Category: Technology

 

You Win, RIM! (An Open Letter To RIM’s Developer Relations):

“You win. I concede defeat. I no longer want to attempt developing an app for the Playbook,” developer Jamie Muraiblogs. “Are you happy now? Surely you must be. Considering how terribly designed the entire process is, from the registration right through to loading an app into the simulator, I can only assume that you are trying to drive developers away by inconveniencing them as much as humanly possible.”

 

“Having already developed apps for theiPhone and iPad, I had a little experience with the process of signing up for developer programs, and naturally I assumed that yours would be different, but fairly straight forward none the less,” Murai reports. “Well, you know what they say about making assumptions!”

Murai reports, “First, I had to fill out a form with my personal information. No big deal, pretty standard. I do, however, notice that although it is currently free to register with App World, in the future there will be a $200 USD charge. Now just in case you’ve never looked in to competing developer programs, Apple charges $99, and Google charges $25. Considering you are by far the underdog in this game, how do you justify charging double the price of the market leader? Also, with the $99 or $25 charge, Apple and Google let you publish and unlimited number of apps on their stores. You, on the other hand, have decided that for $200, a developer should only get to publish 10 apps, and it will cost $200 for every additional 10 apps. On Twitter, I believe that would colloquially be referred to as a fail.”

Comment of the Day: Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheet! | Apartment Therapy Chicago: “I’ve completely eliminated the need for dryer sheets. I was a firm lover of these until I found that I could take aluminum foil, ball it up, and toss it in the dryer with the wet laundry. It removes static and never has to be changed. I’ve been using the same aluminum foil ball for over 6 months.”

ARE U FUCKING JOKING? Lou Reed?

HP walks on the bile side at the Grammys | Technically Incorrect – CNET News: “”

Spooky “Dark Flow” Tracked Deeper Into the Cosmos; No Word on What’s Tugging at Galaxies | 80beats | Discover Magazine: “A year and a half ago, the team led by Alexander Kashlinsky of NASA proposed the controversial and ominously named ‘dark flow,’ a massive gravitational force that is tugging at galaxy clusters, and that Kashlinsky says could be coming from beyond the limits of our own visible universe. Now the team is back with a follow-up study in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, and Kashlinsky “

“Impossible” planet from beyond the Milky Way discovered: “It’s not quite the impossible planet, but it’s certainly very improbable. A planet has been discovered around a type of ancient star that scientists once believed couldn’t support planets. Even more incredibly, the planet formed outside our galaxy.

Before the discovery of this gas giant, it was incredibly rare to find planets orbiting ancient stars – and even more rare to find them orbiting a star like this one because it lacks the necessary metals to form planets. This planet’s star, amazingly, is both old and metal-poor, and what’s more the star has entered its red giant phase, in which it expands to an incredible size and threatens to engulf its planets. That’s what you can see in the rather mind-blowing, somewhat impressionistic artist’s conception up top. That black dot just to the lower right of center is the planet in question.

So this planet is impossible for three reasons, all to do with the extreme conditions of its star.

Just to add to the strangeness, the star should have swallowed up its planet, based on the planet’s position relative to the star. But that’s nothing compared to the story of its birth. This star is part of a group that was once part of a satellite galaxy apart from the Milky Way, which was gravitationally disrupted and assimilated into our galaxy several billion years ago. In all likelihood, this planet predates that merger, meaning it’s technically the first planet we’ve discovered that’s from another galaxy.

[via ScienceExpress]”

 

Incredible Space Maximization in a Small Studio Apartment: “Incredible Space Maximization in a Small Studio Apartment

You’ve seen a lot of ingenious ideas on how to decorate small apartments on Freshome. Here is another tiny crib that manages to maximize space and create a cozy living environment as well. The East Village Studio comes from JPDA Architects, stretches over an area of 46 square meters (500 square feet) and was built as a little ‘nest’ for the owners who also work here. It has all the utilities a common looking contemporary home has and dare we say a lot more. This original crib has storage space and shelves in the most unusual and unexpected places, reducing clutter and contributing to a clean and fresh interior design. The wood gives this home its warmth which is ‘intensified’ by the friendly vegetation pots spread around the open studio.”

 

Hubble zooms in on a space oddity: “Hubble Zooms in on a Space Oddity

ScienceDaily (Jan. 11, 2011) — One of the strangest space objects ever seen is being scrutinized by the penetrating vision of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. A mysterious, glowing green blob of gas is floating in space near a spiral galaxy. Hubble uncovered delicate filaments of gas and a pocket of young star clusters in the giant object, which is the size of our Milky Way galaxy.”

