Geeking Out

It seems that limited quantities of their systems have always been a problem for Nintendo. Hopefully the parents getting them for their kids at Zayre in 1985 got them early.
It seems that limited quantities of their systems have always been a problem for Nintendo. Hopefully the parents getting them for their kids at Zayre in 1985 got them early.
23 minutes ago
In 1954 Fredric Wertham published his book Seduction of the Innocent which said comic books were the cause of juvenile delinquency in America. They aren’t, but the idea that comics are dangerous keeps popping up. This time it’...
In 1954 Fredric Wertham published his book Seduction of the Innocent which said comic books were the cause of juvenile delinquency in America. They aren’t, but the idea that comics are dangerous keeps popping up. This time it’s showing itself in the form of a preschool that has banned “Super Hero play.” What’s really offensive, though, is what they’ve asked parents to do. The image of the letter, dated May 17th, was posted to the /r/philadelphia subreddit by user Oremor under the title, “So my son came home and told me make-believe was not allowed at school anymore.” Here’s the full letter. I’ve done a more thorough job of redacting the name of the school and its employees: I used to work in a preschool, and kids get out of hand some times. A popular game kids at my school used to play was “zombie tag” where they would try to eat each other’s brains. We had to tell the kids they were allowed to play anymore because of all the biting, so I understand where the school is coming from on this. If kids are play-fighting as superheroes to the point of hurting each other, then yes — tell them they’re not allowed to do that at school. What I take issue with is the school telling parents, “In addition please monitor the different media that your children may view.” I also take issues with all the spelling, punctuation, and grammar mistakes, but let’s focus on that first thing. Parents should absolutely monitor what their kids are watching, but this letter falls just short of the school telling parents their children aren’t allowed to read or watch superhero stories. That bothers me not just because I love superhero stories, but also because I’m a parent who doesn’t think my child’s school should be dictating how I raise my kid. If I want to sit down with my child and rewatch all of the 90′s X-Men cartoon on Netflix (which I just did) or bring her with me to the comic book store every week, I’m not going to ask her school’s permission. Deciding what games kids can and cannot play while they’re at school is the school’s decision, but don’t tell parents what they’re allowed to show their kids at home. I’ve reached out to both Oremor and the preschool that sent out the letter for comment, and will update the story when I get a response from them. The woman I spoke to at the school told me she didn’t know anything about the letter, and would pass my information along to her supervisor. (via Reddit) Relevant to your interests The NFB of Canada made this school website about Chris Hadfield and space Arguing could lead to better science education Students can learn Java by casting spells and saving gnomes
about 1 hour ago
Great, now I have to change my keyboard to use the Greek alphabet. Sigh. [Source: Formal Sweatpants | Via NA]
Great, now I have to change my keyboard to use the Greek alphabet. Sigh. [Source: Formal Sweatpants | Via NA]
about 1 hour ago
If they remade the animated Flintstones and made it look realistic, would you watch it? [via] RJ Palmer
If they remade the animated Flintstones and made it look realistic, would you watch it? [via] RJ Palmer
about 1 hour ago
Trailrunner7 writes "The Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit has been spearheading botnet takedowns and other anti-cybercrime operations for many years, and it has had remarkable success. But the cybercrime problem isn't going away anytime soo...
Trailrunner7 writes "The Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit has been spearheading botnet takedowns and other anti-cybercrime operations for many years, and it has had remarkable success. But the cybercrime problem isn't going away anytime soon, so the DCU is in the process of building a new cybercrime center here, and soon will roll out a new threat intelligence service to help ISPs and CERT teams get better data about ongoing attacks. Dennis Fisher sat down with TJ Campana, director of security at the DCU, to discuss the unit's work and what threats could be next on the target list." Read more of this story at Slashdot.
about 2 hours ago
Just a few weeks after Cody Wilson and friends successfully fired an instance of their own 3-D printed handgun design, Sparrowvsrevolution writes, "a couple of Wisconsin hobbyist gunsmiths have already managed to adapt Defense Distribute...
