Three More Cool Things to Brighten Your Day

So here are a few more stories to pop in, after I've run through my emails I missed this week whilst at training.

From bears to bullets
Inventor hopes to sell armour suit to the military. By Wade Hemsworth, The Hamilton Spectator (Jan 11, 2007)

Troy Hurtubise, the Hamilton-born inventor who became famous for his bulky bear-protection suit by standing in front of a moving vehicle to prove it worked, has now created a much slimmer suit that he hopes will soon be protecting Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan and U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

You've got to check this article out. He drew inspiration from Star Wars, RoboCop, Batman and video games, though I gotta say it looks like something out of Starship Troopers (the book, not the movie), just add jump packs and good to go.

DRM — It's Not Really About Piracy 2007.01.16 5:03

Hollywood privately admits that DRM is not really about piracy. From the article: 'In a nutshell: DRM's sole purpose is to maximize revenues by minimizing your rights so that they can sell them back to you... Like all lies, there comes a point when the gig is up; the ruse is busted. For the movie studios, it's the moment they have to admit that it's not the piracy that worries them, but business models which don't squeeze every last cent out of customers.' You can take action on Digital Restrictions Management at DefectiveByDesign of the Free Software Foundation, Digital Freedom, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

I really, really hope this kind of news spreads more to counteract the sheer stupidity emanating from the combined orifices of the media and the conglomerates.

And now, saving the best for last...

Home Theater Transformed Into Star Trek Bridge 2007.01.17 11:41

Gary Reign, a guy with apparently way too much time on his hands, built a home theater in his basement. This is not unusual. However, the room is designed, floor to ceiling, as the bridge of a Star Trek style starship. See his photo page for details.

Holy Captain Kirk, this is just too freakingly awesome. I mean, seriously, could you think of a better way to geek out your basement theatre? I have GOT to show this to Donna... tho she may take issue with my desire to override her Coca-Cola theme in the family room downstairs... I mean it, click the link. Do it now. Revel in the glory. Here's a preview:



I feel the need to remodel now... dammit Jim I'm a doctor, not an interior decorator...