Richard Walker *popcorn*

paper) bill pay, electronic banking, credit cards and not much else. - Richard Walker *popcorn*

I'm toying with the idea of a daily large cash withdrawal under certain limits of course. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know I needed an appointment to withdraw my money" - Richard Walker *popcorn*

Let me guess....Twitter and Digg? - Shevonne

I don't want everything posted automatically! If I recall correctly, you and I "clicked" when I shared those modeling photos of my sister. That was a matter of going through old stuff I scanned, and telling a bit of a story. If I really want to share something new, I can share it. But, having everything dumped here makes it hard for me to use Flickr like I want. I didn't delete anything here or there.. just the automatic feeding. - Richard Walker *popcorn*

"As as all of these social networking clients and apps arrive on Android, a common question asked to us is “What’s the best Facebook app?” We submit to you ‘Bloo’. We first mentioned the app and its developer’s efforts back in mid-May when the app was called Fbandroid. At the time, we were trying to finishing up the code. Here were are six weeks later and the app looks stunning. Wanna know the secret? It’s an actual full native client and not simply a “wrapper.” " via http://androidguys.com/?p=5887 - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

""It's never been a good time to move into a CitiApartments building, but now is the worst time" says Ted Gullicksen, director of the San Francisco Tenants Union. After years of allegations of tenant harassment, poor maintenance, and all around bad business practices, (see links to the SFBG's series on this here) the troubled and massively foreclosed upon property management company is now accused of refusing to refund security deposits. Gullicksen says the Tenants Union has been getting "3 or 4 complaints a week" on this issue. Citing CitiApartments' alleged practice of "buying buildings, then using harassment and coersion to buy tenants out then reoffering the apartments at an inflated rate," he says that many CitiApartments tenants are either very recent tenants who, at the time of lease signing, didn't have any plans to move -- but given the current state of the economy, have had to, and are now suffering under CitiApartments' retention of their deposits." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"Russian Android enthusiasts will apparently get a new smartphone option from next week, as Vobis Computer pledges to launch their dual-display HIGHSCREEN PP5420. The 900/2100MHz HSPA handset has a 3-inch WQVGA LCD touchscreen together with a secondary OLED navigation pad beneath it. The HIGHSCREEN PP5420 itself is seemingly an Android 1.5 version of the Mobinnova Ice, which usually runs Windows Mobile. Most of the specifications of the two devices are the same, including the 3-megapixel autofocus camera, WiFi b/g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR and GPS. Each also has a TV output, mini USB connector, microSD card slot and uses Qualcomm’s 528MHz MSM7201ATM chipset." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"Gloves that are wired with sensors can provide useful information about a user's motions, and they offer a novel way to interact with computers beyond the keyboard and mouse. At the end of May, AnthroTronix, a company based in Silver Spring, MD, released its first commercial version of the AcceleGlove, a programmable glove that records hand and finger movements. Other gloves--like 5DT's Data Glove, used primarily in virtual reality--normally cost $1,000 to $5,000, but the AcceleGlove costs just $499. It comes with software that lets developers use Java to program it for any application they wish. AnthroTronix initially developed the glove with the U.S. Department of Defense for robotic control. The glove could also be used in video games, sports training, or physical rehabilitation." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"Lukas Priecko has designed the Transfoarmchair, a seat which offers us a glimpse into what the future may hold for furniture. The Transfoarmchair is an interactive, three-dimensional armchair that bends to your every move. The digital-like mesh wire shape monitors electronic fields using super-sensitive intuition. Move over LA-Z Boy, the Transfoarmchair is the furniture of the future." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"A trio of genome-wide studies – collectively the largest to date – has pinpointed a vast array of genetic variation that cumulatively may account for at least one third of the genetic risk for schizophrenia. One of the studies traced schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, in part, to the same chromosomal neighborhoods. "These new results recommend a fresh look at our diagnostic categories," said Thomas R. Insel, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes of Health. "If some of the same genetic risks underlie schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, perhaps these disorders originate from some common vulnerability in brain development." Three schizophrenia genetics research consortia, each funded in part by NIMH, report separately on their genome-wide association studies online July 1, 2009, in the journal Nature. However, the SGENE, International Schizophrenia (ISC) and Molecular Genetics of Schizophrenia (MGS) consortia shared their results - making possible meta-analyses of a combined sample totaling 8,014 cases and 19,090 controls." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"The study found that while a mixed patent environment and pure patent environment did not offer substantially different results, students in a commons system generated significantly higher rates of innovation, productivity and social utility. Essentially, the study supports what Lawrence Lessig and free culture advocates have been saying for years: a society free from intellectual property monopolies is a society that is better off. In the study, Torrance and Tomlinson explain how patents have been wrongly justified as a way to encourage invention. The justification has been that by excluding others from duplicating an invention or process, the patent owner is more likely to spend time, energy and resources on their product. However, past studies have proved otherwise. Data collected from PatentSim further substantiates these findings." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"The final winner we decided on was Mogeek, with entry #425 (a late entry!). What I liked about this logo is its simplicity, while simultaneously referencing both the classic Mac OS “face” icon, and old-school ASCII art. This entry was consistently cited by my designery pals (and even Joel himself) as one they liked. First prize is worth $768 or 29 + 28. Congratulations to Mogeek!" - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"People gathered in SF at the Ferry Building to remember Michael Jackson and to dance to his music well into the night." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"As real-time computer graphics inch ever closer to absolute photorealism (which some industry professionals believe to be no more than 10-15 years away), violent video game critics' arguments are slowly beginning to look more sane. And yes, you're reading this from a life-long video game fan who staunchly opposes institutional artistic censorship. But censorship is peanuts compared to the conundrums we'll be facing in the future with our favorite hobby. Once our computer simulations of the real world (still called, somewhat quaintly, "video games") begin to effectively duplicate reality, the issue of video game violence won't be a matter of artistic merit or censorship anymore. It will quickly become a matter of morality, ethics, and law. The coming storm is inevitable: turn one way, and you'll see ever-more realistic portrayals of graphic, gratuitous human violence in games like BioShock, Grand Theft Auto 4, and Fallout 3. Then turn the other and observe the exponential explosion of... more... - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

