The Null Device
2003/4/26
Yamaha have developed a program for synthesizing sung vocals. Named Vocaloid, the program uses libraries of vocal fragments and articulation algorithms to synthesise realistic singing. It currently comes with a "Soul Vocalist" data set, for all your throaty dance vocal needs. Windows-only, I'm afraid, and no word of VST compatibility; there's a screenshot here. (via Found)
The UNIX Haters Handbook, an amusing critique of the popular operating system model, is available for free download; from a Microsoft server, no less. (via bOING bOING)
Holyrood, 2011: Scottish President Galloway has struck out angrily at U.S. accusations that the People's Republic is harbouring Welsh terrorist groups. Flanked by his Libyan amazon bodyguards, President Galloway stated that while Scotland supports the Welsh people's struggle for independence, accusations of terrorist involvement are "scurrilous lies fabricated by the Anglo-American Zionist entity". Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Jack Straw has denied that urban-warfare exercises being held in North Yorkshire or the movement of the USS Blair from South Carolina to the North Sea are in any way connected to deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Scotland. "There are no plans for military action against Scotland," he said.
Anti-US T-shirts seem to be all the rage in Canada, with Canadians eschewing peace signs for angrier statements, of the sort that might get one hospitalised south of the border.
Anti-war slogans seemed to be getting increasingly anti-American, with people going to everything from protests to the gym to trendy parties wearing tops that say Bush is a Terrorist or Twin Terrors above pictures of Bush and Osama Bin Laden.
Reaction in kind to FOXNews-style flag-waving triumphalism, or a futile passive-aggressive statement from a junior partner? How much do you want to bet that if US troops were to invade Canada (let's call it Operation Second Term), all those Canucks with "American Psycho" T-shirts would claim that they were just kidding?
"As far as clothing went, it was more about the peace symbol. Though you would see people sewing U.S. flags on the seat of their pants, so they'd always be sitting on it."
You know, one could probably make a killing selling shoes with American flag-patterned soles in the Middle East (where stepping on something is considered the most grievious insult).
A young British National Party member's dreams of becoming Führer were abruptly dashed when his mother found out, dragged him to the civic centre and made him remove his name from the ballot paper. And probably sent him to bed without supper too. (via NWD)