four stars, two cars...

Grok Headline matches for four stars, two cars...

a moon full of stars and astral cars

a moon full of stars and astral cars 12/02/2003 01:07 AM
I made some more progress on the rewrite today. It's not as much as I'd hoped for, but I've got a lot of plates spinning, and this juggling bear keeps dropping his balls. Stupid bear. I did some searching of that knot, and explored the strange ambivalence I had when Jonathan asked me about my sketch comedy. Here's the 1.7a version of that stuff:

Tow Truck Drivers Push Cars into
Tow-Away Zone then hold cars for ransom

Tow Truck Drivers Push Cars into
Tow-Away Zone then hold cars for ransom 03/22/2005 04:59 PM
Mark Frauenfelder: Tian says: "On March 7th, I took photos of a tow truck driver that damages a vehicle then tries to get away in Phoenix.

Sunday night (March 20th), Phoenix news channel 15 used a bait car and discovered that local tow truck company(s) would actually push cars into tow-away zone first, then held the cars as "hostages" for ransom."

I just watched it. The TV crew set up a white SUV as a bait car, and parked it legally. Time and time again, tow trucks would push the car into a red zone, snap a photo, and tow it away. Of course, when the TV crew showed the owner of the tow truck company how his drivers had pushed the car into the red lane, the owner denied responsibility. "I didn't push it," he said.

Arizona lawmakers have been half-heartedly writing legislation to stop this (isn't it illegal to do this already) but the tow truck has so far been able to convince them not to ruin the good thing they've got going. Link to RealMedia file. The segment starts about 20:15 into the broadcast.

"technology makes new cars too expensive
to repair, which may lead to disposable
cars"

"technology makes new cars too expensive
to repair, which may lead to disposable
cars" 04/21/2004 10:19 AM

When cars fly

When cars fly 09/01/2004 04:07 AM
David Pescovitz: It's time again for the mainstream media's semi-annual report on flying cars of the future. Guess what! According to this Associated Press article, we're still decades away from George Jetson-style jaunts. (Surprise!)

The problem is, those ideas have generally required both a lot of money and the skills of a trained pilot. And melding cars and planes hasn't always been very successful.

"When you try to combine them you get the worst of both worlds: a very heavy, slow, expensive vehicle that's hard to use," said Mark Moore, who heads the personal air vehicle division of the vehicle systems program at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va.

Link

Fun with rc-cars

Fun with rc-cars 03/19/2003 10:26 PM
So, last fall we bought some pretty expensive radio-controlled cars, and we decided to bring one of them out again...

Sirius gets into new cars

Sirius gets into new cars 03/23/2005 08:13 PM
Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz are plugging the satellite radio service into dashboards on 2005 models.

Electric Cars that Pay

Electric Cars that Pay 07/29/2004 07:01 PM
Giving back to the grid... looks like the idea that AC Propulsion has of empowering owners of electric cars to send energy back into the grid (like wind and solar consumers) is getting noticed.

NYT On Flying Cars

NYT On Flying Cars 09/26/2004 03:29 PM

PCs should get out of cars and walk
alone

PCs should get out of cars and walk
alone 01/02/2005 09:36 PM
The Times Jan 2 2005 11:25PM GMT

Are New Cars Too Expensive To Fix?

Are New Cars Too Expensive To Fix? 04/19/2004 01:30 AM
With all the expensive safety equipment, electronics, sensors and gadgets in new cars, it's getting to the point where it's increasingly less reasonable to fix them if they've been in an accident. The article includes an example story of a relatively new BMW that was flipped: despite a lack of serious structural damage, the car was considered totaled by the insurance company, in large part due to the cost of replacing all six airbags (including the sensors and pyrotechnics) that went off in the accident. Even fancier lighting is causing problems. Xenon headlights have become quite popular among thieves - but can cost thousands of dollars to replace, especially when additional body damage is done by the thief. Some are even saying that we're creating "disposable" cars that are simply too expensive to repair when things go wrong.

counterfeit cars?

counterfeit cars? 03/23/2005 05:26 PM
At the CCC, we're dedicated to putting an end to the victimization associated with purchasing a counterfeit MINI Cooper.

