November 3rd, 2006
The F-117, the world’s first stealth fighter, is being retired. That site is a great resource and if you want a short history of this fruit of the Skunk Works, follow the “F-117 History” link on the left-hand column. It’s like a cross between The Right Stuff and The X-Files. For instance, there’s this story about one of the first test flights:
Flight test of the Have Blue initially went fairly smoothly, and the fly-by-wire system functioned well. The landing speed was quite high (160 knots), as expected because of the lack of flaps or speed brakes. However, on May 4, 1978, Have Blue prototype number 1001 was landing after a routine test flight when it hit the ground excessively hard, jamming the right main landing gear in a semi-retracted position. Pilot Bill Park pulled the aircraft back into the air, and repeatedly tried to shake the gear back down again. After his third attempt failed, he was ordered to take the aircraft up to 10,000 feet and eject. Park ejected successfully, but he hit his head and was knocked unconscious. Since he was unable to control his parachute during descent or landing, his back was severely injured on impact. He survived, but was forced to retire from flying. The Have Blue aircraft was destroyed in the crash.
It’s amazing stuff.
0 commentsIn Praise of Baywatch
November 3rd, 2006
This story comes courtesy of Galley Sister MAL, who writes:
0 commentsMy favorite part is where Hasselhoff says “I think the secret of its success was that is was always about saving lives, not taking lives.” Hmmm, yes, that was the secret of their success.
Gaming Humor
November 3rd, 2006
This is basically like Chris Rock doing a riff on the difference between Japanime RPG games and first-person shooter titles. I know, that sounds weird and esoteric, but it’s unbelievably funny if you’ve ever spent even 10 minutes on a Playstation.
(Language is not safe for work, so put on your headphones.)
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b8G8delDlk]
0 commentsTonyHomo.com
November 2nd, 2006
Drew Bledsoe’s Blog. Not since Harriet Miers has Blogger proved so valuable.
0 commentsNovember 1st, 2006
Does this guy have the greatest Halloween costume ever?
Yes.
Courtesy of Galley Friend B.W.
0 comments"Brick"–not the movie
November 1st, 2006
But the new Microsoft system update for the Xbox 360.
The fact that Microsoft may have uploaded a buggy system update points out how very different this next generation of game consoles is: The product you buy will change. There will be updates to the software and the hardware over the life of the system. Whereas the Nintendo you bought in 1986 was the same one you would buy in 1988, the system you buy this Christmas will be different from the system you buy in Christmas of 2008. At least the software running the system will change and I suspect that the console makers will be adding bits to the hardware packages–more hard disk space, extra flash or HDMI ports, etc.
This means that (1) new game systems are taking on more and more aspects of PCs; (2) that there may be some incentive to not buy the first iteration of a new systems; and (3) that the life span of the next-gen consoles could be much longer than the life spans of the last couple generations.
0 commentsHappy Halloween
October 31st, 2006
Pajiba has a list of their Favorite Craptastic Horror Films. It’s pretty great.
0 commentsThe Lagging Edge
October 31st, 2006
Have you heard of PCRetro? They sell old and obsolete computers–for less! How do they do it? Volume.
This isn’t a joke, mind you. Have you been wishing you could find the old G4 Mac Mini? They’ve got ’em, for only $499.
How about an old Compaq Deskpro Pentium 3? It’s yours for only $39.95! Hurry, while supplies last.
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