John Gordon Ross

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.

Slashdot » J.J. Abrams Reacts To Death of Star Trek Actor Anton 'Chekov' Yelchin

Sunday 19 June 23:32:00 UTC 2016

On Sunday morning 27-year-old actor Anton Yelchin, who plays Chekov in the new Star Trek movies, was killed in a freak accident with his own car in the driveway of his home in Studio City. "It appears he momentarily exited his car and it rolled backward, causing trauma that led to his death," a police spokesperson told the Hollywood Reporter. … [Link]

WIRED » Outlander Recap: Die, Villains, Die

Sunday 19 June 23:19:12 UTC 2016

Taking a break from war, everyone's favorite time-travel historical romance fantasy confronts demons from the past. The post Outlander Recap: Die, Villains, Die appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Riley Curry vs Demi Smith: The underrated match-up of the NBA's Father's Day Game 7

Sunday 19 June 22:36:46 UTC 2016

While many fans are excited for Sunday night's Game 7 and the pivotal match-up of Steph Curry versus Lebron James, there's a new undercard battle in the series and it's cute kid versus cute kid.  SEE ALSO: The NBA Finals have turned into a circus. Bring on Game 7. Popular sports kid Riley Curry, daughter of Steph, now has competition … [Link]

Slashdot » One Million IP Addresses Used In Brute-Force Attack On A Bank

Sunday 19 June 22:34:00 UTC 2016

Cisco says in just one week in February they detected 1,127,818 different IP addresses being used to launch 744,361,093 login attempts on 220,758,340 different email addresses — and that 93% of those attacks were directed at two financial institutions in a massive Account Takeover (ATO) campaign. An anonymous reader writes: Crooks used 993,547 distinct IPs to check login credentials for … [Link]

Slashdot » IBM Engineer Builds a Harry Potter Sorting Hat Using 'Watson' AI

Sunday 19 June 21:33:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader writes: As America celebrates Father's Day, The Next Web reports on an IBM engineer who found a way to combine his daughters' interest in the Harry Potter series with an educational home technology project. Together they built a Hogwarts-style sorting hat — which assigns its wearer into an appropriate residence house at the school of magic — … [Link]

Mashable » Laverne Cox explores trans inmate struggles in 'Orange is the New Black' Season 4

Sunday 19 June 21:30:26 UTC 2016

WARNING: This story contains spoilers about Orange is the New Black Season 4. Laverne Cox may not have had a lot of screen time in Orange Is the New Black's fourth season, but her storyline was anything but insignificant.  When viewers last saw Cox's Sophia at the end of Season 3, she was was sent to the SHU (Security Housing Unit) after … [Link]

Slashdot » New Ransomware Written Entirely In JavaScript

Sunday 19 June 20:35:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader writes: Security researchers have discovered a new form of ransomware written entirely in JavaScript and using the CryptoJS library to encode a user's files. Researchers say the file is being distributed through email attachments, according to SC Magazine, which reports that "Opening the attachment kicks off a series of steps that not only locks up the victim's … [Link]

WIRED » Star Trek Actor Anton Yelchin Dead at 27

Sunday 19 June 20:23:10 UTC 2016

The actor recently completed work on director Justin Lin's upcoming Star Trek film. The post Star Trek Actor Anton Yelchin Dead at 27 appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Mashable » Stop what you're doing and check your Ticketmaster account

Sunday 19 June 19:43:26 UTC 2016

Live music is better when it's free. A $400 million, class-action lawsuit against Ticketmaster, Schlesinger v. Ticketmaster, was finally settled last month. The lawsuit accuses Ticketmaster of misrepresenting its fees and overcharging customers who received tickets by mail. For those who bought tickets between 1999 and 2013, the settlement means they will be receiving vouchers for free and discounted tickets — … [Link]

Slashdot » Will Self-Driving Cars Destroy the Auto Insurance Industry?

Sunday 19 June 19:37:00 UTC 2016

An anonymous reader quotes an article from the Bay Area News Group: Imagine your fully autonomous self-driving car totals a minivan. Who pays for the damages? "There wouldn't be any liability on you, because you're just like a passenger in a taxi," says Santa Clara University law professor Robert Peterson. Instead, the manufacturer of your car or its software would … [Link]

Slashdot » Ethereum Debate Marred By Second Digital Currency Heist

Sunday 19 June 18:38:00 UTC 2016

Thursday's news of a $50 million heist of digital currency at Ethereum. was followed today by reports of a second heist from the DAO, according to the Bitcoin News Service — this one for just 22 Ether. "It appears this is just someone who wanted to test the exploit and see if they could use it to their advantage… " … [Link]