Etech05: Cars

Etech05: Cars 03/17/2005 03:50 AM

(Etech05: Cars, originally uploaded by etech)

Something folks have been talking about for months now: a mac mini embedded in a car dash, running an entertainment OS

Cars as Investments

Cars as Investments 04/12/2004 02:20 PM
Don't count on becoming rich by buying cars -- they're not great money-makers.

Stars of Wonder

Stars of Wonder 12/25/2003 12:48 AM
Your sky is a virtual planetarium program from Fourmilab. "You can produce maps in the forms described below for any time and date, viewpoint, and observing location. "

Web Stars: Best of the Web

Web Stars: Best of the Web 01/17/2004 10:48 PM
Web Stars: Best of the Web by Josh Taylor
http ://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,113745,00.asp

Where should you go for news, research, shopping, and more? We compare Goliaths of the Web to lesser-known upstarts--and discover some surprising results. The Web has been around long enough that even the most adventuresome surfer might end up in a rut, always using the same sites to get work done. So we put up the periscope to scan for the best newcomers and compared them to the Net's stalwarts. In each category, one site emerged as the Best Bet--but that shouldn't dissuade you from exploring the other contenders, all of which offer innovative and useful features you won't find anywhere else.

STARS

STARS 06/08/2004 06:57 PM
New Developer: Tong Zhang

When it comes to the computerization of
cars, keep it simple

When it comes to the computerization of
cars, keep it simple 04/10/2004 12:38 PM
National Post Apr 10 2004 5:07PM GMT

Time Sharing Cars

Time Sharing Cars 12/30/2004 11:56 PM
Slashdot Dec 31 2004 2:57AM GMT

A Sweet Way to Fuel Cars

A Sweet Way to Fuel Cars 06/21/2004 01:17 AM
New York Times Jun 21 2004 5:48AM GMT

Pixar "Cars" Stalled: So What?

Pixar "Cars" Stalled: So What? 12/27/2004 03:37 PM
Does the delayed release of the next Pixar film matter? Nope.

Cars are getting computer-jacked

Cars are getting computer-jacked 03/25/2005 04:55 PM
Whether for safety or entertainment, there is now a lot of computing power parked in your driveway.

Backing into cleaner cars?

Backing into cleaner cars? 03/23/2005 11:07 PM
And now, for some good news about the fight against global warming. No, really.

Teched-Out Cars Bug Drivers

Teched-Out Cars Bug Drivers 06/29/2004 05:45 AM
As car companies compete for buyers, they add more and more electronics to their offerings. But with the advances come the bugs. By Julia Scheeres.

The cost of depreciating cars

The cost of depreciating cars 01/06/2005 04:37 AM
Some new cars lose more than three-quarters of their value within three years, Which? magazine says.

Photos: Hot cars in the city

Photos: Hot cars in the city 03/23/2005 07:45 AM
At the New York International Auto Show, car enthusiasts will get a look at the latest computerized dashboards and more.

New cars are getting too expensive to
fix | csmonitor.com

New cars are getting too expensive to
fix | csmonitor.com 04/20/2004 04:36 AM
New Cars Are Getting Too Expensive To Fix .. this Christian-Science Monitor article .. Work & Money

csmonitor.com/2004/0419/p13s02-wmgn.html
track this site | 5 links

Time Sharing Cars

Time Sharing Cars 12/30/2004 10:04 PM

Toyota's Digital Hub for Cars

Toyota's Digital Hub for Cars 09/22/2004 04:23 PM

Toyota is showing off their new "Toyota Hub" at the Mondial de l'Automobile this weekend, a centrally-linked integrated system that orients around a removable PDA, connecting together the PDA, cell phones, MP3 players, and cameras into an all-in-one system that intelligently uses the car itself for things like sound and tactile interface. The best part? This isn't just a concept system - Toyota plans on offering it as an option as soon as next month.

