Antique collection

A telescope that generates more data than the whole internet

2012-04-02T13:12:00.002-07:00

IBM will need to develop entirely new processing architectures before construction on the massive telescope begins in 2017.

(Mashable) -- There's a massive telescope on the drawing board that hasn't even started construction yet, but when it's finished in 2024, it'll generate more data in a single day than the entire Internet.

For scientists to ensure they'll be able to handle all that raw information, they need to start working on new computing technologies now. Fortunately, IBM is on it.

The computing giant is collaborating with ASTRON (the Netherlands Institute of Radio Astronomy) to develop the next-generation computer tech needed to handle the colossal amount of data captured by the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), a new radio telescope that will spread sensing equipment over a span 3,000 kilometers wide, or about the width of the continental U.S.A.

"One of the goals is to search what happened at the time of the Big Bang, 13 billion years ago," IBM researcher Ronanld Luijten told Mashable. "We need to figure out what technology needs to be chosen in order to build this large antenna."

The project is called DOME, and it's challenged to find a way to capture and process approximately one exabyte every day, which works out to about twice the amount of data that's generated every day by the World Wide Web, IBM says.

To do that in a way that doesn't consume a massive amount of energy, IBM will need to develop some entirely new processing architectures before construction on the telescope begins in 2017.

"We need to be very creative," says Luijten. "If we were to use standard servers of today, we'd need millions of them. They would use so much space and use so much energy that we couldn't afford to build the machines let alone operate them."

While the project has only just been announced, IBM already has some ideas in the hopper. Specifically, it'll be looking at novel ways of stacking chips (today's chips are flat, though stacking or "3D" tech is around the corner) and using optical technology for interconnects, something the company has already had some success with.

The promising new conductive material graphene, however, probably won't play a part.

"Graphene will not be available in time to build something we start in 2017," says Luijten. "But it might be available for a later generation. The expectation is that we will go with the traditional CMOS process."

Even though the new computing tech hasn't even been invented yet, it'll ironically still rely on one of the oldest storage technologies in existence: magnetic tape. Luijten says tape simply can't be matched by newer storage mediums since it's so cost-, space- and power-efficient.

The project won't exclusively use tape for storage, though, also relying on phase-change media and solid-state drives.

"We're looking at new memory technologies," says Luijten, "but at the end of the day most of the data likely will remain on tape because it's still the most cost-effective storage medium. Tape will be around for a long time."

The SKA isn't planned to be completed until 2024, but the technologies that IBM creates to service it will have the potential to change entire industries in the meantime, dealing with big-data problems that the world is just now encountering.

It's possible the social networks and search engines of the future will be powered by IBM's coming tech or something like it, enabling them to process an entire Internet's worth of data for anyone and everyone.

What problems would you like to see the supercomputers of tomorrow take on? Share your ideas in the comments.

See the original article on Mashable.com

Lights out for Earth

2012-04-02T13:07:00.002-07:00

WWF

Fire performer Tom Hastings warmed the night at a performance to celebrate Earth Hour at the University of KwaZulu-Natal s Howard College on Saturday. Picture: Hugh Mdlalose/WWF

Beeswax candles and paper-bag lanterns lit up the chilly Durban night on Saturday, when environmental activists gathered at the University of KwaZulu-Natal to observe Earth Hour.

More than 100 people gathered at the university’s Howard College for the switching off of the lights of one of Durban’s landmarks, the Memorial Tower Building.

Morné du Plessis, chief executive of environmental group WWF SA, said the gesture of switching the lights off was symbolic as a message to show people how easy it was to make a difference.

“Every hour is Earth Hour. We can live sustainably if we just make an effort,” he said.

It was the first time the event was held in Durban, which was chosen because it had hosted the 17th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change last year.

The crowd was treated to performances from “King of the Zulu guitar” Madala Kunene, Vishen Kemraj (tabla), Sazi Dlamini, and Mduduzi Magwaza (penny whistle).

Fire performer Tom Hastings also warmed the night, putting on an impressive show for guests, the media and the public.

According to the Earth Hour blog, landmarks that switched off or dimmed their lights across the UK included the Clock Tower and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace, EDF Energy London Eye, Wembley, the Royal Albert Hall, the National Gallery, Old Trafford, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Edinburgh Castle, the Millennium Centre and Piccadilly Circus.

