Anyone who works as a freelancer these days has to be at least a bit familiar with techie things. But it isn’t just that. When I was a kid and those vaguely SF puppet shows were on the television and all the other kids wanted to be Greg Gogetem or Steve Savetheuniverse, I wanted to be the guy in a white coat and glasses called Doc or Brains. Here are some technology-related feeds I find useful and/or entertaining.
Mashable » Purposely Bending an iPhone Doesn't Mean Bendgate Is Real, It Means You're an Assh*le
Bendgate just won't go away. A week after reports of iPhone 6 Plus devices being a little too flexible went viral, the durability of Apple's biggest smartphone is still a growing topic of conversation. For its part, Apple says that it's very rare for an iPhone 6 Plus to warp or bend, and the company even went so far as … [Link]
Mashable » Damon Lindelof Previews 'Lost'-Inspired 'Phineas and Ferb'
Lost's Damon Lindelof loves a good puzzle. And there's something about Disney XD's Phineas and Ferb, a show he enjoys watching with his young son, that satisfies his craving for a good character-rich twist. "I have a number of colleagues, Simon Pegg is one of them, who is one of these guys who their kid was watching the show and … [Link]
Mashable » How People in Hong Kong Can Communicate if Cell Networks Go Down
Many protesters in Hong Kong who suspect authorities may shut down some cell networks in the city have begun chatting on an app that doesn't require a central network connection. The app, however, has some potential pitfalls and demonstrators have a few other options at their disposal, especially if they have Android phones Minor protests began in August, when the Chinese … [Link]
Mashable » The Latest 'Simpsons' Couch Gag Was Both Insane and Beautiful
Last night’s Simpsons opening couch gag entered a whole other level of strange. Amid speculation over a major character death in the Simpsonverse, the first family of Fox’s animation domination block had its season premiere last night. While we didn't see a major death in last night’s episode (sorry, Rabbi Krustofski doesn't count), we did experience one of the oddest … [Link]
Mashable » The FCC Is Considering Rules That Could Change TV Forever
The Federal Communications Commission is preparing to take comment on a new set of rules that could drastically change the television landscape in the U.S. The regulator is preparing to propose changes that would allow online video distributors (OVDs) to be eligible for the same considerations as cable and satellite television operators. The most notable proposed changes would be to the … [Link]
Mashable » Apple Updates OS X to Protect Against Shellshock
Apple has issued an update for the Shellshock Bash vulnerability for OS X Lion, Mountain Lion and Mavericks. The update, which is available directly from Apple and not delivered through the Mac App Store, patches the version of Bash included in OS X. Lion users can download the update here, Mountain Lion users, here. See also: What Is Shellshock, How Does … [Link]
Slashdot » CEO of Spyware Maker Arrested For Enabling Stalkers
An anonymous reader writes: U.S. authorities have arrested and indicted the CEO of a mobile software company for selling spyware that enables "stalkers and domestic abusers." The U.S. Department of Justice accuses the man of promoting and selling software that can "monitor calls, texts, videos and other communications on mobile phones without detection." The agency pointed out this is the … [Link]
Mashable » Advertising Turns to Tech to Engage Consumers
Premium cable network Showtime recently launched a tactile, mobile ad to hype the return of its award-winning spy thriller, Homeland. The technology — never before used as a TV promotion — makes an Android phone vibrate 60 times during the preview’s most dramatic moments. Marriott Hotels has given people a peek at Hawaii and the U.K. via a "4D" experience called … [Link]
Mashable » Hong Kong's 'Umbrella Man' and 9 Other Iconic Protest Images
In Hong Kong, protesters have been demonstrating for the expansion of political rights — and against Beijing. In Ferguson, Missouri, people reacted to the shooting of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer, saying it fit a pattern of police brutality and unaccountability. In Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Yemen, Egypt and Iran, people wanted more political freedom. See also: The … [Link]
Mashable » Parrot Zik 2.0 Bluetooth Headphones Trim Down and Smarten Up
It can be hard to look cool or even stylish when you’re wearing giant headphones on your ears, but that doesn’t stop electronics manufacturers from making them or consumers from buying them. Two years ago Parrot sought to raise the headphones (or "cans") bar with its Zik Bluetooth headset and subsequently sold 200,000 of them worldwide. See also: 7 Must-Read Tips … [Link]
Mashable » Shellshock Continues: More Vulnerabilities Discovered
Security administrators are still busy chasing down patches for Shellshock, the Bash vulnerability that hit the web last week. Bash is a system software used by millions of computers, so the vulnerability opens up the possibility that an attacker could execute arbitrary commands on any machine running it. See also: What Is Shellshock, How Does It Work and Why Does It … [Link]
Mashable » White House Intruder Made It Much Farther Than Previously Thought
A White House intruder made it much deeper into the White House than officials previously revealed earlier this month, according to a new report. The man, officials said on Sept. 20, was apprehended just inside the North Portico doors. But a Washington Post report, which cites three people familiar with the breach, states that the intruder — who the Secret Service … [Link]
Slashdot » Man Walks Past Security Screening Staring At iPad, Causing Airport Evacuation
First time accepted submitter chentiangemalc writes While Australia is on "high alert" for terror threats a man walked past a Sydney Airport security screening while engrossed in his iPad and delayed flights for an hour. From the article: "This event was captured on CCTV and unnerved officials so much that they evacuated passengers. As the Sydney Morning Herald reported, the … [Link]
Mashable » What Microsoft Needs to Accomplish With Its 'Windows 9' Event
The world might get its first official taste of Windows 9 on Tuesday, at least if the rumors are trueMicrosoft has scheduled an event in San Francisco to talk about "what's next for Windows and the Enterprise." The timing lines up with rumors about when Microsoft will supposedly be ready to start talking about the next major upgrade to Windows. There's … [Link]
Mashable » That Kid's Yearbook Photo With His Cat Just Got 1000% More Brilliant
The award for best principal ever goes to Diane Wilkinson. Schenectady High School senior Draven Rodriguez was a kid with a dream: to take a yearbook photo with his cat, Mr. Bigglesworth. Rodriguez was so passionate about his portrait, he even created a preemptive petition for the school board to allow his photo to be printed — before they even issued … [Link]
Mashable » Mesmerizing Drone Video Reveals Massive Size of Hong Kong Protests
Sometimes, all you need is a drone and a cheesy rock ballad to show the world what democracy looks like This mesmerizing footage, captured by drone Monday night in Hong Kong, shows a massive crowd of demonstrators making their way through the city's financial district. The protesters are calling for democratic elections in the city and for the resignation of … [Link]
Mashable » 10 Krazy One-Liners From Krusty the Clown
[Warning: Spoilers ahead if you haven't seen the season 26 premiere of The Simpsons!] Prior to The Simpsons season premiere Sunday night, things were looking grim for Krusty the Clown. Previews for the episode titled "Clown in the Dumps" hinted heavily that Springfield's most washed-up comedian might be headed for the graveyard See also: 11 Times 'The Simpsons' Predicted the Future … [Link]
Mashable » The Elements of Elegance: What Makes Design 'Sophisticated'?
