Ubuntu Tips n Tricks

Weekly Ten (9-14-2009)

Posted: 14 Sep 2009 05:45 AM PDT

10 Latest News, Blogs, Tips, and Reviews that I find Interesting and Useful:

1. MIT Students Take Pictures from Space on $150 Budget
Two MIT students have successfully photographed the earth from space on a strikingly low budget of $148. Perhaps more significantly, they managed to accomplish this feat using components available off-the-shelf to the average layperson, opening the doors for a new generation of amateur space enthusiasts. The pair plan to launch again soon and hope that their achievements will inspire teachers and students to pursue similar endeavors.
More @ iReport.com

2. Kernel Modules in Haskell
If you love Haskell and Linux then today is your day – today we reconcile the two and allow you to write Linux Kernel modules in Haskell. By making GHC and the Linux build system meet in the middle we can have modules that are type safe and garbage collected.
More @ tommd.wordpress.com

3. Which Smartphone Has the Best Browser?
Apple's Safari, Palm's WebOS browser, Google's Android--which one is the best? We put those browsers plus three other contenders through their paces.
More @ PCWorld.com

4. Volution Bluetooth Headset Concept Almost Makes Headsets Cool—Almost

More @ Gizmodo

5. FOSS Fans Wary of Microsoft's New CodePlex Foundation
A new open source software foundation has been established by a rather unlikely sponsor: Microsoft. The CodePlex Foundation, according to Redmond, enables the exchange of code and understanding among software companies and open source communities. Those OSS communities, however, aren't entirely trustful of Microsoft's intentions.
More @ LinuxInsider

6. Review: Apple's fifth-generation iPod nano (2009)
The glossy-finished new fifth-gen iPod nano builds upon last year's tall and slim form factor by adding video recording, FM radio with iPod tagging and Live Pause, VoiceOver navigation, a built-in Nike+ step counter, and a slightly larger and improved 2.2" display, all packed into the same thin aluminum tube.
More @ AppleInsider

7. Five Best Virtual-Desktop Managers
Long before multiple monitors were popular (or financially feasible), there were virtual desktops—applications that allow you to swap your entire workspace with another for easy compartmentalization of your work. Here's a look at five of the most popular virtual-desktop managers.
More @ Lifehacker

8. Toyota's plug-in hybrid Prius gets pictured, detailed further

More @ Engadget

9. How to use math to choose a wife
Mathematicians have racked their brains and abacuses, for the good of society, in order to help us all choose wisely the person who shares our king-size. According to New Scientist, the law of diminishing returns has long been thought to be a marvelous indicator of when to stick, rather than turn another card.
More @ CNETNews

10. 12 Facts About Star Wars You Probably Don't Know
In July 1973, George Lucas was an unknown director working on a low budget 1960s nostalgia film called "American Graffiti". He approached Universal studios to see if they were interested in a film called, "Star Wars". Universal turned him down in one of the biggest mistakes ever made by a studio.
More @ Listverse