World Map - Popularity of Social Networks around the World

The above world map courtesy Oxyweb represents the popularity of various social networks across the world. The data available in this map is more detailed than previous world map, specially for Asia, Europe and African nations. 

Oxyweb has used Alexa traffic data to determine the popularity and use of social networking sites across the world. [via Digital Inspiration]

Minoru - webcam that delivers 3D Internet Video Chat

Minoru is designed to deliver the experience of 3D video chat over the Internet. it is webcam that has two discrete lenses spaced at roughly human eye distance, these two lenses form one image which appears 3D, but it requires red and blue 3D glasses.

Minoru, which means "Reality" in Japanese, can be used with most Instant Messengers. You can also use this webcam for taking 3D photos or even 3D videos. You can upload the videos to YouTube.

To use this webcam you don't need a special platform or software for viewing 3D videos. The Minoru is supposed to be available in December 2008 for less than $100.

source

Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - High Resolution (3008x1960)

Here's the Giant Machine.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC) - Click on the image for large preview

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world's largest and highest-energy particle accelerator complex, intended to collide opposing beams of protons charged with approximately 7 TeV of energy. Its main purpose is to explore the validity and limitations of the Standard Model, the current theoretical picture for particle physics. It is theorized that the collider will produce the Higgs boson, the observation of which could confirm the predictions and missing links in the Standard Model, and could explain how other elementary particles acquire properties such as mass. - Wikipedia

World's Largest Solar Energy Project in India

Now this is a world record worth talking about!

The Business Standard is reporting that, US-based Clinton Foundation investing developing the world's lagest solar energy project in Gujarat, India. The project is currently in its planning phases, it's an 'Integrated Solar City' project with a capacity to generate 5000 megawatts (5 Gigawatts).

Over Five times the size of the current largest solar project in the world.

The project, expected to cost Rs 20,000 crore (approximately $475-million), as said its an 'Integrated Solar City', all the raw materials including glass and panels will be produced on site, bringing down the productivity cost so the power produced will cost around Rs 4 ($0.10) per unit.

The Government of Gujarat is considering a Kutch or Banaskanta as favorable lacation for this project. About five times the capacity of a typical coal or nuclear plant, this project would certainly a big step in the right direction towards the green energy. Recently prime minister Manmohan Singh announced that solar power would be a key part of his plan to deal with climate change.

The current largest solar energy project in the world is a solar thermal plant in the Mojave Desert being developed by BrightSource, with an eventual capacity of up to 900 megawatts.

Business Standard via Treehugger and dvice

Researcher to Unveil Universal Attack Code for Intel Chips

Security Researcher and Author Kris Kaspersky claims to have found a flaw in Intel's processors that may allow hacker to gain full control on the kernel level remotly or just crash the system using JavaScript or TCP/IP packets, regardless of what operating system the computer is running.

He is going to demonstrate how such an attack can be made in a presentation at the upcoming Hack In The Box (HITB) Security Conference in Kuala Lampur, Malasia, during October. The proof-of-concept attacks will show how processor bugs, called errata, can be exploited using certain instruction sequences and a knowledge of how Java compilers work, allowing an attacker to take control of the compiler. Further he said, He is going to show real working of code and make it publicly available.

The attack takes advantage of known errata in chips, which most vendors have a workaround for in BIOS, but not all. XP, Vista, Linux, BSD and Mac operating systems are all vulnerable. [InfoWorld via engadget]

Magnetic Fields Made Visible

We are all surrounded by a special power that is Magnetic Field, even our earth is stable because of this Magnetic Field. Human eyes can't see this Magnetic Field but British filmmakers Ruth Jarman, Joe Gerhardt and their film group called semiconductor created a "Magnetic Movie" to visualise you the Magnetic Field. In this Movie they have turned audio recordings of Magnetic Fields into arty animation. This innovative work won them honours as Best Film at Cutting Edge at the British Animation Awards 2008.

 

Magnetic Field Video

Magnetic Movie from Semiconductor on Vimeo.

Their next innovative work will be a movie with animation of the (dangerous) waves swirling around all of us 24/7. Waves of the Sun, Radio, Microwaves even your Cell Phone waves. [via DVICE]

Yahoo: New Ymail.com extension

Yahoo launched its two new domains for free email services, the domains are Ymail.com and Rocketmail.com. If you missed your name in yahoo.com email service then you can register your email address with your name on Ymail.com or Rocketmail.com. Don't worry you will get the same features as you would with mail.yahoo.com.

You can register new Ymail.com or Rocketmail.com account from default mail.yahoo.com. Fill up the form and choose the extension you like Ymail.com or Rocketmail.com.

It sounds too close to Gmail.com as Ymail.com! Isn't it?

Digg: Captcha Removed from shout/share box

If you like any story on Digg and wanted to share it to your friends on Digg through the Digg feature called shout then you have to go through the Captcha and press shout it button.

