tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22931349752965716622024-03-07T01:33:23.542-06:00Death BlossomGoing NoWhere At the Speed of LightNick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.comBlogger207125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-34309046666452239122007-02-07T14:14:00.000-06:002007-02-07T14:15:48.470-06:00Video: 253 mph in the fastest production car in the world<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/09TlRObTkJc"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/09TlRObTkJc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-12362571973887262322007-02-04T08:39:00.000-06:002007-02-04T08:40:09.547-06:00Video: Funny Barry Bible<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_4lEr7fhog"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0_4lEr7fhog" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-41513805580136436342007-02-03T07:55:00.001-06:002007-02-03T07:56:09.073-06:00Think this works?<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/410981/blondie_unlocks_car.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed><br/>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-86572319599597114792007-01-30T13:33:00.000-06:002007-01-30T13:34:48.033-06:00Video: The Music-Playing HP Scanjet<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FHcV8vZ96OM"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FHcV8vZ96OM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-8572049634984335732007-01-30T13:31:00.000-06:002007-01-30T13:33:12.775-06:00Video: Robotic Arm Ride, a.k.a. The Brain Smearer<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-7472502197006303244&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-79507580612335351752007-01-28T23:06:00.001-06:002007-01-28T23:06:26.617-06:00Richard Hammond Crash Footage<embed style="width:400px; height:326px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=830929109569151280&hl=en-GB" flashvars=""> </embed>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-2469427668304408802007-01-27T12:26:00.001-06:002007-01-27T12:26:57.271-06:00Video: Boeing 777 Wing Ultimate Load Test<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Uo0C01Fwb8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Uo0C01Fwb8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-45337347045649569752007-01-27T10:11:00.000-06:002007-01-27T10:12:40.083-06:00Realistic Physic based desktop manager<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWe-TIy2Lbs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SWe-TIy2Lbs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-47091808368525017132007-01-27T09:34:00.000-06:002007-01-27T09:42:09.332-06:00Orange County Choppers at HP<embed style="width:400px; height:270px;" id="VideoPlayback" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=-8753898784081780124&hl=en" flashvars=""> </embed><br />It looks like the guys on American Chopper are goingto be making a bike for HP. This video was taken around January 15th while the the Teutals were at HP checking out the factory. They also broke some stuff while there were there.Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-50443104137341454762007-01-26T15:54:00.001-06:002007-01-26T15:54:50.432-06:00The Office: Playing Call of Duty<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9j3-ECsSC8o"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9j3-ECsSC8o" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-56248004670840289742007-01-25T10:14:00.000-06:002007-01-25T10:17:54.150-06:00Rapom V8: Road legal drag-machine equipped with a 1.200Hp 8.2 V8 Mopar engine<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOPCtYoEeSAMiKBI7jefs3vehvb2DDlmiW0T75PXhc63p0ifEIypyZvu12-4_9Y5o0arnfRNj0ELh9ldDxEO79yUHaGQeerSFpt3SL96-IwypBzO9OV9tVLsQmxDhsO3hHfRu8GeEsSo/s1600-h/Carscoop_Rapom_4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOPCtYoEeSAMiKBI7jefs3vehvb2DDlmiW0T75PXhc63p0ifEIypyZvu12-4_9Y5o0arnfRNj0ELh9ldDxEO79yUHaGQeerSFpt3SL96-IwypBzO9OV9tVLsQmxDhsO3hHfRu8GeEsSo/s400/Carscoop_Rapom_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024003024817794802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVchwfrVhXat9FLRl0rnBu9Vz0pJYjxyZb9tRAHGwmxCG3vvHwbS55BATXoiSxL38DQqVUswok7qniM-7TtcXoDfS20JkdTv8hY5NPIUsn8wVfjYG4dEs9jFE5Ag35mKwqt1BJ1Mn3hU/s1600-h/Carscoop_Rapom_2_resize.