$8,192 to Hack Google's Native Client

Google has launched a Native Client Security Contest.

Here are the prizes for finding a security flaw:

• First: $8,192
• Second: $4,096
• Third: $2,048
• Fourth and Fifth: $1,024

If security flaws are found, then Native Client is that much more secure. If no flaws are found then Google succeeded with a phenomenal marketing campaign. A win win situation?


Watch a talk about Native Client at Stanford University.

Lost In A Warming World

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Watch Movies in ASCII

If you've got your pals over for a math pizza party, programming night, or hack-a-thon - this ones for you.

First things first. Install MPlayer if you don't already have it installed.

Run:

mplayer -vo caca MovieName.avi

"-vo caca" tells MPlayer to run the colour text driver. "-vo aa" would be the same but black and white.

The result should be something like this...


It's basically the opposite of hi-def, but way cooler.

Change... It's the spice of life.

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Study: Multiple Stab Wounds May Be Harmful to Monkeys

Click here to watch the video.

Odd, Identical Species Found at Both Poles

An identical species of a swimming snail was found on both sides of the earth. It can only survive in incredibly cold waters, so how it ended up in the Arctic and Antarctic is a mystery to evolutionary scientists.



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Heart Shaped Cupcakes

I don't think this takes much explanation. All you need is a marble.

Simple, yet ingenious.



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Facebook Responds to ToS Outrage

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

You be the judge. Read the terms here.

I for one have little fear that my information will get sold.

Mark Zuckerberg responded by saying,

"In reality, we wouldn't share your information in a way you wouldn't want."

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Twitter? No. Sudo Twitter? Ok!

As you can see by the twitter feed over <==== (there), I've got a twitter account.

So, if anyone else would like to follow me, go right ahead. Twitter is great way to hear about the little things in the day, not just the big things worth blogging about. I might tweet about something fairly random, or maybe the flavour of coffee I'm drinking. Either way, I hope you all enjoy my tweets. See you on twitter!

Hacking Road Signs

In January an article was posted on i-hacked.com describing how to change the text on a road sign.

Ever since, incidents like this have been popping up all over North America.

Some find it humorous, others - not so much.

Teen stabbed in leg, and on time for job interview

This is one incredible kid. I'd hire him for sure. I bet he'd still come to work, even if he didn't sleep, was sick, or his house was burning down. The cool thing is, he's from Toronto.

A 16-year-old Toronto student showed some real grit Wednesday and really impressed some potential employers, says The Canadian Press.

Despite being stabbed in the leg he showed up for a job interview instead of going to the hospital.

"He did really well on the interview and we were very proud of him for sticking to the appointment," said veterinarian Kent Ackerman, adding he was "shocked" the teen would do so.

when employees noticed blood on his leg, they called police.

For the record, I would like to tell all future employers that I would probably go straight to the hospital. I think a living employee is a valuable asset.

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Cake in a Mug

So, I saw this "Cake in a Mug" recipe today and decided to try it... Surprisingly, it turned out great!

I used...

• 9 tablespoons hot chocolate powder mix
• 4 tablespoons flour
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons oil
• 3 tablespoons water
• Pinch of salt

As for instructions, I just mixed it all up and stuck it in the microwave for 3 minutes. Well, 4 minutes because our microwave kind-of... well... old. Anyway, I hope some of you try the recipe, and enjoy.

Windows 7 SKUs Announced

Notice: If you get Windows 7 Starter, you'll only be able to run "3 simultaneous applications."
That's pretty limiting.

Windows 7 Starter
• Available worldwide to OEMs on new PCs
• Missing Aero UI tweaks
• Limited to 3 simultaneous applications

Windows 7 Home Basic (Vista equivalent: $200)
• Only available in emerging markets
• Missing Aero UI tweaks

Windows 7 Home Premium (Vista equivalent: $260)
• Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
• Includes Aero UI tweaks
• Features multi-touch capabilities
• Adds "premium" games
• Adds media capabilities (Media Center, DVD playback, DVD creation, etc.)
• Can create home network groups

Windows 7 Professional (Vista equivalent: $300)
• Available worldwide, to OEMs and in retail
• Includes all features of Premium
• Adds enhanced networking capabilities (Remote Desktop host, domain support, offline folders, etc.)
• Adds Mobility Center
• Adds Presentation Mode

Windows 7 Enterprise
• Available only in volume licenses
• Includes all features of Professional
• Adds Branch Cache
• Adds Direct Access
• Adds BitLocker

Windows 7 Ultimate (Vista equivalent: $320)
• Limited OEM and retail availability
• Includes all features of Enterprise

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New Legislation

That Mat is Alive

I think it is a great idea, but maybe a little weird.

If the moss was soft, on a flat surface, and looked a little more even... I'd consider buying it. I'm not sure I'm ready to adopt the concept just yet.



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Man killed by 'exploding mobile phone'

A man died last Friday due to an explosion from a lithium battery in his mobile phone.

It was believed that he may have just finished charging the battery and had put the phone in his breast pocket when it exploded.

Local reports said that this was the ninth recorded cellphone explosion in China since 2002.

Lithium batteries are widely used in mobile phones - but if they are overcharged or exposed to heat, the inflammable liquid inside can explode.

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