murk1e writes "The BBC reports that in this article that a smart Pool table has been invented. The full information is here. For more about the Physics of Pool, try this site, or for a game, try here."
"People do not speak to pool tables so we came up with this personalised system and people are happy to talk to him," explained Mr Larsen.
Uh, I never needed an AI assistant to speak to a pool table, but the number of curses you can apply to an inanimate object are limited. Kudos to them for offering a target for my rage and frustration.
-- That's not a soda... it's a caffeine delivery device!
1) Knows not to make smart alec comments like "Whoops" just when you're making that crucial shot to win the game.
2) Doesn't "eat" your money and give you no balls
3) Doesn't take your money and give you all the balls except one.
4) Actually has chalk you don't have to pay for - say on a piece of string.
5) Doesn't charge you ridiculous amounts for a game.
6) Is too smart to be in a pub.
7) Has recently submitted a phD thesis on game theory.
8) Reminds you when you've left out linebreaks posting to slashdot.
All this "laser" business reminds me of an old episode of Quantum Leap.
that suits me fine. it's your shot, clippy comes along to tell you something utterly inane like "it looks like you're playing a popular western pastime, do you want me to write you a fucking letter?" and you've already got a pool cue in your hands...I can't think of a better user experience...
I'd rather something that took the shot I told it!
by
6Yankee
·
· Score: 5, Funny
I can see the angles, dammit! The hard part is getting the damned stick thing to poke the damned round white thing into the other round things at the angle I can see, without going down a damned hole thing, getting airborne, or knocking the damned round black thing down a damned hole thing!!!
The only smart pool table
by
nucal
·
· Score: 5, Funny
is one that will go get me a beer right before I want one.
My favourite quote about pool.
by
GothChip
·
· Score: 5, Funny
"There's no such thing as a fluke shot in pool. It's just an oversight in the calculations."
The technology behind James, who looks like a professional pool player
So he has a mullet, old faded AC/DC t-shirt (hanging out), worn out old blue jeans, home made tattoos that have H A T E on his fingers on one hand and L O V E on the other, a beer in hand and squinting from his cigarette smoke that he lit with his Harley Davidson Zippo lighter (he's never actually owned a Harley though) while he waits for his shot. When he takes his shot, he smashes the sweet baby Jesus out of it where ever possible.
Of course, the physics of pool has and never will enter his head, because pool comes naturally to him, what growing up in pool halls and all.
He's professional because he usually wins the local comp, which just covers his practice expenses.
-- War crimes, torture, lies, illegal spying... Would someone give Bush a blowjob, already, so he can be impeached?
I can see where this technology can be adapted to other sports and activities
Golf James : "I've noticed that you've landed in the rough again, would you like some help?"
Baseball James : "I've noticed that you've kicked dirt all over the umpire, would you like some help?"
Football James : "I've noticed that you're the Cincinatti Bengals, would you like some help?"
NASCAR James : "I've noticed that Todd Bodine has once again wrecked half the field, including yourself, and you're about to throw your helmet at his car on national TV, would you like some help?"
Extreme Skier James : "I've noticed that you're tumbling down a snow-covered icy slope with your legs and arms flailing at angles not normally associated with normal movement of the human anatomy, would you like some help?"
When I was a teenager, my best friend had a really nice table in his basement. By the time I left high school I was actually quite good at the game. But even when I was bad, I wouldn't have wanted a "smart" table. Part of the fun is really bolluxing up what should have been an easy shot, laughing at yourself, and learning how to do it right. The only "smart" table I want is one that knows more games than I do and will always be tabulating the score.
Off topic story now. When I was 16 there was a Danish exchange student in my circle of friends. I wanted her like mad, but hadn't found a way to get past that "good friends" stage. She was hot as all get out, and had an adorable way of mistaking what we were saying and/or not knowing the words, especially the slang. So we're all at my friend's place playing pool, and I just about won a game with an incredible shot on the 8-ball. But instead, the 8 hit the cue a second time, knocking in the cue. I lost, and exclaimed something about how I "double kissed"** it. Danish exchange student says "what's a 'devil kiss'?" Full deadpan, I said "step in that closet over there and I'll show you." She grins and accepts! All our friends' jaws drop, we head in the closet and come out 20 minutes later, breathless. Turns out all the guys knew I wanted her, and all the girls knew she wanted me, so they never said a word. Started a short-lived but highly passionate relationship that was broken up by her exchange parents. And that's my best pool story ever.
**"double-kiss" is when the cue hits the intended ball (in this case the 8) more than one time in a shot.
-- been out for 5 years, time to comment again...
Physics of Pool
by
JewFish
·
· Score: 5, Informative
The real physics[PDF] behind pool. This is much more stimulating than the "physics link" posted in the story.
free book on the physics of pool
by
bcrowell
·
· Score: 5, Informative
There's a free book on the physics of pool. Reviews here would be appreciated.
