GFD writes: "The EETimes has a story about a DARPA program to develop a new class of electronics and system architecture based on smart fabrics. Some of the more interesting challenges include networking protocols and fault tolerance. Routing between buttons? What happens if your CPU gets a rip??"
A bit much?
by
InfinityWpi
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!
I completely agree. Some things definately do NOT need to be 'smart' or otherwise "enhanced". On the other hand, some things that are enhanced would be great. I'd love to be able to pay a parking ticket right on the ticket. When paid, the ticket changes to a reciept.
Flags that were smart would be cool. Smart fabrics in general are neat because they have the potential to require less closet space. It would be very cool to wear a suit that could change color from business grey or green to funeral black. You wouldn't have to go home to go to the wake of a coworker. Similarly, road workers outfits could change color from the usual to International Emergency Orange (yes, that color has a name)when they're on the job. Smart curtains would be neat, ones that can change color when you want to redecorate, or change opacity on demand (this already exists in windows, though).
I'd hate to see a "smart" glove (I don't want my clothes to know where my hands have been), or a smart beer can (unless it can make more beer). I certainly don't need a smart door, but a smart key would be great (one key for you car, house, garage, desk at work etc...), unless you lose it, then you'd need a backup.
Come to think of it, I can't think of many things that wouldn't be better if it were "enhanced", but those few things definately DON'T need to be enhanced.
-- The Dopester "Yes, I'm a Karma Whore, but I'm doing it to pay my way through school."
Re:A bit much?
by
tswinzig
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!
Why is it when an advance is made in some unconventional area, there are always those people that assume EVERYTHING in that area is going to change, and they will be forced to change along with it?
Just because there are 'smart clothes' doesn't mean you have to fucking buy them!
Slashdot Mirror
Am I the only person here who things not everything needs to be 'networked' or 'smart' or 'e-' or '-net' or anything else? For god's sake, leave some things simple!