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 » Merriam-Webster said the hot dog is a sandwich, and people are furious
It's an age-old debate: is the hot dog — a meat tube resting in a partially-sealed bread pocket — a sandwich? Would-be sandwich arbiter Merriam-Webster thinks so. And the Internet is not pleased. SEE ALSO: We taste tested convenience store food so you don't have to It all started with this haughty tweet, which purported to celebrate all the sandwiches … [Link]
Slashdot » Op-ed: Oracle Attorney Says Google's Court Victory Might Kill the GPL
Annette Hurst, an attorney at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe who represented Oracle in the recent Oracle v. Google trial, has written an opinion piece for Ars Technica in which she urges developers and creators to not celebrate Google's win in the hard-fought copyright case as the decision — if remains intact — is poised to make them "suffer" everywhere and … [Link]
Slashdot » Is Facebook Sabotaging A Face-Recognition Law?
"You know something's up when politicians bring up a bill out of nowhere, and then try to ram it through over Memorial Day weekend," writes Fortune. "That's what's happening in Illinois, where state lawmakers — allegedly at the behest of Facebook and Google — are poised to gut a law that limits the use of facial recognition technology." An anonymous … [Link]
Mashable » An astronaut just deployed the Space Station's first inflatable habitat
The International Space Station has a brand new astronaut hangout. On Saturday, NASA astronaut Jeff Williams, with the help of mission controllers, expanded the new Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), a 13-foot-long by 10.5-foot-wide room now attached to the outside of the Space Station. Bigelow Aerospace — founded by hotel magnate turned spaceflight entrepreneur Robert Bigelow — hopes to one day create … [Link]
Slashdot » Ask Slashdot: What Books Should An Aspiring Coder Read?
Earlier this month Bill Gates released his summer reading list, which included Seveneves, by Neal Stephenson and mathematician Jordan Ellenberg's book How Not to be Wrong. Now an anonymous Slashdot reader asks for your book recommendations. I've been trying to learn more about coding, but I need a break sometimes from technical documentation and O'Reilly books. Are there any good … [Link]
Slashdot » NetBSD 7.0.1 Released
New submitter fisted writes: The NetBSD Project is pleased to announce NetBSD 7.0.1, the first security/bugfix update of the NetBSD 7.0 release branch. It represents a selected subset of fixes deemed important for security or stability reasons… For more details, please see the release notes at netbsd.org/releases. Complete source and binaries for NetBSD are available for download at many sites … [Link]
Mashable » Dad cheers up his teen son with a pun-derful and inspiring card
Being a teen is rough, but it's always good to know your parents are there for you. Redditor downtowncrownfrown has 13-year-old son, and he knows exactly how to cheer him up when he's upset: with a sweet, understanding message (and a dad joke, of course). SEE ALSO: 17 impressive dads whose reflexes saved the day 
Image: reddit, downtowncrownfrownThe card good ol' … [Link]
Slashdot » California Mayors Demand Surveillance Cams On Crime-Ridden Highways
An anonymous reader shares an Ars Technica report: The 28 shootings along a 10-mile stretch of San Francisco-area highway over the past six months have led mayors of the adjacent cities to declare that these "murderous activities" have reached "crisis proportions." Four people have been killed and dozens injured. These five mayors want California Gov. Jerry Brown to fund surveillance … [Link]
WIRED » SpaceX Releases Rockets-Eye View of Yesterday’s Landing
A time lapse, from the edge of space to the Earth's surface. The post SpaceX Releases Rockets-Eye View of Yesterday's Landing appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
Mashable » Attention, people: The 'Full House' house is for sale, and it's extravagant AF
