Technology

Weapons, Combat and the Movies

This entry was posted in Technology on by

zombyboy reports on an article about some new and improved military technology, in particular some advanced missile defense stuff which is pretty cool.
I’ve been a big fan of this kind of stuff since reading space opera stuff as a 5/6th grader.
I also know that this type of technology gives you an advantage for a time. Then some other technique is used to counter. Oh, and then your opponents have it so your cruise missiles aren’t effective any longer.
But it is fun to think about and I suppose we ought to be somewhat prepared if the SETI team runs across some real bad folk.
Also, very interesting is the right angle gun right angle gun a little further down the article. This could dramatically change the dynamics of individual combat especially in urban settings but also for the poor dude who used to have to be the one to stick his head over the rock to see if anyone was there. Also, apply to urban police ineractions.
Think of all the future tv/movie scenes that will change with the introduction of this weapon.
My question is….now that I see it …what took so long?

Are You Looking to Live Just a Bit Longer then Normal

This entry was posted in Biology Culture Technology on by

These guys might have just the thing for you:

Writing in the journal Science, the researchers said mutations that inhibit insulin/IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor) signalling can double the life span of C. elegans.
Removing precursor reproductive cells also extended lifespan by 60%. This was not due to sterility, but appeared to be the result of altered hormonal signalling.
Further genetic interference of mutation-carrying worms, plus the removal of their reproductive systems, produced lifespans six times longer than normal.

This last step might be a bit much fore most folks. Then again, if you aren’t planning any more children,….

AOL Violates User’s Computers

This entry was posted in Economics Intellectual Property Law Microsoft Spam Technology on by

I couldn’t disagree more with this guy:

Russ Cooper, a security expert with TruSecure Corp., said anyone who needs the Windows messaging function that AOL disabled ought to be smart enough to know how to reactivate it.
“I hope more and more providers do this type of proactive security,” he said, “and that we don’t condemn them for things we wish everybody would do for themselves.”

He is talking about AOL which has made changes to the system settings of more then 15,000,000 of their user’s Microsoft Window based systems without those users prior consent.

(more…)

Some Modern Dinosaurs may be a bit Closer to Extinction

This entry was posted in Capitalism Culture Economics Information Taxation Technology on by

I expect to see a lot more headphones on folks while they are at their computers (or just a wireless signal away) and not just to listen to the latest music downloads.
Check out this article about Skype, the latest hot peer-to-peer application that will be making a lot of encumbent telephone companies (both land and cellular) nervous and will have government officials at all levels wondering why their utility tax revenue stream is shrinking.
This has the potential to be a classic case of creative destruction and I, for one, think it is a good thing!
Via Assymetrical Information.