Royal Dutch Shell has made a final decision to construct a massive natural gas plant, which it claims will be the world’s largest floating manmade object.

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Gas plant to be largest floating manmade object

The internet was 25 years away from inception when this photo was taken in 1945, but the Boston Globe had another way to rapidly disseminate breaking news amongst the masses: chalkboards in a busy city intersection. [Boston Globe] More

Borders stores may be in short supply these days, but their online store is still around, and for the next four days you can get 50% off the list price of any one item. You just need a Borders Rewards membership, which is free to sign up for. You can also grab free shipping on any purchase over $25. Exclusions apply, but the site doesn't say—so head over to Borders.com and enter the coupon code BLP2566Y to see what you can get. The coupon expires May 23. [via SlickDeals] More

This is sort of silly but still worthwhile. Of course prices of developing technologies drop over time, but the infograph from Wired is still fun if for nothing else than a bit of nostalgic reminiscing. I can recall the first two plasmas we got while I worked at Circuit City: a Panasonic for $10k and a Pioneer for $12k. Of course that was back in the wild and crazy times of 2002 when credit was available to anyone with a pulse and a social security number.

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Infograph Fun: Flatscreen Prices Are Gloriously Low Right Now

This is the best title for any scholarly paper published in the year 2011: “Urine trouble: a social history of bedwetting and its regulation.” Snort! More

Sure you can do neat things like unlock your iPhone using facial recognition, but the Air Force has far grander visions for the tech. Specifically it wants a camera that can identify and track possible insurgents at a significant distance (though it’s unclear how far we’re talking about here) using only a few seconds of footage. It’s turned to Photon-X Inc. to develop a sensor that combines spacial measurements, infrared and visible light to create a “bio-signature” that maps not only static facial features but muscle movements that are unique to each individual. The technology could also be used in targeting systems to identify enemy vehicles and integrated into robots to help them navigate and identify objects… or threatening meatbags. The Air Force even foresees law enforcement, banks, and private security firms using the cams to monitor customers and watch for suspicious activity. Similar tools have been created that use software to analyze video feeds, but they can’t match the accuracy or range of this “behaviormetric” system. Normally, this is where we’d make some snide reference to Skynet or Big Brother but, honestly, we’re too creeped out for jokes.

Creepy new Air Force camera can identify and track you from far, far away originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 20 May 2011 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Switch Lighting™ based out of California just released the world’s very first 100 watt equivalent to the standard incandescent bulb.

Want to secure your computer with the same techniques used by the National Security Agency? Turns out the NSA has published guides for securing Windows, Mac, Linux, and Solaris operating systems using methods that “are currently being used throughout the government and by numerous entities as a security baseline for their systems.” More

Do you want to learn how to send a fun 330 volts of electricity into the back of your friend’s neck? Do you not want to have to deal with the awkwardness of ordering a professional taser for home use? Then this guide on how to create a homemade taser is for you.

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How To Build a Taser

Your average electric bicycle has a basket on the front and a lot of shame in the rear. Not the Grace One. When we first saw it almost two years ago, in the fall of 2009, it looked… well it looked like a pretty kickass bike. Since then the design has been thoroughly refined, the frame redesigned, but still the stacked projector headlamps remain in their aluminum housing in front of the bars. They're a hint at the high-tech nature of this bike, which features integrated Li-ion batteries that charge in about an hour and spin a hub-mounted motor in the rear wheel, giving you a top speed of 30MPH and a range of up to 31 miles — all for a mere €4,199 ($6,000). If your finances can manage it the bike is available now, but if they can't you'll have to make do with a celebratory video of the thing in action after the break. Word of advice: get those glow sticks cracked and shaken up before you hit play.

Continue reading Grace One electric bicycle is ready for purchase, our bank accounts are still preparing (video)

Grace One electric bicycle is ready for purchase, our bank accounts are still preparing (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 May 2011 13:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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