible to get rack space somewhere on campus with Gigabit Ethernet and possibly fiber coming into our office. Would a linux box with rsync work? What is the sweet spot between value and longevity? What solution would you use?
The Media

Submission + - Wafer-thin speakers for 'talking billboards'. 1

Smivs writes: "The BBC are reporting on paper-thin speakers which could revolutionise advertising and P.A. systems. Engineers claim their new ultra-thin speakers, as well as looking good and being easy to conceal, will also deliver clearer, crisper sound. The loudspeakers could replace public address systems in passenger terminals and shopping centres. They could also be used as speaking posters to deliver adverts. The system, dubbed flat, flexible loudspeaker (FFL), started life as a piece of tin foil and some baking paper. These materials were first used to produce sound by Warwick University professor Dr Duncan Billson. "The sound produced by FFLs can be directed straight at its intended audience. The sound, volume and quality does not deteriorate as it does in conventional speakers which means that public announcements in passenger terminals could be clearer, crisper and easier to hear.""
It's funny.  Laugh.

Submission + - IT Workers Are Getting Fatter (channelinsider.com)

buzzardsbay writes: While technologies such as virtualization, multi-threading and blade servers have made the data center leaner, those who work there are getting... well... not leaner. According to a new study by CareerBuilder.com, 34 percent of IT workers say they have gained more than ten pounds in their current jobs. A hefty 16 percent say they've gained at least twice that. That's 50 percent putting on weight. The culprits seem to be the stressful-yet-sedentary nature of tech work coupled with our famously poor eating habits. According to the survey, some 41 percent of IT workers eat out for lunch twice or more per week, making portion and calorie control difficult. A pale-looking 11 percent actually buy their lunch out of a vending machine at least once a week.
Businesses

Submission + - Programmers and overtime

Maximum Prophet writes: Programmers and System Administrators typically don't get overtime. Here's and article about a lawyer who's challanging that:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20908975/

From the 2nd page:

Computer workers of various stripes, for example, have commonly not been paid for their extra hours. ... But under California law, the exemption applies only for workers whose primary function involves "the exercise of discretion and independent judgment." In numerous lawsuits, Thierman and other plaintiffs' attorneys have alleged that legions of systems engineers, help desk staff, and customer service personnel do no such thing. Of programmers, Thierman says, "Yes, they get to pick whatever code they want to write, but they don't tell you what the program does.... All they do is implement someone else's desires."
The takeaway: Everyone start recording your hours now. Even if you don't sue, someone else might, and documentation about your overtime will go a long way. towards getting your piece of the pie.
Education

Submission + - Free tuition for Math, Science, and Engineering? (billingsgazette.net)

Gibbs-Duhem writes: Sen. Max Baucus (Dem from MT) wants free college tuition for US math, science, and engineering majors conditional upon working or teaching in the field for at least four years.

It's difficult to see anything that pumps money into education as a bad thing, but is this the best way to help the country create a more stable, educated workforce to compete with India, China, and Canada? It certainly seems that the "trickle-down" effect could help high school education as well, as more graduates look to teaching as a way to repay their debt to society.

Patents

Submission + - Can DARPA predict what you'll do next? (newscientist.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Not yet, but not for lack of trying. New Scientist is reporting a DARPA-funded patent which attempts to determine your inner state by analysing your past behaviour. It then uses this to predict what you'll do next. And it already works in some military war game scenarios, says the patent.
The Almighty Buck

Submission + - DMCA means you cannot delete files on your own PC (wired.com)

DragonHawk writes: "According to Wired, John Stottlemire found a way to print duplicate coupons from Coupons.com by deleting some files and registry entires on his PC. Now he's being sued for a DMCA violation. He says, "All I did was erase files or registry keys." Says a lawyer: "It may cover this. I think it does give companies a lot of leverage and a lot of power." So now the copyright cartels are saying that not only can we not copy things on our computers, but we cannot delete things on our computers. Time to buy stock in Seagate."
Security

Submission + - Dateline NBC Mole Caught at DefCon (wired.com)

An anonymous reader writes: Dateline NBC allegedly attempted to infiltrate the DefCon hackerfest with a producer using a hidden camera. The show allegedly hoped to tape hackers admitting to illegal activities, but DefCon got wind of the plot and displayed the would-be-mole's photo before every presentation. Dateline refused to deny the planned infiltration.

Project Dyson (sourceforge.net)

This project is yet another attempt to build a fully operational MMORPG based on Free (as in speech) and Free (as in beer) code. This work stands on the shoulders of giants, but will contribute tons of new content and code.

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