Earth Hour 2012 took place in a record 150 countries and territories across 6 494 towns and cities

Harry Potter tour focuses on behind-camera wizardry

2012-04-02T13:04:00.000-07:00

(Reuters) - A new tour at the film studios outside London where the Harry Potter blockbusters were shot aims to champion the "unsung heroes" -- from seamstresses to special effects wizards -- who made the movies magical for millions.
"Warner Bros. Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter" opens to the public on Saturday, and organizers expect 5,000 visitors to file past the familiar sets, strange creatures and scale models every day.
They enter through the famous Great Hall, a cavernous room with stone-like walls, real stone floors and graffiti-marked tables where students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry ate their feasts and enjoyed the Yule Ball.

Flying car takes to the air

2012-04-02T12:59:00.000-07:00

Fine four-fendered friend: The Terrafugia Transition is about to take off after a successful test flight of this commercially-available car that turns into a plane. Picture: AP/Terrafugia AP

DRIVERS hoping to slip the surly - and traffic congested - bonds of Earth are a step closer to their dream.............

A US firm yesterday announced the successful test flight of a street-legal airplane.
Massachusetts based firm Terrafugia said their production prototype "Transition" car-plane had successfully carried out an eight-minute test flight, clearing the way for it to hit the market within a year.
"With this flight, the team demonstrated an ability to accomplish what had been called an impossible dream," said founder Carl Dietrich.
Terrafugia argues that the "Transition" offers unparalleled freedom of movement, with a range of 787km and without the need to check bags.
Spanning 2.3m as a car, it fits into a normal-sized garage, before unfurling an 8m wingspan.
To take advantage, would-be owners will need to have both a driver's and pilot's licence - with a minimum of 20 hours of flying time.
The craft needs 762m of runway for takeoff, meaning pulling onto the shoulder and escaping the traffic is not really an option.
While many companies have tried to market an aerocar, none have succeeded in producing more than a handful of models.
"The Transition Street-Legal Airplane is now a significant step closer to being a commercial reality," the company said.
The two-seater craft costs around $US279,000 ($268,000) and about 100 vehicles have already been ordered.

iPhone 5 Release Date Likely to be June 15

2012-04-02T12:56:00.002-07:00

Following Apple's successful launch of its third generation iPad, Apple-lovers are now shifting their attention with anticipation towards the iPhone 5, with the release date ordinarily coming between summer and fall.

No precise date has been confirmed by Apple, however, experts are increasingly pointing to a June release date, with June 15 in particular being favored among a number of commentators.

(benm.at)

A mock-up of the iPhone 5.

According to the iPhone 5 News Blog June 15 will be the final day of an unidentified conference suspected to be the 2012 WWDC, Apple's traditional developers expo. The event is rumored to last for a week from June 11 to 15.
The date seems to match the speculated release date of Appel's new operating system, the iOS 6. The WWDC event has been used as a release platform for new Apple operating systems for the past four years.
iPhone 5 Blog writer Michael Nace has asked, "But what about the last day of the WWDC? If you are in the camp of rumor followers who believe (or at the very least hope) that the iPhone 5 will be launched in June, wouldn't June 15 be a reasonable guess for its announcement?"
Nace also explained that an "inside source" in Asia had told him in November that a June release date was to be expected.

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Fueling the rumor mill has been a recent announcement that Foxconn has gone on a hiring spree, where more than 200,000 workers have been brought on, as well as the news that Texas Instruments has also been producing power chips, indicating that production has begun.
The iPhone 5 will reportedly support 4G LTE technology.

10 Comfortable Lap Desks for Cozy Computing

2012-04-02T12:52:00.000-07:00

As laptops overtake desktops in the home computing arena, consumers keep looking for more ways to both work and play more comfortably with their own portable PCs.
A “lap desk,” or lap table, offers a handy solution for when you want to work on your computer from the floor, sofa, or even in bed. It keeps the laptop’s heat off your legs (helping you avoid the dreaded Toasted Leg Syndrome), and it provides a stable platform for all your PC needs.
We’ve taken a look at 10 of the top lap desks available to suit all styles and needs. Have a look through our selection and let us know which would suit you and why, in the comments below.