Want to live like the Tanners, but also very glamorously? Welcome home. 1709 Broderick Street, the San Francisco home famous for its role as "exterior of Tanner house" in the Full House opening credits, is officially up for sale. Don't get too excited, though: in true Bay Area fashion, the asking price is $4.15 million. SEE ALSO: A terrifying recreation … [Link]
Mashable » Justin Bieber's latest selfie could be a Tinder profile pic
Warning: Contains content not safe for your eyes, soul or anything with life (and definitely your workplace). Justin Bieber is quiet literally feeling himself in his latest made-for-Tinder selfie SEE ALSO: 'Sorry' producer Skrillex says he and Justin Bieber didn't steal a thing In his never ending quest to take over your Facebook timeline, the former YouTube star you once … [Link]
Mashable » Now you can try Amazon Echo and Alexa in your web browser
If you've heard about the Amazon Echo and have been wondering what it's like to use it before committing to buying one, there's now an online tool that lets you test it out as much as you want, right in your browser. It's called Echosim, and all you need to use it is an Amazon account to log in. SEE … [Link]
Popular Science » Fall(Out) Guy Part 14
From Our Blogs: Boxplot It's Time to Mosey On, Folks This series on radiation, health, safety, and ecology has come to end. Stay tuned for more stories in future installments. [Link]
Slashdot » Mark Zuckerberg Is Dictator Of Facebook Nation; There's No Democracy Online: The Pirate Bay Founder
Facebook CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg is the "dictator" of "the biggest nation in the world," says Peter Sunde, co-founder of the controversial website The Pirate Bay. Sunde, who appeared at The Next Web conference on Friday, added that there is "no democracy" online. From a CNBC report: "People in the tech industry have a lot of responsibilities but they … [Link]
Mashable » The business of periods: A history of hits and misses
That cotton tampon holds more than your period; it has absorbed a long political history. The tampon, the pad, even the panty liner: Their path to invention wasn't just challenging in the traditional sense. It was (and still is) downright riddled with stigma. SEE ALSO: 14 menstruation facts you should definitely know May 28 marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, a time … [Link]
Slashdot » Controversial Surveillance Firm Blue Coat Was Granted a Powerful Encryption Certificate
Joseph Cox, reporting for Motherboard (edited for clarity): A controversial surveillance company called Blue Coat Systems — whose products have been detected in Iran and Sudan — was recently issued a powerful encryption certificate by Symantec. The certificate, and the authority that comes with it, could allow Blue Coat Systems to more easily snoop on encrypted traffic. But Symantec downplayed … [Link]
Mashable » Alarm clock makes you fresh coffee for when your morning sucks
Mornings are terrible for most people, and one of the few things we can enjoy while getting ready for the daily grind is a highly caffeinated sip of coffee or tea to get us going. The Barisieur automatically brews you hot coffee or tea in the morning, taking away your need to press snooze or even get out of bed … [Link]
Mashable » 10 'Game of Thrones' fan theories, ranked least to most likely
Warning: This post contains spoilers from literally every season of Game of Thrones. The fan theories surrounding Game of Thrones have reached fever pitch. At this point, we can only assume George R.R. Martin and company want to make us go mad — not, like, Mad King mad, but definitely frustrated with this television program. SEE ALSO: How can the … [Link]
ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: Microsoft Computer Vision, Recombee, Vidsource, Twin Prime, Space Bunny, Plus 13 More
Every day, the ProgrammableWeb team is busy, updating its three primary directories for APIs, clients (language-specific libraries or SDKs for consuming or providing APIs), and source code samples.
