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29 October 2004

Slashdot | Dept. of Homeland Security Enforces Expired Trademark

While we are all bitching about Homeland Security policies, they take time out to force Pufferbelly Toys to take a toy off the shelf for breaking an expired patent??? Perhaps we have a better idea of who is behind Homeland Security now.

From the article:

He told her to remove the Magic Cube from her shelves, and he watched to make sure she complied.

After the agents left, Cox called the manufacturer of the Magic Cube, the Toysmith Group, which is based in Auburn, Wash. A representative told her that Rubik's Cube patent had expired, and the Magic Cube did not infringe on the rival toy's trademark.

TheFeature :: The Eyes Have It

A laser-on-retina VR headset.

ABC News: Brain Scans May Unlock Candidates' Appeal

The title explains the concept behind the article. Here's their conclusion:

The researchers' conclusion: At a subconscious level, Republicans were apparently not as bothered by what Democrats found alarming.

28 October 2004

Slashdot | New Hominid Species Unearthed in Indonesia

Over time, we see that what used to be known as Science Fiction later becomes Science Fact.

In the last few years, we keep seeing examples where mythological/folklore creatures are found to be true as well. (Anyone remember that Xandu-like "deer" they found a couple years ago that had been thought to be local folklore until they found a live one?)

And now, it appears that perhaps High Fantasy stories have a basis in reality as well... Hobbit-sized species of humans? This isn't just midgets or something -- from what they are saying, it is a completely different species that existed alongside with humans! They mention that it is the first known case of dwarfism. They were found in a limestone cave with tools and bones of prehistoric miniature elephants and giant lizards... Come on D&D fans -- let's start exploring!

Slashdot | Researcher Only High Bandwidth Network

Ok, who's up for starting some Research lab in the Portland-area? I think 10Gb/sec/user sounds fun enough to give it a shot.

Slashdot | Secret Service Reads Livejournal

Ok, well, it is blogging-related, so I thought I would post it. Kinda fucked up if you ask me.

27 October 2004

MSNBC - In the electoral vote, complications abound

My favorite quote:

Isn't the Electoral College system undemocratic, since it does not permit the American people to directly choose their president?
Yes, it is undemocratic. "

Bush vs. Kerry: Official report on what American's believe

Thanks to Brenden for providing this link. It appears that this would definitely be considered Official and most likely accurate. They look like they did a good job.

24 October 2004

Maarten Steurbaut - Rubik's magic Cube

Nice! This guy created a Rubix cube out of Legos!

PhysOrg: Scientists Demonstrate First Silicon Laser

Although they have now made a silicon laser (which in itself is really kewl), I am wondering if it is already outdated since they are now moving away from silicon (to nanite?). The article mentions that it is important because silicon is the bread-n-butter of the industry, but less than a week ago they were talking about using nanite-replacements for CMOS.

Wired News: Is That a Pilot in Your Pocket?

Ok... Check this out...

Some scientists took some rat brain neurons and put them in a petri dish. The neurons extended and linked up. Those rat neurons are now controlling a flight simulator.

From the article:
Currently the brain has learned enough to be able to control the pitch and roll of the simulated F-22 fighter jet in weather conditions ranging from blue skies to hurricane-force winds. Initially the aircraft drifted, because the brain hadn't figured out how to control its "body," but over time the neurons learned to stabilize the aircraft to a straight, level flight.

This seems to be a very large step at a lot of the Sci-Fi Cybernetic AIs.... This is a huge step.

22 October 2004

House Bill HR5293: Instant Runoff

I have not read the entire thing, and probably am missing some vital pieces, but this bill was sponsored in conjunction with that last one I posted.

At first reading, it appeared that the idea was to eliminate 3rd party votes from counting. Further down, I started to think that this was done in response to Nader. Basically, the idea (as I saw it) was to have people rank their candidates instead of just choosing one. That way, if their 1st candidate does not win, their vote goes towards their second candidate. I can definitely see the logic here. In fact, it would also give us a way to say we want to vote for anyone BUT Bush (or whoever) by simply giving him the lowest ranking.

House Bill HJR 109: Abolish Electorate College

Finally, a House Bill to allow the popular vote to determine the President.