Mashable » 'Star Trek' actor Anton Yelchin killed in automobile mishap at 27

Sunday 19 June 18:33:19 UTC 2016

LOS ANGELES — Anton Yelchin, a promising and prolific young actor beloved by his peers who recently caught a break playing Chekov in the new Star Trek films, was killed early Sunday in a freakish mishap with his own vehicle. He was 27. Publicist Jennifer Allen confirmed to Mashable that Yelchin had been killed in a collisionTMZ later reported that Yelchin was … [Link]

Mashable » This stoneware pottery tutorial is oddly soothing

Sunday 19 June 17:50:41 UTC 2016

Sit back and enjoy the soothing sounds of the pottery wheel. Ronald Pothier is a potter from Quebec and his soothing teapot tutorial is exactly what you need on a stressful day. Not only is it mesmerizing to watch spinning clay, Pothier's voice is probably the most calming sound in the world. Pothier could become the new Bob Ross — … [Link]

Slashdot » Slashdot Asks: Does Your Company Have A Breach Response Team?

Sunday 19 June 17:35:00 UTC 2016

This week HelpNetSecurity reported on a study that found that "the average data breach cost has grown to $4 million, representing a 29 percent increase since 2013.. 'The amount of time, effort and costs that companies face in the wake of a data breach can be devastating, and unfortunately most companies still don't have a plan in place to deal … [Link]

Mashable » Women power 'Finding Dory' to box office history with $136.2 million

Sunday 19 June 17:34:20 UTC 2016

LOS ANGELES — Finding Dory might've arrived on Father's Day weekend, but it was women who pushed the Pixar sequel to a record $136.2 million in domestic box office. Dory now stands as the biggest animated U.S. opening of all time, overtaking Shrek the Third, which bowed to $121.6 million in 2007. It was also Pixar's biggest debut weekend to … [Link]

Mashable » Man in India reportedly dies while watching 'The Conjuring 2'

Sunday 19 June 16:54:51 UTC 2016

A movie was so terrifying, it might have killed a man.  That's what reportedly happened in Tiruvannamalai, a small town in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, to a 65-year-old watching the horror flick, The Conjuring 2. According to Times of India, the man complained of heart pains and fainted near the movie's climax. Making the story even scarier, the man, who authorities are … [Link]

Slashdot » Big Tech Squashes New York's 'Right To Repair' Bill

Sunday 19 June 16:30:00 UTC 2016

Damon Beres, writing for The Huffington Post: Major tech companies like Apple have trampled legislation that would have helped consumers and small businesses fix broken gadgets. New York state legislation that would have required manufacturers to provide information about how to repair devices like the iPhone failed to get a vote, ending any chance of passage this legislative session. Similar … [Link]

Mashable » You're not being rickrolled: Rick Astley just hit number one in the UK

Sunday 19 June 16:24:15 UTC 2016

It's true: Rick Astley really is never gonna give us up. His new album, 50, just hit number one on the UK album charts. Could it soon be doing the same thing in the United States? If you don't remember, Astley is most famous for his 1988 hit, "Never Gonna Give You Up." The catchy track just happens to be … [Link]

Mashable » Creative Photoshoppers make damaged lawn seem interesting

Sunday 19 June 15:39:45 UTC 2016

You can get the kids off your lawn but you can't stop them from Photoshopping it. To the untrained eye, a fallen tree pulling up a lawn is only mildly interesting. However, if you're a Photoshop expert on Reddit, it's an opportunity for comedy. SEE ALSO: Understandable Photoshop battle ensues after man runs with 'nose tampon' If you're wondering what's … [Link]

Slashdot » KDE Bug Fixed After 13 Years

Sunday 19 June 15:30:00 UTC 2016

About 50 KDE developers met this week in the Swiss Alps for the annual Randa Meetings, "seven days of intense in-person work, pushing KDE technologies forward and discussing how to address the next-generation demands for software systems." Christoph Cullmann, who maintains the Kate editor, blogs that during this year's sprint, they finally fixed a 13-year-old bug. He'd filed the bug … [Link]

Mashable » Dudes hilariously freak out at flying patio furniture during thunderstorm

Sunday 19 June 15:29:38 UTC 2016

This is what happens when you can't watch Netflix. A group of guys were observing a thunderstorm in Miami when they spotted their neighbor's patio furniture flying through the air and promptly freaked out — even though patio furniture is very light and easily dislodged by high winds. The guys thought this was so amazing that they uploaded a second video, … [Link]