 

cornelius comanns: bufalino: ” ‘bufalino’ by german industrial designer cornelius comanns is a small camper which is equipped to meet the basic needs of one person. the concept behind the project is to offer absolute flexibility during periods of travel. the minimalist construction is based on the existing piaggio APE 50 three wheeled light transport vehicle; a model chosen for its economic and fuel efficient benefits. however, the more complex structural components such as the frame, the chassis, and engine are derived from the original piaggio model.”

Tent With Transparent Walls | Update Your Home – Gadgets and Interior: “For those who are planning to unwind among nature during the holiday season, French designer Pierre Stephane Dumas has designed a series of luxury tents ‘BubbleTree’ for a fun-filled camping experience. The inflatable bubble tents are decked out with wardrobes, sofas and electric lights for a comfortable stay.And, the series feature CristalBubble, a completely transparent tent for the exhibitionists, while ‘Cocooning’ is the version for those who seek privacy.”

PAiA – Fatman Analog Mid Synth: “The FatMan has all of the features that give analog it’s big bottom and punch in a MIDI controlled package. The classic Voltage Controlled normalization is brought up to date with a Velocity CV not available on pre-MIDI synths. Pitch wheel modulation is supported and Pitch and Velocity CVs and gate signal are provided on the front panel for driving PAiA or other linear response synthesizer modules.

And all those knobs. They invite experimentation and invention in ways that a single control with functions buried under layers of obscure menus never can. Just a few hours with the FatMan will teach you more about the nature of sound than you might ever learn otherwise. It’s as at home in the physics lab as on-stage.”

 

Cheaper, Spray-On Solar Panels Could Appear in Three Years | Business | GreenBiz.com: “AUSTIN, TX — Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a method to create photovoltaic panels at one-tenth the cost of existing technologies using nanoparticle ‘inks’ to generate electricity from the sun.

The group, lead by Brian Korgel in the University’s chemical engineering department, predicts that the technology, which would allow solar panels to be painted on rooftops or the sides of buildings, could be market-ready in three to five years.”

 

‘Anonymous’ topples, defaces Zimbabwe government websites | Raw Story: “The Zimbabwe African National Union (Zanu-PF) website, Zimbabwean government website and Zimbabwean Finance Ministry website were the target of cyber attacks on Thursday by a loose-knit group of online hacktivists known as ‘Anonymous.'”

8 Websites You Need to Stop Building

Do You Want To Dream Different?: “This mind teasing structure that you are viewing in pictures below was designed and developed by organic architect Javier Senosiain.

Javier Senosiain is a Mexican architect who has a peculiar taste to create numerous marvels in different patterns. This particular shell house aptly named ‘Nautilus House’ was given shape in 2006 at a place called Naucalpan in Mexico. Being an exceptional one directly from the imagination of its architect, it naturally had to undergo enough changes testing the patience of its builder. The concept ‘Organic’ can be well experienced from the way one feels being amidst the nature. The way the structure and the interiors have been designed is nothing but teasing the ever hungry urban population confined to concrete jungles. Do you want to be the one, dreaming different?”

 

Lofted Forest Home: Organic Curves & Natural Materials | Designs & Ideas on Dornob: “Good things come to those who wait – particularly in a work of uniquely detailed and highly curved architecture. Nearly a decade in the making, this structure by Robert Harvey Oshatz is much like a tree house – lofted toward the top of the canopy around it – only bigger, grander, more complex and curved than most any tree house in the world. “

Have we found the universe that existed before the Big Bang?: “The current cosmological consensus is that the universe began 13.7 billion years ago with the Big Bang. But a legendary physicist says he’s found the first evidence of an eternal, cyclic cosmos.

The Big Bang model holds that everything that now comprises the universe was once concentrated in a single point of near-infinite density. Before this singularity exploded and the universe began, there was absolutely nothing – indeed, it’s not clear whether one can even use the term ‘before’ in reference to a pre-Big-Bang cosmos, as time itself may not have existed yet. In the current model, the universe began with the Big Bang, underwent cosmic inflation for a fraction of a second, then settled into the much more gradual expansion that is still going on, and likely will end with the universe as an infinitely expanded, featureless cosmos.”

 

WikiLeaks rival plans Monday launch after internal split, founders say – CNN.com: “London (CNN) — Arguing that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has ‘weakened the organization,’ a newly organized rival to the website known for leaking official secrets says it will launch Monday. The founders of Openleaks.org say they are former WikiLeaks members unhappy with the way WikiLeaks is being run under Assange. ‘It has weakened the organization,’ one of those founders, Daniel Domscheit-Berg says in a documentary airing Sunday night on Swedish television network SVT. He said WikiLeaks has become ‘too much focused on one person, and one person is always much weaker than an organization.'”

New diplomatic cables contain UFO details, says Wikileaks founder: “New diplomatic cables contain UFO details, says Wikileaks founder

2010-12-04 12:00:00 Sharp Solar CellsAds by GoogleLeading the world with an energy conversion efficiency of 35.8% sharp-solar.com Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has said that the new leaked diplomatic cables set to be published by the whistleblowing website will contain fresh details on UFOs.

