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[Slashdot] Stories for 2011-08-13

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Slashdot Daily Newsletter

In this issue:
* 8 Grams of Thorium Could Replace Gasoline In Cars
* Ask Slashdot: Am I Too Old To Learn New Programming Languages?
* US Energy Panel Cautiously Endorses Fracking
* How Does GPS Change Us?
* Airline Pilots Allowed To Dodge Security Screening
* BART Disables Cell Service To Disrupt Protests
* Why Google Needs Firefox
* Chrome 14 Beta Integrates Native Client
* Leaked AT&T Letter Damages Case For T-Mobile Merger
* Apple's Unlikely Security Mentor: Microsoft
* Google Adds Games To Google+
* Scientists Modify Organism With Artificial Amino Acid
* Review of IBM's Original Personal Computer
* Firefox 6 Ships Next Week, 8 Blocks Sneaky Add-Ons
* FTC Probes Android and Google Search
* Researchers Make Graphene From Girl Scout Cookies
* Why Companies Knowingly Ship Insecure Devices
* Carmack On 'Infinite Detail,' Integrated GPUs, and Future Gaming Tech
* BitTorrent Trial Makes Australia's High Court
* What If Tim Berners-Lee Had Patented the Web?
* Popularity Trumps Privacy For Many On Facebook
* 3D Hacking Environment Links Kinect, Blender, and Metasploit
* Jeff Bezos Wants To Put an Airbag In Your iPhone
* Scotland Yard Confirms It's Using Facial Recognition Tech
* LinkedIn Hurries To Address Privacy Stumble
* Valve Announces <em>Counter-Strike: Global Offensive</em>
* Open Source For Lawyers?
* Fossil 'Suggests Plesiosaurs Did Not Lay Eggs'
* Artificial Skin Made From Spider Silk
* 'Electronic Skin' Grafts Gadgets To Body
* Early Look At <em>GoldenEye Reloaded</em>

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| 8 Grams of Thorium Could Replace Gasoline In Cars
| from the it's-cheap-on-the-auction-house-too dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @13:36 (Transportation)
| with 817 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/172229/8-Grams-of-Thorium-Could-Replace-Gasoline-In-Cars?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An anonymous reader writes "Thorium, an abundant and radioactive rare
earth mineral, could be used in conjunction with a laser and mini
turbines to easily [0]produce enough electricity to power a vehicle. When
thorium is heated, it generates further heat surges, allowing it to be
coupled with mini turbines to produce steam that [1]can then be used to
generate electricity. Combining a laser, radioactive material, and
mini-turbines might sound like a complicated alternative solution to
filling your gas tank, but there's one feature that sells it as a great
alternative solution: 1 gram of thorium produces the equivalent energy of
7,500 gallons of gasoline."

Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/172229/8-Grams-of-Thorium-Could-Replace-Gasoline-In-Cars?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://wardsauto.com/ar/thorium_power_car_110811/
1. http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-cetera/8-grams-of-thorium-could-replace-gasoline-in-cars-20110812/

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Ask Slashdot: Am I Too Old To Learn New Programming Languages?
| from the sorry-i-will-get-off-your-lawn dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @10:55 (Programming)
| with 678 comments
| https://ask.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1433239/Ask-Slashdot-Am-I-Too-Old-To-Learn-New-Programming-Languages?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]ProgramadorPerdido writes "I have been a developer for 25 years. I
learned Basic, VB, C, FoxPro, Cobol, and Assembler, but the languages I
used the most were Pascal and Delphi. I then concentrated on a
now-non-mainstream language for 11 years, as it was used at work. One day
I had the chance to move into Project Management and so I did for the
last 2 years. Now, at almost 40 years old, I'm at a crossroad. On one
side I realized developing is the thing I like best, while on the other
side, the languages I'm most proficient with are not that hot on the
market. So I came here looking for any advice on how to advance my
career. Should I try to learn web development (html, xhtml, css, php,
python, ruby)? Should I learn Java and/or C#? Or am I too old to learn
and work a new language? Should I go back to PM work even if I do not
like it that much? Any similar experiences?"

