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I wonder how much disk space the 2 million plus messages take up.

Even at 1k per message, that 2 gig of data. I wonder if the broke down and got an IBM 100gig for the future.

I am glad to see the hall of fame, etc integrated to include everything since the dawn of time.

- - -
Radio Free Nation
is a news site based on Slash Code
"If You have a Story, We have a Soap Box"
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Seems like there is a bunch of infighting going on

- - -
Radio Free Nation
is a general news site based on Slash Code
"If You have a story, We have a soapbox"
- - -
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how much you want to make a bet that a lot of folks are going to grab the 13 meg quicktime file?

The .fli file works just fine.

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Problem is, there are sometimes credible threats out there. Although I wonder if national security is served better by the equivalent of thicker walls for the castle, or by simply by not stepping on so many toes. The american sense of imperialism has too often not paid the simple courtesy of proper manners to many interests. This does not mean that we should walk in fear of offending just about anyone for any reason. It is a matter of respect as well as finesse and expertise.

The US is definitely walking in the direction of Empire vs a remaining a Republic. The British and Roman experiences serve as a warning. Empires need thick walls and send armies over seas to protect extended interests, often vested interests. Our Republic used to reserve the Navy (with the Marines) for presidential escapades, with the Army reserved to Congressional Approval. This line is blurring. All we need is to start hiring mercenaries to do the dirty work, since the american public has such a distaste for doing the stuff themselves. This would not be good.

But it would serve the interests of those devoted to their particular pork barrel. Who, of course, use FUD to their advantadge.

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Which is part of the problem. People who sell folks on bad solutions because it also spells job security

;-)

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Marketing Systems (as opposed to Operating Systems)

Marketing Systems are systems designed purely for marketing purposes, with operations being hardly even secondary considerations.

We have seen the gradual development of this type of thing with Microsoft. AOL and Amazon have the capabilities to really bring it to maturity.

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(Yes, the link has a nice graphic of this.)

I don't why, but it does seem strangely appropriate.

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so on an MS system, you have just enough time to boot before you have to shut down. Maybe?

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This idea is fine, until you look at the idea that any super intelligent AI like that might censor the links for your own good. You might not find anti microsoft links unless you specified hate and microsoft, for example. Or it might be too much stress in your life to know about the impending comet strike, and so that is left out of the search results, even if you choose to vacation at ground zero.

After all, it is smarter than humans, and hopefully is more moral? The question on what to do with "the questions of morals", and whose "morals to program it with" becomes very disturbing when applied to super intelligent search engines.

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True enough

Which shows you the logic of the allegations on the net. [shrug]

The lines of logic in the allegations get rather twisted after a while. Certainly the probable infighting doesn't help. People start to read between the line a little too much, and sometimes see things that are not there, or are different than imagined.

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These typically come from the fringe groups, and so most folks tend to dismiss them out of hand. Examples of this include the Mars Photos, where many have seen examples of people playing fast and loose loose with the results. The primary allegation is that JPL is heavy into the robot missions, and so is heavily biased against actually finding life someplace else, because that would pull funding from JPL into other NON-JPL projects.

Certainly, there are probably different political power centers inside NASA and JPL, etc. I can also see that some folks would have a vigorous reaction against releasing anything that could give the fringe groups more ammunition.

I am personally dismayed by fringe group presentations on TV where the first half almost seems like reasonable possibility, and the second half is someone doing a biblical interprataion of the material. Talk about a taking a large grain salt! And yet, I suppose that somebody sees these shows and takes them seriously. I am reminded that a large chunk of the population is "below average" intelligence, although alot of this depends on educations as well.

All in All, I suspect that with all of the changes at JPL, there has been infighting over the agenda, pig headedness, and simple sillyness that merely gives ammunition to their critics.

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Since I didn't have the exact details right at the fingertips, I quoted the details from the paragraphs from those two weblinks in my article. I guess even the internet can be wrong! [smile]

Now you get to write a nastygram to the

Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics for errors in a 1993 article,
(my story link was http://www.siam.org/siamnews/mtc/mtc193.htm)

and the European Patent Office for accepting data in a patent that erroneously describes the operation you are so angry about. (My original link here was http://swpat.ffii.org/vreji/pikta/txt/ep/0241/081/ desc.html)

Gee, I would have thought them reliable sources of information, but....

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I am really tired of them trying to finnagle their way out of legal judgements and traps in a way that is based on only legal loopholes.

This is just something that convicts them more and each day in my eyes.

It is like happened with Clinton, who got nailed for parsing every last syllable in his statements.