Imagine for a moment a pristinely wrapped Tiffany & Co. package: The company's signature robin's egg blue, the tantalizing, perfectly tied white ribbon, the iconic logo delicately printed atop. It's the epitome of class, elegance and sophistication. Even without peeking at the glittering contents inside, a mere glimpse at Tiffany's superb packaging is enough to elicit emotions ranging from excitement to … [Link]
Slashdot » New Research Casts Doubt On the "10,000 Hour Rule" of Expertise
First time accepted submitter Scroatzilla writes What makes someone rise to the top in music, games, sports, business, or science? This question is the subject of one of psychology's oldest debates. Malcolm Gladwell's '10,000 hours' rule probably isn't the answer. Recent research has demonstrated that deliberate practice, while undeniably important, is only one piece of the expertise puzzle—and not necessarily … [Link]
Mashable » Amanda Bynes DUI Arrest Ends Months of Calm for Troubled Actress
LOS ANGELES — After successfully evading the tabloid spotlight for months, Amanda Bynes was arrested Monday for driving under the influence of drugs, Mashable has confirmed. Bynes was picked up at 3:45 a.m. PT Monday in the San Fernando Valley community of Sherman Oaks, California, after her white Mercedes-Benz stopped in the middle of an intersection once the light had turned … [Link]
Mashable » The Hong Kong Kids Standing Up to Beijing
HONG KONG — Walk around the sprawling demonstration that is now enveloping large parts of Hong Kong, and you'll be struck by just how young many of the protesters are. See also: Hong Kong Protests: What You Need to Know About the Umbrella Revolution These are students and school kids — some in their school uniforms — many of them far … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » TRAILER ALERT: Book 4 of “Legend of Korra” [VIDEO]
Book 4 of The Legend of Korra is already coming out! The series, however, has now switched to digital, BUT that’s still not stopping fans’ excitement! Check out the trailer below ONLY IF YOU FINISHED SEASON 3! Book 4 premieres October 3rd! [via The Mary Sue] [Link]
Mashable » Aretha Franklin's Cover of 'Rolling in the Deep' Is Almost Better Than Adele's Original
Aretha Franklin is just asking for is a little respect for her impressive Adele cover The 72-year-old powerhouse has unleashed her version of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep," adding her familiar runs and spicing up the 2010 thumping breakup song by adding in a chorus from "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." See also: Set Fire to Your Ears With 2 … [Link]
Mashable » Behind the Scenes on the Set of 'NCIS: LA'
LOS ANGELES — NCIS: LA returns Monday for Season 6, and while it's now on a new night, it comes sporting the same wild action it's become known for. When Mashable visited the set last month, though, we saw no car chases, explosions or submarine rescues. But there were a lot of laughs — which isn't the case on every … [Link]
Mashable » Baby Won't Sleep? Try a Hangout With an Expert
Having a baby can be exhausting. Aside from the growing it and pushing it out part, the first few months (or even years) are riddled with little sleep, interrupted sleep, floor sleep, rocking chair sleep and sleep that leaves you guzzling coffee like there’s no tomorrow. According to a study covered by the Daily Mail, new parents lose an average of … [Link]
Slashdot » Microsoft Revives Its Hardware Conference
jfruh writes Microsoft's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference, or WinHEC, was an annual staple of the '90s and '00s: every year, execs from Redmond would tell OEMs what to expect when it came to Windows servers and PCs. The conference was wrapped with software into Build in 2009, but now it's being revived to deal with not just computers but also … [Link]
Mashable » Some Airline Passengers Are So Terrible, They Deserve to Be Called Out
The friendly skies are not looking so friendly. Every passenger reclines the seat once in a while or accidentally leaves trash on the chair, but some take selfish flying to a whole new levelPassenger Shaming calls out blatantly inconsiderate passengers and puts them on display for all the Internet to see. See also: 'Modern Family' Editor Live-Tweets Plane Passenger's Drunken Meltdown … [Link]
Mashable » 4 GMO Myths, Debunked
The Flavr Savr tomato first hit grocery stores in 1994 To the layman, it looked like any other produce fresh from the farm: plump and bulbous, with a rich, ruby hue. But it was hiding a secret. Thanks to a carefully crafted genetic modification of its seeds, the aptly-titled Flavr Savr was able to stay ripe much longer than regular … [Link]
Mashable » Firefighters Save Family of Hamsters With Tiny Oxygen Masks
There is no life too small to save The brave firefighters of Lacey Fire Department District 3 in Lacey, Washington, responded to a small fire in a mobile home on Friday, tweeting their progress as they contained the fire. See also: Japan Can't Get Enough Hamster Butts LFD3 currently working a mobile home fire in the 6800 block of Martin Waypic.twitter.com/JhZZ1bZLD5 … [Link]
Slashdot » Former GM Product Czar: Tesla a "Fringe Brand"
cartechboy writes There's been plenty of skepticism when it comes to Tesla. The Silicon Valley startup unveiled an all-electric car that stunned the world and had many other automakers rolling their eyes. Fast forward to 2014 and Tesla's preparing to launch its third model, the Model X. Production of the Model S sedan is humming along, and this new automaker … [Link]
Slashdot » Building Apps In Swift With Storyboards
Nerval's Lobster writes Apple touts the Swift programming language as easy to use, thanks in large part to features such as Interface Builder, a visual designer provided in Xcode that allows a developer to visually design storyboards. In theory, this simplifies the process of designing both screens and the connections between screens, as it needs no code and offers an … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Today in APIs: GlobalPayments Hosts Hackathon for Wearable Payment Solutions
GlobalPayments and CaixaBank will host a wearable payments hackathon October 24-25. Google launches the Apps Activity API. Plus: startup advice from Eric Migicovsky, and MutualMind jumps to the IBM cloud.
