December 2009 - skunkworks - Skunkworks Site

OT: Building a sentinel
by Peter Karunyu 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

Last night I was watching the matrix movies, got to thinking of how one would build a sentinel (disturbing picture attached), here are the general obstacles: 1. Autonomous mobility, both flying and walking 2. Able to "see" and "hear" much much better than humans 3. Wireless communication with central control, to receive updated instructions 4. Weapons, mainly a high density laser able to cut through metal, or sharp tentacles to cut through human tissue 5. Self termination, able to use its energy to power another machine and in the process "kill" itself 6. Able to become part of a swarm and thus act as a member of a group 7. Susceptible to EMP 8. Able to have a primary objective; search and destroy or just explode, but which can change at any time on instructions from main control 9. Able to come up with a strategy based on real life scenario, e.g. best method of attack 10. Easy to mass produce So, what technology is missing to build one? 1. Autonomous mobility, both flying and walking - borrow from aircraft autopilot, HRP-4C, 2. Able to "see" and "hear" much much better than humans 3. Wireless communication with central control, to receive updated instructions - borrow from mars rover 4. Weapons, mainly a high density laser able to cut through metal, or sharp tentacles to cut through human tissue - armed robots guarding korean borders? 5. Self termination, able to use its energy to power another machine and in the process "kill" itself 6. Able to become part of a swarm and thus act as a member of a group 7. Susceptible to EMP 8. Able to have a primary objective; search and destroy or just explode, but which can change at any time on instructions from main control 9. Able to come up with a strategy based on real life scenario, e.g. best method of attack - DARPA Grand Challenge? 10. Easy to mass produce - Japan?

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Selecting parent and child from db in php
by Calvin Omari 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

Hi Techies, I have an issue but I know its not big for techies there php gurus out there, am doing a site to search for stuff like if the upper select is vehicle/car make the next one should be model The problem is this; somebody selects a toyota as a car make then the car model should be the line of toyota i.e corolla, premio etc and not subaru's model imprezza... etc anybody with an idea please I will be grateful Rgds Calvin

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google chrome for linux beta out
by Gituma Nturibi 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

for those interested- http://www.google.com/chrome/intl/en/w00t.html

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Javascript Fx
by Ukang'a Dickson 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

Checkout http://www.3site.eu/examples/liquid/ , Javascript and some math Regards Ukang'a Dickson skype: ukangadickson mobile: +254 720395121

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Telkom to delay there 3G roll out
by Calvin Omari 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

Telkom have delayed there 3g roll out untill the cck scraps the 25metres licence fee he he he

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(no subject)
by Johnny Tsunami 11 Dec '09

11 Dec '09

-- ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. John Onami Website Developer Jinkas Technologies Experience Real Time IT Office 020823014 0721 672753 0738 227229 Greensview Building 2nd Flr Client portal : www.jinkas.com

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Unsolicited mobile services
by Billy 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

I received a text message from 2248 short code that i have joined a service that I never registered for and that I'll be charged sh20 per day. Calling safaricom they tell me there's nothing they can do and that i have to call the providers of the service to be deactivated - of course the number isnt going through. Anyone else received this? There used to be a number to report such things anyone remember the number? -Billy

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Emergency freebie DNS service?
by Steve Muchai 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

Hi all, For the nth time, the idiots running DNS for a domain of mine have screwed up (I know they're lurking on the list, shame on them), and it's off the map. Urgently need someone to provide DNS service for a few days as I sort myself out. Please contact me offlist and I'll send you the zone file to set up, then we can make the necessary changes at KENIC afterwards. Thanks in advance. Regards, Steve -- Sent from my socks®

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Samsung in Kenya
by Murigi Muraya 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

Where are the Samsung offices in Kenya? What are their phone numbers? Who are their phone distributors (in addition to Fone Express)?

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Definition of Broadband
by Victor Maina 10 Dec '09

10 Dec '09

Good afternoon, I personally believe its great we are finally getting good speeds and reduction (finally) of INTERNET prices in Nairobi (and hopefully the rest of Kenya & the wider EAC market). However, I would like to pose a question to the members of this list. Almost every ISP in the land is marketing their service as "*broadband*" hence my question. What are the benchmark performance metrics that qualify a service as broadband? Food for thought. -- Best regards, Victor Maina. No such thing as being lucky, you always make your own luck. Anonymous

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