Since it would most likely encourage a 3rd party candidate to win, I doubt it will pass, but....

21 October 2004

JazzMutant

Hmmm. more parts to play with.... Let's see... what can we do with this?

Rateless Internet

Interesting. I wonder how similar it is to TRAM (which I implemented at jBASE).

I sent them an email to see if they would be interested in me doing a Java version (theirs is C/C++).

We shall see.

XGameStation

Quote from their About page:

The XGameStation is the world's first video game system development kit designed for education. The kit comes with an assembled XGameStation console, a controller, all necessary cables, a CD containing all system software and tools necessary to develop for the system, and of course, an extensive eBook that explains how the system was designed and how it works from the ground up. Everything from basic digital logic to computer engineering to circuit board design to firmware and low-level software is covered, in precise detail. Never before has such a mammoth collection of knowledge, insight and practical techniques for both hardware and software been concentrated in a single place, with such an accessible entry level. This kit is aimed at everyone from seasoned engineers to absolute electronics newbies.

20 October 2004

EE Times -Photoluminescent method detects explosives at a distance

Although this article is talking about detecting explosives, the idea of using a green laser with night vision goggles feels like ideas are flooding out of me. Take a gander.

Secunia - Multiple Browsers Dialog Box Spoofing Test

This is scary. Check your browser and see if it is vulnerable (no harm will be done).

No Software Patents!

I know many people against Software Patents... This link is to try to stop Europe from screwing up the industry like we did.

19 October 2004

Good Bad Attitude

I was debating the best way to comment on this article. It is definitely a must read. But, instead of explaining it or mentioning some feelings it brought up, how about I show you the excerpt that got me to read it in the first place?

And because this is so important to hackers, they're especially sensitive to it. They can sense totalitarianism approaching from a distance, as animals can sense an approaching thunderstorm.

What Ever Happened to Osama bin Forgotten?

Nice. Very nice.

If you are willing to read through the whole thing, then check out the link.

If you are planning on closing it the moment you don't agree with something, don't even bother.

Solar Minimum is Coming

No sunspots? I don't remember learning about that in school. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen a less impressive picture of the sun -- it looks like it took someone about 10 seconds in Photoshop.

CNN.com - Flat-screen TV emits international distress signal

Ok, you just have to read this.

15 October 2004

High School Remembered

In High School, my friends (Shawn and Jim) and I were very active trying to design advanced technologies... I remember getting busted in drafting class for draw space ship plans (including stress-relieve points, et al) instead of the nut and bolt we were supposed to be drawing over and over and over...

Seeing this article reminds me of those days.

14 October 2004

What Character from The Labyrinth Are You?

HASH(0x8c0ac9c)
What Character from The Labyrinth Are You?

brought to you by Quizilla

The Library of Congress

Looking at the referrals that accessed this site, found this one. Nice ;)

PX1

Now that the job is wrapping up and the product is getting ready to hit the shelves, let's see if I can google (or in this case, Clusty) some links for you...

Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS and Middleware Form Foundation for Sharp's New Open AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions

PCWorld: Aquos LCD models offer PVR plus storage, or wireless connection for viewing on the move.

Popular Science: SHARP OPEN AQUOS ($1,400 - $1,900)

Blue Peach Solutions announces introduction, deployment of CIFS Software for Consumer Electronics

Toms Networking: CES 2004 Report - Networking goes to Hollywood

Time: Consumer Electronics Show 2004 Roundup

ARM: Arm Powered Products

HiddenWires: Sharp's New Open AQUOS TVs Usher In Exciting World Of Home Entertainment (22/9/2004)

NWCN [don't know the title of the article, didn't want to register]


Ok, that's enough. Clusty found 172... didn't want to post them all...

Go

Well, a coworker asked me to play Go with him for lunch today. He kicked my ass, but at least I got to play again. It has been a long time.

We were using the small board. It is such a different game. So much more aggressive. Much faster play. I think I like the bigger board better, but.. it was interesting.

Too bad tomorrow is my last day.

'Tit for Tat' Defeated In Prisoner's Dilemma Challenge

Interesting... basically the programs figured out a way to determine whether the opposition was someone they could coordinate with; otherwise it treated them as enemy. Nice design.