The 39 year-old Australian, who is wanted by Interpol over a charge of rape and sexual assault in Sweden, said there were some references to extraterrestrial life in yet-to-be-published confidential files obtained from the American government.

He did not revealed what information was contained in the diplomatic memos obtained by the website.

It also remains unclear when they will be published.

Assange said his website, under considerable strain in recent days over its ‘Cablegate’ series of leaks, received emails from ‘weirdos’ claiming to have seen UFOs.

‘Many weirdos email us about UFOs or how they discovered that they were the anti-christ whilst talking with their ex-wife at a garden party over a pot-plant,’ the Telegraph quoted him as saying, when asked if any of the documents he had received referred to extraterrestrial life.

‘However, as yet they have not satisfied two of our publishing rules. 1) that the documents not be self-authored; 2) that they be original.

‘It is worth noting that in yet-to-be-published parts of the cablegate archive there are indeed references to UFOs,’ he added.

Assange’s comments were made during a webchat with The Guardian. (ANI)”

 

Student faces three years in prison for modifying Xbox 360 | Raw Story: “In the first case of its kind, a man from Southern California is set to go on trial Tuesday on criminal charges of circumventing digital rights management (DRM) by modifying Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console.”

Torrent users sue US Copyright Group for fraud and extortion – TechSpot News: “Dmitriy Shirokov is suing a Washington law firm that sent threatening letters to thousands of alleged movie downloaders, accusing the firm of fraud and extortion. He filed the 96-page lawsuit, which argues that lawyers at Dunlap, Grubb & Weaver made a business of threatening people with expensive litigation and fines unless they pay ‘settlement offers’ of $1,500 to $2,500, in the US District Court of Massachusetts. “

Solar panels getting a sleek new makeover | MNN – Mother Nature Network: ” The next generation of solar panels will bear little resemblance to their predecessors, at least on the outside. Companies like SRS Energy, Kyocera and Suntech Power are working with building suppliers on alternatives to clunky solar panels that will satisfy the demands of picky property owners, creating products like solar roofing tiles that blend in with the traditional clay versions found on many Southern California homes.”

Disguised Man Boards International Flight (PHOTOS): “A passenger flying from Hong Kong to Canada made a transformation in flight that officials are describing as ‘unbelievable,’ morphing from what appeared to be an elderly, Caucasian man to a mid-twenties Asian youth, CNN is reporting.

The incredible deception began as the man, whose name is not being released, boarded an Air Canada flight disguised as an elderly white man in Hong Kong. According to the alert obtained by CNN:”

 

Custom Receipt Maker: “This tool lets you make your own custom receipts.

Customize your receipt below and press the ‘Make the receipt!’ button. Your custom receipt will be shown (containing the text that you entered) in the space above.

The completed receipts are in dollars only but you can enter non-dollar amounts for prices if you like. That way, you can say that something is ‘free’ or ‘cheap’ or whatever you like.

What should you put in your custom receipt? It’s up to you! The top of he receipt might give a store with a funny name, or perhaps a strange address. Put things you’d like to get, or give products crazy prices. Make a serious receipt, but put a funny slogan at the bottom! Be creative. The only limit is your imagination. “

 

U.N. to Establish Protocols for When We Make Contact With Aliens | Dr. Kaku’s Universe | Big Think: “The United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) has announced that it will consider drafting protocols for what to do when we finally make contact with extra-terrestrial civilizations in space. What’s prompting the UN to consider this possibility is the fact that astronomers are expected to announce, perhaps later this year or next year, that our satellites (such as Kepler and Corot) have identified earth-like planets in space. So far, almost 500 large Jupiter-sized planets have been discovered, but earth-like planets are much more difficult to identify.

The KEPLER SATELLITE”

 

Homemade Spacecraft from Luke Geissbuhler on Vimeo.

Rick Santorum’s Anal Sex Problem | Mother Jones: “Rick Santorum would very much like to be president. For the past few years, he has been diligently appearing at the sorts of conservative events—the Values Voters Summit, the Conservative Political Action Conference—where aspiring Republican candidates are expected to show up. But before he starts printing ‘Santorum 2012’ bumper stickers, there’s one issue the former GOP senator and his strategists need to address. You see, Santorum has what you might call a Google problem. For voters who decide to look him up online, one of the top three search results is usually the site SpreadingSantorum.com, which explains that Santorum’s last name is a sexual neologism for ‘the frothy mixture of lube and fecal matter that is sometimes the byproduct of anal sex.'”

Incredible Gallery of Art Deco Vehicles: “Incredible Gallery of Art Deco Vehicles”