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVchwfrVhXat9FLRl0rnBu9Vz0pJYjxyZb9tRAHGwmxCG3vvHwbS55BATXoiSxL38DQqVUswok7qniM-7TtcXoDfS20JkdTv8hY5NPIUsn8wVfjYG4dEs9jFE5Ag35mKwqt1BJ1Mn3hU/s400/Carscoop_Rapom_2_resize.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024003033407729410" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0cybPDGanI8jeRir4Nxh_xeItLYPK7IUrGjd5JDo4K_OF4TUAW2e-hZ7OVd53Qr0PouqOmvTbWUxTpAuyKZMW0zltBacDnrWHgmjc_A09Rd3DuBykTR8mTHIyF6qzp8WTDtqGd5Ls5M/s1600-h/Carscoop_Rapom_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0cybPDGanI8jeRir4Nxh_xeItLYPK7IUrGjd5JDo4K_OF4TUAW2e-hZ7OVd53Qr0PouqOmvTbWUxTpAuyKZMW0zltBacDnrWHgmjc_A09Rd3DuBykTR8mTHIyF6qzp8WTDtqGd5Ls5M/s400/Carscoop_Rapom_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5024003033407729426" /></a><br />And to think that there’re some people out there who believe that the Dodge Viper is absurd… Ha! Tipping the scale at 454 kg or 1.000 lb, the Rapom is equipped with a 8,2-litre supercharged Mopar V8 engine (tuned by ICE Racing) that runs on alcohol producing 1000 - 1200hp (depending on blower speed and fuel used). Although technically the Rapom is Road-legal (or… Road-lethal if you prefer), it is only used on the roads for a 10 mile journey back and forth to a local drag racing strip by its creator and owner, Nick Argyle. The builder tells us that the bike was spawned “from the unusual marriage of convenience and naivety”. See, after selling the chassis of his monster truck, Nick Argyle was searching for a much smaller project. He said: “I didn’t have the same workshop space I had when I built the truck. I only had the house garage so it had to be a bike. I was going to buy a new engine for the project but my wife told me to use the one that was still in a garage – a monster truck engine! Despite its size, I thought why not?’ I guess his neighbours must feel relieved that he didn’t have any Jumbo jets lying around his backyard…Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-10423720257479866462007-01-25T10:05:00.000-06:002007-01-25T10:08:07.950-06:00Video: Audi’s New R8 In Las Vegas<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/84EQeb-4rvk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/84EQeb-4rvk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://news.windingroad.com/body-stylesmarket-segment/coupes/audi-r8-makes-debut-in-wild-west-here%e2%80%99s-an-advance-preview-of-our-day-at-the-wheel/">Article here</a>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-13242012519229788672007-01-23T09:23:00.000-06:002007-01-23T09:27:01.639-06:00Vista serial number<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdJnblq-vXq0oyo6oC5JHpDaJMClr0YyvMkmR2eTm2ekMw0hrW5LulZ9qgyOx0BaZ-ATw8d65UeMaI1nfg5Tn0sm-xDa2XrpD2S481l_LR2gROUNy1Us3MS3C14fJxVCdigdyHJKlD1w/s1600-h/p12200266wf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdJnblq-vXq0oyo6oC5JHpDaJMClr0YyvMkmR2eTm2ekMw0hrW5LulZ9qgyOx0BaZ-ATw8d65UeMaI1nfg5Tn0sm-xDa2XrpD2S481l_LR2gROUNy1Us3MS3C14fJxVCdigdyHJKlD1w/s400/p12200266wf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023247101983763858" /></a>YFKBB-PQJJV-69188-VWGXY-2V3X8<br />This guy has got some balls. Funny, but its an RTM that's 2 months old and needs to be activated every 30 days or will timebomb at the end of May 2007.