Portension :: Future, Frivolity & Folly http://portension.com An exploration of future tech, web culture, gadgets, and geek humour. Wed, 20 May 2009 11:02:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 en hourly 1 22.2843114.145Portensionhttp://feedburner.google.comSubscribe with My Yahoo!Subscribe with NewsGatorSubscribe with My AOLSubscribe with BloglinesSubscribe with NetvibesSubscribe with GoogleSubscribe with PageflakesSubscribe with PlusmoSubscribe with FeedLoungeSubscribe with The Free DictionarySubscribe with Bitty BrowserSubscribe with NewsAlloySubscribe with Live.comSubscribe with Excite MIXSubscribe with Yourminis.comSubscribe with Attensa for OutlookSubscribe with WebwagSubscribe with netomat HubSubscribe with Daily RotationThanks for subscribing. Just click on your favourite feed reader or select the email option at the bottom of the box to the right. Pizza Box 2.0 http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/Y-b939oyoXg/ http://portension.com/2009/05/20/pizza-box-20/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 11:01:44 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=299 pizza-greenbox1

Pizza Box 2.0: bet you thought a square box couldn’t be redesigned to include plates and leftover-pack — http://tr.im/l2Zw

Dubbed the Green Box, the topbreaks down into 4 serving plates, while the bottom of the box folds into a convenient storage container to keep leftover pizza warm, or for storing into the refrigerator for later

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/20/pizza-box-20/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/20/pizza-box-20/ Chastity Bra Requires Engagement Ring Key http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/slq3PMUQ8MA/ http://portension.com/2009/05/20/chastity-bra-requires-engagement-ring-key/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 10:51:31 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=316 Japanese ‘chastity bra’ requires engagement ring key before you can see her ‘girls’ http://tr.im/liDn

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/20/chastity-bra-requires-engagement-ring-key/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/20/chastity-bra-requires-engagement-ring-key/ Escape Rush Hour with a Car-copter http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/TsV2Ls9vAqg/ http://portension.com/2009/05/20/escape-rush-hour-with-a-car-copter/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 10:24:36 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=300 car-copterFlying Car Alert: imagine escaping rush hour with a car-copter! (Now imagine all the mid-air collisions) http://tr.im/l2XQ

Blades on the rotor remain folded and out of sight when not in use, and once required, they span out to convert it to a full-fledged copter. Simultaneously, the tail rotor that’s generally tucked at the car’s rear comes out to complete the transformation.

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/20/escape-rush-hour-with-a-car-copter/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/20/escape-rush-hour-with-a-car-copter/ Geek Tragedy? Yep. A Klingon-Language Opera Takes to the Stage http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/dQAC-dyMImo/ http://portension.com/2009/05/20/klingon-language-opera/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 04:03:14 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=304 klingon-operaGeek Tragedy? Yep. A Klingon-Language Opera takes to the stage — http://tr.im/l2Ph

In trying to recreate Klingon opera, he says he’s dealing with the same kinds of problems faced by anyone studying ancient Greek music or trying to stage so-called authentic works.

“We’re assuming a lot of things simply because we don’t have the access,” Schoenfeld says. “We can’t go to Qo’noS and hang out with the Imperial Opera. That’s just not an option right now. And we’re hoping, of course, for some grants to allow that.”

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/20/klingon-language-opera/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/20/klingon-language-opera/ No, It’s Not Your Neighbor Steailing Your Wifi, It’s Your Baby Monitor http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/p52KHDOB1jk/ http://portension.com/2009/05/20/baby-monitor-steals-wifi/#comments Wed, 20 May 2009 03:38:28 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=307 baby-monitorNo, it’s not your neighbor stealing your wifi — it’s your baby monitor! http://tr.im/l3cQ

The report smashes the myth that huge congestion on overlapping Wi-Fi networks is responsible for the poor performance of Wi-Fi in urban areas. Instead, it points the finger of blame at the raft of unlicensed equipment operating on the 2.4GHz band.

