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  • Microsoft's HoloLens secret sauce: A 28nm customized 24-core DSP engine built by TSMC

    08/23/2016 5:26:19 PM PDT · by dayglored · 30 replies
    The Register ^ | Aug 22, 2016 | Chris Williams
    Hot Chips Microsoft today revealed a first look at the inside of its Holographic Processing Unit (HPU) chip used in its virtual reality HoloLens specs. The secretive HPU is a custom-designed TSMC-fabricated 28nm coprocessor that has 24 Tensilica DSP cores arranged in 12 clusters. It has about 65 million logic gates, 8MB of SRAM, and a layer of 1GB of low-power DDR3 RAM on top, all in a 12mm-by-12mm BGA package. We understand it can perform a trillion calculations a second. It handles all the environment sensing and other input and output necessary for the virtual-reality goggles. It aggregates data...
  • What Microsoft won't tell you about your Windows 10 recovery drive size (4GB? 8GB? 16GB?)

    08/22/2016 8:04:19 AM PDT · by dayglored · 25 replies
    PC World ^ | Aug 22, 2016 | Josh Norem
    Microsoft is coy about it in places, and estimates vary. (The time to make a Windows 10 recovery drive is before your PC dies. Grab a USB drive—you might need a big one!—and we'll show you how it's done...) Attila Balaton bought an 8GB USB key to create a Windows 10 Recovery Drive only to find out 16GB was required. Mea culpa: Answer Line was partly to blame, as my former colleague wrote that Microsoft suggests “at least a 4GB USB key.” It’s not his fault, though, as on this support page Microsoft says in order to create a Windows...
  • This Day In History: Aug 22, 1776 - British Invasion Of New York

    08/22/2016 5:10:38 AM PDT · by ETL · 37 replies
    various sources
    On August 22, Howe’s large army landed on Long Island, hoping to capture New York City and gain control of the Hudson River, a victory that would divide the rebellious colonies in half. On August 27, the Red Coats marched against the Patriot position at Brooklyn Heights, overcoming the Americans at Gowanus Pass and then outflanking the entire Continental Army. Howe failed to follow the advice of his subordinates and storm the redoubts at Brooklyn Heights, and on August 29 General Washington ordered a brilliant retreat to Manhattan by boat, thus saving the Continental Army from capture. At the Battle...
  • Microsoft can't tell North from South on Bing Maps (misplaced Melbourne Australia near Japan)

    08/21/2016 8:51:05 AM PDT · by dayglored · 21 replies
    The Register ^ | Aug 21, 2016 | Simon Sharwood
    City of Melbourne, population four million, placed in the wrong hemisphere Microsoft has misplaced Melbourne, the four-million-inhabitant capital of the Australian State of Victoria. A search on Bing Maps for “Melbourne, Victoria, Australia” says the city is at 37.813610, 144.963100 which we've screen-captured above (or here for those reading our mobile site). The co-ordinates are right save for one important detail: Melbourne is at 37.8136° South. Bing's therefore put it in the wrong hemisphere. The Register's Australian outpost has tried searching for a few other major cities in Victoria and beyond and believes this is an isolated and probably-fat-fingered error....
  • Fishing Report keeps anglers informed

    08/20/2016 12:28:17 PM PDT · by SandRat · 16 replies
    Sierra Vista Herald ^ | Staff/HERALD REVIEW
    SIERRA VISTA — Looking for the latest info on where the best fishing spots are in southern Arizona and across the state? The Arizona Game and Fish Department has regular updates from anglers all over Arizona detailing what fish are hitting what baits and where as part of its weekly Fishing Report. Compiled from regular input from fishermen and women as well as Game and Fish officials, the report covers the fishing conditions at dozens of lakes and waterways, as well as stocking schedules, water levels and updates on which fish species are most active and when. “The idea is...
  • This Car Matters: First Chevrolet Camaro Built

    08/18/2016 10:18:02 PM PDT · by Impala64ssa · 51 replies
    You Tube ^ | 8/ 17/16 | This Car Matters Films
    The HVA takes a look at the story of the first Chevrolet Camaro built visiting with its stewards and marque historians. The first Camaro built is being recognized as No. 15 on the HVA National Historic Vehicle Register program in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) to be archived in Library of Congress.
  • Florida Officials to Vandals: Stop Painting Birds, Tortoises