Just a few weeks after Cody Wilson and friends successfully fired an instance of their own 3-D printed handgun design, Sparrowvsrevolution writes, "a couple of Wisconsin hobbyist gunsmiths have already managed to adapt Defense Distributed's so-called Liberator firearm and print it on a $1,725 Lulzbot 3D printer, a consumer grade machine that's far cheaper than the industrial quality Stratasys machine Defense Distributed used. They then proceeded to record their cheaper gun (dubbed the 'Lulz Liberator') firing nine .380 rounds without any signs of cracking or melting. Eight of the rounds were fired from a single plastic barrel. (Defense Distributed only fired one through its prototype.) In total, the Lulz Liberator's materials cost around $25 and were printed over just 48 hours." Read more of this story at Slashdot.
about 2 hours ago
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon allows you to pre-oder Star Trek Into Darkness for just $19.99, 50% off the movie’s recommended retail price of $39.99. -Star Trek Into Darkness (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) &#...
For today’s edition of Deal of the Day, Amazon allows you to pre-oder Star Trek Into Darkness for just $19.99, 50% off the movie’s recommended retail price of $39.99. -Star Trek Into Darkness (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) – 39.99 $19.99 (50% Off) And for the big fans of the franchise, there’s also this very cool limited edition gift set, which includes a collectible screen authentic version of the Starfleet phaser, a display stand, and the Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack of the movie for $79.99 plus free shipping.
about 2 hours ago
This promo for ABC proved that even when the stars were off camera they lived glamorous and care free lives. I would like to see them go offset and unwind like I do, sitting on the couch, watching reruns and … Continue reading →
This promo for ABC proved that even when the stars were off camera they lived glamorous and care free lives. I would like to see them go offset and unwind like I do, sitting on the couch, watching reruns and … Continue reading →
about 2 hours ago
Today marks the official announcement of the new Xbox 720 Durango Infinity… you know what, the technical name is kind of immaterial, and we’ll all have an official one for it in just a few hours when the big reveal kicks off ...
Today marks the official announcement of the new Xbox 720 Durango Infinity… you know what, the technical name is kind of immaterial, and we’ll all have an official one for it in just a few hours when the big reveal kicks off at 1 pm ET/10 am ET. Join us for the launch and watch the live stream to learn more about the latest console you can’t afford to buy but probably will anyway. We don’t have a live stream for you to watch right now, but we will closer to go time. Until then, please accept this video of red pandas playing in the snow and know that the second we are able to embed a live stream of the big event here, we will do just that. What do we know so far? Well, it looks like the dreaded “always on” feature was nixed in development, delaying work on the even more dreaded “constantly watching you” feature, which now won’t be implemented until the Xbox Five Zillion is implanted into your frontal cortex in 2019. The company has been more cagey about whether or not the new system will play used games. We’ll be much happier campers when that rumor gets put to rest at this afternoon’s press conference. And if it’s confirmed by the announcement instead? Well, I guess…riot? Sure, why not. On a more hopeful note, what are you hoping to see announced about the new console on the block? Personally, I’m still holding out hope for a cup holder attachment so my controller can double as a beer coozy. (via Xbox.com) Relevant to your interests There is news about the system we like… …and there are rumors we don’t. Either way, the Pizza Hut Xbox App abides
about 3 hours ago
walterbyrd writes "In 2012, IBM started retiring the Lotus brand. Now 1-2-3, the core product that brought Lotus its fame, takes its turn on the chopping block. IBM stated, 'Effective on the dates listed below, [June 11, 2013] IBM will w...
walterbyrd writes "In 2012, IBM started retiring the Lotus brand. Now 1-2-3, the core product that brought Lotus its fame, takes its turn on the chopping block. IBM stated, 'Effective on the dates listed below, [June 11, 2013] IBM will withdraw from marketing part numbers from the following product release(s) licensed under the IBM International Program License Agreement:' IBM Lotus 123 Millennium Edition V9.x, IBM Lotus SmartSuite 9.x V9.8.0, and Organizer V6.1.0. Further, IBM stated, 'Customers will no longer be able to receive support for these offerings after September 30, 2014. No service extensions will be offered. There will be no replacement programs.'" Read more of this story at Slashdot.
about 3 hours ago