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/20/baby-monitor-steals-wifi/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/20/baby-monitor-steals-wifi/ Pimp Out Your Sofa with Sexy Under-lighting http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/-Mb1xoLlKZw/ http://portension.com/2009/05/11/pimp-out-your-sofa-with-sexy-under-lighting/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:40:47 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=191 Pimp out your sofa with sexy under-lighting: http://tr.im/jVtj

underlit-sofa

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/11/pimp-out-your-sofa-with-sexy-under-lighting/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/11/pimp-out-your-sofa-with-sexy-under-lighting/ Try a Balloon Gun at Your Next Vodka Bash http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/DMbWSb-QHa0/ http://portension.com/2009/05/11/try-a-balloon-gun-at-your-next-vodka-bash/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:37:18 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=196 russian-roulette-balloon-gunWanna play Russian Roulette, but don’t want to die? Try a Balloon Gun at your next vodka bash: http://tr.im/jVH4

Every time you pull a trigger, you have one chance in six of a needle bursting the balloon.

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/11/try-a-balloon-gun-at-your-next-vodka-bash/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/11/try-a-balloon-gun-at-your-next-vodka-bash/ Rocking Chair That Powers Its Own Lamp http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/bN4B3lVRh4Y/ http://portension.com/2009/05/11/rocking-chair-that-powers-its-own-lamp/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:32:50 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=200 rocking-chair-powerAttention Green Geeks: Rocking chair that powers its own lamp — http://tr.im/jVYm

Move Your Energy is a power-independent rocking chair with a LED lamp designed especially for reading. The lamp is run by dynamo which changes the mechanic energy obtained by rocking to electric energy. You produce energy needed for lighting on your own.

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/11/rocking-chair-that-powers-its-own-lamp/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/11/rocking-chair-that-powers-its-own-lamp/ Most Adorable Robot Experiment Ever http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/1wbh5Z60y80/ http://portension.com/2009/05/11/most-adorable-robot-experiment-ever/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:28:19 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=201 adorable-robot-experimentMost Adorable Robot Experiment Ever (also proves humans are kind to bots that smile) — http://tr.im/jW4d

In New York City, we might expect the smiley-faced tweenbot to be stabbed, stomped, mugged, or covered in graffiti, but every single one of the journeys was completed without a hitch. Pedestrians would stop and help the little guy when he was trapped against a curb or headed into traffic, and point him in the right direction.

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/11/most-adorable-robot-experiment-ever/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/11/most-adorable-robot-experiment-ever/ How to make Wookie Cookies–and more! http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/sSgkfts0gQ8/ http://portension.com/2009/05/11/how-to-make-wookie-cookies-and-more/#comments Mon, 11 May 2009 13:24:05 +0000 Jay Oatway http://portension.com/?p=202 wookie-cookieHow to make Wookie Cookies–and more! Star Wars Cookbook (via @crazeegeekchick) — http://tr.im/jWjw

Learn to make Wookie Cookies, Hanburgers and Obi-Wan Kebabs. Over two dozen recipes are presented, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Try Jabba’s jiggly juice, Yoda’s soda, the Tusken Raider taters, and more. Particularly suited for young Jedi culinarians

