Setting up the space shuttle

I've run across some very interesting pictures of the arrival of the main fuel tank and the preparation of the space shuttle prior to lift-off.

The photos are amazing and gives one a perspective on the overall enormity of the shuttle hangar.

Check it out right here.

Mind boggling inventions

All is well with the world and we all have too much money. Pfft! Right.

Here are a coupla new doodads have been sprung on the American consumer by those clever marketing geniuses.

First, a motorcycle engine USB hub for your desktop. With this you can plug in numerous USB devices and bug the crap out of the guy in the next cubicle when you "fire" it up.

There's more here with a video demo.







Next comes this battery powered spaghetti fork. It does the twirling for you. How lazy can you get?

"We can't have pasta tonight, George, because we don't have any batteries!"

Just go here to see.

Ride the Lightning

As some of you know - perhaps independently, perhaps because you astutely deduced from my handle, I make my living as a cop. Hard to hide that when referring to myself as fleetflatfoot. Anyway, I went through some interesting training today as a way to keep myself, my colleagues and my city safe. My department has entered the new age and purchased TASERs for us to carry and deploy as needed.

I'm sure most of you are familiar with what a TASER does, and you may have seen the infamous "Don't Tase me, Bro" video. You may also disagree with its function, as media outlets often skew the facts on an incident where it is used and fail to tell the whole story. Whether you are pro or anti-TASER, allow me to educate:

TASER is an acronym for Tom Swift' And his Electric Rifle. Tom Swift is a fictional book character, and the inventor of the TASER, Jack Cover, was a fan, giving the character a nod by naming the device after him. A TASER is classified as an Electronic Control Device (ECD), but TASER is the most recognizable name in the business, therefore becoming a household name. TASER is the name of the company, with each device getting its own product name, such as the X26.

The TASER has evolved throughout the years and the current model works like this: Two metal barbed probe projectiles are fired from a cartridge which attaches to the "stun gun" portion. The gun delivers an electric current through steel wires which connect to the probes. The probes penetrate a subject's (bad guy's) skin and shock the bejesus out of him in an effort to gain compliance.

The difference between a traditional stun gun and a TASER, is that a well-placed TASER shot will place the probes somewhat far apart on a bad guy's body. It allows for a larger area to be affected, completing a circuit which allows electricity to coarse through the body. The bad guy loses control, goes rigid throughout all his muscles, and is physically unable to resist the shock. A stun gun is used more for pain compliance, which a very strong person, or someone extremely high on drugs may be able to fight through. Not only is the TASER painful, but it disrupts the muscles' ability to obey the brain's signals to move independently.

Believe what you will about TASERs, but I urge you to check out their website if you have doubts. Despite many claims that a TASER contributed to a subject's death, TASER has never been found liable for anyone's death, and they have tons of research and numbers to back their product. You'll find everything you want to know directly from them.

Now on to the fun stuff: the real reason for this article. At the conclusion of class today, after learning about situations in which to deploy the TASER, its effects, and how to properly operate it, we all performed practical tests and became certified to carry TASERs as a less-lethal force option. But, just so we could add validity to our knowledge of the TASERs effects, to give us more credibility when testifying in court, we were given the opportunity to be hit with it for a full 5 second cycle.

That's right. The choice to be TASEd was before me. How could I deny it? I felt the overwhelming urge to display my manhood amongst my peers and take the ride. Check me out, below. Go full screen if you can.



