Bands have a tendency to share band members from time to time and as a result it is not difficult to construct a simple "family tree" based upon the interrelationship of band members.
Fascinating.
Click on any two band names to find out the connection between them.
Band to Band family tree
Sep 1, 1998
Supercooled rainwater in Geneva
Supercooled rainwater created amazing "ice sculptures" in Geneva
Wednesday, 26. of January 2005. The the local weather forecast announce a great cold coming on Switzerland; soon materialized by a massive ice layer all around the lake! The Ice Show is guaranteed for anyone who dares to attempt a lakeside walk, where the wind gusts reach 110km/h (60mph).. you guess the temperature...
Incredible pictures.
[technorati tags: Supercooled, rainwater, Geneva, pictures]
Bizarre looking crustacean discovered
Scientists just announced the discovery of this strange new crustacean 900 miles south of Easter Island. According to a report in the journal of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, divers first found the creature last year at a depth of 7,540 feet. From the Associated Press:
Scientists said the animal, which they named Kiwa hirsuta, was so distinct from other species that they created a new family and genus for it. The animal is white and just shy of 6 inches long — about the size of a salad plate.Bizarre looking crustacean discovered
In what (the French Institute for Sea Exploration's Michel) Segonzac described as a "surprising characteristic," the animal's pincers are covered with sinuous, hair-like strands.
It is also blind. The researchers found it had only "the vestige of a membrane" in place of eyes, Segonzac said.
[technorati tags: Bizarre, looking, crustacean, discovered]
It's a Liger
Tiger Mates With Lion, Gives Birth to “Liger” Cub in Siberian Zoo.
In what local zoologists are calling a miracle, a Bengalese tiger has given birth to a healthy tiger-lion cub at a Novosibirsk zoo.
The cub is a cross between the female Bengalese tiger and an African lion. The animal resembled a lion cub except that it had stripes, and has been dubbed a “liger”, the Russian Information Agency Novosti reported.
“This was not the result of a scientific experiment,” Novosti quoted zoo director Rostislav Shilo as saying. “It’s just that the lion and the tiger live in neighboring caves in the Novosibirsk zoo, and got used to each other. It’s practically impossible in the wild.”
Shilo said that the “miracle cub” was christened Zita, and will remain in the zoo. But what will happen to the cub in the future, “no one can say”.
In what local zoologists are calling a miracle, a Bengalese tiger has given birth to a healthy tiger-lion cub at a Novosibirsk zoo.
The cub is a cross between the female Bengalese tiger and an African lion. The animal resembled a lion cub except that it had stripes, and has been dubbed a “liger”, the Russian Information Agency Novosti reported.
“This was not the result of a scientific experiment,” Novosti quoted zoo director Rostislav Shilo as saying. “It’s just that the lion and the tiger live in neighboring caves in the Novosibirsk zoo, and got used to each other. It’s practically impossible in the wild.”
Shilo said that the “miracle cub” was christened Zita, and will remain in the zoo. But what will happen to the cub in the future, “no one can say”.
Basket Case
What started out as a dream by Dave Longaberger, Founder of The Longaberger Company, has been built into a giant basket to house the entire corporate offices of the company.
Homosexual Necrophiliac Ducks?
That's what it says.
The strange case of the homosexual necrophiliac duck pushed out the boundaries of knowledge in a rather improbable way when it was recorded by Dutch researcher Kees Moeliker.It may have ruffled a few feathers, but it earned him the coveted Ig Nobel prize for biology awarded for improbable research, and next week he will be recounting his findings to UK audiences on the Ig Nobel tour.
Ducks behave pretty badly, it seems. It is not so much that up to one in 10 of mallard couples are homosexual - no one would raise an eyebrow in the liberal Netherlands - but they regularly indulge in "attempted rape flights" when they pursue other ducks with a view to forcible mating. "Rape is a normal reproductive strategy in mallards," explains Mr Moeliker.
Clonehenge
 The NZ Stonehenge aims to help people rediscover astronomy |
Instead, Stonehenge Aotearoa, which opened this weekend, is a full-scale adaptation of its Salisbury Plain ancestor, built to work for the Antipodes.
Stonehenge replica built in New Zealand.[technorati tags: Stonehenge, Aotearoa]
Egg with a tail
The egg, found by chef Wang of at his restaurant in Anyang city, Henan province, is normal size, but has a tail that is 3 cm long.
It is not known why the egg has the tail reports Dahe Daily.
Wang says he wants to hatch the egg and see what will come out.
May 1, 1998
100 Ways to be a Better Asshole
by Sinister Fiend
- Argue with everybody.
- Touch the paintings at the museum.
- Get hysterical.
- Threaten law suits.
- Insinuate, implicate and insist.
- If you got it, flaunt it.
- Eat produce at the grocery store and don't pay for it.
- Gamble with the rent money.
- Record over a borrowed vcr tape
- Tell people that they are in your will, even if they aren't.
- Don't get caught.
- Stay directly in front or behine fire trucks and ambulances.
- When giving out directions, leave out a turn or two.
- Don't make up your mind.
- Improve your posture by walking with your nose in the air.
- Remind people who lose their job that they should work harder.
- Talk with your mouth full.
- Accuse, confuse and refuse.
- Comment on the weight gain of others.
- Adjust your nuts (boob) whenever you want.
- Keep a pile of wisecracks for tense and serious situations.
- Answer a question with a question.
- See what it takes for the lifeguard to blow the whistle.
- Don't give to charities unless you get something back.
- Add the straw that breaks the camels back.
- Clean your finger nails at the dinner table.
- Tell people what they think they wanna hear.
- Notice good ideas and pass them on as your own.
- Put a title like Senator or Doctor before your name when making dinner or hotel reservations.
- Don't volunteer for the back seat and never take the middle one.
- Before exiting the elevator, push all the buttons.
- Never do anything until you have been asked twice.
- Put off until tomorrow whatever you can do the day after tomorrow.
- Spot test "Wet Paint" signs.
- Go up on the down escalator and vice versa.
- Dont shower after a hard workout.
- Lie about your age.
- Change channels every two seconds
- Develop at least 3 strategies for cutting if front of a
- Underline in other peoples books.
- Slurp your soup.
- If you can't think of something nice, say something nasty.
- Be judgmental.
- Announce when your going to the bathroom.
- Read over peoples shoulders on the bus.
- Ignore deadlines.
- Revenge is sweet... so get some.
- Squeeze the toothpaste from the top, and while your at it, leave the cap off.
- Curse the umpire at a Little League game.
- When it says "Reserved Parking" that means you.
- Take the labels off of unopened cans.
- Cover up your mistakes and pass the blame.
- Pinch all the chocolate candies until you find the one that you want.
- Borrow handkerchiefs to blow your nose.
- When your done with your gum, stick it under the chair.
- If you do something nice, make sure everyone knows about it.
- Bribe little kids... cause they're easy!
- Put a rude message on someone elses answering machine.
- Measure people by their money and the clothes they wear.
- Be ambiguous, it lets you work both sides of the issue.
- Leave your underwear in the sink.
- Chew other peoples pencils.
- Support the death penalty for parking tickets.
- Get a backseat drivers license.
- Dish it out, but don't take it.
- Be a perfectionist in absolutely everything.
- Apologize a lot, but don't change.
- Change the rules to suit your needs.
- Put your cigarette out in planters.
- Wear a shirt thats says 'Fuck You' or to that affect.
- Pull the covers over to your side.
- Eat cookies or crackers in bed.
- Let doors slam behind you ? in people's faces.
- Repeat yourself.
- Repeat yourself.
- Tell your kids 'How it was..' back when you were a kid.
- Vividly describe a hysterectomy to your date before ordering dinner.
