Tag: written by Port1080
Switch to Switchgrass
port1080.
Posted to SciTech on Fri Feb 19, 2010 at 08:21:10 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
Biofuel - gasoline alternatives made from plant matter - has long been promised as a savior that will both provide energy independence and help reduce automobile pollution. There has, however, always been a problematic trade-off - planting crops for biofuel has reduced the crop space available for food crops. The more popular biofuels became, the more the cost of food staples would increase. Now a potential solution finally seems within reach - two companies have recently announced breakthroughs in creating cellulose-based biofuels.
(16 comments, 777 words in story) Full Story
School District Fails 1984
port1080.
Posted to Etcetera on Thu Feb 18, 2010 at 09:01:35 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
A school district in the Philadelphia suburbs has been accused of using school issued laptops to spy on students. The laptops came with built in webcams and were installed with software that allowed the school to access them remotely and without the student's knowledge, even when off school property.
(10 comments, 181 words in story) Full Story
London Women: Sorry I Made You Rape Me
port1080.
Posted to Etcetera on Thu Feb 18, 2010 at 08:55:16 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
A recent survey of London, UK women has indicated that an astounding 54% thought that women should in some cases bear partial responsibility for their own rapes.
(16 comments, 162 words in story) Full Story
Obama: Time to Nuke Georgia
port1080.
Posted to Business on Wed Feb 17, 2010 at 01:12:48 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
On Tuesday, President Obama pledged $8 billion in federal loan guarantees to support the construction of two new nuclear power stations in Georgia.
(49 comments, 130 words in story) Full Story
New Tech: 2010
port1080.
Posted to SciTech on Wed Jan 06, 2010 at 02:34:05 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
Some new and potentially game changing devices are being discussed for release in 2010. The rumor mill is working overtime in discussion of the new tablet device which Apple will likely unveil later this month. Almost as anticipated is Google's new phone, Nexus One, which was revealed to the public on Tuesday.
(9 comments, 417 words in story) Full Story
Free TV No More Forever?
port1080.
Posted to Media on Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 08:20:36 PM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
It's a model that has worked for over half a century - television networks broadcast free TV over the airwaves, and make profits by selling advertising interspersed with their shows. It's a model that broadcasters say works no more, and one that might soon disappear.
(14 comments, 418 words in story) Full Story
Featured Diary: Election Night Post-mortem
port1080.
Posted to Politics on Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 05:50:41 AM EST (promoted from Diaries by Acefantastik). RSS.
Election 2009 results are rolling in, with some races called and others too close to call. The Republicans seem to have swept the Virginia races, pulling in the governorship and other major statewide offices. NY-23, the New Jersey governorship, and the Maine gay marriage race are still up in the air. Feel free to post updates and comments as the results come in.
(108 comments) Comments >>
Fall 2009 Television Preview
port1080.
Posted to Media on Tue Sep 22, 2009 at 12:32:17 AM EST (promoted by 1fastdog). RSS.
The major networks began rolling out their new television shows for the fall last week and will continue to do so into next week. There are no clear new breakout hits (although FlashForward has been getting a fair amount of buzz), but a lot of solid shows are returning.
(21 comments, 201 words in story) Full Story
Forgetting Poland
port1080.
Posted to Politics on Tue Sep 22, 2009 at 12:32:11 AM EST (promoted by DEMachina). RSS.
President Obama has nixed plans for a missile shield based in Poland and the Czech Republic, meant to defend Europe from Iranian long range missile attack.
(11 comments, 346 words in story) Full Story
GM Volting into the Future?
port1080.
Posted to Business on Fri Aug 14, 2009 at 08:56:37 AM EST (promoted by wetkarma). RSS.
GM recently announced that according to newly developed EPA standards, its plug-in electric/gas hybrid, the Volt (currently in production and due for sale in late 2010) should be rated at about 230mpg, making it the first car to hit triple digit mpg ratings. GM isn't the only automaker that will release a plug-in hybrid in 2010 - the Prius should also see a plug-in version that year, and Nissan is planning on rolling out an all-electric car, the Leaf.
(42 comments, 288 words in story) Full Story
Featured Diary: Why we need national healthcare
port1080.
Posted to Business on Tue Jul 28, 2009 at 09:54:08 AM EST (promoted from Diaries by 1fastdog). RSS.
One word - rescission. Read the article, it's grotesque. Basically, people paying their insurance fair and square, then getting denied coverage b/c they failed to report some completely unrelated issue (sometimes that they weren't even aware of). One breast cancer patient had her coverage dropped because she had previously been treated and failed to disclose it. What was she treated for? Acne.
(132 comments, 192 words in story) Full Story
You'll Have To Take Your Milk With Lunch
port1080.
Posted to Politics on Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 05:18:55 PM EST (promoted by wetkarma). RSS.
Sixth grade student Natalie Jones recently delivered a report about a notable local politician to satisfy the requirements of a school project. Normally, not news. Jones, however, was forced to deliver the report during her lunch break, outside of normal class time, and five of her fellow students were allowed to skip the presentation. What led to such controversy? A powerpoint presentation about former San Francisco City Councilman Harvey Milk.
(10 comments, 205 words in story) Full Story
