So just what is going on inside Hanger 3?

[Agschmid]

Something big and mysterious is rising from a floating barge at the end of Treasure Island, a former Navy base in the middle of San Francisco Bay. And Google's fingerprints are all over it.



It's unclear what's inside the structure, which stands about four stories high and was made with a series of modern cargo containers. The same goes for when it will be unveiled, but the big tease has already begun. Locals refer to it as the secret project.

Google did not respond to multiple requests for comment. But after going through lease agreements, tracking a contact tied to the project on LinkedIn, talking to locals on Treasure Island, and consulting with experts, it's all but certain that Google is the entity that is building the massive structure that's in plain sight, but behind tight security.

Could the structure be a sea-faring data center? One expert who was shown pictures of the structure thinks so, especially because being on a barge provides easy access to a source of cooling, as well as an inexpensive source of power -- the sea. And even more tellingly, Google was granted a patent in 2009 for a floating data center, and putting data centers inside shipping containers is already a well-established practice.

Whether the structure is in fact a floating data center is hard to say for sure, of course, since Google's not talking. But Google, understandably, has a history of putting data centers in places with cheap cooling, as well as undertaking odd and unexpected projects like trying to bring Internet access to developing nations via balloons and blimps.

Full Article on CNet

[CK_John]

1. Wonder what happens if they take it out 200+ mile and become a new country. You never know.

[Agschmid]

5. Where there are no privacy laws?

[madokie]

8. I use Linux

and the first site I add to my preferences is to block Google. I don't know if it makes any difference or not but I feel better for it. I use startpage as my search engine, or sometimes Ixquick or Duckduckgo. Startpage seems to have the better search, to me anyway.

[FarCenter]

16. More likely it would be just offshore

The advantage would be the sea water cooling, which is more efficient that using air in southern latitudes. Air cooling works well in places like northern Sweden.

But you need power and communications from an on-shore location. Communications is pretty easy with microwaves or fiber cables. Power is more of a problem, unless you get one of those Russian barge mounted nuclear reactors next to it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_floating_nuclear_power_station

[MADem]

2. I'm intrigued! K/R! nt

[Agschmid]

4. Me too can't wait for the reveal...

If we ever find out!

[RobertEarl]

3. Eh

Put on your google goggles and you can see.

12.95 each. For each eye. 12 minute data plan, 2 gb limit. Download speeds up to 45mps. Be the first on your block, er, webring! And watch what kind of ads for goggles appear!

[NutmegYankee]

6. Another one on the East Coast, New London, Conn.

Google it? Search-engine giant may be behind secret structures

By TOM BELL Portland Press Herald
Since it was towed into Maine's Portland Harbor on a barge earlier this month, a four-story windowless building has been a source of intrigue. Its purpose and its owner's identity have been kept secret.

Three thousand miles away, residents of San Francisco have been similarly puzzled by a four-story windowless building rising from a floating barge at the end of Treasure Island, a former Navy base in the middle of San Francisco Bay.

That project is also a secret.

But clues have emerged that indicate the two projects are connected.
Link: http://www.theday.com/article/20131026/NWS01/310269939/1018

(Pictures)
http://www.theday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=NL&Date=20131023&Category=NWS01&ArtNo=131029884&Ref=AR&Maxw=475
http://www.theday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=NL&Date=20131009&Category=NWS01&ArtNo=131009641&Ref=AR&Profile=1069&Maxw=475
http://www.theday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=NL&Date=20130928&Category=NWS01&ArtNo=309289961&Ref=AR&Maxw=475

(articles)
http://www.theday.com/article/20131009/NWS01/131009641/1069/rss
http://www.theday.com/article/20130928/NWS01/309289961/1069/rss

[Agschmid]

7. Thanks for sharing!

Very interesting indeed!

[randome]

9. These are Obama's teleportation sites.

Where he transports Bin Laden to Mars so they can have gay sex on a bed of copies of his Kenyan birth certificate while a troupe of cloned 'fainting girls' dances for them.

Did I cover enough conspiracy theories with that?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[oldhippie]

10. I know! I know! ......

These are going to be the actual data centers for the ACA website! The Administration finally contracted with a company that knows something about websites and data centers. They're just keeping it secret for now because of ...... (I can't think of a good reason, but I am sure someone here will have some ideas. )

[randome]

11. Because that's where the operators fill out the punch cards for the healthcare applications.

They're embarrassed to admit it.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[FSogol]

12. DUzy!

[randome]

14. I quit coffee except for my weekly visit to the local Starbucks.

So I'm a little high on caffeine right now and my fingers can't keep up with what I want...idfidfnbfndfndindfnfnfigfivndifndnfbhbhfifein
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[Logical]

13. How is the sea an expensive source of power? n-t

[elehhhhna]

15. "Ideally, we'd have every plant we own on a barge." GE's Immelt, BO's JOBS CZAR, on cheap labor.

THAT's what's going on.

[randome]

17. It's where Donald Trump's hairpiece stores its copies of Donald Trump!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[NightWatcher]

18. Oh noes, the Borg started off with floating pontoon collectives

Before they flew through space, the Borg collective was seen floating on pontoon boats

We're all doomed. Resistance is pointless.

[Tikki]

19. California does have a History of Gambling Ships…famous one in the 20's off Santa Monica...

But it prob is a data center. Wonder who will get the contract for the crew change boats and
if any workers (staff) will live on the barge.

http://www.laalmanac.com/history/hi06ee.htm


Tikki