1. Winsome Wood Bentwood Bed Desk

Finished in a modern shade of light oak, this stylish “bed desk” offers not only a platform for your portable PC but a side slot for files, magazines, notepads or whatever else you might need to store. It’s not the most portable option, but it is a great choice for around-the-home work, especially if you need a place to store your other papers.
Cost: From around $60

2. Room It Up Portable Lap Desk

Aimed at dorm room dwellers, but suitable for anyone who enjoys a funky fabric and wants an affordable option, Room It Up’s lap desk includes a cup holder, boasts a cushioned underside to help protect against heat and looks great in your choice of colorful finishes.
Cost: $24

3. Logitech Speaker Lapdesk N700

Logitech calls the N700 a “lap theater.” The high tech lap desk offers built-in speakers to boost your laptop’s audio abilities and a fan to help keep things cool during prolonged multimedia use. All this wizardry is powered via a single USB cable, with on/off controls for the speaker and fan, as well as volume controls. If you watch a lot of movies on your laptop, this is the portable platform for you.
Cost: $79.99

4. Belkin CushTop

Available in Belkin’s typically contemporary colors, the CushTop offers padded comfort when you’re using your notebook on your lap. A very simple but clever design features a storage pocket inside for power cables and other accessories, while the trapezoid shape means you can reverse it to suit larger or smaller machines.
Cost: $34.99

5. Bamboo Wood Contour Lap Desk

This gorgeous, simple option gives you a bamboo top and a detachable cotton hopsack cushioned base. This lap desk also doubles as an ordinary tray. The curved lines mean there are no awkward edges to dig into you during use. Its 22-inch width should be large enough for most laptops with room left over for a mouse.
Cost: $39.95

6. LapDeskLady

The “LapDeskLady” over on Etsy is an expert in handmade lap desks, and her shop is perfect for anyone who would rather buy “small” over corporate. The “jumbo” model is a whopping 30 by 18 inches, offering plenty of space and cushioned comfort. If you’re looking for something a little different or customizable (you can choose your own fabric patterns), be sure to get in touch with her to start your negotiations.
Cost: Approx $39.95 to $59.95

7. LapDawg X4

Described as the “Swiss Army Knife of lap desks,” this Meccano-esque portable tray can be positioned in pretty much any way you’d like, thanks to 360-degree rotating legs with push-button, auto-locking joints. The tray is versatile too, with one side featuring a rubber stopper to stop things from slipping around, while the other boasts a curled bottom edge, ideal for holding books and magazines in place.
Cost: $89

8. SPI Lighted Lapdesks

The big selling point for SPI’s popular lighted lap desks is the built-in goose-neck lamp, offering you some portable illumination while you tap away, read, make notes, etc. Other features include a carry handle and a wrist rest that should help with those all-important ergonomics.
Cost: From around $29.99

9. Old School Lap Desk

This wonderful, old-fashioned mini-desk is modeled after school desks. The desk lid opens to reveal a felt-lined storage space underneath for your pencil case or other accessories. Made from heavy, cherry-stained wood, it’s one desk meant for the home. It will add a fun, scholarly touch to any living room.
Cost: $51.49

10. IKEA BRADA Laptop Support

IKEA’s BRADA is the cheapest lap desk we’ve selected at just a penny under $10. For that, you get a functional objet from the clever Swedes. The legs fold out from a slimline storage position to provide a slightly tilted, wipe-clean work surface, and the cheerful, polka-dotted design adds a dose of fun.
Cost: $9.99

Top 10 world's most beautiful banknotes

2012-04-02T12:41:00.001-07:00

Where are the world's most beautiful banknotes to be found? Surely our dowdy pound notes or the equally boring US dollar bills won't make the top ten, let alone the top twenty. Even the euro notes, a brand new currency, hardly set the world on fire, despite coming with many different designs that vary from country to country.

No, to find more colourful banknotes you have to look further afield, to African and Asian countries and obscure island states. Here is Walletpop's selection of the best.

#10 Cook Islands

This slightly racy one comes from the Cook Islands.

#9 Poland

This Polish 50 zloty note depicts the Polish pope John Paul II (or Jan Pawel II in his native language), who died in 2005.

#8 Yemen

Yemen unveiled this new 250 rials note last year, which also features a mosque.

#7 Egypt

Egyptian banknotes usually feature a mosque on one side and pharaos, sphinxes and temples on the other. This one pound note shows Qaitbay Mosque and the Abu Simpel temples.

#6 China

A man holds up the new 10-yuan banknote in Wuhan of Hubei Province, China. To commemorate the Beijing Olympic Games, China's central bank issued a commemorative 10-yuan (95p) note in 2008, which features the National Stadium, or 'the Bird's Nest,' and the emblem of the Beijing Games.

#5 Faroe Islands

A crab's claw graces Denmark's Faroe Islands' 500 kronur note, with the view from Hvannasundi on the reverse. A large cracked rock rests in an area just north of Hvannasund. According to an old legend, that rock broke the very moment that Jesus was born.

#4 Canada

Canada proves that even a major economy can produce pretty banknotes, featuring early ice hockey players, and puts its bigger neighbour to shame.