Discuss this story at:
https://ask.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1433239/Ask-Slashdot-Am-I-Too-Old-To-Learn-New-Programming-Languages?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. mailto:ProgramadorPerdido@gmail.com

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| US Energy Panel Cautiously Endorses Fracking
| from the like-they're-the-fracking-experts dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @08:09 (Earth)
| with 276 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/049248/US-Energy-Panel-Cautiously-Endorses-Fracking?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]Hugh Pickens writes "The Christian Science Monitor reports that a
[1]U.S. Energy Department advisory panel has endorsed fracking, or
hydraulic fracturing, a promising technology that [2]injects a mixture of
water, sand, and chemicals underground to fracture rock and release shale
gas previously thought unretrievable, paving the way for tens of
thousands of new wells. If fracking can be done safely, it could be a
major source of domestic energy over the next century. Shale gas makes up
about 14 percent of the U.S. natural gas supply today, but is expected to
reach 45 percent by 2035. But first, serious environmental concerns must
be addressed. Earlier this year, a Duke University study of 68 private
groundwater wells in Pennsylvania and New York state found evidence that
[3]shale-gas extraction has caused them to become contaminated with
methane. One key recommendation by the panel is a call for transparency
regarding the use of chemicals in the extraction process. Drillers say
they would like to [4]keep the exact formula of the chemicals they use
secret because it represents a competitive advantage."

Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/049248/US-Energy-Panel-Cautiously-Endorses-Fracking?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://hughpickens.com/slashdot/
1. http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2011/0811/Yes-let-s-frack-with-caution
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_fracturing
3. http://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2011/0509/Fracking-for-natural-gas-is-polluting-ground-water-study-concludes
4. http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Gov-t-panel-Fracking-chemicals-should-be-revealed-1842393.php

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| How Does GPS Change Us?
| from the reorientation-session dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday August 11, @23:16 (Earth)
| with 248 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/024224/How-Does-GPS-Change-Us?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ATKeiper writes "People have talked for a while about the effects of GPS
on our driving ability and our sense of direction; one researcher at
McGill has even been [0]developing an exercise regimen to compensate for
our supposedly atrophying navigational ability. But is GPS reshaping our
lives in a more fundamental sense? The author of this new essay draws on
science, sociology, and literature to argue that GPS is [1]transforming
how we think about travel and exploration. How can we discover 'the new'
in an age when everything around us is mapped?" My own experience is that
GPS has made me much more aware of location, by showing me the bird's-eye
view, and letting me instantly compare alternate routes.

Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/024224/How-Does-GPS-Change-Us?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.walrusmagazine.com/print/2009.11-health-global-impositioning-systems/
1. http://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/gps-and-the-end-of-the-road

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| Airline Pilots Allowed To Dodge Security Screening
| from the dramatis-personae-for-the-security-theatre dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @18:23 (Transportation)
| with 200 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2138223/Airline-Pilots-Allowed-To-Dodge-Security-Screening?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OverTheGeicoE writes "Wired has a story about TSA's [0]known crewmember
program, which [1]allows airline pilots to bypass traditional airport
security on their way to the cockpit. Pilots will be verified using a
system known as [2]CrewPASS that relies on uniforms, identity cards,
fingerprints, and possibly other biometrics to authenticate flight deck
crews. Once they are authenticated, they can enter secure areas in
airports without any further screening. Participation at present is
voluntary, and applies at Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Pittsburg (PIT),
Columbia (CAE) and now Chicago O'Hare (ORD) airports. TSA is hoping to
expand the program nationally. Bruce Schneier thinks this program is '[3]a
really bad idea.' Pilots are already [4]avoiding scanners and patdowns at
security checkpoints (video). Is the new program just a way for TSA to
hide this fact from the flying public?"

Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2138223/Airline-Pilots-Allowed-To-Dodge-Security-Screening?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2011/0401.shtm
1. http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/08/airline-pilots-screening/
2. http://www.arinc.com/products/security/crewpass.html
3. http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2011/08/counterfeit_pil.html
4. http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/major-pilots-unions-rebel-tsa-screening-rules-urge/story?id=12100247

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| BART Disables Cell Service To Disrupt Protests
| from the government-you-deserve dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @19:59 (Censorship)
| with 197 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2315209/BART-Disables-Cell-Service-To-Disrupt-Protests?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1729 writes "Yesterday, in an effort to disrupt rumored protests at Bay
Area Rapid Transit stations, BART officials [0]disabled cell phone and
internet access within most of the BART system by shutting down [1]the
antennas that enable reception in the underground stations."

