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 » Kobe Bryant to pass Michael Jordan in scoring by stealing all his moves
If he scores 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night, Kobe Bryant will pass Michael Jordan to take sole possession of third place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. If he doesn't do it Friday, he'll almost certainly do it Sunday against the Sacramento Kings It's a hell of an achievement by Bryant and a testament to … [Link]
Mashable » CIA torture report cast of characters: Where are they now?
This week, the government released a long-awaited report on torture committed by the CIA The report examines how agents brutally interrogated prisoners at black sites around the world in the aftermath of 9/11, and is a revealing look at the government officials who created the secret program and those who carried it out. Mashable took a look at the key figures … [Link]
Slashdot » 'Revolving Door' Spins Between AT&T, Government
An anonymous reader sends this quote from the Center for Public Integrity: That AT&T just won an eight-figure contract to provide the federal government's General Services Administration with new mobile devices isn't itself particularly notable. What is: Casey Coleman, an AT&T executive responsible for "delivering IT and professional services to federal government customers," oversaw the GSA's information technology division and … [Link]
Mashable » Vikings' Adrian Peterson to remain suspended due to child-abuse case
MINNEAPOLIS — An arbiter appointed by the NFL ruled Friday that Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson will remain suspended until at least next spring in the child-abuse case that has sidelined him for all but one game this season. The decision by Harold Henderson, a former league official, upheld the NFL's decision last month to suspend Peterson without pay … [Link]
Mashable » Google's latest Easter eggs are a barrel of LMAO
You may remember the silly tricks Google hid away in its search engine years ago, such as flipping the screen when you type "do a barrel roll." Now it seems the tech giant just built a whole lot more of this kind of whimsy for us to uncover — this time, in Google Hangouts (formerly known as Google chat). In a … [Link]
Mashable » Spider-Man may appear in 'Captain America 3,' but not with Andrew Garfield
Despite their public protestations to the contrary, it looks like Sony is working with licensing Spider-man to Disney for use in Marvel's Captain America 3. Just not with Andrew Garfield in the spidey-suit. The widely-rumored revelation comes from the email inbox of Sony Pictures co-chairman Amy Pascal, part of an unprecedented hack last month with new details continuing to leak out … [Link]
Mashable » The gift of sport: 7 presents perfect for the inspired athlete
Every holiday list has at least one — that recipient who's on the path to bettering themselves in their active lifestyle Whether it's hockey or it's golf, buying for the sporting enthusiast isn't just about generating a stocking stuffer that matches their interests. It's about the inspiration and potential that every item in their athletic repertoire represents And so, our list … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Google Earth API Set for Execution
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Slashdot » Hollywood's Secret War With Google
cpt kangarooski writes: Information has come to light (thanks to the recent Sony hack) that the MPAA and six major studios are pondering the legal actions available to them to compel an entity referred to as 'Goliath,' most likely Google, into taking aggressive anti-piracy action on behalf of the entertainment industry. The MPAA and member studios Universal, Sony, Fox, Paramount, … [Link]
Mashable » Giggle like Chris Pratt at delightful 'Guardians of the Galaxy' bloopers
Even CGI superheroes mess up sometimes. A featurette from the Guardians of the Galaxy Blu-ray shows a blooper reel of the cast and crew. Chris Pratt giggles like a little kid, Glenn Close face palms after flubbing a line and animators even took the time to produce Groot and Rocket's funny mistakes. These are the people who are protecting the … [Link]
Mashable » Watch Aretha Franklin sing 'Happy Birthday' to Taylor Swift
Aretha Franklin showed some R.E.S.P.E.C.T. to Taylor Swift on Friday, just hours before the "Shake It Off" singer turns 25 at midnight on Dec. 13, by singing "Happy Birthday." The Queen of Soul sang the tune onstage to Swift, who got up and hugged Franklin at the end of it. Watch the serenade, which took place at Billboard's Women in … [Link]
Mashable » A 'weak' outcome feared as Lima climate talks look to stretch into weekend
Diplomats at the United Nations Climate Summit in Lima, Peru, have had a deceptively difficult task during the past two weeks: come up with a draft agreement that can be further honed over the course of the next year, and agreed to at a summit in Paris in December 2015. However, they do not need to finalize all the language, dotting … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » New Voices.com API Exposes Voice-Over Database
Voices.com, an industry-leading website that connects businesses with professional voice talent, has released an API that provides access to its database of more than 125,000 voice-over professionals. The API allows businesses to integrate on-demand Voices.com talent directly into a corporate website.