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Slashdot » Court Rules Nokia Must Pay Damages To Buyers of Faulty Phones In Mexico
An anonymous reader writes Nokia must pay damages to consumers in Mexico who reported malfunctioning handsets, following a court ruling for a trial that has lasted four years. The case was brought to court by Mexican watchdog Profeco in 2010, before the Finnish manufacturer was acquired by Microsoft – that deal was only completed earlier this year. Profeco added that … [Link]
Mashable » Ello, the Anti-Facebook, Weathers First Major Outage
The invite-only social network Ello, which has seemingly become an overnight sensation, has also drawn enough attention to become the victim of an attack that briefly disrupted its service. But it survived its first major outage on Sunday. Ello, which has apparently benefited from Facebook's crackdown on users who don't use their real names, was down for about 35 minutes on … [Link]
Mashable » Donald Trump Got Tricked Into Retweeting an Image of Serial Killers
Donald Trump is always happy to retweet a glowing compliment. So when Philip Bradbury sent along a picture of two people he claimed were his parents, asking Trump to share it, he quickly did so — to his nearly 3 million followers. The only problem: The image in question was not of Bradbury's parents. It was a picture of notorious serial … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » MonkeyLearn Launches Machine Learning Platform API
As one of the newest machine learning technologies, MonkeyLearn is positioning itself as developer-friendly and easy to integrate. It has learned what developers need most from the growth of predictive analytics and APIs released over the past year or so. ProgrammableWeb spoke with co-founder and CEO Martín Alcalá Rubí about how developers can easily get started with using predictive analytics … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Behind the smile: What dolphins really think
They have been hailed as the second most intelligent animal on the planet, but could a soft spot for dolphins have led us to terribly misjudge them? (full text available to subscribers) 
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Mashable » Kids Fail Miserably at Appreciating Skip-It
This is one of those … '50s toys, right? The Fine Bros asked kids for their thoughts on the legendary toy Skip-It, and we learned a few valuable lessons from their reactions For example: Kids today are not as receptive to corny commercials with lots of "WOW!" and "HEY KIDS BUY THIS!" as they were in the '90s. Kids with … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Intel Promotes Flying Selfie Mini-Drone
Intel is backing a competition that features a finalist with a spectacular spoof on modern tech culture. The prank involves developers supposedly putting together a wrist-mounted portable drone designed specifically for taking selfies. In a neat touch to make the gag a little more authentic, you have to grab the wristband from the air and reattach it (the idea that … [Link]
Mashable » Adobe Photoshop Is Coming to Chromebooks
Google just made Chromebooks an even more appealing option to schools and students. The company announced plans to partner with Adobe to offer a special cloud-based version of Photoshop to students and teachers who use Chromebooks in their classrooms. See also: 25 Best Free Android Apps The program, Project Photoshop Streaming, is still in beta and will be available to select … [Link]
Mashable » N64 Promo Video Brings Back All the Embarrassment of '90s Gaming
If you want to see exactly how far gaming has come in 18 years, let's think back to the Nintendo 64, the groundbreaking console that went on sale in the U.S. on Sept. 29, 1996. To promote the upcoming console, Nintendo sent Nintendo Power subscribers a VHS tape — because it was 1996 — that featured a 15-minute commercial. Along … [Link]
Mashable » When 'Star Wars' Was a Hit — in Navajo
The following exclusive extract from How Star Wars Conquered the Universe (Basic Books, 2014), is the story of the first movie ever translated into the Navajo language — and the impossible quest to find someone who knows nothing about the Star Wars franchise. George James Sr. was eighty-eight years old when I met him in July 2013, but in the crimson … [Link]
Mashable » FAA Reviewing Security After Chicago Air Traffic Snarl
WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing security practices and how it deals with unexpected incidents throughout its air traffic control facilities following last week's fire at a Chicago-area air traffic facility, agency administrator Michael Huerta said Monday. The fire brought flights at the city's two busy airports to a halt and disrupted air service across the country. Authorities say … [Link]
Slashdot » Google To Require As Many As 20 of Its Apps Preinstalled On Android Devices
schwit1 writes Google is looking to exert more pressure on device OEMs that wish to continue using the Android mobile operating system. Among the new requirements for many partners: increasing the number of Google apps that must be pre-installed on the device to as many as 20, placing more Google apps on the home screen or in a prominent icon … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » These Pancakes Are Too Beautiful To Eat (Almost!) [PICS]
Brek Nebel’s son asked him to make breakfast a little more fun, so Nebel decided to experiment with adding color and designs to pancakes. And then “Brekfast” got totally out of control!! …Adopt me?? (All photos by Brek Nebel) 
For more photos, Nebel’s tumblr. [via HLN.com] [Link]
Mashable » Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart and Chris Rock Heckle Derek Jeter One Last Time
After 20 seasons, Derek Jeter played his final game with the New York Yankees on Sunday, and it seems as though everyone has been paying tributes to the retiring captain. Comedians Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart and Chris Rock got in their final words with a farewell on Funny or Die, in which Ferrell dresses in a Red Sox cap and jersey; Hart … [Link]
