Human Brain Connections Surprise Researchers

Cnet is reporting about imaging developments made at Stanford School of Medicine revealing that the human brain is more complex than anything previously imagined. Come to find out, a single brain contains more switches than all of the electronic switches on Earth. The cerebral cortex alone contains more synapses than the stars in 1,500 Milky Way galaxies. Researchers are also learning that each synapse is not merely a binary switch, but a complex cell capable of computation and data storage. These new findings may shed light on why silicon-based machines have as yet been unable to duplicate computing abilities found in biological systems. Publication at Neuron.

Source: http://robots.net/article/3075.html

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ESPN site suggests Xbox Live streaming coming soon to Time Warner, Brighthouse

If you're a Time Warner or Brighthouse network cable subscriber, the new ESPN streaming functionality that came with the November Dashboard update was kinda lost on you in that you couldn't find it ... ever. Hope is coming though -- Brighthouse (which is owned by Time Warner) says Xbox 360 functionality is coming to its customers next year while this page on ESPN's site assures those patiently waiting that they'll be able to stream ESPN through their Xbox 360 soon.

The way it will work is when a Time Warner or Brighthouse user turns on their Xbox 360 and tries to access the ESPN app (right now, you should get this screen), it'll direct them to this ESPN activation page where they will have to authenticate their account with Brighthouse or Time Warner, then be given an access code. Previously, ESPN3.com content wasn't available to Time Warner and Brighthouse subscribers, though a new deal inked back in September changed that.

So where does that leave us? Pretty much at the same spot, actually -- though at least now it seems there's a light at the end of the tunnel and it's illuminating sports stuff.

[Thanks, Grady]

JoystiqESPN site suggests Xbox Live streaming coming soon to Time Warner, Brighthouse originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/18/espn-site-suggests-xbox-live-streaming-coming-soon-to-time-warne/

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Tron knee brace

tron_knee_brace.JPG

After working all week on the Tron bag tutorial and video, I'm dressed to impress tonight with some EL wire on my knee brace. Some dude yelled at me for being in the front of the bus the other day, but it was because he couldn't see my giant post-surgery knee brace under my long coat. That's not a problem anymore! I glued the EL wire in place and clipped the inverter to one of the straps. Full size pic on Flickr.

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Source: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/tron_knee_brace.html

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Print your own battery compartments

printable_battery_holder.jpg

Nikolaus Gradwohl found himself in constant need of battery packs to power his gadgets, so rather than keep purchasing them, he wrote up a parameterizable battery compartment generator. Of course, to make good use of this, you'll need to have some sort of 3d printer on hand, but i like the idea of being able to design a custom battery enclosure, that can then be customized to fit the exact shape that my project requires.

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Source: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/print_your_own_battery_compartments.html

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Houdini Out of Free Trial Traps

All you did was sign up for the free trial and now, 32 days later you have a charge on your Visa card for 29.99 that you didn't want. If only you could turn back time like Marty Mcfly and do it all differently.

Free Trials are actually pretty cool ideas, I get a chance to try something out for a bit and if I don't like it, I don't pay for it... yet. Pre-planning is a prerequisite to free trials, without it you will pay the price (pun intended) unless you know how to get around the fees.

? Free Trial/ Costly Shipping:  Frankly I stay away from these as they aren't free when I have to pay to get it mailed out and usually at a cost that is 2-3 times the usual cost of the 1st class mail option they sent it to you. There is are a few items that are worth the shipping cost (see free sterling silver site), but I wouldn't personally think of it as free, I would think of them as costing 6.99, for shipping.

? Clock is Ticking: The free trial doesn't start from the time you finally get around to downloading the software or watching the HBO channel, it starts the minute you click on the button to order or say, "Yes, I would like to try that for free."

? Read the Tiny Print: The itsy, bitsy, teeny, tiny print will definitely tell all the conditions of the trial. Look for length of trial, cost after trial and anything you may be signed up for with a 3rd party (name/address selling) or if you have to send anything back at your own cost. Until you know the rules, don't jump into the pool.

? Befriend the Calendar: When you do find out the length of the trial, write it on a calendar or send yourself an email or set an alarm on your phone. I would also suggest that you make it a day or two ahead of the end of trial so that you can hit the snooze for another day if you absolutely have to.

? Know Canceling Techniques: Have yourself all ready with whom to call, where to write or what links to click to cancel. If one way doesn't work, you will have alternatives to try to cancel. Also another good reason to cancel ahead of time because sometimes they will take 24- 48hours to "complete the cancellation" and you don't want to be outside your trial period when that happens (not that it would be your fault, but err on the side of caution).

? Big Brother Your Statement: On the day of the end of the trial to 30 days beyond, keep an eye on your card statement to make sure nothing was added "accidentally". Some people may have print outs of the page that showed the order and fine print for proof that the company didn't follow through on their word. But I haven't come across that yet, Simply keeping an eye on my statement details for a period of time is usually enough.


The most common trial options are:
 Health or Beauty aides - Shipping is usually required or return of the bottle at your cost may be necessary
Credit reports - typically require you to sign up for a 2-4 week trial of a report watch system. Your best place for these is Annualcreditreport.com, which is the official site with no strings attached.
Tea/Coffee - I have the Gevelia coffe maker ads on my site as I have used them without troubles and they do have a monthly club you participate in unless you cancel within the required time.
Computer or Computer Software - The computer offers usually require you to sign up and sometimes order other products or get others to sign up with you. I'm not a fan of those.
With free computer software, Download.com has quite a few free trials, but you want to check that you get the full software and not a chopped down version and how long the trial is of course.
Magazine subscriptions - I come across these often and usually they will stop after a certain time if you send the bill back with cancel. But if you have given your credit card to get the free issues, be diligent about checking the statement as I have seen charges show up months later.