If anyone happens to pick up a car with the system we'd love to hear what you think of it.

Read - Le Hub Toyota: pour un monde de servies [SorobanGeeks]

Related
Toyta Archives [Gizmodo]

Cars That Show Emotion

Cars That Show Emotion 07/26/2004 05:31 AM
Anthropomorphic cars usually only exist in TV shows like Knight Rider or 'Herbie Goes ______' movies . Though drivers can expres s their feelings with after-market car accessories (or various hand signals to indicate their true feelings), real cars have not been able to express themselves -- until now. With US 6,757,593, inventors at Toyota have claimed the rights to cars that can show a variety of different emotions by wagging antennas, crying tears, raising eyebrows, etc. The car itself determines what emotions to show using software that records some user input along with road conditions and driving behavior. While this all sounds cute and amusing, I'm not sure I'd want my car to be showing a guilty smile the next time I'm caught speeding.

Classic Cars At MotorCities

Classic Cars At MotorCities 07/30/2004 01:26 PM
Interested in classic cars? Interested in classic car auctions? Okay, check out MotorCities at http://www.motorcities.com . There's a lot to see here. On the front page you'll find in an...

Flying Cars Ready To Take Off

Flying Cars Ready To Take Off 04/18/2005 11:09 AM

Drivers Want Code to Their Cars

Drivers Want Code to Their Cars 05/31/2004 05:26 AM
Today's cars have 1,000 times more computing horsepower than the moon rocket. But automakers resist letting car owners access diagnostic tools. Why? Because dealers can charge $100 just to turn off the Check Engine light. By Julia Scheeres.

Ban The iPod, Save Our Cars

Ban The iPod, Save Our Cars 07/30/2004 12:11 PM
According to this short article, an organized crime group that stole dozens of expensive luxury cars via identity theft, stored all of their documents and info on an iPod. They probably figured police wouldn't bother to check if there was anything other than music on it. I assume this isn't the type of usage that Apple will be promoting any time soon, but certainly adds some additional weight to the idea that the INDUCE Act should outlaw the iPod. Hell, if P2P is inducing people to (gasp!) share music, the iPod is a hell of a lot worse. It's being used to steal cars. It's a good thing Senator Hatch and Senator Leahy are working to save us from this threat. After all, as Senator Leahy so eloquently stated last week in an explanation for why P2P must be banned: "We have to understand that some people use P2P technology in ways that are wrong and illegal." Obviously, that should apply to the iPod as well. We have to understand that these people used iPods in ways that are wrong and illegal. Ban the iPod! Save our cars!

Breeding Race Cars to Win

Breeding Race Cars to Win 06/18/2004 04:58 AM
Horse breeders do it, so why can't car designers? A team of British researchers is using genetic algorithms run inside computers to 'evolve' better race-car designs to win Formula One races. In simulations the cars kick ass, but what about on real tracks? By Michelle Delio.

Green Cars Strive to End Oil Era

Green Cars Strive to End Oil Era 05/26/2004 06:11 AM
Students and carmakers gather to show off their alternative-fuel vehicles, and with gas prices on the rise again, more drivers are paying attention. John Gartner reports from Trenton, New Jersey.

IBM works to help cars diagnose
themselves

IBM works to help cars diagnose
themselves 04/11/2005 11:05 PM
System alerts driver to a potential malfunction, thereby giving the owner a chance to nip the problem in the bud.

Near Miss For Electric Cars

Near Miss For Electric Cars 09/16/2004 04:43 PM
Wired News Sep 16 2004 7:55PM GMT

Why flying cars won't work

Why flying cars won't work 04/18/2005 11:14 AM
Blog: Flying cars are starting to appear on our, ah, radar screens once again. We featured them in an article last...