#3 Suriname

Colourful birds and other animals are another popular motif in some parts of the world. This 2 1/2 gulden note from Suriname depicts a bird on one side and a lizard on the reverse.

#2 French Polynesia and New Caledonia

Some of the best-looking banknotes feature beautiful women. This one is a case in point. It is from the French Pacific Territories including French Polynesia and New Caledonia.

#1 São Tomé and Príncipe

A Portuguese-speaking island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa. It is the second-smallest African country in terms of population, after the Seychelles. The two islands are just north of the equator. São Tomé, the southern island, was named in honour of Saint Thomas by Portuguese explorers who arrived at the island on his feast day. Both islands were uninhabited then.

Untypical beautiful pictures..!

2012-02-07T10:16:00.000-08:00

Beautiful nature ....! From All OvEr The World!

2012-02-07T10:14:00.000-08:00

10 Amazing Skate Parks from Around the World

2012-02-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Skating, inline blading and BMX biking are enjoyed by people from every country in the world. Skate parks are like playgrounds to skaters, and fans of the sport are always on the lookout for the biggest, wildest, craziest courses to conquer! From America’s West Coast to City of France, skate parks come in all styles and each offers its own unique twist. Here are the world’s ten largest and most well-known skate parks!

SkateLab, Atlantic Beach Florida

(images via skatelab)

Part indoor, part outdoor, the Atlantic Beach Skate Lab is a cornucopia of rails, verts, ramps and jumps. Unlike many strictly outdoor parks, weather does not affect your experience, as the inside area is just as expansive and enjoyable as the outdoor sector. As one of the most expansive skate parks on the east coast, riders from the southern states can enjoy total skating merriment!

Black Pearl Skate Park, Cayman Islands

(images via skateboardpark, concretedisciples)

Located in the gorgeous Cayman Islands, Black Pearl is the world’s largest outdoor concrete skate park. This massive park covers over 52,000 square feet and features courses for beginner, intermediate and expert skaters. Not big into skating? Located right next to the skate park is the world’s largest wave pool, producing a constant 11 foot swell to surf until your heart is content!

Louisville Extreme Park

(images via skateboardparks, louisvilleextremepark)

Boasting a 24 foot full pipe, Extreme Park never falls short of its name! This enormous concrete playground spans 40,000 square feet and ranks as one of the largest skate parks in the nation. Among the unique features of the park are its hours of operation. The park is actually open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing skating, biking or inline bliss on demand!

SMP Skatepark, Shanghai China

(images via smpskatepark, vitalbmx)

SMP Skate Park is an enormous outdoor spans 44,936 square feet and represents China’s largest skate park. Each year SMP holds an international skate competition known as “The Showdown.” If you’re a skater, its hard to think of a more fitting place to compete. Not a skater, not a problem! Enjoy the activities from a 12,300 square foot viewing deck and plaza!

Marseille Skatepark, France

(images via mareseilleskatepark, allosurf)

An urban skatepark covered in graffiti art work, Marseilles skate park is both beautiful and expansive. As France’s largest outdoor skate park, skaters from all over europe stop by to grind on the various painted bowls and verts. It’s unique style sets Marseilles apart from other parks around the world and offers a new experience unlike the usual terrain of outdoor parks.

Stoke Plaza, Stoke-On-Trent, England

(images via sketchyskateboarding)

Stoke Plaza is England’s premiere skate park, spanning 34,000 square feet. The park cost over $500,000 to create and features a unique design. If you don’t want to partake in the skating, there are quite a few designated “safe zones” where bystanders can hang out and observe!

VANS Skatepark, California

This enormous indoor/outdoor skate park was created by Vans Shoe Company, a prominent skating shoe brand. Made for inline skating and skateboarding, the slick wood allows for a smooth and controlled ride through the course’s ramps, rails and verts. Outside, riders can delight in concrete bowls and pools covering over 20,000 square feet of skateable area.

Kona Skate Park, Jacksonville, Florida

(images via flickr, skateboardpark)

The world-famous Kona skate park offers one of the world’s most unique skating experiences. Smooth, pastel colored concrete has helped make Kona a favorite among professionals and hobbyists, and has earned it a spot in several popular skating video games. New to the world of skating? No problem! Kona USA offers a skate camp with professional instructions to have you skating like a pro in no time!

Amazing Square Skate Park, Japan

(image via biglobe, willyharbs)

Amazing Square is a Japanese monster of a skate park! Featuring all the amenities of a good park, including a massive half pipe, the park is open 24 hours a day for total skating rapture! Enjoy street skating courses, rails, stairs and more as you skate around Tokyo’s most memorable park.

Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park, California

Quite possibly one of the most unique skate parks, LCRSP is in a league all its own! Riders enjoy a 70 foot long, 22 foot wide full pipe, bowls, pools, thimbles, cradles, a mega wall and a street course! Spectators can watch the action for free but must sign a waiver at the door. Bikers can join in the fun and make use of the course, however the pools are off limits!

Cool Guitars - Amazing Guitar Pictures

2012-02-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

A guitar collection of cool electric and acoustic guitars from around the world combining art, design and playability.

Absolutely love this bigfoot guitar, I think this is so cool, a little weird..but cool!

Millenium Falcon Guitar...a must for Star Wars fans!

Cool guitar made from bike parts

Mangroves plantations at World Wetlands Day

2012-02-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

Suhail Yusuf

Students of different school are planting the mangroves saplings near WWF Wetland Center. – Photo by Hussain Afzal / Dawn.com

KARACHI: World Wetland Day was observed on Thursday in Karachi with contests, presentations and plantations at World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) wetland centre, located at Sandspit beach.
WWF Pakistan invited some 200 students from four public sector schools – all located near the Sandspit area. The children presented their views about environment, wetlands and mangroves through various poster, speech, tableau and quiz competitions.
Babar Hussain, the in-charge of the wetland center, talked about the importance of wetlands and mangroves for the environment as well as humanity.
Later, Naveed Ali Soomro, project coordinator at the WWF also gave a presentation about the human serving wetlands and their ecosystem. He also engaged the children with questions while giving his presentation.
Wetlands are an important part of the ecological landscape as they are a source of fishesand water. Beautiful wetlands are a great resort for tourism and thus play an important role in the over all environmental conditions.
The world celebrates World Wetland Day on 2 February, which was the date in 1971 when many nations had signed an agreement at Ramsar, Iran for the conservation of wetlands.
Students from the Government Boys Secondary School, Government Boys Primary School Younis-Abad, Government Girls Primary School Younis Abad and Kaka Pir Community Schools participated in the competitions.
Later, the children moved to an open area after being divided into groups of 10, where they planted 200 saplings of Mangroves (Avicennia Marina).
Once declared useless, now Mangroves are considered as nurseries of shrimps and other marine species. They add oxygen to the marine ecosystems and prevent land erosion. Mangroves also act as shock absorbers against hurricanes and tsunamis.
Speaking to Dawn.com, Hussain said that WWF will plant 5,000 saplings in the clear patches nears mangroves at Sandspit.

: Haris of Government Boys Secondary School during his speech about wetlands and WWF wetland center. – Photo by Hussain Afzal / Dawn.com

Later, Dawn.com asked various students about the importance of wetlands and Mangroves. Kalbe Ali a 9th grade student said that wetlands are home to migratory birds and are also an important source of fish.
“We must stop others from cutting Mangrove forests because they are home of fish and shrimps,” said Husna, a grade 5 student.
Later, Subash Dawani, Sindh’s Manager Conservation WWF Pakistan, distributed awards and prizes among the winners of the competitions.
Kakapir School won the first prize in the tableau competition, and also was awarded the first prize for the poster competition. The Government Primary School of Younis Abad and Government Boys Secondary School of Younis Abad won the second and third prizes respectively.
In the speech competition, Musera of Government Girls primary school, Younis Abad, won first prize, Haris of Government Boys Secondary School won second and Husna of Kakapir School secured third position.

40 Creative “Transparent Screen” Trick Photos

2012-02-03T09:44:00.000-08:00

Here’s an easy optical illusion you can do to make your laptop or computer screen look see-through. The optical illusion of transparent screen is a simple yet effective illusion. These Illusions are created by taking a digital photo of your surroundings then place it as the desktop background of your monitor or screen. That way, they appear to have a fully transparent display.

It kinds of remind us of the The Human Condition, painted by the great surrealist Rene Magritte, who did some paintings on an easel that has been placed inside a room and in front of a window, with the painting completing the scene in the window. Below you’ll see the 40 awesome illusional effects of transparent display. Have fun making your own see-through screen illusions!

See Thru Dell | Yohann Aberkane

iPad | Willow (Chengyin)

ViewSonic | Wormtina

Double Monitor | Kogakure

iPhone Transparent | Edans

Transparent Screen Chess | Bwr

Big Brother | Makobsan

Dell Laptops | Licketyknit

Powerbook | Ryerson

Macbook | Christian C.