Bill Clinton's old arkansas nickname was "Slick Willy". Looks like Bill Gates is a "Slick Willy" too.

With this much bad karma accumulating this quickly, the MS management and legal staff could bypass re-incarnating as Bugs, and go straight back to being mud and pond scum.

It would be an act of mercy to nuke them from orbit. It would stop their every more rapid decline.

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Agreed.

The technology takes advantadge of the error correcting technology built into every audio CD. This technology is what allows the CD to play well even with hundreds of minor scratches. I think that the error correction will try to compensate for loss of data up to a tenth of a second or something like that. What they do is they put hundreds of minor glitches that are able to be corrected for by the technology. The error correction technology works really well, and is no way even close to being similar to a wave file.

If I recall correctly, compact discs use a version called cross-interleaved Reed-Solomon code, or CIRC. The basic level of error correction provided for Audio CD is one uncorrectable bit out of every 10^9. CD-ROM provides additional protection for data (ECC/EDC ) reducing the error rate to one bit in 10^13 For those interested, there is this detailed description, along with this basic introduction.

The coding system is based on groups of bits--such as bytes--rather than individual 0s and 1s. That feature makes Reed-Solomon codes particularly good at dealing with "bursts" of errors: Six consecutive bit errors, for example, can affect at most two bytes. Thus, even a double-error-correction version of a Reed-Solomon code can provide a comfortable safety factor. Current implementations of Reed-Solomon codes in CD technology are able to cope with error bursts as long as 4000 consecutive bits.

Thus it is possible to put in a couple hundred bytes of junk data every second or that would be the basis of the copy protection, all without compromising audio quality.

That said, I can record any sound playing through my computer with the software I have. The Audio Quality will be very good, then I can burn direct to CD, or convert to MP3, or whatever. Of course, all that I use this for are the music tapes I have from when I used to record certain local bands in clubs professionally.

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Although I wonder how many of thos apps are main strem items vs noname smalltime utilities.

Sounds promising. Which reminds me, how is the BSD Ports conversion going? that would be very nice to have done, but an awful lot of those items are not exactly high priority consumer items.

Then there is this item that gives me mixed feelings:

Kevin Browne from Microsoft [...] took the stage to talk about Microsoft Office for Mac OS X. He said the OS X version of Excel is the best version of the software Microsoft has shipped for any platform.

But then, it is not a perfect world.

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Well, this is something that could be done via cookies, or something, although doing this via your generic web based profile in your local cyber cafe would be more problematic.

Maybe they can take a cue from those famous "adult check" web sites or other similar technologies.

feh.

It's a dog's breakfast.

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Sometimes I honestly think that there should be a use it or loose it provision in the patent law, then I think about your typically small time inventor.

Besides, whatever happened to those guys who claim they invented the Hyperlink?

Patent law is a mess

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[sigh]

and MS wants us to trust them with the .NET

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"Hello? I just bought my first computer yesterday, I got one of your softwares at the store with the computer. Can you tell me what to do?"

Some how I think that a Virtual Help Desk will have problems with this sort of thing.

With the likely hood being that mostly the smartest people have already purchased their computers, what this means is that what is left is for the less smart people to get their computers.

This provides for new adventures in tech support.

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It makes a good marketing point.

"People who spend the Big Bucks choose Linux"

Now if we could only get MS bashing into the movies ... realistic computer scenes with blue screens and the rest.

;-)

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http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/asiapcf/central/07/1 3/taliban.internet/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/internet/07/13/afghan .internet.reut/index.html

These are better links because you will be able access the data a year from now, while the Yahoo story will fall off the net in a few weeks.

It looks like alot of folks are commenting without reading the story. If they had, they would have noted this bit:

It was not immediately known how many people or offices use the Internet in a country in which infrastructure is in ruins because of more than two decades of war. There are not many computers and most of areas do not have electricity. Those who can afford to, including foreign aid agencies, log onto the Internet through the few telephone lines provided by neighboring Pakistan.

[...]

AIP did not say when the ban was imposed and how the Taliban planned to ensure that telephone lines were not being used to access the Internet. But most Taliban decisions and edicts on conduct are ruthlessly enforced by their powerful religious police working under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

A special note is that, as the taliban says, "We want to establish a system in Afghanistan through which we can control all those things that are wrong, obscene, immoral and against Islam"

This will be rather difficult to do, given their particular view of technology, etc. Maybe they'll mandate proprietary Taliban systems. But who would make them? I am sure someone would, but they could be a bit pricey.

