Boeing-Spectrolab, with Department of Energy funding, has produced a solar concentrator cell that converts light to electricity at 40 percent efficiency. Compare that with the current standard of 12 to 18 percent — solar’s going to take on a bigger piece of the power pie soon. [slashdot]

Someday I’m going to quit pussyfooting around with Linux and get serious about my geekitude (youtube). When I do, the The Linux Equivalent Project will be a great resource for getting my software needs fulfilled. [digg]

Whether you believe global warming is causing extreme weather or you call Katrina and her siblings a fluke, the big money is against coastal development. Insurance companies, who require predictability in calamity, can no longer rely on laying statistically rigged bets. By refusing to insure they’re rendering expensive coastal property nearly worthless.

I’ve seen a lot of angst online about statistical software that will be used in Philadelphia to predict which parolees are more likely to kill, and thus more deserving of attention from their parole officers. I can’t get too worked up about its potential violation of civil liberties when a sex offender is branded, tracked and registered in perpetuity. [schneier]

A ship at sea is slowed by the friction of the water on the hull. Researchers are studying the effectiveness of a layer of bubbles coating the hull to reduce the drag. [slashdot]