Archive for the 'Software' Category
Tan Le: A headset that reads your brainwaves
Tan Le’s astonishing new computer interface reads its user’s brainwaves, making it possible to control virtual objects, and even physical electronics, with mere thoughts (and a little concentration). She demos the headset, and talks about its far-reaching applications.
About Tan Le:
Tan Le is the head of Emotiv Systems, which is developing the next generation of human-machine interface — a headset that takes input directly from the brain. Full bio and more links.
This is great for paraplegics, if you’re not one, perhaps you’ll soon become one due to lethargy lol.
No commentsGoogle joins the titans of Silicon Valley lobbying
With great power comes even greater headaches. Just ask Google.
The company’s transition from upstart to Goliath has multiplied its legal and policy problems. There may be no better measure of this phenomenon than Google’s expansion of its lobbying activities on Capitol Hill.
In just five years, the search engine giant has gone from almost no presence in Washington to spending more money on lobbying than all but one other Silicon Valley company in 2009. And in the past three months, Google topped all other valley spenders.
“The growth in their lobbying reflects what the company has become,” said Dave Levinthal, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics. “They’ve gone from a tiny company to a behemoth.”
Google’s drive for influence in D.C. extends beyond dollars and cents, and demonstrates remarkable savvy in the ways of Washington. These include Google funding policy fellowships and hosting politicians at the Googleplex, and Google employees taking jobs in the Obama administration.
Google seems determined not to repeat the mistake Microsoft made in the 1990s when the software company ignored politics until it was ensnared in an epic antitrust lawsuit.
There’s certainly nothing unusual about a company aggressively pushing its agenda. But in Google’s case, I think there’s a disconnect between the company’s view of these efforts, and how they look to outsiders.
Google has always
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been a company that believes it has a special mission to make the world better, and it sees its lobbying and policy efforts as part of that crusade. In truth, this massive investment in lobbying is just one more sign that Google is acting like the big corporation it has become.
That’s neither good, nor evil. Sometimes Google’s interests align with the interests of consumers, and sometimes they don’t. But while Google believes it’s not evil, its size means many others will increasingly question whether its motives aren’t less than good.
I put this idea to Alan Davidson, head of U.S. public policy for Google, who said it’s not true, and that Google works to show humility.
“We’ve always known that with growth comes responsibility,” Davidson said. “We’re grateful for the company’s success. We know as we grow, we need to show that we’re a responsible industry leader.”
It seemed like just yesterday we were writing stories about “Google goes to Washington” as the Mountain View company opened its lobbying office in 2005. Now, Google’s right at home.
In 2009, Google spent $4.03 million on its lobbying efforts, up from $260,000 in 2005, according to U.S. Senate records. In the valley, that’s second only to
Oracle, which spent $5.1 million. And in the fourth quarter of 2009, Google outspent Oracle $1.12 million to $1.05 million.
While Google’s expansion is extraordinary, it does reflect an increase in the valley’s investment in lobbying. The top 10 valley companies increased their lobbying expenditures from a total of $12.4 million in 2005 to $26.4 million in 2009. Only Hewlett-Packard, a company that’s been around for decades, came close to matching Google’s expansion, growing from $380,000 in 2005 to $3.62 million last year.
“There was always a plan for steady growth in our presence,” Davidson said. “We knew when we started the office here, the issues facing our users and industries were only going to grow out here in Washington.”
Davidson notes that on some of the issues that Google lobbies for, it now butts heads with companies that spend far more on lobbying. While Davidson wouldn’t say which ones, he’s most likely talking about telecom companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast, whose expenditures ranged from $12 million to $17 million in 2009. Google looks at them, and still sees itself as the guppy.
And in the tech industry, Microsoft and IBM spent more last year, $6.7 million and $5.4 million respectively. But the gap is closing fast.
Davidson said Google’s efforts are benign, aimed at educating politicians and making sure its users’ interests are being heard.
“We started this office with the same philosophy as we did the business,” he said. “If you start with the user and focus on that, everything else will follow. If what we’re doing is good for our users and the Internet community, then it will be good for us in the long term.”
The problem is that the company often seems so certain of its mission that it can’t believe anyone would question its motives.
For instance, in a New York Times op-ed last fall, co-founder Sergey Brin painted Google’s efforts to scan books as a crusade to protect the world’s knowledge against the ravages of history. He bristled over criticisms of a settlement with publishers and authors: “In reality, nothing in this agreement precludes any other company or organization from pursuing their own similar effort. The agreement limits consumer choice in out-of-print books about as much as it limits consumer choice in unicorns.”