<br /><br />Quote on how Microsoft blocks activation numbers:<br />"I've been working for MS for a while now (through an outsourced company) and I can tell you that any key is blockable -it's super easy to send an email (containing a product key) to 'actual' MS employees who will then ban the emailed key -this happens many times a day -usually due to stolen credit cards used to purchase Additional Licences of XP. And while I have yet to email a key for Vista -I'm sure that the process is just as easy. The 'tell' that a key is blocked is if an activation agent asks you to click the 'Change Product Key' button on the Activation Dialogue: you type in the key and it keeps comming back is invalid: *Inference*: the key has been 'blocked'. BTW -I have absolutely ZERO interrest in preventing piracy of MS products -the only time I send out the dreaded 'ban this key email' is when someone is doing 2 things: 1) obviously pirating, and MUCH more important, 2) being abusive when they deal MS staff who are just doing their job.<br />As an aside: when you are activating windows by telephone and the Activation agent asks you for your product key: start the countdown if you are using a pirated key -our asking you for the key means that we will be submitting your key for review, ie: MS will be actively watching for usage of that key -and if they determine that it's being used too much they will ban it -and I suspect (just conjecture here) that future MS anti-piracy innitiatives will disable or cripple versions of Windows using the suspect key. <br />I feel like I have to say, again, that I have NO interrest in the protection of MS (or any other proprietary software) I'm just trying to explain how it works at MS.<br />I ALSO feel I should point out that VISTA cracks are a little early -most PCs will not be able to properly run Vista. My personal feeling is that only PCs running a relatively (I almost didn't say relatively, btw) modern dedicated GFX card; a processor running 3 GHz or faster (there might be some movement on this point); and 2, count 'em, TWO Gigs of RAM. -If your PC doesn't measure-up then you are going to find Vista sluggish -at least.<br />Interrestingly enough Office 2007 seems to work very well on ANY semi-modern PC -And the jump from Office 2003 and Office 2007 is BY FAR (let me say that again: BY FAR) a bigger leap than the jump between XP and Vista.<br />I, btw, have decided to not install Vista -not just because of the system reqs. -maybe it's the same thing as those users of 2000 felt about XP -but Vista's DRM makes me more than a little uncomfortable. <br />For the time-being: I dual boot Ubuntu and XP.<br />(sorry for the long post: I just wanted to share a few thoughts)<br />(ps-To any MS staffers who frown upon employees expressing opinion: the moniker 'fiver22' represents, not a single person, but about 10 trillion employees -no, really...please believe me. Just because you catch me signing into Digg from work doesn't mean I'm actually THAT 'fiver22', ok?)"Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-3774864721064681512007-01-22T09:57:00.000-06:002007-01-22T10:06:59.796-06:00Carroll Shelby's personal Cobra brings $5 MIL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuETLqA_xYHA8Tc1-qgrQwVlS21iODRAC8V-Dd9_4vURb421P3_YnU0qcKT37qwU8ZaLuk8SK4dAL6b7PZ4gzEdwrD5eN7INkoCGZ3gmHRmcSs21zPcIXtI0zvzkxImsFGN8qZkuatPSg/s1600-h/carrolls-cobra---1_450.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuETLqA_xYHA8Tc1-qgrQwVlS21iODRAC8V-Dd9_4vURb421P3_YnU0qcKT37qwU8ZaLuk8SK4dAL6b7PZ4gzEdwrD5eN7INkoCGZ3gmHRmcSs21zPcIXtI0zvzkxImsFGN8qZkuatPSg/s400/carrolls-cobra---1_450.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5022884761362804098" /></a><em>1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Supersnake -- Lot #1301 Sold at $5,000,000</em><br />From <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/21/2007-barrett-jackson-scottsdale-carroll-shelbys-personal-cobr/">Autoblog:</a><br /><blockquote>The only surviving dual supercharged factory Cobra, this Supersnake was Carroll Shelby's personal car. "When I built this dual supercharged 427 Cobra in 1966, I wanted it to be the fastest, meanest car on the road," said Shelby. "Forty years later, it will still kick the tail of just about anything in the world." Unfortunately, after selling for a gavel price of $5 MIL, it's unlikely this car will see any more roads, let alone kicking tail. <br /><br />CSX3015 started out as one of the 19 production Competition Cobras and was then cranked up a notch to produce 800 supercharged horsepower. The twin Paxton supercharged 427 was mated to a three-speed automatic transmission. One other Supersnake was built for comedian Bill Cosby, but was wrecked, making this one the only factory survivor. The huge rush of having this extraordinary vehicle bring such a well-deserved insane top bid could be felt for miles around Westworld. We didn't get a chance to ask Shelby about the car during lunch, but we can guess that he was pretty happy with the result.