- Scribble your signature on important documents.
- Use the whole can of starter fluid on the charcoal.
- Put things back where they don't belong.
- Take a colicky baby to the movies.
- Have belching contests in restaurants.
- Make the same mistake twice.
- Pee in the swimming pool.
- Ride on the shoulder un you pass all the jammed traffic, and then cut in.
- Wear a large hat to the movies.
- Always have an ulterior motive.
- Always take the biggest piece.
- Forget the pooper scooper when walking your dog.
- Take cheap shots.
- Take forever to find a word in Scrabble.
- Cause gridlock.
- Get up on the wrong side of bed.
- Change your mind.
- Glue a chip on your shoulder.
- Put salt in sugar containers.
- Blow out other peoples birthday candles.
- Don't refill the ice cube tray.
- Ask people what they paid for their clothes.
- Cut off people in the middle of their sentences.
- Practice pulling the wool over people's faces.
Bananas and Sprite... Who knew?
by LadyKobar
So, in the cafeteria, my friend comes up to me and tells me that I can get high from bananas and sprite. Being the daring person that I am, I tell him that I'll do it if he tells me how. He said to eat two bananas as fast as I could and then chug a sprite immediately afterwards. Luckily, another friend overheard us talking and advised me not to because it would be entirely painful. WARNING!! THIS DOES NOT GET YOU HIGH!! I was almost mislead into this prank (what great friends I have). So my point, tell this insane idea to somebody that you don't like or someone who you know will do this. The actual effect is the intense pain of a mixture of mushed bananas and sprite coming out of your mouth and nose. I don't know exactly how this works. Maybe it has something to do with the carbonation and potassium, I'm not sure. If you know please let me in on this phenomenon. It's hilarious for the onlookers but I would strongly suggest buying your friend something nice after the hell that you'll put them through.
The Bizzaro Annoyer
The Bizzaro Annoyer is a circuit designed and created by the Bleach Eating Freaks. The purpose of the circuit is to simply sound every minute (or whatever time setting. Then we hide the circuit in someone's room or class and watch as sanity slowly wears away.The circuit was named by BEF after a Sealab 2021 episode that's a favorite of mine :)
How to destroy the Earth
Destroying the Earth is harder than you may have been led to believe.
You've seen the action movies where the bad guy threatens to destroy the Earth. You've heard people on the news claiming that the next nuclear war or cutting down rainforests or persisting in releasing hideous quantities of pollution into the atmosphere threatens to end the world.
Fools.
The Earth was built to last. It is a 4,550,000,000-year-old, 5,973,600,000,000,000,000,000-tonne ball of iron. It has taken more devastating asteroid hits in its lifetime than you've had hot dinners, and lo, it still orbits merrily.
Meet the criminal mastermind who plans to go whale-hunting in Utah
A STUDENT is planning to carry out a crime spree by travelling across the United States and breaking weird local laws along the way.
Richard Smith, 23, will risk being arrested for falling asleep in a cheese factory in South Dakota and going whale-hunting in landlocked Utah. He intends to break about 40 strange state and town laws as he crosses America, starting from the notorious former prison island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.
His 18,000-mile journey across the continent will end in Hartford, Connecticut, where it is illegal to cross the road while walking on your hands.
Mr Smith, from Portreath, Cornwall, said: “I am not really one of those people who likes going away and sitting by a pool. I want a purpose, and this seemed perfect.”
The inspiration for his criminal crusade came while he was playing a board game which included details of a law forbidding widows in Florida from going parachuting on Sundays.
He then researched America’s odd legislation on the internet and came up with his 40 favourites.
He said he was disappointed that the senate in Virginia this month dropped a Bill making it illegal to wear low-slung trousers exposing your underwear.
Mr Smith, a journalism student at Cornwall College, Camborne, plans to write a book about his exploits and is hoping to interest a television company in the story.
