February 19th, 2006

Cameras Mandatory to fit building code?

How about, uhh….no thanks and take those cameras and shove ´em, eh?

Read, for more info…about how Houston…uhh…well…has a problem…and it´s not Nasa. :-)

http://www.informationliberation.com/?id=6506

Posted by drpoo as News at 9:37 PM PST

October 19th, 2005

Astros win!

Yea Astros! Can they win the world series for the first time! THat’s be pretty f’ing cool if they did. I bet it’s pretty crazy down in H-town (houston…) right now! I can only imagine downtown and every single bar in h-town is bumping hardcore right now. WOW! I think i can feel a seismic shocks all the way up here in Maine….all those people jumping up and down!

Congratulations to those bad ass houstonians.

-Chris

Posted by drpoo as News at 11:44 PM PDT

No Comments »

October 15th, 2005

Patenting Genes

Wow, to me this is a bit worrysome. Many think patenting genes and other biological ‘codes’ is good for innovation because it allows the code finder to release what they have found and not allow anyone else to use it without conforming to there patent liscenses and such, which is said to encourage innovation and expansion of public knowledge. However I worry a bit that patenting biological codes has more long term consequences than that.

What do you think about the fact that over 20% of the human genes have already been patented by corporations and some universities?

1/5 of human genome patented

How about when you hear that companies like IBM are declaring that they will not use genetic information about people to descriminate. Wow, have we really already gotten to that point in time where that is becoming a concern? Seems like science fiction…

IBM says no to Genetic Discrimination

Posted by drpoo as News at 11:19 AM PDT

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October 3rd, 2005

RIAA is countersued

Interesting case against the RIAA for filesharing. Some lady in Oregon was sued recently by the RIAA for ‘illegally downloading music’ and she’s counter suing. It seems she might have a case. Excellent news! and good luck to her!

Texas Support for Open Source Technology Education

North Lake College in Irving, TX is offering the first Open Source Technology certificate in the U.S. beginning Spring of 2006. The certificate program was made possible through a grant by the Texas Skills Standards Board. As a TSSB-recognized program, open source will finally get the corporate and industrial exposure it deserves. We believe the program is the only one of its kind in the nation at the community college level. Our goal is to promote Open Source as a business philosophy and as a way of life rather than limiting the program to a few token OSS offerings. Among the courses to be offered: The Philosophy of Open Source, a series of LAMP courses, and a capstone course which will focus on OSS development practices. Courses will be offered both on-line and on-campus.

The Open Source Technology Certificate project, directed by Brian Koontz, Coordinator and Instructor of Computer Science, proposes to integrate the Web Development and Administration Skill Standards into the program’s curriculum. The development of the Open Source technology certificate program will address the expected employer demand and continued occupational growth for open source trained information technology experts in Dallas County and the State. “I believe this program will help North Lake College become the focal point for Open Source throughout the metroplex,” said Koontz. “TSSB Program Recognition will lend the program the exposure and credibility needed to ensure success.”

Armed and dangerous - Flipper the firing dolphin let loose by Katrina

It may be the oddest tale to emerge from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Armed dolphins, trained by the US military to shoot terrorists and pinpoint spies underwater, may be missing in the Gulf of Mexico.