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Slashdot » BGP Hijacking Continues, Despite the Ability To Prevent It
An anonymous reader writes: BGPMon reports on a recent route hijacking event by Syria. These events continue, despite the ability to detect and prevent improper route origination: Resource Public Key Infrastructure. RPKI is technology that allows an operator to validate the proper relationship between an IP prefix and an Autonomous System. That is, assuming you can collect the certificates. ARIN … [Link]
Mashable » LeBron James was not inappropriate with Kate Middleton, says Palace
At the wholly surreal NBA game on Monday night, LeBron James donned an "I can't breathe" shirt for warmups in Brooklyn. He then proceeded to score 18 points and dish out seven assists in front of two royal families — including the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. After the game, James posed for the photo above with the royal couple — … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Are the Cookies Cool Yet? [Comic]
[Source: The Odd 1s Out | Like “The Odd 1s Out” on Facebook] [Link]
Mashable » 'Bionic Bra' could revolutionize the brassiere as we know it
Australian researchers are working on the the world's first Bionic Bra that tightens and adjusts based on breast movement The Bionic Bra, which has been in development for more than 15 years, adds a modern spin to an ancient necessity. Many women do not wear the correct bra size; in fact a good deal of bras on the market don't provide … [Link]
Mashable » 14 gifts to satisfy any foodie
You can’t really go wrong sending delicious treats to someone during the holidays (who’s going to say no to chocolate?), but there are certain gifts (hot cocoa in a bag, a boring bottle of wine, etc.) that have been given ad nauseam for decades and scream “I don’t know a lot about you and gave this gift 30 seconds of thought.” … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Video Games As Art Debate Rolls On
A games industry body has called for video games to be legally classified in Europe as a cultural product rather than software. TIGA also wants local laws changed to make it easier to recruit development staff from abroad. While there’s a longstanding philosophical debate about whether video games can be art (brilliantly satirised by Sophie Houlden’s exploration of whether art … [Link]
Slashdot » IsoHunt Unofficially Resurrects the Pirate Bay
An anonymous reader writes: Torrent site isoHunt appears to have unofficially resurrected The Pirate Bay at oldpiratebay.org. At first glance, The Old Pirate Bay seems to be just a commemorative site for The Pirate Bay, which went down this week after police raided its data center in Sweden. Upon further inspection, however, it turns out the site is serving new … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Stephen Colbert Interviews Smaug The Dragon [Video]
Watch as Smaug gets interviewed at the Colbert Report by Stephen Colbert! [Source] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Interesting Facts about the Science of Stars [Video]
This video was created by data design agency After the Flood for BBC Science and Nature and takes a look at the science of Stars. Fascinating stuff. [After the Flood] [Link]
Mashable » United Airlines passengers stranded for 8 hours on runway in Australia
Passengers on a United Airlines flight to Sydney, Australia, from San Francisco were stranded on a tarmac in Canberra because of runway debris at Sydney Airport Flight UA863 spent eight hours in Canberra — an approximately three-hour drive from Sydney — with passengers stranded on the runway because customs and immigration regulations prohibited them from entering the airport. The journey, … [Link]
Mashable » Sony took pains to remove all references to itself from 'The Interview'
Even before Sony Pictures servers were hacked, with reports surfacing that North Korea might be responsible, Sony was mindful of the fallout from its upcoming comedy, The Interview In the the movie, which premiered Thursday night in Los Angeles and opens nationwide on Christmas, James Franco and Seth Rogen are unlikely assassins of North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un. And the conversations … [Link]
Mashable » Search giant Baidu invests in Uber as China's car service market heats up
Uber will take a major step toward expansion in China with an investment from search giant Baidu, according to various reports Baidu will add up to $600 million to Uber's already massive stockpile of cash in return for a minority stake, according to reports from Bloomberg and China National Radio. The move gives Uber a powerful partner in China, a market … [Link]
Mashable » Channel 4 set to introduce pop star with prosthetic limb during 'X Factor' final
LONDON — Channel 4 is set to air a video that challenges preconceptions of what makes a pop star during Sunday's final for The X Factor. A promo for "Prototype," a song by alternative pop artist Viktoria Modesta, who has a prosthetic leg, will debut in one of the singing-competition show's ad breaks. The clip, above, shows Modesta performing a … [Link]
Slashdot » Possible Dark Matter Signal Spotted
TaleSlinger sends this news from Space.com: Astronomers may finally have detected a signal of dark matter, the mysterious and elusive stuff thought to make up most of the material universe. While poring over data collected by the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton spacecraft, a team of researchers spotted an odd spike in X-ray emissions coming from two different celestial objects — … [Link]
Mashable » How to build the biggest trivia app in the world
Humans are show-offs by nature. Everyone wants everyone else in the room to know how much they know; why else shout out the answers while watching Jeopardy? Trivia games aren't new or inventive by any means, but Icelandic native Thor Fridriksson found a way to turn the age-old game of knowledge competition into an innovative and community-driven app called QuizUp, which … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » New U.S. DOJ APIs Expose Legal Jobs and News
This week, the Department of Justice launched two new APIs: the DOJ News API and the DOJ Law Jobs API.