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I do recall that they replaced the old hand lawyers with a bunch of "beginners". (I need info to verify this)

The analogy I see is a possible similiarity to coding projects. You could replace the old guard with a bunch of hotshot code jockeys all rather young and very talented, etc. I can only hope that we have the legal equivalent of this in the legal geeks now on the job.

It would be very wonderful if the new crew were to give the MS bunch a rude surprise.

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One interesting tidbit:

"Heroin Economics" - Common practice of drug dealers looking to establish a customer base by providing free samples to "hook" users, at which time the dealer raises his prices for his product. Since people are now dependent, they will naturally pay whatever is necessary to obtain the substance. In the software world, for years Microsoft tolerated software piracy (both casual and organized) as its user base expanded and the company became a monopoly on the desktop with millions of "hooked" users and organizations...at which time it raised its prices and plans to force users to pay annual tributes to feed their dependence on Microsoft products and services. (See "Product Activation Technology")

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So in a way, this will be good becauase it will make people program without the potential of infinite expansion.

Yes the guy is clueless.

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there was this Slash Story on how the compounds for life are all over space.

Farscape is starting to look reasonable.

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True enuf, although I suppose the article cannot get everything right.

Time to get out the 5000 rated sunblock

;-)

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Multidimensional databases have been getting close to this sort of thing for ages (I have a friend who is profoundly expert in these things, I am not) Considering that they were originally systems designed to be multiuser multitasking, etc with true real time queries; and there are versions of this that run on an XT with decent performance [shrug] So you tounge in cheek question has a semi serious answer.

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I'm going to have to start taking bets on the outcome

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Sounds familiar, no?

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Shear speculation, but it has a ring of truth somehow.

;-)

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Heck, it is even a business opportunity, selling things and services to the city.

someone should get cracking.

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Which is what MS is doing by using .NET as a trademark, even tho it was a generic term before (as in the "Net"). Also, in the case of Microsoft, you might get into trouble by buying a superior non_MS product, using words similar in describing it, such as XWindows, Wordstar, or whatever.

;-)

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The end result is that alot of alternatives to payload launchers, etc have been scrapped over the years.

Thus the primary mission of Nasa is to cover their butts and protect their jobs. Then to get something done.

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But it is a place to start.

Side note:

while looking up the Finnish Language pages for this comment, I came across this tidbit: That Finnish has "no equivalent of the verb to have". This has interesting philosophic implications in the history of open source, etc.

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http://www.newdawnmagazine.com/images/cfin0004b.jp g

on this webpage, both of which are an interesting read.

Point being, the cartoon reminds me of Microsoft Marketing Practices.

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So with companies wanting to push to a three year cycle, and Microsoft wanting everyone on a two year cycle, there is a little truth to both sides of the argument.

But Microsoft's argument requires you overlook the facts for an awful lot of companies. How convenient.

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Of course, almost any proxy server, firewall, etc. could likely be set up that way.

But it is nice to see the popup try to launch, and then watch it go away.

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This is his best work in this vein, although Creatures of Light And Darkness is also excellent.

It is certainly entertaining with the thousand and one details that come to mind to make a coherent world.

I recall with amusement the prayo-mats (think arcade like devices with flashing lights, etc. that send your prayers to heaven for a few coins), and someone filling a bunch of them with slugs.

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Tiny 'big bang' performs quantum computations

Using a computer model that "explodes" a single particle into an infinite regress of quantum waves, University of Arkansas physics professor William Harter has demonstrated a new approach to quantum computation. "Our model reveals a fractal interference pattern emerging from quantum waves -- after what we are calling a tiny big bang -- that can perform useful calculations, such as calculating all the prime factors of any size integer," said Harter.

Like I said, this could be difficult to manufacture into a chip.

;-)

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Then of course, there is the space fungus.

But seriously, who wants to make a bet that one of the best selling early flicks actually shot in space would be a porn flick? There might be enough money in it to finance non governmental space flight. I guess it depends on who are the most appropriate stars.

enuf said.

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And as a monopoly, they may wind up under regulation similar to how public utilities are regulated.

I can see this as an acceptable solution to the Microsoft problem.

Microsoft under the control of a panel of tech savvy bureaucrats (say, a panel of 25 or 30 Non-Microsoft Technology Experts) who have to approve every tweak and change in the software in advance of deployment, with public hearings and all the rest. And who could force a recall at any time.

This would be entertaining to say the least.

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Maybe AOL can learn something?

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The treasury DOES redeem money, new for old, even if it has been severly damaged. I remeeber a PBS program where they even redeemed money that had been burned. They used sophisticated technology to ID the bills from the fragile layers of ashes.

