Propeller.com Stories submitted by friends of sarah

Building a glossier front end for MythTV

schestowitz — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:04:28 EDT

Josh Stewart loves MythTV -- so much so that he is building his own front-end app for it as a drop-in replacement for MythTV's default. The replacement is called Gloss, and although it isn't ready for prime time yet (no pun intended), its OpenGL effects and GStreamer bindings show plenty of promise.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: mythtv gloss linux opengl

Dreamy Dreamlinux

schestowitz — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:04:10 EDT

Now that I've tried out this distro, when a non Linux user asks me what distribution I recommend they try, I think I'll start suggesting Dreamlinux. It is extremely simple, it covers a broad ranges of requirements, and it is a beautiful desktop system.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: linux dreamlinux brazil debian morphix

Little thin client runs Linux

schestowitz — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:04:05 EDT

The Italian firm CompuMaster has introduced a compact thin client that runs Linux. The "Praim Ino" can be mounted on the back of a monitor, draws just six Watts, and comes with a variety of client software, the company says.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: linux thin client

Exceptional Linux programs for Kids

schestowitz — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:03:09 EDT

There's nothing worse than hearing how an entire school district is switching operating systems from Mac to Windows (or vice versa) because that's what the "business" world relies on or some other blather. The costs associated with the transition are enormous and the whole 'to do' is unnecessary, because features on applications mimic one

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: kid linux education children

Conyers: 'We're Closing In On Rove'

Wil — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:58:19 EDT

Conyers told us that Rove has a week to appear before his committee. If he doesn't, said Conyers, "We'll do what any self-respecting committee would do. We'd hold him in contempt. Either that or go and have him arrested."

Channel: Politics Tags: Rove Conyers Congress Karl Rove Contempt of Congress

Hobbit Watch: Jackson, del Toro to Chat With Fans

Wil — Thu, 15 May 2008 21:56:45 EDT

On May 24, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro will host an "unexpected party" to answer questions from fans about their upcoming collaboration on The Hobbit.

Channel: Movies Tags: Hobbit Peter Jackson Guillermo del Toro Fans Geeks Fantasy Movies Lord of the Rings

World Wildlife Numbers Down 25% in Three Decades

Neophile — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:39:14 EDT

More than one in four of all individual animals, birds and fish on the planet have disappeared since 1970, zoologists have found. Human activities are to blame, they say.

Channel: Science Tags: wildlife environment zoology extinction pollution climate change

'$100 laptop' embraces Windows XP

jeremytoday — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:25:07 EDT

Microsoft has joined forces with the developers of the "$100 laptop" to make Windows available on the machines.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: OLPC Windows XP Microsoft XO Linux XP Windows

Schools a big risk in earthquakes, and not just in China

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:17:28 EDT

The enormous loss of life in collapsed schools around China's quake-stricken Sichuan Province could have been significantly reduced using known methods for designing or retrofitting structures in earthquake zones, several experts on global hazards said on�;�;;�; Tuesday.

Channel: Science Tags: schools risk earthquake China

Innovative brain surgery offers a cure

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:17:24 EDT

Three-year-old Grace Webster perches on the operating table, tiny and cold, covered only by a diaper and her sandy-blond Raggedy Ann hair. Her blue eyes gaze warily at the machines sprouting tube tentacles that encircle her - machines that will guide surgeons four inches, or 10 centimeters, into her�;�;;�;&Ac

Channel: Science Tags: brain surgery cure

Meningitis B tests raise hope of vaccine

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:58 EDT

A vaccine against one of the most feared childhood diseases, meningitis B, looked a little closer yesterday after scientists revealed that a second stage of trials, in babies, had been successful.

Channel: Science Tags: meningitis B hope vaccine

Russia plans to team with Europe on moonship

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:55 EDT

Russia's space agency says it is teaming up with its European counterpart to build a spaceship that will fly astronauts to the moon, but the European Space Agency struck a more cautious note.

Channel: Science Tags: russia europe moonship

Supplies (and snails) sent to space station

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:52 EDT

An unmanned Russian cargo ship launched into orbit Wednesday crammed with fresh supplies for astronauts aboard the international space station.