Asked if he was worried about running foul of the law, he said: “I think there’s more chance I will get arrested for the way I break the laws than for breaking the laws themselves.
“Who knows, there might actually be a good reason for their existence — I am quite willing to find out.”
He plans to set off in late July with his partner in crime, Luke Bateman, 20, from Redruth, Cornwall, and estimates that the challenge will take him eight weeks.
Mr Smith is not the first Briton to pursue an eccentric quest. In 2000 comedian Dave Gorman travelled around the world in search of 54 of his namesakes.
Richard Smith, 23, will risk being arrested for falling asleep in a cheese factory in South Dakota and going whale-hunting in landlocked Utah. He intends to break about 40 strange state and town laws as he crosses America, starting from the notorious former prison island of Alcatraz in San Francisco Bay.
His 18,000-mile journey across the continent will end in Hartford, Connecticut, where it is illegal to cross the road while walking on your hands.
Mr Smith, from Portreath, Cornwall, said: “I am not really one of those people who likes going away and sitting by a pool. I want a purpose, and this seemed perfect.”
The inspiration for his criminal crusade came while he was playing a board game which included details of a law forbidding widows in Florida from going parachuting on Sundays.
He then researched America’s odd legislation on the internet and came up with his 40 favourites.
He said he was disappointed that the senate in Virginia this month dropped a Bill making it illegal to wear low-slung trousers exposing your underwear.
Mr Smith, a journalism student at Cornwall College, Camborne, plans to write a book about his exploits and is hoping to interest a television company in the story.
Asked if he was worried about running foul of the law, he said: “I think there’s more chance I will get arrested for the way I break the laws than for breaking the laws themselves.
“Who knows, there might actually be a good reason for their existence — I am quite willing to find out.”
He plans to set off in late July with his partner in crime, Luke Bateman, 20, from Redruth, Cornwall, and estimates that the challenge will take him eight weeks.
Mr Smith is not the first Briton to pursue an eccentric quest. In 2000 comedian Dave Gorman travelled around the world in search of 54 of his namesakes.
[technorati tags: criminal, mastermind, plans, whale-hunting]
You can now marry your mother-in-law
You can now marry your mother-in-law, if you are a Scottish male under an amendment to the legal system in Scotland.
The law though is not partial and allows women to marry their fathers-in-law, reports the Herald.
This new change in the family law is contrary to the old rule dating back to 1567, that was based on the Old Testament, and said, if a man takes a wife and lies with her mother, all three should be burnt to death. Earlier, marrying a parent-in-law was only allowed after the death of both former spouses.
The Scots Law Commission recommended the change saying that the old law made no sense and was unreasonable.
The new system also draws a clear distinction between the continuing ban on marrying a blood relative, and the centuries-old ban on marrying those related "by affinity".
The law though is not partial and allows women to marry their fathers-in-law, reports the Herald.
This new change in the family law is contrary to the old rule dating back to 1567, that was based on the Old Testament, and said, if a man takes a wife and lies with her mother, all three should be burnt to death. Earlier, marrying a parent-in-law was only allowed after the death of both former spouses.
The Scots Law Commission recommended the change saying that the old law made no sense and was unreasonable.
The new system also draws a clear distinction between the continuing ban on marrying a blood relative, and the centuries-old ban on marrying those related "by affinity".
[technorati tags: marry, mother-in-law, father, mother]
Mystery shoe saga stumps couple
Pairs of shoes are being left in mysterious circumstances outside a remote farmhouse in Lincolnshire.Jason and Claire Foster, who live near Market Rasen, do not know who is doing it or why they have left as many as four pairs of shoes at one time.
The family have video footage, which shows an elderly couple driving by in a green vehicle depositing the shoes.
Mrs Foster said that although it was scary at first, she was rather hoping some of the pairs might fit.
Fly tipping
Some of the shoes are cheap, with price labels of £1.99 attached and some are more expensive designer brands.
