In order to achieve this free form movement of data that both Scott and JJ envisioned, we had to design an architecture that utilized many computers, dynamic content rendering and broadcasted meta data to create what appears to be a contiguous world into which all of the screens act as windows.
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Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Waze Uses Crowdsourcing to Bring You Real-Time Traffic Info
by Ben Parr
There are plenty of social, web, and technology tools to help you with your commute. Whether you have a TomTom or constantly whip out your iPhone, you can find driving directions, locations, general traffic information, and even speed traps.
However, what Waze is aiming to do is far more ambitious. This mobile app, which uses crowdsourcing to create driver-generated maps, is expanding out of Israel and is launching today in the U.S. With it is a technology that gathers information on driving patterns, traffic, accidents, police traps, and more and analyzes it in order to inform the driver of the best possible route available.
Waze’s real-time technology
Waze is an application, primarily for Google Android phones, that gathers data and provides it to the driver. Waze is able to use your GPS and your movement to determine if there is a traffic jam, an open route, or a previously unknown alleyway. It relies on multiple data points from multiple phones to provide a full picture of the area.
As more and more users drive a specific area, it picks up on the streets, tendencies, and more to build a driver-generated map. This map not only includes streets, but builds in models for bottlenecks and major delays (red), fast routes, accidents, etc. Users can also actively report things like a speeding camera or a construction zone in order to build a more accurate Waze map.
When you actually use the application, you can physically see where these traps, slowdowns, and areas to avoid are. There’s even a map that shows the movement of all of the cars (anonymously) using the application in real-time. One of Waze’s key advantage is real-time information. For example, if a previous traffic jam clears up, the next car using Waze that goes through at normal speeds will slowly erase the traffic indicators from the map as they drive through it.
It also has a system to rank people based on reliability, using points. If you’re reporting bad information, the system docks you points and your influence on the user-generated map decreases. It provides a unique competitive and social feature while providing a way to judge informational accuracy.
Waze eyes the U.S. market
Waze has been in use for a while in Israel, but now it sets it ambitions on the U.S. It’s starting with the Google Android platform and the San Francisco bay area, where users may be more receptive to having the application. However, it probably won’t reach enough platforms until it gets its iPhone app approved. Even then, the iPhone’s inability to run background apps (which might change soon, rumors say) could harm Waze’s data collection efforts.
Yet if Waze can succeed with a proof of concept in the U.S., there is huge potential. The driving information market is huge, and there have been major acquisitions in the past - Navteq was acquired by Nokia in 2007 for $8.1 billion while Tele Atlas was bought by TomTom for 3 billion euros. Waze aims to gather more information and bring it real-time.
Crowdsourcing this type of information seems like an intelligent thing to do. Apps like Trapster already do a great job of gathering this information. But much of Waze’s data is collected passively, making it easier on the driver. The result could be the a full-knowledge system that knows when roads are packed and where police patrols like to hide.
If Waze can get itself on more phones in more cities, or if they score a deal with a car maker so that it gets automatically installed into cars, it has the potential to be a major innovator and player in the market.
Spider-cat Charlie ignores cat-flap and climbs 2-storey wall
Any old cat can shin up a tree. But this brave moggy regularly takes his nine lives in his paws and climbs 13ft up the wall of a block of flats to his owner's home on the first floor.
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The Beauty of Kingfisher's deadly strike
Kingfishers that live near water hunt small fish by diving. They also eat crayfish, frogs, and insects. Wood kingfishers eat reptiles. Kingfishers of all three families beat their prey to death, either by whipping it against a tree or by dropping it on a stone.
Surfing while sick 'is OK'
The Press
Fairfax
SURF'S UP: Surfing while on sick leave is not a sackable offence.
A champion surfer has caught a break in more ways than one, with the Industrial Relations Commission in Australia finding that going surfing while on sick leave is not a sackable offence.
Shane Bevan, a former world championship tour surfer, was sacked from his baggage handler's job after his then employer discovered he took part in Queensland's Coolum Classic surf contest while on sick leave with a bad back, the Australian reported.
