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======================================================================
Slashdot Daily Newsletter
In this issue:
* Pastafarian Wins Right To Wear Colander In License Photo
* Netflix Deflects Rage Over Price Increase
* 34% of iPhone Owners Think the 4 Is 4G
* McCain Asks For Committee On Wikileaks, Anonymous
* After a Decade, Mac Sales Again Top 10%
* Adobe Released 64-bit Flash For Linux
* New Scottish Wave Energy Generator Unveiled
* James Webb Space Telescope Closer To the Axe
* Phone Customers Pay $2B Yearly In Bogus Fees
* Watch Out Linux, GNU Hurd Coming
* Build Your Own Time Capsule Work-Alike For $200
* Ask Slashdot: Best Connect Scheme For a 2-ISP Household?
* 41% of Chinese Websites Shut Down In 2010
* The Hidden Evil of the Microtransaction
* The Best Unknown Open Source Projects
* Amazon Plans iPad Competitor (and 2 New Kindles)
* IT Night Shift Workers: Fat and Undersexed
* IBM Donates Symphony Code To Apache Software Foundation
* Undersea Cable Map Shows Where The Data Pipes Are
* Researchers Build "Squishy" Memory Device
* Apple Slashes Australian App Store Prices To Match US
* Sub-Centimeter Positioning Coming To Mobile Phones
* Where China's Weibo Beats Facebook and Twitter
* NSF Funds Mind-machine Interface Center
* App Uses Facial Profiling To Identify Perps
* Acoustic Superlens Built From Soda Cans
* DoD Lost 24k Files In Attack On Contractor
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Pastafarian Wins Right To Wear Colander In License Photo
| from the may-his-noodles-guide-you dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @02:23 (Government)
| with 649 comments
| https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0227212/Pastafarian-Wins-Right-To-Wear-Colander-In-License-Photo?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
gregmon writes "An Austrian follower of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has
finally [0]won the right to don the religious headgear of his choosing (a
spaghetti strainer) in his driving license photo. After a three year
battle with the un-enlightened Austrian authorities, Niko Aim can now
wear his colander in all official photos."
Discuss this story at:
https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0227212/Pastafarian-Wins-Right-To-Wear-Colander-In-License-Photo?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14135523
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Netflix Deflects Rage Over Price Increase
| from the let-them-drink-cappuccino dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @14:42 (Media)
| with 629 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1829216/Netflix-Deflects-Rage-Over-Price-Increase?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
oxide7 writes "Netflix provoked an [0]unprecedented outpouring of
backlash across the Internet as the company unveiled [1]plans to raise
prices on its movie-rental services. The company said it would raise the
Internet-plus-DVDs-in-the-mail plan from $9.99 per month to $15.98 per
month late Tuesday sparking protests and rage across the subscriber base.
Netflix brushed off the criticism however. 'We knew there would be some
people who would be upset,' company spokesman Steve Swasey said. 'To most
people, it's a latte or two,' he added."
Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1829216/Netflix-Deflects-Rage-Over-Price-Increase?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/179756/20110713/netflix-deflects-rage-over-price-increase-street-rejoices.htm
1. http://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/12/1934215/Netflix-Announces-Streaming-Only-Plans-and-Higher-Prices-for-DVDs
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 34% of iPhone Owners Think the 4 Is 4G
| from the this-one-doesn't-even-go-to-4 dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @14:24 (Cellphones)
| with 280 comments
| https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1547212/34-of-iPhone-Owners-Think-the-4-Is-4G?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]tekgoblin writes "An [1]interesting study was just released by Retrevo
which indicates that a startling [2]34% of iPhone 4 owners are confused
to what '4' actually means. iPhone owners who had an iPhone 3G knew that
the 3G actually stood for 3G so that is where the confusion has stemmed
from. iPhone 4 owners think that the 4 means 4G."
