Drew Curtis' FARK.com -- Tech Archives for '2006-12-24 23:59:59'

# of Comments

(Kitsap Sun)

Handwriting software makes sending hundreds of personal letters possible for the first time since the time when people actually took time to send personal letters to other people

Old and busted: Firewire and USB. New hotness: eSATA

College uses bullshiat to produce power, even though liberal arts departments have been doing it for decades

Indonesia fears another massive tsunami because that tsunami warning system they were supposed to have working already is still years off

Soon, we may be living in a world without penguins, and no one has any idea why this "sinister and astonishing" phenomenon is occurring

(104)

(Hot Rod)

The top ten hot rods of 2006 includes a VW Bus for hippies in a hurry

(80)

(Some Speed Demon Guy)

0-190mph in 50 seconds of Z-06 fun. Click the gauge cluster to the right for video

Engineer programs robotic hand to open and pour beer, throws out wife

(7)

(Answerbag.com)

If you ever wondered if blind people dream, these responses will blind you with science

(18)

What was the star of Bethlehem? An attempt to find a plausible scientific explanation

(34)

(Ireland.com)

Old and busted: #2 Al Quaida killed again. New Hotness: Biggest possible sauropod found again

Sat December 23, 2006:

(Louisville Courier-Journal)

# of Comments

This is the best piece of corporate communication I've seen in a long while

(49)

Therapeutic robot baby seal wins technology awards. You can club it for days and it just keeps smiling

(8)

(Business 2.0)

Microsoft tries to patent RSS, intarwebs, breathing

(38)

FDA determines people won't be able to tell they're eating cloned meat if it isn't labeled

(119)

The best video games this season

(46)

(Scioence Now)

Four years and $167,000 later, Cobb County, Georgia finally gives up on its battlle to brand science textbooks with anti-evolution stickers

(99)

Add "20 mph speed limit" after "tea tax" on the list of British laws that looked good on paper but kind of backfired in the real world

(American Heritage)

The history of artificial snow

Scientists approved to start producing hypoallergenic peanuts

So Cal Ed signs biggest U.S. wind contract, hopes Rush Limbaugh will move nearby

(67)

New hospital robot dispenses medicine, overdoses patients named Connor

NIH expert on Alzheimer's forgot to report conflict of interest. Well, duh

(4)

Recently-discovered microbe may be smallest life-form ever, claiming title formerly held by Mary-Kate Olsen

(7)

How to supersize a volcanic eruption

(4)

'Invisible transistors' developed. Bet you didn't see that coming

Today is the official start of the annual flu pandemic media scare-mongering frenzy

(39)

(Some Perfessor)

Microsoft Vista DRM: "the longest suicide note in history"

(53)

Fri December 22, 2006:

# of Comments

(java.net)

As Microsoft makes sure Aero Glass is the first thing you know about Vista, Sun releases Looking Glass 3D, for free, for all systems that can run Java

(298)

Optimists found to live longer than pessimists. Or maybe they just think they will

(87)

Google Blogger no longer Beta In other news, Google Blogger Gamma is really fun to say

(18)

Free-throw shooting can explain how repetitive motions differ slightly each time, because the brain plans each motion differently. Put another way, Shaq's brain plans a new way to miss foul shots every time he's at the line

Teens build fully-functional Lego record player, not iPod-compatible

Giant dinosaur fossil found in Europe. Don't mind his European carry-all (man-purse)

(24)

Scientists reveal that due to climate change, bears in northern Spain have stopped hibernating. That's ok though, because due to climate change, there is plenty for them to eat

(Bloomberg)

New report finds that mistletoe is not a cure for cancer. Still no cure for cancer, but at least we've narrowed it down a little

Scientific American debunks the myth that NASA spent millions to develop a pen that would write in space, whereas the Soviet cosmonauts used a pencil

(30)

(Technology Evangelist)

Confused about network neutrality? Here's a page full of videos explaining different sides' positions on the issue