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2315209/BART-Disables-Cell-Service-To-Disrupt-Protests?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bart-san-francisco-cut-cell-services-to-avert-protest/2011/08/12/gIQAfLCgBJ_blog.html
1. http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/05/11/20/0231253/BART-Outfitted-With-Wireless

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| Why Google Needs Firefox
| from the why-can't-i-quit-you dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @08:51 (Firefox)
| with 174 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1152254/Why-Google-Needs-Firefox?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]MrSeb writes "Almost the entirety of Mozilla's income ��� 97% of $104
million ��� arrives in the form of royalties from the Firefox search box,
and the lion's share (86%, $85 million) of those royalties are paid by
the default search engine: Google. In November 2011, however, Mozilla's
contract with Google will expire. Will Google renew it? A better question
to ask, though, is [1]whether Mozilla wants Google as its primary search
engine."

Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1152254/Why-Google-Needs-Firefox?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://mrseb.co.uk/
1. http://www.extremetech.com/internet/92558-how-browsers-make-money-or-why-google-needs-firefox

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Chrome 14 Beta Integrates Native Client
| from the going-native dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @16:21 (Chrome)
| with 160 comments
| https://developers.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1943225/Chrome-14-Beta-Integrates-Native-Client?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

derGoldstein writes "This year Microsoft kept signaling that it's going
back to lower-level code with a [0]C++ renaissance. It would give C++
programmers the same priority that was, up until now, reserved for .Net
programmers. They even [1]launched a new show about it on their Channel9.
Now Google wants to appeal to native programmers with their [2]Native
Client for Chrome. It seems the two companies want to cover both the
higher-level JavaScript and lower-level C/C++. I dare hope this will give
seasoned C/C++ programmers a place alongside JavaScript programmers at
the web development table."

Discuss this story at:
https://developers.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1943225/Chrome-14-Beta-Integrates-Native-Client?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://mariusbancila.ro/blog/2011/06/20/cpp-renaissance-at-microsoft/
1. http://channel9.msdn.com/Shows/C9-GoingNative
2. http://chrome.blogspot.com/2011/08/building-better-web-apps-with-new.html

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Leaked AT&amp;T Letter Damages Case For T-Mobile Merger
| from the who-here-is-surprised dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @17:01 (AT&T)
| with 152 comments
| https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2052237/Leaked-ATampT-Letter-Damages-Case-For-T-Mobile-Merger?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An anonymous reader writes "Yesterday a partially-redacted document
briefly appeared on the FCC website, accidentally posted by a law firm
working for AT&T on the $39 billion [0]T-Mobile deal (somewhere there's a
paralegal looking for work today). While AT&T engaged in damage control,
telling reporters that the document contained no new information, a
review of the document shows that's simply not true. Data in the letter
[1]undermines AT&T's primary justification for the massive deal, while
highlighting how AT&T is willing to pay a huge premium simply to reduce
competition and keep T-Mobile out of Sprint's hands."

Discuss this story at:
https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2052237/Leaked-ATampT-Letter-Damages-Case-For-T-Mobile-Merger?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://mobile.slashdot.org/story/11/03/20/196245/ATampT-To-Acquire-T-Mobile-From-Deutsche-Telekom
1. http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Leaked-ATT-Letter-Demolishes-Case-For-TMobile-Merger-115652

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Apple's Unlikely Security Mentor: Microsoft
| from the now-use-head-for-something-other-than-target dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @14:18 (Microsoft)
| with 151 comments
| https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1754244/Apples-Unlikely-Security-Mentor-Microsoft?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]snydeq writes "Apple has [1]much to learn about securing an operating
system, and [2]it could learn how from Microsoft, Roger Grimes writes in
the wake of further evidence that Macs are [3]more vulnerable to attack
than Windows machines. 'It's taken Microsoft 10 years to turn security
from a weakness into a strength. Apple can use the lessons learned by
Microsoft to manage a quick turnaround. Apple has already hired one of
Microsoft's former security leaders, Window Snyder, and it has adopted a
modified form of Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle programming
practices. Apple has the benefit of seeing how Microsoft fixed its past
mistakes.'"

