Holloween and Death by Invention

Al, Lindsey, Alex, and Lyle (back after two weeks) do the GeekNews of the week.

MacBook Pros: First typed letter missing when typing

Apple has apparently acknowledged an issue with some MacBook Pros where the first typed letter in a new text field is sometimes missing. For instance, when filling out a Web-based form, typing the word “dog” in an address field may result in only “og” being typed. A description from one poster to Apple’s Discussion Boards reads (in a thread amusingly titled “ELP! – first letter always missing!”):

About Founder Dating | Founder Dating

FounderDating aims to bring together super talented entrepreneurs with different backgrounds and skill sets to start innovative new companies.

All too often you know people with similar backgrounds and skills sets to your own. We help you find co-founders with complimentary skill sets.

How to Become a Geek - Halloween

A geek is someone who has lots of knowledge. If you become one, you may be bullied and could be the shame of school.

So jump the fence of mediocrity and become a member of the Higher Plane.

The 13 Best Geek Halloween Costumes

Still looking for the perfect Halloween costume that really expresses your interests? Well, if you’re looking for something nerdy, geeky or dorky, we’ve got you covered with this ultimate guide to geeky Halloween costumes.

Pumpkin Me - Carve a pumpkin

Carve your own virtual pumpkin

Knitted Skeleton

Ben Cuevas knitted a realistic human skeleton. He calls the project “Transcending the Material”, and made it while in an art collective called the Wassaic Project. There are eleven more pictures at the link. The level detail on the vertebrae is amazing.

Alien Charger - Alien umbilical cord iPhone charger

Japanese artist Mio I-zawa certainly has a rather strange sense of humor, coming up with this alien umbilical cord iPhone charger that might just gross certain quarters out. It seems to measure around 2 feet in length, where it will come in a kinked shape as well as featuring pinky-blue veins for added effect. Good thing it isn’t slathered in faux blood, or it might just prove to be too much to stomach. One end will be connected to a power outlet, while the other will look as though it was swallowing your iPhone as it delivers essential nutrients – electricity in this case to the handset. We think we’re gonna throw up.

Gummi bears circumvent security controls!

A NSW high school has installed “secure” fingerprint scanners for roll call, which savvy kids may be able to circumvent with sweets from their lunch box.
The system replaces the school’s traditional sign-in system with biometric readers that require senior students to have their fingerprints read to verify attendance.

But a litany of fingerprint scanners have fallen victim to bypass methods, many of which are explained publicly in detail on the internet. The hacks could potentially be used by students to make replicas of their own fingerprints, or lift those of others from imprints left on the reader.

Robot 'Hands' Write Without Fingers

It turns out that opposable thumbs aren’t critical for getting a good grip. Neither are fingers. Scientists have created a robotic arm that can do everything from serve drinks to draw pictures even though it has no digits.

Student Arrested for Jailbreaking Game Consoles

A Southern California man was taken into custody Monday on accusations of running a home business of jailbreaking videogame consoles so they can play pirated games.

Inventors Killed by Their Inventions

Seven inventors and scientists whose deaths were associated with their invention or discovery.

R2-D2 jack-o'-lantern

Images of the R2D2 jack-o’-lantern are on Noel Dickover’s site, Fantasy Pumpkins, which also includes a tutorial on how to carve your very own Death Star pumpkin.

Speakeasy - DSL Speed Test

Easy online tool for testing speed

RC Helicopter

Listener called and showed another “you are a geek if”.

Tango VIdeo Calling

Better video calling over 3G