Mini-me attacks and destroys asteroid. Oops, sorry, it was another white dwarf

Google upgrades its Blogger service with new privacy options, which bloggers can use to restrict readership. Because most blogs' problem is just too much readership

(Some NASA Guy)

Evidence is mounting: the next solar cycle is going to be one of the "most intense cycles since record-keeping began almost 400 years ago." EVERYBODY PANIC

(137)

Catholic church to produce podcasts, give priests something to download besides kiddie porn

Thu December 21, 2006:

# of Comments

It's not a jetpack, but i'll take one of these any day

(13)

New for 2007: designer babies with made-to-order deformities

(57)

Experienced Japanese women are contesting the results of the study that ranked penis size by nationality

(36)

NASA looks for a site to land Space Shuttle on Friday, would prefer bringing it down in one state rather than eight or nine this time

(176)

Duke Nukem will NOT be released on January 2nd 2007. I know, it's shocking isn't it?

(41)

Scientists suggest that practice does not make prefect after all

(24)

Astronaut cuts her hair in space for charity. No word on whether she trimmed the carpet

Like Paris Hilton and STDs, one girl tied to more than half of U.S. measles cases

(Science Daily)

Injecting trehalose into human eggs may dramatically increase preservation time. Note: Children from these eggs will look like six-legged bears with Easy Cheese dispenser heads

PC-BOT - a mobile PC with standard computer parts running standard operating systems... robots running of Microsoft scares me a little though

(22)

Wikipedia semen shortage filled by User Generated Content. That's You, Mr.Sticky-Palm-Man of the Year

(86)

The FCC has voted that telephone companies have the right to screw up your cable bill, too

(74)

In a move sure to be a hit with NASCAR fans, UPS saves $600 milion a year by eliminating left turns

(152)

IFlow: tracking the female reproductive cycle online

Siemens shoots a major record-setting wad down some internet tubes. Even Ron Jeremy was impressed

(Geekazon)

An in-depth look at the science behind Buckaroo Banzai. Still no explanation for Jeff Goldblum in chaps

(26)

Top 21 tech screwups of 2006

(Some Shroom)

Psychedelic mushrooms cure the symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder. It's hard to wash your hands 50 times a day when your fingers are turning into snakes

(PC Mag)

Apple stocks soaring on the supposition that they may or may not be thinking or planning or possibly even discussing producing a cell phone

(23)

Prepare yourself for a whole new batch of nightmares: Scientists discover species of moth that punctures the eyelids of sleeping birds and feeds on their tears

Wed December 20, 2006:

# of Comments

(CarlSagan.com)

Carl Sagan died ten years ago today. Goodnight, funnyman

(35)

(Some Slob)

Electrolux continues to suck, invents vacuum shoes

(7)

"I'm not fat, I just have low bacteroidete and firmicute levels."

(121)

CNET interview with online real-estate tycoon in "Second Life" disrupted by flying penises -- twice

(151)

Leading scientists agree: All paperwork and no explosions make science a dull subject

(Nature.com)

This is the Christmastime when a virgin Kimono dragon gives birth. I for one welcome our new reptilian overlords

(131)

-kype found- -est -line TV -rvice

(20)

Why your video games cost $60. Next question, are your video games worth $60?

(83)

(TECH.BLORGE.com)

Campaign against "Bad Vista"

Guy builds ecologically friendly groin protector for use by cricket players, but takes one in the face while testing it out (with cringeworthy pic)

(97)

(Apple)

Fun little bug with iSight allows a webpage to get naked photos of overweight Mac users

(13)

(Some Magnificent Man)

Replica of Britain's first flying machine to be built for museum. No word if it goes up-diddly-up-up or down-diddly-down-down

NASA picks up images from the dawn of time; Mick Jagger visible in lower left

(21)

(LLN)

If you've been up at night trying to figure out what car will dominate rap videos of the future, dwell no more: Introducing the Mercedes four-door S-Class convertible

