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New Orleans declares state of emergency following cyberattack
New Orleans is the latest city to fall victim to a cyberattack, although it appears to have fared better than some of its peers. The city both declared a state of emergency and shut down most of its computers after detecting suspicious activity, including ransomware and a flurry of phishing emails. It's not clear if the ransomware compromised any systems, although Mayor LaToya Cantrell said that there had been no ransom requests or evidence of employees being tricked into handing over login details.
LSU's bendable concrete could fix America's crumbling infrastructure
America's infrastructure is crumbling around us. The American Society of Civil Engineers' latest Infrastructure Report Card, from 2017, rated the nation's roads, bridges, airports and water systems at a paltry D+ -- the same grade received four years prior when the report card was last issued. However, recent advances in a novel form of concrete could help us rebuild our roadways to be stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Perspectives on the raid lockout system
Even with a week that was jammed to the rafters with non-WoW issues for me to deal with, I paid attention to the news, and one of the biggest stories was the news that Korean realms are going to split the 10 and 25 man raid lockouts in patch 5.1. Now, I have opinions about this, because despite my notorious preference for 25 over 10 man raiding, I'm not completely behind this change. I was surprised to realize this, actually, but reading the announcement got me thinking. First off, I don't like the idea of giving 25 man raids better loot and uncoupling the lockouts. I think that goes too far in terms of setting 25 man raids on a pedestal. Believe it or not, what I personally want is a system where if you prefer 10 man raids, you can do them, and if you prefer 25 man raids, you can do them. It may not be possible for both raid sizes to be equally viable, but making it so you can run 10's and 25's on separate lockouts and then putting the better loot in 25's just cements 10's as the also-run raid size. Now, if you put better loot in 25's but keep the lockouts shared between them, the relative ease of organizing 10's and running them would balance that out to some extent, but I actually prefer the idea of separating the lockouts but not giving 25's better loot.
Sheriff's department streamlines traffic citation process with iOS devices
The next time you're caught speeding in St. John the Baptist Parish in Louisiana, don't be surprised if the sheriff uses an iPad or iPhone to write your ticket. The Sheriff's Office in this parish about 30 miles west of New Orleans is using a ticketing solution developed by Zerion Software on their iFormBuilder platform for iOS. The idea behind the system is to allow law enforcement officers to enter data directly onto an iPad, iPhone or iPod touch while they're talking with drivers. They won't have to return to their vehicles to enter the information into a dashboard-mounted computer, thus saving time. Data entry errors are expected to fall as well thanks to the use of a Socket Mobile barcode scanner to capture driver's license and vehicle information. The ticket is printed on a Zebra mobile printer and given to the errant driver. The citation info is sent to a server for storage and processing, or held for later transfer if the device is offline. There's no word on whether the devices will be pre-loaded with Angry Birds for those long traffic stakeouts, or use Siri to find local donut shops.
Gameloft opening New Orleans studio
Gameloft is opening up a new studio in New Orleans, Louisiana, taking advantage of the state's generous tax incentives. "As it stands, we expect to employ an approximate 150 people in our New Orleans studio over the course of the next 10 years," Samir El Agili, general studio manager for the US and Latin America at Gameloft told Joystiq. "But with the fast pace and rapid expansion of the handheld and downloadable market we will adjust that number accordingly should we find it necessary." The new studio will work on a diverse range of downloadable titles, across mobile, XBLA, PSN, Facebook and future connected consoles. Louisiana is doing its best to compete against states like Texas and countries like Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, et al) in attracting game talent. EA has already been wooed by the state, with a facility at Louisiana State University handling North American QA, which it will expand with a new building that can accommodate over 600 employees in the near future.
Louisiana enhancing its tax incentives for game developers
Since 2005, Louisiana has offered game developers and other software producers one of the most attractive deals in the US: the Digital Media Tax Credit, which affords applicable tech companies a 25 percent tax credit and 35 percent payroll tax credit. That deal is getting even sweeter in the coming months, as Governor Bobby Jindal has signed a bill which allows developers to take that credit in cold, hard cash, provided it's not all soaked up by their tax liability. Not many developers are taking advantage of the boot-shape state's hospitality, though EA's facility on the LSU campus is sure to benefit from the expansion, as will Gameloft's soon-to-be-opened New Orleans studio.