Sorry, but it is hubris to expect us to genuflect and accept that Google is doing this purely for the benefit of mankind. Google is scanning books because it expects to make money in some fashion down the road.
Lobbying on behalf of its position doesn’t make Google evil. It just means it’s a big corporation. But for a company with a messianic belief in its purpose, that’s a hard truth to accept.
Contact Chris O’Brien at 415-298-0207
mailto:cobrien@mercurynews.com
Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection MAC OSX, torrent
About five days ago pirated releases started dropping for osx right after Windows users got theirs. I’ve scoured the web for the most stable pirated releases and brought them here. There’s the master collection for osx and pc available here, as well as something called the megapack, which i did not download because its 25 muther fucking gigs… but it includes every version of the master collection suites… its huge.. read more on that. You guys can thank me later.
Create visually rich content for virtually any media-print, web, interactive, video, audio, and mobile-using the tightly integrated tools and services in Adobe Creative Suite 4 Master Collection software. From producing printed pages to distributing engaging content online, on film, on air, and on device, you get the ultimate design environment to keep pace with your imagination.
Design across media using a comprehensive, integrated creative environment; Work deeply in one discipline, such as print, web, video, or audio, and then move your skills and content to another medium efficiently Create eye-catching vector graphics in Adobe Illustrator CS4, produce powerful images in Adobe Photoshop CS4 Extended, and lay out visually rich documents for print and digital delivery in InDesign; showcase design work in dynamic PDF Portfolios Prototype and create leading-edge digital experiences, including interactive websites, applications, user interfaces, presentations, and mobile device content, using Adobe Fireworks CS4, Dreamweaver CS4, Flash, and many other tools in Master Collection Work with a highly efficient pre- and post-production toolset to do video and audio editing, still and motion graphics, visual effects, and interactive media design, and then deliver for film, broadcast, and DVD as well as Blu-ray Disc and mobile authoring Use the indispensable tools in Photoshop Extended more efficiently: Pan and zoom on images smoothly, rotate canvas to any angle, and resize images without distortion using new Content-Aware Scaling; paint, composite, and animate 3D models.
Torrent: [Adobe.Creative.Suite.4.Master.Collection.Mac.OSX] (OSX v10.4.11–10.5.4) | 6.92 GB
Torrent: [Adobe.Creative.Suite.4.Master.Collection] (pc) | 5.58 GB
Torrent: [Adobe CS4 Retail ESD Megapack] (pc) | 34.39 BG
Links: Homepage
On another note, i’ve recently decided how i feel about mashup while talked to my friend sam… it’s soulless. Like crack. Just as popular too. A remix is one thing… but when you find that an attention deficit promoting 45 minute album has been in your player for 2 weeks it’s time to check yourself. Sure I’m a little guilty it’s true, but i’m steadily trading in my girltalk, super mash bros, ludachrist, and other for a more classic jam. From now on I think I’m gonna have to keep it reserved for the party, the club, you know… i’m still psyched for the november 11th girltalk show at the crofoot.
so yeah.. Evolution Control Committee, don’t know where it came from… just found it on my hard drive during a party shuffle, and i happen to have a full album. dude btw, wtf is with itunes “genius”, how soon after i turn it on will the federalis be knocking down my door?
anyway… from the bodom of my heart; here’s a hip, samply, funky low-fo replacement for you mashup fiends to ween down. its like cornelius meets jeff beck meets dj shadow. It’s not the kitschy club shit ur used to.. it’s chill, so actually listen to it before you download this and make it your friday night dance party set. get down.
here’s some randoms:
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/EvolutionControlCommittee/04IWantaCookie.mp3]
Download: [04IWantaCookie.mp3] <--my official "stoked for cs4 track"
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/EvolutionControlCommittee/05RockedbyRape.mp3]
Download: [05RockedbyRape.mp3]
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/EvolutionControlCommittee/19SexRe-Education.mp3]
Download: [19SexRe-Education.mp3]
Download: [Evolution Control Committee - Plagiarythm Nation (2003)] | 71.2 MB
No commentsCrystal Castles Download
Crystal Castles is a Toronto-based band, consisting of multi-instrumentalist Ethan Kath and vocalist Alice Glass. I personally enjoy their remixes, and live performances. Some of the remixes include “Hunting for Witches” by Bloc Party, and “Atlantis to Interzone” by friends, Klaxons. If anything, make sure you download Health’s “Disco”(2008) below.. it’s particularly beuno.