The IRC initially upheld his sacking but, on appeal, a commission full bench last week supported Bevan's claim that the termination was harsh, unjust and unreasonable and ordered the company to pay compensation.
Bevan injured his back while working for Oceania Aviation Services.
Bevan saw an osteopath who issued him with a medical certificate covering the period to Sunday, September 16, 2007. While on leave, his grandfather died and he travelled to Sydney to be with relatives before returning home two days later.
In memory of his grandfather, he decided to compete in the Coolum Classic of which he was the reigning champion scheduled for the next day.
The day he surfed was a rostered day off; his back had improved and he revisited his osteopath, who was happy with his progress.
He spoke to his work supervisor to check someone was taking his shift on the Sunday, although this was unnecessary given he had a medical certificate that covered the period to and including the Sunday.
Upon returning to work on the Monday, Bevan was asked what he had been doing. He referred to his grandfather's death and the visit to Sydney.
Asked if he had been surfing, he replied that he had been for a ``bit of a paddle''. His employment was terminated.
The Australian reported that the commission upheld the sacking, finding Bevan misled the company about his physical capabilities and did not acknowledge he had been in the surfing contest when first asked.
However, a commission full bench overturned the findings, noting Bevan participated in the surfing tournament on his regular rostered day off.
"He went surfing in his own private time and not during a time when he was rostered to attend work,'' the full bench said.
"It is also important to note that Bevan, after organising a shift swap on the Sunday, (despite being covered by a medical certificate) attended work on the Monday (his next rostered shift) ready and able to perform the full range of his duties."
After lengthy evidence about which muscles Bevan used at work and which he used surfing, the full bench noted the osteopath did not agree that Bevan had put his injury at risk by surfing.
The osteopath's evidence did not support a conclusion that Bevan was fit to resume work in light of his participation in a surfing competition.
Bevan also did not mislead the company about his fitness to resume normal work, given it involved heavy lifting.
Medical Marijuana Is The Law — Any Questions?
By: Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director
How do you say: “Game, set, match” in southern California? Here’s how:
High court won’t hear county’s marijuana challenge
via SignOnSanDiego.comThe U.S. Supreme Court will not take up San Diego County’s challenge to state medical marijuana laws.
For more than three years the county has been fighting in court to overturn state laws that require counties to issue medical marijuana identification cards. The county contends federal law, which does not recognize medical marijuana usage, trumps the state law.
The county has lost that argument in state trial and appellate courts, and the state Supreme Court declined to take up the case, too. The county’s last, long-shot chance was to have the U.S. Supreme Court take up the case.
San Bernardino and Merced counties initially joined the suit, but Merced eventually dropped out. The high court also rejected San Bernardino’s petition to take up the case.
In other words, the oft-heard prohibitionist refrain that federal law trumps state medical marijuana laws has no legal merit.
None. Nada. Zero.
To anyone who has followed the unethical actions of the San Diego and San Bernardino Supervisors over the past three years, the Supreme Court’s refusal to hear their appeal shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, the counties’ vapid arguments had previously been struck down — unanimously — by the Superior Court of the state of California the 4th District Court of Appeals.
In addition, the Legislative Counsel of California, the state Attorney General’s Office, and a majority of the California legislature had also previously determined that local politicians and law enforcement were obligated to uphold the provisions of California’s medical marijuana laws.
Finally, California’s constitution is also quite clear on this point — mandating that police have a sworn duty to uphold state law, not to enforce federal statutes.
Let’s be blunt: San Diego and San Bernardino’s protracted lawsuits — lawsuits that arguably cost county taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and jeopardized the health and safety of thousands (if not tens of thousands) of citizens — were never about resolving legal ambiguity.
Rather, it was about the arrogance and recalcitrance of those who willfully chose to abuse their power and position to hamstring the will of the voters, the legislature, and the courts.
And while this particular legal battle is now over, our outrage shouldn’t be.
