Geeks' Dream Homes

A geek can dream...

Hardware:
http://www.smarthome.com/

Software:
http://misterhouse.sourceforge.net/



I surfed there while wondering whether something existed -- a freeze sensor for pipes. Turns out they do. Automatic water-pipe cut-off devices. Sweeet. Now you can protect your outside water lines too :)


Voice recognition as an interface to a home automation central control system...a touchscreen on the fridge that brings online recipe databases into the kitchen...remote controls that replace switches/curtains'/blinds' controls...fingerprint scanners that unlock deadbolts...sensors and servos and dimmers and... well, you get the picture.

How about keyless entry on your cat door? :D :D :D
http://www.smarthome.com/6106.html



sweeeet.

blogger beta: day one

Some people find the weirdest things in Google Earth.
Now someone has found something strange on Google Maps.

The link I was sent bore this caption, which I cheerfully plagiarize and pass on to you...

Giant Bugs Invade Europe!


Enjoy.

what the hell?

Scanning the page source turned up no clues as to where this popup came from, but it must be either from a blogger or bravenet .js file. Ad-Aware, Spybot, and Symantec Corporate all came up clean for adware. damnit...

hahahahaha

This is quite possibly one of the funniest things I've ever heard!

reposted from news://rec.humor.funny

"Not so useful, but often used Assembly Code"
DickJimmy (at) mail.utexas.edu (R. J. Woodward);(chuckle, computers)

Assembler programs are written with short abbreviations called MNEMONICS, in other words instead of writing GOTO, the programmer writes JMP or even BRA (branch). These instructions are frequently abbreviated into total incomprehensibility.

Of course, we all know that abbreviations are arbitrary. Anyone who has spent any time programming in assembler knows that all computers can be programmed using an undocumented set of instructions. Frequently when an error is made writing a program in assembler a user can actually see the program executing the undocumented instructions.

These instructions vary from machine from machine, but all computers have a certain set of them in common. As a service to humanity, I am here revealing these common instructions for the first time.

ARG : Agree to Run Garbage
BDM : Branch and Destroy Memory
CMN : Convert to Mayan Numerals
DDS : Damage Disk and Stop
EMR : Emit Microwave Radiation
ETO : Emulate Toaster Oven
FSE : Fake Serious Error
GSI : Garble Subsequent Instructions
GQS : Go Quarter Speed
HEM : Hide Evidence of Malfunction
IDD : Inhale Dust and Die
IKI : Ignore Keyboard Input
IMU : Irradiate and Mutate User
JPF : Jam Paper Feed
JUM : Jeer at Users Mistake
KFP : Kindle Fire in Printer
LNM : Launch Nuclear Missiles
MAW : Make Aggravating Whine
NNI : Neglect Next Instruction
OBU : Overheat and Burn if Unattended
PNG : Pass Noxious Gas
QWF : Quit Working Forever
QVC : Question Valid Command
RWD : Read Wrong Device
SCE : Simulate Correct Execution
SDJ : Send Data to Japan
TTC : Tangle Tape and Crash
UBC : Use Bad Chip
VDP : Violate Design Parameters
VMB : Verify and Make Bad
WAF : Warn After Fact
XID : eXchange Instruction with Data
YII : Yield to Irresistible Impulse
ZAM : Zero All Memory
PI : Punch Invalid
POPI : Punch Operator Immediately
RASC : Read And Shred Card
RPM : Read Programmers Mind
RSSC : Reduce Speed, Step Carefully (for improved accuracy)
RTAB : Rewind Tape and Break
RWDSK : ReWind DiSK
SPSW : Scramble Program Status Word
SRSD : Seek Record and Scar Disk
WBT : Water Binary Tree

[My assembly professor gave this to us yesterday in her "Intro to Assembly" lecture]

-----BEGIN GEEK CODE BLOCK-----
Version: 3.12
GCS/M/P d- s:- a-- C++(++++) UL P+>+++ L+(++)>++++ E@ W++(+++)
N(+) o? K? w++@ O- !M-- V? Y++ PGP t(++)@ 5(+) X+++@ R+(+++)
tv+ b++++ DI++ D++(+++) G++ e(++)* h--* r++ y+**
------END GEEK CODE BLOCK------

finally.

back on the net, fair denizens.

you'd best go hide behind your firewall now...

:D

MPAA suits

Isohunt.com, one of my favorite .torrent distribution sites, is under attack by the MPAA. They are hitting all the major sites, including the BTHub tracker, which is going to really kill the effectiveness of torrents in general.

MPAA Press Release

Anyone know any news reporters? They want their story told. Have them send inquiries to . Go to their front page for the details of their situation, and user comments.

Also, if you can spare a few bucks, they're opening a defense fund. With the help of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), they're going to fight this thing. And this time, it's not a couple of kids--these guys have resources, and they've been preparing for this for a long time. The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future cases.