So, how does it feel? One classmate described the sensation as "like licking a 9 volt battery, but all over your body." I agree. But it's so much worse. It is so hard to describe, but I can give you tidbits of what I felt:

I wanted it to be over the instant I got hit.
When the instructor told my spotters to lay me down, I didn't want to be moved. After looking at the video, I realize that they laid me down almost immediately. It felt like 5 seconds before they were even told to move!
I could almost see electricity arcing between my eyes.
I don't remember if I was breathing, but I remember the groaning.
The only thoughts in my head were: "Wow, this blows," and "Oh, man, when will 5 seconds be over?" It felt like WAY longer than 5 seconds.
I heard the pop from the device shooting the probes at me, but I never felt them impact my body and didn't feel them being plucked from my skin. I was hit dead-center between my shoulder blades with one and waist level on my left side with the other. That probe actually penetrated my leather belt and still stuck in my skin and delivered the current. The second video shows my reaction when my spotter tells me I may have to take a second hit because of my belt. Yeah, real funny.
I actually feared the barbed probes worse than the shock initially. The actual probes used to shock me are pictured above. What a souvenir!

When the current stopped flowing, the pain and rigidity went away completely. Nothing hurt except my calves, which I flexed so hard they cramped a bit. They are still sore now, 3 hours later. For the next 30 minutes, I felt like I was coming down from a huge adrenaline rush, feeling exhausted but still excited from what I had just experienced.

So I survived, but I have no lousy T-Shirt to prove it. My heart didn't stop, my breathing wasn't affected, and I couldn't do a damn thing. I look forward to having this tool available to keep myself alive at work. I wish some of the doubters could take the 5 second experience to know just how effective the TASER is. TASER even offers a free X26 (over $800 value) to any officer who withstands 30 seconds of the beast.

Not me, brother. I'd rather die than wish for death for 30 seconds.

Sundial clock idea that just might work

This is so cool. A sundial clock using bulbs instead of the sun.

Called the "Bulbdial Clock," it's just an idea for right now.

Personally, I hope some company picks up on this. Talk about a conversation starter at parties...

More info here.

(Gizmodo)

Top 40 Photoshopped pictures

We've seen the power of Photoshop, the outrageously expensive Swiss Army Knife of photo editing and image manipulation.

To further demonstrate the uniqueness of the software and the talent of the artisans who use it, I present a link to a pictorial of 40 images which have been altered in crazy ways.

Check 'em out right here.

Table-top tapper

Some clever entrepreneurial types have devised a method of installing a beer tap at every table of their establishment, all the while keeping track of the amount of beer poured at all taps.

Saves wear and tear on the cocktail server and you won't have to wade into the crowd at the bar.

The technology that goes into this has been around for years. It's just nobody thought to tap into the idea (groan.)

Check out the vid below.

Ride along with the Space Shuttle

Get a first-hand view of the Shuttle launch sequence from an onboard camera.

I found myself damn-near mesmerized by the whole video and was so disappointed when it ended 2 1/2 minutes later.

Watch it for yourself below.

MacBook Air parodies

In recent weeks you've probably sat through the MacBook Air commercial, what, a coupla hunnert times? The computer is obviously not for everyone but it does have that unique thinness.

Below are a couple of other videos which are spoofs at the ad and also are digs at other products. Same premise, same song.

Watch below.

Big Dog robot

Under development by Boston Dynamics, the Big Dog robot is designed to carry heavy loads on the battlefield, as is hoped by the company.

After some fits and starts, they finally seem to have a viable product on their hands.

Check out the video below. Sounds like a giant wasp.







Of course, there's a parody video of the same robot performed by humans. It's so stupid, it's hilarious. I'd call it, "Mega-Mongrel - Microsoft's answer to the Big Dog Robot."

FetchBot 9000

How do you give your little sausage dog some exercise while you're busy? One inventor-type devised what he calls the FetchBot to keep his low-slung canine in shape.

Great fun and it's fun for the kids.

Too bad the little tiny dog at the end of the video didn't climb aboard for a ride. Now that I'd like to see.

Google office in Zurich

This one goes out to all you cubicle rats who have to run a maze every time you gotta go to the can or get a coffee. Google, as we all know, is a gigantic company, much hated by Microsoft, who comes up with clever and cool ways to do things we thought never could be done. Many times offering the stuff for free.

