Video Games Live, a show that tours America, is a full sized Orchestra that plays some of the classic arcade game music of the past and present - in front of a big screen showing the game in action. Hearing some of these old classics, expertly re-created is a real treat for the gaming geek!

The micro-blogging app, Jaiku, has moved from it’s previous hosted servers to a Google data centre, following problems with the system.

Jaiku, who had been acquired by Google in October of last year, had always planned to migrate their systems to Google’s servers, in readiness for integration with Google Apps. However due to some problems they had last weekend, they decided to make the leap a little earlier than planned. Jaiku is still in a closed Beta, but now allows current users to give out unlimited invitations. If anyone wants an invite from me, drop a comment on this post.

Training with a computer simulator is nothing new - pilots have been doing it for years. And to be honest, the Americans have had systems in place long before anyone else. However, what makes this system unique, is the attention to detail.

“Virtual Battle Space 2″ (or VBS2) as it’s called, is an interactive area of Iraq, where the road systems and buildings have been replicated to create an environment that is as realistic as possible. The soldiers, when using the simulation, will face similar situations that they would likely face out in the field. From children throwing stones, to an IED planted somewhere en-route.

The system doesn’t replace traditional training - instead it is used to familiarise soldiers with the environment before they arrive. Over 2,000 troops have been put through the training so far, with most finding benefits when they have arrived in theatre. The company behind VBS2, Bohemia Interactive in Australia, also have aircrew simulators with helicopter and aircraft training, as well as ambush simulators to prepare foot soldiers for urban combat.

If you visit this BBC article you will notice a video which shows how detailed the area looks. Also you will notice a few funny moments, such as when a child throws a stone at the commander, and also when the reporter runs somebody over - who although are lying flat on the ground in pain, continue to throw stones at a Bradley! Glitches aside, I’m sure any extra bit of training our boys can get before heading out will hopefully save a few more lives in the field.

I know the title has probably got you interested, and I’m pretty sure the story will open your eyes too.

British company, P2i, have announced today their latest technology that makes materials waterproof at a molecular level. Unlike other types of solutions, their “Ion Mask” plasma surface enhancement technology [sic] will penetrate an object completely, without altering the look or feel of it. So you could technically treat a piece of paper with it, tear it into small pieces, and each piece would remain waterproof.

Current sectors the innovation is being aimed at are footwear, and textiles, but there is also talk of the inventors being in the early stages of testing with electrical items. Just think of how revolutionary that would be!

A truly water-cooled PC, or any other electrical system, without the need for noisy fans - cutting down on costs and repairs. Your computer keyboard could be fully treated with the technology - and if you spilt your coffee in it, simply unplug and stick in your dishwasher. But even better, it could mean diseases that breed on keyboards would be a thing of the past, as your electrical devices also get a “weekly wash.” Any electrical equipment that would need to be outside (street lamps, traffic lights, billboards, big screen TVs in stadiums etc.) wouldn’t need any special housing to keep the weather off, reducing costs. Even things like undersea research would be more effective, if the material didn’t react to the salt in the sea. This could really be a revolution in how we use things in the future!

For more information and to see some of the other projects P2i are involved in, visit their website.

A post graduate master’s degree is available to students of the Abertay University, in Dundee, Scotland. The Master’s is being offered as a gateway into the security sector, with coursework enabling students to test security vulnerabilities, whilst at the same time learning about common techniques people use to gain unlawful access to computer systems.

I can see the real benefit in using this tactic to educate people - after all, all the big companies have been hiring people who hack their systems for years, to better understand how to improve things behind the scenes. However, the whole language behind the course (it’s even called an “MSc Ethical Hacking and Computer Security” course) makes me cringe a little bit. But then a course called “Ethical Computer Security” isn’t going to get as much press!

A quick one for some gaming updates. Crytek’s sequel Crysis Warhead has now gone gold, the game follows on from the first Crysis taking control of the Brit Sergeant Michael ‘Psycho’ Sykes from the point you part in the first game. The game is all on track for a Sept 12th release in Europe and Sept 16th in North America.

Left4Dead has been delayed from its Nov 4th release and is now expected on Nov 20th, so not too long to wait. Valve wanted the Game to come out on the 4th to go with the Left “4″ Dead title but the game will now be out on the 10th anniversary of Half-Life Valves first game and the most important game of PCs time. Cant wait for this one with 4 player co-op.

A quick update on Grand Theft Auto IV for the PC, Rockstar showed off the game behind closed doors at the Leipzig Games convention. While there are no videos of the game, Rockstar are saying it will have better graphics supporting a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600, also the game will have a reply and editing system that will always be recording so you can get the last 30 seconds of your classic GTA4 moments.

Small, yet perfectly formed, the LifeBook FMV Biblo U/B50 comes complete with Windows Vista and a gig of RAM. With a tiny 5.6 inch screen, it’s setting new standards in ultra-portable computing. The device also sports a webcam and Biometrics, plus Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G capabilities.

The new FMV with it’s 1.6Ghz Atom chip won’t be breaking any benchmark tests - especially as it has Vista pre-installed. I would have thought Linux would be much better suited - due it’s lower resource requirements. And as Asus opted for Linux for their Eee PC, it’s strange how Fujitsu didn’t do the same. I guess we’ll all have to wait and see how it performs in the real world when released. Read The Register’s take here.

Just a quick note that the server is going through some updates & upgrades for the next couple of hours, so service may be interrupted - although I don’t expect any black spots for more than 5 minutes or so during this period up to 8pm UK Time (12pm Pacific, 3pm Eastern). Thanks for baring with us!

I just stumbled into this amazing video with animation that will blow your socks off - it seems every new video of computer graphics is beating the last, getting forever closer to reality. Is it real or is it memorex?

This project, named “Ringo” has been developed by Ivan Tihienko, of the Bezalel Academy of Arts, in Israel. The concept works with a ring-like interface being projected in front of you while you walk. I think it’s a great idea for controlling your information on the go.

I thought the idea of GPS and the MP3 player being built into the interface is amazing. RSS being a good addition also. However, things like email, that can contain private data, I don’t think would be such a great idea, and could raise privacy concerns by people who only want the recipient to read the email. Apart from that minor gripe, I am just hoping and praying that in the future we can all geek ourselves out with our built-in Ringo interfaces.