See the original image at sports.espn.go.com — MLB: World Series Games Will Now Start Before 8pm ET
NEW YORK -- For those dozing off by the fifth inning come October, help is on the way.
Following record-low ratings for last year's World Series between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, Major League Baseball and Fox are moving up the start times this year.
Weeknight games in the World Series and AL Championship Series will begin at 7:57 p.m. EDT, more than a half-hour before last year's first-pitch times, Fox said Monday.
The moves figures to give children a chance to watch more on school nights, and should benefit adults who need to set the alarm clock for work.
"At least they're moving in the right direction, I think," Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman said. "I think the weird part is seeing young kids in the stands at 1 in the morning watching ballgames. Or if you're at home watching on television you kind of want to not lose that younger generation because they've got to go to bed."
The start of Saturday night games could be even earlier, and Sunday games will continue to begin following the conclusion of the network's NFL coverage.
"Over the last few years, games have been ending a bit later than we'd like," Fox Sports president Ed Goren said in a statement. "This new schedule, made possible through the cooperation of our stations, affiliates and Major League Baseball, should help fans of all ages see weeknight games from start to finish."
Last year's World Series had scheduled starts from 8:29 p.m. to 8:35 p.m. ET, and times ranged from 3 hours, 5 minutes for Game 2 to 3:41 for rain-delayed Game 3 in Philadelphia, which began at 10:06 p.m. and didn't end until 1:47 a.m.
Philadelphia's five-game victory averaged an 8.4 rating, down 17 percent from the previous low, a 10.1 for the five-game St. Louis-Detroit series in 2006.
"Our goal is to schedule games to allow the largest number of people to watch, and this change puts our games in the window we believe will work the best for our fans," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "I expect that fans of all ages will respond favorably to this adjustment."
This year's Series will have the earliest start time since Game 6 between the Florida Marlins and New York Yankees in 2003 began at 7:57 p.m., according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
"If this permits more kids of the younger part of our nation to be able to see this, I think it's a good thing," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It's a positive step."
MLB said it will be the earliest start for a regularly scheduled Monday-to-Friday Series game since Game 5 between Baltimore and Pittsburgh in 1971, which was a day game.
Fox games will have a network air time of 7:30 p.m.
"It'll help in the Midwest and the West, for sure," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "What do those 40 minutes get you? Maybe an inning. Who knows?"
Selig had said since last October's World Series that he hoped for earlier game times.
No announcement was made about the NL Championship Series or the division series, which are televised by TBS. The earlier start does not apply to the All-Star Game on Fox, Fox spokesman Lou D'Ermilio said.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
7 Completely Unrealistic Movies Plots (That Came True)
For anyone who has ever screamed 'Yeah right!' at the movie 'Weekend at Bernies'. Sometimes, even the most ridiculous plot points turn into real headlines months or years later.
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The 10 Best Cities to Find Tech Jobs
New York City, Washington, D.C. among areas with most jobs available.
Denise Dubie, Network World
Top Spots for IT Jobs
Some signs of economic recovery are emerging and a variety of organizations in some of the biggest U.S. cities are seeing demand for IT professionals, according to high-tech career industry watchers. Here we list cities currently in need of IT professionals (according to Dice); salary information for the areas (according to PayScale); and a few reasons why IT pros might want to search for work there.