(17)

After cutting all merchant transaction fees earlier this month, Google Checkout is rapidly stepping into PayPal's territory

An explanation of why people who publish lists of "most popular search terms" are really just noobs being pwned by Google

(37)

Sony/BMG to settle TX/CA copy-protection lawsuit. If you're one of the lucky ones, you might be in line for about 50 cents from the settlement

(Engadget)

Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a Zuneful of porn, courtesy of Wal-Mart

(162)

"Dragon Quest IX" announced for the Nintendo DS. That noise you hear is the air coming out of Sony's tires

(41)

(Skeptic)

The story of how the Pentagon believed it could build a two-kiloton "hand grenade" from hafnium-178, despite all assurances by scientists that it was flatly impossible

Following Sony's "flaming batteries of death," fireproof batteries are produced. Does anyone remember that fire in a fire-retardant factory a while ago? Yeah, it's a similar principle

Photo-recognition software promises to make finding pics easier, wreck marriages

(44)

Researchers find psilocybin reduces symptoms of OCD, increases desire to listen to "Dark Side Of the Moon" and play hacky sack

Have a lot of cassette tapes and a spare 5.25-inch bay? Why not join the real world and convert them to digital?

(18)

The worst games of all time. Surprisingly, no PS3 launch titles are listed

(58)

Crickets' chirp attracts sex and death, so I am both happy and sad for him

Seen for the first time: Pictures from Abe Vigoda's birth

Queensland government to establish panel of scientists to answer their questions about recycled sewer water, such as "What's this corn doing here?"

(The Oil Drum)

How we could save our asses with auto-efficiency improvements

(16)

Tue December 19, 2006:

# of Comments

Monks in a meditative state can raise their body temperature enough to dry cold wet sheets in an hour. Cool... monk-o-matic dryer

(143)

Ugly-ass two-headed reptile fossil found in China. (With pic)

(45)

(MyFoxNY.com)

Sony has to pay up for CDs that installed secret programs on consumers' computers

(Tech News World)

Cingular to offer MySpace on its phones. Stupid marches on

9 out of 10 Americans admit to having premartial sex. Obvious tag asplodes

(320)

Intel to develop electronic version of the Quran for Saudi Arabia. Suck it, Jesus

(22)

(Tech News)

EBay opens Chinese site. Now counterfeit goods will be sold back to the counterfeiters

(4)

(Smart House)

Sharp has begun mass-producing Blu-ray diodes, a critical component in the soon to be defunct Blu-ray format

(26)

Opera to help Nintendo Wii go online. Hopefully won't be boo'd of stage and replaced by browser in jeans

(47)

(The Daily Star)

360 new species discovered in Borneo since 1994, taste tests still being carried out

Drug company makes nasal spray to help control appetite since self-control doesn't seem to be working

(127)

2007 to be a big year for hackers according to some "expert" who likes to scare people

How the current tech boom differs from the last tech boom

(22)

Microsoft becomes unhinged: Patent a mistake … and it's not the first time Microsoft's been falsely accused of innovating. A hybrid apple?

(Clarionledger.com)

Study finds that quick colonoscopies miss precancerous growths. Be sure to tell your doctor to take his sweet time...and move a bit to the right, ohhh yeah, right there

(17)

If you're reading this on a flat panel display, you should thank the Pennsylvania company that manufactured the toxic gas that made it all possible

(13)

CVN-21 and the aircraft carriers of the future. Maverick and Goose impressed

(429)

(Tech Digest)

The 20 strangest gadgets of 2006. Robot guinea pigs, USB pole dancers, spray-on condoms, a Slade-singing toy dog, inflatable office in a bucket

(EurekAlert)

Women who hold their husbands' hands when under stress show signs of immediate relief, which can clearly be seen on their brain scans. Husbands, meanwhile, show blood running away from their brains

(113)

Professor Miles Longname says no AIDS crisis in Africa because HIV doesn't exist

(61)

Just when you think you've seen it all... animal sacrifices over the Internet. What's next, pornography?