    08/18/2016 2:07:15 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 23 replies
    KFOR ^ | AUGUST 18, 2016 | NADIA JUDITH ENCHASSI
    If you want to paint your nails, furniture, house, whatever – knock yourself out. But, stop painting birds and turtles; they don’t need to be prettied-up. That’s the message from Florida officials, who rescued a painted white ibis bird this week, days after they found turtles and gopher tortoises illegally decorated in hues of blue and red. “Please keep your paint on the canvas and off of wildlife,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission posted on Facebook. “Tortoises and turtles don’t need touch-ups!” While it may sound harmless, unleashing your inner artist on wildlife could land you in jail....
  • Microsoft open-sources PowerShell for Linux, Macs. Repeat... (includes OpenSSH) (tr)

    08/18/2016 9:09:01 AM PDT · by dayglored · 17 replies
    The Register ^ | Aug 18, 2016 | Tim Anderson
    Microsoft has published PowerShell, its scripting and automation platform, as open source under the permissive MIT licence, as well as porting it to Linux and Mac, with an alpha build now available on GitHub. PowerShell is built on Microsoft's .NET platform, and one of the enabling pieces here is .NET Core, the refactored fork of .NET which runs cross-platform. PowerShell "Core" has already turned up on Nano Server, the barebones edition of Windows Server 2016, and the newly announced release will run on .NET Core on Mac and Linux. The initial Linux support is for Ubuntu, CentOS and RedHat. "Others...
  • Microsoft to overhaul Windows 10 UI – with a 3D Holographic Shell (Virtual Reality)

    08/18/2016 6:14:21 AM PDT · by dayglored · 39 replies
    The Register ^ | Aug 16, 2016 | Chris Williams
    We're a long way from the Start Menu now First, it scrapped the classic Start Menu and gave us Tiles. Now Microsoft has confirmed it really is working on yet another radical user interface update – one that will allow you to use your desktop Windows 10 PC with virtual reality headsets. The feature, due to arrive next year, is dubbed the Windows Holographic Shell. It is designed to work on any normal PC, not just high-end graphics rigs; the emphasis is on the fact that anyone with a half decent machine can use the new UI. The Holographic Shell...
  • Microsoft Rewards is how Microsoft will pay you to use Edge, Bing and more

    08/17/2016 9:48:27 PM PDT · by dayglored · 55 replies
    PCWorld ^ | Aug 17, 2016 | Mark Hachman
    Years back, Microsoft began paying people to use its Bing search service via a program called Bing Rewards. Now, Microsoft will do the same with its Edge browser and other products. Microsoft announced Wednesday that over the next few weeks, Bing Rewards will become Microsoft Rewards. The concept remains the same: The more you use or buy Microsoft products, the more freebies you’ll receive in return. With the debut of Microsoft Rewards, you'll also be able to accrue points by browsing with Edge or purchasing items at brick-and-mortar Microsoft Stores. Why this matters: At the end of July, Google Chrome...
  • VIDEO: "Common Sense" Gun Reform Debunked! (Man-on-Street)

    08/17/2016 3:38:23 PM PDT · by StevenCrowder · 48 replies
    Dear fellow FREEPers: today I present to you the biggest, most labor-intensive video my team and I have ever put together. I wanted to create the most thorough video possible regarding the myths, falsehood and outright lies surrounding "common sense" gun laws being pushed on Americans today. This video required permission from the city, mayor, as well as cooperation of local police officers (whom I thank profusely) to make happen. What you'll see is eye-opening and terrifying, but hopefully incredibly informative, useful in the education of your friends and wildly funny. Let's open some eyes out there with the truth!...
  • India: Three die as kite string slits their throats

    08/17/2016 7:43:01 AM PDT · by BenLurkin · 26 replies
    BBC ^ | 08/17/2016
    Three people, including two children, have died after their throats were slit by glass-coated strings used for flying kites on India's Independence Day. ... Glass-coated strings are used to bring down competitors' kites, but they also end up injuring and killing people. Many Indians fly kites to celebrate festivals and important occasions like the Independence Day, which is celebrated on 15 August. But every year, there are reports of people dying or getting wounded from the kite strings - locally known as manja - treated with powdered glass or metal to sharpen them. ... The Delhi government has now banned...
  • Vincent Lopez Orchestra "Do I Hear You Saying?" vocalist is Laurence Wolfe (1928)