[Link]
Mashable » Jarring campaign tackles disability stigma with offensive statements
In early April, thought bubble-shaped signs started popping up around Pennsylvania with offensive statements directed toward people with disabilities. One unabashedly proclaimed, “Handicapped people make me nervous." Another said, "They call it 'ADHD.' I call it bad parenting." SEE ALSO: 6 ways to be a better ally to people living with disabilities But what seems like yet another example of … [Link]
Slashdot » The NSA's Delightfully D&D-inspired Guide To the Internet
"The NSA has a well-earned reputation for being one of the tougher agencies to get records out of, making those rare FOIA wins all the sweeter…" according to Muckrock.com, and "the fact that the records in question just so happen to be absolutely insane are just icing on the cake…." v3rgEz writes: In 2007, two NSA employees put together "Untangling … [Link]
Mashable » Sleepy student interrupts lecture, walks out like nothing happened
Late night cramming before finals can really take its toll. A lecture at the University of Washington was suddenly interrupted when a student, who was taking a snooze behind the projection screen, fell on the floor as he woke up. Luckily, he managed to keep his cool. The struggle is real. Robot jumping roach will chase you into your Terminator … [Link]
Mashable » What the the Bible and 'Game of Thrones' have in common
Warning: Contains spoilers from Game of Thrones Season 6. Events in HBO’s Game of Thrones TV series have got people talking about what it means to return from the dead. But while resurrection appears to be a very real possibility for some of the religions of mythical Westeros — not least Jon Snow’s resurrector, the “red priestess”, Melisandre — what&#~ Bible add to the … [Link]
Slashdot » 62% Americans Get News On Social Media
More people in the United States are now turning to social media instead of traditional media for news. According to Pew Research Center, which surveyed over 4,500 people with various backgrounds, an increasingly number of Americans — 62% to be exact — are getting their news from social media platforms such as Facebook, and Instagram. Of the 62% people, 66% … [Link]
Mashable » Office MacGyver's paper bowl hack is perfect for people who hate dishes
Sometimes you have to get creative when your lunch is at stake. Reddit user ObligatoryCreativity posted a photo of their coworker's lunch — a hearty bowl of ravioli. However, since there were no bowls in the kitchen, the Redditor helped them out by getting creative with some paper plates. SEE ALSO: 5 useful microwave hacks that will make you better at … [Link]
Mashable » Michael Jackson lobbied to be Professor X and 13 other fun 'X-Men' facts
Did you know that the X-Men were originally going to be called the Merry Mutants? And they were supposed to dance and sing? X-Men: Apocalypse's Lana Condor and Alexandra Shipp share 14 fun facts you may not know about your favorite American superhero film. Read more…More about X Men, Entertainment, Film, Videos, and X Men Apocalypse [Link]
Mashable » Dive into summer with these ethereal aerial photos of pools
With these (finally) warm temperatures, we've all got one thing on the brain: summer. And really nothing says summer like hanging out around a pool. Photographer Stephan Zirwes, however, prefers to enjoy pools from above From more than 1,000 feet above the ground in Southern Germany, Zirwes photographs from a helicopter with a Hasseblad 50Mp camera. In post-production he eliminates distracting … [Link]
Mashable » Worried little environmentalist just wants to save the planet
How do you save Mother Nature from the bad guys? Yell in their ears, obviously. This little kid, who probably just learned about environmental distress in school, is beside himself about the damage we've done — and are still doing — to the planet. Luckily, he's brainstormed a few innovative tactics to give Earth a helping hand, including yelling and … [Link]
Slashdot » Department of Homeland Security Still Uses COBOL
The Department of Defense has promised to finally stop managing the U.S. nuclear arsenal with floppy disks "by the end of 2017". But an anonymous reader shares Softpedia's report about another startling revelation this week from the Government Accountability Office: Another agency that plans to upgrade is the US Department of Veterans Affairs, which uses COBOL, a programming language from … [Link]
Mashable » Climate change threatens iconic sites worldwide, but one country is trying to hide
Venice, Stonehenge and the Statue of Liberty are among more than two dozen World Heritage sites—which are often popular destinations for summer tourists— threatened by climate change, according to a UNESCO report released Friday. But no sites in Australia are mentioned in the report, even though the country's Great Barrier Reef, a World Heritage site, has been suffering from a … [Link]
Mashable » Jaybird's new wireless earbuds offer exceptional sound and battery life in a tiny package
Jaybird is known for its fitness-focused wireless earbuds, designed to provide quality audio without the tangled mess of the wires that normally accompany headphones. In January, Jaybird announced it was expanding upon this experience with a smaller, yet still fully capable product called Freedom. SEE ALSO: The Apollo 7 earbuds finally bring you true, cable-free music Over the past week … [Link]
Mashable » George Clooney is a giant nerd. Here's the proof.
