JPL's Mars Rover, Spirit, is stuck in the dirt

The JPL Mars Rover named "Spirit" has been stuck in the dirt for about a month now.   JPL is trying to determine the best way to drive the rover out of its rut by using a duplicate Rover here on Earth with a soil that is consistent with that of Mars.  Hopefully Spirit will be back on its way again some time soon!

http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/status.html#spirit

Thru-You: Israeli DJ mixes up YouTube clips to your delight

Kutiel, an Isreali DJ, has taken various clips from YouTube and re-mixed them into a wonderful audio/visual delight.  Check out the various styles of music he has come up with at his site "Thru-You"

http://thru-you.com

My personal favorite is "07 - Just a Lady".  The lead singer is 25-year-old World Bank administrative assistant, Leslie Harris of Washington, who taped herself singing in her apartment.

Backup / Restore Ubuntu System drives

From the files of "Not so obvious":  How do you backup / restore a Ubuntu system drive?

Well I found this handy article online that explains the procedure.  Essentially, use the Ubuntu LiveCD to use 'partimage'

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/partimage

Installing FreeNX Server on Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty)

Got around to finally installing the FreeNX server on my Ubuntu server.  Following this guide https://help.ubuntu.com/community/FreeNX got me most of the way there with one caveat, Authentication.   In the last step of the guide where you run the nxsetup -install program, I got a problem where it claimed that the authentication wasnt working.  Upon closer examination I discovered that the key file produced by the NX installer is not configured in SSH.

To allow NX to autheticate do the following in addition to the aforementioned guide.

"Hi", a real Human Interface

A different take on the "Human Interface" .  Very well done little chill video

http://vimeo.com/4697849?pg=embed&sec=

Man arrested for taking picture of ATM machine

As the title states, someone walks into an REI, takes a picture of two security officers servicing an ATM, and winds up being arrested.  Im interested to see how this turns up.

http://iamshane.com/2009/05/09/of-atms-iphones-and-911/

Star Trek fans complain about how entertaining the new film is

Gotta love The Onion ;)

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/trekkies_bash_new_star_trek_film