Mashable » Paralyzed Rats Take 1,000 Computer-Controlled Steps
It’s a strange sight: a paralyzed rat walking on its hind legs in a precise cadence, all controlled by a computer. "It is a little bit Frankenstein," says Gregoire Courtine, a neuroscientist at the École Polytechnique Fédérale in Lausanne, Switzerland, who in a paper published Sept. 25 in Science Translational Medicine describes his efforts to use electronics to restore fluid, realistic … [Link]
New Scientist – News » How to be genuinely yourself when always online
If you want to be free in a digital age, must you switch off your computer, ask two new books, The End of Absence and The Glass Cage 
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Mashable » 5 Ways the Ad World Has Changed in the Last 10 Years
When Verizon Wireless wanted to drive more foot traffic to its retail stores last winter, the brand supplemented traditional advertising an onsite program called Stop Motion Studio. Customers could create short, animated videos, decorated with tiny snowmen, reindeer, Santas and other props, to use as their holiday greeting. While they were playing mini-movie mogul, they were also learning about their phone's … [Link]
Slashdot » Statistician Creates Mathematical Model To Predict the Future of Game of Thrones
KentuckyFC writes One way of predicting the future is to study data about events in the past and build a statistical model that generates the same pattern of data. Statisticians can then use the model to generate data about the future. Now one statistician has taken this art to new heights by predicting the content of the soon-to-be published novels … [Link]
Mashable » Ello Is No Facebook Killer
I’m afraid to say how I feel about Ello. I’ve been in this position before. A new social media platform arrives, everyone proclaims it the next big thing and better than all that’s come before or currently exists. I look at it and feel a profound sense of meh It’s not really Ello’s fault. The social network that seems to encourage … [Link]
Mashable » Listen to Lorde's Haunting 'Hunger Games' Song 'Yellow Flicker Beat'
Lorde, who is tasked with curating the entire Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 soundtrack, released the film's haunting lead-off single Monday. Seemingly stepping into Katniss Everdeen's shoes, the Grammy-winning teen aims to convey the rebellious heroine's mindset in musical form with "Yellow Flicker Beat." See also: 'Hunger Games: Mockingjay' Trailer: 'Peeta Is the Capitol's Weapon' "It's my first offering … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Google Updates: Node.js Client libraries Added, HTTP Load Balancing Preview Released
It has been a busy September for Google Cloud Platform, which saw interesting updates that included providing Node.js libraries for key Google Cloud Platform products and a release of the HTTP Load Balancing service in preview. Developer enhancements included support for Bitbucket library in the Push-To-Deploy feature.
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Mashable » 'The New Yorker' Does Its First GIF Cover
“Classy.” "Lovely and understated." "So beautiful it'll make you cry." Those were some of the early reviews of The New Yorker's magazine cover this week. It's certainly not the first time a New Yorker cover has been described as "beautiful," but the difference is that this time the cover is a GIF. The New Yorker, a bastion for arts, culture and … [Link]
Mashable » History Buffs Discover Their Hidden Past in New York Public Library
A lot of history happened before you came into the world. New York Public Library's Milstein Division of Genealogy is a public source for historical documents on local and national levels. History buffs, students or people just interested in learning a little more about their personal past come to search through its many stacks. Take a look at what visitors … [Link]
Mashable » 'Family Guy' Had Its Biggest Premiere Ratings In 4 Years Thanks to 'Simpsons' Crossover
Last night's Family Guy-Simpsons crossover episode was expectedly a hit on Sunday night. The episode, which acted as Family Guy's season opener, resulted in a 74% ratings increase over last year's premiere and gave the animated show its highest 18-49 ratings in nearly 4 years. See also: The Scene From the 'Family Guy' and 'Simpsons' Crossover You Almost Didn't See In … [Link]
Mashable » McDonald's Squid Ink Burger Is the Scariest Thing You'll See This Halloween
McDonald’s isn't going to let Burger King hog the limelight for its questionable goth burgers. Just a week ago, Burger King Japan announced it would be selling Kuro Diamond and Kuro Pearl burgers. That is, burgers with jet-black buns and accompanying blackened sauce and cheese (yum!). See also: Peach Butts in Panties Are China's Cheeky New Fad Of course, this week … [Link]
Slashdot » Marines Put Microsoft Kinect To Work For 3D Mapping
colinneagle points out this article about how the Marines are using a Microsoft Kinect to build maps. A military contractor has come up with something that has the U.S. Marine Corps interested. The Augmented Reality Sand Table is currently being developed by the Army Research Laboratory and was on display at the Modern Day Marine Expo that recently took place … [Link]
Slashdot » Marines Put Microsoft Kinect To Work For 3D Mapping
colinneagle points out this article about how the Marines are using a Microsoft Kinect to build maps. A military contractor has come up with something that has the U.S. Marine Corps interested. The Augmented Reality Sand Table is currently being developed by the Army Research Laboratory and was on display at the Modern Day Marine Expo that recently took place … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Iteris Brings High-Resolution Weather Data to Agriculture With New API
Iteris, a provider of traffic management and weather information solutions, last week released an API that gives agribusiness companies access to high-resolution weather data.
