Fantasist's Scroll

Gear for the soldier of the future.

First, the US Army Landwarrior program is getting an upgrade to Linux. According to this article on National Defense Magazine, they’ve decided that Linux is cheaper and more reliable than a Windoze solution. Cool. Open Source soldiers.

Second, this article on Australian IT, about a “power glove” meant to give emergency personnel information they can use to be better and more effective. It’s small, light and modular. The system uses wireless communication to link all the parts together without useing wires! And, it has a helmet with a camera!!

Go, read, think, write about it.

That’s how it was described to me once.

When I asked an electrician I knew to explain to me why electricity didn’t fall out of the outlets if there wasn’t a plug to stop it, he gave me some story about how electrity flows like water. Well, now, according to this article on the BBC, electricity may flow from water. It’s not hydro-electric power plants, but it is electricity generated from the flow of water. Fascinating and new, so no one knows what the implications are yet. Perfect fodder for a near-future science-fiction story!

This is the second new script.

Last week, I re-released my Conlang Word Generator in a limited version. This week, I’ve added a variation on that generator. This version lets you use your own source lexicon! So, if you wanted to make more words that were similar to your own, hand-crafted conlang, all you have to do is copy and paste words from that conlang into the input section and click the button. Presto! More words in the same style as your conlang. Or, at least, similar to your conlang. So, now, you don’t need to rely on my choice of datasets. Go have fun!

Wow, they’re really on this!

Here’s another article on war in space. This article on the Oakland Tribune site is about a high-powered laser that they’re developing into a weapon. So, we may have Star Wars yet! (The government program, not the movie, you goof.)

That’s the next military frontier.

Or, at least, according to this article on the Sydney Morning Herald it is. Experts in the article indicate that the increasing value of our satellites, and other space-based resources, mean that the next big, battle frontier will be in outer space. That and the fact that the Chinese have sent an astronaut into space. Exciting times. Is it science-fiction, or science-fact? The future is now.

even in the world of genetics.

Two stories here, linked only by the underlying science of genetics. First, from Wired News, a story about the quest to regenerate lost or damaged body-parts. In humans! Now this has been around for a bit, but it seems like they’re getting somewhere for a change. Let’s hope so. I really like the idea of being able to grow my own replacement parts instead of harvesting organs from clones. Ick.

And, another story in the “have a heart” deparment, also from Wired News, about how genetics really do determine our sexual orientation. So, let’s lighten up a little, hunh? To paraphrase Popeye, we are what we are and that’s all that we are. In any case, it’s a bit of proof that we are wired to be like we are sexually. Of course, we’re complicated creatures, so that can get diverted and changed, but, still, the basis is still there in the genes.

They’re bringing him back for his 40th anniversary!

No, really, a new Dr. Who series is going to be done for the BBC. For those of you who are big geeks like me, you already know who Dr. Who is. For those of you who don’t… Well, it’s about time you were educated.
Though it’s hard for me to believe that the Good Doctor has been around for fourty years, he apparently has. And, he’s still popular enough that BBC1 will be airing a new series based on the classic series. The series was about an immortal, time-travelling, space travelling alien who was out to protect the universe from any and all baddies. At his disposal to aid in this duty were the TARDIS and his sonic screwdriver, among other toys. And, of course, his ever-faithful humanoid companions. (Not all of them were actually humans from Earth.) Oh, the memories this brings back!
You can read more about this at the Official BBC Dr. Who Website.

The most ancient of trees.

Okay, so they’re “new” trees, but of a variety that’s been around since the Jurassic. And, soon, you’ll be able to own one. Yep, that’s right. According to this article on BBC News, in 2005 trees that were cultivated from these most ancient of trees will go on sale. According to their growers, they’re slow growing and love the shade, so they’re perfect for patios. Or, dinosaur paddocks.
Okay, this just struck me as funny. I mean I hear all this talk about the extinction of species and here are these trees that we thought died out over 175 million years ago going strong. Makes you wonder a bit, doesn’t it? Maybe it’s Mankind that’s the temporary thing and the plants and bugs that are just waiting for us to die off again. Anyway, it just tickles my funny bone when I think about the “latest thing” being ancient trees. Fun stuff.