Archive for April, 2009

The Hackable Grid…

In the past week, there’s been a good deal of publicity about security holes in the Smart Grid, making it a potential hacker’s playground, as well as an entry point into enterprise networks. Here’s more fuel for the fire: A year ago, the CIA claimed that hackers had invaded the networks of power utilities outside the U.S., causing power outages in several cities, and issuing extortion demands.

.::Read the rest -> GreenComputing::.

Make sure you read that post, for, it is bananas.

And now, an unrelated quote:

First, it is slightly cheaper; and secondly it has the words Don’t Panic inscribed in large friendly letters on its cover.

I hope that made you feel better after reading that post.

Herpes Infected Monkeys Escape

Recently foreclosed-upon monkey, Bubbles Jackson, is suspected as an accomplice, citing grievances with the alleged quarantine process.

Seriously, though… if you got the herp from a monkey… what would YOU do? This is SO foul; what the feezy?

[ Stop kissing monkeys, people. It ain’t safe no more - Ed.]

Flutter: Twitter for busy people

Foldable Furniture

Carry what you sit on in this messenger bag turned directors chair..
.::via -> psfk

Documentary: I.O.U.S.A.

I.O.U.S.A. - One Nation. Under Debt. In Stress.
I haven’t watched the entire doc yet - but it seems interesting, and has 5 stars at google video.

Ninja Homes: Vader House

Our ninjas over at Andrew Maynard Architects recently dropped us an email about the Vader House, a project in Fitzroy, Australia, which they recently completed. Contrary to the ominous name [I first thought of heavy breathing and the dark side, I have to admit], the project is an open, welcoming, and light-filled extension of a Victorian terrace.

Utilizing the existing brick walls to define the boundaries of the house, AMA inserted a glassy, transparent, steel-frame volume within the space - all surrounding a central courtyard space, creating what is essentially the antithesis of the original, dark, brick structure.

The plan clearly shows the pre-existing brick walls, and how all the newly created spaces surround an open courtyard space.

The high boundary walls, built in disregard of existing height regulations long before such rules were created, permitted a non-standard height along the northern boundary. The roofline then abruptly turns to follow the dictated set-back lines, resulting in a playful and telling interpretation of planning rules.

All the new works surround an outdoor courtyard space which becomes the new centre of the house- accessed by a series of glass doors it is the opposite of the dark masonry-clad rooms of the old house. The refined palate of materials is subverted where volumes are removed to reveal the flesh inside - coloured bright red with glass tiles and joinery.

The ‘playful’ roof-line [a byproduct of the site setbacks and height requirements] allows for a one and a half storey living space, complete with a small mezzanine - adding to the openness of the house, through both the increased height of the ceilings and the creation of high clerestory walls.

::more of Andrew Maynard Architects’ work on AMNP::

.:images, info + quoted text->via Andrew Maynard Architects->

.::Check out our previous a€Ninja Homesa€ features->

Internet @ Work Makes Better Employees

I want to dedicate this post to all those IT ninjas who act like allowing access to NPR or Facebook / LinkedIn is going to bring their company’s network crashing down in a fiery blaze - and advocate for browsing the web on ‘your own time’. What time is that? This is America - nobody has ‘free time’ to be interneting in this bitch…that’s why we need to do it at work!

Caught Twittering or on Facebook at work? It’ll make you a better employee, according to an Australian study that shows surfing the Internet for fun during office hours increases productivity.

The University of Melbourne study showed that people who use the Internet for personal reasons at work are about 9 percent more productive that those who do not.

Study author Brent Coker, from the department of management and marketing, said "workplace Internet leisure browsing," or WILB, helped to sharpened workers’ concentration.

"People need to zone out for a bit to get back their concentration," Coker said on the university’s website (www.unimelb.edu.au/)

"Short and unobtrusive breaks, such as a quick surf of the Internet, enables the mind to rest itself, leading to a higher total net concentration for a days’ work, and as a result, increased productivity," he said.

.:Facebook, YouTube at Work Make Better Employees: Study -> via WIRED

I’m on a Boat…

Check the phone number twice

…before you send a photo of your D to someone via MMS.
This right here - found on flickr - is just too hilarious. Got to love that this fool would have been cool with having the wrong number, had it been a girl on the other end…