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Software engineer decorates office cube like a boss

This software engineer really, really loves Christmas...and symphonic metal, as his cube decoration contest entry shows.

Redditor and software engineer Billiam5 posted this video on Reddit late last night demonstrating his achievement in action, replete with dancing Christmas lights synced to the song "Wizards in Winter," by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra (TSO).

According to the artist himself, Billiam5 used the Arduino prototyping platform and Flash-based animation programming to bring the LEDs to life:… Read more

Night vision for civilian pilots

Flying your Bell Ranger in a ball cap is something of a fashion statement. But it lacks that iconic, ant-head panache that until recently only military pilots wearing restricted, government-use-only night vision-equipped helmets could pull off.

The NVAG-6 Night Vision Goggles change all that. They're the first night vision goggle certified by the FAA for civilian use, according to manufacturer Nivisys. Of course, looks are not what will sell this gear. It's the safety margin they can potentially add to low-light and nighttime flying (PDF).

"This is a historical moment for civil aviator night vision safety. Nivisys … Read more

Linux Foundation names Ted Ts'o as CTO

With Markus Rex returning to Novell, it was only a matter of time before the Linux Foundation would name a new chief technology officer. What wasn't as clear, however, was the stature of the person that would replace Rex.

On Thursday, the Linux Foundation announced Ted Ts'o as its new CTO, a man with serious street cred amongst the Linux elite. Ts'o is known as the first North American Linux kernel developer and has been with IBM since 2001, focusing on real-time Linux.

Ts'o will be on loan from IBM for two years and will focus … Read more

The 404 207: Where Justin has eaten Phil Ryan's cookies

Former CNET Photo expert and current PopPhoto.com editor Phil Ryan sneaks by security to join the show. We talk cameras, the rules for conjugal visits, iPhone apps that make prank calling easier, and, of course, plenty of poo-poo jokes.

Dan the Mantern here. My favorite story of the day has to do with Chinese food, a staple cuisine enjoyed by everyone but especially by Jews on Christmas everywhere. Excerpted from a book entitled: Chinese Restaurant Food: Wok Carefully, a title which surprisingly offended Justin, this article lists the seven most unhealthy choices on a typical takeout menu. The experts decry the old standbys: General Tso's chicken, BBQ spare ribs, fried rice, and lo mein. Is anyone really surprised that the $4.95 lunch combination special does not consist of quality food? Even after finding out that a plate of General Tso's contains 1,300 calories, that concoction of oil, tiny baby corn on the cob, bok choy and pork can still make my mouth water. Sure, I might regret it later, but for now, pass the Umami.

Episode 207 Download today's podcast … Read more

Beware the allure of ethanol investing

I am a fan of ethanol. The addition of corn ethanol to our US fuel supply chain has had a significant impact in keeping gasoline prices way lower than they otherwise would have been, and has paid for the subsidies many times over. But that has not translated to gains for ethanol stocks, which are down on the order of 50% over the last year according to the Camino Energy index, and it won't change anytime soon.

As the bellwether US ethanol pureplays are finally down to earth, and my predictions have come to pass. Two years ago ahead … Read more