Tag Archives: internet

Google buying UAV drones for Street View spying

Citing a German news report, Techeye.net reports that Google has purchased small UAV “microdrone” aircraft manufactured by Germany's microdrone GmbH, perhaps for use to augment the company's Street View mapping data. Techeye says: The UAVs being flogged are mini helicopters with cameras attached that can be flown about all over the place. They're quiet and resemble sci-fi UFOs for the vertically challenged alien. They can fly up to 80km per hour, so Microdrone CEO Sven Juerss suggests they'll be brilliant for mapping entire neighbourhoods really quickly and relatively cheaply. Even before Google started data mining on open web networks its Street View operations were controversial, with Google Maps picking up on people who didn't exactly want their faces plastered all over the internet. With the kind of high-angle aerial shots this sort of kit can achieve, it boggles the mind as to the sort of images that may be accidentally captured. Our take: Skepticism is warranted, and outrage is probably premature. Our understanding is that FAA certification procedures for civilian UAVs operating in domestic airspace are not yet in place, so it is not clear that the regular operation of such UAVs would be legal — never mind prudent from a privacy or public-relations point of view. http://telstarlogistics.typepad.com/telstarlogistics/2010/08/does-google-plan-to… added by: slagface

Can Twitter Change Chipotle’s Mandatory Bag Policy?

Image credit: Nesster /Flickr Jamming phone lines, fax machines or e-mail boxes with messages has been a key tactic ever since I first became an environmental activist. I remember one Senator telling me in 1994, before the internet existed as we know it today, before Facebook and Twitter and mass e-mails, that his staff was literally weighing the letters on a scale that we were sending from Sierra C… Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Can Twitter Change Chipotle’s Mandatory Bag Policy?

The Navy Is Discharging Jarod McIntosh Because It Found Photos Of His Boyfriend on a Cell Phone / Queerty

Meet Jarod McIntosh. He's being discharged from the Navy because he accidentally brought his camera-equipped cell phone into a submarine, which is a restricted area. Yes, that was a dumb move. But even dumber is what happened afterward. His superiors confiscated his phone to ensure it didn't contain any classified material. It didn't. But there were what sounds like intimate photos of Jared and his boyfriend Doug. Jared is being discharged not for breaking the rules about bringing audio-video equipment into a restricted area, but for being gay. He's appealing the separation. added by: toyotabedzrock

Response – Homosexuality is an Abomintion

Well if it says it in books it much be true. In her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance. The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man, and posted on the Internet. Funny stuff. Dear Dr. Laura: Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination … End of debate. I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them. 1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians? 2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her? 3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense. 4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them? 5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it? 6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination? 7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here? 8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die? 9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves? 10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14) I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging. Your adoring fan. James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia PS (It would be a damn shame if we couldn't own a Canadian) added by: SageRockandRoll

Alanis Morissette And Husband Souleye Expecting First Child

Singer announced via Twitter that she is pregnant. By James Dinh Alanis Morissette Photo: Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images This is shaping up to be a great year for Alanis Morissette . In May, the singer tied the knot with rapper Mario “Souleye” Treadwell, and now the couple is expecting their first child, her rep confirmed to People. The 36-year-old songstress took to Twitter to share her joy. “Yes, happy news….i’m pregnant 🙂 we’re so excited to start our family…. xo a,” she tweeted on Wednesday (August 11). The baby’s due date is unknown. Fans should be used to the singer sharing her big news over the Internet. Just four months ago, she told fans about her marriage to the fellow musician on Facebook . “Hi guys! So happy to share with you that my man Souleye and I got married. We’re very excited to embark on this journey with each other….sending love…connect soon xo — Alanis,” she wrote. But she hasn’t always been keen on letting her inner romantic out. Morrisette revealed back in 2004 that it was her then-fianc

3,000 Hours of Johnny Carson Archives Now Online

Good news, King of Late Night fans: Over 3,000 hours of Johnny Carson content is now available for your licensing pleasure. And if shelling out that kind of dough does not interest you, JohnnyCarson.com offers ready-to-watch highlights (which, unfortunately, are not embeddable), including digitally remastered segments with Betty White, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno and more. Enjoy! [ JohnnyCarson.com via THR ]

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3,000 Hours of Johnny Carson Archives Now Online

First Clip from Burlesque Features Less Camp, More Singing

After the initial trailer for Burlesque threw glitter up all over the Internet last week, it’s somewhat surprising to see that the first clip from the film is so benign in nature. The musical’s biggest selling points — Cher and Stanley Tucci’s eyeglasses — are nowhere to be found here, replaced instead by Christina Aguilera’s booming vocals on “Something’s Got a Hold on Me” and a dance routine that feels like Flashdance minus the water. Click ahead to watch, but be prepared to tap your foot in unison.

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First Clip from Burlesque Features Less Camp, More Singing

What’s the most dramatic “I quit" you’ve witnessed firsthand?

On Monday, after a verbal altercation with a customer, a JetBlue flight attendant inflated the plane's emergency slide and slid off the job. He was later arrested at his home. He may be charged with criminal mischief and trespassing, which could result in a seven year jail term. Regardless, he's won the heart of the “dramatic exits”-loving Internet, which makes us wonder… What's the most dramatic “I quit” you've witnessed firsthand? added by: joshuaheller

Rising Temperatures, Rising Food Prices

Image credit: Sister72 Around midnight on Wednesday, August 11th, a group of commodity analysts will gather at a meeting site in the massive South Building of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC. Once they are assembled, the door will be locked. Cell phones will be collected. Phone and Internet lines will be disconnected. Short of a medical emergency, no one will be permitted to leave before 8:30 am…. Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Rising Temperatures, Rising Food Prices

TV Bites: Friday Night Lights’ Zach Gilford Heads Off the Map

Also in this morning’s TV Bites: HBO will make your fall that much cooler… V brings back an original cast member… Camelot goes to Rome … and more ahead.

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TV Bites: Friday Night Lights’ Zach Gilford Heads Off the Map