RepRap – A 3D Printer That Makes Useful Objects, Even Itself

Google’s Operating System (Chrome OS) Is Coming – Microsoft Probably Not Happy

“So at long last Google is making its move. Promising a lightweight but fast operating system – Chrome OS – the internet search company is poised to strike at the heart of Microsoft’s software empire.

The Windows operating system is Microsoft’s cash cow, powering about 90% of the world’s personal computers, and as a result accounting for the majority of its profits.  The benefits are wider, though. Every Windows desktop comes with an invitation (and at times the imperative) to use other Microsoft software and services.  This, in turn, hobbles Google’s ambition of organising all the world’s information, and making money on the back of it.”   Full Story

Crunchpad, Web Browsing Tablet Coming Soon (for under $300)

“As a blogger for TechCrunch, Michael Arrington has often pined for a simple, cheap tablet that’s made primarily for browsing the Web. He’s now putting his money where his mouth is, and has formed a company to sell a Web tablet called the CrunchPad.

The CrunchPad is expected to be a light, thin device that is primarily used for browsing the Web, reading e-mail, and viewing videos from Flash-based Web sites like YouTube and Hulu. The device will have a 12-inch touch screen with an “iPhone-like” virtual keyboard, and the device will use Intel’s Atom processor.”  Full Story (More pix at Tech Crunch)

Amazing Libraries Around the World

 

 

Check out some of these cool private and public libraries, courtesy of Stephanie!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/roundup/amazing-libraries-around-the-world-089034

Virtual Banker Steals 200 Billion Interstellar Kredits (i.e. $5100)

“TORONTO, July 2 (Reuters) – Facing real world debts, a trusted figure in a popular online game stole money from the virtual bank he ran and exchanged it for cash through the black market.

It happened in EVE Online, where more than 300,000 subscribers pay $15 a month to play. They gain wealth through hard work, manipulating the market, or killing rivals in a distant future where humans have colonized the stars in an online game similar to World of Warcraft and Second Life.”  Full Story at NYTIMES

Answers24×7 and Homework Help Holiday Hours

Answers 24×7 will be closed Saturday, July 4, 2009,  in observance of the Independence Day Holiday.  They will close at 12:00 am ET on Saturday, July 4, 2009, and will reopen at 12:00 am ET on Sunday, July 5, 2009.

 

Suffolk Homework Help will be closed this Saturday, July 4, 2009 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Students trying to log on will receive a message that the program is currently closed. The other days the service is closed are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Top Ten Train Stations Where You Wouldn’t Mind Being Delayed

“…there are railway stations around the world that offer more than hot beverages and gloomy stationary stores. A select few are actually so nice they’re almost part of your holiday.  TravelMail looks at some of the stations around the globe where a short delay wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world…”  Full Story

Family History Center

According to Samantha Jane Alberts at SCLS:

“The Family History Center order form is temporarily unavailable till 7 July 2009. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Just FYI, if anyone is helping a patron with some genealogy research.

Extreme Makeovers of Mickey D’s, Taco Bell and White Castle

Fans of Top Chef are familiar with the infamous “Vending Machine Quickfire Challenge”, in which competing chefs must make a dish using ingredients taken from a standard vending machine.  This new Blog takes a similar idea in a slightly different direction.  Fast food from McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Burger King, White Castle and more are deconstructed and rebuilt into works of edible art, with full instructions provided for the courageous.  Is the picture (shown at left) Tapas from a 3 star restaurant or a White Castle Sack Meal #1, #8 and an order of clam strips?

“These photographs show extreme makeovers of actual fast food items purchased at popular fast food restaurants. No additional ingredients have been added…”  Fancy Fast Food

Happy Canada Day

“Frequently referred to as “Canada’s birthday”, particularly in the popular press, the occasion marks the joining of the British North American colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada into a federation of four provinces (the Province of Canada being divided, in the process, into Ontario and Quebec) on 1 July 1867. Although Canada is regarded as having become a kingdom in its own right on that date, the British Parliament kept limited rights of political control over the new country that were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were surrendered in 1982 when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution.”  From Wikipidia