512 Pixels

Sponsor: World War Hack →

⌘ Permalink

Inspired by true events, World War Hack is a graphic novel that tells the story of how the U.S. Government gathers top computer hackers from around the country, under the guise of a hacking competition, to unknowingly help solve a pressing national security crisis. Little does the government know that eighteen-year-old hacker, Wyatt Dyer, is both the cause and solution to their crisis.

As a special for the readers of 512 Pixels, you can preview the first full chapter online for free. Pre-order before May 6 and you’ll also receive free shipping.

Fourteen Ways to Celebrate the Apple II’s 35th Birthday

⌘ Permalink

Harry McCracken:

You probably weren’t paying attention when a tiny company called Apple Computer introduced its second product, the Apple II microcomputer, at the West Coast Computer Faire on April 16 and 17, 1977. (I wasn’t.) You may never have owned an Apple II. (I didn’t.) But it’s still easy to get fascinated by the machine and its legacy. (I sure am.) And there are many ways to explore its world — many of which you can do without getting out of the chair you’re sitting in right now, thanks to the Web.

via @applespotlight

A Lack of Interest

⌘ Permalink

Amy Gahran at CNN:

Even though the Internet has become a key tool for accessing services, getting an education, finding jobs, getting the news, keeping up with people you know and much more, one in five U.S. adults still does not use the Internet at all, according to a new Pew report.

Why? Mostly they’re just not interested – not in the Web, e-mail, YouTube, Facebook or anything else that happens online.

From the report:

More recent research by the Pew Internet Project has shown that among current non-internet users, almost half (48%) say the main reason they don’t go online now is because they don’t think the internet is relevant to them—often saying they don’t want to use the internet and don’t need to use it to get the information they want or conduct the communication they want. About one in five (21%) mention price-related reasons, and a similar number cite usability issues (such as not knowing how to go online or being physically unable to). Only 6% say that a lack of access or availability is the main reason they don’t go online.

Ads Coming to Facebook Feed [Updated]

⌘ Permalink

Ed Oswald, PCWorld:

Get ready for advertising in your Facebook news feed. The company has launched Facebook Offers, which aims to bring Groupon-like deals to users of the social networking site. Facebook will roll out the functionality to page owners gradually over the next few months.

I hope no one is surprised by this. Facebook is free to use because advertisers pay for views.

Update: According to The Next Web, this has actually been around for several months.

Farewell, Shuttle Carrier Aircrafts

⌘ Permalink

Robert Pearlman at Space.com:

Now an iconic craft in its own right, with more than 800 flights in service to NASA, the original of two SCAs will embark on the first of its final ferry flights next week. Known as NASA 905, referring to its tail number, the 747 will deliver space shuttle Discovery to Washington, D.C. on April 17 for public display by the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

That ferry flight will be followed a week later by another, carrying the jet’s original passenger, the test orbiter Enterprise, to New York for the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum. Finally, this fall, NASA 905 will bring shuttle Endeavour to Los Angeles for the spacecraft’s exhibition at the California Science Center.

Seriously, is there anything more badass than a 747 with a space shuttle strapped to its back?