Gameloft looking to open New Orleans studio
Likely looking to leverage generous tax credits offered by the state, mega-sized mobile developer/publisher Gameloft recently swamped a New Orleans job board with thirteen full-time positions. Contacted for comment, the company informed Joystiq: "Gameloft is currently recruiting in New Orleans for a variety of game development positions. We'll have more information about our exciting endeavors in New Orleans soon." Staffing site Mary-Margaret.com notes that Gameloft is the primary game company hiring for positions in New Orleans currently, "but there will be many more companies to come in the near future." Louisiana is definitely looking to get game developers and publishers down south. EA already has a presence at Louisiana State University handling North American QA, which it will expand with a new building that can accommodate over 600 employees. Coupled with Gameloft's plans and the increased chatter Joystiq's hearing from other developers, it would seem that Louisiana is making a strong case to entice the gaming industry from going straight to Canada (read: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, et al).
New EA facility in the works at Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University is expected to officially green-light Electronic Arts to begin construction on a 94,000-square-foot facility on campus this summer. The Advocate of Baton Rouge reports the $30 million building, which will be paid for mostly by state and federal grants, would be the first for-profit business on campus in cooperation with the school. EA will pay $465,000 a year in rent once the building is completed, which is expected to be in the late summer or fall of 2012. The proposed facility is said to feature a classroom, an auditorium, conference rooms, A/V equipment, and a coffee shop on the first floor. The second floor will be occupied by the school's Center for Computation and Technology, which will also take up some resources on the bottom floor. The top floor is reserved for EA. EA first established a presence at the school in 2008 with a QA facility. The space is now "maxed out." EA currently has about 400 workers in Baton Rouge (some being part-time students), with a $6 million payroll that could add another 200 employees. EA's current deal with LSU runs through June 2018. [Thanks, Nick]
GM making Volt parts from oil-soaked booms used in Louisiana, getting greener by the minute
You can be as jaded as you like, and trust us we've offered our own fair share of cynicism, but let's put that aside for a moment as we learn that General Motors is pulling in about 100 miles worth of oil-soaking booms, 100,000 pounds worth that would have otherwise gone into landfills, and turning them into stacks of plastic parts that will go under the hood and in the front bumper of the Chevrolet Volt. The booms of course come from the Louisiana coasts, where oil is still being collected despite the US media having collectively forgotten all about it. These 100 miles of booms will provide enough parts to outfit the entire first-year production Volts and, while we're sure this is as much a PR move as it is a practical or environmental one, we're going to go ahead and just call it a win-win.
New Orleans' Prytania rises up to 3D
Outside of the frozen food section at the supermarket, nothing beats the summer heat quite like a cool (or downright cold) movie theater, and the recently Sony/RealD 4k-equipped Prytania theater in New Orleans just added 3D capabilities to entice viewers some more. No surprise -- Disney's summer blockbuster, Up, was the first talkie to make the leap off the silver screen at the newly outfitted venue, and we suspect that The Prytania -- the only theater in N'awlins to have Up in 3D -- raked in a healthy crowd for its investment. We love to see storied theaters keep up with the times, and this almost 95-year old movie house is no exception.[Thanks, gamedude360!]
HD channel expansion roundup
Once upon a time, a smattering of new HD channels in one major metropolitan area was a huge deal. Nowadays, it's almost expected that one area or another will experience some HD expansion each week. In order to keep things nice and tidy around here, we deliver high-def expansions, market expansions and anything else dealing with HD channel growth right here. If we missed an area that you're familiar with, drop us a line in comments so everyone can catch up. The more the merrier, we say!Read - Some cable customers missing WV PBS Read - Cox adds 2 family-friendly HD channels (Louisiana) Read - Comcast in Denver to add FX HD on May 31, ION HD on June 9 [Thanks, No] Read - Comcast of Houston HD expansion [Thanks, DeadPlasmaCell]
Explore a 1902 murder mystery in Louisiana: Mystery Cases
A villainous murderer is on the loose, and you're on the case to stop him. Set in a 1902 Louisiana suburb, Louisiana: Mystery Cases explores an environment that's anything but commonplace in today's gaming industry. Infinion's adventure game is currently slated for the PC, but both Xbox Live Arcade and PSP prototypes are also in the works.The game looks to be rather standard adventure fare, with a particular emphasis on conversation. The developers are striving to create a game where your dialogue choices are actually meaningful.It may not be your typical adrenaline-filled game, with explosions, guns and boobs -- but for those that are looking for a slightly different experience on XBLA/PSP, Louisiana might be worth looking into.[Thanks, David B.!]%Gallery-47609%
Government-built FTTH project nearly ready for launch in Lafayette, Louisiana
In just a few weeks, Cox Communications will be battling for pay-TV dollars with a new rival. But the opponent won't be sporting the usual private enterprise face; instead, it'll be donning a governmental badge. The Lafayette Utilities System in the fine state of Louisiana has long made known that it was working on a FTTH project that would one day deliver HDTV programming and high-speed internet to local homes and businesses. The rollout is expected to occur in four phases, with everything being complete by 2011. Oddly enough, there are still few details to be had even though the initial rollout phase is slated for January, with LUS Director Terry Huval simply stating that "at the time we're ready to serve customers, we'll also make public our pricing packages." Well then, we guess that settles it.