</blockquote>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-24298371403550614882007-01-17T23:43:00.000-06:002007-01-17T23:44:36.594-06:00Video: Demetri Martin<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UnUCdQEoCQ0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UnUCdQEoCQ0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-20593474050603860072007-01-16T09:11:00.000-06:002007-01-16T09:13:38.984-06:00U.S. Air Force, Boeing demonstrate advanced airborne networking first<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JUY6X6fhKZfcOGUJrXt0jl0qM_DZHRoBBfZWqhHWCIwTRhzS-yu3bcy9W5TuULjs0Jv6MWj5AcN_pz-CRdGbU4-bhAIzUFEfnJRKOzlWCMAH6AEscf5e1qrWIJoN0od7UPCoe2qJMJM/s1600-h/070116a_network_lg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JUY6X6fhKZfcOGUJrXt0jl0qM_DZHRoBBfZWqhHWCIwTRhzS-yu3bcy9W5TuULjs0Jv6MWj5AcN_pz-CRdGbU4-bhAIzUFEfnJRKOzlWCMAH6AEscf5e1qrWIJoN0od7UPCoe2qJMJM/s400/070116a_network_lg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020646525055839602" /></a><em>This illustration shows how the Project Marti concept would work in an urban combat scenario. The near-space vehicle (at center, above) receives near real-time data and images (represented by yellow lines) from lower-altitude unmanned aerial systems through an Internet Protocol network. An information broker onboard the near-space vehicle distributes to ground troops and ground stations only the data (represented by red lines) that matches users’ subscriptions. (Boeing graphic) </em><br /><br />Boeing Phantom Works and the U.S. Air Force have demonstrated for the first time how -- with advanced airborne networking and information management technology -- a near-space vehicle can be used as a flexible, low-cost, theaterwide information broker that provides real-time tactical information to ground forces to enhance their effectiveness and survivability.<br /><br />The demonstration, held late last year in Chandler, Ariz., was the first in a series of experiments dubbed Project Marti (after Radio Marti, a U.S. government radio station that broadcasts information 24/7). The Marti concept seeks to combine the wide-area coverage and loiter time of a near-space vehicle -- such as a High Altitude Long Endurance concept vehicle -- with the sensing ability and agility of lower-altitude unmanned air systems -- such as the Boeing/Insitu Group's ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial System. <br /><br />"The challenge here is much more than just the establishment of a high-altitude communications relay," said Patrick Stokes, Phantom Works manager of Network-Centric Operations-related programs. "It's really all about effectively bringing the power of real-time information to bear within a tactical theater, and doing so without the need for an expensive, fixed infrastructure."<br /><br />To bring this communication power to the troops, Project Marti is leveraging innovative information management brokering techniques to provide advanced publish-and-subscribe capabilities across a broad geographical region. Researchers from Phantom Works and the Air Force Research Laboratory Information Directorate recently conducted an initial risk-reduction demonstration of these capabilities.<br /><br />In the demonstration, multiple information sources, including ground-based software clients representing low-altitude unmanned aerial systems (such as the Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle), delivered near real-time imagery and data through an Internet Protocol network to an airborne information broker (onboard a balloon acting as a surrogate for a near-space vehicle). <br /><br />The sources transmitted the data simultaneously in a Cursor-on-Target format that allows accurate tactical information to be passed more efficiently among multiple systems. The information broker then successfully distributed to ground stations only the data that matched users' subscriptions.