Discuss this story at:
https://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1754244/Apples-Unlikely-Security-Mentor-Microsoft?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.infoworld.com/
1. http://www.itworld.com/security/192831/security-expert-black-hat-whatever-you-do-keep-macs-out-enterprise
2. http://www.infoworld.com/t/hacking/apple-security-under-attack-the-view-windows-169586
3. http://apple.slashdot.org/story/11/08/09/1323253/Macs-More-Vulnerable-Than-Windows-For-Enterprise

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Google Adds Games To Google+
| from the tic-tac-toe-better-have-an-i'm-feeling-lucky-button dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @03:28 (Google)
| with 149 comments
| https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0522228/Google-Adds-Games-To-Google?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

derGoldstein writes with this quote from the official Google blog: "Today
we're [0]adding games to Google+. ... We want to make playing games
online just as fun, and just as meaningful, as playing in real life ...
When you're ready to play, the Games page is waiting ��� click the games
button at the top of your stream. You can see the latest game updates
from your circles, browse the invites you've received and check out games
that people you know have played recently. The Games page is also where
your game accomplishments will appear. So you can comfortably share your
latest high score ��� your circles will only see the updates when they're
interested in playing games too."

Discuss this story at:
https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0522228/Google-Adds-Games-To-Google?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/games-in-google-fun-that-fits-your.html

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Scientists Modify Organism With Artificial Amino Acid
| from the warm-glow-of-the-worms dept.
| posted by timothy on Thursday August 11, @20:14 (Biotech)
| with 141 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0011224/Scientists-Modify-Organism-With-Artificial-Amino-Acid?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IndigoDarkwolf writes "The Beeb reports that biologists Sebastian Greiss
and Jason Chin have genetically modified a multicellular organism
(Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm) [0]to combine an amino acid not
found in nature into a custom-built protein. The protein created by their
genetically-modified worm contained a dye which glows when exposed to UV
light. While previous work showed that genetic modification could
incorporate non-natural amino acids into custom proteins for
single-celled organisms, this is the first time an entire animal has been
modified."

Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0011224/Scientists-Modify-Organism-With-Artificial-Amino-Acid?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14492948

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| Review of IBM's Original Personal Computer
| from the won't-run-crysis dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @12:15 (IBM)
| with 140 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/160222/Review-of-IBMs-Original-Personal-Computer?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

illiteratehack was one of several readers to point out that today is the
30th anniversary of the introduction of IBM's first popular PC, writing,
"V3 managed to dig up [0]the original review of IBM's Personal Computer
Model 5150, the machine that popularized personal computing. There are
some great comments; the article's author wasn't sure if IBM would sell
the PC outside the US, and he mentions the inclusion of a 'very high
quality 11.5-inch' display. The article also shows that while the PC may
have changed a lot on the inside, the way it was reviewed hasn't changed
much in 30 years." Other readers sent in [1]reflections on 30 years of
the PC by various tech icons and a speculative look at [2]what the
computing industry would have looked like without IBM.

Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/160222/Review-of-IBMs-Original-Personal-Computer?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/review/2099409/ibm-pc-original-review-personal-model-5150
1. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390958,00.asp
2. http://technologizer.com/2011/08/12/a-world-without-the-ibm-pc/

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Firefox 6 Ships Next Week, 8 Blocks Sneaky Add-Ons
| from the seven-due-the-week-after dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @17:43 (Firefox)
| with 140 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/217208/Firefox-6-Ships-Next-Week-8-Blocks-Sneaky-Add-Ons?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CWmike writes "Mozilla is [0]on track to release Firefox 6 next week,
according to [1]notes posted on the company's website. 'On track with a
few bugs still remaining. No concerns for Tuesday,' the notes stated.
Firefox 6 includes several noticeable changes, including highlighting
domain names in the address bar ��� both Chrome and Microsoft's Internet
Explorer 9 do something similar by boldfacing domain names ��� and reducing
startup time when users rely on Panorama, the browser's multi-tab
organizer. Meanwhile, Mozilla said this week that starting with Firefox
8, Mozilla will [2]automatically block browser add-ons until users
approve them, which should put an end to sneaky installs."

Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/217208/Firefox-6-Ships-Next-Week-8-Blocks-Sneaky-Add-Ons?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9219118/Mozilla_on_track_to_ship_Firefox_6_next_week
1. https://wiki.mozilla.org/Releases/Firefox_6/Final_Signoffs
2. https://blog.mozilla.com/addons/2011/08/11/strengthening-user-control-of-add-ons/

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| FTC Probes Android and Google Search
| from the you'll-never-catch-him,-he's-the-gingerbread-man dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @12:56 (Android)
| with 135 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1620216/FTC-Probes-Android-and-Google-Search?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

bonch writes "The FTC is investigating claims that [0]Google prevented
Android smartphone vendors from using competing services (covered
[1]previously), whether Google preferentially places its own services
above others on the search results page, and whether Google scraped
content from competitors for use in its own services. FTC lawyers are
also asking how Android may be helping Google maintain its massive web
search lead. Google denies all allegations and blames jealous rivals for
the growing number of probes. The European Commission's own antitrust
probe is ongoing."

