Filter Bubble: You don’t decide what gets filtered out. You don’t see what gets edited out. You miss out.
Watch the video for all the info:
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Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last 7 days, we all know Osama bin Laden was killed on May 1, 2011 by US Special Forces. Reading through many articles that week, it’s interesting to learn the al Qaeda leader kept quite and under the radar for nearly 5 years by living in a solid wall compound and without direct cable access, TV access, internet access. The only direct access bin Laden had was a radio.
That said, Osama bin Laden kept current with the outside world by use of flash drives. It was reported his trusted courier would shuffle USB flash drives between his compound and the outside world to communicate, send message and negotiate with the al Queda terrorist group.
During the attack on Monday May 2nd the Special Forces recovered nearly 1000 thumb drives which contained all sorts of information about bin Laden and his relationship with al Qaeda organization.
What is also interesting is the level of hypocrisy bin Laden had. Along with the report of flash drives – which you can only assume many of them where made by US companies – bin Laden also had Coca Cola brought to his compound as well. It seems extremely hypocritical for a terrorist who’s sworn his life to avenge all American’s, yet indulges in US products during his day-to-day existence.
With the hundreds of USB flash drives now in the hands of the Special Forces we should learn a lot more about the habits, plans and leaders of the al Qaeda network.
Glad bin Laden is gone from our world.
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Off topic post about housing accommodations for the 2011 British Open.
Are you an avid golfer – or a fan of watching golf on T.V.? Have you ever been to London and wondering the streets jumping from pub to pub? Well if either sound interesting and you have a bit of extra cash, then consider going to the British Open 2011 event. A friend of a friend has a great flat not too far from the Open and it would be an opportune time to experience all this at a fantastic rate. Read on for the British Open 2011 Accommodations.
Danecourt HouseLocation: Deal [map]
Bedrooms: 2 (sleeps 4)
Garden: Private Courtyard
Minimum Let Time: One Week
Daily Rent: £150
Distance from Open course: 5 Miles
Initial non-refundable booking deposit of £500. Balance 2 months in advance complete payment on arrival. 7 days minimum rental period.
Danecourt House is an exceptionally pleasant traditional cottage in central Deal. 500 meters from the sea front, close to Deal Castle and 3 minutes from the nearest pubs and restaurants. Recently decorated with traditional style kitchen and bathroom. Large open plan downstairs living area. 2 double bedrooms and courtyard garden with BBQ. This is a great property in a perfect location to enjoy the wonders of Deal and the Open. On street parking to the front of the property.
This property is available throughout the period of the Open and for periods before and after the event.
Contact Info:
Name:Mr N Ranshaw
Email: nicr@cd-writer.com
Phone: 0208 293 0777 (office hours)
More info and source: Blog CD-Writer.
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Granted I didn’t think of this concept, but looking back, it’s odd this USB hack took as long as it did. Hacker, Jonas Wagner, was able to rig his Microsoft Kinect to a USB missile launcher. From what we’ve read, Jonas wanted to control a missile launcher with his Kinect, only problem is that he didn’t have access to missiles. Next best thing was a USB missile launcher.
To give him some feedback about position, the first thing Jonas did was mount a video cam above the USB missile launcher. Next step was polish up his Python skills and incorporate the libfreenect library for control.
Using his hands to position the USB missile launcher, Jonas can rotate the base unit, angle the barrel up or down and fire the launcher – all thorugh his Kinect.
Video after the jump of Jonas shooting his brother[?]
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The Eggbot is an open-source art robot that can draw on spherical or egg-shaped objects from the size of a ping pong ball to that of a small grapefruit.
The Eggbot is super adjustable, and is designed to draw on all kinds of things that are normally “impossible” to print on. Not just eggs but ping pong balls, light bulbs, mini pumpkins, and even things like wine glasses. The egg-bot is ideal for Easter and a fun way for kids to make elaborate designs on their eggs. The egg-bot is recommended for ages 10 and up with parent supervision at 13 and under. In the photos, you can see just a few of the things you can do with eggs.
The Eggbot chassis is made of tough fiberglass, with integrated heat sinks for the included motors. The pen and egg motors are high-torque precision stepping motors, and the pen lift mechanism is a quiet and reliable servo motor.
The Eggbot kit is easy to assemble in a couple of hours, and only requires a couple of basic tools like miniature Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers. You’ll also need a computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux).
The EBB allows your computer to directly control the stepper and servo motors. The onboard 16X microstepping driver chips along with the 200 step/revolution stepper motors give a combined resolution of
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Did you know Apple will license it’s male 30 pin connector technology to just about anyone, but they will never license the female 30 pin portion of their connector? For most, not a big deal, for some, they’d love to have that ability.
Things could get interesting down the road as Apple was just awarded another patent for their 30 pin connector. This time the pin-out includes support for data and power communication to 3.0 devices and also Thunderbolt devices. What does this mean?