13 October 2004

Slashdot | You Might Be a Microsoft Patent Infringer

How fuckin' stupid can the patent office be? How can they keep allowing stupid patents that the public knows are not valid -- and yet still be considered an authority?

We need some kind of accountability on the Patent Office if we are going to keep it alive.

Job Hunt

Well, the job hunt is turning out interestingly enough.

I still haven't figured out how to get into Sun.

My current recruiting firm asked me if I was interested in 3 other positions. I suggested they contact one of my coworkers for one of them.

Got a call about another one. They asked how much I wanted and offered me more.

Met with another recruiter today. They decided not to call references because they had already heard such great things from my current boss that they didn't feel they needed to ask anyone else (Thanks George!).

Got a call from another recruiter before walking in to talk to that last one.


The industry is definitely looking better than last time. We shall see.

12 October 2004

Job Ending

Well, my job at Sharp Labs ends this Friday.

It is kinda disappointing that they are not keeping me around. Realistically, they did keep me 3 times longer than they said they would... and all but 2 of the contractors are getting laid off... but, it would have been nice, you know?

So, what am I going to do now? I don't know. I am looking at a few different avenues to get a new job... but, if I could choose somewhere, I would be doing Java work for Sun Microsystems' Hillboro facility. Unfortunately, I have not been able to get ahold of the HR department there. I submitted myself online, emailed them, talking to many people who work there (and they talked to their managers), talked to the corporate operator, talked to the local office, had multiple recruiters try to get me in, and even had Sharps' HR department try to get me in. Wierd thing is, no one has any clue how to contact a hiring manager. The HR department has no public phone number and evidentally no one working for them knows how to reach them internally. Very odd. Guess I can just keep trying.

I have also noticed that almost all of the Java jobs ask for Struts experience. Not only do I not know of 1 contractor who has ever used Struts, Jive software told me not to bother, and of all the recruiters I have talked to, they only know 1 person total who has ever used Struts. Maybe I should just install it at home and use it myself so I can get the jobs, since obviously they are not finding any candidates that are qualified.

But, I don't know what I am going to do yet. Will let you know as soon as I do.

Another one from Lauren

Just answer it, you know you want to.

1. Tell me something obvious about yourself
2. Tell me something about yourself that I don't know.
3. What is your biggest fear?
4. Do you normally take the safe route or the shortcut?
5. What is the one thing you want the most that you can't buy with money?
6. What is your most treasured possession?
7. What is the one thing you hate most about yourself that you do the most often?
8. Tell me something about you sexually that I don't know.
9. Tell me something about you sexually that everybody knows.
10. What is your favorite lie to tell?
11. Name something you have done once that you can't wait to do again.
12. Are you the jealous type?
13. What is the 1 person, place or thing that you can never say no to?
14. What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?
15. If you could do something crazy right now, what would it be?
16. When was the last time you cried?
17. When was the last time you felt so good that nothing else mattered?
18. Do you feel comfortable in public with no shirt on?
19. Name something embarressing you did while drunk.
20. If you post this in your journal, do you want me to answer it?

09 October 2004

Hack-A-Day?

Found this kewl little site from Slashdot... I thought about giving you some ideas of what it is... but.... you'll just have to check it out ;)

If Everyone Were Single

I saw this on Lauren's blog and just couldn't resist saving it for posterity...



Answer, you know you want to!!
IF EVERYONE WAS SINGLE.........
Fill in as appropriate:

Y = Yes.
N = No.
M = Maybe, depends.
* = Already have done.
= Decline to answer.

( ) go out with me?
( ) give me your number?
( ) let me kiss you?
( ) have sex with me?
( ) play an SM scene with me?
( ) watch a movie with me... even a really sappy one?
( ) let me take you out to dinner?
( ) drive me somewhere/anywhere?
( ) take a shower with me?
( ) be my gf/bf?
( ) have a fling with me?
( ) listen to me if I called you, crying, even if you were out with all of your friends?
( ) buy me a drink if I didn't have money?
( ) take me home for the night?
( ) let me sleep in your bed?
( ) sing car karaoke with me?
( ) sit in the doctors office with me because I didn't want to go alone?
( ) re-post this for me to answer your questions?
( ) come and pick me up at 3 am because my car ran out of petrol in the middle of nowhere?