So what's it like to work for Google? First, there are the interview questions, the likes of which will leave a MENSA veteran scratching his head. If the prospective candidate is accepted, the office environs are second to none. Employees are known to spend sometimes 20 hours a day at the job. Most of the amenities (pop, food, etc.) are free.

So what does it look like inside the Google office? Check out a great pictorial of their office in Zurich, Switzerland.

Holograms nearing reality

"Help me, Obi Wan!" That image of a hologram Leia is in all of our memory banks. Interestingly enough, there's news of advancement in holography technology in the here and now.

Apple has applied for a patent on a 3D holographic display.

A South Korean display features classic works of art that move and talk.

Amazing? Kinda sorta. Check out the video in the Korea link above and report back on your thoughts. It's somewhat a breakthrough demonstration, but it's certainly not Princess Leia.

Sir Arthur C. Clarke - 1917-2008

The world bids farewell to Sir Arthur C. Clarke who passed away at his home in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He was 90 years old.

He was best known for his book 2001: A Space Odyssey which Stanley Kubrick made popular via the cinema. I remember seeing it in the theater in the late '60s.

Clarke is also known for his idea of geostationary satellites used for communication. And this quote:

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.

The world of science and science fiction have lost a legend.

More info here and here.

Quotes from Arthur C. Clarke here.

Dextre - space station robot

If you've been paying attention to the news, you may have heard that the space shuttle crew were assembling a robot up there.

So what's that all about? What will this robot do?

Check out a short article on this "droid" at Gizmodo right here.

99 new uses for everyday objects

Recycle some of the loose crap you have in the junk drawer and the garage.

Coke and toothpaste have great cleaning powers. Even warm flat beer can be put to good use. And hair. Hair? Who has hair lyin' around?

There's something of value here for all girls and boys.

Some great tips and tricks are right here.

Did you oversleep again?

Did Daylight Savings time kick you in the keister? Up late last light playing video games? Were you dreaming about Jessica Alba again and slept right through the alarm? Was there a power failure at 3 a.m.? Is that what's troubling you, Bunky?

Well, wake up and smell the bacon! Get yourself a new alarm clock, one that's guaranteed to rouse you and make it easier to get your ass out of bed.

Check out these unique alternatives to the traditional waker-upper.

I... smell... BACON!

(MissCellania)

Filthy, messy, dirty tech

Over the years, I've opened up my share of computer boxes and other doodads and what was inside was usually not the prettiest thing to behold. Although I've never been surprised by snakes, rats, spiders, boogers or phlegm inside, the amount of dust bunnies, all congregated together inside some machines was sometimes enough to warrant taking the unit outside for a compressed air experience.

With that in mind, Gizmodo has compiled a collection of pix of some of the filthiest, dirtiest devices ever to count in binary.

Check out their putrid pictorial right here.

Steampunk Mac mini

This Steampunk mod is absolutely stunning. I can only imagine how much time it took to come up with this finished product.

Dave Veloz has crafted a tin box Mac mini replete with all the classic frills and nuances that scream 19th century. There's even an olden monitor and typewriter-keyed keyboard. The addition of the oval silhouettes and kerosene lamp tie a nice pretty bow around this extraordinary mod package.

Enjoy some nice pictures of this beautiful computer here.

Computing - a look back at 1985

If you're as geeky as I am, then you'll enjoy these photos from Personal Computing magazine, July, 1985.

I remember those days; back when you bought ten, double-sided, double-density, 5.25-inch floppy disks for $16.

Look through the pictures and read some of the specs in the ads. It's a wonder how far we've come since then.

Check out the photos here.

(Funtasticus)

Mobius climbers

Here's an interesting idea for playground structure called a Mobius climber, inspired by the one-sided mobius strip.

The concept looks absolutely great. At first. But when you consider the part that gravity plays and the P.C. nature of the parental community who would like an entire protective force field around the child, the concept is a liability black hole.

Check out their product page. Too bad this stuff didn't come out in, say, the '50s. When the laws were nonexistent and kids had so much more fun.

(Gizmodo)