Friday Links #57
26 Jun 2009Programming Computers
Regular Expression Library – A Silverlight regular expression tester.
“wordwrap” for JavaScript - James Padolsey - This function emulates PHP’s wordwrap.
Using your Personal Computer
10 Useful Firefox Extensions to Supercharge Firebug - Though Firebug is already fully packed with features out of the box, several extensions out there can enhance its utility. In this article, you will find the 10 best Firefox extensions for Firebug that will make your life, as a developer or designer, easier.
Paul Thurrott’s SuperSite for Windows: Microsoft Security Essentials Public Beta – Microsoft’s new security product has been meeting with favorable reviews. Here’s an in depth review of the beta.
Science and the Environment
| [Slashdot Science Story | Spaceport America Begins Construction](http://science.slashdot.org/story/09/06/19/1611233/Spaceport-America-Begins-Construction?from=rss) - After getting their FAA license and securing funding, the 27 s quare mile development project has officially begun. The target date for completion is the end of 2010. |
| [Electric cars seen as killer app for smart grid | Green Tech](http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-10269723-54.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5) - Forward-looking utilities are gearing up to tap into the stored energy that plug-in electric vehicles can provide using smart-grid technology. |
Light Sensor Breakthrough Could Enhance Digital Cameras - New research by a team of University of Toronto scientists could lead to substantial advancements in the performance of a variety of electronic devices including digital cameras.
IBM working on battery breakthrough - IBM announced today that it is developing a next-generation rechargeable battery capable of storing 10 times more energy than today’s top lithium-ion batteries.
| [Strongest Evidence Yet that Saturn’s Moon Has Liquid Water | Popular Science](http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-amp-space/article/2009-06/new-evidence-saturns-moon-has-liquid-water) - In 2005, scientists found the first signs that Saturn’s moon Enceladus might have a salty ocean beneath its icy outer shell. New evidence – based on analysis by the NASA Cassini spacecraft, currently passing near Saturn – reveals a high level of a sodium compound that could indicate the presence of water. |
| [BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | ‘Oldest musical instrument’ found](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8117915.stm) - Scientists in Germany have published details of flutes dating back to the time that modern humans began colonising Europe, 35,000 years ago. |
| [Slashdot Hardware Story | Beamed Space Solar Power Plant To Open In 2016?](http://hardware.slashdot.org/story/09/06/25/138207/Beamed-Space-Solar-Power-Plant-To-Open-In-2016?from=rss) - The Pacific Gas and Electricity Company, per this ‘interview’ with the CEO of Solaren on their affiliated site, announced PG&E;’s plans to buy 200MW of base-load power from a Solaren beamed space solar power plant by 2016.” I wish the skeptic in me would be quiet. |
On the Web
jQuery TOOLS - The missing UI library for the Web - a collection of the most important user-interface components for today’s websites. This single JavaScript file weighs only 5.8 Kb.
| [10 impressive Adobe AIR apps | Webware – CNET](http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10270066-2.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-5) - Since Adobe Systems relaunched its AIR marketplace, I’ve been spending some considerable time there. There are so many great apps, it’s hard to pick just a handful worth talking about. |
Ext - A foundation you can build on – Ext Core is a lightweight, high-performance cross-browser JavaScript library for building dynamic web pages.
jLinq - Javascript Query Language - jLinq is a Javascript library that lets you write queries against arrays of javascript objects. jLinq is completely extensible so you can write your add-ins and they will work with the rest of the framework without any additional programming!
Stuff I just Dig
| [Slashdot Technology Story | Kodak Kills Kodachrome – ](http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/06/22/1921210/Kodak-Kills-Kodachrome?from=rss)Sorry Paul Simon, but some really has taken away your Kodachrome. |
XML Aficionado: Wireless charging… - WildCharge has announced that they will begin shipping their WildCharge Skin for the iPhone in July: the skin is a protective gel cover for the iPhone that also includes the contact module and charges the iPhone once it is placed on the WildCharger Charge Pad.
Map Label on Package – From KK Life Stream - “I thought this was pretty clever. I just received a package from FedEx. On its label was printed a map to my house. So instead of installing a GPS in every truck, FedEx prints out a map label. If the driver can’t find the delivery place, they just look on the package itself. Brilliant!”
Toolmonger » Blog Archive » FYI: Why Tape Measure Claws Move Around – Only a tool geek like me would find this cool. Today a friend asked me a question that the folks at Stanley tell me they hear all the time: why does the claw — you know, the little catch at the end of your short tape measure — move back and forth? Is it just poorly attached? The short answer: no, the loose claw is no accident of manufacture. It’s loose on purpose.
Pick of the Week
Evernote - Take notes? This program organizes notes without getting in your way. Great for TODO lists. My only compliant is that the keyboard shortcuts are a bit odd.