HP Tablet | Rev Dan Catt

My Workstation | Perspicuity

iBook G4 | Unrealitymag

Transparent PSP | Alan Rappa

iPhone Transparent Screen | Ocell

Compaq | Sxmon

Kittie | Cyberesque

Transparent Macbook Monitor | Hari Raya

Acer | Tsnaggen

Illusion | danvalger

Mp2id Transparent | Michael

Transparent Toshiba | Little Blue Owl

Inspiron 6400 | Hannjeff87

Srah Srang | 14983

Caffe a computer | Jenga d

Magic Calculator | Elisa

3rd Try | Kingofsnake

Workstation | WVS

See-thru | Jay Divinagracia

Vase | Webgrisu

Transparent PSP | Mar’s Photos

2nd Try | Kingofsnake

Transparent View | Vaguely Artistic

Play Desktop With Me | Karmen Rose

X-Ray | Scienceduck

Experiment | Baptiste Pons

See-thru Laptops | Kap4001

Zentw’s Eye | Stewart

Double Transparent | Jdurchen

Scientists uncover strength of spider web design

2012-02-02T00:19:00.000-08:00

Scientists have uncovered why spiders’ webs are able to withstand huge forces.

Photo: PA

By Daily Telegraph Reporter

7:37AM GMT 02 Feb 2012

Comment

Researchers claim the findings could be used to help design a new generation of super strength materials.

The study found that it is not just the remarkable strength of the silk spiders spin, but also a web’s intricate design which boosts its durability.

Its complex structure means that when a single strand of a web breaks, the overall strength of the web increases rather than weakens.

Report co-author Markus Buehler, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, said: “The real strength of the web is not the silk but how its mechanical properties change as things strain it, which is a very sleek inbuilt feature which could be used in many areas of life to contain damage to a small area.”

The creation of a typical web uses up a huge amount of a spider’s energy - so it contains a series of features which stop major repairs being needed.

Researchers found the silk itself has an ability to soften or stiffen to withstand different types of loads - unlike any other natural or man-made fibres.
In tests against three other materials made into similar webs, the spider silk was six times more resilient to damage when subjected to falling twigs or high winds.
When a weight was applied, only one thread broke - so the spider could do minor repairs rather than start from scratch.
Removing up to 10 per cent of the threads from various areas made the web not weaker but actually up to 10 per cent stronger.
Scientists have already been able to show how spider silk is up to five times as strong as the same weight of steel.
The latest study, published in science journal Nature, found webs contain two types of silk. The first is stiff and dry and are used in threads which radiate out from the centre.
The second is thinner and stickier and is referred to as “viscid silk”. This type of strand is used to create the spiral threads which are mainly used to trap prey.

Motorsport: Back injury won't hurt season, says Stoner

2012-02-01T23:11:00.000-08:00

2:10 PM Thursday Feb 2, 2012

Casey Stoner. Photo / AP

Reigning MotoGP champion Casey Stoner has described his recurring problem with back pain as "frustrating" but is confident it won't hamper his world title defence this season.
Numbed by painkillers, the Australian Honda rider bounced back to post the fastest time on the second day of MotoGP testing at Malaysia's Sepang circuit, a day after being sidelined by back pain.
Stoner has been bothered by pain stemming from a 2003 crash and hurt himself on Tuesday while stretching his back before the first day of testing, keeping him off the track.
"There is nothing we have been able to do to stop it from happening," he told reporters on Wednesday.
"It just happens. So it is frustrating ... I can't do anything about it at the moment," he said.
Stoner said the pain mostly does not affect his riding but admitted that he took to the track on Wednesday after taking pain pills.
"It is just aspirins and painkillers," he said.
Stoner said the back pain hits him at least three times a year, usually in cold weather. It generally occurs when he is not riding a bike and the pain is normally "manageable".
"Yesterday, it was far beyond anything I ever had before and I was worried," he said.
"I will have more tablets tomorrow. So it should be OK."
Medical scans have so far been inconclusive, he said, but added he would soon undergo new checks on his back and a stiff neck problem.
Stoner, who posted a top time on day two of 2 minutes 00.895 seconds, said he enjoyed riding his new bike - MotoGP switched this season to 1000cc engines from the previous 800cc bikes.
"Definitely more power is a little bit more fun. You can square the corners off a little bit more. I actually find more traction (with the 1000cc bike). I find this bike a little more stable," he said.
Testing ends on Thursday and is followed by another three-day session at Sepang beginning on February 28.
The MotoGP 2012 season will officially start on April 8 in Qatar.
- AFP

Facebook IPO tests easy growth assumptions

2012-02-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

By Syed Riyadh Mehfooz...!

