- smoove:What They Are Running On
-
Mark Blumenthal rounds up mid-term projections by political scientists. The chart above, by Nate Silver, examines the issues on the websites of candidates in the "33 Congressional districts currently labeled toss-ups by The New York Times political desk." Silver:
Democrats have criticized Republicans for their vague agenda – and certainly the Republicans have not articulated anything as succinct as the Contract With America, which may have aided their exceptional performance in the midterm elections of 1994. But Republicans do appear to have a message that is at least reasonably clear to voters, and reasonably consistent from one Congressional district to the next: pick us, and we’ll repeal health care, secure the border and reduce the size of government. Democrats, meanwhile, who two years ago seemed to have a glut of agenda items, are now having trouble articulating to their constituents exactly what a Democratic vote would gain them. Perhaps that’s why Democrats are having trouble both with the sizable number of voters who are dissatisfied with both parties – and in motivating turnout among their base.
Democratic - Contract With America - New York Times - Republican - United States midterm election
- smoove:Google Wave Lives On (in a Box) [Google Wave]
-
THE FORCE
let it be with youLoL by: Unknown
- smoove:I was tempted to leave a note about how the video starts off with yelling and cursing and pretty much doesn't stop. But then I thought, what if he was just speaking normal Russian? I wouldn't want to offend.
We didn’t believe this hack at all when we saw it, or rather heard it. Surly a guitar made out of a shovel couldn’t sound decent. But the video (after the jump, skip to 2:40 for the jam) to our untrained ears sounded pretty rad. Could be the supremely well done wood work, proper use of tools, high tech pickups, or maybe Russian magic, we don’t know.
In fact, if you continue the video it doesn’t stop there. The creators also made a 2 string bass and a few other instruments from shovels. Do I smell a new shovel hero?
Related: Guitars made out of things that should not be guitars.
[Thanks Paul]
- smoove:Unreal Engine 3 Tech Demo 'Epic Citadel' Available for Free
As part of today's keynote, Epic Games showed a brief tech demo of the Unreal Engine 3 running on an iPhone. In a surprise twist of events, this very same tech demo just appeared on the App Store mere moments ago as a free universal app. If you've got an iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, 3rd Generation iPod touch, or iPad, feast your eyes on Epic Citadel [Free].
The 82.2MB tech demo includes a medieval town to explore, complete with a bizarre and a "mysterious cathedral". If you've been waiting to see just what the latest-generation iOS lineup of devices is capable of, you really need to check this out. Epic Citadel is a fantastic display of the potential of future gaming on the platform, as it has been developed using the exact same tools and technology that developers are using now to create high-end console games.
App Store Link: Epic Citadel, Free (Universal)2: I just installed this and it's pretty amazing run around this world. I want to this to be a real game so very bad.- smoove:Teabaggers Continue to Prove How Not Rascist They Are…IN SONG!
COME ON BLACK PEOPLE, It’s about time you acknowledged all the great things Republicans have done for you in the last 50 years! You ARE the Tea Party!
- smoove:Facebook Blocked Ping's API Access Because Apple Didn't Have Authorization To Use It [Unconfirmed]
Rendezvous With Rama author Arthur C. Clarke predicts telemedicine, telecommuting and mobile phones, in a 1964 BBC interview. Too bad we don't have space colonies or mentally enhanced chimpanzee servants yet. More »- smoove:Hands-on with new Apple TV and iPods
Apple showed off the latest editions of its iPod lineup and the Apple TV earlier today. The new iPod Nano loses the physical controls and adopts a multitouch display. The iPod Shuffle, however, gets them back.
The new Apple TV eschews local storage in favor of streaming HD movies and TV shows from the cloud. Netflix and network TV is on-board -- but only Fox and ABC for now. It'll also play stuff on your home network, via WiFi or Ethernet, piped to the set using HDMI.
In a demo hosted by Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the new Nano was depicted at one point as a fancy wristwatch.
Jobs chats with journalists after the new gadgets were announced Wednesday in San Francisco.
The new Apple TV is only a quarter of the size of the last one, and about four inches square. At $99, it is less than half its price.
- smoove:funny pictures I'd like to renegotiate my deductible.
I’d like to renegotiate my deductible.
an rly, r u in a pozishun to refyoos?
Picture by: Unknown
- smoove:This Is How iOS 4.1 HDR Photos Look In Reality [Apple]
All ur warmz dispensur are belong to meh.
kittehs luv teh warmz, but dey r so layzee…
Picture by: Unknown
- smoove:Canon Announces 8-15 f/4L Fisheye Zoom
Canon EF 8-15 f/4L Fisheye
London, UK, 26 August 2010 – Canon today unveils the world’s first fisheye zoom lens offering both circular and full frame images, thanks to an extreme wide-angle focal range of 8-15mm. Replacing the EF 15mm f/2.8 fisheye, the new EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is the latest addition to Canon’s L-series range of professional lenses, providing outstanding image quality, constant aperture throughout the zoom range and a robust design for reliable shooting in challenging weather conditions.