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Slashdot » How To Find the Right Open Source Project To Get Involved With
An anonymous reader writes Writing on Opensource.com, Matt Micene shares his thoughts on getting started with an open source project. "I came back from OSCON this year with a new fire to contribute to an open source project. I've been involved in open source for years, but lately I've been more of an enthusiast-evangelist than a hands-on-contributor to an open … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » The Batman Burger is Coming to Hong Kong
McDonalds restaurants located in Hong Kong have recently started offering Justice League-themed meals, starting with Batman’s “Diner Double Beef”, a burger composed of an egg siting on top of two meat patties. I’m not exactly sure what the relation is between Batman and this burger, but I see none at all. Maybe they should have used some black buns instead. … [Link]
Mashable » Get Lost in New York Public Library's Massive Map Collection
The New York Public Library is well known for its extensive collection of books, but the colossal institution also houses nearly 500,000 maps The massive cartographic collection spans across 500 years, including items such as hand-drawn maps by Maj. Gen. Daniel Butterfield who fought in the Civil War, fire insurance maps that document New York City at the building level, … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Today on New Scientist
All the latest on newscientist.com: electronics-frying space invaders, Japanese volcano, Arctic impact on jet stream, India's Mars triumph and more 
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Slashdot » Medical Records Worth More To Hackers Than Credit Cards
HughPickens.com writes Reuters reports that your medical information, including names, birth dates, policy numbers, diagnosis codes and billing information, is worth 10 times more than your credit card number on the black market. Fraudsters use this data to create fake IDs to buy medical equipment or drugs that can be resold, or they combine a patient number with a false … [Link]
Mashable » Global Warming Elevates Odds of Extreme Weather, From Australia to California
Manmade global warming is causing up to a tenfold increase in the risk for prolonged and severe heat waves, and is influencing other extreme weather and climate events, a slew of new studies found In a collection of 22 peer-reviewed analyses on 16 extreme weather and climate events during 2013, which were published Monday as a nearly 100-page report, international teams … [Link]
Mashable » Bank Robbery Suspect Has World's Happiest Mug Shot
In 2014, mug shots are the new Facebook profile pictures Michael Whitington, a 45-year-old bank robbery suspect, has what may be the happiest mug shot in all of criminal-land. The picture, provided by the Denver District Attorney's Office (surprisingly not provided by IMG Models), shows Whitington grinning from ear-to-ear See also: Step Aside, Mugshot Guy. The World Has a New Hot … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Japan eruption practically undetectable in advance
The type of eruption that left an ashen landscape at the peak of Mount Ontake could occur at many apparently sleeping volcanoes 
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Mashable » Vacuum-Loving Cat Is Too Lazy to Give a Single Care
Most animals will cower and hide in the deepest, darkest corner under the bed the very moment the vacuum cleaner is switched on — but not this cat. Bobo the cat either loves to be vacuumed or has completely given up on caring for anything at all — or maybe he just hit the catnip a little too hard Regardless, … [Link]
Mashable » GoPro's New 'Hero' Line Is Extreme Cameras on the Cheap
You may want to postpone your volcano selfies and mountain-climbing trips until Oct. 5 That’s when GoPro, the manufacturer of high-durability cameras made for extreme situations, is releasing its new line of devices: The GoPro Hero, the Hero4 Silver and the Hero4 Black. See also: You Can Now Strap a GoPro to Your Dog Its three new models vary in price … [Link]
Mashable » Live Updates: Hong Kong Protesters Swarm Streets in 'Umbrella Revolution'
Tens of thousands of protesters have blockaded the streets of Hong Kong to fight for democracy, shielding themselves from tear gas and pepper spray with surgical masks, goggles and umbrellas. See also: Hong Kong Protests: What You Need to Know About the Umbrella Revolution Demonstrators are outraged over China's plan for the 2017 vote for the city's leader. They want the … [Link]
Mashable » British Bytes: Tech Startups Share Their Favorite London Eats
Lured to London (and the United Kingdom as a whole) by small-business-friendly policies like special startup visas for employees and a reduced capital gains tax, startups in the city are now hiring and raising capital at record rates. According to CB Insights, London-based tech companies raised $1.23 billion across 231 deals from Q2 2013 to Q1 2014, a 206% growth in … [Link]
Mashable » 15-Year-Old Boy Makes a Poignant Case for Emma Watson's UN Speech
Emma Watson's moving and articulate speech at the United Nations last week, which encouraged men to embrace feminism and support a new campaign called HeForShe, has done just that In particular, it caught the attention of 15-year-old Ed Holtom in the UK. See also: 15 TED Talks That Will Change Your Life Holtom was so inspired by Watson's words that he … [Link]
Slashdot » Facebook's Atlas: the Platform For Advertisers To Track Your Movements
An anonymous reader writes In its most direct challenge to Google yet, Facebook plans to sell ads targeted to its 1.3 billion users when they are elsewhere on the Web. The company is rolling out an updated version of Atlas that will direct ads to people on websites and mobile apps. From the article: "The company said Atlas has been … [Link]
Slashdot » Study: An Evolutionary "Arms Race" Shaped the Human Genome
An anonymous reader writes "An evolutionary race between rival elements within the genomes of primates drove the evolution of complex regulatory networks that orchestrate the activity of genes in every cell of our bodies, reveals new research. The race was between mobile DNA sequences known as 'retrotransposons' (jumping genes) and the genes that have evolved to control them. Scientists at … [Link]
Mashable » Magazine Industry Bares All to Prove It Isn't Dead Yet
Falling advertising revenue, fewer pages, lower circulation — for years, this has been the narrative for magazines as media analysts have continued to predict the industry's slow demise. Those projections, argues Association of Magazine Media (MPA) CEO Mary Berner, are incomplete. To prove it, she's asking companies that are already under severe scrutiny to open up even more. See also: A … [Link]
