News and other tidbits that Chad Cloman finds interesting enough to share
Three-dimensional “printers” are getting down in price to the point where they may become ubiquitous. They don’t print to paper like traditional printers; rather, they create a 3D object out of nylon, plastic, or polymers by “writing” successive layers until the object is finished. There are some drawbacks (gray color, graininess), but expect this technology to quickly improve.
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/…
It’s been known for some time now that maggots are quite good at clearing dead tissue out of a wound while leaving the live tissue alone. This latest study suggests they can also remove antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which is becoming more and more of a concern.
Link: http://arstechnica.com/…
Last week Comcast demonstrated a working cable internet system with 150Mbps download speeds. Dubbed DOCSIS 3.0 (current cable systems use DOCSIS 1.1), it’s about 25 time faster than existing cable technology. Large-scale deployment may begin as early as next year. One downside, however is that the 150Mbps is shared amongst households connected to a node, so it’s possible to get much slower speeds.
Link #1: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/…
(via Slashdot)
Link #2: http://arstechnica.com/…
Researchers have developed a prototype plastic-based blood substitute. It’s less perishable than real blood and doesn’t need to be refrigerated, making it ideal for the battlefield and other emergency situations. I guess as long as something transports oxygen to the cells, it doesn’t really matter what it’s made from.
Link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/…
(via Neatorama)
Chad’s News hasn’t previously mentioned the massive TJX credit card data theft, but it’s worth noting what caused the security breach. TJX Companies is a large department store chain with such names as T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. Last December they discovered their network had been compromised for 18 months, and that credit card data for over 45 million customers had been stolen. Let’s repeat that number: 45 million customers. The whole thing started in 2005 when hackers broke the (woefully inadequate) wireless encryption of a Marshalls store in Minnesota. Apparently the wireless network used the WEP protocol, which is obsolete and can be cracked in a matter of minutes. Because of this gross negligence, it’s estimated that TJX will be on the line for over $1 billion in damages. To prevent this type of thing from happening to your network, be sure to use a more modern encryption scheme such as WPA/WPA2.
Link: http://arstechnica.com/…
From the article: “In Florida, Utah, and soon in Rhode Island and Wisconsin, selling your used CDs to the local record joint will be more scrutinized than then getting a driver’s license in those states.” For example, in Florida, the CD store is required to copy your identification and take your fingerprint. Just to sell a used CD?!? I think the author of the linked article hit it on the head when he suspects the music industry of being a force behind these laws.
A change in ceiling height, even by as little as 2 feet, can affect how a person thinks, feels, and acts.
Link: http://www.innovations-report.de/…
(via Lifehacker)
The FCC has implemented a new 3-digit phone number, 811. Call it before digging or excavating, in order to get any underground utility lines marked.
Link: http://www.call811.com/
(via Lifehacker)
Wow. Neat picture.
Link: http://www.flickr.com/…
(via digg)
Starting next Monday (2007-05-14), first class postage in the US will increase to 41 cents. In addition, the previously mentioned “forever” stamps are already on sale. These forever stamps are a great deal, but I’m spending my money on the Star Wars stamps.
Link: http://www.usps.com/…
(via Lifehacker)
Women in France who come from families with Muslim values are feeling the pressure to be virgins when they marry. But what do you do when you’re not one? Just go to the doctor and have your hymen sewn back together.
Link: http://today.reuters.com/…
(via digg)
Penn and Teller played a joke on some environmentalists, getting them to sign a petition demanding that dihydrogen monoxide be banned. Dihydrogen monoxide is more commonly called water.
Thanks to Burt for this link.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/…
