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It’s summertime, and the living is easy. Or, in the case of this week’s podcast, the living dead, who are not, as they say, resting easy. Instead, in the latest example of “give-them-some-money-and-scientists-will-study-ANYTHING,” we have a paper from a team at the University of Ottawa entitled: “When Zombies Attack!: Mathematical Modelling of an Outbreak of Zombie Infection.” Fair enough. Now, before you roll your eyes (into the back of your head), know this: the Ottawa crew really does feel that this research can teach us something about the spread of infectious diseases. And maybe about eating brains. Who knows? One thing I do know — a lot of you out there in WTP land love zombies, so there was no way I was going to leave it out of episode 255.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled podcast. On the more serious side, this week we take a look at botnets, those nasty groups of computers that are co-opted by criminals, and then spew out viruses and worms and spam. Yuck. Cyrus Farivar reports on some new research into how to stop botnets. Unfortunately, the solution might require creating, essentially, “good guy” botnets. And that, I’m afraid, creates all kinds of ethical and legal challenges.

Then, since Cyrus is across all this stuff, we keep him around to talk about some new research from a Vermont-based outfit called The U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit. Cyrus checks in with Scott Borg, chief economist there at USCCU, on a report that’s just come out looking at last year’s cyber-spat between Russia and Georgia.  Sorry, I can’t actually give you a copy of the report. Visit the website for details.

Next up, the British steam-powered car that’s out to break the land speed record. We hear from driver Donald Wales. they’re hoping to get this sweet ride (powered by 12 boilers, mind you) up to 130MPH and beyond. Wow. Right now, the team is at Edwards Air Force Base here in the United States, fighting the heat, broken boilers and punctured tires. Get the latest on the effort here.

What makes for a beautiful mix? Flamenco, hip-hop, and Creative Commons of course. Cody Canyon and Gnotes lay some Gnawledge on you. You have to love it when the Internet helps a plan, and a free album, come together. Did I mention the album is free? Download it here.

Remember, there are sorts of ways to follow the tech podcast: Twitter, Facebook, and FriendFeed.

See also

• November 20, 2009 -- Tech Podcast 268: Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy Returns!
• September 11, 2009 -- Trains, a Bio-Truck, and Winston the High-Speed Pigeon
• August 14, 2009 -- Castle Building Gets Medieval, Bertrand Piccard, and GPS Atari Art
• June 19, 2009 -- Twitter and Other Social Media Tools in Iran