Not an actual issue unless and until computer programs achieve sentience. Other than that, I'm "killing" inanimate lines of code, doesn't matter how realistic they look; I and (I think) most people can keep the difference straight in their head. Though who knows, ultra realistic killing might be too off putting for most players and the market will probably shy away from it? Somewhat interesting thought experiment, I guess. - Chieze Okoye

I'm aware this is an ancient argument, and I usually scoff at it, but I think he has a point. - Richard Walker *popcorn*

"The new Gmail web client for the iPhone and Android was also created with GWT. At the first day’s keynote Vic Gundotra indicated that Google’s long term strategy is to move from local applications to browser based web applications on phones. GWT seems to be a major piece of that strategy. It also looks like something worth a look by web developers building sites targeted at phones with browsers that have good JavaScript support like the iPhone, Android and possibly Opera Mobile." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"One Million Numbers Strong, Google Voice Prepares for Takeoff" - Richard Walker *popcorn*

"Bsquare has officially announced that a plugin for Adobe Flash will make it’s way to ARM-based Android devices. This means people who own the T-Mobile G1 and HTC Magic could see Flash on their phones before long." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"Hello to all the new visitors from All Things Considered! I'm busy figuring out what in the world I can say about Michael that hasn't already been said, so in the meantime here are some golden oldies that might be a good introduction for newcomers." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

Troy Duffy, an overnight Hollywood golden boy, sells a script for $300,000 and gets a Weinstein deal to make the movie (Boondock Saints), and the sound track with his band, as well as final cut, and part ownership of a newly trendy bar in L.A. where Troy Duffy worked before the deal. He even gets signed to a record label, and he brags that his band is the first to be signed completely unheard. A gripping, cautionary tale about overnight Hollywood "success." - Richard Walker *popcorn*

"Among the claims: that 49-year-old Scientology leader David Miscavige, a close associate of the church’s biggest star Tom Cruise, dished out constant physical abuse to his associates. One of the key sources in the articles, Mike Rinder, was assigned to deal with me when I wrote a 2005 magazine article about Cruise. A fallen-away Rinder speaking on the record is a big get, as any journalist who has covered Scientology knows. Marty Rathbun is a big name in Scientology circles, too. Both were high-ranking members of the Sea Organization, Scientology’s upper-level staff. Sea Org members commit to the job for one billion years (with breaks provided to accommodate childhood at the beginning of each new incarnation). They live in dorms and are not permitted to have children." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

"On June 28 Litquake proudly presents comedian Lewis Black live and uncensored! This will be his only Bay Area appearance to promote his bestselling book "Me of Little Faith," which has just been released in paperback. In a freewheeling onstage conversation, Black and comedian/radio host Marc Maron will gleefully dissect politics, religion, and other American foolishness. Short audience Q&A and book signing to follow. Proceeds to benefit Litquake literary festival, October 9-17, 2009." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

Like most people, I am not a big fan of online advertising that gets in the way. I especially hate the types of ads that pop up on screen when you try to click through to content you want to read. I can understand that ads are needed to make the money to support a site, but I don’t have to like them. I’m not sure if it’s good news or not, but Google has announced that AdSense is now available for Android and the iPhone. The ads will allow developers of applications to make money off their apps based on website content." - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet

'bout time Goog..., Admob has been stealing your thunder in the mobile space. Thankfully, many of the Admob ads have cancel buttons that hide the ad. I don't think Google will do the same. - Clark Baumgartner

I wonder, will the pictured geeky Blackberriesh Android device ever get to the market? I'm always using this skin in the emulator btw :) - Pavlo Zahozhenko

"This summer again Lindy Hoppers take Union Square by storm, giving local dancers an opportunity to cut a rug in the open air and show off their fancy footwork to onlooking crowds. Lindy Hop in Union Square is a series of free outdoor swing dances that welcomes both current dancers and the general public (i.e. soon-to-be-dancers) to participate!" - 4th Wed. 6-8 p.m, Union Square, SF - Richard Walker *popcorn* via Bookmarklet