| Wednesday, August 6 2008 |
Huh.
Wonder how The Steve feels about this.
The U.S. military went into Iraq with few troops able to speak Arabic. Now they can use their iPods to do the talking for them. A new software product, VCommunicator Mobile, and a speaker than plugs into where the ear buds go, enables troops to quickly access a library of phrases. There is also a set of protective covers for the iPod and speaker, with Velcro straps so that you can attach both to your arm.
If all this sounds very soldier-friendly, that's because the product was designed with the help of troops from the 10th Mountain division, who have been using 260 of these specially equipped iPods for the last year. This cost the army $800,000, and included language modules for Iraqi Arabic (it's a distinct dialect) and Kurdish (an Indo-European language spoken in the north). There are also modules for languages spoken in Afghanistan (Dari and Pushto). Over 700 troops are using the device in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Well, I certainly know how
I feel about it.
(Via VodkaDude)
posted by Mr. Lion
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22:39 EST | comments
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| Friday, July 4 2008 |
So may it always be.
I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. -- John Adams
Light fuse. Stand back.
Screw the nannies.
posted by Mr. Lion
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22:59 EST | comments
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| Tuesday, June 10 2008 |
Neener neener.
Well, it looks as though Sprint has stopped beating around the bush, and is openly going after the iPhone with teeth bared.
In my opinion, they're handling it stupidly. The Samsung iPhone clone is not a serious challenge to the iPhone, whose interface and platform are lightyears ahead of the Samsung offering. The only reason it does
anything better is that Sprint's
network is far, far superior to ATT's hacktastic GSM network, and they'd do well to market it as such. Hey, we've got a phone that's
almost as good as the iPhone, and it works on a network that is clearly and demonstrably better, which is quite true. Not, hey, we've got an iPhone killer here! Watch our presentations and bow in awe! ... which is nonsense.
I've been a Sprint customer for many years, as it's the only network and technology capable of allowing a smartphone do what I need it to do (my 1st gen iPhone largely sits in its charger, acting as an expensive alarm clock), and it really makes no sense to me that they
still can't seem to market that to the average joe.
Oh well, I'll probably still get a new Treo from them after I drop my 650 for the eleven billionth time.
posted by Mr. Lion
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01:47 EST | comments
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| Sunday, June 8 2008 |
Good job.
One of my favorite phrases, oft used to describe the utter stupidity of a given parent, is that you need a license to buy a gun, but they'll let any idiot have kids.
Case in point.
A 12-YEAR-OLD girl in Scotland brought up by her parents on a strict vegan diet has been admitted to hospital with a degenerative bone condition said to have left her with the spine of an 80-year-old woman.
Doctors are under pressure to report the couple to police and social workers amid concerns that her health and welfare may have been neglected in pursuit of their dietary beliefs.
The girl, who has been fed on a strict meat and dairy-free diet from birth, is said to have a severe form of rickets and to have suffered a number of fractured bones.
Never so clear was a case for forced sterilization.
posted by Mr. Lion
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18:48 EST | comments
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| Thursday, June 5 2008 |
Nail on head.
By far, the most apt analysis of present day "environmentalism" and global warming/cooling/whateveritisthisweeking hysteria I've read in a long time, can be found here.
Yet on the basis of this speculation, environmental activists, attended by compliant scientists and opportunistic politicians, are advocating radical economic and social regulation. "The largest threat to freedom, democracy, the market economy and prosperity," warns Czech President Vaclav Klaus, "is no longer socialism. It is, instead, the ambitious, arrogant, unscrupulous ideology of environmentalism."
Read the whole thing.
posted by Mr. Lion
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20:33 EST | comments
(1)
Perspective.
James might not consider this the end all, be all of ideological tests, but I would-- at least of the painting with the 24" roller variety.
See, if you're anywhere between "neutral and indifferent" and "Well, yeah, that's the most obvious thing in the world and if your child doesn't grow up understanding firearms safety and marksmanship, you're a failure as a parent", well, I'd probably buy you a drink and enjoy the process.
If, however, your reaction were more towards the O'donnel-esque PSH, I'd probably as soon club you over the head with the bottle.
Works for me.
Be sure and check out the rest.
posted by Mr. Lion
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14:00 EST | comments
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| Wednesday, May 28 2008 |
Old meets new.
In my automotive travels, I've come across a lot of enthusiasts and car builders, and among most, they tend to follow two distinct groups. The old school, in which two valves is enough for any man, and the new, in which it's crap if it isn't spinning 9,000 revs through 18 different cam profiles.
I've never completely felt at home in either camp, myself, so I guess I'll have to coin my own: The pseudo-purists. See, I like a Shelby Cobra as much as I like a Carrera GT. Both are insanity on four wheels, both go very fast, and each does it in an entirely different way. One is arguably about soul, and one technology, though for me, I'm happy as a clam driving or working on either.
So it is when I build a car, I try to marry the best new technology with the soul of old. Hence, no flappy paddle gearboxes for me, but I'll take the most advanced fuel injection computer I can get my hands on. It's rare, though, to have an opportunity to get the dichotomy of the old and new showcased quite as well as in the current project I'm involved in, thus:
Yes, that's 50's header wrap next to wiz-bang satellite heat foil on a turbocharged Japanese engine in a British roadster.
Sometimes this stuff is just plain fun.
posted by Mr. Lion
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17:33 EST | comments
(7)
| Sunday, May 11 2008 |
Cute.
Well, it's heartening to know that in the era of eco-tardism run rampant, at least the real car guys behind the scenes still know how to have fun.
Case in point, the window sticker for the FR500S racing Mustang from Ford.
I think my favorite part is the fuel economy blurb.
posted by Mr. Lion
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00:15 EST | comments
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