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1620216/FTC-Probes-Android-and-Google-Search?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111904823804576500544082214566.html
1. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/10/09/17/1326259/Skyhook-Wireless-Sues-Google-Over-Anti-Competitive-Practices

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Researchers Make Graphene From Girl Scout Cookies
| from the why-the-aliens-need-our-resources dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @08:36 (It's funny. Laugh.)
| with 121 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0359230/Researchers-Make-Graphene-From-Girl-Scout-Cookies?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An anonymous reader writes "Last year we learned that the miracle
material graphene could be made from common [0]table sugar, and now
researchers at Rice University have taken the discovery [1]one step
further by literally [2]baking it from a box of girl scout cookies. A
group of graduate students led by chemist James Tour recently teamed up
with Houston Girl Scout troop 25080 to perform the feat using a single
box of Trefoil cookies ��� which could potentially yield $15 billion worth
of graphene."

Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0359230/Researchers-Make-Graphene-From-Girl-Scout-Cookies?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://science.slashdot.org/story/10/11/17/0623254/Graphene-Can-Be-Made-With-Table-Sugar
1. http://inhabitat.com/researchers-produce-graphene-super-material-from-girl-scout-cookies/
2. http://www.media.rice.edu/media/NewsBot.asp?MODE=VIEW&ID=16014&SnID=2124917013

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| Why Companies Knowingly Ship Insecure Devices
| from the not-enough-tps-reports dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @11:34 (Businesses)
| with 119 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1516249/Why-Companies-Knowingly-Ship-Insecure-Devices?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

wiredmikey writes "A recent survey which included responses from 800
engineers and developers that work on embedded devices revealed that
[0]24% of respondents knew of security problems in their company's
products that had not been disclosed to the public before the devices
were shipped. But just what that means in terms of attitudes towards
security may be more complex than it seems. Additionally, just 41% said
their company has 'allocated sufficient time and money to secure' its
device products against hacks and attacks. Despite this, 64 percent felt
that when engineers call attention to potential security problems, 'those
problems are addressed before the device is released.' So, what exactly
does this illustrate about the state of security in the development
process? The answer, some say, is a jumbled collage of business
pressures, bug prioritization and varying attention to security."

Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1516249/Why-Companies-Knowingly-Ship-Insecure-Devices?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.securityweek.com/developer-challenges-force-insecure-devices-market

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| Carmack On 'Infinite Detail,' Integrated GPUs, and Future Gaming Tech
| from the building-a-better-virtual-rocket-launcher dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @15:20 (Graphics)
| with 117 comments
| https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1855212/Carmack-On-Infinite-Detail-Integrated-GPUs-and-Future-Gaming-Tech?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Vigile writes "John Carmack sat down for an interview during Quakecon
2011 [0]to talk about the future of technology for gaming. He shared his
thoughts on the GPU hardware race (hardware doesn't matter but drivers
are really important), integrated graphics solutions on Sandy Bridge and
Llano (with a future of shared address spaces they may outperform
discrete GPUs) and of course some thoughts on 'infinite detail' engines
(uninspired content viewed at the molecular level is still uninspired
content). Carmack does mention a new-found interest in ray tracing, and
how it will 'eventually win' the battle for rendering in the long run."

Discuss this story at:
https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1855212/Carmack-On-Infinite-Detail-Integrated-GPUs-and-Future-Gaming-Tech?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.pcper.com/reviews/Editorial/John-Carmack-Interview-GPU-Race-Intel-Graphics-Ray-Tracing-Voxels-and-more

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| BitTorrent Trial Makes Australia's High Court
| from the which-is-totally-success dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @02:12 (Piracy)
| with 96 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0335214/BitTorrent-Trial-Makes-Australias-High-Court?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

daria42 writes "Australia's highest court has [0]agreed to hear the
long-running BitTorrent case between one of the country's largest ISPs,
iiNet, and a group of film and TV studios represented by a copyright
organization known as AFACT. The case has the potential to determine once
and for all whether Australians who download content via BitTorrent can
have their Internet connections disconnected upon the request of the
studios. It's lawyers at ten paces!"