(EurekAlert)

While the benefits of regular physical activity are well documented, public health officials struggle for methods to promote increased physical activity that will work in American society, short of using cattle prods

(150)

England approves massive wind farm, giant finger to pull

Bush's godlike health is due to fish oil or something

(56)

(Xinhua)

Possibly the best Hubble picture gallery on the net

Verizon to build underwater fiber-optic cable from the U.S. to China

(21)

Low to moderate blood-alcohol levels improve chances of survival for people with traumatic brain injuries. Farkers must be the most safety-conscious people on the planet

How to make the ultimate paper plane, not for transatlantic flights

(19)

Ten gadgets that changed the world

(24)

The 20 greatest inventions by Muslim scientists. B-b-but Bin Laden

(59)

Top 10 archaeological finds of 2006

Mon December 18, 2006:

# of Comments

(Some Guy Curing Cancer)

Pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. will partner with a Tampa Bay cancer center to develop personalized cancer treatments using a patient's genetic profile. Florida was picked for this program because of its lack of complex genetic codes

"World of Warcraft" players choose the game over sex. Sex was actually an option?

(90)

(Seaspook)

Brain tumor causes woman to think she's French. "It might sound funny to others, but suddenly thinking you are French is terrifying." Plus, there's the constant surrendering...

(Twin Cities Pioneer Press)

Not news: Zune getting its ass kicked by iPod. News: Zune getting its ass kicked by SanDisk

(Chronicle Herald)

Former Xerox chief dies

(666)

(Chronicle Herald)

Former Xerox chief dies

(54)

(Chronicle Herald)

Former Xerox chief dies

(70)

Opera browser now has a phishing filter, even though submitter is pretty sure Trey Anastasio never wrote any operas

(Business Week)

IPhone... released by Linksys. No word on the release date of the iRouter

Al Gore wants to initiate a "carbon-freeze" movement. In related news, Han Solo captured by Empire; kisses Princess Leia goodbye

(Macworld)

Sony will start its own video-download service next year, but each video will cost $600 and only be five copies will be available for download, so everyone will have to line up on the Internet and virtually shoot and stab each other for one

(31)

(Computer Partner)

Google and NASA to announce major partnership today; expected to involve new technology which improves NASA's ability to search for shuttle debris

The new, more secure European ePassports is cloned in five minutes

(70)

(Ireland On-line)

Dark chocolate being used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome. In related news, beer can treat a bad case of the Mondays

(16)

Online tool surfs billions of web pages for unauthorized usage of text, images, audio and video, then sics the copyright lawyers

(20)

Zettabyte file system seen in next release of OSX. MichaelDouglasNibble version didn't make the cut

(32)

Most colorful tech story ever: Why Red Hat is called that, why IBM is nicknamed Big Blue and more

Privacy concerns arise with new iPod/Nike running interface add-on. Never mind that we can see your junk dangling from those short-shorts

(Some Brain)

New Study: Your brain can recover from that bender faster than you will live down who you slept with that night

(48)

Digg.com v.4 being launched today

(Technology Evangelist)

Yes, Fox has surpassed Yahoo for the title of most page views per month. However, if the data is scaled for the value of the pageviews, Google is actually leading the pack

Scientists discover low-fat diets help prevent the return of breast cancer, meaning more skinny knees AND more breasts. We still need an Awesome tag

Today's "stolen laptop with 382,000 employee records on it" story brought to you by Boeing. A hot cocoa sampler is a much better Christmas bonus than identity theft, am I right?

Scientists discover evolution occured in humans as recently as the time of Adam and Eve

(179)

Facility created in Nebraska to quarantine people carrying deadly diseases. Article forgets to mention nuclear self destruct in case of containment failure

(74)

Scientists discover that humans smell in stereo to track down scents. Your dog already knows who dealt it