FSMAUSTIRC - News and Network Updates (http://www.austirc.net/)

Digg

digg.com: Stories / Popular

An Online Escort In The Virtual World of Second Life - 01/09/2009 03:20 AM

"Palela Alderson" is a 26-year-old Italian who works in communications. She likes sports, skiing, shopping...and selling herself as an online escort in the virtual world of Second Life.

Hans Zimmer & James Howard - Composing The Dark Knight Music - 01/09/2009 03:20 AM

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t too crazy about the scores to Christopher Nolan’s Batman films at first. I probably own more of composer Hans Zimmer’s albums (in CD form) than anyone else I know, and I’ve always admired Zimmer’s ability to weave in soaring themes in the midst of intense action happening on screen.

How America Lost the War on Drugs - 01/09/2009 03:10 AM

After Thirty-Five Years and $500 Billion, Drugs Are as Cheap and Plentiful as Ever: An Anatomy of a Failure.

Where Has Bernie Madoff Buried His Loot? - 01/09/2009 03:00 AM

After 20 years, a person like Madoff could stash away lots of bearer bonds, for a lot of money, in a lot of places.

Breaking News From CES: Windows 7 Public Beta Released - 01/09/2009 02:50 AM

Here's some breaking news: At the Microsoft CES Keynote, Steve Ballmer has just announced the launch of the Windows 7 Public beta. Customers of Technet and MSDN can get the beta right away (if you hadn't already been tempted by the various leaks) while the rest of us will have to wait until 2 days from now to snag the trial OS.

The Browser Wars (E&OE) - 01/09/2009 02:40 AM

Self-Replicating Chemicals Evolve Into Life-Like Ecosystem - 01/09/2009 02:30 AM

Chemists have created a group of synthetic enzymes that self-replicate, compete, and evolve like a natural ecosystem -- just minus the life (as we know it).

Earth life headed for Mars moon - 01/09/2009 02:20 AM

Russia is pushing forward on a robotic mission to Mars dubbed Phobos-Grunt — now seemingly on a countdown clock that ticks away for an October launch.

Newsweek: If Obama is serious, he must get tough with Israel - 01/09/2009 02:10 AM

The new administration will have to be tough, much tougher than either Bill Clinton or George W. Bush were, if it's serious about Arab-Israeli peacemaking. The departure point for a viable peace deal must not be based purely on what Israel will accept, but on the requirements of all sides. U.S. national interest demands it.

Posting Negative Reviews Could Get You Sued - 01/09/2009 02:00 AM

A doctor is suing his patient after he discovered the man posted a negative review of his practice on Yelp.

BART Cop Needs to Be Held without Bail - 01/09/2009 01:50 AM

'I have yet to see any widespread nationwide coverage on the New Year's execution style murder of Oscar Grant by a Bay Area Rapid Transit - BART - police officer. Somebody told me that they saw 5 minutes of coverage on CNN last night. I would think they would syndicate it across all networks by now.'

Obama Asks Congress for Analog TV Shutdown Delay - 01/09/2009 01:40 AM

President-elect Barack Obama has asked Congress to stop the shut down on analog TV broadcasts, due on February 17. The main two reasons: "Inadequate funding" and problems with the converter box program. But there's more.

An Extensive Look At Apple's New iWork.com Service - 01/09/2009 01:30 AM

Apple's new iWork.com service lifts one of the biggest obstacles facing its iWork office productivity suite by making it easier for iWork users to collaborate with others using Windows PC and Microsoft Office. Here's a first look at how the service works and what it does.

Mt. Everest Climbers Measure Lowest Blood Oxygen Levels - 01/09/2009 01:20 AM

On top of the world, just below the more than 29,000-foot high peak of Mount Everest, a team of four British medical researchers braved the elements and took their own blood samples. What they found was staggering—their oxygen levels were the lowest ever recorded, well below levels that would normally prove lethal on the ground.

LG Watch Phone Is For Real - 01/09/2009 01:10 AM

James Bond and Dick Tracy fans are likely to queue up for this soon. The new watch-phone from LG is one of the coolest gadgets at CES 2009 show.

Refurbished iPhones Land at Best Buy - 01/09/2009 01:00 AM

Best Buy seems to have a good deal going with Apple, as it was the first retailer outside of Apple's own stores to carry iPhones, and now will be the first again, by selling "refreshed" or, more accurately, refurbished 3G iPhones.

Stimulus math: $30B in spending equals 950K tech jobs - 01/09/2009 12:50 AM

For every $1 billion that the federal government spends on tech as part of a stimulus package, it will create or retain approximately 31,000 jobs, according to a think tank advising President-elect Barack Obama on tech policy.

APOD: The Galactic Core in Infrared - 01/09/2009 12:40 AM

What's happening at the center of our Milky Way Galaxy? To help find out, the orbiting Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes have combined their efforts to survey the region in unprecedented detail in infrared light. Infrared light is particularly useful for probing the Milky Way's center because visible light is more greatly obscured by dust.

Microsoft Gets Deals with Dell and Verizon for Live Search - 01/09/2009 12:30 AM

Microsoft is hoping two new distribution deals will give its Live Search a much-needed boost. The company announced Wednesday a global deal with Dell that will see Live Search be the default search engine and a Windows Live toolbar bundled on the bulk of consumer and small-business PCs sold by the computer maker over the next three years.