    08/16/2016 10:54:33 PM PDT · by Arthur McGowan
    YouTube ^ | 1928 | Rodgers and Hart
    Vincent Lopez Orchestra "Do I Hear You Saying?" vocalist is Laurence Wolfe (1928)
  • 120 Years Ago: OPENING GUNS IN OHIO- A Grand Rally at Columbus

    08/16/2016 12:21:00 PM PDT · by NRx · 1 replies
    Library of Congress ^ | Aug 16, 1896 | New York Tribune
    A (mostly) daily posting for those interested in history and the day to day news, politics and culture of a bygone world; the full edition of the New York Tribune from today's date in 1896 (digitized).
  • Fallout 4 Nuka-World Release Date and Gameplay Trailer

    08/16/2016 10:44:49 AM PDT · by yuleeyahoo · 19 replies
    Bethesda.Net ^ | August 15, 2016 | Matt Grandstaff
    Nuka-World is a vast amusement park featuring Raider gangs and unique park zones like Safari Adventure, the World of Refreshment, Dry Rock Gulch, Kiddie Kingdom, Galactic Zone and Nuka-Town, USA. Nuka-World features new quests, Raiders factions, weapons, creatures and more. Enjoy the ride!
  • Microsoft singlehandedly proves that golden backdoor keys are a terrible idea (Secure Boot, tr)

    08/11/2016 8:04:39 AM PDT · by dayglored · 21 replies
    The Register ^ | Aug 10, 2016 | Chris Williams
    Redmond races to revoke Secure Boot policy Microsoft leaked the golden keys that unlock Windows-powered tablets, phones and other devices sealed by Secure Boot – and is now scrambling to undo the blunder. These skeleton keys can be used to install non-Redmond operating systems on locked-down computers. In other words, on devices that do not allow you to disable Secure Boot even if you have administrator rights – such as ARM-based Windows RT tablets – it is now possible to sidestep this block and run, say, GNU/Linux or Android. What's more, it is believed it will be impossible for Microsoft...
  • Weekly Cooking (and related issues) Thread

    08/10/2016 3:36:48 PM PDT · by Jamestown1630 · 184 replies
    One of my favorite meals growing up was Saturday breakfast, which was usually served at more of a brunch hour. Sometimes it would be eggs, bacon or sausage, and hominy fried in the grease from the meat (which I loved, and if anyone has recipes for canned hominy, please post!). Or it might be waffles, or pancakes; and when it snowed, Cinnamon Toast, and tea or hot chocolate. Many years ago I found a recipe that makes a great, quick brunch casserole at home – if you remember to grate the cheese the night before and store it airtight in...
  • Video: Eagles in Training to Take Out Drones

    08/09/2016 6:14:36 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 17 replies
    OutdoorHub ^ | 8/8/16
    Whether you are a fan of drones or not, one fact remains the same: the drone is here to stay. Considering the many positive things for which they can be used, it makes sense to welcome such possibilities. However, with pluses come minuses, and not every drone operator is going to have good intentions at heart. Due to the small percentage of people who enjoy behaving badly, it has become necessary to have plans in place to quickly and efficiently resolve drone-related issues. Although there are a few options for grounding a rogue drone, the Dutch National Police are taking...
  • Driver Backs Into $290K Ferrari While Parking

    08/08/2016 9:02:00 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 50 replies
    The Ferrari 458 lists for more than $290,000 and tops out at over 200 mphOne driver may be giving her insurance company an expensive bill after she accidentally backed into a nearly $300,000 Ferrari while attempting to parallel park outside a Virginia coffeehouse. Video being shared online showed the aftermath of the Saturday accident in Great Falls, Virginia. It showed the rear of the woman's Mercedes convertible
  • ‘Pokemon Go’ Players Blamed For Damage At Historic Mass. Fort

    08/08/2016 1:08:06 PM PDT · by simpson96 · 17 replies
    AP/CBS Boston ^ | 8/6/2016
    <p>FAIRHAVEN, Mass. (CBS/AP) — A fort destroyed in the Revolutionary War is again fending off attacks — this time from “Pokemon Go” players.</p> <p>Caretakers of Fort Phoenix in Massachusetts say players of the popular smartphone game are damaging the historic site.</p>