Kid Stone

Not as mobile as it appeared, the Gustav Gun was a logistical nightmare. For starters, it required a 500-man crew. For sheer firepower, it's hard to imagine anything outgunning the planet-killing Death Star from the "Star Wars" movies. Not for lack of trying, though. Since the first catapults and cannons took aim, the search has been on for guns that can shoot farther, faster, and deliver more deadly results. Yet there are also those who've foreseen the opportunity to put these weapons to peaceful purposes. It's difficult to imagine the shock waves that reverberated through Paris on the morning of March 21, 1918, when shells began raining down on the city. They had been fired from the railway-mounted Paris Gun tucked away in the forest of Coucy-Auffrique, 70 miles away. The 264-pound projectiles soared 25 miles into the stratosphere, reaching their target in 170 seconds. Formally known as the Kaiser Wilhelm Geschutz Long-Range Guns, the weapons were produced by the dreaded Friedrich Krupp A.G. munitions firm. The guns used bored-out, 380mm naval cannons, each fitted with barrels that were 131 ft. long. Seven were produced, though never more than three operated at any time. Firing a Paris Gun was a logistical nightmare. Each shell required a 400-pound powder charge. The shock was so intense, each succeeding shell needed to be slightly wider. The gun's lining had to be rebored every 20 shots. Only 367 shells were fired by August of that year, and the gun's aim was often wild. Barely half the shells hit the city. Even so, the Paris Gun caused 256 deaths, a third of those when a shell struck the church of St. Sepulchre during Good Friday services. Though the Paris Gun had little impact on the outcome of World War I, it was a high-priority target for Allied troops. Yet none of the guns were ever found, even after the armistice.

i like windows seems like an easier program then mac's operating systems. but i will create a new operating system in the year 2050, it will work by using neuron signals from the brain. it will be the best thing out there. so just wait until then. there is no need to buy any more computers until then. you will just be wasting your money. i love america!

Who thinks Collision Course was a good idea? in my opinion it doesnt sound too bad...

CARMEL, Calif.--Ford's Cobra Concept at the North American International Auto Show in January 2004 was met with a cool response. Critics said it lacked the passion and emotion of the original Cobra. And it didn't quite resonate with showgoers the way the Ford GT did. But one look at this new Shelby GR-1 Concept might make those critics eat their words. This car is a stunner. Ford chose to unveil its swoopy Shelby GR-1 here at the 2004 Pebble Beach weekend. And judging by the water cooler buzz we've heard, most agree that this is a car Ford needs to build. And many within Ford agree, too. The house that Henry built needs another car to offset the initial development costs of the expensive Ford GT's architecture. And the GR-1 would be a perfect successor once the GT goes out of production in 2007. The GR-1 concept is built from a modified version of the GT's platform. But instead of the GT's mid-engine supercharged V8, there's a 605-hp normally aspirated 6.4-liter V10 riding up front. And before this 2-seat fastback supercar's body panels were even created, the fully operational running chassis was test driven at high speeds at Ford's Dearborn Proving Ground. If the GR-1 meets with as much enthusiasm at the 2005 North American International Auto Show as we saw here at Pebble Beach, you can bet the GR-1 will make it to a Ford store near you by the end of the decade.

1 Instead of an ignition key, the Quark uses a "removable interactive interface," which is a PDA-style device that plugs into the chassis to provide rider ID authentication. It also serves as an information panel. 2 Normally, fuel cells require bulky water-cooling systems, but the Quark is air-cooled, reducing overall size and keeping the system from freezing in low temperatures. 3 Each 17-in. wheel is fitted with an electric motor that produces 74 lb.-ft. of torque. These motors also can be used for regenerative braking. 4 The 9-liter hydrogen tank can be pressurized to 10,150 psi, giving the Quark a range of up to 80 miles. The tank is designed to be popped out when empty and swapped with a full one. Hydrogen fuel cell concept cars are the automotive industry's way of giving itself good citizenship awards. Ignoring the societywide logistical challenge of rolling out a cost-effective hydrogen fuel infrastructure, designers and engineers are free to play fast and loose with their imaginations. In that spirit, French automaker Peugeot recently asked the question: Would anybody like an all-wheel-drive, good-for-the-environment ATV with big, fat tires and badass body cladding? The answer: Damn right we would. Showcased in late September 2004 at the Paris Auto Show, The Peugeot Quark, shown here, is powered by an air-cooled fuel cell in combination with a 40-cell nickel-metal-hydride battery. It makes a convincing case for the notion that crunchy environmentalists can ride the same roads as tire-smoking lead foots.