history:
Crystal Castles, named after the 1983 Arcade Game by Atari, Inc., formed in December 2003 as a project started by Ethan Kath. In April 2005, Alice Glass recorded vocals for five original instrumentals by Kath. The band’s first single was recorded “accidentally”: a microphone test by Glass was released through MySpace as “Alice Practice” in September 2005. Glass was not aware that it had been used until record companies heard the song and contacted the duo to offer them record deals.
Since the release of “Alice Practice”, the duo announced plans to release their first full-length album on Last Gang Records, which was released in North America on 18 March 2008 and released in the UK on 28 April 2008. Watch this video to get your blood pumping. This opening really helped them make their mark, i’d like to see them in detroit.
[see part 2 of the above video]
[and the video for "crimewave".]
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/CrystalCastles/CrimewaveSindenRemix.mp3]
Download: [Crimewave (Sinden Remix)]
Torrents:
Download: [Crystal Castle - Crystal Castles]
Download: [Crystal Castles - Alice Practice EP (2008)]
For your health:
Download: [Health - Disco (2008)]
You can also download that Crystal Castles self entitled album @ 320kb.
As well as a live performance.
[Wiki Crystal Castles (Band)]
[myspace.com/crystalcastles]
Buy Crystal Castles’ self-titled CD from insound. HEALTH’s self titled album can be procured from Lovepump Unilimted and check out Sinden productions in the iTunes store.
Download: [Crystal Castles (1984) rom & Atari 2600 emulator osx]
[Wiki Crystal Castles (Game)]
Dally In The Alley Shots + Oslo + Legend of Curtis + Moonwalker
.
[09.06.08 - Dally In The Alley Gallery] click to enter gallery
[09.06.08 - Oslo Gallery] click to enter gallery
The Legend of Curtis EP
Chapter 1 – Legend of Curtis
Chapter 2 – Soul on Ice
Chapter 3 – New World HustlerLong, Long time ago the land of South Jamaica was in an age of chaos.
In the midst of this chaos, in a little neighborhood in the land of Queens, a legend was born. His name was Curtis.Ludachrist proudly presents a 3 part fantasy street tale of great treasures, beautiful princesses, weapons of great power, and heart pounding adventures. Join us on a magical journey into the world of illusion, where imagination runs wild and the unlikely hero rises the ranks to become the ruler of his kingdom. Experience the challenge of endless adventure!
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/Ludachrist/LegendofCurtisEP/TheLegendOfCurtis.mp3]
Download: [The Legend Of Curtis]
some tracks from last weekend’s shindig
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/ComputerClub/SometimesComputerClubsFrontRoomEdit.mp3]
Download: [Sometimes (Computer Club Front Room Edit)]
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/ComputerClub/ThatsWhatIGetComputerClubsPresidentEmeritusRemix.mp3]
Download: [That's What I Get (Computer Club Remix)]
[audio:http://detroitartist.org/media/audio/BellaDonnaKillz/killbelladonna.mp3]
Download: [Kill Bennadonna]
can see the video? click here
Download: [Sega Gensis - Micheal Jackson Moonwalker (game for osx)] the game.
No commentsAudio-Surf: Ride your music. Audio-surf portable torrent.
Ride Your Music
Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where you use your own music to create your own experience. In Audiosurf the player controls a levitating spaceship-like craft similar to those found in Wipeout or F-Zero. The player then maneuvers it down a colorful multi-laned highway, collecting blocks in a manner similar to Klax. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song you choose. The ship is controlled either by a mouse, the arrow keys, the number keys, or a Gamepad.
Features:
- Play with any music from your own music collection
- Supported formats: mp3, wma, m4a, flac, ogg and CD
- Play with two players in single-screen cooperative mode
- Choose your strategy from 14 available characters
- Online scoreboards for each song you play
Minimum System Requirements:
OS: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista
Processor: 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium 4
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Graphics: 32 MB NVIDIA GeForce 2 (support for Pixel Shader 3.0 recommended)
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0 or higher
Sound: DirectX 9.0c-compatible sound card
Additional Info:
Set your graphic detail to Premium to take advantage of Audiosurf’s pixel shader effects. In addition to the arrow keys, you can navigate with ASDF or Tilde/1/2/3/4. For left and right click, you can use Z and X or comma and period. You can also play with an Xbox 360 controller, use either stick to
navigate and move both sticks in the same direction to get to a shoulder. You can use the triggers in place of mouse clicks.
