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Redditor Proteon posted this photo of a gorgeous polished meteorite sphere. Another user explained that it was a type of meteorite called pallasite, which is "a mixture of iron-nickel metal and olivine, a crystal that makes up the majority of Earth's mantle." Several posters estimated it to be worth #10,000 to $12,000 in value. Provided that information is correct, I need to add that to my Christmas gift wish list. -Via Science Dump

It is delightful to have my masters degree in Mechanical Engineering put to use in resolving age old engineering problems.

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An anonymous reader writes The Pirate Bay's crew have remained awfully quiet on the recent raid in public, but today Mr 10100100000 breaks the silence in order to get a message out to the world. In a nutshell, he says that they couldn't care less, are going to remain on hiatus, and a comeback is possible. In recent days mirrors of The Pirate Bay appeared online and many of these have now started to add new content as well. According to TPB this is a positive development, but people should be wary of scams. Mr 10100100000 says that they would open source the engine of the site, if the code "wouldn't be so s****y". In any case, they recommend people keeping the Kopimi spirit alive, as TPB is much more than some hardware stored in a dusty datacenter.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

President Barack Obama suggested the US military's C-130 transport aircraft is "a little more efficient than Santa's sleigh" in a speech at the the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey on Monday. However, according to data provided to Business Insider by the North American Aerospace Defense Command's Santa tracking program, Obama's assessment of Santa's technical capabilities was clearly incorrect. 

Business Insider reached out to NORAD, which is a bi-national program run by the US and Canadian governments, shortly after the president's speech. A spokesperson provided us with this statement on his remarks. 

"We really don't want to compare Santa's sleigh to a C-130, but what we can confirm is that Santa's sleigh is a versatile, all weather, multi-purpose, vertical short-take-off and landing vehicle," the spokesperson said. "It is capable of traveling vast distances without refueling and is deployed, as far as we know, only on December 24th (and sometimes briefly for a test flight about a month before Christmas)."

Though the spokesperson declined to provide their own comparison of the C-130 and Santa's sleigh, they gave us all of their "technical data" on the sleigh. Based on this information, it's abundantly clear Santa's sleigh is far faster and capable of carrying a much larger payload.

According to NORAD's fact sheet, the top speed of Santa's sleigh is "faster than starlight." NASA lists the speed of light as approximately 186,000 miles per second. On the other hand, the Air Force fact sheet on the C-130 notes its maximum speed is just 417 miles per hour. NORAD also said Santa's sleigh can carry about 60,000 tons while the maximum allowable payload of a C-130 is 44,000 pounds. The White House did not respond to a request from Business Insider about the president's incorrect claims about the sleigh.

NORAD's technical data on Santa's sleigh contains several other interesting tidbits. It notes the sleigh is armed with "purely defensive" antlers. NORAD also claims Santa weighs 260 pounds at the beginning of his annual mission and gains 1,000 pounds during his flight.

Read NORAD's complete "technical data" on Santa's sleigh below. 

Designer & Builder	K. Kringle & Elves, Inc.
Probable First Flight	Dec. 24, 343 C.E.
Home Base	North Pole
Length	75 cc (candy canes) / 150 lp (lollipops)
Width	40 cc / 80 lp
Height	55 cc / 110 lp
Note: Length, width and height are without reindeer
Weight at takeoff	75,000 gd (gumdrops)
Passenger weight at takeoff	Santa Claus 260 pounds
Weight of gifts at takeoff	60,000 tons
Weight at landing	80,000 gd (ice & snow accumulation)
Passenger weight at landing	1,260 pounds
Propulsion	Nine (9) rp (reindeer power)
Armament	Antlers (purely defensive)
Fuel	Hay, oats and carrots (for reindeer)
Emissions	Classified
Climbing speed	One “T” (Twinkle of an eye)
Max speed	Faster than starlight

SEE ALSO: Here's how much Santa should be paid for his work this year

Join the conversation about this story »

This is a video of a mercury-filled balloon being dropped in slow motion. Mercury, as I'm sure you're aware because we're all scientists here, is 13.5x as dense as water and can be poured directly into a balloon with a funnel to fill it up. That alone was pretty neat. But the way it flattens a balloon when dropped is even NEATER. You know, I remember my dad telling me a story from when he was growing up that he and his siblings accidentally broke a thermometer and spent hours and hours pushing around the beads of mercury on the kitchen table. Those were simpler times. Keep going for the video.

submitted by JohnnyBrizz
[link] [157 comments]

Craig, we hate to be the ones to break the news to you, but you, my friend, are a legitimate pyscho. 