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Slashdot » 2014 Geek Gift Guide
With the holidays coming up, Bennett Haselton has updated his geek-oriented gift guide for 2014. He says: Some of my favorite gifts to give are still the ones that were listed in several different previously written posts, while a few new cool gift ideas emerged in 2014. Here are all my current best recommendations, listed in one place. Read on … [Link]
Mashable » Setting Up Shop: Azalina's kitchen opens, Airbnb places a massive order
We first met Azalina Eusope back in June, when she had locked down a space for both a commissary and a brick-and-mortar space in Twitter's San Francisco headquarters after a two-year hunt for the locations. Since then, it's been a whirlwind for this entrepreneur, who's been setting up her kitchen and new restaurant while also maintaining her successful food truck, … [Link]
Mashable » #HanukkahSongs is the answer to your Hanukkah prayers
Jimmy Fallon must know that Hanukkah observers are getting a bit disenchanted from listening to the same Adam Sandler song every year. On Thursday's Tonight Show, Fallon introduced the #HanukkahSongs hashtag to the world, asking Twitter to make its favorite nonsecular tunes into glorious homages to the pop culture-neglected holiday. Who knew that simply swapping out Miley Cyrus' wrecking ball … [Link]
Mashable » Study reveals how many times you should be checking email daily to reduce stress
Checking email may be an addictive habit, but not surprisingly, researchers say the more you refresh your inbox, the more stressed you'll become. According to a study out of the University of British Columbia, there's a cap on the number of times you should check email throughout the day to reduce stress: three. See also: 5 Google Inbox features that will … [Link]
Mashable » Finally: Study confirms men take more idiotic risks
The theory that men frequently do stupid things is now supported by the first systematic analysis of sex differences in risk-taking behavior. Published in the Christmas issue of the BMJ, the study reviews the data on winners of the Darwin Award, given to individuals who perish as a result of their own poor judgment. It's known that males are more likely … [Link]
Mashable » Early childhood education needs to start earlier than pre-K
“Is my 18-month old already behind for schooling?" That was the subject line of a recent post on the D.C. Urban Moms and Dads online discussion forum. The anonymous author was reacting to an article written by a mom who had hired an education consultant to help her navigate the preschool enrollment process for her 6-month-old daughter. "Is this normal?" the … [Link]
Slashdot » Is Enterprise IT More Difficult To Manage Now Than Ever?
colinneagle writes: Who's old enough to remember when the best technology was found at work, while at home we got by with clunky home computers and pokey dial-up modems? Those days are gone, and they don't look like they're ever coming back. Instead, today's IT department is scrambling to deliver technology offerings that won't get laughed at — or, just … [Link]
Mashable » Apple-1 computer sold at auction for $365,000
A 1976 Apple-1 computer from Steve Jobs’ garage sold for $365,000 at a Christie’s auction Thursday. The machine, hand-built by Steve Wozniak, consists of an Apple-1 motherboard, a keyboard in a wooden case and a monitor. A cassette player (for operation demonstration purposes), an operation manual, specifications and original checks used to purchase the computer were also included See also: … [Link]
Slashdot » 3D Printer Owner's Network Puts Together Buyer's Guide
Lucas123 writes: Thousands of 3D printer owners who are part of a distributed online network were tapped for a buyer's guide, rating dozens of machines from tiny startups to major manufacturers. Surprisingly, the big-name 3D printer makers were nowhere to be found in the top picks. More obscure companies, like Makergear, a 12-person start-up in Ohio, or Zortrax, a Polish … [Link]
Mashable » Now it's SoCal's turn to experience the 'Pineapple Express' storm
The intense storm system that first came ashore across the West Coast on Thursday continues to cause problems in California, this time mainly in southern parts of the state. A narrow but thick plume of moisture from the tropics, also known as the "Pineapple Express," took aim at San Diego and the Los Angeles area on Friday morning Flash flood warnings … [Link]
Mashable » Lyft's cofounder on how Uber has helped it succeed
“Sorry, I was in the zone," John Zimmer says on the phone when he calls me back. He's feeling productive and in good spirits. Pumped, even. Ready and excited to talk. On the one hand, this shouldn't be too surprisingLyft, the company he cofounded with Logan Green in 2012, has undoubtedly been one of the bigger successes of 2014. It raised … [Link]
Mashable » The battle for Soho’s soul: How Londoners are fighting development in the capital
On a bright, crisp Saturday morning, a coffin makes its way through Soho in central London. Its bearers’ morose faces hint at a devastating loss, but their attire adds a different dimension to the story. Orange wigs mingle with theatrical skull staffs, burlesque dancers skip around sharp suited men, while a woman crowned with leather horns brings up the rear. This … [Link]
Mashable » Michel du Cille captured the daily heartbreak of Ebola in Liberia
Michel du Cille, the 58-year-old Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post photojournalist, died on Thursday while on assignment in Liberia. He collapsed while returning on foot from a village where he was working on a project; he was taken to a hospital but was declared dead upon arrival of an apparent heart attack. Du Cille, who documented international and domestic crises for the past … [Link]
Slashdot » Tracking the Mole Inside Silk Road 2.0
derekmead writes: The arrest of the Silk Road 2.0 leader and subsequent seizure of the site was partially due to the presence of an undercover U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent, who "successfully infiltrated the support staff involved in running the Silk Road 2.0 website," according to the FBI. Referencing multiple interviews, publicly available information, and parts of the moderator … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Today on New Scientist
All the latest on newscientist.com: fungal fighters, fight back against online misogyny, singing genes, great wall of trees, appetite killer and more 
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New Scientist – News » Cosmic collision sparks blinding x-ray light show
As a pair of colliding galaxies merges, a flurry of forming stars produce ultra-bright x-ray bursts 
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O'Reilly News and Commentary » Designers are engineers
The discipline of design is morphing. Designers’ roles and responsibilities are expanding at a tremendous pace. Jonathan Follett, editor of Designing for Emerging Technologies recently sat down with Dirk Knemeyer, founder of Involution Studios, who contributed to the book. Knemeyer … [Link]
Slashdot » Computer Error Grounds Flights In the UK
Rambo Tribble writes: Reuters reports that flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, and many other airports have been shut down "due to a computer failure." The information comes from European air traffic control body Eurocontrol. No official word as yet as to the nature of the failure. "One source told the BBC the problem was caused by a computer glitch that co-ordinates … [Link]
Mashable » New York City's subway problems converge on evening commute, cause chaos
Thursday night's commute on New York City's subways was worse than rush hour — you could call it "commute-ageddon." According to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the trouble began when a power outage hit a group of subway lines, causing signals to go out. Then a fire in a manhole south of West 4th Street damaged more signal cables, which knocked out … [Link]
New Scientist – News » How to think about… Quantum reality
To get to grips with quantum physics, you need to retrain your intuition, or possibly just give up any sense of reality at all (full text available to subscribers) 
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Mashable » NASA interns launch genius 'All About That Space' parody
The space nerds at NASA have officially hopped on the Meghan Trainor parody train with their ode to the Orion spacecraft, "All About That Space." The Pathways Interns of NASA's Johnson Space Center recorded and filmed the parody song to encourage further public interest in Orion, which saw its first successful test flight on Dec. 5. The spacecraft orbited Earth … [Link]
Slashdot » Time To Remove 'Philosophical' Exemption From Vaccine Requirements?