Free trials can be very useful as long as you are proactive with regard to the fine print before you sign off on the trial.


Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/IpRp/~3/6y3fbO8rRPQ/houdini-out-of-free-trial-traps.html

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Fallout: New Vegas visual mods make PC version prettier, no less buggy

While Bethesda and developer Obsidian Entertainment are busy taking a plasma rifle to the countless bugs still present in Fallout: New Vegas, devoted -- and programming-savvy -- fans are putting out mods for the PC version of the game that improve its texture maps and lighting, sometimes dramatically. Couch Athletics took a look at three of the more promising additions in its most recent "Mod Madness" feature.

First up is the Arenovalis Weapon Retexture Project which, as its name suggests, replaces the textures on the game's weapons -- 11 of them so far, all of which look far better than the "stock" guns, and the mod's developer is continuing to add more. Then there's the Detailed Normals Texture Pack, which features improved normal maps for some of the world textures (ground and rocks, most prominently) that make them more 3D-looking, though sometimes very shiny.

The most impressive of the new mods, however, is FNV Enhanced Shaders, which makes the game's lighting more realistic and adds a depth-of-field effect, among others, which are all player-adjustable. The results of combining these mods can be seen in the video we've posted after the break. Now, if only someone could make a "Bug-Free Pack" -- and we don't mean one that kills off all the mutated ants and radscorpions.

Continue reading Fallout: New Vegas visual mods make PC version prettier, no less buggy

JoystiqFallout: New Vegas visual mods make PC version prettier, no less buggy originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/fallout-new-vegas-visual-mods-make-pc-version-prettier-no-less/

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Guest Post: Bing National Tailgating Championship Recap, New Orleans

The Bing National Tailgating Championship headed down to the Big Easy for this week’s regional finals. 

 

 

Congratulations to Drago’s Char Broiling Engine Oysters who claimed the right to compete for top tailgating honors in February.  The New Orleans’ natives bowled over fans and judges with their oysters, gumbo and etouffé.

If you’re in Seattle next Sunday, come out and join us at Qwest Field (North Parking Lot.)   Come see the tailgaters compete, get in mindset for the game and see how Bing can help make the most of your game day decisions. 

Joe Cahn joins us again this week to share his thoughts on his home town of New Orleans.

- The Bing team

Back Home and On To the Finish Line (Almost)

By Joe “The Commish” Cahn


Here’s what I had expected when we made our stop in New Orleans, my hometown, for the Bing National Tailgating Championship: amazing food, great tailgaters and that laissez les bonne temps roulez attitude.

Here’s what I didn’t expect: weather better suited for Omaha.

Wow, was it cold.

But, it didn’t put a damper on our time there at all. If anything, it got us all closer to celebrating an amazing team in the Saints and outstanding tailgaters.

Our judges, like every stop, knew that they were in for a real treat -- and each team did not disappoint.

Tommy Cvitanovich and Drago’s Char Broiling Engine Company (with the New Orleans Fire Department) kept the masses fed. Oysters, oysters and more oysters. Oh, and there was gumbo and etouffé aplenty.

Kristen Preau and the Yum Yum Girls cooked up a jambalaya that had just the right amount of seasoning that kept us filled up and warm.

Scott Sparks and the Korner Krewe dished up some amazing stuff -- including the Cajun Football. This, my friends, is something special -- stuffed pork wrapped in bacon and smoked for two hours. We were literally in hog heaven.

Chris Henkhaus and the FeedYard Saloon went all-out, too. Cajun sausage, ribs -- other delicious southern meats -- fresh-cut potatoes and the piéce de resistance, a whole roasted pig. To most people, that would seem over-the-top. For Chris and his crew, it’s just another day at the tailgate.

Like every stop along the way, the competition was close.

Each of the teams gave their best but, in the end, Drago’s Char Broiling Engine Company and the New Orleans Fire Department came out victorious and will be heading down to Arlington, Texas to represent their city.

It was a true New Orleans celebration and smiles abounded. We’ve come a long way as   a city and never forget what inspires us -- even in the face of adversity. You have to look no further than Chris and his team.

His setup tells a true, New Orleans story of resolve and love. In 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, he salvaged what he could so that he could keep his tailgating on track. It was a challenge, but when you see what he was able to do, you can’t help but think about how much caring, dedication and love went in to it.

The homecoming for me was sweet -- and delicious.

Now, it’s on to another homecoming of sorts -- Seattle -- the home of Bing.

It may be a little wet up in the Pacific Northwest but I can guarantee that nothing will get in the way of a great time.

- Joe “The Commish” Cahn

Source: http://www.bing.com/community/Site_Blogs/b/search/archive/2010/12/14/guest-post-bing-national-tailgating-championship-recap-new-orleans.aspx

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Altitude testing the Nexus S

Field testing gear can be a hoot. Check out this video of Googlers launching Nexus S phones into the upper atmosphere to test on-board sensors. [via phandorid]

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Source: http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2010/12/altitude_testing_the_nexus_s.html

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