ppx

Forget pirate radio, how about the pirate stock exchange? Somali pirates have created a stock exchange of sorts to fund their hijacking activities, Reuters reports.

The PopSci Predictions Exchange will come to an end on May 31. It’s been an amazing two years, with 33,339 registered users betting on the future of our scientific and technological world. We extend our appreciation to all of the dedicated traders who have made this game what it is. It’s been a great run!

PPX Leagues was created with classrooms in mind; the leagues provide a fun, interactive and engaging way for teachers on all levels to bring the real and ever-evolving worlds of science and technology into the classroom. We encourage you to create PPX Leagues within, or among, your classrooms, and to share with us the ways in which you’ve used the PPX Leagues to enhance your curriculums and enrich your classroom discussions.

The PopSci Predictions Exchange (PPX) is one of PopSci.com’s signature features. With three new “props” to consider each week, users place bets on the outcome of real world science news, maintaining individual portfolios and competing for fame within the game as high-ranking players, and for awesome monthly prizes. Now, in the name of innovation, we’ve gone and made a good thing better. We are pleased to introduce (drum roll please): PPX Leagues! Seasoned trader or total newbie, you can create and join as many leagues as you like. Grab your friends, family, colleagues and classmates and get started. You make the rules, you determine the prizes. Ah, freedom. Ain't it sweet?

We are pleased to announce that PPX Leagues are finally here! 2009 is the year of change and we are giving the power of choice to our players. You can create and join as many leagues as you like. You make the rules, you determine the prizes. Ah, freedom. Ain't it sweet?

So here's how it works:

-- Bragging rights come complimentary of your hosts; all other prizes are determined (and delivered) within your own leagues.

Thanks for your patience, PPXers, as we make our way through the many year-end payouts on those halted 12/31 and 1/1 stocks. Read on for the reasoning behind some of those that have paid out thus far. Please always feel free to email with questions, suggestions, and tips, too: taylor.hengen@bonniercorp.com

BLURAY: Short

Blu Ray is doing well, but not quite well enough to meet the prop payout criteria of populating 14.4 million US homes. 10.7 Million sure ain’t bad, though.

PPXers:

It appeared, for a few minutes, that YOUTUBE would be our fastest closing stock in PPX history; http://homemediamagazine.com/electronic-delivery/youtube-mgm-partner-web...

That there is a link to the MGM story that's got us all buzzing. MGM's not on the payout list, so we're not closing for it. We’re going to keep it open b/c the conditions of the payout statement have not been met, and we’re not at payout deadline (more deals could take place before then).

"Change" is the word of the season, and it’s in the air in the Popsci Predictions Exchange. Our prop review process is well under way and is yielding new props with clear payout statements— thanks to everyone who’s contributed specific suggestions!

You may have noticed that, as of Friday, there are a few new additions to the rules in the About section of PPX. We posted to the forums about the rules change, but we wanted to post here as well, to make sure all users are aware of the new policies.

PPX was established for two purposes: 1) to let PopSci readers and other interested players actively participate in making predictions about the future of science and technology and 2) to generate the most accurate data possible about these predictions. We hoped to accomplish these two goals without imposing too many rules and restrictions on the market, but weve observed trading behaviors that make it clear that a more explicit anti-manipulation policy is necessary for maintaining a fair and fun environment for all PPX members.Please read the About page for a summary of the revised rules.  These rules are now being actively enforced. Thanks for your patience as we continue to grow and develop PPX. --The PPX Staff

We're sorry to report that PPX is temporarily out-of-service due to a network-wide problem. Our technical team is working hard to rectify the issue. We estimate that it will be back online in an hour or two, and we apologize for the inconvenience! —The PopSci.com Team

Due to a technical issue, we're not going to activate the "price-freeze" feature on PPX until Friday, July 6. So from now until that day, trades will continue to happen in real time, with no opening-bell effect. Please make a note of the schedule change.

On Monday, telecom entrepreneur and X-Prize Foundation trustee Anousheh Ansari became the worlds first female space tourist when she launched into orbit aboard a Soyuz TMA spacecraft headed for the International Space Station. Shes also one of just four private citizens of both sexes ever to hitch a ride to the cosmos. Why the small number? Well, the price is prohibitive, of course, but bucks alone wont get you a ticket—theres a waiting list to clear, health requirements to meet, and six months of training to ace before youre allowed to hang out at ISS with the cool kids from NASA. Ansari cleared all the hurdles, saying she hopes her journey will inspire girls—especially those from her native Iran—to study science.

So far, Space Adventures, the group that launched Ansari and fellow space rookies Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth and Gregory Olsen, is the only tourism company sending random rich folks into orbit, but plans are underway to have Richard Bransons much-ballyhooed venture, Virgin Galactic, up and running by 2007. Ansari is reported to have paid about $20 million for her journey to the Space Station (twice the amount of the 2004 purse for the Ansari X-Prize Cup), but Virgin Galactic will offer flights for the low, low price of 100,000 (about $188,000).  The cost difference is probably due to the fact that the space-station trip is a 10-day affair, while Virgins flights will last just three hours.

If Bransons plan runs according to schedule, Ansari wont be the only female tourist in space for long. A host of other would-be rocket divas including Angelina Jolie and Sigourney Weaver have sent down payments to Virgin for the opportunity to leave Earths atmosphere. Just one caveat, ladies: a couple months back, Virgin Galactic representative Will Whitehorn said that breast implants "might well explode" if subjected to the G-forces of takeoff.  Mythbusters supposedly debunked that rumor, but no one has tested it yet in actual space. What I want to know is, which enhanced celeb is gonna be first to find out what happens? Whaddya say Pam Anderson—you're the adventurous type. Want to step up and set a space record?    —Megan Miller