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - As Facebook hurtles toward one of the largest initial public offerings in U.S. history, its honeymoon with investors may already be over.
The dorm-room project started by Harvard dropout Mark Zuckerberg, 27, could well become one of the world's most highly valued Internet companies when it sells shares to the public for an expected valuation of as high as $100 billion.
But the relatively carefree days of super-charged user growth may be behind Facebook, analysts say, as the social networking company begins the difficult task of living up to Wall Street's lofty expectations under a public microscope.
Facebook's IPO prospectus, filed with U.S. regulators on Wednesday, revealed a profitable and fast-growing business built upon advertising revenue and online transactions.
But the Silicon Valley company's $3.7 billion in revenue last year was at the low end of analysts' expectations and underscored the wide gulf between its current business and the most optimistic hopes that many investors have riding on it.
"For the valuation that people are going to be paying for this name, they're going to probably be overpaying by a third because of the optimism related to just the name," said Michael Yoshikami, chief executive of YCMNET Advisors, a California-based wealth management firm.
"The numbers justify maybe a $50 billion number," he said, referring to Facebook's valuation.
Facebook's revenue growth rate - roughly 88 percent in 2011 - would justify a $65 billion valuation, Yoshikami noted, which is far short of the $75 billion to $100 billion that sources have said the company is looking for.
FACEBOOK FATIGUE?
Facebook's explosive growth has come as first-time users joined the social networking site in droves, which in turn enticed even more to join up. The world's biggest social network now has 845 million members in more than 70 languages.
But with signs that membership growth is slowing, analysts say Facebook needs to get existing users to spend more time on the site and advertisers to spend more money. In the last three months of 2011, Facebook's total monthly active users rose 5.6 percent versus 10.5 percent in the last three months of 2010.
"The hypergrowth is probably over'" said Michael Pachter, head of research in the private shares group at Wedbush Securities. "The low-hanging fruit of the Western developed world has already been penetrated to a large extent...It's just kind of obvious that they're not going to ever get every single person that lives on the planet."
Facebook knows it needs to diversify revenue streams. It has a successful gaming business that nets it 30 percent of the revenue from sales of virtual goods in games like Zynga Inc's Farmville.
But Facebook wants to encourage users to stay for media content, putting it in competition against Apple Inc

Floating Tropical Island Paradise on a 90m Yatch!

2012-02-01T06:09:00.000-08:00

In this age of modern technology, people are getting more focused into creating a natural looking environment, both on land and oceans. The mystical beauty of tropical lands with evergreen plantation and natural ponds is one of the more fascinating spot for vacations. The Yatch Island Design has come up with their new creating, the “Tropical Island Paradise” that will be on the oceans with breathtaking designs and natural environment.
The company has already completed a luxury yatch named “Streets of Manaco” that is 90m long and runs at a top speed of 15 knots. The yatch comes with 4 private suites, outdoor dining, private spa, bar area, waterfall from a volcano and a giant swimming pool surrounded by the ocean. A helicopter landing pad is also included as well as a recreational area beneath the pool.

Photo Tour of New Facebook Headquarters

2012-02-01T06:06:00.000-08:00

I got a brief tour of Facebook’s new headquarters in Menlo Park, California today. The company took over the old Sun Microsystems building (there are still conference rooms with the Sun logo on the glass door) and it’s in the process of turning the sprawling campus into a home for its more than 2,000 employees. There remains a lot of work to do before it’s a homey place, but that’s definitely the plan.

Bloomberg said that the 1 million square-foot campus is undergoing a $250 million renovation. As you walk around, you see lots of open space. Even Mark Zuckerberg won’t have a walled-off office though he will have his own conference room (as he did in the former HQ). And while there are still plenty of conference rooms for the rest of the staff, there’s also a lot of public space where people can sit down with their laptops and/or their colleagues much as they might at a coffee shop.
Scroll down for some picture

Larry hangs out in Superman booth

Here's a real Facebook wall that you can write on (Photo: Larry Magid)

Wall in Building 10 (Photo: Larry Magid)

This will soon be a pretty outdoor walking and sitting area (Photo: Syed Riyadh Mehfooz)

Flying Fish

2012-02-01T06:01:00.000-08:00

A streamlined torpedo shape helps flying fish generate enough speed to break the water’s surface, and large, wing-like pectoral fins help get them airborne.

