Microsoft was forced to make some come compromises to their original vision for Windows 8 come the recent update, reinstating the Start Button due to popular demand. Now, rumors suggest that the 8.2 update could take that one step further.The sorely-missed? traditional Start button menu may be set to return as an option for desktop users according to Paul Thurrott, well-connected Microsoft blogger of Supersite for Windows fame. The update, codenamed Threshold, could also see Modern UI or Metro apps break free of the shackles of the full-screen Modern UI interface and be allowed to run as windows on the traditional desktop view.Between the Xbox One policy 180 and Microsofts softening of the edges of Windows 8, it seems the company is at least listening to the requests of their consumers, even if theyre getting it a bit wrong the first time around. Time will tell if the full menu is to reappear in its former glory. [Supersite for Windows]
via Rumor: The Full Start Menu Might Be Coming Back to Windows 8, Too.
Scary. Insane. Ridiculous. Invasive. Wrong. The Washington Post reports that the FBI has had the ability to secretly activate a computers camera \”without triggering the light that lets users know it is recording\” for years now. What in the hell is going on? What kind of world do we live in?Marcus Thomas, the former assistant director of the FBIs Operational Technology Division, told the Post that that sort of creepy spy laptop recording is \”mainly\” used in terrorism cases or the \”most serious\” of criminal investigations. That doesnt really make it less crazy or any better since the very idea of the FBI being able to watch you through your computer is absolutely disturbing.The whole Post piece about the FBIs search for a bomb threat suspect is worth reading. It shows how far the FBI will go with its use of malware to spy on people and reveals the occasional brain dead mistakes the FBI makes to screw themselves over like a typo of an e-mail address that the FBI wanted to keep tabs on. Good to know these completely competent folks are watching over us by any means necessary. [Washington Post]Image by Oleksiy & Tetyana under Creative Commons license
via FBI can secretly turn on laptop cameras without the indicator light.
It may surprise you that, despite our seemingly vast knowledge of the human body, were still decently in the dark when it comes to the smaller portions of the cardiovascular system. Even more surprising, the answer to that problem isnt lying in more powerful microscopes. Its in a heart pumping pure, shiny liquid metal.Until now, modern imaging techniques have given us a fantastic understanding of the hearts larger blood vessels, but theyve done little to give us a clear view of the innumerable smaller branches these vessels break into. As we stand today, one of the most widely used imaging methods involves filling the vessels with a contrast agent typically iodine that absorbs x-rays more than the tissue around it, resulting in an image in which the vessels themselves are very much apparent; the denser the contrast agent, the clearer the image. The only problem is that our current contrast agents carried a pretty limited rate of x-ray absorption—until now, that is.
via These Are the First Ever Images of a Heart Injected With Liquid Metal.
You probably build websites and think your shit is special. You think your 13 megabyte paralax-ative home page is going to get you some fucking Awwward banner you can glue to the top corner of your site. You think your 40-pound jQuery file and 83 polyfills give IE7 a boner because it finally has box-shadow. Wrong, motherfucker. Let me describe your perfect-ass website:
click for more Motherfucking Website.
Airless—or non-pneumatic tires—have popped up from time to time over the past few years, and while they offer many advantages over traditional air-filled tires, they haven’t been available outside of research labs—until now. Polaris is officially the first company to offer a vehicle with non-pneumatic tires on its new Sportsman WV850 H.O. all-terrain vehicle.
Military enthusiasts might recognize the ATV’s design, and that’s because Polaris based it on the U.S. army’s MV850 ATV. So with a reinforced steel exoskeleton it can tow 1,500 pounds or slowly winch another vehicle up to 3,500 pounds. In other words, it\’s almost like a miniature badass all-terrain tank, minus the giant cannon. Continue reading
Air compressor manufactures take note.Polaris has begun production of a non-pneumatic tire for all terrain vehicles.The company has begun deliveries of its MV850 ATV fitted with the flat-proof TerrainArmor tires to the U.S. Special Operations Forces, and plans to introduce a retail version soon.The innovation is more of a wheel/tire combination that features a rubber tread band supported by a polymeric web for structure that is also able to deform like an air-filled tire as it rolls over obstacles to provide cushioning.Polaris says the tires can take a shot from a .50 caliber round without failing, and one was driven on for over 1,000 miles off-road after it was punctured by a railroad spike. Theyve been tested up to 5,000 miles on ATVs packed with a full combat load.Earlier this year, the company donated several of the vehicles to the Salvation Army to assist with relief efforts in the wake of the Moore tornado in Oklahoma, and says they performed perfectly while traversing the debris left by the storm.A Polaris representative tells FoxNews.com that they are working on versions that will fit additional vehicles in the company’s lineup, including some of its side-by-side UTVs.An official date hasn’t been announced, but he added that consumer sales could begin within six months.
via U.S. Military begins rolling on airless tires | Fox News.
Stromer Electric Bikes from PUBLIC We think Stromer is the industry leader for well designed purpose-built electric bikes. When we say purpose built, we mean that the Stromer electric bike frame and components were specifically designed with electric power assist in mind. Designed by a Swiss manufacturer, Stromer has been setting worldwide standards for electric bikes in terms of integration, function, performance, and style. With Stromer, you’re not retrofitting an electric bike kit onto an existing pedal-powered bicycle like a BionX kit. You are buying a bike that was specifically designed and manufactured for electric bicycle performance, including the integrated battery in the frame down tube, hydraulic disc brakes, and cushy balloon tires. Without a doubt, the Stromer is the most fun, sporty, and fast electric bike we’ve had the privilege of riding. For the best independent third-party review of the ST1, we highly recommend reading the review at Electricbike.com. Have more questions? Read our Stromer FAQ.
Cybercriminals often use the names of well-known companies, like ours, in their scams. They think it will convince you to give them money or your personal information. While they usually use email to trick you, they sometimes use the telephone, instead.
Someone from “Microsoft Tech Support” calls to fix your computer
“You have won the Microsoft Lottery”
Microsoft “requires credit card information to validate your copy of Windows”
“Microsoft” sends unsolicited email messages with attached security updates
We do not send unsolicited email messages or make unsolicited phone calls to request personal or financial information or fix your computer.
If you receive an unsolicited email message or phone call that purports to be from Microsoft and requests that you send personal information or click links, delete the message or hang up the phone.
In this scam cybercriminals call you and claim to be from Microsoft Tech Support. They offer to help solve your computer problems. Once the crooks have gained your trust, they attempt to steal from you and damage your computer with malicious software including viruses and spyware. Continue reading
It's my life, you're just along for the ride! 