Given this, the problem of processing money with a small hole seems mute.

Also, The US Treasury is the most conservative in the world when it comes to adopting new fangled features. They seem to let the rest of the planet beta test it first.

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It is built out of a converted fire extnguisher. You pressurize it to the spec of the canister, often in the range of 100 PSI.

Do Not Over Pressurize!

How to build instructions at the page.

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heck, the government will even go to lengths to replace money destroyed in a fire, so mildly damaged bills that are legit should not be an issue.

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Jefferson proposed specific language for an amendment that would have allowed copyrights and patents, despite his doubts, but forbidden any other type of commercial monopoly. "For instance," Jefferson wrote, "the following alterations and additions would have pleased me: Article 9. Monopolies may be allowed to persons for their own productions in literature, and their own inventions in the arts, for a term not exceeding _____ years, but for no longer term, and no other purpose."

There are advantadges to having broad market controls, but there is a price as well. Take a look at a history of the Oil industry before Rockerfeller took it over. The PBS film (transcript here) on the Rockerfellers is enlightening.

As the oil gushed skyward, fantastic stories appeared of instant fortunes. Among the Cleveland businessmen lured to the region was John D. Rockefeller. He was no wildcatter. He saw that drilling for oil was a very risky business. Refining, not drilling, he decided, was where the steady money was to be made. Soon, a new rail line linked Cleveland with the oil region. Rockefeller built his refinery right beside it.

Rockefeller's future, however, was harnessed to an industry in trouble. "So many wells were flowing," he lamented, "that the price of oil kept falling, yet they went right on drilling." He saw an industry plagued by over-production, and his own success threatened by what he described as "ruinous, cutthroat competition."

John D. was shrewd enough and he was analytical enough that he realized that in order to figure out a way to save his own firm and his own newly-won fortune, that he had to figure out a solution for the entire industry. It was at that point that John D. began to conceive of the oil industry as one big interrelated mechanism. And you couldn't just change one component, you had to control the entire machine.

In a move that would transform the American economy, Rockefeller set out to replace a world of independent oilmen with a giant company controlled by him. In l870, begging bankers for more loans, he formed Standard Oil of Ohio. The next year, he quietly put what he called "our plan" -- his campaign to dominate the volatile oil industry - into devastating effect.

Jefferson would have been alarmed by this is the extreme. and it is something that far surpasses what they had experienced with industries in there day.

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This is not always true.

You also run into the phenomena of Thing X that you are trying to understand is based on ten other things. If you do not have those other things nailed down properly, this sabotages you down the road. This leads to clueless MSCE techs who cannot apply what they know.

For Example, a network tech who has never even built a machine or spliced a wire. Or has never once done basic hexadecimal math

If you are jammed up trying to understand something, you need to be able to figure out the missing piece of the puzzle.

You do have alot of folks who try to skim over things skimp on things skip things that are not important. And every once in a while, you get bit in the ass by this.

The screaming in frustration you describe is a perfect symptom of this. It is not attention deficit, unless the attention deficit is the fact that you did not pay attention in the first place.

Of course being able to spot your own blind spots in technology or whatever is a difficult task, because alot of folks won't own up to it. This is a bit foolish of course, it is what makes you or breaks you.

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Strangely, I had no problem reading it.

Although the writing style is more complex than you typically find in tech journals. Note that it is not the content that is more complicated, but the style is.

For Example, instead of writing this:

Attention Consciousness is the growing realization that the new economy depends as much on gathering attention as it does on selling particular services, because if the first isn't done, the second becomes irrelevant.

he could have written this:

Attention Consciousness comes about because business people are starting to notice that people have their limits. People have only so much time to spend online, or watch TV, or whatever. People have limited bandwidth. The New Economy depends on getting control of that bandwidth. The New Economy depends on getting control of this limited commodity, the amount of time that people have to spend looking and gawking at stuff. If people are not even looking at your stuff, then you never have the chance to make a sale. You never have a chance.

Now I understood the firsat passage just fine. I rewrote the second passage by taking some of the background ideas and making sure they were more easily understood.

In other words, I dumbed it down. The sentences are shorter, and each sentence usually contains only one concept. Note that these seven sentences are used to convey the same idea that the original one sentence communicated. I would have to spend some time to polish it up.

Personally, I like it better when something is not dumbed down for my consumption.

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Let the next Round of Lawsuits begin.

Personally, I prefer to break up Microsoft into as many pieces as possible, but what do I know.

After all, I am only a consumer.

As long as MS has my money, why would they even care?

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