Category: Cool Stuff

Massive monitoring of a Massively Multiplayer Gaming world

(via Schneier on security)
This is just an incredible article.  The author talks about efforts made to monitor the goings on in the virtual World of Warcraft article.

We live in a world where the technology exists that the government or other technically sophisticated group is able to monitor and analyze a substantial fraction of the communications of the world’s population, or can track their movements throughout the day, or keep tabs on their financial transactions.

And that world is called World of Warcraft.

[tags]World of Warcraft, virtual world[/tags]

Neat DNA folding tricks

Here’s what happens when you learn how to manipulate DNA molecules:

ss_060315_dna_tease.300w.jpgA computer scientist has developed a method to weave stringy DNA molecules into nanometer-scale, two-dimensional patterns ranging from smiley faces to a map of the Americas.

Experts say the “DNA origami” procedure laid out by Paul Rothemund of the California Institute of Technology could be adapted to create nano-computers, new drug delivery systems or even molecular-scale chemical factories.

[tags]DNA, folding[/tags]

Turn your profile into a dowel

(via BoingBoing)

This is really something that needs to be seen to understand. But as soon as you see it, you’ll say “Oh, I get it.” Or something like that. Site turnyourhead will take profile and spin a dowel based on it.

Like this:

turnyourhead1.jpg

or

turnyourhead-luci.jpg

At Turn Your Head, we fill the space between two opposing profiles of your face. By spinning that space into a three dimensional “visage” that follows the outlined silhouettes of your two profiles, we create the “Pirolette”.

Place the “Pirolette” to your face and it will match your profile. Locate it near a wall and the shadow of the “Pirolette” will be your silhouette.

Your profile captured forever in an object of art. An optical illusion of shadow and light, each one unique because it’s you!

The “Pirolette” is hand crafted from American Black Walnut, Cherry or Maple and is hand polished to a natural luster.

I may have to do this for my kids.  That’s pretty cool.

[tags]Turnyourhead, dowel[/tags]

A 19 inch laptop sighting

(via Engadget)

Here’s my first 19 inch laptop sighting.  Has anyone got any other links to different ones?

CALGARY, Alberta–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 9, 2006–VoodooPC, the world’s leading architect of highly personalized, one-of-a-kind high performance PCs, today announced it has expanded its award-winning notebook line with the introduction of the Voodoo ENVY Heavyweight u:909 Notebook, the world’s largest and fastest mobile gamebook. Measuring 17.5″ x 12.5″ x 1.75″ and weighing in at 16 pounds, the Voodoo ENVY Heavyweight u:909 Notebook is powered by the AMD Turion 64 processor and is THE ideal alternative for anyone looking to replace their desktop without sacrificing performance.

And if you are wondering, it costs around $5000, comes with a dual-layer DVD burner, runs at 1680×1050, and offers dual nVidia or dual ATI video cards.   I’m guessing lap shield and nuclear power plant are extra cost items.

[tags]VoodooPC, 19 inch laptop[/tags]

Make mine with frikkin’ laser beams

DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) has taken another page from science fiction writer William Gibson’s book by creating a neural implant to enable engineers to remotely manipulate a shark’s brain signals. This would eventually allow them to control the animal’s movements and possibly decode their perceptions.

Remote controlled sharks? Awesome. You know Dr. Evil would want some.

[tags]Sharks, DARPA[/tags]

Wall of Quake 3

(via TechEBlog)

Have you ever thought you just really needed to play Quake 3 on a wall sized display? Well, that’s just what the folks over at plastk did. They used their 24 monitor wall display (run by 12 linux nodes – i.e. 2 monitors per node) to play some.

wallofquake.jpg

The end result is Quake 3 running at 10240×3072 resolution at 15-30 FPS.  What gamer wouldn’t want to try that out?
[tags]Quake 3[/tags]

Bang! Howdy

From the folks that did YoHoHo! Puzzle Pirates is the hopefully soon to be detailed Bang! Howdy. From the web site:

Howdy pardner! Thanks fer moseyin’ on over to check out our mighty fine game. We’re still hard at work out on the ranch, but I reckon we can rustle up a bit of info fer a prospective cowhand like yerself.

Have a gander at these here excitin’ features:

  • Multiplayer online tactical strategy game in a 3D Wild West setting, yee haw!
  • Fast-paced hybrid of turn-based and realtime strategy gameplay with a healthy helpin’ of rootin’ tootin’ antics!
  • Dozens of unique units, hundreds of special playfields and over ten wild and crazy gameplay scenarios!Customizable avatars and collectable badges let you show them city folk that you know how to handle yer dogies!
  • Collect and customize Big Shot units that complement your play style whether ya like to take yer sweet time or go in guns ablazin’!

This company seems to be good at deliviring fun gaming in an easy to pick up format. And who wouldn’t love gaming in an old west setting?

[tags]Wild West gaming, Bang! Howdy[/tags]