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0335214/BitTorrent-Trial-Makes-Australias-High-Court?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://delimiter.com.au/2011/08/12/high-court-agrees-to-hear-iitrial/

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| What If Tim Berners-Lee Had Patented the Web?
| from the welcome-to-compuserve-again dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @19:11 (Patents)
| with 90 comments
| https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2235208/What-If-Tim-Berners-Lee-Had-Patented-the-Web?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An anonymous reader writes "Last week Slashdot had the story that [0]the
web had turned 20 years old. Of course, patents also last 20 years, which
has resulted in some asking [1]what would have happened if Tim
Berners-Lee had patented the web? Thankfully, he didn't (and wouldn't).
But we'd be living in a very different (and probably less interesting)
world if he had."

Discuss this story at:
https://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2235208/What-If-Tim-Berners-Lee-Had-Patented-the-Web?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://tech.slashdot.org/story/11/08/06/1456226/World-Wide-Web-Turns-20-Today
1. http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110811/10245715476/what-if-tim-berners-lee-had-patented-web.shtml

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Popularity Trumps Privacy For Many On Facebook
| from the effort-is-a-barrier dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @14:58 (Facebook)
| with 89 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1826229/Popularity-Trumps-Privacy-For-Many-On-Facebook?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]Hugh Pickens writes "A recent study published in the journal Social
Psychological and Personality Science found that adults have almost as
much need for being popular on Facebook as teenagers do, and [1]people
who crave acceptance are more likely to share personal information, says
Emily Christofides, lead author of [2]the study. 'If you're someone who
has your privacy settings set quite high ��� you don't post your birthday,
you don't post what's going on in your life ��� you're not giving other
people the opportunity to comment on those things,' says Christofides.
'You're going to find that there's less going on on your page, and you
may actually feel less popular as a result.' The study also found that
[3]those with higher self-esteem are more likely to protect their
personal information."

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1826229/Popularity-Trumps-Privacy-For-Many-On-Facebook?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://hughpickens.com/slashdot/
1. http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/social.media/08/12/facebook.birthday.popularity/
2. http://spp.sagepub.com/content/early/2011/05/13/1948550611408619.abstract
3. http://fyiliving.com/research/kids-not-much-different-from-adults-when-choosing-privacy-settings-on-facebook/

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 3D Hacking Environment Links Kinect, Blender, and Metasploit
| from the need-to-work-in-2d-life-angle dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @05:10 (GUI)
| with 87 comments
| https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0431217/3D-Hacking-Environment-Links-Kinect-Blender-and-Metasploit?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]baxpace writes with a link describing a way to test your own security
systems for vulnerabilities using Kinect-interpreted natural [1]gestures
in tandem with the Metasploit Framework and the Blender game engine,
writing: "The idea is to hack into your own systems while in a 3D, first
person shooter style environment that interfaces with the Kinect sensor.
The game engine was built using Blender and looks to be one of the most
pleasing ways of uncovering your own systems' architectural/networking
vulnerabilities."

Discuss this story at:
https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/0431217/3D-Hacking-Environment-Links-Kinect-Blender-and-Metasploit?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. mailto:jared@dashhacks.com
1. http://kinect.dashhacks.com/kinect-news/2011/08/11/metasploit-hacking-using-kinect-blender-3d-environment

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Jeff Bezos Wants To Put an Airbag In Your iPhone
| from the my-droid-doesn't-even-have-a-seat-belt dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @15:40 (Cellphones)
| with 85 comments
| https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1937233/Jeff-Bezos-Wants-To-Put-an-Airbag-In-Your-iPhone?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

theodp writes "Don't want to [0]pay Apple $199 to repair the cracked
screen of the $199 iPhone you dropped? Neither, apparently, does Amazon
CEO Jeff Bezos. A [1]patent application made public Thursday lists Bezos
as an inventor of 'a system and method for protecting devices from impact
damage,' which proposes [2]using airbags, springs, and even a jet
propulsion system to keep your iPhones, iPads, and other portable devices
safe and out of the clutches of the Genius Bar. Let's hope there's an API
��� those gas cartridges could be a game-changer for [3]fart apps!"