Get the most out of your HTPC with KODI

It may have started as a media center for the original Xbox, but KODI (formerly XBMC) has since evolved into a full-fledged application with a huge library of add-ons generated by diehard fans and users. Available on pretty much every platform you’d want to install it on—Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, and more—it’s a stellar way to get all of your content onto a big screen without having to deal with a mouse and keyboard, unless you want to.

Before you get started, it’s important to realize that KODI might not be the best option if you rely heavily on streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Instant Video. Most services aren’t officially supported and have flaky implementations that don’t always work. The point of an HTPC, after all, is to make it easier for you to consume media. 

Installation and Setup 

The first step is getting KODI downloaded and installed. Head on over to the KODI website and download the version that’s appropriate for your hardware.

If you don’t have old hardware lying around to use as an impromptu home theater PC (HTPC), building or buying a dedicated HTPC isn’t a bad idea. With options like the KODI-compatible Raspberry Pi starting at only $25, you can get a decent system up and running without breaking the bank—unless you want to. 

The ideal HTPC is small, quiet, and suitably fast. You don’t need the latest and greatest hardware, but having a processor capable of playing 720p or 1080p video is essential. Hard-drive space is another key component if you aren’t going to stream content online or over your local network. 

Alongside the computer, you’ll want some sort of remote control. If you’ve got one lying around, you’ll probably be able to get it working with KODI. You’ve also got the option of using your smartphone to control KODI remotely. Official KODI remotes are available on both iOS and Android and are a great way to control playback without resorting to a keyboard and mouse.

Yatse isn’t an official remote, but it does support streaming to your Android device.

That’s not to say that a keyboard and mouse aren’t useful, because a good wireless keyboard with an integrated track pad can be a lifesaver. Having said that, the KODI interface is designed to be navigated with d-pad controls and works best with a remote. 

Audio and Video Settings

KODI does a great job of setting itself up when you first start it up, but you’ll want to make sure that all of your audio and video settings are correct. Scroll over to the System tab of the home menu and select Settings.  Once you’re in the Settings menu, drill down into the System tab on the left to access KODI’s basic settings.

Make sure that KODI is set to an appropriate resolution for your monitor or TV. If you’re running KODI on a system hooked up to multiple displays, you can set KODI to blank other displays and select which screen KODI should be displayed on. Move onto the Audio output tab to fiddle with your audio settings. Here you can choose your audio output, what your speaker setup is, and whether or not your setup supports various technologies—Dolby Digital, DTS, TrueHD, DTS-HD, et cetera.

Importing Your Content

Now that you’ve got KODI up and running, your next step should be to make all of your content available on your HTPC. It could just be a matter of copying over the terabytes of movies and music you’ve collected over the years, or installing an add-on or two to access online streaming services. 

KODI may not find all of your media automatically, but adding new sources is a cinch.

If you’ve got all of your media stored locally, the process is really simple. Drill down into the Music or Video menus and click Add source, browse for the folder containing your music, and add it to the list as a source. With the default skin, click the play button on the bottom-left to access detailed playback controls.

Read-on to learn about our favorite add-ons, services, and skins.

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Add-ons and Services

It’s more than a little surprising just how many add-ons are available on KODI. They range from things like CollegeHumor, to the TWiT network, and even Khan Academy. Download and install an app—usually from inside KODI—and you’ll be presented with basic menus that let you navigate a staggering amount of video and audio content. The only problem with KODI add-ons is that some of them aren’t regularly updated and many popular services aren’t supported. 

We don’t know what CherryMusic is, but it’s proof that KODI has a huge library of add-ons.

NetfliXMBC is absolutely essential if you’re a heavy Netflix user. Installing this add-on isn’t as easy as the others and requires a bit of work. Start off by downloading AddonScripterDE’s repository. Launch KODI and go into the Settings menu, Add-Ons, and click Install from ZIP File. Find the ZIP you just downloaded and the repository should now be installed. Click Get Add-Ons and select AddonScripterDE’s Beta Repo. Now when you check under Video Add-Ons, you should see NetfliXBMC. Install it, enter in your Netflix information, and then switch the Win Browser from Chrome to IExplorer. If you’re not using a keyboard, you’ll also need to set up alternate controls for your remote. 