Channel: Science Tags: supplies space station

Evolution rolls on for Mars rover

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:49 EDT

The wheels continue to turn on Europe's billion-euro project to put a robotic rover on the surface of the Red Planet.

Channel: Science Tags: mars rover evolution

Scientists spot baby supernova nearby

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:15:45 EDT

About 140 years ago, our time, a stellar explosion lit up our galaxy with a blinding flash of light, sending out powerful shock waves to boot. Now, astronomers have spotted the youthful remains from the explosion.

Channel: Science Tags: scientists baby supernova

Why quantum mechanics might be wrong

capn_caveman — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:13:31 EDT

The question of whether quantum mechanics is correct could soon be settled by observing the sky - and there are already tantalizing hints that the theory could be wrong.

Channel: Science Tags: science quantum mechanics physics cosmology CMB cosmic microwave background

Prosecutors rework indictment of Bonds

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:12:29 EDT

Barry Bonds was re-indicted Tuesday by the U.S. authorities in an effort to fix the original indictment in his perjury�;�;;�; case.

Channel: Sports Tags: prosecutors indictment barry bonds

Google gathers 3D data with Street View

jeremytoday — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:57 EDT

Google confirmed today it's gathering 3D data along with the photographs it takes for its online Street View service, a potential boon for those of us who fantasize about flying like Superman through urban landscapes, at least virtually.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Google Street View lasers 3D Google Street View

Matteo Priamo wins 6th Giro d'Italia stage after late breakaway

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:09:32 EDT

Matteo Priamo won the sixth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Thursday after breaking from the pack late in the race, and Giovanni Visconti took the overall�;�;;�; lead.

Channel: Sports Tags: matteo priamo giro ditalia race

Are there nuclear reactors at Earth's core?

capn_caveman — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:03:46 EDT

Fission reactors may have been burning for billions of years.

Channel: Science Tags: science geophysics fission Earth nuclear reactor

Derbies add edge to Super 14's final round

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:03:24 EDT

Some of the most bitter domestic rivalries in southern hemisphere rugby will be revived in the final round of the Super 14 tournament, adding an extra element to a desperate 11th-hour scramble for the�;�;;�; semifinals.

Channel: Sports Tags: derbies super 14 rugby

Sao Paulo beats Fluminense 1-0, Boca and Atlas draw 2-2 in quarters

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:03:11 EDT

Inter Milan striker Adriano scored a goal and dismantled the Fluminense defense to lead Sao Paulo to a 1-0 victory over Fluminense on Wednesday in their opening quarterfinal match of the Copa�;�;;�; Libertadores.

Channel: Sports Tags: sao paulo fluminense soccer

Anderson and Broad put England in control of first test against New Zealand at Lord's

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:02:00 EDT

Brendon McCullum launched a brutal counterattack at Lord's on Thursday to rescue New Zealand from a precarious position on the first day of the first cricket test against�;�...

Channel: Sports Tags: cricket england new zealand

Relying on the horse, but not protecting it

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:01:57 EDT

One of the most viscerally intimidating moments I have ever had was in Hyde Park in London a few years ago. With the Grateful Dead in my headset, I was stretching for a workout on the lush grass, a few feet away from a tranquil pathway, when I felt the earth�;�;;�; shake.

Channel: Sports Tags: horse racing protect

Another team in Florida: Is a bargain, but Marlins are a handful

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:01:16 EDT

An unearned run against Aaron Laffey caused by his own throwing error ended the scoreless streak by Cleveland Indians' starters at 44 innings but didn't interrupt their string of dominant�;�;;�; outings.

Channel: Sports Tags: baseball mlb florida marlins

Canada, Russia, Sweden, Finland advance to semifinals

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:59:44 EDT

Derek Roy scored three goals and added an assist to give defending champion Canada an 8-2 win over Norway and a berth in the semifinals of the ice hockey World�;�;;�; Championships.

Channel: Sports Tags: ice hockey canada russia sweden finland

Sharapova, Jankovic and Serena Williams reach Italian Open quarterfinals

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:59:41 EDT

Maria Sharapova rallied from a four-game deficit in the second set to beat Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) Thursday and reach the Italian Open�;�;;�; quarterfinals.