They have been left on a regular basis since December, often on a Sunday.
Mrs Foster added: "The biggest question is why? We would love to know why."
East Lindsey District Council are investigating the incident as a case of fly tipping.
"Sometimes it's odd ones, sometimes it's a couple of pairs. But they're of all shapes and sizes. There has even been pairs of roller blades," a council environment official said.
"There must have been more than 30 pairs so far - it's been going on for months."
He said the maximum penalty for a first offence of fly-tipping was £20,000, but it depended on its severity.
The family have video footage, which shows an elderly couple driving by in a green vehicle depositing the shoes.
Mrs Foster said that although it was scary at first, she was rather hoping some of the pairs might fit.
Fly tipping
Some of the shoes are cheap, with price labels of £1.99 attached and some are more expensive designer brands.
They have been left on a regular basis since December, often on a Sunday.
Mrs Foster added: "The biggest question is why? We would love to know why."
East Lindsey District Council are investigating the incident as a case of fly tipping.
"Sometimes it's odd ones, sometimes it's a couple of pairs. But they're of all shapes and sizes. There has even been pairs of roller blades," a council environment official said.
"There must have been more than 30 pairs so far - it's been going on for months."
He said the maximum penalty for a first offence of fly-tipping was £20,000, but it depended on its severity.
How To Ruin Your Microwave With A Grape
How to make a glowing ball of plasma in your microwave with a grape.Its the damnedest thing you've ever seen. Please realize that although we haven't actually damaged any of the ovens we've done this with, the potential exists to damage or destroy the microwave that this is done in, and the possibility also exists that it could harm a human being if the proper precautions are not made. Please see to it that you are willing to pay $200 for a new microwave before you try this, and that you have a fire extinguisher nearby. If you are under age 18, please seek the supervision of a parent or guardian. I accept no responsibility should this experiment cause damage or injury.
How to cook salmon... In a dishwasher.
Adventure club: Poach the salmon with yesterday's dishes and lemon-scented dishwasher detergent (I do it this way all the time).
Garnish: Cilantro sprigs.
Suggested Accompaniment: Yellow string beans, steamed and glazed with lemon juice and butter.
Music To Cook By: Le Cirque de Soleil Soundtrack from Alegria
Wine: California Pinot Noir
Dishwasher Salmon with Cilantro Sauce
[technorati tags: Dishwasher, Salmon, Cilantro, Sauce, Cook, Stupid]
Mar 1, 1998
Famous Last Words
What does this button do?
* It's probably just a rash.
* Are you sure the power is off?
* The odds of that happening have to be a million to one!
* Which wire was I supposed to cut?
* I wonder where the mother bear is.
* I've seen this done on TV.
* These are the good kind of mushrooms.
* It's strong enough for both of us.
* This doesn't taste right.
* I can do that with my eyes closed.
* I've done this before.
* Well, we've made it this far.
* That's odd.
* You wouldn't hit a guy with glasses on, would you?
* Don't be so superstitious.
* Now watch this.
Professional Killings
This is a quote:
We are a privately-owned independent enterprise that specializes in reliable contract killings. We offer a variety of assassination services, customized to suit particular needs of our clients.
Our firm consists of a small team of highly-skilled, and experienced, specialists. We are the industry leader in innovative killing approaches and have built a lasting reputation over decades of outstanding services for clients on five continents.
Instead of fiddling around with amateur killing techniques and messing up crime scenes just pick up the phone and give us a call. After reviewing your case, our team will develop a customized package that is best-suited for your particular situation. You provide us with the name of your mark, along with a photo and personal details, and take a vacation; we'll make sure one of our specialists sends flowers to the grieving widow while you enjoy your margaritas on the beach.
I'm guessing this isn't real.
[technorati tags: killings, assasination]
The Worlds First Inflatable pub
Designed and built by Airquee Ltd, The pub is the latest development
from Andi Francis, who also created the worlds first Inflatable Church.
