The idea of cheating at hackathons isn’t new, and a few people have written about suspected cheating at hackathons. Rob Spectre even (humorously) suggested that cheating is the easiest way to win first place at a hackathon.
Why Your City Should Compete With Google’s Super-Speed Internet
One of the biggest obstacles organizers are likely to face are laws discouraging or preventing governments from competing with private broadband providers. So far 19 states have passed such laws.
“It strikes me as crazy that some states are banning communities from building or expanding existing networks, even as we’re subsidizing private companies,” Mitchell said.
He says these laws actually end up preventing incumbent providers from expanding higher speed internet services in many areas, because they know their existing legacy services won’t face competition.
via Why Your City Should Compete With Google’s Super-Speed Internet | Wired Enterprise | Wired.com.
The Post-Lecture Classroom: How Will Students Fare?
A three-year study examining student performance in a “flipped classroom” — a class in which students watch short lecture videos at home and work on activities during class time — has found statistically significant gains in student performance in “flipped” settings and significant student preference for “flipped” methods.
via The Post-Lecture Classroom: How Will Students Fare? – Robinson Meyer – The Atlantic.
“And with this,” she said, “you actually have to do reading or watch the [lecture modules], you actually have to prepare for the class.”
Raspberry Pi as an Ad Blocking Access Point
This tutorial will show you how to use your Raspberry Pi as a WiFi access point that blocks ads by default for any devices using it. This is really neat in that it would work for your Android or iOS device, your Xbox 360, TiVo, laptop, and more without needing to customize any of those devices other than to use your Raspberry Pi as the access point for WiFi. Using an ad-blocker can be useful for conserving bandwidth, helping out low-power devices, or for keeping your sanity while browsing the web!
via Overview | Raspberry Pi as an Ad Blocking Access Point | Adafruit Learning System.
Japan’s Laptop-Controlled Space Rocket Launch
Japan has sent a rocket into space with a launch co-ordinated from two laptops in a control centre manned by a crew of just eight people.
via Japan’s Laptop-Controlled Space Rocket Launch.
A much smaller crew was involved, compared with the about 150 people needed when Japan has previously launched its mainstream H2-A rocket.
Installing Reddit Clone
These instructions will guide you through the process of setting up a reddit clone for the first time. We also have an automated install script for Ubuntu Linux 12.04.
Reddit has a very intuitive comment system. They release their source code so anyone can build upon what they have already built.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Caltech and The Feynman Lectures Website are pleased to present this online edition of The Feynman Lectures on Physics. Now, anyone with internet access and a web browser can enjoy reading a high-quality up-to-date copy of Feynman’s legendary lectures. This edition has been designed for ease of reading on devices of any size or shape; text, figures and equations can all be zoomed without degradation.1
Verizon’s diabolical plan to turn the Web into pay-per-view
As it stands now, you pay your Internet service provider and go wherever you want on the Web. Packets of bits are just packets and have to be treated equally. That’s the essence of Net neutrality. But Verizon’s plan, which the company has outlined during hearings in federal court and before Congress, would change that. Verizon and its allies would like to charge websites that carry popular content for the privilege of moving their packets to your connected device.
via Verizon’s diabolical plan to turn the Web into pay-per-view | The Industry Standard – InfoWorld.
Also from: Net neutrality faces uncertain U.S. court ruling
Verizon argues that the FCC doesn’t have authority to regulate an information service, a class of communications that the agency has previously exempted from most regulation. The net neutrality rules are a violation of Verizon’s First Amendment free speech rights and its Fifth Amendment property rights, the company has argued.
Apple Underwhelms in China, Too
At 4,488 Yuan Renminbi (US$734) for the 16GB version, the iPhone might be within reach of well-heeled consumers in Beijing and Shanghai but is unlikely to win over punters in so-called third-tier cities and beyond, who have never owned a smartphone.
via Apple Underwhelms in China, Too | Light Reading.
In another online poll (again in Chinese, naturally), more than 80 percent said the price was too high.
Chic marketing may be wearing off the Apple brand.
Microsoft botches six Windows patches in latest Automatic Update
In an amazing tour de force, Microsoft’s Automatic Update chute released at least six bad patches on Tuesday. Here’s what’s amazing: It’s just 48 hours or so since the bomb bay doors opened, and Microsoft has acknowledged problems with all of these patches.
via Microsoft botches six Windows patches in latest Automatic Update | Microsoft windows – InfoWorld.
This is why I never do automatic update.