George Clooney: brilliant actor, sexy man, enormous dork. For far too long, the performer has hidden his deeply nerdy tendencies under a thin veneer of "handsome successful millionaire." In 2009, TIME Magazine named him one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World." He has won two Academy Awards and was named People Magazine's "Sexiest Man of the Year" … [Link]
Slashdot » EFF Warns of Harsher CFAA
An anonymous reader writes: The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act is "vague, draconian, and notoriously out of touch with how we use computers today," warns the EFF. But instead of reforming it, two U.S. Senators "are on a mission to make things worse…" The senators' proposed Botnet Prevention Act of 2016 "could make criminals of paid researchers who test access … [Link]
Mashable » A brief introduction to Kylie Jenner's new boyfriend, PartyNextDoor
Kylie Jenner has been stepping out with a new man, and many people assume he's an upgrade, by virtue of not being Tyga. The dude in question is rapper and producer PartyNextDoor, a member of Drake's crew. In case you're unfamiliar with the man and concerned about Kylie's romantic choices for some reason, here are a few facts to introduce … [Link]
Slashdot » Finnish Government Criticizes Microsoft For Job Cuts, 'Broken Promises'
jones_supa writes: Softpedia reports: "Microsoft has recently announced a new round of job layoffs at its Mobile unit in Finland, as it moves forward with its restructuring and reorganization plan following the acquisition of Nokia's Devices and Services unit. The Finnish government has criticized Microsoft for turning to more job cuts in the country, pointing out that the company has … [Link]
WIRED » The Economic Lessons of Star Trek’s Money-Free Society
In the latest 'Geek's Guide to the Galaxy' podcast, writer Manu Saadia discusses what we can learn about post-money life from the 'Star Trek' franchise. The post The Economic Lessons of Star Trek's Money-Free Society appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » Xiaomi’s Cheap New Drone Achieves Impulse-Buy Airspace
It’s a lot of drone for a (relatively) little price. The post Xiaomi's Cheap New Drone Achieves Impulse-Buy Airspace appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » Got a Beef With the Media? Pay Someone Else to Sue Them
The Thiel-Gawker feud isn't about Gawker—it's about the obscure legal tool Thiel used to win it. And that tool sets a dangerous precedent for the media. The post Got a Beef With the Media? Pay Someone Else to Sue Them appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » Space Photos of the Week: Hangry Stars Munch Down a Cloud
Space photos of the week, May 22—28, 2016. The post Space Photos of the Week: Hangry Stars Munch Down a Cloud appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » In a World of Self-Driving Cars, We’ll Still Need the Miata
What will you do when driving becomes a pastime instead of a necessity? The post In a World of Self-Driving Cars, We'll Still Need the Miata appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » Security News This Week: Apple Hires a Crypto Guru for Future Battles With the Feds
Each Saturday we round up the biggest security news stories of the week. The post Security News This Week: Apple Hires a Crypto Guru for Future Battles With the Feds appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » Mathematicians Bridge the Divide Between Infinity and the Physical World
A surprising new proof is helping to connect the mathematics of infinity to the physical world. The post Mathematicians Bridge the Divide Between Infinity and the Physical World appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
Mashable » Super slow-motion video of lightning reveals hidden parts of each bolt
Lightning is a deadly and mysterious force on this planet, and scientists studying it have turned to modern photography techniques to try to unravel some of its secrets. Researchers at the Florida Institute of Technology are using slow-motion photography — in this case, 7,000 frames per second — to detect processes involved with different types of lightning strikes that are … [Link]
Mashable » This text line is helping teens talk about mental health without saying a word
"He won't stop raping me. He told me not to tell anyone." In August 2011, teen-focused social change organization DoSomething.org&#~ this startling text message. It wasn't rare for the nonprofit to receive replies unrelated to the social causes it highlighted through its mobile platform — teens often looked to talk about issues such as bullying, questioning sexuality and substance abuse. But this text's … [Link]