Mashable » Adorable Pup Desperately Needs a Doggy Door
Despite encouragement and even a treat, this cute pup will not believe its owner that the glass door leading to the porch is completely open Perhaps an imaginary forcefield is holding it back, or maybe the dog has run into glass doors too many times. Either way, this dog deserves a doggy door. Get Lost in New York Public Library's … [Link]
Mashable » Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom Joins Walmart's Board of Directors
Smile, Walmart. Kevin Systrom, the cofounder and CEO of photo-sharing app Instagram, has joined Walmart's board of directors, effective immediately. In a statement, Walmart's chairman touted Systrom's "digital expertise" as "invaluable" for the retail chain's ecommerce efforts. See also: 20 Creative Hyperlapses From Instagram's New App “Walmart is investing in e-commerce capabilities through talent, technology and fulfillment," said Rob Walton, Walmart's … [Link]
Mashable » John Oliver Coins a New Slogan for Drones
John Oliver coined a new slogan for drones on Sunday's episode of Last Week Tonight: "Appealingly cheap and incredibly deadly." In response to news that the United States launched drone strikes in northwestern Pakistan and in Yemen, Oliver and his team of writers tried to find some concrete answers to questions about how and when the government decides to use … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » FEELIN’ ‘HORNY': See Daniel Radcliffe Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before! [PICS]
Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe has been known for breaking out of the boy wizard role and showing us all what he can really do, from starring in a musical-comedy on Broadway to baring all in the award-winning play, Equus. In case you haven’t heard, now he’s tackling the lead role in Horns, a movie based on the 2011 book … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Space Cat Hob: The Super Fun Animated Tale of a Space Cat [Video]
Space Cat Hob tells the tale of a space cat sent on a mission to reconquer a planet. The movie was done with zero budget and over the course of two years. [Liok | Via Neatorama] [Link]
Slashdot » Blood For Extra Credit Points Offer Raises Eyebrows In Test-Mad China
An anonymous reader writes Parents in China's Zhejiang province can give their own blood to earn some extra points on their child's high school entrance exam. Four liters of donated blood will get your child one extra point; 6 liters adds two points; and 8 liters, three. From the article: "The policy burst into the national limelight this week, when … [Link]
Mashable » Hey, Caffeine Addicts: It's National Coffee Day
Here's something that might help kickstart your week: Monday is National Coffee Day. Coffee Day is celebrated on Sept. 29 in a number of countries around the world, including Australia, Canada, England, Norway, Sweden and the United States. A love of caffeine knows no boundaries. See also: The 9 Types of Coffee Addicts Everyone Knows Here’s a rundown of where … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Dorkly Comic: Alcohol Hangovers vs. Gaming Hangovers
A fantastic and all too true comic by Dave Mercier (MercWorks) and Andrew Bridgman from Dorkly. 
[Source: Dorkly] [Link]
Mashable » Microsoft to Open Flagship Store Just Blocks From Apple in New York City
Soon, Apple won't be the only big tech company with a flagship store on Manhattan's ritzy Fifth Avenue. Microsoft is planning to open up its first flagship store at 677 Fifth Ave., about five blocks away from Apple's iconic cube store, the company confirmed to The Wall Street Journal late Sunday. See also: The Slow Evolution of Apple's Online Store "As … [Link]
Slashdot » Lenovo Set To Close $2.1 Billion Server Deal With IBM
An anonymous reader writes Lenovo has announced that it will be closing the acquisition deal of IBM's x86 server business on October 1. The closing purchase price is lower than the $2.3 billion announced in January because of a change in the valuation of inventory and deferred revenue liability, Lenovo said. Roughly $1.8 billion will be paid in cash and … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Amazon Deal of the Day: 50% Off X-Men: Days of Future Past [Blu-ray] – $19.99
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon has X-Men: Days of Future Past on Blu-ray for just $19.99. That’s 50% off the movie’s regular list price of $39.99. Please note that the movie is being released on Oct. 14, but if you order it now you’ll get it shipped to you the day it gets out. -X-Men: Days … [Link]
Mashable » Hong Kong Protests: What You Need to Know About the Umbrella Revolution
Tens of thousands of protesters blockaded the streets of Hong Kong over the weekend to fight for democracy, shielding themselves from tear gas and pepper spray with surgical masks, goggles and umbrellas. See also: Drone Footage Reveals Massive Scale of Hong Kong Protests The protest began peacefully on Wednesday but turned violent on Friday after police used batons and pepper spray … [Link]
Slashdot » Scientists Seen As Competent But Not Trusted By Americans
cold fjord writes The Woodrow Wilson School reports, "If scientists want the public to trust their research suggestions, they may want to appear a bit 'warmer,' according to a new review published by Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs. The review, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), shows that while Americans … [Link]
Mashable » Facebook Ads Will Follow You Around. Starting Now.
Good news for advertisers, but maybe not-so-great news for users concerned about their personal data: Starting Monday, Facebook will use data it gleans from users for its new ad network, Atlas, which it will serve up ads on non-Facebook sites based on what Facebook knows about you. Atlas is a former Microsoft property that Facebook bought last year for around $100 … [Link]
Mashable » Thor's Sex Change Is Nigh, But Her Identity Remains a Mystery
LOS ANGELES — Thor is becoming a woman this week, and the comic book horde hath questions. Like, how does that work? We thought "Thor" was a name — but is it just a title? What should we now call the guy played by Chris Hemsworth in the movies? And will the Odinson be around to witness it? SEE ALSO: Nice … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » “A Guide to ‘Star Trek’ Uniforms” [INFOGRAPHIC]
CostumeSupercenter.com created this infographic, just in time for Halloween! (And it’s particularly helpful to cosplayers!) 