The pub is 40ft long, 19ft wide and 22ft high. It can be customised
for use as a fully working pub, with room for a bar and 30 customers.
The pub can be erected in 10 minutes with 2 small blowers
and can be sited on any firm, level surface.
An internal aluminium frame can be used to support additional
lighting, sound systems and also doubles as a safety barrier.
A fully working pub.
lighting, sound systems and also doubles as a safety barrier.
A fully working pub.
[technorati tags: Worlds, First, Inflatable, pub]
Youth pastor hazing on the rise
DUBLIN, Ohio — During a routine inspection of First Nazarene Church's facility last month, state regulators heard "a weakened voice singing hymns" in a basement utility closet. They broke the lock and found the church youth pastor inside, chained to a shelf and trying to write a lively midweek youth sermon by candlelight."It was shocking and sad," the inspector said.
Cruelty to youth pastors has always been a quiet part of church life, under the guise of job preparation and "training a servant's heart," but some youth pastors are speaking out and saying the hazing has gone too far.
Self-defence with a Walking-stick: The Different Methods of Defending Oneself with a Walking-Stick or Umbrella when Attacked under Unequal Conditions
It must be understood that the new art of self-defence with a walking-stick, herewith introduced for the first time, differs essentially from single-stick or sword-play; for a man may be a champion in the use of sword or single-stick and yet be quite unable to put a walking-stick to any effective use as a weapon of defence. The simple and sufficient reason to account for this is that both in single-stick and sword-play a cut is always taken up by the hilt of the weapon, whereas if you attempted to guard a blow with a walking-stick -- which has no hilt -- in the same way as you would with a sword, the blow would slide down your stick onto your hand and disable you. Therefore, in order to make a stick a real means of self-defence, it has been necessary to devise a system by which one can guard a blow in such a way as to cause it to slide away from the hand instead of toward it, and thus obviate the risk of being disarmed by being hit upon the fingers.
After some fifteen years of hard work, such a system has been devised by a Swiss professor of arms, M. Vigny. It has recently been assimilated by me into my system of self-defence called "Bartitsu."
In the art of self-defence with a walking-stick, the stick is held in the hand with the thumb overlapping the fingers, and not, as in single-stick or sword-play, with the thumb resting on the blade. The stick is therefore manipulated with the wrist -- and not with the fingers as in sword-play -- and the blows are given by swinging the body on the hips -- and not merely by flips from the elbow. In this way blows can be made so formidable that with an ordinary malacca cane it is possible to sever a man's jugular vein through the collar of his overcoat.
[technorati tags: Self-defence, Walking-stick, Defending, Umbrella, Attacked]
Here's a picture of the Queen with some Scottish soldiers.
Click on the thumbnail to find out what a Scotsman wears under his kilt.
Contains nudity, as if you hadn't guessed.
Clientcopia : Stupid Client Quotes...
There's no getting around it. At some point in your career, your patience will be tested with a stupid client who is so clueless that you'll question your sanity, career choice, and the future of mankind.
You may have dealt with one already, one that just stuns you like a deer in headlights. Dumbfounded to utter anything but an "uhhh...". Some clients have no concept of reality. They make up their mind, just to change it again to an even more hideous decision. And will end up blaming you for the mess. Can we honestly blame the client? Sure we can...
Clientcopia was created to give you an escape. Take joy in knowing you are not alone.
Jan 1, 1998
Electrical Fantasista: Hip technology you can feel
Cutting-edge technology meets art at Electrical Fantasista, an exhibit and series of events held at BankART Studio NYK in Yokohama (Feb 24 – Mar 14). The exhibit is divided into four zones that explore the future of modern lifestyle.
ZONE 1: Positive Living
Artists and scientists from Japan have created robots and machines that rely on IT to bring comfort to people. The works in this zone fuse art with the latest in technology to evoke true delight, providing a glimpse into the future of relaxation.