<br /><br />"This demonstration was the first instance of an airborne information manager storing published UAS sensor data for delivery to ground-based subscribers, who could then utilize that data on a tactical display," said Jim Paunicka, Phantom Works principal investigator on Project Marti. "The subscribers need only display the data that's relevant to their tactical missions, much in the way that an Internet user would employ a search engine to obtain relevant information." <br /><br />Future tests in Project Marti will expand the amount and complexity of data as well as the number of assets involved. The tests will culminate in a tactically relevant live flight demonstration in which multiple airborne and near-space assets will operate over an extended range to support a large number of ground units.<br /><br />During this final demonstration, planned for early 2008, live imagery and tactical data from UAS sensors (including those onboard a ScanEagle) will be published to the airborne network through an information broker on a high-altitude surrogate near-space vehicle -- a balloon that will be launched to about 80,000 feet (24,380 meters). Ground units will be able to collaborate with each other to subscribe to data relevant to their respective missions. <br /><br />Project Marti is one of several programs that support the AFRL's Tactical Information Dominance vision to show how combined UAS and near-space assets can provide widespread information access in tactical operations.Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-81085285245154811282007-01-16T08:56:00.000-06:002007-01-16T08:59:26.151-06:00Video: Netflix to offer online movie viewing<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://flash.revver.com/player/1.0/player.swf" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" scale="noScale" salign="TL" bgcolor="#ffffff" flashvars="mediaId=141985&affiliateId=0" wmode="transparent" height="326" width="400"></embed><br />From <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2007/01/16/technology/netflix/index.htm?cnn=yes">CNN:</a><blockquote>Online movie rental service Netflix introduced a new feature Tuesday to allow customers to watch movies and television series on their personal computers and said it will make the new feature available to its subscribers in a phased rollout during the next six months.<br /><br />Netflix (Charts) will continue to offer DVDs by mail to customers for a fixed monthly fee. They will have the additional option of instantly watching about 1,000 movies and television series on their PCs at no additional cost, according to the company's statement.<br /><br />Customers using the service will have to perform a one-time installation of a browser applet that will take less than a minute. Then most subscribers' movie selections will begin playing in their Web browser in as little as 10 to 15 seconds after loading.<br /><br />Movies can be paused and a position bar gives viewers the ability to jump to any point in the movie.<br /><br />Internet connectivity with a minimum of one megabit per second of bandwidth is required. Faster connections are needed for better quality playback of the programming, with DVD quality possible with a three-megabit-per-second connection, according to the company.<br /><br />The service will base the number of online viewing hours on a customer's plan. A client with the entry-level $5.99 a month plan will be able to watch movies online for six hours a month, while those with the full $17.99 a month plan that allows them to rent three DVDs at a time will be able to watch 18 hours a month online.