Channel: Sports Tags: tennis sharapova jankovic

Dallas Stars avoid sweep, send West finals back to Detroit

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:59:38 EDT

Dallas finally went into the locker room with a lead in the Western Conference�;�;;�; finals. The Stars needed nearly 11 full periods, a debatable call that wiped out a Detroit goal and a favorable ruling on their score to accomplish�;�;;�; tha

Channel: Sports Tags: dallas stars detroit hockey nhl

Federer and Djokovic advance to Hamburg quarterfinals - International Herald Tribune

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:58:27 EDT

Defending champion Roger Federer breezed past Robin Soderling 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Hamburg�;�;;�; Masters.

Channel: Sports Tags: federer djokovic tennis

Celtics keep up winning ways at home

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:58:23 EDT

Someone will have to beat the Celtics in Boston to keep them from winning their 17th National Basketball Association�;�;;�; title.

Channel: Sports Tags: nba boston celtics

When a one-of-a-kind player like Henin says adieu

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:58:16 EDT

So let's assume that Justine Henin really means it. That there will be no Belgian waffle. That, for a change, there will be no comeback, ill-advised or otherwise, by a young star athlete who says adieu when she should have said au revoir.

Channel: Sports Tags: Henin tennis retire

Amid Zenit's joy, trouble in Manchester after UEFA Cup - International Herald Tribune

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:57:59 EDT

As Wednesday night turned into Thursday morning, the reality dawned. A fine, largely home-grown Zenit St. Petersburg side had thoroughly outplayed the stubbornly negative Glasgow Rangers to win the UEFA Cup, 2-0, in�;�;;�; Manchester.

Channel: Sports Tags: zenit manchester UEFA

NASA Satellite Finds Interior of Mars Is Colder

capn_caveman — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:56:28 EDT

New observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter indicate that the crust and upper mantle of Mars are stiffer and colder than previously thought. The findings suggest any liquid water that might exist below the planet's surface, and any possible organisms living in that water, would be located deeper than scientists had suspected.

Channel: Science Tags: science Mars solar system MRO

Robot that gives birth helps medics learn - tech - 13 May 2008 - New Scientist Tech

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:46 EDT

A childbirth simulator developed in France can help junior obstetricians gain the equivalent of several years' experience at forceps-assisted births in just a few days.

Channel: Science Tags:

Liquor-store sales linked to violent assaults - health - 13 May 2008 - New Scientist

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:42 EDT

If there's a queue at the liquor store, keep an eye out for trouble. A new analysis of health records and sales receipts from alcoholic drinks shows that hospitalisations for assault go up in direct relation to increased alcohol sales near the victims' homes.

Channel: Science Tags:

Virtual telescope brings the cosmos to your desktop - space - 13 May 2008 - New Scientist Space

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:37 EDT

Any Star Trek fan knows that space travel is not always easy, but Microsoft wants to make travelling the "final frontier" as simple as turning on your computer.

Channel: Science Tags:

Doubt cast on source of universe's mightiest particles - space - 13 May 2008 - New Scientist Space

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:33 EDT

The most energetic particles in the universe have regained some of their former mystery. Last year, it seemed that the origin of these particles had finally been tracked down to a set of giant black holes in nearby galaxies, but a new study casts doubt on that conclusion.

Channel: Science Tags:

Readers' Q&A: The science of sex - sex - 13 May 2008 - New Scientist

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:30 EDT

A couple of weeks ago we ran a review of Mary Roach's latest book, Bonk: The curious coupling of science and sex, in which Roach explains how scientists have tackled human sexuality using strange and often hilarious experiments. We invited readers to send in their sex questions for Mary Roach, and you can read a selection of the Q&As below.

Channel: Science Tags:

Astronomers baffled by weird, fast-spinning pulsar

capn_caveman — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:50:23 EDT

Astronomers are baffled after finding an exotic type of star called a pulsar apparently locked in an elongated orbit around a star much like the sun -- an arrangement defying what had been known about such objects.

Channel: Science Tags: science astronomy pulsars astrophysics

Asthma Linked To Higher Suicidal Thoughts With Attempts

dirtyfratboy — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:49:40 EDT

Asthma is associated with higher suicidal thoughts with attempted suicide, but does not seem to be linked with suicidal thoughts without attempts, according to a new report.

Channel: Science Tags: