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 » Should Kaspersky Lab Show Its Source Code To The US Government?

Sunday 2 July 23:34:00 UTC 2017

Today the CEO of Kaspersky Lab said he's willing to show the company's source code to the U.S. government, testify before Congress, and even move part of his research work to the U.S. to dispel suspicious about his company. The Associated Press reports: Kaspersky, a mathematical engineer who attended a KGB-sponsored school and once worked for Russia's Ministry of Defense, … [Link]

Mashable » 'Game of Thrones' sand animation adds a dash of art to Season 7 hype

Sunday 2 July 23:00:18 UTC 2017

It's almost back, you only have a couple more weeks, but in the meantime, here's a reminder of how awesome Game of Thrones is — in sand!  Poland-based sand artist Tetiana Galitsyna regularly uses her nimble fingers and the grainy medium to craft portraits of all kinds, but this time she decided to do the same in honor of the … [Link]

Slashdot » New Research Explodes Myths About Ada Lovelace

Sunday 2 July 22:34:00 UTC 2017

Two mathematics historians investigated the Lovelace-Byron family archives (which are available online) to confirm the early mathematical prowess of Ada Lovelace for two scholarly journals. Slashdot reader bugs2squash shares a post from the Oxford Mathematical Institute: The work challenges widespread claims that Lovelace's mathematical abilities were more "poetical" than practical, or indeed that her knowledge was so limited that Babbage … [Link]

Mashable » Hot tip: Don't mess with your bonfire

Sunday 2 July 21:41:42 UTC 2017

Here's a tip for your Fourth of July weekend: Absolutely do not, for any reason, use fire accelerants to increase the size of you bonfire. If this clip is any evidence, attempted shortcuts can, quite literally, backfire. Let's all try to make it to Wednesday in one piece, ok? Read more… More about Watercooler, Culture, and Web Culture [Link]

Slashdot » The US Considers A Remote Identification System For Drones

Sunday 2 July 21:34:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes Engadget: The FAA is still trying to figure out the best way to regulate drones to ensure safety. Last week, a committee tasked with tackling the issue met for the first time, including representatives from Amazon, Ford and NYPD. One of the items discussed was a better way to identify registered drones from the ground since … [Link]

Mashable » Oh boy, Florida residents can now challenge the science taught in public schools

Sunday 2 July 20:35:51 UTC 2017

Parents have fought successfully over the years to ban books like the Harry Potter series and Catcher and the Rye from public schools. Now in Florida, residents could possibly do the same with textbooks about the science behind climate change and evolution. Last week, Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that makes it easier for any Florida resident to object to … [Link]

Slashdot » 15 Devices (Including 6 Laptops) Awarded FSF's 'Respects Your Freedom' Certification

Sunday 2 July 20:34:00 UTC 2017

This week the Free Software Foundation awarded its coveted 'Respects Your Freedom' certification to 15 products — more than doubling the number of certified products (from 12 to 27) since the program began in 2012. An anonymous reader writes: The non-profit FSF certified six different laptops, two docking stations, three WiFi USB adapters and two internal WiFi devices, a mainboard, … [Link]

Slashdot » China's Rocket Fails After Liftoff

Sunday 2 July 19:34:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes CNN: The second launch of China's new-generation Long March-5 carrier rocket failed Sunday — dealing a blow to the country's ambitious space aspirations. Carrying an experimental communications satellite, China's largest rocket lifted off at 7:23 p.m. local time (7:23 a.m. ET) toward clear skies from the seaside Wenchang space launch center on the southern Chinese island … [Link]

Mashable » CNN to Trump: Do your job

Sunday 2 July 19:11:02 UTC 2017

After a Sunday morning tweet from President Donald Trump that featured a violent anti-CNN clip, the news network is pushing back on Trump's "juvenile behavior."  Theirs is the latest example of a news organization pushing back on Trump's "fake news" narrative. SEE ALSO: Trump posts body slam video after defending his "modern presidential" Twitter claim CNN statement responding to the president: … [Link]

Slashdot » Seeking YouTube Fame, A Teenager Kills Her Boyfriend

Sunday 2 July 18:34:00 UTC 2017

Last Monday a 19-year-old woman named Monalisa Perez gave the police a strange reason for why her boyfriend, Pedro Ruiz III, was dead. An anonymous reader quotes Ars Technica: A Minnesota woman has been charged with manslaughter after she shot and killed her boyfriend as part of the pair's attempt to become YouTube celebrities… The two had set up two … [Link]