Atlanta
City/metro area: Atlanta
Available IT jobs: 1,372*
Average salary for IT project manager: $80,798**
Local attractions: Not only is Atlanta home to major league baseball's Braves, CNN and the Carter Presidential Library and Museum, the city also features the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a 30-acre spread that includes the country's largest orchid house.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009** According to PayScale, May 2009
Boston
City/metro area: Boston
Available IT jobs: 1,902*
Average salary for senior software engineer/develop/programmer: $92,630**
Local attractions: Can you say sports? With the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots and Red Sox near the top of their games, any high-tech sports enthusiast would welcome the chance to spend their downtime in Beantown.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Chicago
City/metro area: Chicago
Available IT jobs: 2,056*
Average salary for IT consultant: $70,337**
Local attractions: IT pros taking a break from work can stroll along Chicago's Magnificent Mile, which offers visitors more than 3.1 million square feet of retail space, 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 hotels, 2 unique museums and flower-filled medians that reflect the changing seasons.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Dallas
City/metro area: Dallas
Available IT jobs: 1,451*
Average salary for senior systems engineer (computer networking/IT): $88,327**
Local attractions: The Dallas/Fort Worth area in Texas provides more wildlife than just what you'd find at a rodeo or on one of the many guest ranches the state features. The Fort Worth Zoo boasts more than 5,000 animals and the Dallas Zoo offers a peek at exotic and endangered species.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Los Angeles
City/metro area: Los Angeles
Available IT jobs: 2,022*
Average salary for system administrator (computer/network): $62,302**
Local attractions: Film buffs would revel in the chance to work among the stars in Hollywood, catch random celebrity sightings, take in a premiere or two, and visit Mann's Chinese Theater to view the hand and footprints of silver screen legends such as Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Jack Nicholson and The Olsen Twins.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
New York/New Jersey
City/metro area: New York/New Jersey
Available IT jobs: 5,341*
Average salary for systems engineer (computer networking/IT): $69,700**
Local attractions: New York City offers visitors a view from The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty or Central Park. Among the city's many cultural draws are The Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Broadway's many theaters.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Philadelphia
City/metro area: Philadelphia
Available IT jobs: 1,557*
Average salary for IT specialist: $51,912**
Local attractions: As one of the nation's older cities, Philadelphia features a lot of historical landmarks that include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Seattle
City/metro area: Seattle
Available IT jobs: 1,195*
Average salary for database administrator (DBA): $73,716**
Local attractions: The Space Needle isn't the only draw to the Pacific Northwest city. Seattle also is home to the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, which features exhibitions on Jimi Hendrix: An Evolution of Sound and Jim Henson's Fantastic World.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Silicon Valley
City/metro area: Silicon Valley
Available IT jobs: 2,534*
Average salary for senior engineer (San Jose): $83,842**
Tourist attractions: San Jose's Tech Museum of Innovation includes interactive exhibits on advanced technologies. The Tech was created as a resource to serve people of all ages interested in technologies, but also to help inspire youth to innovate on technologies for the future.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
Washington D.C./Baltimore
City/metro area: Washington D.C./Baltimore
Available IT jobs: 6,817*
Average salary for IT director: $110,028**
Local attractions: The nation's capital offers a range of activities beyond the obvious entertainment and education of historical tours. The city offers fine dining at a slew of restaurants, an active nightlife and plays at the Kennedy Center and the Shakespeare Theatre Company.
*According to jobs posted on Dice as of May 1, 2009**According to PayScale, May 2009
The 1.8 Gigayear Gap. R We the Lone Sentient Life in Space?
So far, we have no evidence to the contrary, and yet the odds that not one single other planet has evolved intelligent life would appear, from a statistical standpoint, to be quite small. There are an estimated 250 billion (2.5 x 10¹¹ ) stars in the Milky Way alone, and over 70 sextillion (7 x 10²² ) in the visible universe, and many of them are...
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Ten Steps To Creating The Perfect Man Cave
The man cave. A mythical masculine lair filled with automotive goodies and toys designed to make a man happy. Here's how to create your very own man cave in ten easy steps.
Some may call it a garage. Some may even call it a workshop. But we know what it's really all about. It's about you and creating your very own secret lair designed to help you relax around your very own, hard-earned collection of man toys. Take a walk below through our ten steps to creating the perfect man cave, then give us your pictures of your own man cave in the comments below.
8 Year Old Omaha Boy to Live Life Publicly as a Girl
An Omaha couple is allowing their 8-year-old son to openly live life as a girl. “She’s been a girl since the beginning, everything about her, the way she dances and skips around and the things she’s attracted to. It’s more than toys and clothes,” said the child’s mother.
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