It means Apple will be able to keep their slim line design and proprietary connector interface via their 30 pin connector. The new design will still communicate with 3.0 devices, but without the traditional USB port interface. A bit brilliant if you ask me.
With the increased sales volume of Apple products, this new connector type could become an industry standard – oh wait – it can’t – because Apple wont license their female part of the connector. This means tablets like the Motorola Zoom and others could not pivot off the 30 pin design. But rather stay with traditional power pins and USB interface. This gives Apple the edge up on keeping their products slimmer and thus more light weight.
What do you think?
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For several years we’ve seen many Linux guys post about bootable USB flash drives into portable operating systems like Ubuntu or simplified versions of the OS for children, like Strawberry from SugarLabs
via donated USB flash drives.
In the spirit of ultra portable operating systems – over the weekend – we learned of Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry is not only an operating system from a flash drive, but it includes the processor too! This means the Linux OS is not high jacking the hardware of the host computer, but rather using it’s own processing power to boot into Linux.
The developer, David Braben, are shooting for a target price of the Raspberry USB computer to be around $25. The above prototype isn’t pretty, but hey – what prototype is? David and his team started this project in the effort to bring ultra low cost computers to less fortunate kids who need and want computer access.
A long long time ago, the One Laptop per Child was a program to get $100 computers into the hands of kids who’d otherwise never get a computer.
To give you an idea of what this mini USB computer can do, here are the specifications of the prototype:
700MHz ARM11
128MB of SDRAM
OpenGL ES 2.0
1080p30 H.264 high-profile decode
Composite and HDMI video output
USB 2.0
SD/MMC/SDIO memory card slot
General-purpose I/O
Open software (Ubuntu, Iceweasel, KOffice, Python)
If you are looking for video to spoon feed you this information, check out the video after the jump:
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USB keyloggers are always a good idea to have around. Sure you could make the argument that it’s incroaching on someone’s space, or that it’s flat out illegal to track someone without them knowing…but forget all that. To many ups sides.
What about keeping check with your kids? Or making sure employees are keeping honest? What about some backup or recovery and you need to know where you’ve been?
Well in any case, for the DIY folks, here is a nice tutorial on taking a standard PS/2 and converting it into a USB keylogger. What I like about it is the simple fact the average computer user wouldn’t notice. We all see the PS/2 on the back panel, so why investigate it to see if there’s mod to it?
The full tutorial can be found at Instructables. Only tip is that you need some good soldering skills. Other then that, not a hard task at all.
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A leaked version of Windows 8 has surfaced and there look to be some promising features for the USB lovers out there. First and formost, check out this screen shot of Windows 8 asking if you’d like to run from a USB flash drive.
Is it possible Microsoft figured out the best possible solution for longevity is letting users run their OS from a flash drive, then plug it into any PC they see fit to run their computer? Some storage problesm with that, but never-the-less, a good starting point.
Here are some other things we think might be bundled with Windows 8:
We are really trying to avoid blog posts about USB flash drives as they are everywhere, ambiguous, dime-a-dozen, you name it; however, today we received three emails about new styles and just couldn’t help ourselves.
All along the same genre if you will, of shady, up to no good, stereo types. First we have the USB lock. Lets get your mindset into that of a burglar. Next, a USB gun. Sure if you can’t crack the lock, just point your gun at someone. Last, the USB lighter. Burn the place down after you’ve stolen everything.
USB Lock:
USB Gun:
USB Lighter:
Sure all of the above is a stretch, but interesting all these tips came in on the same day from different companies. Think there is some conflict in our future? Links & price to products after the jump:
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As we just mentioned, Apple doesn’t license their female connector technology, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get it. Take for example, the USB Fever iPad iPhone cable extender. This cable makes it easy to extend the iPad or iPhone from it’s original point.
Some possible applications would include: A developer testing the device and doesn’t want to wear down the contacts of the Apple device. Connect where other accessories get in the way. Your other cable is worn down and you don’t want to drop the $50 on the Apple branded version.
The Apple cable extender is $12 and ready for the taking.
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Tim from Imagitronics posted a neat little USB hack about taking gadget traffic light and connecting to it via USB.
He retrofitted the generic blinking traffic light with a USB module and wrote a simple Mac application to change the status of the red/yellow/green lights.
This project was born out of the frustration after being constantly interrupted by people who could not tell that he was already busy. I think it a great idea.
What I’d like to see is the traffic light also be used for email notifications. Say green means you have less then 10 emails, yellow means
Continue Reading
Unless you’ve been living under a rock the last 7 days, we all know Osama bin Laden was killed on May 1, 2011 by US Special Forces. Reading through many articles that week, it’s interesting to learn the al Qaeda leader kept quite and under the radar for nearly 5 years by living in a solid wall compound and without direct cable access, TV access, internet access. The only direct access bin Laden had was a radio.
That said, Osama bin Laden kept current with the outside world by use of flash drives. It was reported his trusted courier would shuffle USB flash drives between his compound and the outside world to communicate, send message and negotiate with the al Queda terrorist group.