</blockquote>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-26698913622314172442007-01-15T08:41:00.000-06:002007-01-15T08:44:35.372-06:00Project Grizzly inventor crafts real-world Halo suit for military use<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67TuxBR-2qAD__rSvJb3C4R0PKIzxhUYW3rVaQ6faLBtGYfA43ztdeHgbrgk9X6Y14q67I0zTtEVA7VRfAwMzN7DzZ7DNNMn2p98RHS8weQynry-Vy2kGLAvJuvWQqUudpufEMeiQpdg/s1600-h/hs1558762_1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh67TuxBR-2qAD__rSvJb3C4R0PKIzxhUYW3rVaQ6faLBtGYfA43ztdeHgbrgk9X6Y14q67I0zTtEVA7VRfAwMzN7DzZ7DNNMn2p98RHS8weQynry-Vy2kGLAvJuvWQqUudpufEMeiQpdg/s400/hs1558762_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020267846379285842" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymSQQ6pUcXKWEdsBeazgeDm_LTbhORYzbk_VVxp8_eOiovA9lXE1dNvepEB5cK_nwkZlErLJDE77pJIelcouM9oM5hUccsFVhMduxT_fb2gr7SPmkJB1o-QnWUxFoNOax99IEWZlELK8/s1600-h/hs1558762_2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgymSQQ6pUcXKWEdsBeazgeDm_LTbhORYzbk_VVxp8_eOiovA9lXE1dNvepEB5cK_nwkZlErLJDE77pJIelcouM9oM5hUccsFVhMduxT_fb2gr7SPmkJB1o-QnWUxFoNOax99IEWZlELK8/s400/hs1558762_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020267846379285858" /></a>Via <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/project-grizzly-inventor-crafts-real-world-halo-suit-for-militar/">Engadget</a>:<blockquote>While it's not likely that you'll encounter the Arbiter on any given day, the slightly off-kilter Project Grizzly inventor has gone out of his way (and possibly his mind) to create what resembles a real-life Halo suit, sporting protection from gunfire and ensuring you an award at Covenant gatherings. Troy Hurtubise created the suit, dubbed Trojan, in hopes of protecting Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan and US soldiers in Iraq, and considering that it has withstood knives, bullets, light explosives, clubs, and even a round from an elephant gun, it sounds like quite the winner. Proclaimed to be the "first ballistic, full exoskeleton body suit of armor," Trojan is crafted from high-impact plastic lined with ceramic bullet protection over ballistic foam, and features nearly endless compartments, morphine / salt containers, knife and gun holsters, emergency lights, a built-in recording device, pepper spray, ingestible transponder for those "last resort" scenarios, and there's even a fresh air system powered by solar panels within the helmet. Mr. Hurtubise claims the 18 kilograms (40 pounds) suit is comfortable enough to make road trips in (yes, he tried it), and if any major military would take him up on it, they could reportedly be produced for "around $2,000 apiece." Now that's a bargain, folks.</blockquote>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-19706212985664544742007-01-14T10:05:00.000-06:002007-01-14T10:06:29.145-06:00SNL - Steve Jobs iPhone<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Kd-beTSdkQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7Kd-beTSdkQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-91784864184289937772007-01-13T10:17:00.000-06:002007-01-13T10:19:03.729-06:00Impossible wooden structure?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqZd4KQwlLjY47nDqVgiUpWwT7XqfKvvEZUthDtUaZoKrk_2g6GzmbHmOz_ILFpUj9pJSoOYbx050ueO3xE-7_SiaQ0VtBLnVZ6kB-bW00nK21MTmO4qBJ_qbE5f8WDnye7ljltaiAKM/s1600-h/1166622255471.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqZd4KQwlLjY47nDqVgiUpWwT7XqfKvvEZUthDtUaZoKrk_2g6GzmbHmOz_ILFpUj9pJSoOYbx050ueO3xE-7_SiaQ0VtBLnVZ6kB-bW00nK21MTmO4qBJ_qbE5f8WDnye7ljltaiAKM/s400/1166622255471.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019550140164255042" /></a>Movie of how it works <a href="http://www.numlok.com/possible.mov">here</a>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-63120022513924684992007-01-12T11:47:00.000-06:002007-01-12T11:51:18.693-06:00New Swiss Supercar – the Beck LM 800<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUWyhnkgzIVOfrg9Pc2oMLOia9cCgmFn-7cF6XRciG_sQaDYamZI2_A0NbpuvHCIBlYmo4IaI0066yDZR0EgGmMY9LBOkghyphenhyphenqqqo1UasTkr5jSmM_5-SrRkZN1CJZMoO6n_UKRN2O5AQ/s1600-h/1.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDUWyhnkgzIVOfrg9Pc2oMLOia9cCgmFn-7cF6XRciG_sQaDYamZI2_A0NbpuvHCIBlYmo4IaI0066yDZR0EgGmMY9LBOkghyphenhyphenqqqo1UasTkr5jSmM_5-SrRkZN1CJZMoO6n_UKRN2O5AQ/s400/1.