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Capturing Waste Heat with Quantum Mechanics
TheMatt writes: "There is a summary of a Phys.Rev.Lett. article up at Nature Science Update that describes a design for a 'quantum afterburner' that would improve the efficiency of an Otto engine. It improves the efficiency by using a laser and maser to extract energy from the hot exhaust of the engine. In fact, the process could enhance performance beyond that of the "ideal" Otto engine."
The err is human, to love devious.
~
MU!
All that hot air should be put to good use, unlike right now...
Dear Slashdot Trolls
In this time of International crisis, I would like to extend the proverbial "olive branch" of peace on behalf of myself and the rest of the Slashdot community.
As a token gesture of our newfound friendship, please refrain from flooding the board with delusional rants and links to male homosexual websites. In return, the Slashdot community will applaud your efforts in restraining your delinquent tendencies.
What do you say?
How linux is still an inferior desktop OS
Hello, as an experienced MCSE, I have worked with many systems before for different corporations, and although I find linux to be a suitable server OS, there are many problems that have to be addressed before it will be able to compete with windows in the desktop world. Here are some suggestions I have come up with that will help linux become more competitive.
1) Remove the bloat. Most linux distro's ship with way to many useless programs. Desktop users do not need 10 different text editors. Give them one or two good ones and that will be enough.
2) Dump the command line. Desktop users do not use command lines. Windows is light-years ahead in this regard. Even their server OS has a great gui, and it is not necessary to use the command line. Linux needs to follow Microsoft's lead and get rid of the command line. You could maybe include an option for advanced users, like how windowsXP has an ms-dos prompt, if you really want to use it.
3) Dump open-source. Normal desktop users do not care about source code, they care about good programs. They do not want to compile anything. Linux needs real companies that actually know how to make good interfaces. Right now they are few and far between.
4) A universal gui system. Linux needs ONE gui. Perhaps people should focus on developing KDE into a competitive platform. Forget about gnome and everything else.
5) Make upgrading the software easier. Desktop users need an easy way to upgrade the kernel.
6) Get a good web browser. Linux has no good web browsers right now. Netscape is old and bloated. Opera cost extra and lacks some features. Mozilla is still beta and isn't even up to version 1.0 yet, so it doesn't count. Linux needs a browser that is competitive with IE, and right now IE is light-years ahead of anything for linux.
7) Proper office programs. If you want Linux to be used in offices, you need decent applications. These programs should be able to import all MS formats, past and present. Microsoft is still light years ahead when it comes to their office programs.
8) Backward compatibility. WindowsXP can run dos programs, windows 3.11 programs, windows9x programs, windowsNT programs, ect... Linux is barely backward compatible.
Right now I would recommend windowsXP for any sensible desktop user. Linux is still too complicated and fragmented to appeal to the typical user. Perhaps in a few years time they will be on par with windows, and a few people may try it.
The Slashdot Effect: A new for
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