ZONE 1 works
- Tabby: Communicative healing IT interior that reacts to voice and touch
- PARO: Interactive seal robot with therapeutic powers recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records
- Co-animation table: Table that anyone can enjoy to create animation
- Mutant Critter: “Skins” that transform things into furry creatures
- Mr. Jones Watches: Series of retro-futuristic watches with a variety of unique functions
- Katazukue: Tidy table that forces slobs to clean up
PARO, the healing seal robot
ZONE 2: Game Is Life
The “games” in Zone 2 are the stuff that fuels the development of games. But beware, these works of art from Germany and Japan venture dangerously into realms ordinary games only dream to go, which explains why gamers and developers from across the globe are dying to try them out.
ZONE 2 works
- PainStation: Arcade game that exposes the loser to electric heat/shock and lashings
(Note: Due to the possibility of physical harm, play is limited to those who agree to bear full responsibility for any injury incurred.)
- Through the looking glass: Air hockey game that pits you against your mirror image
- MisLeading MisReading: Artificial intelligence message game that uses advanced speech recognition and machine translation technology to translate your spoken words
PainStation
ZONE 3: Electrical Lounge
 |
| MorphoTower |
Zone 3 explores new types of experience in optics. Relying on the latest in optic technology, such as LED and sensors, the works in this zone go beyond the flashing of lights to magically stimulate all the senses. Here, visitors experience new forms of comfort and stimulation.
ZONE 3 works
- Kaze-no-michi: Light sculpture that transforms the beauty of wind into light that illuminates the floor
- MorphoTower: Living sculpture of magnetic fluid that continuously morphs into magical shapes
- Fuwa Pica: Sofas that change color when you sit — soft on the eyes, soft to the touch
ZONE 4: Flash Fantasista
Zone 4 features a selection of interactive art chosen the curators. See http://www.shift.jp.org for details.
[technorati tags: Electrical, Fantasista, Hip, technology]
KOTOHANA communicates emotions from afar
NEC, NEC Design and SGI Japan have teamed up to develop KOTOHANA, flower-shaped terminals that use LED light to remotely communicate human emotions.
Each KOTOHANA set consists two flower-shaped terminals equipped with LEDs that change color according to the emotions of the person who owns the counterpart. Each flower contains a microphone that captures voice data for processing, the results of which are sent via wireless LAN to the other terminal, where it is expressed as LED light.
KOTOHANA’s Sensibility Technology (ST) emotion recognition engine, which was developed by SGI Japan with the cooperation of AGI, detects joy, sorrow, calmness and excitement in speech patterns. Happiness is expressed as yellow, sadness as blue, calmness as green, and excitement as red. Changing emotions are expressed through subtle color gradations and variations in light brightness.
The product is still in the prototype stage, with the ST engine running on a separate computer connected to KOTOHANA. NEC plans to showcase KOTOHANA at CeBIT, the international trade show for information and telecommunications technology to be held from March 9 to 15 in Hannover, Germany.
KOTOHANA communicates emotions from afar
[technorati tags: KOTOHANA, communicates, emotions]
Housefly gets a new look
Scientists using special laser technology have crafted a pair of mini-spectacles (2 mm) and placed them on the head of a housefly.
This photograph is part of a science photo exhibit being held in Munich, Germany from March 20 to 25.
Robo Garage unveils FT mini-fembot
On April 7, Robo Garage, a venture company of Kyoto University, unveiled a slender and agile biped female robot.
Named FT (short for “Female Type”), the robot has a plastic and carbon fiber body, weighs 800 grams (1.8 lbs.), and stands 35 centimeters (13 inches) tall. Her 23 joints enable her to perform a range of fashion model type moves, like arching her back and swinging her hips as she walks, as well as runway-style turns. FT’s components were designed and arranged to create a feminine body line.
Robo Garage, who spent about one year working to realize its dream of creating a feminine robot, has not yet determined whether FT will be made commercially available.