Photograph by Peter Parks/Animals Animals-Earth Scenes

Map

Flying Fish Range

Fast Facts

Type:: Fish
Diet:: Omnivore
Size:: Up to 18 in (45 cm)
Group name:: School
Did you know?: Flying fish can soar high enough that sailors often find them on the decks of their ships.
Size relative to a tea cup:

Flying fish can be seen jumping out of warm ocean waters worldwide. Their streamlined torpedo shape helps them gather enough underwater speed to break the surface, and their large, wing-like pectoral fins get them airborne.
Flying fish are thought to have evolved this remarkable gliding ability to escape predators, of which they have many. Their pursuers include mackerel, tuna, swordfish, marlin, and other larger fish. For their sustenance, flying fish feed on a variety of foods, including plankton.
There are about 40 known species of flying fish. Beyond their useful pectoral fins, all have unevenly forked tails, with the lower lobe longer than the upper lobe. Many species have enlarged pelvic fins as well and are known as four-winged flying fish.
The process of taking flight, or gliding, begins by gaining great velocity underwater, about 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. Angling upward, the four-winged flying fish breaks the surface and begins to taxi by rapidly beating its tail while it is still beneath the surface. It then takes to the air, sometimes reaching heights over 4 feet (1.2 meters) and gliding long distances, up to 655 feet (200 meters). Once it nears the surface again, it can flap its tail and taxi without fully returning to the water. Capable of continuing its flight in such a manner, flying fish have been recorded stretching out their flights with consecutive glides spanning distances up to 1,312 feet (400 meters).
Flying fish are attracted to light, like a number of sea creatures, and fishermen take advantage of this with substantial results. Canoes, filled with enough water to sustain fish, but not enough to allow them to propel themselves out, are affixed with a luring light at night to capture flying fish by the dozens. There is currently no protection status on these animals.

Italian high-speed NTV Train

2012-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Passengers on board Italy's new Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori (NTV) trains might be forgiven for thinking of Ferrari cars at the sight of the low nose, the deep-red livery and the sleek interiors.

The train interiors, styled by celebrated design house Italdesign Giugiaro, will offer three different classes of travel, with passengers offered the option to connect to tunnel-proof wireless Internet, watch TV or have meals served at their seat by staff trained in hospitality services.

A fleet of 25 trains will link Turin in the north with Salerno in southern Italy, via Milan, Rome and Naples, as well as Venice with Rome, at a speed of 300 kilometres per hour, the maximum allowed speed on the Italian rail network.

NTV plans to run up to 50 services a day as the first operator to use the AGV high-speed trains built by French transport and power engineering group Alstom.

Salt hotel in BOLIVIA (in salar de uyuni bolivia): walls, chairs and beds Out of salt!

2012-02-01T05:58:00.000-08:00

Everything in this hotel is made out of salt inside and outside chairs, floors and tables are made of salt it is even surrounded with desert contains more than ten billion KG of salt

They used salt cubes and put them on each other to make the walls, floors, cells and even chairs and tables (can you imagine sleeping on salt)

This strange hotel contains 15 living, dinning and sleeping rooms and the stranger that the hotel owners ask their residents not to press on the wall to avoid any damages

The hotel is located in one of the strangest areas in the world salar de uyuni bolivia we talked about it in the strangest 10 places in the world this area contains the most salty desert in the world

What makes it unique is the existence of water above the salt which gave an amazing reflection relief your brain

Charming place and great hotel here are extra collection of images:

Capilano Suspension Bridge - Canada

2012-01-20T23:19:00.000-08:00

Capilano suspension bridge is located in North Vancouver, Canada. 800,000 tourists come each year to take a walk on the bridge.

Green Roofs around the World

2012-01-20T23:18:00.000-08:00

Giant World by a Swedish Artist

2012-01-20T23:17:00.000-08:00

Giant World artwork by a Swedish Sculptor Claes Oldenburg.

Arab Sheikh Carved Two-Miles Long Name In Sand

2012-01-18T10:37:00.001-08:00

Many of us have written our names on beach and then seen them washed away by waves, but one super-rich Arab Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, 63, decided to write his name on Al Futaisi island that cannot be washed away so easily therefore he carved the name HAMAD so big that you can see them even from space. The word ‘HAMAD’ measures 1,000 metres high and is a staggering two miles long from the ‘H’ to the ‘D’. Rather than allow the writing to be washed away by the ocean, the letters actually create waterways that absorb the power of the tide. His name is even visible on Google’s map service. Sheikh Hamad is also known for his generous donations to the medicine field. He has supplied a complete kidney stone operating theatre to a public hospital in Morocco where he continues to fund its staff.