Mashable » Tamera Mowry snaps awww-inducing selfie with baby daughter

Sunday 19 June 15:16:56 UTC 2016

Sister, sister? It's uncanny how similar Tamera Mowry and baby daughter, Ariah Talea, look in this photo.  SEE ALSO: Baby is deeply unimpressed with her father's "silly" faces Posted to Mowry's Instagram on Saturday, the image shows the two smiling for the camera with matching starry head scarves.  "Saturday mornings with my mini me," the caption reads.  Mowry, who serves … [Link]

Popular Science » Rewatch Blue Origin's Rocket And Capsule Landings

Sunday 19 June 15:16:20 UTC 2016

Space Nailed it Blue Origin (and Amazon.com) CEO Jeff Bezos couldn't have picked a more perfect day to debut on the company's first livestreamed rocket launch and landing. [Link]

Mashable » Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket’s 4th test launch is ‘picture perfect'

Sunday 19 June 15:09:39 UTC 2016

Blue Origin has just completed its riskiest rocket test yet, and it looked pretty good. The Jeff Bezos-backed spaceflight company launched an uncrewed test of its New Shepard rocket system on Sunday at 10:36 a.m. ET from its test site in West Texas.  SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket comes in for a landing in new POV video This … [Link]

Slashdot » South Australia Refuses To Stop Using An Expired, MS-DOS-Based Health Software

Sunday 19 June 14:30:00 UTC 2016

jaa101 writes: The Australian state of South Australia is being sued for refusing to stop using CHIRON, an MS-DOS-based software from the '90s that stores patient records. Their license expired in March of 2015, but they claim it would be risky to stop using it. CHIRON's vendor, Working Systems, says SA Health has been the only user of CHIRON since … [Link]

Mashable » Kids make healthy, well-balanced breakfast for dad on Father's Day

Sunday 19 June 13:56:14 UTC 2016

Dads, start your day with a good breakfast. Redditor CaptainFiddler got a very thoughful, very well-balanced meal from his kids for a Father's Day treat. SEE ALSO: 5 last-minute Father's Day gift ideas Image: reddit, captainfiddlerOn the menu today, some perfectly browned toast with plastic shark and Lego pieces (maybe some butter) and two tea bags in half a cup … [Link]

Popular Science » Watch Blue Origin's Rocket Launch And Landing Attempt At 10:15 ET On Sunday

Sunday 19 June 13:46:55 UTC 2016

Space [Link]

Mashable » Hollywood is finally opening up to Asian Americans

Sunday 19 June 13:44:13 UTC 2016

LOS ANGELES – Margaret Cho made them cry.For a comedian whose sole job over the years was to do the exact opposite — illicit laughter – the emotional reaction was curious, if not completely foreignBut there they were, dozens of Asian-Americans sitting in the audience, misty-eyed. Some were weeping, others holding back emotions. This was a groundbreaking moment in history. A moment … [Link]

Slashdot » Mattel Sells Out Of 'Game Developer Barbie'

Sunday 19 June 13:30:00 UTC 2016

Long-time Slashdot reader sandbagger writes: The Mattel people have released a new Barbie doll figurine touted as Game Developer Barbie. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, she was apparently designed by a game developer. It's already sold out on Mattel's web site, with CNET saying it provides a better role model than a 2014 book In which "computer engineer" Barbie … [Link]

Mashable » Father's Day gifts for celebrities who the Internet calls 'daddy'

Sunday 19 June 12:00:00 UTC 2016

Parenting a child is no longer a requisite for being a "daddy." Now, the most discernible factor is whether or not you’re worthy of someone’s online love Calling someone "daddy" online is a definite trend without a specific definition. As Alana Levinson wrote for Mel, "Anyone, regardless of gender, age or parental status," can be assigned the term of endearment. SEE … [Link]

WIRED » Security News This Week: Anonymous Hacks ISIS Twitter With Gay Pride

Sunday 19 June 11:47:56 UTC 2016

Each Saturday we round up the news stories that we didn’t break or cover in depth at WIRED, but which deserve your attention nonetheless. The post Security News This Week: Anonymous Hacks ISIS Twitter With Gay Pride appeared first on WIRED. [Link]

Slashdot » The Geek Behind Google's Takeover of the Map

Sunday 19 June 11:30:00 UTC 2016

tedlistens writes: Google's map isn't just a map. It's a living, complex manifestation of the data that billions of users and a team of thousands of engineers and designers feed it every day. The public face of the company's mapping effort is Ed Parsons, a gregarious Briton and geographer who as Google's Geospatial Technologist evangelizes for its mission of organizing … [Link]