New Orleans, Louisiana's Prytania Theatre goes 4K
Not even three full years since getting itself back in business, The Prytania Theatre in New Orleans, Louisiana has apparently embraced the wonderful technology that is 4K. Still the only single screen cinema in the entire state, this landmark venue now has Sony 4K badges on its otherwise bare website, signifying that it is now ready to treat patrons to a high-resolution movie-going experience. 4K theaters are still relatively rare even in America, so we'd probably hop on down and see whatever's playing should you find yourself in N'awlins. Speaking of -- has anyone dropped in since the upgrade?[Image courtesy of DayLife, thanks gamedude360]
Cox brings a new half dozen HD channels to Greater Louisiana
Just a few months after Baton Rouge received nine new HD channels from Cox, the operator has found it suitable to unload a half dozen more in the Greater Louisiana region. As of this month, folks down in the Bayou can find Pelican HD (713), Lifetime HD (726), USA HD (727), CNBC HD (744), Bravo HD (750) and the all-important SciFi HD (759) as well. With the heat being like it is, we'd say you just found six new reasons to stay camped out within your air conditioned abode.[Thanks, David]
Comcast looking to sell outlying markets
Times are tough aoul over, and even cable giant Comcast isn't immune to a little tightening of the belt. Word coming out of Maine is that Comcast is looking to sell 46 of the markets on the outskirts of its footprint, mostly in Maine, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Mexico, Virginia, Georgia, West Virginia and California. The move is about more than just the monies that will be generated by selling off its subscriber eyeballs, though. At a going rate of $3,000 - $4,500 per subscriber, that's not an insignificant chunk of change, either. By geographically concentrating its service areas, it should be cheaper to deliver services, including the all-important "triple play." If you're affected by this selloff, we're hoping your HD lineup won't suffer for it.
Baton Rouge, LA could see U-verse in under two years
Looks like Alabama isn't the only southeastern US state AT&T's aiming its U-verse arrow at -- The Bayou State could be following suit in short order. According to William Oliver, president of AT&T's Louisiana operations, the carrier could begin servicing Baton Rouge with U-verse "within the next 18 to 24 months." Citing "competitive reasons" as the motive behind failing to elaborate, we are told that the Metro Council has already "unanimously approved an agreement with AT&T, patterned after one with Cox Communications." Not surprisingly, U-verse would aim to compete with Cox and Eatel (not to mention the two major satcasters), and while other cities in the state weren't mentioned by name, Oliver did proclaim that AT&T "had its crosshairs on a couple of locations." Call us crazy, but we think we've spotted a rollout race.[Thanks, David]
Cox readies 9 new HD channels for Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Just a month after Cox announced that it would be bringing nine mysterious new HD channels to Lafayette, Louisiana, we've got reason to believe those very same newcomers are headed to Baton Rouge. Based on a new alert on the carrier's website, subscribers in the region can look forward to seeing The Weather Channel (722), Cox Sports Television HD (737), History Channel HD (747), TLC HD (748), Animal Planet HD (752), Travel Channel HD (755), NFL Network HD (771), Versus / Golf HD (772) and Science Channel HD (777). April 15th doesn't feel too far away, now does it?[Thanks, David]
Louisiana's first Apple Store will open on Thursday
Apple fans in Louisiana, your wait is almost over. ifoAppleStore is reporting that your state's first Apple Store will open this Thursday, March 6th at 10:00 A.M. You'll find it at Baton Rouge's newly expanded shopping area at The Boulevard. With the opening of this new store, only 13 US states lack an Apple Store. As usual, we're asking any TUAW operatives who visit this weekend to send us stories and photos. Good luck, have fun and we're hoping you score a T-shirt!
Cox adds nine HD channels in Lafayette, Louisiana -- for a price
Considering that Charter provides 44 HD options to its Louisiana subscribers, it was about time that Cox Communications did something to make its lineup look even close to comparable. Thankfully, the cable carrier has finally saw fit to add in nine (unnamed) high-def channels to its Lafayette lineup, and better still, subscribers will also see a boost in internet speeds. The move brings Cox's total HD count in the area to 33, but alas, it won't come free. Oh no, customers can expect programming packages (save for basic cable) to cost around $2 to $3 more per month for the boost in service after April 1st, but there's always satellite if you feel the value's just not there.