An anonymous reader writes: Michigan has a problem. Over the past decade, the number of unvaccinated kindergartners has spiked. "Nearly half of the state's population lives in counties with kindergarten vaccination rates below the level needed for "herd immunity," the public health concept that when at least 93 percent of people are vaccinated, their immunity protects the vulnerable and prevents … [Link]
Mashable » ‘Blank Space’ parody about coffee is the exhausted mom’s anthem
Everyone thought Taylor Swift was singing "Starbucks lovers" instead of "list of ex-lovers" the first time they heard "Blank Space" — and sleep-deprived moms needed to hear it Whats Up Moms' parody of Swift's hit is a reminder that love can make you crazy, but so can crying babies. #HanukkahSongs is the answer to your Hanukkah prayers NASA interns launch … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Fungal fighters: Cruel weapons of the forest floor
From body invasion Alien-style to hallucinogenic poisons and limpet mines, fungi have astonishingly creative ways of dispatching their foes (full text available to subscribers) 
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New Scientist – News » Bacterial waste makes you feel fuller for longer
Doughnuts? No thank you. An edible powder made from stuff our gut bacteria excrete can stop people gaining weight when taken daily 
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Mashable » Sea of clouds fills Grand Canyon in spectacular weather phenomenon
A breathtaking weather phenomenon turned the Grand Canyon into a cauldron of soupy cloud cover on Thursday The rare scenes were caused by a temperature inversion, which involves cold air filling the canyon while warm air lies above it, trapping the fog in place since the denser cold air hugs the ground. See also: Mesmerizing drone video reveals a foggy Dallas … [Link]
Mashable » Korean Air Lines chairman publicly apologizes for 'nut rage' incident
“Please blame me, it’s all my fault,” Korean Air Lines chairman Cho Yang-ho, said at a press conference Friday. “I failed to bring her up properly.” And so continues the fallout from an incident on a flight last week, when Cho Hyun-ah, the chairman's daughter and the airline's vice-president, delayed departure over the proper etiquette for serving macadamia nuts. Hyun-ah resigned … [Link]
Mashable » Flights delayed after London airspace restriction
London airspace was restricted for several hours Friday due to computer failure, with the outage causing severe delays. See also: Stubborn swan delays flights in London A problem at NATS' air traffic control centre at Swanwick on Friday afternoon caused the issue. "NATS can confirm that a technical problem has been reported at Swanwick air traffic control centre," they said. "We … [Link]
Slashdot » Ford Ditches Microsoft Partnership On Sync, Goes With QNX
Freshly Exhumed writes: Ford's in-car infotainment system known as Sync will soon evolve to add a capacitive touch screen, better integration with smartphone apps and, eventually, support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in version 3, thanks to a switch of operating systems. After years of teaming with Microsoft, the automobile giant has switched to BlackBerry's QNX, a real time … [Link]
Mashable » Bill Nye explains evolution using emoji
Kids growing up in the '90s didn't have the luxury of sending cartoon images via electronic signals to each other. They had to use words. WORDS. They did, however, have Bill Nye the Science Guy to teach them how much science ruled — so it wasn't all bad. See also: 5 Fun Science Experiments for Kids Still, it's clear that … [Link]
New Scientist – News » The fight back against rape and death threats online
Twitter, police and law courts are waking up to the ugly abuse that women endure online, with systems, algorithms and trials closing in on perpetrators 
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Mashable » YouTube finally lets you make GIFs without leaving YouTube
This story was updated at 11:52 a.m. ET to include comments from YouTube and PBS. Without any fanfare, YouTube has introduced a built-in GIF creation tool for selected videos and channels. Andy Baio, a former CTO of Kickstarter, first spotted the update on Thursday. See also: GIF vs. JIF: You're Probably Still Saying It Wrong The rollout is limited for the … [Link]
Mashable » NBA power rankings: Judgment day at the season's quarter pole
A theory among some NBA lifers says it's pointless to even try to judge a team until it's played at least 20 games together. This week, all 30 NBA teams passed the current season's 20-game mark. So guess what? It's time for — thunder cracks, lightning flashes — JUDGMENT See also: LeBron James can't breathe: A sports superstar finds his voice … [Link]
Mashable » London protestors rally against UK porn laws by sitting on each others' faces
LONDON — Hundreds of protestors have descended on Parliament to protest against new porn regulations. A mass "face-sitting" is being staged Friday at the Old Palace Yard in central London to challenge a recent law included in the Audiovisual Media Services Regulations 2014, which bans a variety of activities from being depicted in online porn. See also: Porn stars use their … [Link]
Slashdot » Once Again, Baltimore Police Arrest a Person For Recording Them
MobyDisk writes: A lawsuit was filed yesterday over a case in which a woman was arrested for recording the police from her car while stopped in traffic. Ars Technica writes, "Police erased the 135-second recording from the woman's phone, but it was recovered from her cloud account according to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City lawsuit, which seeks $7 million." … [Link]
Mashable » 'We are all heartbroken': Washington Post photojournalist dies in Liberia
Photojournalist Michel du Cille, a three-time Pulitzer Prize winner who recently captured compelling images of Ebola patients and their caretakers, died in Liberia while on assignment for The Washington Post. He was 58. The Post reported du Cille collapsed Thursday while returning on foot from a Liberian village where he'd been working on an assignment. He was taken over dirt roads … [Link]
Mashable » Flight diverted after passenger throws scalding hot water at flight attendant