Slashdot Mirror
...sadly, I think it was in an episode of Quantum Leap, where Dean Stockwell used his handheld computer to calculate the angles.
Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
"Never play pool with a man named after a state."
Athletic Scholarships to universities make as much sense as academic scholarships to sports teams.
"People do not speak to pool tables so we came up with this personalised system and people are happy to talk to him," explained Mr Larsen.
Uh, I never needed an AI assistant to speak to a pool table, but the number of curses you can apply to an inanimate object are limited. Kudos to them for offering a target for my rage and frustration.
That's not a soda... it's a caffeine delivery device!
My definition about a smart pool table:
1) Knows not to make smart alec comments like "Whoops" just when you're making that crucial shot to win the game.
2) Doesn't "eat" your money and give you no balls
3) Doesn't take your money and give you all the balls except one.
4) Actually has chalk you don't have to pay for - say on a piece of string.
5) Doesn't charge you ridiculous amounts for a game.
6) Is too smart to be in a pub.
7) Has recently submitted a phD thesis on game theory.
8) Reminds you when you've left out linebreaks posting to slashdot.
All this "laser" business reminds me of an old episode of Quantum Leap.
Video Game cheats, hints a
that suits me fine. it's your shot, clippy comes along to tell you something utterly inane like "it looks like you're playing a popular western pastime, do you want me to write you a fucking letter?" and you've already got a pool cue in your hands...I can't think of a better user experience...
Invoicing, Time Tracking, Reporting
Well, it looks like I watched Donald in Mathmagic Land for nothing.
Bort.
Free, Anonymous surfing: Pagewash.com.
I can see the angles, dammit! The hard part is getting the damned stick thing to poke the damned round white thing into the other round things at the angle I can see, without going down a damned hole thing, getting airborne, or knocking the damned round black thing down a damned hole thing!!!
is one that will go get me a beer right before I want one.
"There's no such thing as a fluke shot in pool. It's just an oversight in the calculations."
The technology behind James, who looks like a professional pool player
So he has a mullet, old faded AC/DC t-shirt (hanging out), worn out old blue jeans, home made tattoos that have H A T E on his fingers on one hand and L O V E on the other, a beer in hand and squinting from his cigarette smoke that he lit with his Harley Davidson Zippo lighter (he's never actually owned a Harley though) while he waits for his shot. When he takes his shot, he smashes the sweet baby Jesus out of it where ever possible.
Of course, the physics of pool has and never will enter his head, because pool comes naturally to him, what growing up in pool halls and all.
He's professional because he usually wins the local comp, which just covers his practice expenses.
War crimes, torture, lies, illegal spying... Would someone give Bush a blowjob, already, so he can be impeached?
It can call us Betty!
(mangled Quantam Leap/Paul Simon reference)
Face it, people are stupid, and the internet is the place where they all meet.
How many people didn't read any of the links and went straight for the java pool game???
sweet. me too.
Eeeasssssyyy buddy.... Put doowwwnnn the pool cue...
my religion lies somewhere between buddhism and super monkey ball - pamphlet?
I can see where this technology can be adapted to other sports and activities
Golf James : "I've noticed that you've landed in the rough again, would you like some help?"
Baseball James : "I've noticed that you've kicked dirt all over the umpire, would you like some help?"
Football James : "I've noticed that you're the Cincinatti Bengals, would you like some help?"
NASCAR James : "I've noticed that Todd Bodine has once again wrecked half the field, including yourself, and you're about to throw your helmet at his car on national TV, would you like some help?"
Extreme Skier James : "I've noticed that you're tumbling down a snow-covered icy slope with your legs and arms flailing at angles not normally associated with normal movement of the human anatomy, would you like some help?"
Create your own, share and trade with friends!
Off topic story now. When I was 16 there was a Danish exchange student in my circle of friends. I wanted her like mad, but hadn't found a way to get past that "good friends" stage. She was hot as all get out, and had an adorable way of mistaking what we were saying and/or not knowing the words, especially the slang. So we're all at my friend's place playing pool, and I just about won a game with an incredible shot on the 8-ball. But instead, the 8 hit the cue a second time, knocking in the cue. I lost, and exclaimed something about how I "double kissed"** it. Danish exchange student says "what's a 'devil kiss'?" Full deadpan, I said "step in that closet over there and I'll show you." She grins and accepts! All our friends' jaws drop, we head in the closet and come out 20 minutes later, breathless. Turns out all the guys knew I wanted her, and all the girls knew she wanted me, so they never said a word. Started a short-lived but highly passionate relationship that was broken up by her exchange parents. And that's my best pool story ever.
**"double-kiss" is when the cue hits the intended ball (in this case the 8) more than one time in a shot.
been out for 5 years, time to comment again...
The real physics[PDF] behind pool. This is much more stimulating than the "physics link" posted in the story.
There's a free book on the physics of pool. Reviews here would be appreciated.
Find free books.