The YouTube add-on is great if you spend a lot of time on YouTube. Navigating the add-on can be a bit tedious if you aren’t using a mouse and keyboard, but it’s manageable and gives you a chance to catch up on the latest cat videos without leaving your couch. We particularly love the ability to easily view official YouTube feeds—most viewed, trending videos, top rated, et cetera.

Spotimc is an easy-to-install Spotify add-on that’s currently in beta. It’s not available in the official KODI repository, but installing it is simply a matter of downloading the latest release and going to Home > System > Settings > Add-ons > Install from zip file and selecting the zip that you downloaded. It’s a little slow, but it gives you an easy way to get Spotify onto your TV.

This unofficial Hulu add-on gives you full access to Hulu in KODI. Download BlueCop's repository to get access to it. It works as you'd expect and even has the added benefit of semi-skippable commercials—fast forward through them with no penalty.

Yatse’s our favorite Android-based remote for KODI. It’s a clean, well-thought-out app for Android phones and tablets that gives you full control over KODI. The $3.99 upgrade even gives you the ability to stream content from KODI directly to your phone. 

Making It Look Nice

KODI’s default skin, Confluency, looks great. If you want to mix it up, there are plenty of options available. Some of our favorite skins are Aeon Nox, Aeon MQ 5, and re-Touched if you’re running KODI on a device with a touchscreen. 

It doesn't all look this good, but Aeon MQ 5 is slick and sexy.

Installing a skin is simple. Dive into Settings > Appearance > Skin and click Get More. Pick the skins you want, and you’ll even get notifications once they’re ready for use. Head back into the skins menu and swap between them at will.

A great skin for touchscreen devices; finger-friendly and clean.

All that’s left now is to sit down and catch up on your backlog! 

This pack of mongooses from the Houston Zoo had the time of their lives when they were given a kiddie pool filled with balls to play in. Bazinga!

"This is a type of enrichment for our animals - mongooses dig as a part of their natural behavior, and a ball pit encourages digging. And well, it's a heck of a lot of fun for every species."

[thehoustonzoo/via arbroath]

The General Motors victim compensation fund approved four death claims last week, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities linked to faulty ignition switches to 42 – officially tripling the number of deaths GM initially linked to the issue.

The Detroit News reports that the approved death claims, along with seven approved injury claims, makes last week the busiest for the fund since its first weeks of existence in August.

Compensation fund adviser Kenneth Feinberg says in his weekly report that 100 claims for compensation have now been approved – 42 for deaths and 58 for injuries.

Advisors for the plan have made 57 offers to victims and paid out 22 offers, the Detroit News reports.

So far, the victim compensation plan, which began accepting claims on August 1, has received 2,326 claims for injuries and deaths, 62 of which were submitted just last week.

According to the weekly report submitted by Feinberg, the number of death claims submitted increased by 11 from 239 to 250 claims, while those for serious injury increased by six from 150 to 156 claims. The remaining submissions were for less serious injuries.

Of the submitted claims 306 have been rejected, including 46 death claims. Another 568 – including 83 death claims – have been ruled deficient, while another 907 don’t have verifying information.

According to Feinberg only two of the initial 13 deaths linked by GM to the ignition issue have yet to seek compensation. However, he says they are expected to file. Of course, some of those 13 victims’ families did not know they were included among the acknowledged fatalities until after finding out from reporters.

Back in November, Feinberg caved to pressure from advocates and Congress and agreed to extend the claim submission cutoff to January 31, one month longer than the initial deadline of December 31.

At the time of that announcement, Feinberg said GM would send out additional notices to 850,000 vehicle owners.

Officials with GM previously said they expect to spend $400 million on claims, but that the figure could rise as high as $600 million.

When the fund was launched over the summer, GM said there would be no cap to the claims, but that compensation would be tied to the level of injury and loss experienced. An approved death claim is expected to result in an offer of compensation for at least $1 million, plus payments of $300,000 to surviving family members.

Consumers who suffered life-altering injuries could receive even more when the cost of lifetime medical care, lost earnings power and other factors are considered.

The plan also addresses consumers who faced less-severe injuries. Those who were treated at a hospital or an outpatient medical facility within 48 hours of the accident are eligible for a claim.

The formula for that claim is $20,000 for one night in the hospital; $70,000 for two to seven overnights, $170,000 for eight to 15 overnights, with a maximum of $500,000 for 32 or more overnights. Those treated on an outpatient basis could receive a maximum of $20,000.

