The End of McDonald’s! (In Iceland)

It's hard to imagine that a company as world renown as McDonald's would have to close any of its stores, but the current state of the global economy is forcing Jon Gardar Ogmundsson, the franchise owner of the three branches in Iceland, to do just that. The country of Iceland is on the brink of bankruptcy and costs of importing anything, let alone the packaging, meat, vegetables and cheese for each store has doubled. Some of the population won't be sad to see the golden arches come down. But from the time of the announcement that a Big Mac will soon be impossible to buy, the three stores have seen a boom in business, with lines reaching out the doors. You can read the Yahoo News article here, but I recommend CNN's humorous Blog by Neil Curry here.

Posted By: Nethie - Sat Oct 31, 2009 - Comments (7)
Category: Food, Restaurants, Europe

Next The Transporter From Star Trek

A division of Panasonic, a Japanese corporation, has developed a machine based on the movie "Aliens". Activelink. the division, hopes to have a working version of the powerloader from the film by 2015. For those not familiar with the movie, the powerloader is a robot that a human gets into and can control powerful arms and legs to do heavy lifting and moving. It was used to fight the alien in the movie. The scientists on the project are still trying to make the machine lighter so a human can operate it safely. They feel it would be especially useful in warehouses and disaster relief situations to move heavy objects quickly and with precision. I'm going to follow another poster's lead and ask everyone to include what movie technology you think should be developed in real life next in your comments.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,570573,00.html?test=latestnews

Posted By: Alex - Sat Oct 31, 2009 - Comments (16)
Category:

They Had That Back Then? #3

Today's lesson: Flat Screen TV (this is a long one to make up for not posting anything in a while).


From the February 1972 issue of Popular Science.



More in extended >>

Posted By: Salamander Sam - Sat Oct 31, 2009 - Comments (9)
Category: Technology, Television, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s

Happy Halloween!

Posted By: Paul - Sat Oct 31, 2009 - Comments (3)
Category: Holidays, Movies, Documentaries, 1950s, Fictional Monsters

Microsoft’s New Secret Weapon

Has Microsoft reached out to our pets in an invidious plot to boost sales? Watch the video below from Fox News and see for yourself.

Posted By: Expat47 - Sat Oct 31, 2009 - Comments (25)
Category:

F-15 lands with one wing and Monocopter

Even though this happened two years ago, this recreation by the History Channel is pretty cool. There are six minute versions available at Metacafe too.



Here's other evidence one winged craft can fly. I don't think I want to fly in one.



Someone needs to offer a prize for the first human flight. Any volunteers for either?

Posted By: gdanea - Fri Oct 30, 2009 - Comments (1)
Category: Flight

Walmart Really Does Have Everything

Walmart has started carrying caskets online. This in response to Costco offering caskets on their website. Walmart has a selection of 14 caskets as well as a variety of urns for the cremated. Pat Lynch, of the National Funeral Home Director's Association, isn't worried. He says that online retailers don't offer one important thing funeral homes do, the comfort of human contact at a difficult time. I don't know, I think I could call a friend for human contact after saving a couple hundred dollars online. Still, it does have the creepy factor, shopping for a casket at Walmart's website.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Wal-Mart-Sells-Coffins-On-Its-Website-Worlds-Largest-Retailer-Buries-Its-Customers/Article/200910415425275?lpos=Business_First_Strange_News__Article_Teaser_Region__0&lid=ARTICLE_15425275_Wal-Mart_Sells_Coffins_On_Its_Website%3A_Worlds_Largest_Retailer_Buries_Its_Customers

Posted By: Alex - Fri Oct 30, 2009 - Comments (7)
Category:

That’s One Small Train

There's more information at James River Branch.

Posted By: mdb777 - Fri Oct 30, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Buildings and Other Structures, Crafts, Toys, Video

3D with no glasses plus 360 degree view

Sony has a new prototype 360 degree 3D process, which is demonstrated in this video.



They are looking for applications -- I bet there are some suggestions out there!!

Posted By: gdanea - Thu Oct 29, 2009 - Comments (5)
Category: Technology

Find Your Perfect Religion

Confused by all the many religions available? Need an easy way to choose the one that's right for you? Try this religious flowchart. Just answer honestly and follow the arrows. Here's the link-
http://potomac9499.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/religion-flowchart_1.jpg?w=450&h=690

Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 29, 2009 - Comments (12)
Category: