Propeller.com Stories submitted by Wil

Star Wars Fan Captures Secret Lives of Stormtroopers

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 20:21:17 EDT

Star Wars fan and photographer Cindi Geeze doesn't just play with her extensive collection of Imperial soldier action figures. She props them into humorous poses and photographs them.

Channel: Art & Design Tags: Stormtroopers Star Wars Fans Photography Macro Awesome Geeks Flickr So Totally Awesome

The Food Riots Are Getting Worse

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:27:27 EDT

Prices for cornmeal and rice have doubled in Somalia since January, and on Monday food riots wracked the Somalian city of Mogadishu. Thousands of people protested the insane prices for staple foods, and eventually police shot and killed two protesters.

Channel: News Tags: Environment Dystopia Food Riots Food Shortage Disaster Somalia

Internal NASA Documents Give Clues to Scary Soyuz Return Flight

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 16:24:24 EDT

NASA historian and gadfly James Oberg wrote up a very detailed and very interesting report on the near-disastrous re-entry of a Soyuz carrying three astronauts back from the space station. This is really an epic tale; it looks like there was a system malfunction that would normally have doomed the crew. [via badastronomy]

Channel: Science Tags: Space Russia Soyuz Space Disasters Space Travel NASA History

Pirate Music, Lose Your Home

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:21:06 EDT

Digital music pirates are the same as drug dealers, prostitutes and gangs in New York and Los Angeles -- at least as it relates to the government's ability to declare your place a public nuisance, shut it down for as long as a year (or worse) and fine you. So it's time to knock on your teenager's door and pray he's just downloading porn.

Channel: News Tags: Law Enforcement Music File Sharing Los Angeles New York

'Batmanime' Is a Blast in Batman: Gotham Knight

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:17:43 EDT

The geek machine has fired into overdrive for Christopher Nolan's incoming prequel sequel, The Dark Knight. But the untold hero of this summer's Batman assault may lie elsewhere -- in the Animatrix-inspired Batman: Gotham Knight, to be exact.

Channel: Movies Tags: Batman Anime Cartoons DC Comics Superheroes Summer Movies

Review: Cloverfield Manga

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:21:34 EDT

If you could control the Cloverfield monster what city would you attack first? That's just one of the pressing questions raised by the Cloverfield manga. Sadly, now that an English translation of the Japanese-language tie-in comic is finally available, it doesn't explain all about the monster as we'd hoped.

Channel: Books Tags: Cloverfield Manga Movies JJ Abrams Japan Monsters Reviews Science Fiction

The Rise and Fall of Atari

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:18:54 EDT

If you know anything about the pop culture of the 1970s, the name Atari is synonymous with video games. So what happened? Where did Atari go? Here's the story.

Channel: Video Games Tags: Atari Nolan Bushnell History 70s 80s Nostalgia Awesome Geeks

Review: Elizabeth Bear's Carnival

Wil — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:17:23 EDT

"The reason I'd recommend it as a good way to get into one of the most prolific and exciting science fiction writers working today, is that it manages to do what so few SF novels can. That is, it offers an intriguing, intellectually-rewarding glimpse at one human possible future while also telling a rip-roaring yarn."

Channel: Books Tags: Elizabeth Bear Reviews Science Fiction SciFi SF Literature Speculative Fiction

In tight Senate votes, McCain not a maverick

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:18:48 EDT

Over the years, Sen. John McCain has publicly condemned Republican Party leaders and occasionally voted against the GOP on selected issues. But an Arizona Republic analysis of his Senate votes on the most divided issues in the past decade shows that McCain almost never thwarted his party's objectives.

Channel: Politics Tags: McCain Republicans Election 2008 GOP Primary

FBI Targets Archive.org With Secret 'National Security Letter', Loses

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:08:24 EDT

The Internet Archive, a project to create a digital library of the web for posterity, successfully fought a secret government Patriot Act order for records about one of its patrons and won the right to make the order public, civil liberties groups announced Wednesday morning.

