Queen Ukulele Style

He starts rocking it out around the four minute mark.

TSA Bribes Ticket Agent to Put Bomb on Plane

A JetBlue ticket agent was willing to put a suitcase on a plane under another passenger's name for the princely sum of $100.00.

Bruce Schneier says this plot isn't something to get too excited about. The terrorists couldn't bank on this being successful. I think this story serves as a warning to airline employees more than it does to ward off a terrorist attack.

Long Live the King. The King is Dead.

Snarky Alan points out that e-books are outselling the dead-tree variety at Amazon. I find that almost unbelievable. I figured it would happen eventually, but not in 2011.

I guess the convenience outweighs the potential downside of DRM and someone else being the administrator of system that controls your access. What's the worst they could do - delete a book you bought?

New Rifle

I just got permission from the boss to get a new rifle. I'd like to pick one up in case all the rumors about President Obama rolling out gun control legislation is true. I've been looking at the Smith and Wesson M&P15 (the big brother to my M&P15 in .22LR). Maybe S&W will start the promotion for 5 free magazines with the purchase of the rifle. Given the focus on high capacity magazine bans, it would make sense.

From Brick O'Lore

From Brick O'Lore

As a bonus, she told me I had to get a gun safe if I was going to buy a rifle!

Your State is #1 at Something Bad

Article: The United States of Shame - What is your state the worst at?

I was surprised to see Tennessee at #1 for corruption. I'd like to think that we are just good at (eventually) rooting out the few cases of corruption while other states are underreporting their problems, because the criminals are never caught and prosecuted.

Via Exurban League.

CZ P07 USB Drive

Neat, but not sure it is a good idea.

Available at the CZ shop.

Guns at Schools - Not what you might think.

New legislation to allow staff to carry guns on campus - Bill SB 0051.

The way I read the second part of this section suggests that staff with permits can carry without the special training and approval.

"This bill authorizes full-time faculty and staff at any public postsecondary institution in Tennessee, who are not otherwise prohibited by law, to carry handguns at all times on the premises of the public institution where they are employed upon receiving a directive from the head of the institution and upon completing an annual firearm training program of at least eight hours duration. In addition, this bill authorizes full-time faculty and staff at any public postsecondary institution in Tennessee who possess a valid handgun carry permit to carry handguns at all times on the premises of the public institution where they are employed."

OLPC - QRP PC Style

I love projects like the OLPC. I believe that the Internet is the great equalizer and the more people we can get on-line, the better the world will be. Battery evolution seems slow, so it is fantastic that they can make the laptop faster while reducing the power requirements. The QRP hams have to think this is cool, too.

How Tech Affects Reading Habits and Patterns

So mobile devices not only change where we read, but when we read. According to the analysis, we prefer iPads to computer monitors and our Lazy Boys to desk chairs.

And now the bad news... the nice, neat fonts and pretty display of the iPads are negatively impacting our reading comprehension. Messy handwriting makes our brains work harder and that translates into better learning and retention.

Via Slashdot.

GPS with Repeaters as Points of Interest

You can load a list of repeaters into your GPS. The list is available from the Point of Interest Factory including bonus items like a repeater icon. Now, if they'd just import the frequencies to the radio.