]]> http://portension.com/2009/05/11/how-to-make-wookie-cookies-and-more/feed/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/http://portension.com/2009/05/11/how-to-make-wookie-cookies-and-more/ Links for 2009-04-19 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/xTUHyH1eBH4/portensionMon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2009-04-19<ul> <li><a href="http://www.globalnetworkinitiative.org/principles/index.php">Global Network Initiative - Principles</a><br/> Protecting and Advancing Freedom of Expression and Privacy in Information and Communications Technologies</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/xTUHyH1eBH4" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2009-04-19Links for 2009-02-11 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/TD68GZRe9kE/portensionThu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 PSThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2009-02-11<ul> <li><a href="http://www.getglue.com/">Get Glue. Connect with friends around the things you visit!</a><br/> Firefox add-on to infuse sites with more wisdom of crowds, and ease of sharing</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/TD68GZRe9kE" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2009-02-11Links for 2008-06-01 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/gF_R54FtWPY/portensionMon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2008-06-01<ul> <li><a href="http://berlin.unlike.net/">Unlike Travel -- First we take Berlin, then we take the world</a><br/> Mobile maps taken to the next level. Build your own excursion to happening places, clubs, bars, food, culture, art, welness and other thrills. Leave Lonely Planet in the bin.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/gF_R54FtWPY" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2008-06-01Links for 2008-05-14 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/dtZx_cQLpoc/portensionThu, 15 May 2008 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2008-05-14<ul> <li><a href="http://blog.wired.com/wiredscience/2008/05/video-meet-the.html">Meet the Spacecraft That Could Save NASA a Fortune | Wired Science from Wired.com</a><br/> Reusable spacecraft architecture is a bit of a novelty for NASA, which has traditionally built spacecraft from the ground up for each new mission -- at a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars. No longer need to to reinvent the wheel again and again.</li> <li><a href="http://lifehacker.com/389188/cure-poison-ivy-and-jellyfish-stings-with-vodka">Clever Uses: Cure Poison Ivy and Jellyfish Stings with Vodka</a><br/> In fact, the article offers a total of 10 unusual uses for the popular beverage, from flower preservation and insect repellent to toothache reliever and jellyfish-sting soother.</li> <li><a href="http://www.slideshare.net/rashmi/annalee-newitz-giant-monster">All You Need to Know About Giant Monsters in 5 Minutes &raquo; SlideShare</a><br/> Thanks to the nice people at Slideshare, you can now get my 5-minute introduction to giant monster appreciation, which I performed live at the Ignite show in San Francisco a couple weeks ago.</li> <li><a href="http://www.space.com/news/ap-080514-british-ufo.html">Britain Releases Secret Files on UFO Sightings -- SPACE.com</a><br/> What they saw has never been explained. And they were so worried about losing their jobs that they demanded their names be kept off the official reports.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/dtZx_cQLpoc" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2008-05-14Links for 2008-05-01 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/RvPeJN6N2xs/portensionFri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2008-05-01<ul> <li><a href="http://www.dipity.com/">Dipity -- Lifestreams That Are Easy On The Eyes</a><br/> Dipity is the easiest way to make and share interactive timelines about the people and things you care about.</li> <li><a href="http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/04/how-to-build-yo.html">How To: Build Your Own Iron Man Armor | Danger Room from Wired.com</a><br/> In fact, complete suits of bullet-proof armor have existed for centuries. It&#039;s a popular myth that gunpowder made armor obsolete; armor-makers just improved their product.</li> <li><a href="http://environment.newscientist.com/channel/earth/mg19826534.000-megaquake-set-to-strike-within-a-decade.html?feedId=online-news_rss20">Megaquake set to strike within a decade | New Scientist Environment</a><br/> Sometime in the next 10 years we can expect an earthquake of a similar magnitude to the 2004 Sumatra quake that triggered the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/RvPeJN6N2xs" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2008-05-01Links for 2008-04-22 [del.icio.us]http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Portension/~3/etickQFRgWo/portensionWed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDThttp://del.icio.us/portension#2008-04-22<ul> <li><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7346789.stm">Ion engine enters space race -BBC News</a><br/> Ion engines are an &quot;electric propulsion system&quot;. They make use of the fact that a current flowing across a magnetic field creates an electric field directed sideways to the current.</li> <li><a href="http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/04/ghostbusters-te.html">Ghostbusters Tech Zaps WMD | Danger Room from Wired.com</a><br/> Which team of scientists come charging into action armed with mobile proton accelerators, ready to neutralize terrifying threats to our cities?</li> <li><a href="http://www.uberreview.com/2008/04/fetch-my-keys-the-electronic-key-finder.htm">Fetch My Keys, The Electronic Key Finder &raquo; The UberReview</a><br/> With this little gadget, every time your keys are MIA, just whistle and the doggie key chain will bark back.</li> <li><a href="http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_2818722.html?menu=">Geek speak catches on: 'Nerdic' now the fastest growing dialect in Europe.</a><br/> Experts claim about 100 new words are added to the language of technology, dubbed &#039;Nerdic&#039;, every year - three times as many as make it into the Oxford English Dictionary.</li> </ul><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Portension/~4/etickQFRgWo" height="1" width="1"/>http://del.icio.us/portension#2008-04-22