Discuss this story at:
https://mobile.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1937233/Jeff-Bezos-Wants-To-Put-an-Airbag-In-Your-iPhone?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2493750?start=0&tstart=0
1. http://appft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PG01&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=%2220110194230%22.PGNR.&OS=DN/20110194230&RS=DN/20110194230
2. http://www.geekwire.com/2011/jeff-bezos-put-airbag-smartphone
3. http://www.tuaw.com/2009/02/10/31-fart-apps-in-90-seconds/

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Scotland Yard Confirms It's Using Facial Recognition Tech
| from the you-guys-are-a-riot dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @10:13 (Privacy)
| with 83 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1350258/Scotland-Yard-Confirms-Its-Using-Facial-Recognition-Tech?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

nonprofiteer writes "Scotland Yard [0]confirms that it's using facial
recognition technology to identify rioters in London. 'A law enforcement
official, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity,
said that facial recognition is one of many tools police are using to
hunt suspects still at large.' Meanwhile, the [1]vigilante group trying
an amateur stab applying facial recognition to the riot photos
[2]abandoned the project because the results sucked. This is [3]the big
test of the surveillance state that London has become. Are [4]all those
cameras effective, or just taking a toll on privacy without bringing
added security?"

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1350258/Scotland-Yard-Confirms-Its-Using-Facial-Recognition-Tech?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/11/501364/main20091186.shtml
1. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/10/062225/The-London-Riots-and-Facial-Recognition-Technology
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kashmirhill/2011/08/11/london-riots-facial-recognition-vigilantes-abandon-their-project/
3. http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/08/london-is-the-surveillance-societys-biggest-test-yet/243445/
4. http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/24/2031258/One-Crime-Solved-Per-1000-London-CCTV-Cameras

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| LinkedIn Hurries To Address Privacy Stumble
| from the somebody's-getting-fired dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @09:33 (Businesses)
| with 57 comments
| https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1255222/LinkedIn-Hurries-To-Address-Privacy-Stumble?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[0]swandives writes "LinkedIn will make changes to a 'social advertising'
feature that has [1]been criticized for using members' names and
photographs in advertisements on its website. Amid mounting criticism,
the social networking service says it has been 'listening' to its users
and 'could have communicated' its intentions with the new ad feature more
clearly. As a result, it said, it will change how the advertisements
appear. If a LinkedIn user 'follows' a company or service on LinkedIn,
the ad feature can display the user's name and photo in advertisements
for that company. LinkedIn said its goal was to deliver more useful ads,
but some LinkedIn users complained it was a privacy violation,
particularly because [2]they have to opt out of the feature rather than
opt in. It will be interesting to see whether the changes affect stocks,
especially since the network's IPO in May, when shares closed at more
than double the initial price, prompting concerns over [3]another dot-com
bubble."

Discuss this story at:
https://yro.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1255222/LinkedIn-Hurries-To-Address-Privacy-Stumble?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.cio.com.au/
1. http://www.cio.com.au/article/397053/linkedin_hurries_address_privacy_spat
2. http://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-pulled-a-facebook-and-messed-with-your-info-heres-how-to-fix-it-2011-8
3. http://news.slashdot.org/story/11/05/20/179212/Massive-LinkedIn-IPO-Raises-Dotcom-Bubble-Concerns

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Valve Announces <em>Counter-Strike: Global Offensive</em>
| from the now-with-hats dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @18:00 (First Person Shooters (Games))
| with 57 comments
| https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2151230/Valve-Announces-Counter-Strike-Global-Offensive?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today Valve [0]announced a new team-based shooter called Counter-Strike:
Global Offensive. It's due out in early 2012, and will be available on
Windows and OS X through Steam, as well as the PS3 and Xbox 360 over
their respective game networks. "CS: GO features new maps, characters,
and weapons and delivers updated versions of the classic CS content
(de_dust, etc.). In addition, CS: GO will introduce new gameplay modes,
matchmaking, leader boards, and more." According to [1]a hands-on report,
"We've all seen and played pretty looking games before, but hands down
and unanimously, everyone was most interested in the movement, weapon
handling, and game play. It didn't feel like 1.6 and despite being built
on the Source engine, it didn't feel like CS:S. By design, Valve wanted
to create a game with a different feel, and overall it was really smooth.
The pro players seemed surprisingly happy with the player player movement
and feel of the game but thankfully they weren't short of feedback and
most weren't shy to share it. Tweaks and adjustments are needed, but in
my opinion, it was a great sign that it didn't grossly offend anyone."