When paired with Canon’s full-frame DSLR bodies, such as the EOS 5D Mark II or the EOS -1Ds Mark III, professional photographers can choose to capture circular or full-frame fisheye images, allowing them to view a scene in a completely new and unique way. This new level of choice provides enhanced creative flexibility when shooting scenes such as the night sky, where the full 180º horizontal and vertical fields of view (FOV) allow every detail to be captured with incredible clarity in one single image.
When used with EOS bodies featuring APS-C or APS-H sensors, the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM produces a more traditional, full frame fisheye view. A zoom-lock mechanism on the lens body allows the range to be limited to the focal length that ensures the best possible full-frame view without unsightly vignetting around the edge. ‘C’ and ‘H’ markings can be found next to the zoom operation ring, indicating the wide-angle zoom position where vignette-free shooting is possible with either sensor, allowing photographers to achieve optimum results with any EOS body.
Advanced optics for professional imaging
The EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM showcases over 70 years of Canon’s optical engineering heritage, boasting 14 lens elements in 11 different groups, including one aspherical and one Ultra-low Dispersion (UD) element to correct chromatic aberration and produce high-quality, high-contrast shots with excellent colour reproduction.
Ghosting and flare caused by strong light sources can be a particular challenge when shooting at such a wide angle, and, in order to counteract these artefacts, all lens elements have been covered with Canon’s Super Spectra Coating. The inner surface of the front element also features Canon’s SubWavelength Structure Coating (SWC), which uses tiny cone-like structures, shorter than the wavelength of visible light on the surface of the lens element, to gradually slow light down until it is at the same speed as it travels through glass, removing the risk of flare occurring before the light reaches the sensor.
To maintain optimum image quality, the front and rear lens elements also feature a Fluorine Coating which actively repels water, dust and dirt, making it easier to clean the lens and leaving it unobstructed by particles.
Fast, accurate focusing and low light performance
The ultra-wide angle zoom of the EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM offers a fresh take on sporting action or architecture shots, while the constant f/4.0 aperture allows faster shutter speeds to be employed for natural-looking images in low light.
A ring-type ultrasonic motor (USM), provides quick and accurate focusing when shooting and enables a full-time manual focus functionality allowing photographers to adjust the focus of any shot, even when the AF system is activated, for even greater control over image capture and improved creative flexibility.
Built for professional performance
The EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM features a high-grade physical design that reflects its elite performance. High resistance to both dust and water enables it to be used in a range of challenging situations, and, when used with a professional EOS body, it allows continued shooting in the harshest weather conditions. The external design also features the new exterior texture, for a high quality look and feel indicative of all new L-series models.
High quality accessories
The EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM is supplied with a dedicated lens cap, lens pouch and a felt-lined lens hood EW-77 for use when using the zoom at the 15mm setting, preventing lens flare.
- smoove:Canon Announces EOS 60D
Canon EOS 60D
London, UK, 26th August 2010 – Canon today announces the latest addition to its world-famous EOS series of Digital SLR (DSLR) cameras – the new EOS 60D. Replacing the EOS 50D, the EOS 60D is designed for photographers who want to take their skills to the next level, offering high performance, a series of creative features, a Vari-angle LCD screen and enhanced ergonomics – empowering photography enthusiasts to capture outstanding stills and Full High Definition (HD) video for unique, creative results.
High speed, high resolution
With an 18 Megapixel APS-C sensor, the EOS 60D offers high levels of detail and a magnification of 1.6x the focal length of the lens to capture poster-size images in a variety of aspect ratios*1. Canon’s powerful DIGIC 4 technology rapidly processes image information captured from the CMOS sensor’s four-channel output, providing outstanding colour reproduction, as well as high-speed shooting at 5.3fps in bursts of 58 full-resolution JPEGs.
A standard ISO range of 100-6400 is extendable to 12800, providing smooth images with minimal noise in low light conditions. A 9-point, all cross-type autofocus (AF) system also provides swift and accurate focusing, with an extra-sensitive centre point for lenses faster than f/2.8, allowing photographers to artistically employ a shallow depth of field during portraiture or for more atmospheric shooting.