Mashable » 'Destiny 2' introduces a new raid with a very specific focus

Sunday 2 July 18:16:22 UTC 2017

Luke Smith, the director of Destiny 2 and one of the key architects behind the series, looks at all of the raids to date as his children. "I love all of them and they're all unique in their own way," he said during an E3 interview. SEE ALSO: The 'Destiny 2' loot grind is no longer a slot machine Smith led … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Google App Engine Gets Full Java 8 Support

Sunday 2 July 18:03:10 UTC 2017

Platform as a Service (PaaS) is considered by many to be the ideal way to get your applications to the cloud. Google, with its App Engine product was among the first off the blocks and the last few years have seen steady fixes and enhancements to the platform.This changed last week with the announcement for full Java 8 support on … [Link]

Slashdot » Rocket Lab Inaugurates The Era Of Even Cheaper Rocket Launches

Sunday 2 July 17:34:00 UTC 2017

pacopico writes: Elon Musk and SpaceX kicked off the New Space era with low-cost, reusable rockets. But now there's something just as dramatic brewing with really, really cheap rockets and really, really cheap satellites. Bloomberg has just profiled Peter Beck, a self-taught rocket engineer from New Zealand, who has built a $5 million rocket that will be taking cubesats [miniaturized … [Link]

Mashable » This chill gorilla loves baby animal videos like the rest of us

Sunday 2 July 17:04:29 UTC 2017

When the news cycle stresses you out, there's perhaps no better escape than glimpsing upon an adorable animal friend. Take, for instance, this gorilla at the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky.  He's serene, calm, and content. He looks like a great listener. And he, like us, really enjoys watching videos of baby animals. My new friend and I enjoy watching videos of … [Link]

Popular Science » Want to be cool as a cucumber all summer long?

Sunday 2 July 17:01:04 UTC 2017

Gadgets Items to keep the summer swelter to a minimum Items to keep you cool in the sweltering summer heat. Read on. [Link]

Mashable » Please enjoy this small dog using a large dog as a pool float

Sunday 2 July 16:40:49 UTC 2017

Our summer aesthetic is this Yorkshire terrier — desperate for some pool time but afraid to go it alone — who uses his large companion as a makeshift float.  Send to anyone — read: everyone — who could use a palate cleanser from the current political climate. Read more… More about Watercooler, Animals, Culture, Animals, and Web Culture [Link]

Slashdot » Modularity Finally Approved For Java 9

Sunday 2 July 16:34:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes InfoWorld:With a new round of voting completed this week, the Java Community Process Executive Committee passed by a 24-0 vote the Java Platform Module System public review ballot, the subject of Java Specification Request 376. In May, the same group, citing concerns over the plan being disruptive and lacking consensus, voted the measure down, 13 to … [Link]

Mashable » Runaway portable toilets menace fleeing passerby during Moscow storm

Sunday 2 July 16:14:22 UTC 2017

Inclement weather in Moscow on Friday summoned an unexpected public menace: Runaway portable toilets. Per RT, high winds sent portable toilets skidding across a walkway between the Moscow Museum of Archaeology and the Museum of the Patriotic War in 1812, near by the city's Red Square.  SEE ALSO: Trust the reviews: Toilet seat covers are a great skincare product Clips of … [Link]

Mashable » Startup adds beds and Wi-Fi to buses to turn them into 'moving hotels'

Sunday 2 July 16:05:00 UTC 2017

Maybe you're reading this while slogging through soul-crushing traffic during the long holiday weekend. You might wish you could just curl up with that book stowed away in the trunk or catch up on some sleep from a tiring week at work.  None of that is happening on this road trip, but when Cabin, a sleeping bus, launches later this month, … [Link]

Slashdot » Tylenol May Kill Kindness

Sunday 2 July 15:34:00 UTC 2017

Long-time Slashdot reader randomErr writes: In research published in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience scientists describe the results of two experiments conducted involving more than 200 college students.Their conclusion is that acetaminophen can reduce a person's capacity to empathize with another person's pain. "We don't know why acetaminophen is having these effects, but it is concerning," senior author … [Link]

Mashable » Celebrate gaming's real patriots this Fourth of July

Sunday 2 July 15:11:22 UTC 2017

Gaming’s heroes tend to be the least patriotic characters.  The hero is usually the type that bucks tradition – that says “no” to law and order and “yes” to self-sufficient, independent bad-assery. Even many of the more patriotic characters end up having a complex relationship with the nation/Empire they so fervently love, whether they’re a Master Chief or a Solid Snake.  … [Link]

Mashable » Trump's wrestling tweet delivers a sobering reminder: This is not a game