Discuss this story at:
https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2151230/Valve-Announces-Counter-Strike-Global-Offensive?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://store.steampowered.com/news/6059/
1. http://www.eseanews.com/index.php?s=news&d=comments&id=9969

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Open Source For Lawyers?
| from the open-and-shut dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @16:43 (Open Source)
| with 52 comments
| https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2035258/Open-Source-For-Lawyers?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

An anonymous reader writes "Law Technology News is reporting that [0]FOSS
for large law firms and corporate counsel is starting to gain traction.
There's a project called FreeEed, for the electronic discovery step in
lawsuits, and there's software for the document page numbering process
known as Bates stamping ��� affectionately called 'Bates Master' by the
programmers. Are big law firms ready to accept open-source code?"

Discuss this story at:
https://news.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2035258/Open-Source-For-Lawyers?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.law.com/jsp/lawtechnologynews/PubArticleLTN.jsp?id=1202510918221&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Fossil 'Suggests Plesiosaurs Did Not Lay Eggs'
| from the fossil-ventriloquism dept.
| posted by timothy on Friday August 12, @19:33 (Science)
| with 45 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2327225/Fossil-Suggests-Plesiosaurs-Did-Not-Lay-Eggs?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

thebchuckster writes "Scientists say they have found the first evidence
that giant sea reptiles ��� which lived at the same time as dinosaurs ���
[0]gave birth to live young rather than laying eggs. They say a 78
million-year-old fossil of a pregnant plesiosaur suggests they gave birth
to single, large young."

Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2327225/Fossil-Suggests-Plesiosaurs-Did-Not-Lay-Eggs?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14447187

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Artificial Skin Made From Spider Silk
| from the wall-crawler dept.
| posted by samzenpus on Friday August 12, @11:51 (Medicine)
| with 42 comments
| https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1520206/Artificial-Skin-Made-From-Spider-Silk?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tissue engineer Hanna Wendt has [0]released a study about [1]using spider
silk to create artificial skin. The study found that "spider silks
display excellent mechanical features that even rival man-made, high-tech
fibers," but didn't mention anything about patients gaining the ability
to climb walls or sense impending danger. From the article: "Despite
being [2]impressed by how human cells responded to spider silk, Wendt
thinks the use of synthetic fibers must be considered, especially since
harvesting large amounts of spider silk is not practical."

Discuss this story at:
https://idle.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1520206/Artificial-Skin-Made-From-Spider-Silk?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0021833
1. http://io9.com/5829715/skin-made-from-spiderwebs-no-longer-just-a-nightmare?tag=mad-science
2. http://news.discovery.com/tech/artificial-skin-spider-silk-110810.html

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 'Electronic Skin' Grafts Gadgets To Body
| from the mail-us-a-sase-to-receive-your-free-slashtoo dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Friday August 12, @13:19 (Science)
| with 26 comments
| https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1632212/Electronic-Skin-Grafts-Gadgets-To-Body?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

sciencehabit writes "Researchers have developed ultrathin electronics
that can be [0]placed on the skin as easily as a temporary tattoo ([1]abstract).
The scientists hope the new devices will pave the way for sensors that
monitor heart and brain activity without bulky equipment, or perhaps
computers that operate via the subtlest voice commands or body movement.
The devices can even be hidden under actual temporary tattoos to keep the
electronics concealed, giving them potential applications for espionage."

Discuss this story at:
https://science.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/1632212/Electronic-Skin-Grafts-Gadgets-To-Body?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2011/08/electronic-skin-grafts-gadgets-t.html?ref=hp
1. http://www.sciencemag.org/content/333/6044/838.abstract

+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Early Look At <em>GoldenEye Reloaded</em>
| from the spike-sent dept.
| posted by Soulskill on Thursday August 11, @23:28 (First Person Shooters (Games))
| https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2124224/Early-Look-At-GoldenEye-Reloaded?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

blanners writes "James Bond fans jonesing for some suave British
espionage will be getting a (sort of) brand new GoldenEye this fall.
Mashable got some [0]hands-on time with an alpha build of GoldenEye 007:
Reloaded, Activision's new first-person shooter video game based on the
historic franchise. Quoting: 'Perhaps the most fun to be had with
Reloaded is its obvious nods to nostalgia. Although the distinctive file
folder menu screens are gone, the game has a series of modifiers, both
silly and useful, which can be applied to some multiplayer or Mi6 games.
You can edit your weapons load-out as easily as you can give characters
big heads, paint ball guns or make every enemy the same joke character.'"

Discuss this story at:
https://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/12/2124224/Early-Look-At-GoldenEye-Reloaded?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email#commentlisting

Links:
0. http://mashable.com/2011/08/12/goldeneye-reloaded-hands-on/


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