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019202518396218658" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAyHYZAE1zeAZ2L07H7a4GXWgZ6DLL2q74ln3VEEKjS003drjNTaih-5XQwyJaIeRWpNGfGYufbc7IBxXOzpJ46F2aZlFP_y96g1oge8fKoV5XlcHv-C8xFMmzplOCzbpQsu3LTRZgTA/s1600-h/2.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAyHYZAE1zeAZ2L07H7a4GXWgZ6DLL2q74ln3VEEKjS003drjNTaih-5XQwyJaIeRWpNGfGYufbc7IBxXOzpJ46F2aZlFP_y96g1oge8fKoV5XlcHv-C8xFMmzplOCzbpQsu3LTRZgTA/s400/2.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019202522691185970" /></a>Though not known for its auto industry, Switzerland can boast at least two supercar builders: <a href="http://www.rinspeed.com/pages/content/frames_e.htm">Rinspeed</a> and now <a href="http://http://www.beck-engineering.ch/index.cfm?fuseaction=show&path=1-4">Beck Engineering and Composites</a>. Beck showed off its LM800 this week at the Luxus Motor Show in Vienna. It's powered by a 4.2 liter, 650 hp, turbocharged, MTM V8, attached to a 7-speed semi-sequential gearbox. The car's description sounds more Formula 1 than street car: Kevlar, carbon fiber, pneumatic jacks. But it also has luxuries, including air conditioning, satellite navigation, keyless entry, and leather seats. The only options on the $600,500 car are power windows, an LCD screen, additional airbags and a higher output engine. <br /><br />At just under 2,000 pounds including driver and a full tank of gas, Beck's claim of 0-60 in three seconds and top speed near 217 MPH is believable. Performance must be Veyron-like with the upgraded 1,000 hp engine.Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-83630791083752032522007-01-12T10:39:00.000-06:002007-01-12T10:41:58.802-06:00TV Shows Become Podcasts Instead Of Being Paid Content In iTunes Store<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m9JlnbI29fF-ZDWBrEpOFrieZnscG-Mb5iBA21O4cbyFMbJrLz2Std9xgIw8l9gbhyphenhyphensRL7IG0ukM0rPNAQ-KWqPTiil58hn_YgMSrCsinKrwg7q90tttaw0J2ox2Tg3pOt7_DLPv49Q/s1600-h/hbopodcasts.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3m9JlnbI29fF-ZDWBrEpOFrieZnscG-Mb5iBA21O4cbyFMbJrLz2Std9xgIw8l9gbhyphenhyphensRL7IG0ukM0rPNAQ-KWqPTiil58hn_YgMSrCsinKrwg7q90tttaw0J2ox2Tg3pOt7_DLPv49Q/s400/hbopodcasts.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019184823130959122" /></a>From <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/2007/01/10/itunes-freebies-extras/">TUAW</a>:<blockquote>So why is it that TV shows are now starting to show up as podcasts rather than in the iTunes store? Today the first episode of Season 2 of Extras became available through iTunes--but it's a podcast. Something similar happened the other day with the PBS science pilots, also available as podcasts. So what's the deal?<br /><br />Normally, we've been expecting audio blogs, interviews and behind-the-scenes looks in the podcast section and pay-for-episodes in the store. So why is it that entire episodes are now starting to appear in podcastland? Is it just licensing terms? Or is it that this works internationally? Or is it that this way vendors don't have to pre-buy a million episodes at once like ABC did a few months ago? If you have some insight into this new trend (assuming it is a trend), let us know in the comments.</blockquote>I'm guessing this is just a teaser to get us hooked before the pay version comes out. The article seems to think this is some sort of trend but the only other example was a PBS show which you would expect to be free anyway. Does anyone else have examples of this growing "trend?"Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-10991449425982602652007-01-12T10:31:00.000-06:002007-01-12T10:42:41.646-06:00Image: Peacekeeper-missile-testing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu7Qc5ehJ7G9NlSn-ly5GNC0oHehfevuhMyNjSuUoeoK4oGRnnegMlxDMAwqhTpZRD221SDKb1B8_u0tLvjYTJwVs4x0Ps331qFuZJ9rbk6c2jpaeCY-HgL27E2l1wgrUpNIMBXp5i9g/s1600-h/Peacekeeper-missile-testing.