Geek culture

Friday Poll: Does 'Star Trek' really trump 'Star Wars?'

Once upon a time, a person could be categorized by the question "Rolling Stones or Beatles?" In geek circles, that question is "'Star Trek' or 'Star Wars?'" There's plenty of crossover, but many fans come down solidly on one side or the other.

Famous geek and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson made a splash this week by spelling out his "Star Trek" love and lack of passion for "Star Wars" in terms of physics (or lack thereof).

Tyson's opinions certainly spawned some heated discussion, with fans standing up for their favorite … Read more

'Star Trek' musical goes where no school has gone before

For most of us, gone are the days of middle school -- that forgettable time of transition when we blossom from innocence into awkward young adults. Students who were confident enough at that age might have participated in student musical productions. But few impress like "Star Trek: The Middle School Musical" created by comedic duo Rhett McLaughlin and Link Neal.

If you're a "Trek" fan, you'll likely enjoy the mock musical; it's awash with amusing lyrics, cuteness, and references to various aspects of the canon, ranging from the Kobayashi Maru Starfleet test, Gorn, and the poison flower that turned Spock into a lover.… Read more

The sounds of 'Star Trek': This man makes them happen

NICASIO, Calif. -- Growing up in the 1960s, Ben Burtt was such a big "Star Trek" fan that when he went off to college at a school where he had no TV, he had his father record the audio from each week's episode and mail it to him.

Sitting in his dorm room, Burtt would listen to the shows with headphones on, taking in each new episode with no pictures. But he didn't need the video to understand what was going on. "It was so vividly portrayed with excellent sound effects," Burtt said, "… Read more

The 404 1271: Where we Carey on just fine without Yu (podcast)

Leaked from today's 404 episode:

- Wrapping up CNET's coverage of Google I/O 2013.

- Nerd fight!

- Follow Bridget on the Twitter.

- Watch CNET Update every single day of your life.

- Make sure you tune in to find out how you can win one of six MLB/NBA 2K Sports prize packs!… Read more

Motorcycle with airplane engine makes a roaring racket

When motorcycle enthusiasts say "loud pipes save lives," I don't think are imagining the Red Baron, an insane two-wheel machine powered by an actual aircraft engine. It's a beast. A monster. A crazed marriage of sky and land. It's also incredibly loud.

German tinkerer Frank Ohle spent 18 months bringing the Red Baron from concept to reality. It's not like you can just pull the engine out of a regular bike and pop in an aircraft engine. Just about every part of the motorcycle had to be customized to make room for the Rotec Radial R3600, a 150-horsepower, nine-cylinder engine.… Read more

Facebook launches app for Google Glass

Facebook on Thursday launched a version of its app for Google Glass, becoming the latest technology company to release software for the computing eyewear.

The app allows users to upload photos from Google Glass directly to their Facebook timelines. They also can add optional photo descriptions, just by saying the information out loud. Right now, users can't tag people in photos from Glass, but they can tag the pictures after sharing them by going on a computer or mobile device. … Read more

NASA's Kepler telescope crippled by technical failures

The Kepler space observatory has been a source of great wonder since it first launched in 2009. It has turned its eyes out into the great vastness of space and seen new planetary systems and potentially life-supporting planets. The telescope's original 3.5-year mission was extended into 2016, but that may now come to a halt as serious technical issues take a toll.

Kepler is able to look out in certain directions thanks to four reaction wheels that are used to point the spacecraft. As of Wednesday, two out of four reaction wheels have failed.… Read more

Hop aboard the spaceships seen in 'Star Trek'

From the USS Voyager to the many versions of the USS Enterprise, "Star Trek" featured an assortment of ships as the primary backdrop for each installment of the sci-fi series. Now you can view all of the main ships in one convenient gallery.

As the follow-up flick "Star Trek: Into Darkness" arrives in theaters this week, moviegoers young and old will once again follow the adventures of James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and the rest of the Enterprise crew. It's a new spin on an old story, a tale that will surely captivate the senses.… Read more

'Game of Thrones' gets an official 'Night's Watch'

This is just what the Night's Watch needed: an, erm, "Night's Watch." Because it's helpful to know when dusk is approaching on the Wall, probably.

The timepiece, actually called "The Night's Watch", was produced by Swiss manufacturer Ulysse Nardin for HBO, based on its "Black Sea" rugged diving chronograph.

The watch itself isn't particularly "Game of Thrones"-related. Although it's appropriately black, the dial features the aquatic wave pattern of the Black Sea watch, and red elements embellish the numeral markers, hands and power reserve and … Read more