Mashable » Buff Aussies wanted as 'Ninja Warrior' arrives Down Under

Sunday 19 June 8:32:46 UTC 2016

If you've always fancied yourself as having secret ninja skills, you're in luck: Ninja Warrior is finally coming to Australia. The popular reality show, which sees contestants take on ridiculously difficult obstacles with names like "floating steps" and "fly wheels" accompanied by a fair amount of smoke machine, is set to air a local version on Channel 9 in 2017. … [Link]

Slashdot » Bill Gates' Donation of Thousands of Chickens Rejected by Bolivia

Sunday 19 June 7:30:00 UTC 2016

HughPickens.com shares an article from The Verge: Bill Gates' philanthropic efforts are usually greeted with near-universal praise, but a recent attempt by the US billionaire to donate 100,000 chickens ruffled some feathers. The leftist government of Bolivia…has refused the donation, describing Gates' gift as "offensive." "He does not know Bolivia's reality to think we are living 500 years ago, in … [Link]

Mashable » Touching chalk messages spread support for refugees

Sunday 19 June 5:14:38 UTC 2016

Pouring rain may have kept the chalk from the sidewalk, by Sydneysiders found other ways to share their support for refugees Sunday. June 19 to 25 is Australia's Refugee Week, and the festivities kicked off with a "Chalk Your Support" event at Sydney Town Hall, where attendees were encouraged to share messages of hope and welcome to those seeking a … [Link]

Mashable » You guys, please stop making such morbid Mindy Kaling T-shirts

Sunday 19 June 4:04:44 UTC 2016

Look, Mindy Kaling loves her fans, but some of the tribute T-shirts they make are downright depressing. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live Thursday night, Kaling was asked her opinion about the popular T-shirt that reads: "If I die tell Mindy Kaling I love her." Couldn't all the Kaling-appreciation fashion just be a little more cheerful? "Obviously, I'm very flattered," she said. "I … [Link]

Mashable » Not for the claustrophobic: Sydney to get its first Japanese-style capsule hotel

Sunday 19 June 3:42:29 UTC 2016

If you find yourself out late and a little worse for wear in downtown Sydney, you may soon have a unique place to rest your head. Sydney is set to get its first capsule hotel, Broadsheet reported. A Japanese invention that has been a longtime subject of curiosity to foreigners, the capsule hotel typically features row upon row of rectangular fibreglass "rooms." … [Link]

Slashdot » Open and Rich Co-exist But Don't Mingle So Much

Sunday 19 June 3:30:00 UTC 2016

In an interview with The Atlantic, Ev Williams, best known for co-founding Blogger, Twitter, and Medium, says the web is about money now — and not creativity. According to him, the burst of creativity has repeatedly been followed by big companies showing up and locking it down. From the article: But the thing about dreaming up a future, and making … [Link]

Mashable » The Great Depression dance marathons that lasted months at a time

Sunday 19 June 1:47:29 UTC 2016

1930Ann Lawanick struggles to support her exhausted partner, Jack Ritof, during a dance marathon in Chicago.Image: Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty ImagesDuring the Great Depression, a bizarre and little-known fad emerged across the United States: dance marathonsBeginning in 1923 as light-hearted competitions of endurance, dance marathons eventually transformed into something rather dark and exploitative. Contestants, who were often in dire financial … [Link]

Slashdot » Political Party's Videoconference System Hacked, Allowed Spying On Demand

Sunday 19 June 1:30:00 UTC 2016

The political party heading the Quebec parliament "had its internal videoconference system hacked in what seems to be a default password hack," writes Slashdot reader courteaudotbiz , citing reports in a Canadian newspaper. "Quebec Liberals got a lesson in how not to use the internet," joked one Quebec news station, writing that the security flaw "allowed anyone to gain access … [Link]

Mashable » 'Angels' guard Orlando victim's memorial from Westboro protesters

Sunday 19 June 1:29:15 UTC 2016

Hateful words were no match for crowds of people preaching love and their guardian angels.  The Westboro Baptist Church promised to protest the memorial of an Orlando shooting victim Saturday, but the tiny contingent of four from the homophobic Kansas-based church were drowned out by hundreds of people chanting "We love you!" and "Orlando Strong!" SEE ALSO: 'Safe spaces' for LGBTQ … [Link]

Mashable » Watch Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin perform a risky rocket test during the company's first live webcast Sunday

Sunday 19 June 1:24:05 UTC 2016

On Sunday, the Jeff Bezos-backed spaceflight company Blue Origin will air a test launch of their space system live for the first time online. This will mark the fourth time this particular New Shepard rocket and capsule have flown a test flight.  SEE ALSO: Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket comes in for a landing in new POV video The actual … [Link]

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