During the attack on Monday May 2nd the Special Forces recovered nearly 1000 thumb drives which contained all sorts of information about bin Laden and his relationship with al Qaeda organization.
What is also interesting is the level of hypocrisy bin Laden had. Along with the report of flash drives – which you can only assume many of them where made by US companies – bin Laden also had Coca Cola brought to his compound as well. It seems extremely hypocritical for a terrorist who’s sworn his life to avenge all American’s, yet indulges in US products during his day-to-day existence.
With the hundreds of USB flash drives now in the hands of the Special Forces we should learn a lot more about the habits, plans and leaders of the al Qaeda network.
Glad bin Laden is gone from our world.
Continue Reading
Danecourt House
Location: Deal [map]
Bedrooms: 2 (sleeps 4)
Garden: Private Courtyard
Minimum Let Time: One Week
Daily Rent: £150
Distance from Open course: 5 Miles
Initial non-refundable booking deposit of £500. Balance 2 months in advance complete payment on arrival. 7 days minimum rental period.
Danecourt House is an exceptionally pleasant traditional cottage in central Deal. 500 meters from the sea front, close to Deal Castle and 3 minutes from the nearest pubs and restaurants. Recently decorated with traditional style kitchen and bathroom. Large open plan downstairs living area. 2 double bedrooms and courtyard garden with BBQ. This is a great property in a perfect location to enjoy the wonders of Deal and the Open. On street parking to the front of the property.
This property is available throughout the period of the Open and for periods before and after the event.
Contact Info:
Name:Mr N Ranshaw
Email: nicr@cd-writer.com
Phone: 0208 293 0777 (office hours)
More info and source: Blog CD-Writer.
Continue Reading
To give him some feedback about position, the first thing Jonas did was mount a video cam above the USB missile launcher. Next step was polish up his Python skills and incorporate the libfreenect library for control.
Using his hands to position the USB missile launcher, Jonas can rotate the base unit, angle the barrel up or down and fire the launcher – all thorugh his Kinect.
Video after the jump of Jonas shooting his brother[?]
Continue Reading
The Eggbot chassis is made of tough fiberglass, with integrated heat sinks for the included motors. The pen and egg motors are high-torque precision stepping motors, and the pen lift mechanism is a quiet and reliable servo motor.
The Eggbot kit is easy to assemble in a couple of hours, and only requires a couple of basic tools like miniature Phillips-head and flathead screwdrivers. You’ll also need a computer with an available USB port (Mac, Windows or Linux).
The EBB allows your computer to directly control the stepper and servo motors. The onboard 16X microstepping driver chips along with the 200 step/revolution stepper motors give a combined resolution of
Continue Reading
With the increased sales volume of Apple products, this new connector type could become an industry standard – oh wait – it can’t – because Apple wont license their female part of the connector. This means tablets like the Motorola Zoom and others could not pivot off the 30 pin design. But rather stay with traditional power pins and USB interface. This gives Apple the edge up on keeping their products slimmer and thus more light weight.
What do you think?
Continue Reading
In the spirit of ultra portable operating systems – over the weekend – we learned of Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry is not only an operating system from a flash drive, but it includes the processor too! This means the Linux OS is not high jacking the hardware of the host computer, but rather using it’s own processing power to boot into Linux.
The developer, David Braben, are shooting for a target price of the Raspberry USB computer to be around $25. The above prototype isn’t pretty, but hey – what prototype is? David and his team started this project in the effort to bring ultra low cost computers to less fortunate kids who need and want computer access.
A long long time ago, the One Laptop per Child was a program to get $100 computers into the hands of kids who’d otherwise never get a computer.
To give you an idea of what this mini USB computer can do, here are the specifications of the prototype:
Well in any case, for the DIY folks, here is a nice tutorial on taking a standard PS/2 and converting it into a USB keylogger. What I like about it is the simple fact the average computer user wouldn’t notice. We all see the PS/2 on the back panel, so why investigate it to see if there’s mod to it?
The full tutorial can be found at Instructables. Only tip is that you need some good soldering skills. Other then that, not a hard task at all.
Continue Reading
Is it possible Microsoft figured out the best possible solution for longevity is letting users run their OS from a flash drive, then plug it into any PC they see fit to run their computer? Some storage problesm with that, but never-the-less, a good starting point.
Here are some other things we think might be bundled with Windows 8:
USB Gun:
USB Lighter:
Sure all of the above is a stretch, but interesting all these tips came in on the same day from different companies. Think there is some conflict in our future? Links & price to products after the jump:
Continue Reading
The Apple cable extender is $12 and ready for the taking.
Continue Reading
This project was born out of the frustration after being constantly interrupted by people who could not tell that he was already busy. I think it a great idea.
What I’d like to see is the traffic light also be used for email notifications. Say green means you have less then 10 emails, yellow means
Continue Reading