BrainStuff
Get inside the brain of the mastermind of HowStuffWorks.
Interesting Reading…
by Marshall Brain | February 25, 2009
Why GPSes suck, and what to do about it – “I’m the lead of the GPSD project, a service daemon that monitors GPS receivers on serial or USB ports and provides TPV (time-position-velocity) reports in a simple format on on a well-known Internet port. GPSD makes this job looks easy. But it’s not — oh, it’s decidedly not — and thereby hangs an entertaining tale of hacker ingenuity versus multiple layers of suck…”
Who’s buying what? – “A look at where people around the world are directing some of their purchasing power…”
Non-reversing mirror – “This mirror does not produce a “mirror” image, making it possible to read reflected text normally…”
Do androids dream of electric penguins? – “After the fanfare faded, we ended up with Android-a platform that launched with some limitations but nonetheless has significant potential. Although the first Android devices leave a lot to be desired when compared to competing products, the platform itself is evolving quickly, and it offers the advantages of openness and collaborative development. In this article we’ll take a close look at the underlying technology of Android and what the platform means for developers…”
The Anti-Bono – “As a native of Zambia with advanced degrees in public policy and economics from Harvard and Oxford, you are about to publish an attack on Western aid to Africa and its recent glamorization by celebrities. ‘‘Dead Aid,’’ as your book is called, is particularly hard on rock stars. Have you met Bono?”
Modern day stone age man – Guy builds a house in a cave – “Cave: 15,000 square feet on the first floor and addition 3,000 in 2cnd and third floor space…”
Help us to name another important addition to the station – Node 3 and its cupola! – “NASA wants your opinion in naming the International Space Station’s Node 3 – a connecting module and its cupola – before the two segments travel to space and are installed on the orbiting laboratory. The name should reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1- Unity- and Node 2- Harmony…”
Building a computer for less than $200 (Part 1) – “I started this week with the goal of building a machine with a budget of $200…”
$100 Linux wall-wart launches – “Marvell Semiconductor is shipping a hardware/software development kit suitable for always-on home automation devices and service gateways. Resembling a “wall-wart” power adapter, the SheevaPlug draws 5 Watts, comes with Linux, and boasts completely open hardware and software designs, Marvell says…”
How To Hack Bluetooth Headsets – “This video shows one of the vulnerabilities of some bluetooth headsets. To prevent this vulnerability, it’s best to invest a little more money into a more secure headset and making sure your headset is turned off when not in use…”
What Does $10B in Stimulus Really Mean for High-Speed Rail? – Nice map…
NASA satellite crashes minutes after launch – ” The satellite, which would have monitored greenhouse gases to study how they affect the Earth’s climate, was launched on a Taurus XL rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 1:55 a.m. PT (4:55 a.m. ET)…”
Helpful iPhone Travel Apps – “As a travel aid, the iPhone is a godsend. All too often, we find ourselves on the road lamenting, “If only I was in front of my computer. I could handle this in a second!” But with the iPhone, we’re now in front of our computer wherever we are…”
-
[...] [See previous IR] [...]
Recent Postings by Category
BrainStuff
- Interesting Reading #414 – The tiniest computer, hearts really can break, family pays $5,000 per year for connections, New font saves ink and much more…
- Public Service Announcement – Soft drinks nearly double your chances of pancreatic cancer
- Amazing – Going inside the Giant Crystal Cave
FanStuff
- What’s art — and what’s groundbreaking — in video games?
- Ursula K. Le Guin vs. Google Books: Round Two
- “Lost,” “Fringe” and That Whole Alternate Universe Thing
How-to Stuff
- How to Take a Road Trip, Abraham Lincoln-Style
- How to Explain Love in the Least Romantic Way Possible
- How to Quiet a Barking Dog
ScienceStuff
- Space Music Vol. 8: Sun Ra and Afrofuturism
- Stuff from the Science Lab Roundup: Space Eats and Grow Houses
- Why does time fly as you get older?
Stuff You Should Know
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
High Speed Stuff
- The Toyota Recall: Where can you get the latest information?
- What is Toyota doing to fix its gas pedal problem?
- High Speed Stuff Wrap-up: Automotive Pet Peeves and Polar Vehicles
Keep Asking
- How does an airbrush work?
- Is the Internet free? If you want to make a website, will it cost you to put it online?
- If you look at a piece of glass from an angle, why does it have a bluish or green tint?
Stuff You Missed in History Class
- Last Week in History Podcasts: Battle Horses and Black Moses
- The Wonderful Adventures of the Nurse We Forgot
- Black History Month on HowStuffWorks



1 Comment