Slashdot Mirror

jafuser writes: "Prof. Steve Mann (of cyborg fame) has a detailed technical description on his site that demonstrates a method of transforming video into a high resolution composite image. Pictures are seamlessly mosaiced together to form one larger picture of the scene. Portions of the video that were "zoomed in" will result in a much clearer region in the final picture. I wonder if this could be used in a linear sequence to 'restore' old video to higher resolutions? It's on sourceforge; download and play!" Mann has been experimenting with such composites using personal video cameras for years.

jafuser writes: "Prof. Steve Mann (of cyborg fame) has a detailed technical description on his site that demonstrates a method of transforming video into a high resolution composite image. Pictures are seamlessly mosaiced together to form one larger picture of the scene. Portions of the video that were "zoomed in" will result in a much clearer region in the final picture. I wonder if this could be used in a linear sequence to 'restore' old video to higher resolutions? It's on sourceforge; download and play!" Mann has been experimenting with such composites using personal video cameras for years.

Tonight, the updates and addenda continue apace, with more on the Anti-Unix Unix server, the possible future of Blender, Steve Mann's treatment at the hands of Air Canada, and an interesting consequence of Linux's popularity in Russia. Read below to enjoy.

Is your Blender still under warranty? Myriad writes: "NaN, the publishers of the free cross-platform 3D modeling and rendering package Blender, may not be as dead as was previously reported here on Slashdot. While Blender remains unavailable for download, some of the websites functionality has returned along with the notice "NaN is currently undergoing a re-organization of the company...and are working to restore wider operations as soon as possible." Hopefully they will manage to bring back Blender!"

"I only read Computerra for the pictures." Natalie Shahova writes: "As the translator of Just for Fun, I had to contact Linus by email in order to clarify some issues. This way we got virtually acquainted, and Linus agreed to give me an interview. Its Russian version was published in Computerra on March 26, but the original is - as you might guess - in English. As far as I know, Linus Torvalds has never given an interview to a Russian journalist before. Knowing from Just for Fun that Linus is tired of questions about Linux and open source, I chose some other subjects that interest me as a professional translator: languages, emigration, fiction, etc." A fun interview, with some amusing pictures, too (only in the Russian version). Thanks, Natalie!

Wasn't Windows NT 'More UNIX than UNIX'? thelizman writes: "C|Net is reporting that the joint Microsoft and Unisys website attacking Unix has been experiencing problems all day. Now, normally I would venture an evil laugh, but in light of yesterdays revelation here on /. about the site being FreeBSD powered, could this merely reinforce Microsoft's point? Not likely, since it was quickly switched over to IIS running on Windows 2000, and that's when the problem seems to have started."

What time is it when an elephant dances on your computer? Tom Veil writes: "Minor editorial changes have been made on the article "When Elephants Dance" (referenced earlier by Slashdot). The most interesting change adds one more step to the solution, suggesting that the DMCA must be repealed. A comment is also made as to how fair use is already protected, and thus 'there is no need for additional action in this area.'"

And thanks for flying Air Canada -- Have a nice day. steveha writes: "Linux Journal has more on cyborg Steve Mann's troubles with Air Canada. Over $100,000 in equipment damage, and possible... brain damage?!? Not good."

Sousveillance Cyborg writes: "Sousveillance is inverse surveillance, and a worldwide community of cyborgs is promoting sousveillance as a way toward more privacy and less secrecy. Today is World Sousveillance Day (WSD). See http://wearcam.org/wsd.htm. Transmitting live from around the world at noon (moving with time zone)."

Sousveillance Cyborg writes: "Sousveillance is inverse surveillance, and a worldwide community of cyborgs is promoting sousveillance as a way toward more privacy and less secrecy. Today is World Sousveillance Day (WSD). See http://wearcam.org/wsd.htm. Transmitting live from around the world at noon (moving with time zone)."

Sousveillance Cyborg writes: "Sousveillance is inverse surveillance, and a worldwide community of cyborgs is promoting sousveillance as a way toward more privacy and less secrecy. Today is World Sousveillance Day (WSD). See http://wearcam.org/wsd.htm. Transmitting live from around the world at noon (moving with time zone)."

HomeSkillet writes contributes this link to an interesting NYT feature on the recent works of privacy activist, wearables pioneer and artist Steve Mann. Mann has been mentioned here a few times before, but in light of current moves to scan, monitor and track your every move by subtle and unsubtle means, it's never been more relevant. Can anyone suggest a non-registration source for this story?

HomeSkillet writes contributes this link to an interesting NYT feature on the recent works of privacy activist, wearables pioneer and artist Steve Mann. Mann has been mentioned here a few times before, but in light of current moves to scan, monitor and track your every move by subtle and unsubtle means, it's never been more relevant. Can anyone suggest a non-registration source for this story?

russellamiller directs your gaze to this Technology Review article on eye-tracking, customer-watching camera systems based on IBM research from the company's Almaden reasearch campus. The tracking systems are set up to observe and interpret the behavior of those observed -- not just in casinos, or at the Superbowl, but in retail stores you may have already been in. Though names aren't named, the researchers say "a number of large retailers have implemented" the systems already. Does this bother you like it bothers Steve Mann?

purdue_thor writes: "After the devastating loss to Notre Dame in the Women's College Basketball Championship, numbers of Purdue students took to the streets and rioted. In their wake, there was an estimated $100,000 of damage done and a cloud of tear gas that covered several blocks. In an effort to bring those responsible to justice, the Purdue Police Department have posted images of the rioters on a website and offered up to $5,000 reward money. Check out the news release here."

But don't worry: "Those pictured on the Internet were among those who defied police orders to leave areas in which the destruction and vandalism were taking place." And the Dean of Students says: "We anticipate the images also will be of interest to parents and employers."

This is partly noteworthy because it seems to be becoming a standard operating procedure on campus these days. Anonymous, electronic ratting out, with a reward attached. Is that what students want to pay for? This is the downside (or is it an upside?) to having cameras everywhere; couple that with facial recognition and then try not to be nervous.

Xunker writes "It's the Next Big Thing(TM) in sitting. Okay, so it's a bit of satire from our own Prof. Steve Mann (of Wearable Computer fame). It's basically a time lock chair -- you must buy a 'seating lisence' to use the chair, and if your lisence expires while you're sitting, spikes pop up to remind you you are no longer allowed to sit there. Oh, yeah, dig the terms and conditions, too."

Xunker writes "It's the Next Big Thing(TM) in sitting. Okay, so it's a bit of satire from our own Prof. Steve Mann (of Wearable Computer fame). It's basically a time lock chair -- you must buy a 'seating lisence' to use the chair, and if your lisence expires while you're sitting, spikes pop up to remind you you are no longer allowed to sit there. Oh, yeah, dig the terms and conditions, too."

Xunker writes "It's the Next Big Thing(TM) in sitting. Okay, so it's a bit of satire from our own Prof. Steve Mann (of Wearable Computer fame). It's basically a time lock chair -- you must buy a 'seating lisence' to use the chair, and if your lisence expires while you're sitting, spikes pop up to remind you you are no longer allowed to sit there. Oh, yeah, dig the terms and conditions, too."