Channel: News Tags: Privacy FBI National Security Letter Archive Internet Archive

Hillary Clinton: The Psycho Ex-Girlfriend of the Democratic Party

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:43:47 EDT

Despite all the math counting her out, Hillary Clinton fervently remains in the race to become the Democratic nominee for president in 2008. She has become the Democratic Party's psycho ex-girlfriend, and she's not going away without a restraining order. [via reddit]

Channel: Politics Tags: Humor Clinton Obama Democrats Election 2008 Primary

Incredible collection of cryptographic machines

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:42:54 EDT

The modern computer was born from Polish, British and American efforts to decode secret German and Japanese messages during the Second World War. The complex processes instantiated in these cryptographic machines are excellent examples of early hand, mechanical, electromechanical and electronic computing devices.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Computers Cryptography Cryptology History Muesum Enigma

Clinton's and McCain's Gasoline Tax Holiday Reimagined as a Phishing Scam

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:20:25 EDT

"I started thinking about the idea of a scam, the way Clinton and McCain were trying to fool people. That led to thinking about various scams, and suddenly I hit on the idea of the Nigerian spams. Some of them are even about oil, and they're all about promising money which won't actually be delivered. That's the same dynamic here."

Channel: Politics Tags: Spam Nigerian Scams Gax Tax Scam Clinton McCain Pandering Obama Election Parody Primary

The Worst Movies Adapted From Comic Books

Wil — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:15:50 EDT

Unfortunately, there are also those other comics-to-film adaptations that disappoint critics, mainstream audiences and comic book fans alike. These films, whether due to bad writing, inept direction, gross miscasting, or a combination of factors, are often not only bad comic book adaptations, but bad movies in general.

Channel: Movies Tags: Bad Movies Comic Book Movies Comic Books Blockbusters Iron Man Batman and Robin

WIRED HOW TO: Buy a Digital Camera

Wil — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:59:58 EDT

The digital photography revolution is in full-swing. With so many types of cameras available at different prices and skill levels, it's never been easier to jump in and start shooting, uploading and sharing. But how can you buy a digital camera if you don't know the terminology or what features are important? This How-To will give you some suggesti

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Digital Camera Shopping Advice Buying Advice WIRED HOW TO

Tor offers Cherie Priest eBook for free

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:39:52 EDT

Tor's new web site hasn't yet launched, but as part of their continuing teasers, this week they're offering the free book Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest (available in pdf, html, and mobi formats). They also still have links to last week's offering, Sun of Suns by Karl Schroeder.

Channel: Books Tags: Tor Science Fiction Gothic Horror Cherie Priest eBooks Geeks

Are These The First Images From Cloverfield 2?

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:36:14 EDT

A viral site released these underwater monster photos. Look closely and you can see crooked-legged monster/aliens running about on (what appears to be) the sea floor. The pictures accompanied a government-esque blacked out document detailing a frantic transmission between Ngog Atsumi and Sub-4767.

Channel: Movies Tags: Viral Marketing Cloverfield Cloverfield 2 Science Fiction Monsters

LA Real Estate Mogul Plans to Light Up Blade Runner-Style Billboards

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 22:22:06 EDT

Wasn't Blade Runner supposed to depict a bleak, dystopian future? Someone really should tell Sonny Astani. The 55-year-old real estate mogul is planning to bring 2019 Los Angeles to life in the form of two 14-story animated billboards modeled on Ridley Scott's opening sequence.

Channel: Art & Design Tags: Advertising Los Angeles Blade Runner Dystopia Sonny Astani

Imortant question for Clinton supporters

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:32:27 EDT

"Should a multimillionaire Yale Law grad who's lived in the White House and hadn't pumped her own gas in years before a recent Potemkin pit stop be allowed call anyone else "elitist" without being laughed at in open derision?"

Channel: Politics Tags: Clinton Gas Tax Pandering Democrats Obama Primary Election 2008

Wits & Wagers comes to Xbox Live Arcade

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 21:19:43 EDT

Wits & Wagers is the fun trivia party game where you don't need the right answers to win! For each question, bet on the answer you think is closest to the truth, whether or not that answer is your own. Use your knowledge of trivia, your intuition, and the odds to help decide where to bet!

Channel: Video Games Tags: Xbox Live Arcade Xbox360 Board Games Trivia Games

The truth about tourists [cartoon]

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:36:07 EDT

Savage Chickens illustrates why we all find tourists so delightfully annoying.

Channel: Humor Tags: Tourists Webcomic Savage Chickens

Are LED lights cost effective?

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:56:20 EDT

A Salon reader asks Pablo if LED lights are cost effective, and how they compare to incandescent and compact florescent bulbs. The verdict? LEDs are expensive up-front, but save hundreds of dollars in the long run. Bonus: they're not harmful to the environment when they're disposed.

Channel: Science Tags: Light Bulbs Compact Florescent Bulbs LEDs Ask Pablo Energy Green Energy

J.J. Abrams Promises to Reinvent Star Trek

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:48:27 EDT

Sci-fi golden boy J.J. Abrams recently wrapped principal photography on the Star Trek prequel and, while he's keeping plot points under wraps, he promises a big show when the movie hits theaters next May.

Channel: Movies Tags: JJ Abrams Star Trek Summer Movies Science Fiction SciFi Trekkies Geeks

No 'Poison Pill' in New D&D License

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:00:47 EDT

Contrary to rumors, the upcoming fourth edition of Dungeons and Dragons will not require third-party publishers to choose between developing material for the new edition and continuing to support the current edition of the game.

Channel: Books Tags: RPGs Dungeons and Dragons WotC DND4E Open Gaming License d20 Geeks Publishing Game Publishing

21-Year-Old Sci-Fi Fan Wins $1 Million Film Deal

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:51:12 EDT

Nuru Rimington-Mkali started shooting home movies on a Super-8 camera when he was 7 years old, and got his feet wet on the web two years ago when he posted "Life According to Google" on YouTube. This week, the 21-year-old London native and sci-fi fan won a $1M feature film making contest.

Channel: Money Tags: Science Fiction Filmmakers Nuru Rimington Mkali London Filmaka

Walking Bike replaces wheels with shoes

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:52:13 EDT

Some guys replaced the tires on a bike with a bunch of shoes. It looks cool, but this crazy piece of art actually works. [via boingboing]

Channel: Art & Design Tags: Weird Bikes Bicycles Functional Art

Lunchtime Quiz: Name all the original MTV VJs

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:45:51 EDT

The day MTV originally launched with The Buggles "Video Killed the Radio Star," the world changed forever. In the early days, there were 5 VJs who kept the music playing 24/7. Can you name them all in 45 seconds?

Channel: Television Tags: MTV 80s Nostalgia mental floss Quiz Silly

Iron-Man and GTA IV Team up to Crush a Modern Marketing Myth

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:45:36 EDT

GTA IV just came out and should have kept Iron Man's bread-and-butter audience indoors. So, why didn't Iron Man flop and make $1 over the weekend? Maybe because it's good, and if you make good movies you don't have to come up with silly, back-pedaling excuses for your share holders

Channel: Movies Tags: Money Box Office Iron Man GTA IV Video Games Marketing Advertising

How To: Easily De-Seed Your Watermelon

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:39:48 EDT

A user from DIY web site Instructables details how to cut a watermelon to easily remove most of the seeds so you don't have to endure the familiar seed-spitting routine.

Channel: Food Tags: Watermelon HOWTO Summer Fruits Instructables

Control Winamp Remotely from Any Browser

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:39:39 EDT

If you've got a home server running, or just a computer that controls music and video playback, the Simple Help blog has a guide that might make your digital life a little more convenient. Using the free WWWinamp tool, the author details how to set up and control Winamp from any browser, iPod touch/iPhones included.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Music WinAmp MP3 Webapps WWWinap iPhone

Why The 'Right' Gets Net Neutrality Wrong

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:28:28 EDT

Just in time for the House Telecommunications Subcommittee's hearing tomorrow (May 6) on Net Neutrality legislation, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX) and the American Spectator are out with new attacks on the simple idea that people should not have their Internet experiences subject to the whims of telephone and cable companies.

