Link Collection

Carnegie Mellon researchers found a severe flaw in identity protection--Social Security numbers can be predicted from publicly available information! All that is needed is someone's birthday and birth state:
http://www.cmu.edu/news/archive/2009/July/july6_ssnprediction.shtml

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/us/07numbers.html?_r=1&hp


One-dimensional filter technique has been found to significantly reduce the computer power required for facial recognition techniques without compromising accuracy...and can even see through disguises:
http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/single.php?id=8275


Research breakthrough could provide a new way of treating the flu--current flu drugs only target the neuraminidase proteins, but this new process also targets hemagglutinin which binds to cells preventing the flu virus from entering healthy cells:
http://www.rpi.edu/about/inside/issue/v3n6/flu.html


iRobot created a faster, smarter and stronger robot for US troops to use in Afghanistan, one that can add capabilities over time. This is important because the Army will continue to discover new applications for ground robots in the coming years:
http://defensesystems.com/articles/2009/07/06/new-ground-robot.aspx


Tiny UAVs can be used for things like indoor surveillance and exploring collapsed buildings, so these researchers created robotic bats that have improved maneuverability and performance than tiny plans and helicopters:
Article link


US Special Forces are trying a different approach in their war on Afghan drugs. Instead of burning down the poppy fields, they are now pulling off HUGE drug busts. Over one 4-day period in the city of Marjeh 202,996 pounds of opium, morphine, heroin, hashish and poppy seeds were seized!
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/video-special-forces-go-for-big-busts-in-afghan-drug-war/


The physical reality of string theory has finally been demonstrated:
http://www.news.leiden.edu/news/string-theory.html


Sanjar Qiam suggested that his employer might want to end segregated dining arrangements in Kabul--feeling that it would be best if Americans ate with their Afghan coworkers. His boss apparently didn't like that suggestion and fired him after an expletive-filled lecture. This is a US company that the US gave a $400-million contract to build some roads in Afghanistan:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/07/how-to-lose-friends-in-afghanistan/


Commentary about whether or not a broadband network will be needed for public safety users if the Thales' multiband radio is widely adopted by public safety:
http://urgentcomm.com/mobile_voice/commentary/multiband-radio-replace-public-safety-network-20090707/


I really like the idea of wireless carriers subsidizing netbooks as a way to attract customers. Best Buy and Sprint have teamed up to take this to the next level, offering a Compaq netbook (with a 1.6 GHz processor and a 160 GB hard drive) for 99 cents! Best Buys sells the netbook for $389.99 without a subsidy, so it appears that Sprint is subsidizing $389 of the netbook. AT&T and Verizon customers can get the netbook for $199.99 with a 2-year contract, so Sprint is subsidizing much more than its competitors:
http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/best-buy-sprint-team-99-cent-netbook/2009-07-06?utm_medium=nl&utm_source=internal


"Vulture fund" is trying to get Nokia's bid for Nortel's CDMA/LTE assets rejected so that it can buy all of Nortel:
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Vulture+investor+raises+rhetoric+Nortel/1765703/story.html

http://in.reuters.com/article/businessNews/idINIndia-40860220090707?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=11584


HTC's success with Android phones is credited for helping them beat analyst expectations with their Q2 profit results:
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSTP33737120090706\


Motorola is actively trying to recruit Android developers. This makes sense because Motorola is betting its cell phone future on its upcoming Android phones:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/06/motorola-android-mobile-technology-wireless-motorola.html


British mobile phone content provider is looking for a new marketer and is only taking job applications via text message! Those with text messages that stand out will be texted back to send in their resume and come for a face-to-face interview. I've never heard of screening out applications via text messages, but for a marketing position that could make sense:
http://tech.yahoo.com/news/nm/20090707/tc_nm/us_job_text_tech_life_1


Classic story about a boss who understood nothing about IT giving away an "extra" server:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/adventures-in-it/oh-were-you-using-server-187?source=IFWNLE_nlt_daily_2009-07-07


The latest survey numbers provided bad news for Windows 7 and Linux:
http://www.infoworld.com/d/windows/latest-survey-numbers-bode-poorly-windows-7-linux-166?source=IFWNLE_nlt_daily_2009-07-07


Northern California elementary school teacher sent her students home for the summer with a DVD of class memories...accidentally including a 6-second clip of her having sex on a couch!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31717690/ns/us_news-weird_news/


Young girls are apparently being targeted by gropers at Orlando water parks:
http://www.wesh.com/news/19966095/detail.html


When Megan Fox went to his home to audition for the Transformers movie, director Michael Bay made her wash his Ferrari while he filmed her:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07072009/gossip/pagesix/michael_bay_made_megan_fox_wash_ferrari__177947.htm