The claimants are not obligated to accept the compensation, but if they do take the money they give up their rights to pursue legal action against GM with regard to the ignition defect.
The compensation program covers approximately 1.6 million model-year 2003-2007 recalled vehicles manufactured with an ignition switch defect and approximately 1 million model year 2008-2011 recalled vehicles that may have been repaired with a recalled ignition switch.

GM compensation fund approves 4 new death claims [The Detroit News]

Over the summer an unsuspecting group of video game fans were lured into a presentation for a fake game called Elika's Escape.

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Oil prices are down, airlines are profitable, but ticket prices aren’t going down and some carriers are still adding fuel surcharges. Thus, New York Senator Chuck Schumer has called for a federal investigation into why we’re all paying so dang much for air travel.

Schumer has asked both Department of Justice and the Department of Transportation to investigate why airfares continue to increase at a time when the costs of operating an airline are down and when the airlines are making record amounts of money from add-on charges.

Fuel costs account for nearly half of an airline’s costs, and even though the price of oil has sunk significantly since June, consumers are not seeing any trickle-down in the form of lower airfares, claims Schumer.

While one could argue that there is a lag effect between the drop in oil prices and any change in airfares, the Senator points out that airlines have historically used increases in oil prices to explain immediate hikes in ticket prices.

“The industry often raises prices in a flash when oil prices spike, yet they appear not to be adjusting for the historic decline in the cost of fuel,” he explains. “ticket prices should not shoot up like a rocket and come down like a feather.”

Schumer is also asking regulators to look into the impact that the recent mergers — United/Continental, US Airways/American, Delta/Northwest, Southwest/AirTran, just to name a few — that have significantly reduced competition in the industry while also making the surviving companies more efficient and profitable.

“At a time when the cost of fuel is plummeting and profits are rising, it is curious and confounding that ticket prices are sky-high and defying economic gravity,” said Schumer. “With so little competition, will the consumer never get a break?”

Many people know how a camera works—at least conceptually. In the practice, it's not easy to imagine (in fact, it truly blows my mind if I really think of it.) This excellent 3D visualization shows exactly how the photo is taken. Very very neat.

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It has been over a year since Frozen debuted, and many children are still singing Let It Go… over and over again. Needless to say, this is leaving some parents with icy attitudes towards the movie’s creators.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Frozen director Jennifer Lee explained parents’ declining enthusiasm for the hit movie and its Oscar winning song.

“A year ago, I’d meet people who, when they found out who I was, they’d say, ‘Oh, we love the songs! We sing them all the time. Now they’re like, ‘Yep, we’re still listening to those songs.’ I’ve gone from, ‘Thank you,’ to, ‘Sorry!'”

Let It Go has been a social phenomenon, leaving few places to escape. The song is the creation of married song-writing team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez and was recorded by singer Idina Menzel. Let It Go went on to win a Oscar, but may be more important are the imitators.

A ton of famous comedians have parodied or spoofed the hit including Ellen DeGeneres and Kristen Wiig. Jimmy Fallon, Idina Menzel and the Roots even covered the song using classroom instruments.

And if that wasn’t enough to keep children remembering and singing Let It Go, remember there’s actually two versions of the song to enjoy. For when the original Idina Menzel version gets old and peaceful silence starts to return to the home, there’s also the Pop-version sung by Demi Lovato.

According to Fox News, Demi Lovato performed a heart-wrenching rendition of Let It Go for the Royal Variety Performance in London just last month. She released the pop version of the song as a single last October, making it available to all young kids with access to their parent’s iTunes accounts.

Still, Jennifer Lee remembers the positive effects Frozen and its sound track have had on children, especially young girls. She explained to the Hollywood Reporter that the characters have served as a source of inspiration for her 11-year-old daughter who has suffered from bullying.

“I was bullied a lot as a kid, too, so we try to look at the world like Anna and Elsa do — how they question, ‘Is who I am OK?’ — but always manage to be true to themselves.”

Her daughter actually sings the middle verse for the other incredibly addictive Frozen song Do You Want To Build A Snowman?

The director also revealed that a Frozen 2 is in the works. But after the Let It Go lesson, parents might hesitate before grabbing the soundtrack to that particular sequel.

[Image Credit: Walt Disney Studios]

‘Frozen’ Director Apologizes To Parents For ‘Let It Go’ is an article from: The Inquisitr News