“In developing FT, we also sought the advice of pro models,” says Tomotaka Takahashi, head of Robo Garage. “I hope that by evoking a sense of familiarity and comfort, FT can expand the potential of robots.”
Nishinippon Shimbun
[technorati tags: Robo, Garage, mini-fembot]
Artificial muscles for superhuman soldiers
Jo Revill
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Scientists have developed artificial, super-strength muscles powered by alcohol and hydrogen, which could eventually be used to make much better prosthetic limbs. The artificial muscles are 100 times more powerful than the body's own, and researchers believe they could be modified one day to use in 'exoskeletons', to give superhuman strength to certain professions such as firefighters, soldiers and astronauts.
Two types of muscle are being investigated by US researchers at the Nanotech Institute at the University of Texas in Dallas, working with colleagues from South Korea. Writing in the journal Science, they explain that both kinds release the chemical energy of fuels, such as hydrogen and alcohol, while consuming oxygen. The muscles are replicating the first stage in breathing, by taking in oxygen. The existing versions of these artificial muscles are driven by batteries.
However, neither of the types developed by researchers looks even slightly like a normal muscle - they are made up of wires, cantilevers and glass bottles.
[technorati tags: Artificial, muscles, superhuman, soldiers]
Light Sleeper
Light Sleeper is an illuminating, personalised alarm integrated into bedding that gently wakes in the most natural way. Ever since the beginning of time light has controlled our body clock telling us when to sleep and when to wake. As lifestyles are rapidly changing with increased travel and demands on our time, people's natural body clocks are out of sync. This pillow and duvet simulates a natural dawn that eases you into your day. LightSleeper Bedding uses electroluminescent technology allowing traditional textile surfaces to become a reactive light source.[technorati tags: light, sleeper, bedding, bed, iluminating, lifestyle, pillow, technology]
Toilets rise to the occasion
Futuristic toilets which rise out of the ground could be used to tackle the problem of men urinating in the street.Aberdeen City Council officials said there were not enough toilets available at night when revellers pack the city centre bars and restaurants.
It is considering installing two 6ft Urilift retractable cubicles which look like manhole covers until hydraulic cylinders bring them from the pavement.
They would be operated by Aberdeen City Council staff using remote controls.
Up to three men at a time can use the urinal facility.
Although it is not suitable for women, the designer has said he is creating a Uri-toilet which can be used by both sexes.
A more traditional free-standing toilet is also being suggested to the council, at a total cost of up to £125,000.
Council officials Dave Gordon and Gordon McIntosh have brought the proposal to the environment and infrastructure committee.
In their report they said: "There is a wide range of provision by the private sector in Aberdeen.
"The city has a thriving entertainment industry and the pubs, clubs and restaurants all have toilet provision for customers.
"The difficulty is that, unlike the continental situation, access to these facilities is generally confined to customers and patrons. There is no accepted 'off-street' access."
Council members have been enthusiastic about the proposals, with Councillor Steve Delaney saying the Urilift would be particularly welcome around the city's Justice Mill Lane and Langstane Place, where residents and businesses complain that their premises are often used as toilets when people spill out of late-night bars.
Alarm clock that hides
Clocky is a clock for people who have trouble getting out of bed. When the snooze bar is pressed, Clocky rolls off the table and finds a hiding spot, a new one every day.
An alarm clock that hides, so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
[technorati tags: alarm clock, snooze, clock, clocky]
Rex The Talking Medication Bottle
With the development of Rex-The Talking Bottle, MedivoxRx ® has met its original goal: To manufacture a disposable talking bottle that provides audible label information and thus makes information about their medications more accessible to people who are elderly, visually and cognitively impaired, illiterate, or speak a different language. After testing several prototypes, Rex-The Talking Bottle was the overwhelming choice.[technorati tags: rex, medication, bottle, label, audio]
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