[ another video of someone playing to some russian techno track]
Brilliant concept. Even if you’re not a gamer, this is incredible fun. You’ll be amazed at how the song comes to life in the course, with rhythm, tempo, crescendos, and beats propelling you into an intimate battle against the music of your favorite artists. So far i’ve played some justice tracks, daft punk, nofx, aphex twin, msi, and even some death metal and some snoop dog. The levels generated by a track can be played by people throughout the world and high scores get posted online, you can even view scores of local residents and medals are awarded per a song internationally. There are several different pilots and each has there own abilities and track types, and two players can play at the same time. So far my friends have called it dance dance guitar hero, i’ve also heard it likened to tetris on crack. Either way steam bought it up and its hot.
I downloaded it yesterday and now i have to put it away before it kills anymore of my work hours. If you’re in michigan my username is detroit, so you can see my music taste if you check up the local scores.
Support indie developers, this game is only $10, so for christ sakes if you enjoy playing you should buy it.
[audio-surf.com]
[Demo]
[Buy it]
I scanned both these torrents and they are virus free.
Torrent 1: Audiosurf_-_Portable 51.94mb
This one is independent of the steam installer and was much smaller, and i hate caking up my virtual machine.
Worked great on my 2.4ghz duocore2 4g ram macbrookpro using vmware fusion, allowing 1.5g ram to my virtual machine. should work on a 1.5ghz pc with as little a gig. If you are running through a virtual machine you need vmware tools installed and directx9 enabled.
Torrent 2: Audiosurf – Detonation 396.48mb
This one comes with the steam install. i havent tried it yet, but it if the first gives you trouble, here’s a follow up.
It’s official: Microsoft’s concerned about GNU/Linux
Without fanfare (as expected), Microsoft filed its 10-K form to the Security and Exchange Commission.
In it, however, we find that Microsoft bemoans the fact that their “business model,” well, might tend to suck in comparison to the open source business model. Not only that — and maybe you should sit down for this — all that, ahem, innovation stemming from Redmond might suffer because they would have to lower their prices to keep competitive.
Let’s take a look, shall we? Some of the more tasty, entertaining morsels are:
“Our business model has been based upon customers paying a fee to license software that we developed and distributed . . . . In recent years, certain “open source” software business models have evolved into a growing challenge to our license-based software model.
[And for this we are truly thankful.]
“Open source commonly refers to software whose source code is subject to a license allowing it to be modified, combined with other software and redistributed, subject to restrictions set forth in the license . . . . A prominent example of open source software is the Linux operating system.”
[Wait for it . . ]
“Although we believe our products provide customers with significant advantages in security, productivity and total cost of ownership (emphasis added to highlight both the audacity and humor of this clause), the popularization of the open source software model continues to pose a significant challenge to our business model . . .
[When you stop laughing, I’ll continue.]
” . . .including continuing efforts by proponents of open source software to convince governments worldwide to mandate the use of open source software in their purchase and deployment of software products.
[For this we are truly thankful.]
“To the extent open source software gains increasing market acceptance, sales of our products may decline, we may have to reduce the prices we charge for our products, and revenue and operating margins may consequently decline.”
[One can only hope.]
![[FSF Associate Member]](http://www.opensourcereporter.net/button88x31.gif){kind=small}
(Larry Cafiero, editor/publisher of Open Source and Free Software Reporter, is an associate member of the Free Software Foundation.)
article by: [larrythefreesoftwareguy]
No commentsiRing, wtf
With a stylish design and wireless Bluetooth connectivity with your iPod and iPhone, the iRing allows you to control playback and volume on any of your Apple media devices. iRing features a bright OLED status display with touch-sensitive function strip, and a rechargeable battery life of up to 2 days. Conveniently recharge your iRing using the included cradle. Its minimal size and unique ring-lock mechanism make it an ideal companion for charging and storing your iRing.
When my friend asked me about the iRing, i couldnt believe i was right, apple put out some crazy ass piece of jewelry peripheral that interfaces with the goddamn iphone and ipod touch. Assholes. This shit is ridiculous
Designer: Victor Soto