Discuss this story at:
https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1547212/34-of-iPhone-Owners-Think-the-4-Is-4G?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.twitter.com/tekgoblin
1. http://www.retrevo.com/content/blog/2011/07/confusion-and-skepticism-may-impede-4g-adoption
2. http://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/12/one-third-of-iphone-users-mistakenly-think-they-have-4g/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| McCain Asks For Committee On Wikileaks, Anonymous
| from the meetings-fix-everything dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @11:54 (Government)
| with 255 comments
| https://politics.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1436202/McCain-Asks-For-Committee-On-Wikileaks-Anonymous?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trailrunner7 writes "In the face of continued attacks on federal agencies
and contractors such as Booz Allen Hamilton and IRC Federal that do
highly sensitive security work for the U.S. government, Sen. John McCain
[0]has asked Senate leaders to appoint a select committee to look into
the attacks and data leaks that have plagued Washington throughout 2011.
In a letter to Democrat leader Harry Reid and Senate minority leader
Mitch McConnell, McCain (R-Ariz.) said that a temporary Senate committee
is necessary in order to get a handle on all of the disparate
cybersecurity legislation proposals and to address the threat posed by
groups such as Anonymous, LulzSec and Wikileaks."
Discuss this story at:
https://politics.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1436202/McCain-Asks-For-Committee-On-Wikileaks-Anonymous?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| After a Decade, Mac Sales Again Top 10%
| from the in-many-ways-never-really-went-away dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @17:50 (Businesses)
| with 255 comments
| https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2137238/After-a-Decade-Mac-Sales-Again-Top-10?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]GMGruman writes "The last time Apple's Mac sales account for more than
10 percent of the U.S. PC market was 1991. This spring, [1]Apple finally
returned to that market share high, with 10.7 percent of all U.S. PC
sales, according to both IDC and Gartner. That's a major reversal from
its 2004 share of under 2 percent. The sales report comes after some
other good news this week for Apple: A third of big businesses now let
employees choose a Mac as their PC ��� [2]and more than half choose the Mac."
Discuss this story at:
https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2137238/After-a-Decade-Mac-Sales-Again-Top-10?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.infoworld.com/
1. http://www.infoworld.com/d/the-industry-standard/apple-mac-sales-back-above-10-percent-after-10-years-002
2. http://www.infoworld.com/t/mac-os-x/mac-os-x-surges-in-business-thanks-the-ipad-699
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Adobe Released 64-bit Flash For Linux
| from the included-free-of-charge dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Wednesday July 13, @23:58 (Linux)
| with 252 comments
| https://linux.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0210259/Adobe-Released-64-bit-Flash-For-Linux?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kai_hiwatari writes "Adobe has been taking quite a bashing from Linux
supporters of late. First, there was the issue of them dropping AIR for
Linux and then came the bashing because of the lack of updates on the
experimental 64-bit Flash for Linux. Well, guess what! They have just
released Flash 11 and it [0]includes native 64-bit support for Linux as
well. When they discontinued their experimental 64-bit Flash earlier this
year, Adobe promised to release a 64-bit version of Flash for Linux when
they release the next major version. They have kept that promise."
Discuss this story at:
https://linux.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0210259/Adobe-Released-64-bit-Flash-For-Linux?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://digitizor.com/2011/07/14/flash-11-64-bit-linux/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| New Scottish Wave Energy Generator Unveiled
| from the the-motion-of-the-ocean dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Wednesday July 13, @21:47 (Power)
| with 220 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/13/2259220/New-Scottish-Wave-Energy-Generator-Unveiled?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MikeChino writes "We've learned about [0]Scotland's wave energy
initiatives in the past, and just this morning the nation unveiled
Aquamarine Power's next-generation [1]Oyster 800 wave power plant. The
new generator can produce 250% more power at one third the cost of the
first full-scale 315kw Oyster that was installed in Orkney in 2009. The
device's shape has been modified and made wider to enable it to capture
more wave energy, and a double seabed pile system allows for easier
installation."
Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/13/2259220/New-Scottish-Wave-Energy-Generator-Unveiled?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://slashdot.org/index2.pl?fhfilter=aquamarine+power
1. http://inhabitat.com/aquamarine-power-unveils-oyster-800-wave-energy-generator-exclusive-photos/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| James Webb Space Telescope Closer To the Axe
| from the i-see-nothing dept.
| posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday July 14, @10:24 (NASA)
| with 214 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1355223/James-Webb-Space-Telescope-Closer-To-the-Axe?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]astroengine writes "This could be considered [1]'strike two' for the
deeply troubled James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Last week, the House
Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee [2]made the
recommendation that the advanced infrared space telescope be cancelled.
On Wednesday, the full House Science, Space and Technology Committee has
approved the subcommittee's plan. The project may not be dead yet ��� the
2012 budget still has to be voted on my the House and Senate ��� but it
sure is looking grim for 'Hubble's replacement.'"
Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1355223/James-Webb-Space-Telescope-Closer-To-the-Axe?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://astroengine.com/
1. http://news.discovery.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-closer-to-the-axe-110714.html
2. http://science.slashdot.org/story/11/07/07/0038247/Congress-Dumps-James-Webb-Space-Telescope
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Phone Customers Pay $2B Yearly In Bogus Fees
| from the fine-print-on-the-fine-print dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @08:02 (Communications)
| with 209 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0317249/Phone-Customers-Pay-2B-Yearly-In-Bogus-Fees?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]Hugh Pickens writes writes "CNN reports that a one-year study by the
Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee shows about [1]$2 billion
a year in 'mystery fees' show up on the landline phone bills of
Americans. Known as cramming, [2]the extra charges include:long distance
service, subscriptions for Internet-related services, access to
restricted websites, entertainment services with a 900 area code, collect
calls, and club memberships. The Commerce Committee's report says phone
companies receive a small fee ��� often just a dollar or two ��� for allowing
charges from third-party vendors to appear on their bills but due to the
large number of customers the charges eventually add up. Illinois
Attorney General Lisa Madigan told the panel people are unaware their
phone numbers can be charged almost like a credit card and her
investigations indicate customers are not even getting services in
return. 'My office has yet to see a legitimate third-party charge on a
bill,' says Madigan, who added most customers don't detect the charges on
their bills. Senator Jay Rockefeller says [3]Congress needs to pass
legislation to protect customers from unauthorized third-party charges on
their phone bills because the telephone industry has failed to prevent
the practice. 'It's pretty obvious at this point that voluntary
guidelines aren't solving this problem,' says Rockefeller. 'It's time for
us to take a new look at this problem and find a way to solve it once and
for all.'"
Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0317249/Phone-Customers-Pay-2B-Yearly-In-Bogus-Fees?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://hughpickens.com/
1. http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/13/phone.charges/
2. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/products/pro18.shtm
3. http://thehill.com/blogs/hillicon-valley/technology/171219-senators-call-for-tough-new-measures-to-fight-cramming
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Watch Out Linux, GNU Hurd Coming
| from the you-have-only-about-46,396,800-seconds dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @18:51 (GNU is Not Unix)
| with 203 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2141229/Watch-Out-Linux-GNU-Hurd-Coming?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
sfcrazy writes "Debian now has concrete plans to bring [0]GNU Hurd to the
larger community. GNU Hurd is [1]expected to be released with the release
of Debian 7.0 Wheezy towards the end of 2012 or beginning of 2013. Debian
maintainer Samuel Thibault has already produced a Debian GNU/Hurd CD Set
with a graphic installer which is available to download."
Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2141229/Watch-Out-Linux-GNU-Hurd-Coming?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.gnu.org/software/hurd/hurd.html
1. http://www.h-online.com/open/news/item/Hurd-Progresses-Debian-GNU-Hurd-by-end-of-2012-1279253.html
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Build Your Own Time Capsule Work-Alike For $200
| from the stash-stuff-here dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @13:17 (Data Storage)
| with 192 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/179211/Build-Your-Own-Time-Capsule-Work-Alike-For-200?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An anonymous reader writes "If you're a Windows or Linux user, or simply
an Apple user that can't justify the $500 price tag on those beautiful
3TB Time Capsules, why not build your own? With a wireless router, an
external USB hard drive, and a little bit of setting up, you can [0]make
your own wireless, network-attached backup device for around $200."
Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/179211/Build-Your-Own-Time-Capsule-Work-Alike-For-200?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.extremetech.com/computing/89992-how-to-make-a-windows-time-capsule
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Ask Slashdot: Best Connect Scheme For a 2-ISP Household?
| from the cut-the-blue-wire-no-the-red-wire-hmmm dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @15:24 (Networking)
| with 182 comments
| https://ask.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1913223/Ask-Slashdot-Best-Connect-Scheme-For-a-2-ISP-Household?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]c_petras writes "I just had DSL installed (a 19,000 ft run ��� Woo Hoo!)
to act as a backup to my regional WiFi connection. How should I configure
my home network so I don't have to swap the cable from one ISP's router
to the other to maintain a good connection? Is it as simple as getting
another router and plugging the two ISPs in? Is there a more elegant
solution that would not require the use of three separate boxes and
associated wall warts?"
Discuss this story at:
https://ask.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1913223/Ask-Slashdot-Best-Connect-Scheme-For-a-2-ISP-Household?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://reflections-on-the-technium.com/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 41% of Chinese Websites Shut Down In 2010
| from the most-of-them-weren't-lolcats dept.
| posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday July 14, @08:44 (Censorship)
| with 172 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1228211/41-of-Chinese-Websites-Shut-Down-In-2010?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BinaryMage found a pretty shocking bit- apparently the Chinese government
has [0]shut down 1.3 million websites in 2010, an incredible 41% of all
sites behind the great firewall. The usual reasons (pornography) are
cited, as well as the reminder that China blocks Facebook, Twitter, and
YouTube from its citizens. Anyone behind the firewall know if Slashdot is
currently blocked? I've heard it varies.
Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1228211/41-of-Chinese-Websites-Shut-Down-In-2010?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-14138267
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| The Hidden Evil of the Microtransaction
| from the continue-reading-for-only-four-ninety-nine dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Thursday July 14, @03:45 (The Almighty Buck)
| with 140 comments
| https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0553240/The-Hidden-Evil-of-the-Microtransaction?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An anonymous reader tips an opinion piece at #AltDevBlogADay written by
Claire Blackshaw, lead designer at Jagex Games Studio, about [0]where
companies go wrong with microtransactions. While microtransactions aren't
inherently evil, she says, they're often misused by marketing folks to
the detriment of everyone. She encourages game developers to fight back.
Quoting: "The problem with all this is this it is an ambiguous, grey
area. The real kicker is that grey areas are always green-lit by greed.
In the interest of a 'little more,' so much wrong has been done. So many
ideas ruined, communities broken, and teams overstretched by wanting that
little bit more. The old sustainable farming arguments come into play
here. The massive problem is that you as the Games Designer or other
development members do not always have the final say, but you can still
fight your corner. You can build your arguments and try to provide some
strong research and data to help your money people see the long term
view."
Discuss this story at:
https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0553240/The-Hidden-Evil-of-the-Microtransaction?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://altdevblogaday.com/2011/07/11/the-hidden-evil-of-the-micro-transaction/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| The Best Unknown Open Source Projects
| from the foss-hipsters dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Thursday July 14, @12:35 (Open Source)
| with 128 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1620213/The-Best-Unknown-Open-Source-Projects?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]itwbennett writes "Carla Schroder points to an [1]interesting trend in
open source: 'The growth of large distributed projects.' [2]OpenTox,
which uses computer modeling instead of animal testing for chemical
toxicity testing, and [3]AMEE (Avoiding Mass Extinctions Engine), which
uses open source software and methodologies to collect, map, measure and
analyze carbon dioxide data, are two such projects. 'FOSS presents a
natural platform for building large distributed projects because of the
low barrier to entry ��� open code, open standards, and freely-available
robust, high-quality high-performance software,' says Schroder." What
open source project gets less attention than you think it deserves?
Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1620213/The-Best-Unknown-Open-Source-Projects?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.itworld.com/
1. http://www.itworld.com/software/180129/10-best-unknown-open-source-projects
2. http://www.opentox.org/
3. http://www.amee.com/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Amazon Plans iPad Competitor (and 2 New Kindles)
| from the they'd-have-me-at-daylight-readable dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @16:49 (Android)
| with 112 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1956215/Amazon-Plans-iPad-Competitor-and-2-New-Kindles?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
destinyland writes "Some time in the next 10 weeks, Amazon [0]will
release a new Android tablet device, which will compete directly with
Apple's iPad, according to the Wall Street Journal. Amazon hopes to
leverage the digital content they've already made available online ���
digital video, music, and ebooks, as well as their new app store for
Android devices. The device will ship without a built-in camera,
prompting one tablet watcher to report that 'it feels like [1]Amazon is
trying to strip it down and bring it in at the lowest cost possible.'
Amazon will also release two new versions of the Kindle ��� one with a
touch screen, and one at a lower price." Now if only they'd make it a
proper e-reader by including a Pixel Qi (or similar) daylight-readable
screen, I'd be sold.
Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1956215/Amazon-Plans-iPad-Competitor-and-2-New-Kindles?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303406104576444213058153874.html
1. http://www.beyond-black-friday.com/2011/07/14/the-kindle-4-will-be-released-within-10-weeks/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| IT Night Shift Workers: Fat and Undersexed
| from the for-those-about-to-post-we-salute-you dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @19:33 (IT)
| with 106 comments
| https://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2326207/IT-Night-Shift-Workers-Fat-and-Undersexed?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
wiredmikey writes "The results of a recent survey released today by Men's
Health Network, found that shift workers, people who work non-traditional
hours including IT professionals working overnight shifts, report that
these shifts are [0]negatively impacting their health, work, well-being,
and quality of life. The survey revealed that the majority of shift
workers (79%) believe that they are negatively impacted by their shift
work and voiced daily concern over their energy level (47%), weight
(43%), and their sex lives (30%). Additionally, the survey showed that
the average shift worker hasn't had a meal with their family in two weeks
or exercised in 24 days. The results of this survey really shouldn't be
surprising. While the survey shows infers that shift workers may be
overweight, the issue extends far beyond and into the general population
of the United States, including children. Childhood obesity is at all all
time high in America, so this issue isn't just related to the night
shift."
Discuss this story at:
https://it.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2326207/IT-Night-Shift-Workers-Fat-and-Undersexed?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.securityweek.com/it-night-shift-workers-overweight-and-undersexed
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| IBM Donates Symphony Code To Apache Software Foundation
| from the don't-say-bequeath-until-you-die-please dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @17:27 (Open Source)
| with 83 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/201232/IBM-Donates-Symphony-Code-To-Apache-Software-Foundation?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]CWmike writes "Hoping to further sharpen OpenOffice's competitive
viability against Microsoft Office, [1]IBM is donating the code of its
Symphony open source office suite to the nonprofit Apache Software
Foundation. Apache could fold this code into its own open source office
suite OpenOffice, on which Symphony was based. In June, Oracle [2]donated
the OpenOffice suite to Apache. 'Prior to Apache's entry, there really
hasn't been enough innovation in this area over the past 10 years," said
Kevin Cavanaugh, an IBM vice president. 'It's been constrained because we
haven't had a true open source community with a mature governance
model.'"
Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/201232/IBM-Donates-Symphony-Code-To-Apache-Software-Foundation?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://twitter.com/mikeatcw
1. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9218421/IBM_bequeaths_Symphony_code_to_Apache
2. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9217214/Oracle_submits_OpenOffice.org_codebase_to_Apache
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Undersea Cable Map Shows Where The Data Pipes Are
| from the pulsing-through-the-depths dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @15:46 (Communications)
| with 81 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1930212/Undersea-Cable-Map-Shows-Where-The-Data-Pipes-Are?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
overThruster writes with a report from TechCentral that "Greg Mahlknecht
has [0]built a free map showing the [1]world's submarine
telecommunications cable systems. The map, which took Mahlknecht several
months to complete, is free of charge and will remain so.'" (At least
until it gets [2]shut down as a security threat.)
Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1930212/Undersea-Cable-Map-Shows-Where-The-Data-Pipes-Are?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://www.techcentral.co.za/s-african-develops-free-submarine-cables-map/15814/
1. http://www.cablemap.info/
2. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/03/07/08/146228/Grad-Students-Work-Reveals-National-Infrastructure
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Researchers Build "Squishy" Memory Device
| from the memory-stuck-between-my-fingers dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @11:07 (Data Storage)
| with 80 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1415251/Researchers-Build-Squishy-Memory-Device?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ShipLives writes "Researchers have developed [0]a memory device that is
soft and functions well in wet environments, which could lead to new
biocompatible electronic devices. 'We���ve created a memory device with the
physical properties of Jell-O,' says Dr. Michael Dickey, an assistant
professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at NC State and
co-author of a paper describing the research."
Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1415251/Researchers-Build-Squishy-Memory-Device?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://news.ncsu.edu/releases/wmsdickeysoftmemory/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Apple Slashes Australian App Store Prices To Match US
| from the all-things-being-equal dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Thursday July 14, @04:59 (Australia)
| with 77 comments
| https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0311259/Apple-Slashes-Australian-App-Store-Prices-To-Match-US?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An anonymous reader writes "It's been a long time coming, but Apple has
finally [0]readjusted the price of apps in Australia to match pricing in
the U.S. While they remain more expensive than in the U.S., premium apps
have still received a price-cut, with $8.99, $9.99 and $11.99 apps
dropping to $8.49, $9.49 and $10.49, respectively. Movies and music,
meanwhile, remain unchanged. In recent months, Apple has come under fire
from consumer watchdogs, angry customers and even the Australian
Government for its local price markups."
Discuss this story at:
https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/0311259/Apple-Slashes-Australian-App-Store-Prices-To-Match-US?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Sub-Centimeter Positioning Coming To Mobile Phones
| from the we-control-the-latitude-we-control-the-longitude dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @14:01 (Cellphones)
| with 69 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1726259/Sub-Centimeter-Positioning-Coming-To-Mobile-Phones?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Oooskar writes "SLAM ([0]Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), a
technique invented by NASA, defines the concept of building a 3D-map of
the environment and simultaneously computing the position within it.
Based on SLAM, Swedish startup [1]13th Lab has [2]implemented real-time
sub-centimeter local 3D-positioning by using only the sensors, most
importantly the camera, already present in most mobile devices ([3]demo
video). The technology will be made available as a software platform for
developers ([4]sign up for beta). A first [5]application demonstrating
the technology has just been released for the iPad2. The technology
should be available on other devices with similar computational power
soon."
Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1726259/Sub-Centimeter-Positioning-Coming-To-Mobile-Phones?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simultaneous_localization_and_mapping
1. http://13thlab.com/
2. http://gigaom.com/2011/07/12/augmented-reality-just-got-a-lot-more-exciting/
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0FBfBu4n_Q
4. http://13thlab.com/developer/
5. http://13thlab.com/ballinvasion/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Where China's Weibo Beats Facebook and Twitter
| from the not-complete-till-it-includes-censorship-engine dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @16:06 (China)
| with 63 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1944216/Where-Chinas-Weibo-Beats-Facebook-and-Twitter?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HansonMB writes with this excerpt: "Launched in 2009, the micro-blogging
service is owned by Chinese interweb behemoth Sina Corp, which happens to
be the same company that partnered with Google before their deals
famously floundered (cf those anxieties) and Google hightailed out of
China (before coming back of course). Weibo is often described as a
Facebook-Twitter hybrid, but anyone who takes a closer look can easily
see that it's a different beast entirely. Actually, I would argue
[0]Weibo is better than both. Here's a breakdown of its standout
features���some of which Google Plus has already included, and others that
I'd love to see incorporated soon."
Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1944216/Where-Chinas-Weibo-Beats-Facebook-and-Twitter?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://motherboard.tv/2011/7/13/why-you-might-join-china-s-largest-social-network
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| NSF Funds Mind-machine Interface Center
| from the i-thought-about-that-once dept.
| posted by CmdrTaco on Thursday July 14, @09:27 (AI)
| with 59 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1327231/NSF-Funds-Mind-machine-Interface-Center?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An anonymous reader writes "The [0]National Science Foundation today
announced an $18.5 million grant [1]to establish an Engineering Research
Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering based at the University of
Washington. 'The center will work on robotic devices that interact with,
assist and understand the nervous system,' said director Yoky Matsuoka.
'It will combine advances in robotics, neuroscience, electromechanical
devices and computer science to restore or augment the body's ability for
sensation and movement.' Steve Austin, anyone?"
Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/1327231/NSF-Funds-Mind-machine-Interface-Center?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://nsf.gov/
1. http://scienceblog.com/46254/nsf-funds-18-5-million-effort-to-create-mind-machine-interface/
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| App Uses Facial Profiling To Identify Perps
| from the and-non-perps-as-well dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @18:09 (Crime)
| with 49 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2120221/App-Uses-Facial-Profiling-To-Identify-Perps?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[0]Hugh Pickens writes writes "Emily Steel writes that a new iPhone
accessory that uses a picture of the person's face or iris to identify
them will [1]help police units identify suspects and look up their
criminal record. To scan a person's iris, police officers can hold the
special iris-scanning camera on device, called MORIS, about 5 to 6 inches
away from an individual's irises. After snapping a high resolution photo,
the MORIS system analyzes 235 unique features in each iris and uses an
algorithm to match that person with their identity if they are in the
database. To use the facial recognition system an officer takes a photo
of a person at a distance of about 2 feet to 5 feet that [2]analyzes
about 130 distinguishing points on the face (video), such as the distance
between a person's eye and nose, then scans the database for likely
matches. Bernard Melekian says challenges remain in developing guidelines
for the proper use of the mobile recognition technology for police work.
'If the purpose is to determine instantly an individual's identity and
determine whether they are wanted or have serious criminal history, that
is not only a desirable use, it is an important use,' says Melekian. 'To
simply collect information on individuals to add to the database would
not in my opinion be a desirable use of the technology.'" The range of
offenses for which conviction (and sometimes mere arrest) now triggers
the collection of DNA samples is expanding; I suspect that iris
information, seemingly less intrusive to collect, will soon enough become
part of applications for passports, driver's licenses, and concealed
carry permits.
Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2120221/App-Uses-Facial-Profiling-To-Identify-Perps?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://hughpickens.com/
1. http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2011/07/13/how-a-new-police-tool-for-face-recognition-works/
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wkANapgWgE
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Acoustic Superlens Built From Soda Cans
| from the sir-these-expense-reports-are-alarming dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @16:28 (Science)
| with 48 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2017239/Acoustic-Superlens-Built-From-Soda-Cans?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Freddybear writes "Researchers in France have [0]assembled an acoustic
superlens from an array of soda cans. The cans act as resonators, and by
exciting the array with tailored sound waves, the sound volume can be
made to peak in specific volumes less than a few centimeters wide."
Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/2017239/Acoustic-Superlens-Built-From-Soda-Cans?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
Links:
0. http://physicsworld.com/cws/article/news/46500
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| DoD Lost 24k Files In Attack On Contractor
| from the for-your-own-safety dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday July 14, @18:30 (Government)
| with 29 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/220220/DoD-Lost-24k-Files-In-Attack-On-Contractor?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trailrunner7 writes with this news from ThreatPost: "A targeted attack on
a defense contractor in March of this year resulted in [0]the theft of
24,000 files by an unknown attacker, according to Defense Department
officials. The attack, which officials say was the work of a foreign
government, would represent one of the more serious known attacks on the
department and its contractors. In a speech Thursday in which he unveiled
the Department of Defense Strategy for Operating in Cyberspace, William
J. Lynn, deputy defense secretary, said that the attack was just one of
thousands such intrusions that the government and its contractors suffer
every year."
Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/07/14/220220/DoD-Lost-24k-Files-In-Attack-On-Contractor?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting
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