[via Geek Girls] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » The Pizza That Can Do the Kessel Run In Less Than 12 Parsecs [Pic]
Redditor VaultOfDaedalus writes: So, my pizza looked like the Millennium Falcon upon opening the box. For those who are wondering, yes, these are hot dog sausages embedded in the crust, and apparently, these are available at Domino’s pizza. Om nom nom nom. [Via] [Link]
Slashdot » Apple Faces Large Penalties In EU Tax Probe
First time accepted submitter chasm22 writes EU Regulators are apparently set to accuse Apple and the Irish government of entering into several sweetheart deals that left Apple with lower taxes than what it legally owed. If the ruling is upheld, Apple could owe billions in back taxes. Interestingly, it seems that the Irish government would actually get the extra money … [Link]
Mashable » Protesters Topple Huge Lenin Statue in Eastern Ukraine
DONETSK, Ukraine — Thousands of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators in the eastern city of Kharkiv toppled a massive monument to former Soviet Union leader Vladimir Lenin on Sunday. In a scene reminiscent of the Euromaidan Revolution last winter, protesters surrounded the massive statue at Kharkiv’s Freedom Square and cheered in support as a man with an angle grinder sawed off one of Lenin’s … [Link]
Slashdot » Bash To Require Further Patching, As More Shellshock Holes Found
Bismillah writes Google security researcher Michael 'lcamtuf' Zalewski says he's discovered a new remote code execution vulnerability in the Bash parser (CVE-2014-6278) that is essentially equivalent to the original Shellshock bug, and trival to exploit. "The first one likely permits remote code execution, but the attack would require a degree of expertise to carry out," Zalewski said. "The second one … [Link]
Mashable » 10 One-Star Yelp Reviews of Majestic National Parks
Some people are impossible to please. While it might seem strange, given their beauty, it turns out that a few national park visitors aren't leaving their vacations satisfied at all. And they're taking to Yelp to voice their complaints. See also: 14 Gorgeous Posters to Celebrate National Park Week After being tipped off to the trend of one-star national park reviews … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » You Can Be Sexy Olaf for Halloween This Year + Other Sexy “Frozen” Costumes
It had to happen I guess, someone absolutely had to make a sexy version of Olaf from Frozen for Halloween this year. Yandy.com is well known for their slightly “risqué” costumes, and the rest of their Frozen-inspired costumes are totally ok, but Olaf, really? 
[Yandy – Sexy Halloween Costumes] [Link]
Mashable » 18 Unnecessary Quotation Marks That Ruined Everything
Grammar is hard and punctuations marks can drastically change the message you're trying to convey. A perfectly normal statement can become incredibly weird with a couple of misplaced quotation marks. See also: 16 Ways to Photoshop Your Boring Baby Pics Into Works of Art The biggest offender of misplaced quotation marks seems to be sign makers. Instead of underlining or italicizing … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Chagos marine reserve polluted by politics
Exiled Chagossian islanders complain that a marine reserve gives fish more rights than them. They have a point, says Fred Pearce 
[Link]
Mashable » 7 Secret Apps to Hide Your Sexy Photos
As long as smartphones have cameras, people will take nude selfies But when the steamy sexting game is over, keeping risqué photos in your phone's camera album is an awkward moment waiting to happen. The last thing you want is to be showing friends and family your vacation photos and then accidentally give them an embarrassing glimpse of your naked mirror … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Four short links: 29 September 2014
How Community Feedback Shapes Behaviour (PDF) — Not only do authors of negatively-evaluated content contribute more, but also their future posts are of lower quality, and are perceived by the community as such. Moreover, these authors are more likely to … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Why we weren't ready for Ebola
Peter Piot co-discovered the deadly virus nearly 40 years ago, but says it wasn't thought a major public health threat – until now 
[Link]
Mashable » 'Modern Family' Editor Live-Tweets Plane Passenger's Drunken Meltdown
As an Emmy-winning editor of Modern Family, Ryan Case has a professionally tuned sense of comic timing — and the Twitter sass to match — but it took a cosmic coincidence to put Case in a seat behind a severely drunken passenger so lacking in self-awareness that if she were a character on TV, we'd laugh the writers out of the … [Link]
Mashable » The Largest Passenger Plane in the World Will Fly the Longest Route in the World
SYDNEY — Sorry Dallas, you are going to be seeing a lot more Aussies flooding in. Today, Australia's national airline Qantas made aviation history by launching the longest flight in the world with the world's largest passenger plane. See also: How to Survive a Plane Crash The Airbus A380 super-jumbo will fly six times a week on the massive 13,800 km … [Link]
Mashable » 'Umbrella Revolution' Protests Spread in Hong Kong
HONG KONG — Pro-democracy protesters wearing masks and wielding umbrellas to protect against pepper spray and tear gas expanded their rallies throughout Hong Kong on Monday, defying calls to disperse in a major pushback against Beijing's decision to limit democratic reforms in the Asian financial hub. Riot police withdrew from the extraordinary scene of chaotic tear gas-fueled clashes that erupted the … [Link]
Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: Multimedia-Based Wiki For Learning and Business Procedures?