Top 5 Most Irritating RPG Protagonists - 01/09/2009 12:10 AM

Say what you will about role-playing games, but for a genre that places a complete emphasis on story, it sure loves to saddle us with some of the most unlikable characters to ever exist in fiction -- and often, for upward of 50 hours at a time. Thankfully, loot, monster collecting, and grinding all serve as welcome distractions from the whining of

Cashing In on Clean Technology - 01/09/2009 12:00 AM

Despite the credit crunch and falling oil prices, venture capitalists say green energy is still a good bet.

LaDainian Tomlinson Doubtful vs. Steelers - 01/09/2009 12:00 AM

LaDainian Tomlinson confirmed that he has a torn tendon in his groin and listed himself as doubtful for the Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

What A Knockout! Historic Boxing Photos - 01/08/2009 11:50 PM

Luciano Moggi Sentenced To 18 Months In Jail - 01/08/2009 11:50 PM

Former Juventus general manager Luciano Moggi has been sentenced to 18 months in jail on corruption charges.The controversial head of the GEA World football agency pays the price for his involvement in the match-fixing scandal which rocked Italian football in 2006.

Rockets hit Israel from Lebanon - 01/08/2009 11:50 PM

At least three rockets have been fired into northern Israel from Lebanon raising fears that the current Israeli offensive in Gaza may spill over.

Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A - 01/08/2009 11:40 PM

If you’re a gamer and haven’t heard of this famous button sequence, you likely fall into one of two categories: one, you’ve got a problem with lying, or two, you’ve got some sort of amnesia going on… and you might want to get that checked out. Or maybe you’re just really good at Contra.

Lexus to roll out system that lets its cars talk to drivers - 01/08/2009 11:30 PM

Along with its version of Onstar, Toyota announced that new cars will include a system that can send voice messages over the air to its drivers. Called Lexus Insider, the service will let Lexus send audio messages to owners on whatever subject it chooses, from tips on making the best use of the vehicles' features to suggestions for a scenic drive.

Space Is Closer Than You Think - 01/08/2009 11:20 PM

The border between Earth's atmosphere and outer space is closer to the ground than scientists once thought.

White House Asked Howard To Stay In Blair House ... - 01/08/2009 11:20 PM

... after Obama had put in a request to stay there. Not only is that incredibly mean spirited and spiteful, given the arrangements Obama needed to make for his girls, it also demonstrates an astonishing waste of government funds. Have you SEEN how many rooms Blair House has?

HP Announces Flexible Computer Screens On the Horizon - 01/08/2009 11:10 PM

Arizona State University’s Flexible Display Center & HP recently announced a prototype of a flexible lightweight computer screen that stands to revolutionize computers and electronic devices. Created in a similar roll-to-roll manufacturing process as thin-film pv, these new computer screens are printed onto plastic sheets - virtually indestructible

Bad Things (or Layoffs) Happen to Other People - 01/08/2009 11:00 PM

Despite the dismal economy, widespread layoffs and rising unemployment, a large majority of employees are optimistic about their future, according to a recent survey. 4 out of 5 adults are not concerned about layoffs - it must be happening to "some other people"

Fisherman from Aceh, Indonesia. - 01/08/2009 10:40 PM

Cavs 18-0 at Home This Season - 01/08/2009 10:30 PM

LeBron James scored 21 points before grabbing an early seat on the bench, Mo Williams added 15 points and Cleveland warmed up for its highly anticipated matchup with Boston by blowing out the Charlotte Bobcats 111-81 on Wednesday night, raising the Cavaliers' record at home to 18-0.

Tact Much? Army apologizes for "Dear John Doe" letters [Doh] - 01/08/2009 10:30 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army apologized on Wednesday for sending 7,000 letters addressed to "Dear John Doe" to the relatives of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Palm pre - 01/08/2009 10:30 PM

The new-ness is underway, and Palm just debuted its latest handset, the Palm pre. It's a touchscreen phone with a trackball and a slide-out keyboard.

Textures In Modern Web Design (PICS + EXAMPLES) - 01/08/2009 10:10 PM

Textures can be used in countless different ways and in a wide variety of design styles. As you look around, you’ll see how textures can be used in so many different ways by Web designers.

Talking Heads - Burning Down The House (LIVE in 1983) - 01/08/2009 10:00 PM

Don't want to hurt nobody.

Netgear Unveils its TV-Torrent Player | TorrentFreak - 01/08/2009 09:50 PM

Netgear has just announced its Internet TV Player, a set-top box that allows users to play content from video streaming sites like YouTube, directly on their TV. Perhaps of more interest is the device’s built-in BitTorrent client, which makes it an ideal TV-torrent player as well.

Keep the Sock Puppets Out of Your Stimulus - 01/08/2009 09:40 PM

Sock puppets, for those unfamiliar with the creatures commonly found inside the Beltway, are mouthpieces who rent out their academic or political credentials to argue pro-industry positions....

Learning More About Levitation - 01/08/2009 09:40 PM

The ability to levitate objects is not an entirely new thing in physics. Lower the temperature of certain metals and ceramics far enough (-459 degrees F is a good number to shoot for) and they carry electromagnetic charges far more efficiently and for a far longer time than they otherwise would.