Slashdot » ForcePhone App Uses Ultrasonic Tone To Create Pressure-Sensitive Batphone
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Stack: Researchers at the University of Michigan have created an app that makes any smartphone pressure-sensitive without additional hardware. The app, called ForcePhone, uses ultrasonic tones in the existing microphone and speaker hardware that respond to pressure for additional functionality for touchscreens. The app emits a high-frequency ultrasound tone from the device's … [Link]
Mashable » Emilia Clarke watched 'Game of Thrones' nude scene with her parents, and it sounded delightful
Emilia Clarke wants everyone to know that she definitely is not like Khaleesi, the character she plays on Game of Thrones, IRL. It's hard to imagine that the Mother of Dragons would be as delightful about watching a nude scene with her parents as Clarke is. Clarke tells the story in a most amusing way, with Matt LeBlanc sitting next … [Link]
Mashable » The basic ingredients for life have been found in a comet's atmosphere
For the first time, scientists have directly detected a crucial amino acid and a rich selection of organic molecules in the dusty atmosphere of a comet, further bolstering the hypothesis that these icy objects delivered some of life's ingredients to Earth. The amino acid glycine, along with some of its precursor organic molecules and the essential element phosphorus, were spotted … [Link]
Mashable » There's a real-life, giant, tabletop version of 'Pong'
This physical, tabletop version of Pong looks sort of like an air hockey table but the paddles and ball are actually connected to mechanical arms, which are connected to a computer. Just like the video game, tabletop Pong allows you play against a computer AI opponent or against a friend. And it glows in the dark. Now we just need a … [Link]
Slashdot » Qualcomm To Manufacture Custom Chips For Chinese Market
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The Stack: Qualcomm president Derek Aberle has suggested that the semiconductor giant is preparing to produce its own custom chips for the Chinese market. [A Wall Street Journal interview with] Aberle revealed that the American company had entered into a joint venture with the local government in Guizhou province to manufacture custom chips … [Link]
Slashdot » FDA Approves First Implant Treatment For Opioid Addiction
An anonymous reader writes from a report via Bloomberg: The Food and Drug Administration cleared the first implant in the U.S. to treat heroin and opioid painkiller addictions. The product, Probuphine, may be used to treat addicts continuously for six months with the drug buprenorphine, according to a statement from the agency on Thursday. Titan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and partner Braeburn … [Link]
WIRED » That New Superbug Was Found in a UTI and That’s Key
Antibiotic-resistant UTIs are getting more and more common, and they could be coming from food. The post That New Superbug Was Found in a UTI and That’s Key appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
WIRED » You Need More Than Rat Tumors to Prove Phones Cause Cancer
In order to get from a rat’s tumor to a human cancer risk, you have to do a lot of science. The post You Need More Than Rat Tumors to Prove Phones Cause Cancer appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
Mashable » Stunning onboard view follows SpaceX's rocket from space to ocean landing
Last time Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket stuck its ocean landing, he released a jaw-dropping video. This time, Musk has outdone himself. The latest onboard view from the Falcon 9 booster will zip you from space to the ocean landing and blow your mind. SEE ALSO: SpaceX does it again: Company lands third rocket on drone ship in the ocean The … [Link]
Mashable » Protesters burn 'Make America Great Again' hat at Trump rally
Protesters and supporters clashed at an anti-Donald Trump rally Friday in San Diego, where protesters burned a "Make America Great Again" hat and at least three people were arrested, police said. While the GOP frontrunner addressed supporters inside the San Diego Convention Center, about 1,000 people gathered outside with Mexican flags, signs and Trump piñatas. In addition to burning one of … [Link]