But today I found the Captcha was missing. You can check your self by clicking the share link below any story. I don’t know is this a technical problem or they really removed the Captcha from share/shout box. Below is a screenshot I took of that moment.

The arrow denotes the position of the Captcha which is missing. I checked it from other browsers also but the result was same. Please inform me if you are able to see the Captcha.

Earth: Year 3000

I SEE SOMETHING CALLED “INTERNET”(Pic)

[Flickr via makeuseof]

All new Rapidshare is coming soon

Rapidshare.com - the most popular hosting service is now re-launching their website, it will come with a new layout, according to Rapidshare, they have improved their sites usability, may be users will now be able to download information more easily. There is no info on when the new site will be live.

Here's what they say -
"We are going to launch our new website soon. We have changed our design and improved the usability."

Unbreakable Linux from Oracle - Free Shipping Worldwide

Like Ubuntu, Oracle has also started shipping Linux DVD kit for free anywhere in the world.

You can request a Free kit of the Linux DVD from their official website, just register their and give your shipping address and Oracle will ship you a DVD kit of their own Linux Distribution called the Unbreakable Linux. Thanks Digital Inspiration.

Hackers Can Turn Your PC into a Bomb

Tabloid newspaper Weekly World News has reported this article in 2000. It says, this can be possible by doing some alteration in the Central Processing Unit, your computer blast apart like a large hand grenade.

[click the image to make it large] [via makeuseof.com]

A biomimetic jumping microrobot

Researchers from the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems at EPFL created a microrbot, they are unveiling this grasshopper-inspired jumping robot at the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation May 21 in Pasadena, California. This robot weighs a miniscule 7 grams, and can jump 1.4 meters or more than 27 times its body size.

To make use of, this robot can be fitted out with tiny sensors to explore rough, inaccessible terrain or to aid in search and rescue operations. "This biomimetic form of jumping is unique because it allows micro-robots to travel over many types of rough terrain where no other walking or wheeled robot could go," explains EPFL Professor Dario Floreano. "These tiny jumping robots could be fitted with solar cells to recharge between jumps and deployed in swarms for extended exploration of remote areas on Earth or on other planets." [via EurekAlert]

Windows Vista Skin for iPhone

VistaPerfection 2.0 is a complete Windows Vista skin for the iPhone. This theme is created by Spec Works (MMi forum member ebl4287). It gives you environment feel like using a PC. This theme comes with many elements like -

• Over 90 icons
• Dock
• WiFi icon
• Boot and restore images
• Sliders
• Edge icon
• Vista login/logoff (unlock/lock) sound scheme

If you want to change the look of your iPhone, goto ModMyiFone and follow the instructions.

Remember, VistaPerfection is not on Installer just yet, you will need to follow the instruction given HERE.

[via Just Another iPhone Blog via Technabob]

Have you seen the Microwaved CD

"We haven't nuked a CD since the 90s either, but maybe that's only because we didn't have the right camera setup to capture the digital destruction in all of its glory. The Wacky Archives features a few remarkable shots of our ex-favorite pastime and we strongly recommend it as an opulently wasteful way to burn 3 minutes of your precious Saturday. To see the price a microwave pays for its art, hit the jump." [Gizmodo]

[via Wacky Archives]

107 Year Old - The longest Burning Lightbulb in the World

A lightbulb in a firehouse in Livermore, CA, has been burning continuously since 1901. Unofficial keeper of the bulb, retired firefighter Tom Bramell reckons its longevity is down to old-fashioned craftsmanship.

"I believe the bulb has stayed alive so many years because the makers gave it a perfect seal, so no air gets inside the bulb to help disintegrate the carbon filament. This bulb operates in a vacuum and it doesn't burn hot. That's the secret." [Gizmodo]

World's First High-Def Train Simulator

Fujitsu and video game maker Ongakukan jointly developed the world's most advanced train simulator. This simulator uses variable-speed playback technology and HD video that was shot on actual train lines.

Now trainees can have a better and more accurate learning experience as this simulator delivers an unprecedented level of realism. This simulator is now available commercially for three million yen ($29,000). [Gizmodo]

Send Your Name to the Moon

NASA is going to launch an unmanned spacecraft Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter to the Moon in late 2008. The objective is to find safe landing sites, locate potential resources, characterize the radiation environment, and demonstrate new technology.

Show your support for this mission by giving your name. Names will be collected and placed onboard the LRO spacecraft for its historic mission bringing NASA back to the moon. You will also receive a certificate showcasing your support of the mission.

It is the golden opportunity to send your name to the moon, Sign up to send your name to the moon. The deadline is June 27, 2008 for the submission of names.
Thanks to Amit Agarwal.

This is why I love Linux

[via Cerebrosus Lens Geek]