A Thai airline flight to China returned to Bangkok after a passenger assaulted a flight attendant by tossing hot water at her, the airline said Friday. A statement from budget airline Thai AirAsia said the Chinese passenger on a Thursday evening charter flight to Nanjing berated the crew member, before scalding her with the water. It said colleagues gave her first … [Link]
Slashdot » "Lax" Crossdomain Policy Puts Yahoo Mail At Risk
msm1267 writes A researcher disclosed a problem with a loose cross-domain policy for Flash requests on Yahoo Mail that put email message content, contact information and much more at risk. The researcher said the weakness is relatively simple to exploit and puts users at high risk for data loss, identity theft, and more. Yahoo has patched one issue related to … [Link]
Mashable » 5 smartphone innovations coming in 2015
Think that brand-new smartphone in your pocket is pretty cool? In just a few short months it’ll be officially obsolete. In early 2015, the first phones with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chip will arrive on store shelves, and they’re going to power all kinds of new experiences in the next generation of mobile devices. Qualcomm Snapdragon processors power virtually all of … [Link]
Slashdot » Google Closing Engineering Office In Russia
An anonymous reader writes: The Wall Street Journal reports (paywalled) that Google is closing its engineering office in Russia. This follows ever-increasing crackdowns from the Russian government over internet freedoms, and intrusive data-handling requirements on internet companies. "[A] new law that takes effect next year requires information on Russian citizens to be stored in data centers in Russia. The law … [Link]
Mashable » Huge anti-police violence protests set for D.C. and NYC
This Saturday could mark the largest anti-police violence protests the United States has seen since Michael Brown was killed in Ferguson this August Washington, D.C. and New York City will play host to the two largest demonstrations this weekend. In the nation's capital, the families of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice and Trayvon Martin—all black men and boys … [Link]
New Scientist – News » The sites that know your dream job before you do
We use algorithms to connect to people and things we'll love, like suggestions on Netflix – soon they might connect us to jobs we'll love too 
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O'Reilly News and Commentary » One more word on drones: Warehouses
After writing my short post about the use of drones to deliver packages, it occurred to me that there’s one more realistic use case. Unfortunately (or not), this is a use case that you’ll never see if you’re not an … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Clearing up a few of bitcoins misconceptions
Just what is bitcoin, anyway? Conrad Barski and Chris Wilmer, authors of Bitcoin for the Befuddled, recently hosted a webcast discussing exactly what bitcoin is (and what it isnt), how its used, how businesses can use it, and some of … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » Four short links: 12 November 2014
Do Artifacts Have Ethics? — 41 questions to ask yourself about the technology you create. MDBM — Yahoo’s fast key-value store, in use for over a decade. Super-fast, using mmap and passing around (gasp) raw pointers. The Revolution in Biology … [Link]
Slashdot » LG To Show Off New 55-Inch 8K Display at CES
MojoKid writes One of the most in-your-face buzzwords of the past year has been "4K," and there's little doubt that the forthcoming CES show in early January will bring it back in full force. As it stands today, 4K really isn't that rare, or expensive. You can even get 4K PC monitors for an attractive price. There does remain one … [Link]
Mashable » DJ Greg James mocks Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift at inaugural BBC Music Awards
LONDON — BBC Radio 1 DJ Greg James made a valiant attempt to emulate Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift during a skit at the first ever BBC Music Awards. See also: Watch Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran perform amid Victoria's Secret angels The DJ donned a white tutu to perform a routine along to Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off", … [Link]
Mashable » 16 R-rated stocking stuffers for people on the naughty list
You’ve got all the packages, now it's time to stuff that big sock. The holidays can be an extremely romantic time. When everyone's stuck inside from the cold and buzzing with all the magic, warm-fuzzy feelings of Christmastime, it's no wonder the most popular birth month is September. (Do the math, people.) [seealso=http://mashable.com/2014/1~ Of course, talking about babies is not necessarily … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Feedback: Weight of evidence of error
Reviewers' proofread fail, plucky little lander plot, they took rockets for a walk and more (full text available to subscribers) 
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Mashable » Christmas Jumper Day has brought out some spectacular sweaters
LONDON — A lot of people blame Mark Darcy. The Christmas jumper had fallen somewhat out of fashion since its 80s heyday in the UK, but Colin Firth's reindeer knit in Bridget Jones's Diary brought it back with a bang. See also: 10 Christmas markets to get you into the holiday spirit What started as an ironic fashion statement has transitioned … [Link]
Mashable » RIP iPod Classic: Music's most elegant solution
Recently I had a fairly pedestrian thought, a thought I've been having on and off for 10 years: "I want to put some music onto my portable music listening device." This used to be a relative cinch: I'd put the music on iTunes, plug in my iPod, and drag the songs over. Now, anytime I dare hook my iPhone up to … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Your telltale video camera shake can identify you
Footage captured on wearable cameras contains a motion signature unique to you – protestors and police alike should beware 
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Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Supanova Brisbane 2014 Cosplay Highlights [Video]
An awesome video showcasing some of the best costumes from Brisbane Supanova 2014. [deerstalkerpictures] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Amazon Deal of the Day: Up to 60% Off Select ION Bluetooth Wireless Speakers
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon offers up to 60% off on select ION bluetooth wireless speakers. Most of the model offered provide up to 50 hours of use on a charge. [Up to 60% Off Select ION Bluetooth Wireless Speakers] [Link]
Mashable » Liam Neeson will seriously endorse your 'particular set of skills' on LinkedIn
LOS ANGELES — It takes a very particular set of skills to get us interested in a movie's social-media marketing these days, and in this case, 20th Century Fox has acquired them — on the most boring social-media site in the world. Nothing against LinkedIn, an invaluable resource for job- and candidate-seekers alike, but it's just not where we go … [Link]
Mashable » The 20 most Joe Biden faces of 2014
Anyone who has ever attended any sort of family function knows that politics and holidays do not mix. What begins as an innocent conversation with Aunt Betsy over cups of eggnog about her recent trip to Washington, D.C., somehow escalates into a screaming match about immigration and Iraq and Obamacare, and then there's spilled eggnog and someone storms off. 'Tis the … [Link]
Mashable » Ukraine: ‘Real cease-fire’ in place after 24 hours without casualty
KIEV, Ukraine— President Petro Poroshenko said on Friday that a "real cease-fire” was now in place in eastern Ukraine after the country saw one full day pass without a military casualty since the conflict began in mid-April. "I have positive news. Today is the first 24 hours for seven months… when we have a real cease-fire in Ukraine," he told an … [Link]
O'Reilly News and Commentary » #Ebook Deal/Day: Debugging – $8.97 (Save 50%) Use code DEAL
Get "Debugging" today using code DEAL and save 50%!This sale ends at 2:00 AM 2014-12-15 (PDT, GMT-8:00). [Link]
Mashable » 10-year-old asks politician maths question on live TV and it doesn't go well
LONDON — She's the government minister responsible for education, but Nicky Morgan found herself schooled live on air Thursday by a 10-year-old See also: In Defense of Math: 7 Reasons Numbers Rule "What's the cubed route of 125?" Leon Remphry asked Education Secretary Morgan on Sky News. "I think it's probably better that politicians don't do maths or spelling on … [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » IT EXISTS: A 26-Pound, 7+ Foot Long Gummy Snake (36,720 calories) [Pics + Video]
Vat19, which produces some of the most AMAZING and HILARIOUS videos to promote their products on the web, are selling a 26-pound, 7 foot long gummy python. This thing packs over 36,000 calories into its nearly 8-foot-long frame. Just the perfect thing for the guys over at Epic Meal Time. [26-pound, 7 foot long gummy python | Via TN] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » The Avengers Sing Christmas Carols [Video]
Avengers ensemble! The heroes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe join in heart and song to wish you a Merry Christmas. [James Covenant] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Thunderclaus [Comic]
This absolutely needs to be turned into an animated Christmas movie! 🙂 [Comic by Artist QuadForceFive] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Guardians of the Galaxy Short Blooper Reel [Video]
Marvel released this short blooper reel to celebrate the official release of “Guardians of the Galaxy” this week. Love the part with Groot and Rocket Raccoon! [Marvel Entertainment] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » 90 Interesting Facts About the 90s
Did you know that many of the Power Rangers episodes were filmed in New Zealand, but the show was banned there due to violence until 2011? This is just one of ninety facts about the 90s from the folks over at Mental Floss. [Mental Floss] [Link]
Geeks are Sexy Technology News » Game of Thrones Dragonclaw Goblet Replica
Drink deep from a goblet of the House Baratheon of Dragonstone… at your own risk! A chalice created to resemble the one Maester Cressen and Melisandre drink from in the Chamber of the Painted Table at Dragonstone. [Game of Thrones Dragonclaw Goblet Replica] [Link]
Mashable » Sony nails 'The Interview' at festive, hack-free world premiere
LOS ANGELES — The world premiere of The Interview, the very movie whose existence may or may not be the reason Sony has been viciously and repeatedly hacked of corporate secrets and unflattering emails, was going to be interesting no matter what. For a studio still punch drunk and staggering, it was interesting for all the right reasons. SEE ALSO: … [Link]
Mashable » You better not cry: Santa brings horrified children to tears
All these children want for Christmas is a hug — just not from Santa Claus. Read more…More about Holidays, Photography, Features, Humor, and Christmas [Link]
Slashdot » Facebook Offers Solution To End Drunken Posts
First time accepted submitter blueshift_1 writes Remember that photo that you posted to Facebook sophmore year of college when you thought there was nothing more important than partying and letting everyone you knew how hard you partied? Well facebook is now trying to buzzkill every one of those moments. With their upcoming feature, they'll be using photo analysis algorithms to … [Link]
Mashable » UK intelligence agencies sought CIA torture report redactions
LONDON — British counter-terrorism agency chiefs spoke to counterparts in the United States asking for references to them to be redacted before the CIA torture report was published. See also: 'America's day of shame,' Britain reacts to the torture report There are no references to UK intelligence agencies in the summary of the 6,000-page U.S. Senate's report published Wednesday, which details … [Link]
Mashable » Real toll of extremist attacks shown in global jihad study
Over 5,000 people died in the name of jihad across the world during the month of November, according to a report from the BBC. In one day alone (Nov. 2) 410 people were killed in 41 separate attacks globally. The details are the results of a study, done in conjunction with the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR) at … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Stamping out online abuse is a job for all of us
Governments, tech giants and individuals must act together if we are to clamp down on threats and abuse in the digital world 
[Link]
Mashable » Chinese grandma goes skydiving and it is the most adorable thing
An 81-year-old grandma from China has proven age is no barrier when it comes to extreme sports Min Deyu, from Shiyan City in central China's Hubei province, was visiting her son who lives in Australia in November when she decided she wanted to jump out of a plane See also: 20 dogs that are way more adventurous than you "What's the … [Link]
Mashable » New 3D models in Google Maps are incredibly detailed
Google has started updating its 3D models of buildings in Google Earth and Maps, and the details on the ones we've seen are nothing short of stunning According to Google rep Susan Cadrecha, the first cities to receive the new imagery are New York City and San Francisco (including Bay Area). See also: How to Get the Most Out of the … [Link]
Mashable » Three years on, Myki glitch is still overcharging Melbourne passengers
A glitch when using the electronic travel card in Melbourne, Myki, has been costing passengers extra for three years. In the annual report from the Public Transport Ombudsman released Thursday a zone error which resulted in overcharging the customer is listed as a "systemic issue" that has not yet been resolved. It was identified in 2011 and fix dates that year … [Link]
Slashdot » New Compilation of Banned Chinese Search-Terms Reveals Curiosities
An anonymous reader writes Canada's Citizen Lab has compiled data from various research projects around the world in an attempt to create a manageable Github repository of government-banned Chinese keywords in internet search terms and which may appear in Chinese websites. Until now the study of such terms has proved problematic due to disparate research methods and publishing formats. A … [Link]
The Joy of Tech » JoT #2082: Most of the time…
Does tech turn you? If you enJoyed the comic, please make a note to retweet or share the URL. Thanks! [Link]
Slashdot » Study Explains Why Women Miscarry More Males During Tough Times
sciencehabit writes In times of trouble, multiple studies have shown, more girls are born than boys. No one knows why, but men need not worry about being overrun by women. An analysis of old church records in Finland has revealed that the boys that are born in stressful times survive better than those born during less challenging periods. The work … [Link]
Mashable » Images and video show MH370 underwater search area
The organisation mapping the seafloor in the search for the wreckage of MH370, has released a video and images showing the underwater area it is exploring. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) is leading the search in the southern Indian Ocean for the Boeing-777 aircraft that disappeared on Mar. 8 while flying from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China, with … [Link]
Mashable » Ford's rebooted Sync 3 system says goodbye to Microsoft for BlackBerry
Ford announced the next generation of its voice-control "infotainment" car system on Thursday. It seems that Ford is trying to get back in everyone's good graces by tossing the name MyFord Touch and rebranding it as Sync 3 Ford's also ditching Microsoft's software in favor of BlackBerry's QNX operating system, according to reports Sync 3 is Ford's third generation of the … [Link]
Mashable » Monstrous Pineapple Express storm leaves West Coast water-logged
After a day of mass power outages, flooded commutes, hurricane-force winds and hundreds of cancelled flights Thursday, the massive "Pineapple Express" storm system continues to pound Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. See also: Pineapple Express storm snarls traffic, causes flooding and cuts power in San Francisco The storm, the strongest to hit California in six years, has brought widespread … [Link]
Mashable » Emotional letter begs Australian banks to leave 'humiliated' farmers alone
An Australian veterinarian has penned an open letter on Facebook about the horrific treatment of farmers in Queensland by the big banks. Comparing the banks' evictions of men from their land to "corporate terrorism," David Pascoe from Oakley recently visited farmers in the drought-striken area of Winton and was overcome by what he saw. In reaction, he wrote a 2,600-word essay … [Link]
Mashable » Turkey's "Deep Throat" warns of plans to detain nearly 150 journalists
Turkey’s “Deep Throat,” an anonymous Twitter user and self-described Ankara insider, announced Thursday that police would conduct an extensive operation Friday that would result in the detention of roughly 150 journalists. The report quickly spread through the newsrooms identified as targets in a series of tweets from the mysterious hellraiser, who goes by the nickname Fuat Avni. The journalists identified in … [Link]
New Scientist – News » How to think about… Space-time
It has often been described as a rubber sheet, but Einstein's twisted space-time is more intangible than that (full text available to subscribers) 
[Link]
Slashdot » Lenovo Recalls LS-15 Power Cords
jones_supa writes US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that Lenovo is recalling a batch of laptop AC power cords due to fire hazard. The power cords have been bundled with IdeaPad brand B-, G-, S-, U-, V- and Z-series laptop computers and Lenovo brand B-, G- and V-series laptop computers. The recalled power cords are black in color and have … [Link]
Mashable » Scenes from the streets of Hong Kong, then and now
After 75 days of demonstrations that blocked major roadways and attracted international attention, protesters in Hong Kong have been cleared out of their camps See also: Hong Kong protests are over: A look at 75 days of dissent The pro-democracy protests ran through the main thoroughfare of the city's financial district, drawing tens of thousands of supporters at their peak in … [Link]
Mashable » Congress debates gluten intolerance in new comedy series
