Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser

(via TechEBlog)
Blah, blah this. Blah, blah that. Reading the news some days can just leave you wondering “Where’s the good stories?” Well, unless, of course, you read your daily news here. In which case you’ll be wondering “Can I ever be as awesome as Randy?”

The answer is, no. But you can try. The world certainly needs more people whose awesomeness approaches mine. :)   I kid, I kid.  I’m not awesome – just brilliant!
Now, that out of the way, why in the world am I rambling? Because I just found another frikkin’ story about frikkin’ lasers!!! And you all know I love my frikkin’ lasers, sharks or no.

mthe-laser.jpgMTHEL uses directed energy (laser beam) to intercept aerial targets such as rockets, missiles, artillery shells and other aerial threats. The target destruction is achieved by projecting a highly focused, high-power laser beam, delivered by a chemical laser, with enough energy to affect the target, and explode it in midair. This operational concept is offering the first “reusable” interception element. Existing interceptors use kinetic energy kill vehicles (such as fragmentation warheads), which are not reusable.

Whoa! You had me at destruction.

And those of you looking at that thinking, “That doesn’t look so awesome,” how about if you have to carry it around in one of these:

mthe-carrier.jpg

Yes, sign me up when the order lines open.  Read all about it in Defense-Update’s look back on the MTHEL.  I think if aimed properly, it could even make a tasty batch of popcorn.

[tags]Laser, Mobile Tactical High Energy Laser, Real Genius[/tags]

Take a closer look at OpenBSD with IBM

Looking for a reliable, proven operating system to run mission critical applications on and security is your highest priority? Well, perhaps you should consider putting your trust in OpenBSD, the Unix-style OS built from the ground up with security as its number one priority. Take a look at the features and function of this OS in this write-up from IBM.

OpenBSD is quite possibly the most secure operating system on the planet. Every step of the development process focuses on building a secure, open, and free platform. UNIX® and Linux® administrators take note: Without realizing it, you probably use tools ported from OpenBSD every day. Maybe it’s time to give the whole operating system a closer look.

When security is of the utmost importance, it’s only logical to look to the same operating system that spawned today’s standard in secure remote access, OpenSSH (Open Secure Shell). OpenSSH is just one part of OpenBSD, a distribution that has focused on security from the ground up, accomplishing a goal of creating a UNIX®-like operating system that is secure by default. This stand is in contrast to most operating systems today, which require significant time and energy to harden the environment before going live. In fact, OpenBSD is so secure that it was once banned for use in a DEF CON competition, where crackers go after each other’s systems.

I’ll admit here my failings in the BSD world. I learned Unix on SunOS 4.1, which was berserkley (a term for Berkeley I picked up from a college professor) based, but outside that, I have little exposure to any BSD system. Perhaps it’s time for a VMWare install of one or more BSDs? Anyway, I’ve known about the features of the various BSDs, but haven’t tried installing one in years. The IBM write-up here has just a little bit about the install process, so it’s just the kind of thing to help get you going.

[tags]BSD, OpenBSD, Berkeley Software Distribution[/tags]

Happy Birthday Gary Larson

Yes, that Gary Larson.  The creator of The Far Side comic strip.  Larson was born today in 1950.

“The Far Side” first appeared in the Seattle Times in 1978. It was first syndicated in 1980 by Chronicle Features.

The strip continued until January 1, 1995, when Larson retired from writing the comic.

[tags]Gary Larson. The Far Side, Happy Birthday[/tags]