The Future of Cars According to Toyota

The Future of Cars According to Toyota 05/25/2004 01:29 PM

Grok Description matches for four stars, two cars...
GrokA matches for four stars, two cars...

Pac Man grenade

Pac Man grenade 03/25/2005 06:33 AM
Cory Doctorow: There's lots to like at LA's I Am 8 Bit show, but the Pac Man Grenade is really tops. Link (via JWZ)

Man admits to grenade in luggage

Man admits to grenade in luggage 04/05/2005 07:05 AM
A man has admitted bringing a hand grenade to Gatwick airport with intent to endanger life.

Army Tests Grenade Bot

Army Tests Grenade Bot 03/30/2005 07:31 AM

DefenseTech shows us the newest unmanned ground vehicle from the Army, this one featuring electrically-firing barrels featuring as many as four 40 mm grenades each. This variant of the Talon UGV blasted through a slew of mock opponents and there's video to prove it, available to you, the taxpayer. I think we can all accept a few more pot holes in our roads and a few less meals on the table if we get explodo robot circuses.

Grenade Bot Blasts Away [DefenseTech]

Homemade astrolabes and such

Homemade astrolabes and such 12/04/2003 08:22 PM
Nice gallery of a hobbyist's efforts to reproduce ancient scientific instruments. I love the astrolabes. Link (via Making Light)

Homemade Tank

Homemade Tank 12/31/2004 01:21 AM

Home Made Tank: This is a truly awesome video. Sidebar content may be questionable, perhaps NSFW.

This is very cool! A couple of guys actually build a home made tank and cruise around some field. Huge amount of horsepower check out how fast this thing moves!

If anyone has more information on this thing, do tell.

Woman Looking for Cat Finds Fake Grenade
(AP)

Woman Looking for Cat Finds Fake Grenade
(AP) 09/22/2004 06:55 PM
AP - A woman looking for a cat in an abandoned house came across what appeared to be a grenade dangling from the ceiling of a room and apparently rigged to explode if someone came through a window, a State Police sergeant said Wednesday.

Commentary: RealNetworks lobs another
grenade

Commentary: RealNetworks lobs another
grenade 08/17/2004 11:26 AM
Discount-priced songs and Harmony software will propel the company from nowhere to second place in downloads--and shake up the digital music business along the way.

Live grenade handed in to police

Live grenade handed in to police 04/04/2005 10:40 AM
A mother who found a live hand grenade on a Highland beach takes it to a police office in her child's pushchair.

Didgeridoo launches grenade alert

Didgeridoo launches grenade alert 05/17/2004 07:21 AM
A train driver caused two security alerts on the same day when he mistook a didgeridoo player for a terrorist.

Soldiers, PC injured in grenade attack

Soldiers, PC injured in grenade attack 05/15/2004 03:48 PM
Sri Lanka Sunday Times May 15 2004 7:48PM GMT

Basra grenade injures UK troops

Basra grenade injures UK troops 05/09/2004 07:29 AM
Three British soldiers have been injured in a grenade attack in Basra, the Ministry of Defence says.

Homemade Power Mac G5 Cube

Homemade Power Mac G5 Cube 12/17/2003 10:51 AM
A Japanese Mac enthusiast has posted details and photos from the process of building his own Power Mac G5-style Cube out of older Power Mac G4 Cube innards...

"Homemade Bottle Cap Tripod"

"Homemade Bottle Cap Tripod" 07/22/2004 02:54 AM

Homemade Hypercube Case

Homemade Hypercube Case 12/26/2004 07:09 PM

Grenade Attack on Job Seekers Wounds 17
Iraqis

Grenade Attack on Job Seekers Wounds 17
Iraqis 06/05/2004 10:18 AM
Reuters via Wired News Jun 5 2004 1:44PM GMT

Colombia Grenade Attack Kills 4, Wounds
15 (AP)

Colombia Grenade Attack Kills 4, Wounds
15 (AP) 05/21/2004 01:08 AM
AP - A grenade exploded in a small plaza in Medellin on Thursday night, killing at least four people and wounding 15, police said.