In a new series by comedy network Above Average called "Congressional Hearings," Congress works a lot like online message boards. The merits of gluten intolerance are debated in the first episode, with the faux congressional panel interviewing average people who cite an adverse reaction to the substance. More mundane topics are set to be tackled in the series, which will … [Link]
Mashable » After nail-biting voting period, House passes $1.1T spending bill
A controversial $1.1 trillion bill financing government agencies passed the House late Thursday night thanks to support from both Republicans and the Obama White House The House approved the measure before a midnight deadline by 219-206—it needed 218 to make it— after a nail-biting meeting, prompting a message of gratitude from House Speaker John Boehner. See also: As pols scramble to … [Link]
Mashable » Snapchat geofilters: How they work and why they matter
Snapchat users have long been known to be a creative bunch. But recently the company has tried to appeal directly to those creative instincts as it announced it was opening up its geofilters feature to everyone. See also: 9 Snapchat Tips and Tricks You May Not Know About Geofilters are illustrations that can be overlaid onto photos while in specific locations. … [Link]
New Scientist – News » Great wall of trees keeps China's deserts at bay
Millions of trees planted in northern China are taming dust storms, but critics wonder whether the Great Green Wall is a long-term solution 
[Link]
Mashable » Google shells out $2 million to help San Francisco's homeless
Google is donating $2 million in grants to nonprofits that serve San Francisco's homeless population, the mayor's office announced today. The money will go toward the Hamilton Family Center, Larkin Street Youth Services and HandUp — three local organizations that work to provide homeless residents with housing, job training and support services. See also: Google Gave $100,000 to Help the Homeless … [Link]
Mashable » Taxi drivers are faster, less safe than Uber and Lyft counterparts, study finds
If you've ever been in a cab with an aggressive driver, this will come as no surprise: A new study found that taxi drivers take more risks and speed more than Uber or Lyft drivers, not to mention regular people. Zendrive, a driving analytics company, studied the driving habits of more than 1,000 drivers in San Francisco. It found that taxi … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Postmates Launches API for On-Demand Local Delivery
On-demand local delivery service Postmates yesterday unveiled an API that gives developers the ability to integrate delivery functionality into their apps.
[Link]
Slashdot » Sony Reportedly Is Using Cyber-Attacks To Keep Leaked Files From Spreading
HughPickens.com writes Lily Hay Newman reports at Slate that Sony is counterhacking to keep its leaked files from spreading across torrent sites. According to Recode, Sony is using hundreds of computers in Asia to execute a denial of service attack on sites where its pilfered data is available, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter. Sony used … [Link]
Mashable » With Lima climate talks entering critical period, Kerry tries to rally leaders to act
Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Lima, Peru on Thursday afternoon just as it appeared that the latest round of global climate treaty talks were on the verge of limping toward a dispiriting conclusion Kerry has long been dedicated to moving the world toward a future with lower emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for causing global warming, and he challenged … [Link]
Slashdot » Julian Assange Trying To Raise Nearly $200k For a Statue of Himself
Rei writes Julian Assange, from his refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy, has recently taken to Twitter to try to raise nearly $200,000 for a life-size bronze statue of himself. The statue would have him standing front and center between Edward Snowden and Chelsea Manning (with Manning pictured as male); the art piece would be then shipped around the world on … [Link]
Mashable » Mark Zuckerberg: Facebook is 'thinking about' a dislike button
Facebook is considering ways users can express their feelings beyond the Like button, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during a Q&A at the company's headquarters in Menlo Park Thursday "We're thinking about it," Zuckerberg said when asked whether the social network would ever add the long-requested dislike button. See also: 10 best tech companies to work for in 2015 He quickly clarified … [Link]
Mashable » Your guests can now use Google Chromecast without a Wi-Fi password
Google Chromecast now has a guest mode to allow users to stream content from a mobile device to the TV without needing a Wi-Fi password. This means house guests can cast videos to the television without going through the trouble of asking for a Wi-Fi password — an annoyance any house guest knows all too well. Google announced the new guest … [Link]
Slashdot » Are the TSA's New Electronic Device Screenings Necessary?
First time accepted submitter Amanda Parker writes In July the US warned of a terrorism risk which led countries, such as France and the UK, to step up their security screening for flights to the US. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson directed the TSA to implement enhanced security measures. In his statement on 6 July, Johnson warned that passengers … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Salesforce AppExchange Store Builder Aids App Store Creation
Salesforce.com today announced AppExchange Store Builder, a set of tools through which organizations can build their own customizable app stores on Salesforce. Using the same tools that Salesforce used to build AppExchange, organizations can create a similar environment around a select g
[Link]
Slashdot » "Fat-Burning Pill" Inches Closer To Reality
Zothecula writes with news that a fat burning pill may be on the horizon. "Researchers at Harvard University say they have identified two chemical compounds that could replace "bad" fat cells in the human body with healthy fat-burning cells, in what may be the first step toward the development of an effective medical treatment – which could even take the … [Link]
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