Wikipedia RSS Fun.

This page describes some of the nifty things that one can do with RSS and wikipedia. Some of this is new to me, like the new page tracker. There are also a number of cool ideas listed.

Betterhumans.

Here's a link to a Digg-style news aggregator centered on the subject of Singularity and Transhumanism, called Betterhumans. Thanks to Tepid for this one.

SmallTalk Revolution.

Many of the most innovative programming languages ever invented aren't widely used because they're designed for too broad a function, they're designed for too narrow a function, or their underlying syntax is unreadable (witness (LISP(Scheme))). One such language is Smalltalk, whose usage is limited outside a university environment not as widespread as, say Java, C++ or Perl. Still, this didn't stop Smalltalk from creating a paradigm revolution in the way that programmers think, by being the first of the Object Oriented Programming languages (The most common of which is C++).

Now, a descendant and close relative of an implementation of Smalltalk, known as Squeak, is quietly making itself known in wider circles. As a part of Croquet, Squeak is poised to become the language upon which the internet will eventually run. Squeak is also apparently going to be the language implementation of choice for users of laptops provided by project OLPC. I think I'd better start brushing up on Smalltalk and Squeak. It will almost certainly prove useful.

Update: Some changes made here. Thanks to Ramon Leon for the clarification.

Forward the Arms Race.

The never ending arms race in Crtypography moves forward yet again, thanks to an attack which can now break Secure Socket Layer (SSL) protocol. SSL has long been the trusted protocol of choice for command line/remote server usage across the internet. Thanks to Tepid and Slashdot for this one.

Robot Damage!

Introducing the first robot with an adaptive concept of self, something that has until now been limited to organic life. Mark another item off the list of things that make organic life unique from artificial systems.

Also, one team is ready for the next DARPA grand challenge, which will take place using robot cars in a simulated urban environment. I can't wait.

I <3 Tech.

In tech news today (from /.):

Interface: Use music to monitor linux system status.

BIOS: Linux BIOS, the open source BIOS module, will be the BIOS of choice in the OLPC project. Sweet.

Power: Efficient wireless power is now a possibility. This has potential application in everything from batteryless wireless keyboards, to batteryless laptops to instant wireless recharge phones to bloodstream nanotech devices with networked power grids.

So much fun.

OLPC Prototypes.

The "One Laptop Per Child" machines, AKA the "$100 Laptop" are now in prototype production. From Slashdot.

AIDS fight.

Here's a perfect example of fighting fire with fire: AIDS has been genetically engineered to fight AIDS.

SDF.

I intend to acquire an account on SDF (yes, that's a Macross reference), an old school public access Unix server. These guys are just downright cool. For starters, they've been around for a long time. They have a proprietary chat system which is not based on IRC, and operates according to a principle similar to vi. They're testing a MOO that is based on THX-1138. Basic accounts are free, or for $36, I can get a programming environment to suit my needs. For a small annual fee, they do web hosting. Best of all, I can access their system from a web-based terminal directly on their site, either using Telnet or SSH. If you didn't understand any of that, don't worry about it. If you did, this is a real find, especially for someone who is "data homeless" at the moment. ;)

Neato frito.

Actual X86 computing in a pocket is something I've been waiting for since around 1999. It would seem that the first generation of true pocket computers has arrived, in the form of the Sony VAIO UX90P, available in the US "soon", according the Fortune magazine. *DROOL*