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqu7Qc5ehJ7G9NlSn-ly5GNC0oHehfevuhMyNjSuUoeoK4oGRnnegMlxDMAwqhTpZRD221SDKb1B8_u0tLvjYTJwVs4x0Ps331qFuZJ9rbk6c2jpaeCY-HgL27E2l1wgrUpNIMBXp5i9g/s400/Peacekeeper-missile-testing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019183002064825602" /></a>LGM-118A Peacekeeper missile system being tested at the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.<br /><br />The lines shown are the re-entry vehicles -- one Peacekeeper can hold up to 10 nuclear warheads, each independently targeted. Were the warheads armed with a nuclear payload, each would carry with it the explosive power of twenty-five Hiroshima-sized weapons.<br /><br />From the comments on Digg:<br /><br />"I've been on island for these tests, so I'll help everyone out here.<br />1) The launches are from Vandenberg AFB<br />2) The REV's are NOT traveling at 4k MPH. Honest. That's the DISTANCE from Vandenberg to Kwaj RTS (Reagan Test Site)<br />3) There are tons of these pictures. The Kwaj. calendar every year has one of these on the cover, and is distributed all over. Whenever there's a "mission" everybody who isn't directly involved in it (doing telemetry, security, whatever) turns out at the north end on Kwaj to watch them come in. I probably have three or four mission pictures that I've taken.<br />4) Generally launches occur around 2200 island time, and the warheads splashdown at 2230-ish (I think the total flight time is around 22 minutes or so, but I don't know that for-sure for sure). I'd compute the actual speed for everyone, but I don't know the exact altitude before MRV.<br />5) The REV's come in one-at-a-time through the clouds. No, you don't see the streak. You see a very bright "dot" (although it looks big for a dot to me) come in on the path to the ocean. There are never two visible at once. I would imagine that's so the folks in telemetry have an easier time of it during the test.<br />6) The total time that REV's are visible is about 1 minute.<br />7) When I was there, two or three missions were held each year.<br />8) No, you can't visit. It's a military base. The only way you get out there is to be hired or to know or be related to someone who already is out there.<br />9) It's one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Better than Hawaii by a TON. The diving in particular is spectacular. Due to the low population in and around the lagoon, the reefs are just outstanding.<br />10) One of the three world-wide GPS control stations is there.<br />11) The mission performed by the men and women involved in this work is critically important. The physicists, technicians, computer scientists, and others that work on Roi, Meck, an Kwaj (and a few other islands in the atoll) have learned an enormous amount about not only ballistic missiles, but re-entry of other objects as well. That technology, wisdom, and experience are critically important in, for example, the ability to determine the threat that NEO's pose to Earth, and in determining the threat that rogue states such as PRK pose to their neighbors."Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-11955502560976243832007-01-12T10:17:00.000-06:002007-01-12T10:18:30.292-06:00Video: Aluminum foil boat floats on dense, invisible gas<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1PJTq2xQiQ0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1PJTq2xQiQ0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>What they have is Sulfur hexafluoride. It’s 5.11 times as dense as air. It’s non toxic, although it’s byproducts can be extremely dangerous.Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293134975296571662.post-17003383393767530532007-01-12T09:47:00.001-06:002007-01-12T09:47:55.143-06:00Video: A Closer Look At The iPhone<object width="400" height="326"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgW7or1TuFk"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YgW7or1TuFk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="400" height="326"></embed></object>Nick Maslowskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04461306734496559622noreply@blogger.com0