Mashable » Rise of Mechagodzilla: Nissan's 600-horsepower 2017 GT-R NISMO
If Nissan's GT-R is Godzilla, the 600-horsepower GT-R NISMO is Mechagodzilla. On Friday morning, Nissan unveiled the 2017 GT-R NISMO, the most extreme version of the "new" GT-R that debuted at the New York Auto Show in April. SEE ALSO: Maserati's Ghibli S Q4 sparkles, bellows and dazzles. But is it any good? For those of you who don't know, … [Link]
Slashdot » Feinstein-Burr Encryption Legislation Is Dead In The Water
An anonymous reader writes from a report via Reuters: After the San Bernardino terrorist attack, key U.S. lawmakers pledged to require technology companies to give law enforcement agencies a "back door" to encrypted communications and electronic devices. Now, the push for legislation is dead only months after the terrorist attack. In April, Senators Richard Burr and Dianne Feinstein released the … [Link]
Mashable » 'Sorry' producer Skrillex says he and Justin Bieber didn't steal a thing
Skrillex says he didn't steal "Sorry" from anyone. After singer-songwriter Casey Dienel — who performs under the name White Hinterland — filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against him, Justin Bieber and others behind the 2015 hit, the producer hit back Friday on Twitter, suggesting that her allegations the song samples her track "Ring the Bell" are false. "SORRY but we … [Link]
Mashable » Fifth Harmony's '7/27': 6 must-listen songs
Fifth Harmony are back, armed with tool belts and an arsenal of anthemic pop hits on their just-released sophomore album, 7/27. Packed with trop house and throwbacks alike and oozing with feminism, it's likely to please Harmonizers who have been waiting ever so patiently since last year's Reflection. In one album, there's likely at least four contenders for the … [Link]
Mashable » Reports indicate Jawbone is selling speaker business, stopped fitness tracker production
According to two new reports, Jawbone is having some major problems. According to Tech Insider, the company has stopped making its Up fitness tracker. Additionally, the company has sold-off its remaining inventory at a discount to a reseller. When reached for comment, a Jawbone spokesperson told Mashable that it “wasn’t commenting on the speculations made in the reports today but we … [Link]
Mashable » Google wins against Oracle but the fight over fair use and APIs drags on
On Thursday, Google’s long protracted battle with Oracle ended in Google’s favor when a jury of 10 people found in Google’s favor. The details of Oracle v. Google go all the way back to 2010, when Oracle filed suit against Google, arguing that when Google developed Android, it infringed on Google’s Java-related intellectual property. Java, which serves as the basis … [Link]
Slashdot » Google Boosts Mobile Web Speed On Apple Devices With Accelerated Mobile Pages
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Fortune: The Google iOS app for devices like the iPhone and iPad now supports the search giant's Accelerated Mobile Pages project, created to increase the loading times of news articles on the Internet. Now when users search for news from their Apple devices using the Google app, they should see streamlined news articles … [Link]
WIRED » No Man’s Sky Delayed Until August
The upcoming space exploration game for PS4 and PC, No Man's Sky, has been delayed from its original June release date. The post No Man's Sky Delayed Until August appeared first on WIRED. [Link]
Slashdot » FBI Raids Dental Software Researcher Who Found Patient Records On Public Server
blottsie writes: Yet another security researcher is facing possible prosecution under the CFAA for accessing data on a publicly accessible server. The FBI on Tuesday raided Texas-based dental software security researcher Justin Shafer, who found the protected health records of 22,000 patients stored on an anonymous FTP. "This is a troubling development. I hope the government doesn't think that accessing … [Link]
Mashable » America's most hated man endorses its most hated presidential candidate
Some endorsements seem so natural, they're hardly worth broadcasting. Infamous pharma bro Martin Shkreli endorsing Donald Trump for president is one of them. SEE ALSO: Trump on climate: He's even worse than we thought Shkreli, pictured above, is a man many consider a slimeboat corporate #dudebruh who made a name for himself in business but is now better known for … [Link]
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