Gizmodo: spitfire

Microsoft Un-Cancels Campus Pub, Because They're Totally Cool Dudes

John Herrman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:14:30 EDT

Last week brought a distressing tale of sobriety and job loss from Redmond, but following a concerted internet scorn-fest, Microsoft has come back around to the idea of a corporate campus pub. Mostly.

Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos, whose Office Space-esque statements on the original cancellation were probably the only reason the story—which I'd like to remind you reflexive naysayers was about a large company building an at-work bar for their employees—gained traction in the first place, confirmed the reversal to Techflash, saying that Spitfire (the contracted pub chain) and Microsoft had discovered "a creative way to find that happy medium." That happy medium apparently entails drinking only after 3:00, exclusively during scheduled gatherings and special events. WinMo Wednesdays anyone? [TechFlash via CNET]

Microsoft Teetotalers Hate Fun, Cancel Nearly-Completed Pub

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EDT

Unlike my alma mater, Microsoft has decided that booze and good times have no place on their campus. They've abruptly cancelled the almost-finished construction of a new pub, claiming it would not be "appropriate."

The pub, to be called the Spitfire, had already installed its equipment, made connections with beer and food vendors, hired 22 employees, and even hung signs in preparation for its opening when Microsoft pulled the plug. We'll make light of the prohibitive aspects of the story, but those 22 people are out of a job now.

Said Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos, "The goal was always to create a cool gathering place for employees, but to do so in a manner that's consistent with a business environment. We took a second look at that, and we were sensitive to the business environment. We decided we should do something more appropriate, and that meant not having a pub."

Somebody needs to watch more Mad Men, am I right? That Don Draper drinks all the time and he's a marketing genius, something Microsoft might want to take note of. [TechFlash]

Peewee RC Spitfire Can Only Destroy Panzers Driven By Nanonazis

Jesus Diaz — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 19:20:00 EDT

With a 6-inch wingspan and a military-style remote control box, I wish this minuscule 1/72-scale $150 Spitfire actually had two micro-guns and a micro-camera to dogfight against wasps this spring. [Plantraco via Oh Gizmo]

SpitFire 360 Controller Gives Xbox Modders a Not-So-Tactical Advantage

Mark Wilson — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:30:00 EDT

I have no clue how I missed this great hack from earlier in the year, but AcidMods has released a tutorial on modding an Xbox 360 controller to do all sorts of neat, cheatie stuff—like adding rapid fire to pistols in Call of Duty—through programmable macros. But since I know that you have almost no interest in picking up that soldering gun, you can just watch this video to appreciate what hours of hard work can produce. [AcidMods via HackedGadgets]

Build Your Own Spitfire Plane from a $263,000 Kit

AddyDugdale — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 05:27:46 EDT

Flying enthusiasts with $263,000 to spare can now build their own Spitfire aircraft from a pack. The Supermarine Aircraft Mark 26 kit, a 90 per cent scale model of the iconic WWII fighter plane, costs 100,000 ($203,000), but you will need an additional 30,000 ($60,000) to finish it off - not to mention 1,200 hours of construction time.

The flatpack fighter is shipped to you from Australia with 700 hours' worth of construction already on the clock, but the rest is up to you.

The importer of the packs, Kieran Padden, says that business is booming - and for many reasons. "It is so easy to fly," he claims of the plane that costs a tenth of the original to buy. "Even old Spitfire pilots I have spoken to say it flies just like the original. It's lighter but has the same performance, so it's much more agile."

The V6 engine means that the completed plane will travel at 222 mph and can fly up to 18,000 feet. "The manufacturers have even recreated the sound," says Mr Padden. "Every time I hear it, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up." [Daily Mail]