Channel: Politics Tags: Network Neutrality Net Neutrality Internet GOP Right Wing Technology

How to: Build an Ornithopher

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:10:35 EDT

What is an Ornithopter? It's a flying machine that works by flapping its wings. It was imagined as the most likely way for humans to fly by early inventors, including Leonardo Da Vinci. The Build an Ornithopter Weekend Project talks about the history of the ornithopher, talks about the supplies you need and shows you how to make one.

Channel: Do-It-Yourself Tags: Ornithopter Make DaVinci Flight HOW TO Weekend Project

xkcd: forks and spoons

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:40:37 EDT

Xkcd takes genetics and applies it to the spork, with tragic (and hilarious) results.

Channel: Humor Tags: xkcd Randal Munroe Webcomic Sporks Genetics Geeks

New Boston Apple Store Largest In the World

Wil — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:31:51 EDT

According to a store employee, it's a good thing Boylston Street is so big: Apple estimates 1,500-2000 customers/hour will visit -- more than 10 times the 160/hour that the average store gets. It's something else inferiority-complex ravaged Bostonians can hold over New York.

Channel: Shopping Tags: Apple Mac Cult of Mac Apple Store Boston

Kenner's 1980 Alien Catalog

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:45:04 EDT

In 1980, Kenner released several toys based on the film Alien. The results were vaired, Alien toys weren't appreciated and sold poorly but now they are coveted secondary market pieces. Here's the awesome catalog.

Channel: Movies Tags: Alien Kenner Fox 1980 Toys Nostalgia Awesome

Your personal data just got permanently cached at the US border

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 12:54:02 EDT

Now that US customs agents have unfettered access to laptops and other electronic devices at borders, a coalition of travel groups, civil liberties advocates and technologists is calling on Congress to rein in the Department of Homeland Security's search and seizure practices.

Channel: Travel Tags: Privacy Security United States Homeland Security Laptops Fourth Amendment US Customs

Review: Iron Man a New High for Robert Downey Jr.

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:44:45 EDT

High-tech slapstick, wicked banter and a somber "war on terror" subtext set the stage for Robert Downey Jr.'s super-watchable superhero debut in Iron Man. Downey wears the 90-pound suit of booster-rocket armor well, as he dramatizes the awkward transition of inventor Tony Stark from self-obsessed playboy to scientist on a mission.

Channel: Movies Tags: Iron Man Reviews Tony Stark WIRED Robert Downey Junior Marvel

StarShipSofa podcast becomes a full-fledged audio science fiction mag

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:37:31 EDT

The StarShipSofa podcast is metamorphosing into the StarShipSofa - The Audio Science Fiction Magazine, following in the great tradition of magazines like Analog, Asimov and Fantasy and Science Fiction.

Channel: Books Tags: Science Fiction Podcast Starshipsofa Analog Asimov SciFi Audio

Twitter Said To Be Abandoning Ruby on Rails

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:30:30 EDT

We're hearing this from multiple sources: After nearly two years of high profile scaling problems, Twitter is planning to abandon Ruby on Rails as their web framework and start from scratch with PHP or Java.

Channel: Gadgets & Tech Tags: Twitter Ruby on Rails Java PHP Programming

No Star Trek on the International Space Station

Wil — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:28:27 EDT

Imagine if you will that you are on the ISS for a tour of duty. You can only bring a few things with you, so you're relying on the ISS library to keep you entertained. And you arrive only to discover there is ABSOLUTELY NO STAR TREK. [via reddit]

Channel: Television Tags: Star Trek ISS Space Humor Geeks Science Fiction Star Wars