Here’s a rundown of the most read, most popular, most awesome articles on the web. Take a look at what you missed the first time around or check up on an old favorite to see the conversation in the comments. Keep checking out the Lead at www.ecnmag.com and follow us on Twitter @ecnonline for our most up-to-date articles.
1. The 10-letter keyboard that will make your head hurt
By Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor
The ASETNIOP keyboard works on the premise that the traditional setup for typing is structurally inefficient, You really only need 10 buttons to type, so this peculiar board includes only the primary keys ASET and NIOP plus two additional space buttons. The user has to use combinations of fingerpresses or “chords” to produce the other 18 letters.
https://bit.ly/SXye6k
2. Declassified documents describe real-life flying saucer
By Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor
The good news: Declassified government documents describe a secret military aircraft that bears a striking resemblance to a UFO. The bad news: The proof-of-concept vehicle had a flight ceiling of three feet and was cancelled after three years.
https://bit.ly/RyIUUn
3. Early look at Windows 8 baffles consumers
By Peter Svensson, AP Technology writer, Associated Press
The Microsoft Windows 8 platform is about to hit stores and consumers are already confused by the new interface. While the company is attempting to make an intuitive platform for their new Surface windows tablet, the users seem to be struggling a bit.
https://bit.ly/Y3uLlK
4. Company develops device that fools red-light cameras
By Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor
Red-light cameras are a hot-button issue that finds safety concerns facing off with constitutional rights. If you’re concerned about the government tracking your license plate, noLimits Enterprises has designed a device that prevents the camera from reading your plate by overexposing the image via lights on the frame.
https://bit.ly/S1fQo4
5. Is a pacemaker capable of mass murder?
By Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor
The issue of medical device security is a hot one. Because of the very low level of security on medical implants and equipment, the devices are vulnerable to malware and hacking. Barnaby Jack, an IOActive researcher at the BreakPoint Security Conference in Melbourne, Australia, demonstrated that he could reverse-engineer a pacemaker to change from a life-saver to a weapon.
https://bit.ly/RWzQbr
6. Kits for Kids
By Jon Titus, Technical Contributor
Each year the holidays seem to arrive sooner than expected, leaving parents of young people interested in science and technology scrambling for gift ideas. This column provides some cool kit suggestions that will keep your kids busy and your holidays peaceful.
https://bit.ly/QVl2wi
7. Could this “shocking” technology save 12 billion dollars a year?
By Kasey Panetta, Associate Editor
One of the biggest threats to the health of immobile patients is bedsores. To counter this problem, researchers created Smart-E-Pants, which contain an electronic system that essentially shocks the wearer’s muscles, causing them to contract and prevent the bed sores from developing.
https://bit.ly/R9GP15
8. Preparing for the wrong catastrophe
By M. Simon
M. Simon points to a study reporting global warming has plateaued as proof that we might be preparing for the wrong climate disaster.
https://bit.ly/REYmxC
9. Companies should use caution when using unpopular puzzle interviews
By Eurekalert!
This Eurekalert! piece delves into the pros and cons of complicated puzzle questions that often show up in technology or engineering job interviews. The short answer? They can alienate good candidates with their apparent disconnect to the actual job.
https://bit.ly/PvTX4s
10. F-35 to make Hollywood debut in Superman flick
By Jason Lomberg, Technical Editor
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — the oft-delayed, oft-maligned, “backbone of America’s tactical aviation fleet” — is set to make its big-screen debut in the Superman reboot, Man of Steel.
https://bit.ly/TfU70N