Sunday 2 July 15:01:49 UTC 2017

There is a grain of truth in every joke. Or, as may be the case here, an entire granary. Donald Trump struck a nerve on Sunday morning when his recently ramped up attacks on the media in general — and CNN in particular — took a troubling turn. In a single tweet, the only person in the world with the power … [Link]

Mashable » Here are the top 10 Beatles song according to me, somebody who just wants to piss you off

Sunday 2 July 15:00:00 UTC 2017

The Beatles were arguably the best band to ever make music. By the time they finally called it quits in 1970, the group had gone from poppy boy band to psychedelic rockers to artistic innovators, and changed music for the better at every turn. The Fab Four from Liverpool are still the best-selling band in history with over 800 million physical … [Link]

Popular Science » Everything you need to know about the explosive science of fireworks

Sunday 2 July 15:00:00 UTC 2017

Science Light 'em up. Fireworks aren't magic, they're science; learn the chemistry behind these holiday staples. [Link]

Slashdot » California Has So Much Solar Power That Other States Are Paid To Take It

Sunday 2 July 14:32:00 UTC 2017

"On 14 days during March, Arizona utilities got a gift from California: free solar power," reported the Los Angeles Times. Mic reports: California is generating so much solar energy that it is resorting to paying other states to take the excess electricity in order to prevent overloading power lines. According to the Los Angeles Times, Arizona residents have already saved … [Link]

Mashable » From Wonder Woman to Hamilton: 5 must-read books in the second half of 2017

Sunday 2 July 14:30:45 UTC 2017

The year's half over, but 2017 has saved the best for last with some intense delights for geeks arriving in late summer and fall.  Case in point: these five books on our must-read list. We've got the return of one widely-loved writer (Philip Pullman), the successor to another (H.G. Wells), plus a couple of tomes that give us another good look … [Link]

Mashable » Trump posts body slam video after defending his "modern presidential" Twitter claim

Sunday 2 July 14:05:09 UTC 2017

Donald Trump isn't the first U.S. president to communicate via social media. But he's the first to use social platforms to harass TV hosts, celebrate violence against the media, and share basically any unfiltered thought at 5 a.m. That, according to Trump, is what makes him not just presidential, but "MODERN DAY PRESIDENTIAL." My use of social media is not Presidential … [Link]

Mashable » Dogs will love this chew toy that smells just like you

Sunday 2 July 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Studies show dogs cope with separation anxiety by keeping an object with their owner's scent nearby.  The Smelly Sock allows a dog to play with an item carrying that scent while protecting it from damage. Read more…More about Kickstarter, Dogs, Dog, Inventions, and Invention [Link]

Mashable » The future of the iPhone camera: 5x zoom, AI-powered, amazing in low light

Sunday 2 July 14:00:00 UTC 2017

The history of smartphone photography is a never-ending chase after features of full-sized cameras while keeping the actual camera modules slim enough to fit a thin phone case. Impossibly and amazingly, the smartphone is winning this battle. A modern smartphone still can’t replace a professional-grade DSLR at a sporting event, but it can take one hell of a good photo, especially … [Link]

Mashable » Rare photos of Marilyn Monroe hiking in the woods, before she was famous

Sunday 2 July 14:00:00 UTC 2017

Image: Ed Clark/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty ImagesIn 1950, LIFE photographer Ed Clark got a call from a friend at 20th Century Fox about a “hot tomato” the studio had just signed: Marilyn Monroe.The young actress had previously signed with Fox in August 1946, but was dropped after the end of her second six-month contract.Monroe spent the following years honing her craft, … [Link]

Slashdot » HP Answers The Question: Moore's Law Is Ending. Now What?

Sunday 2 July 13:28:00 UTC 2017

Long-time Slashdot reader Paul Fernhout writes: R. Stanley Williams, of Hewlett Packard Labs, wrote a report exploring the end of Moore's Law, saying it "could be the best thing that has happened in computing since the beginning of Moore's law. Confronting the end of an epoch should enable a new era of creativity by encouraging computer scientists to invent biologically … [Link]

Mashable » 16 striking murals that show the devastating effects of climate change

Sunday 2 July 13:00:00 UTC 2017

A large sweeping mural in the far north of Canada says all you need to know about a new climate change awareness project: "Know I'm Here" is painted in big white letters across a squat gray building. Local ecosystems are suffering in the area due to climate change, and yet the dangers are often overlooked. Two environmental nonprofits are hoping to … [Link]

Mashable » There's a magically nerdy musical easter egg in 'Spider-Man: Homecoming'