kyle11 writes I'm scratching my head at how to develop a decent wiki for a large organization I work in. We support multiple technologies, across multiple locations, and have ways of doing things that become exponentially convoluted. I give IT training to many of these users for a particular technology, and other people do for other stuff as well. Now, … [Link]
Mashable » The Scene From the 'Family Guy' and 'Simpsons' Crossover You Almost Didn't See
Going into the Family Guy/Simpsons crossover episode, in which the Griffins visited Springfield, executive producers Steve Callaghan and Rich Appel sort of had free reign They could use any Simpsons character they wanted, had minimal script notes from the Simpsons powers that be, and, overall, a process of almost un-Hollywood levels of smoothness But there was one scene, however, that almost … [Link]
Mashable » 11 Things That Happened in 2014 That You Forgot
News has moved so quickly for so many years now that it's sometimes hard to remember what happened a week ago, let alone back in January. From the rise and burnout of Flappy Bird to North Korea's first marathon open to foreigners, a lot happened this past year. Dredging up some of these (not so) old stories is our way of … [Link]
Slashdot » EU Gives Google Privacy Policy Suggestions About Data Protection
itwbennett writes In a letter to Google (PDF) that was published Thursday, the Article 29 Working Party, an umbrella group for European data protection authorities, said Google's privacy policy, in addition to being clear and unambiguous, should also include an exhaustive list of the types of personal data processed. But if all that information is overwhelming to users, Google should … [Link]
Mashable » Drone Beat: Hollywood Drones, a $3,200 Fine And More
The U.S. government uses them to bomb alleged terrorists in far-away places. Tech companies such as Amazon, Google and Facebook are all toying with the idea of using them, and now they're a photographer's secret weapon. Drones are a big part of our lives, whether we see them or not. Drone Beat collects the best and most important stories every week. … [Link]
Mashable » Ferguson Protesters to Hong Kong: Stay Strong
FERGUSON, Missouri — Along with signs dedicated to Mike Brown, protesters in Ferguson on Sunday night also had banners of support for Hong Kong, where political demonstrations have turned the city into a scene of tear gas-fueled clashes The signs, which read "Stay Strong" and "Hands Up! Don't Shoot!" in both English and traditional Chinese, were created by Keith Rose, who … [Link]
Mashable » How to Survive a Plane Crash
An overwhelming majority of the 93,500 flights taking off around the globe every day make it to their destination safely. But for the handful of flights that run into problems, there are techniques and tips for passengers that will increase their odds of living to tell the tale. British Airways is now offering a half-day course for 135 pounds (about $220) … [Link]
Mashable » 'The Simpsons' Killed Someone in the Season Premiere, and Some People Were Not Happy
As has been teased for several months, The Simpsons killed off a character during the season premiere Sunday night, but, as Bart would put it: What the Hell, man? After all the hype, many people went into tonight's episode — eerily called "Clown in the Dumps" — expecting to see Krusty kick the bucket. But, in fact, as we predicted, it … [Link]
Mashable » 'Downton Abbey' Episode 2 Recap: Secrets and Lies
Editor’s note: The following article contains spoilers about the new season of Downton Abbey, which has started airing in the UK. If you wish to remain spoiler-free until the season starts in the United States, please avert your eyes. LONDON, ENGLAND — Everyone is cleaning up some messes in episode 2 of Downton Abbey's Season 5 — and not all of … [Link]
Mashable » Drone Footage Reveals Massive Scale of Hong Kong Protests
The political protests currently taking place in the normally sedate confines of Hong Kong, referred to by many on social media as "Occupy Central," have captured the world's attention. But despite the photos of the protests being shared online, the sheer scale of the massive protest may be lost on some, until now One of the local news agencies covering … [Link]
Slashdot » Piracy Police Chief Calls For State Interference To Stop Internet "Anarchy"
An anonymous reader writes The City of London Police's Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) is determined to continue its anti-piracy efforts in the years to come. However, the unit's head, Andy Fyfe, also believes that the government may have to tighten the rules on the Internet to stop people from breaking the law. PIPCU's chief believes the public has to … [Link]
The Joy of Tech » JoT #2052: The Roaring Benders!
Spacecat presents a brief history of the early 21st century… If you enJoyed, please retweet, Like, or share the URL! [Link]
Mashable » 5 Ways to Find Jobs at Companies Focused on Social Good
According to a 2014 international survey by Deloitte, 50% of millennials want to work for a business with ethical practices. The findings suggest that many within the generation believe the success of a business should be measured by more than just profits — including how the company contributes to improving society as a whole. This is no surprise, given the influence … [Link]
Mashable » 'Once Upon a Time' Adds to 'Frozen' Mythology in Season Premiere
Once Upon a Time has Frozen over, but things weren't all icy when we returned to Storybrooke in the Season 4 premiere, "A Tale of Two Sisters." In fact, one Rumpelstiltskin and Belle scene almost had me tearing up from all the Beauty and the Beast nostalgia. However, any happiness was offset by Regina back in Evil Queen mode (with her … [Link]
Mashable » Study Finds Online Daters Marry Less, Break Up More
Looking for love online? Don't get too excited by dating sites' success stories. According to a new study, couples who meet online are less likely to get married, and more likely to split up "Is Online Better Than Offline for Meeting Partners? Depends: Are You Looking to Marry or to Date?" analyzed data from another study called "How Couples Meet and … [Link]
Mashable » Instagram Blocked in China Amid Violent Protests in Hong Kong
As the political protests in Hong Kong have intensified over the last few days, reports have surfaced that Instagram had been blocked in mainland China on Sunday According to a report from Reuters, Hong Kong-based reporters from The New York Times confirmed that the photo sharing service was inaccessible in mainland China See also: Hong Kong Protesters Met by Violent Police … [Link]
Slashdot » Kano Ships 18,000 Learn-To-Code Computer Kits
drkim writes Kano Computing is a startup that plays in the learn-to-code space by adding a step-by-step, hand-holding layer atop the Raspberry Pi to make learning about computational thinking child's play. Kano has now shipped all the hardware kits in its first batch of crowdfunded orders and pre-orders. That's around 18,000 kits in all, co-founder Alex Klein confirmed to TechCrunch. … [Link]
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