Slashdot Mirror
DNA Solves Million-Answer NP-Complete Problem
cybrpnk writes: "A 'DNA computer' has been used for the first time to find the only correct answer from over a million possible solutions to a computational problem. Leonard Adleman of the University of Southern California in the US and colleagues used different strands of DNA to represent the 20 variables in their problem, which could be the most complex task ever solved without a conventional computer. Details to be published in Science."
Readers of Slashdot. I come before you today with a desire. A desire to rid Slashdot of the one thing that is driving me away: Trolls. As I have seen it put here before, the scum of Slashdot. Let me give you a quick explanation.
I know that this is offtopic and should be rated offtopic, but the statements I'm making here are true and must be addressed at once. I am posting this comment under a new account so as not to burn up the precious karma that allows me to post relavant articles and replies to meaningful stories. Did you read that last sentence? Relevant and meaningful. Two words that are all too often lost in the heightened "signal to noise" ratio that trolls are forcing on the intelligent readers and posters of Slashdot.
I'm no genius. I use windows at work because I have to. I use Linux (Mandrake)at home, but I'm a relative newbie and am still learning better ways to make Linux run. There are many stories on Slashdot that I do not understand. Most of these stories are about systems or technology that I will probably never use. Regardless, I have learned much about Linux from the postings and users of Slashdot. I also use Slashdot to keep me up to date on technology and current events/issues in the technology world. Things like napster, the DMCA, the hype of ginger, and many others.
Here's my point. I should be allowed to read Slashdot, regardless of who I am and what I'm reading it for, without having to worry about pictures of a man's anus being spread open, people telling me about some atm becoming a person, people talking about pouring hot grits down their pants, or people thinking about a petrified Natalie Portman! What's wrong with these people? Don't they have anything better to do with their lives/time than to bother others? I'm sick of people saying that Linux users are gay and communists. I'm neither of those things, and if even if I was, should that lessen my right to read Slashdot in peace?
I've said all that to say this: the trolls must go! I'm not saying that I have a solution. The moderation and meta-moderation systems are great tools. They have filtered out much of the garbage that people spread on Slashdot. Banning people's accounts and or ip addresses has also worked to a limited degree, but are not the answer. I'm also definitely not saying that we should impose some form of censorship, as I, like many other worthwhile Slashdot patrons, am against censorship in all its forms. But something must be done. At first I began thinking "trolls are on Slashdot and I don't like trolls, so I should just start reading a different techie news site," but thats not fair. Before you start the "life's not fair" flames, hear me out.
I certainly didn't start Slashdot. I haven't been around Slashdot for that long (only about 2 years). It would not be fair for me to say "our" website or "we" need to take back whats rightfully "ours". But in truth, thats what you old timers should be fighting for. I'm more than willing to "join the cause." I have been subjected to far too much worthless drivel while trying to enjoy Slashdot. Surely we, and I say we meaning the actual readers of Slashdot could come up with some sort of sure fire way to once and for all retake our beloved site from these people, these trolls. Come on there are a lot of smart people reading, posting, maintaining, and contributing to Slashdot. Surely among all these living clock cycles we could develop something to safeguard Slashdot from the trolls.
Sorry for the ranting and rambling, but I've said some things here I've needed to say for a while, and quite frankly are true. Shall we begin discussions of removing the troll element from Slashdot?
I am constantly finding that i'm being moderated as 'troll'! Most of my comments are NOT INTENDED TO BE TROLL! But moderators have seem to of forgotten what a 'troll post' is!
A 'troll' usually tries to get the first post in a article
Trolls talk about discusting topics such as gay nerds and sex with animals such as goats!
Trolls posts links to vile websites, the most well known one is http://www.goatse.cx. Sometimes they try and discuise it through another website such as AOL.com.
Trolls post anti linux material, trying to prove how windows is superior. which often is moderated as 'flamebait'
Trolls post useless information known as 'crapfloods'.
I AM NOT A TROLL, STOP MODERATING ME AS A TROLL!
If it happens again, you will be SORRY!
Is this a troll? No I don't think so!
I am constantly finding that i'm being moderated as 'troll'! Most of my comments are NOT INTENDED TO BE TROLL! But moderators have seem to of forgotten what a 'troll post' is!
A 'troll' usually tries to get the first post in a article
Trolls talk about discusting topics such as gay nerds and sex with animals such as goats!
Trolls posts links to vile websites, the most well known one is http://www.goatse.cx. Sometimes they try and discuise it through another website such as AOL.com.
Trolls post anti linux material, trying to prove how windows is superior. which often is moderated as 'flamebait'
Trolls post useless information known as 'crapfloods'.
I AM NOT A TROLL, STOP MODERATING ME AS A TROLL!
If it happens again, you will be SORRY!
Is this a troll? No I don't think so!
Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin'
Trollin', Trollin', Trollin' , Trollin', Trollin', Trollin'
Slashdaaahhht!
Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Though the Karmas swollen
Keep them Post's a Trollin'
Slashdaaahhht
Firsts and grits and daily, Hellbent for Natalie, Wishin' my gal was by my side
All the things I'm missin', flames, naked and petrified'
Are waiting at the end of my ride
CHORUS
Post 'em on, Mod 'em up, Mod 'em up, move 'em on
Move 'em on, Mod 'em up, Slashdaaahhht
Karma out, Trollin' in, First postins'in , Signal 11's out
Mod 'em up, trollin's in , Slashdaaahhht
Keep trollin', trollin', trollin', Though they're disapprovin'
Keep them doggies trollin', Slashdaaahhht
Don't try to understand 'em, Just cheer 'em, post and feed 'em
Soon we'll be postin' high and wide
My hearts calculatin', My first post will be waitin',
Be waitin' at the end of my rant
Hyaa!
CHORUS
Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin'
Hyaa!
Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin', Trollin'
Hyaa!
Slashdaaahhht!
Slashdaaahhht!
Now how many months before they come out with a USB version?
I like replies better than Karma, even if they are flames, because that tells me I got someone thinking.
Damn, you beat me to 42.
"There's always an easier way" ~Mr. Gunn, Gunnventions
Well THAT was clear. Definitely above and beyond most content on this site. "It was that something or other about that thing, you know, before, that I read, but I forgot now, because of something or other... yeah." Someone mod this guy UP!!
STOP ME BEFORE I POST AGAIN!
The fact that it's NOT NEWS is WHY IT'S ON SLASHDOT.
STOP ME BEFORE I POST AGAIN!