U.S. Soldier Dies in Iraq Grenade Attack
(AP)

U.S. Soldier Dies in Iraq Grenade Attack
(AP) 01/25/2004 04:10 AM
AP - Insurgents fired a rocket propelled grenade at a Bradley fighting vehicle that was on patrol in central Iraq, killing a U.S. soldiers, a military spokeswoman said Sunday.

Grenade Found at Canada Border Crossing
(AP)

Grenade Found at Canada Border Crossing
(AP) 02/16/2004 07:51 PM
AP - One of the U.S.-Canada border's busiest border crossings was closed for about an hour Monday after guards found a grenade in the glove compartment of a car leaving the United States, Canadian officials said.

US Soldier Loses Leg in Afghan Grenade
Attack

US Soldier Loses Leg in Afghan Grenade
Attack 12/03/2003 07:32 AM
Reuters via Wired News Dec 3 2003 6:47AM ET

Homemade Mecha Walks in Japan

Homemade Mecha Walks in Japan 04/06/2005 02:08 AM

Homemade Sat Radio Software Bump

Homemade Sat Radio Software Bump 08/30/2004 06:13 AM
A Canadian programmer who subscribes to satellite radio writes a little piece of software allowing him to record shows directly onto his PC. Then he sells the program to others. Now the RIAA and XM Radio are busy figuring out how to bust him for it.

Dance to the Beat of a Homemade Drummer

Dance to the Beat of a Homemade Drummer 09/23/2004 04:48 AM
The piatarbajo, the chromelodeon, the trimba, cloud chamber bowls, the simeon, the pyrophone, the virtual rhythmicon, cigar box guitars, the skatar, and all the other assorted instruments by musical visionaries who find guitar, bass, drums, and the symphony orchestra too confining.

Police Defuse Grenade in Riyadh
Residential Area

Police Defuse Grenade in Riyadh
Residential Area 01/05/2004 04:50 AM
Reuters via Wired News Jan 5 2004 3:33AM ET

Grenade Kills Child Near Elementary
School in Baghdad

Grenade Kills Child Near Elementary
School in Baghdad 02/16/2004 02:39 PM
A grenade exploded near a school in a Shiite neighborhood, killing at least one child and wounding four others.

Teen Faces Charges for Homemade Bombs

Teen Faces Charges for Homemade Bombs 02/06/2005 01:11 AM
Reuters via Wired News Feb 6 2005 3:12AM GMT

Postal suggests homemade labels,
internet

Postal suggests homemade labels,
internet 12/15/2003 03:20 PM
Washington Times Dec 15 2003 2:36PM ET

Segway owners beat each other with
homemade mallets

Segway owners beat each other with
homemade mallets 07/28/2004 05:04 PM
Polo match gone wrong

Army Thin-Skinned Over Homemade Armor
12/27

Army Thin-Skinned Over Homemade Armor
12/27 12/27/2003 08:57 AM
The Washington Post .. Read article

washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30796-2003Dec25.html
track this site | 4 links

Old-school Transformers as homemade,
detailed 3D models

Old-school Transformers as homemade,
detailed 3D models 07/13/2004 03:44 AM
Ben sez, "Generation One Transformers (and others, such as from the War Within series) have been rendered into detailed 3D models, and the artist has also provided short films where they, as Transformers must, transform." Link (Thanks, Ben!)

Daily Gallery image: "Homemade HIFI
thingy"

Daily Gallery image: "Homemade HIFI
thingy" 04/13/2005 08:58 AM

four stars, two cars...

The following phrases have been identified by the grok system as matching this entry: "homemade airsoft grenade"