Sunday 2 July 12:56:53 UTC 2017

No spoilers. For those who aren't feeling hype enough about Spider-Man: Homecoming, perhaps this will put you over the top. You will hear the theme song from Spidey's 1960s cartoon series at some point in the movie SEE ALSO: The Evolution of Spider-Man It's not quite the same as the 'toon version, however. This is an orchestral version by the film … [Link]

Popular Science » How to stream music all around your house

Sunday 2 July 12:00:57 UTC 2017

DIY Bring the tunes upstairs and downstairs. If you want to get your music streaming all over your home, you've got a lengthy list of devices and platforms to pick from. We can help you pick the one that's right… [Link]

Mashable » This startup helps Uber drivers make extra cash by selling random stuff in their cars

Sunday 2 July 12:00:00 UTC 2017

Anyone who's been stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic in an Uber probably could have used a pair of headphones or an Altoid at some point.  Cargo is a new startup that promises to provide those random items you'd be happy to have mid-ride — and, more importantly, offer another source of income for ride-hailing drivers.  SEE ALSO: A top advocate for women … [Link]

Mashable » Learn how to grow your brand on Instagram with this $20 course

Sunday 2 July 11:00:00 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. You’re right to ignore those spammy Instagram messages and friend requests promising to dramatically increase your follower count. In reality, the best way to build your Insta-presence is to devote time and effort to creating content and engaging your audience—but that doesn’t mean you … [Link]

Mashable » Finally, a way to turn your smartphone into a universal remote

Sunday 2 July 11:00:00 UTC 2017

Just to let you know, if you buy something featured here, Mashable might earn an affiliate commission. What do your television, air conditioner, cable box, and ceiling fan all have in common? They can soon all be controlled through the smartphone in your pocket.     The KlikR Universal Remote Control provides a welcome respite from remote mayhem by combining every remote … [Link]

Slashdot » Central Bankers Warned Of Possible Economic 'Robocalypse'

Sunday 2 July 10:24:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes the Seattle Times: At an exclusive gathering at a golf resort near Lisbon, the big minds of monetary policy were seriously discussing the risk that artificial intelligence could eliminate jobs on a scale that would dwarf previous waves of technological change. "There is no question we are in an era of people asking, 'Is the Robocalpyse … [Link]

Slashdot » While Chrome Dominates, Microsoft Edge Struggles To Attract New Users

Sunday 2 July 7:14:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes Neowin's report on the newest browser-usage figures from NetMarketShare: Microsoft Edge only commands a market share of 5.65% — which is an increase of only 0.02 percentage points compared to last month… it only grew by 0.56% year-over-year. On the other hand, Google Chrome has continued its dominance with a market share of 59.49%. As a … [Link]

Slashdot » Ubuntu Disputes 'Ads In MOTD' Claims

Sunday 2 July 4:10:00 UTC 2017

Thursday Lproven (Slashdot reader #6030) wrote: It appears that Ubuntu is using a feature it has added — intended to insert headlines of breaking tech news (security alerts and so on) into the Message of the Day displayed at login to the console — to display advertising and promotional messages. The message in question linked to a Hacker Noon article … [Link]

ProgrammableWeb.com » Daily API RoundUp: FriendlyData, Crate.io, Redox, CapLinked, Assertible

Sunday 2 July 2:22:54 UTC 2017

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]

Slashdot » Is Ruby's Decline In Popularity Permanent?

Sunday 2 July 1:06:00 UTC 2017

An anonymous reader quotes Computerworld: Ruby has had a reputation as a user-friendly language for building web applications. But its slippage in this month's RedMonk Programming Language Rankings has raised questions about where exactly the language stands among developers these days. The twice-yearly RedMonk index ranked Ruby at eighth, the lowest position ever for the language. "Swift and now Kotlin … [Link]

Archive

27 Apr 2024  26 Apr 2024  25 Apr 2024  24 Apr 2024  23 Apr 2024  22 Apr 2024  21 Apr 2024  20 Apr 2024  19 Apr 2024  18 Apr 2024  17 Apr 2024  16 Apr 2024  15 Apr 2024  14 Apr 2024  13 Apr 2024  12 Apr 2024  11 Apr 2024  10 Apr 2024  09 Apr 2024  08 Apr 2024  07 Apr 2024  06 Apr 2024  05 Apr 2024  04 Apr 2024  03 Apr 2024  02 Apr 2024  01 Apr 2024  31 Mar 2024  30 Mar 2024  29 Mar 2024  28 Mar 2024  27 Mar 2024