The EOS 60D features Canon’s iFCL metering system, first introduced with the acclaimed EOS 7D, with a 63-zone Dual-Layer sensor. Information on subject location is gathered from the Auto Focus system, and is combined with colour and luminance readings for consistent accurate exposures whatever the situation. The Integrated Speedlite transmitter also provides in-camera control of multiple EX flash units for more creative lighting.
Shoot from all angles
A new 7.7cm (3.0”) Vari-angle wide LCD monitor features a 3:2 aspect ratio and a 1,040k dot resolution, providing added flexibility and allowing photographers to view their images in incredible detail. The Vari-angle wide LCD helps frame shots from difficult angles, and can be positioned with Live View enabled to achieve the desired composition if shooting isn’t possible using the viewfinder. The ability to capture wildlife portraits, overhead shots or ground-level photography is instantly enhanced, and the surface of the screen features an anti-reflective, water-repellent coating to protect the screen allows easy viewing in bright light and from a variety of angles.
Empowering creativity
A new Basic + function makes it easy for photographers to add their own creative touch to images without worrying about changing settings. Photographers can add ambiance to a scene by shooting according to lighting and scene type, with Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sport, Night Snapshot or Creative AUTO modes all available. Different effects can be achieved by shooting with Basic + enhancements such as Daylight, Cloudy or Sunset or pre-set Picture Styles including Vivid, Soft, Warm or Monochrome.
Designed to provide power for those who wish to extend their creative vision, the EOS 60D features a host of new functions that help capture better images and in-camera effects to add an extra dimension. The powerful DIGIC 4 processor supports in-camera RAW image processing, allowing photographers to edit settings such as brightness, contrast, white balance or correct distortion or chromatic aberration. The edited image can then be resaved as a JPEG, ready to be printed or uploaded to a PC or the web.
For photographers who want to add post-production effects to their images without the need for expensive software, the EOS 60D also features a range of new creative filters that can be applied in-camera. Filters including Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Toy Camera Effect and Miniature Effect provide images with a different feel, allowing photographers to create a themed collection – using Grainy B/W to give images a reportage style, for example – or easily smooth skin tone in portraits with Soft Focus.
EOS Movies: Full HD video with complete control
Offering photographers the freedom to go beyond stills, the EOS 60D captures 1920x1080p HD video with a variety of user-selectable frame rates, including 30, 25 and 24fps, as well as 720p video at 60 and 50fps. Movie Crop mode is also available, recording with the central 640×480 pixel area of the sensor to create an effective magnification of approximately seven times the focal length of the lens.
Full manual control in Movie mode allows photographers to employ their own exposure and focus settings and take advantage of the effects achieved from Canon’s wide range of EF lenses. An external stereo microphone terminal and the ability to adjust sound recording level ensures the audio track recorded matches the visual quality of the video, capturing broadcast-quality sound.
For those who want to share images with friends and family, an integrated HDMI port is compatible with Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC), allowing video and images to be viewed on any compatible HD-ready TV and controlled via the TV remote.
Designed for flexibility
The EOS 60D features a completely redesigned body, combining an ergonomically enhanced, curved shape with a new button layout to make it quick and comfortable for photographers to change settings. Frequently used camera controls are grouped together for easy access, while the Quick Control Dial, Multi-controller and SET button have all been merged into one Multi Control Dial, enabling photographers to operate menus and enter settings quickly using their thumb. The mode dial also features a lock button, preventing unintentional changes to settings mid-shoot.
A dedicated Quick Control access button allows photographers to instantly reach the most common shooting settings and playback controls. Customising the functions of a number of buttons is also possible, allowing photographers to tailor the camera to suit their individual needs. To help achieve landscapes with perfectly level horizons, a horizontal Electronic Level can be displayed in the viewfinder or in Live View to assist composition and remove any potential need for post-production correction.
The EOS 60D is one of the latest Canon models to support high-capacity SDXC memory cards, providing up to 2TB of available space, allowing photographers to keep shooting HD video and full resolution RAW and JPEG stills without changing cards. For better management of larger image libraries on the camera, EOS 60D photographers can add a rating of 1 to 5 to their favourite images, allowing them to be easily located and viewed on-screen. Once transferred from the camera to a PC, the tags can also be viewed using a number of image editing and management programs, including Canon’s DPP software.
Share the moment
For photographers who want to transfer content wirelessly, the EOS 60D includes Eye-Fi connected functions*2. The EOS 60D features a dedicated Eye-Fi section in the User Interface allowing WiFi functionality to be turned off when not required to save battery life
EOS 60D features at a glance:
- 18 MP APS-C CMOS sensor
- Advanced creative features with Basic +
- Vari-angle 7.7cm (3.0”) 3:2 ratio LCD
- Full HD movies with manual control
- DIGIC 4
- ISO 100-6400, H:12800
- 5.3fps shooting for up to 58 JPEGs
- 9-point cross type AF System
- iFCL metering with 63-zone Dual-layer Sensor
- Integrated Speedlite transmitter
- In-camera RAW processing
- smoove:Barack Obama So Bored of Wingnuts Calling Him Muslim
Glenn Beck gathered 90,000 of his saddest friends from the senior center to have a picnic lunch on MLK’s grave Saturday, which was just a way for Glenn Beck to say to Obama, “When I called you a ‘racist,’ what I meant was some kind of vague crap about how you are not as Christian as I am, because I am some kind of ‘Mormon Convert,’ whatever that is.” Obama ignored this entirely, and instead told a secular teevee news host that it just doesn’t matter if some people who already hate black people prefer to just call the president a “Muslim” instead. But why do the Muslims all love Obama so much? It’s not like he quit bombing Afghanistan all the time! It’s not like he closed the American Torture Prison at Guantanamo Bay! So maybe Obama really is a secret half-muslin, because what else could explain his sky-high approval ratings with the very people he tortures and bombs, daily, for America? A shocking 78% of American Muslims approve of this guy, even though his very rare visits to church were, in fact, to a “Church of Christ” in Chicago. That doesn’t sound like a very good mosque name, “Church of Christ.” [Business Week/Chicago Tribune]- America didn’t have any huge mass shootings over the weekend, so the Slovak capital of Bratislava had to come through with the terrible violence and bloodshed. Zavolajte políciu![CNN]
- Do things look a little different around here? Welcome to the all-new Wonkette! Because this is the launch of a redesign, expect things to be clunky and occasionally screwy and sometimes just plain focked up while we slave over a hot computer to get everything — this entire seven-year-old website with its 30,000 posts and god knows how many blingees and other filthy — converted to the new formats. If you see something we should fix right away, please let us know on the tips line. And thank you for your patience.
- smoove:Microsoft to raise price of Xbox Live come November
Xbox Live is a powerful weapon in Microsoft's Xbox 360 arsenal, but gamers aren't likely to be happy with an unexpected and unexplained increase in the price of the service. "I wanted to let you know that as of November 1, 2010 we are increasing the price of an Xbox LIVE [membership] for some members," Major Nelson announced on his blog. "This price increase only affects Xbox LIVE Members in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom or the United States."
Here's how it breaks down in the US:
Old price New price One month $7.99 $9.99 Three months $19.99 $24.99 One year $49.99 $59.99 In the UK the price will go up £1 per month, Canada will see a CAN$1 per month increase, and Mexican gamers will pay 100 pesos extra for a year of service. Remember that finding game cards on sale for less than the going rate is common now, and that shouldn't change after the price increase. Heck, you can even buy a bunch of cards now and lock in the current price.
Xbox Live is constantly being updated, and the service is much more robust now than it was at launch, but everyone is going to have to make the judgment call for themselves: either cancel your service to send a message, or continue paying. Companies are less sensitive to angry comments than they are to changes to their bottom line.
Read the comments on this post
- smoove:Homebrew 1/10 scale Cray-1 supercomputer
Chris Fenton has knocked together a "1/10-scale, binary-compatible, cycle-accurate Cray-1" as part of an ongoing "computational necromancy" project: "What's the point of owning a Cray-1 if it doesn't *look* like a Cray-1?? Unfortunately, the square-shaped FPGA board isn't conducive to actually making it the traditional "C" shape, but I think it turned out pretty cool anyway. My friend Pat was nice enough to let me use his CNC milling machine to cut out the base pieces (and help with assembly). It's a combination of MDF, balsa wood and pine. There was also a healthy dose of blood, sweat and tears (and gorilla glue) involved."Homebrew Cray-1A (Thanks, Chris, via Submitterator)
- smoove:A faux fur writeboard
We've fallen in love with this simple but ingenious project from Portuguese designer Gonçalo Campos: Dedo is a writeboard made from artificial fur, "a much more comfortable message board, with no need for erasers or pens." Leave a note by running your fingers over it, erase it by smoothing the faux fur all the same direction. So fun.
Available for purchase from Campos's own website, or from Arcademi.
More images after the jump.
(more...)
- smoove:Eat your heart out: Joey Celis' M9 iPhone skin ain't for sale
Clever, clever: San-Francisco-based photographer Joey Celis produced a custom sticker for his iPhone, skinning it to look like a Leica M9.
"Sorry but I won't be making these to sell," writes Celis, who makes a living as a stock photographer. "It's just a one-off for personal use." Celis my man, you are leaving money on the table! I hope I haven't inadvertently flooded your e-mail in-box by posting this.
(more...)
