Slashdot Mirror
Solar Powered Car Attempts to Break Record
Snowdon writes "Jaycar Sunswift III today started on its 4000km journey across the Australian outback, in an attempt to beat the 8.5 day record from Perth to Sydney. The team expects to complete the journey in 6 days, depending on the weather. It is a seriously innovative machine, with the aerodynamic design iteratively optimised on 80 CS lab computers over three months, custom-built carbon-fibre wheels, chassis, suspension and steering components, and custom-built power electronics and telemetry/control systems (components of which presently use Linux, but will soon run Iguana/Wombat). It is the result of several years' work by both undergraduate and postgraduate students at UNSW. Keep track of the team's progress by visiting www.sunswift.com."
Seems to be slashdotted to me, and only 2 comments already.
God spoke to me.
Once again we are plagued with stories originating from this so called "Western Australia". As an Australian I am probably most aware of the myth of Western Australia, for those of you not in the know I'll lay it out for you. Have you ever been to Western Australia? No you haven't, have you ever met anyone who is from Western Australia? No, I didn't think so. Seriously ask around your office, no one has been there. Sure you hear about it in the news (such as the article) but finding good hard evidence of its existence just isn't possible. Why you ask? Because Western Australia doesn't exist. Think about it. The supposed state is massive, too large to practically be governed by one single state government. Furthermore it is conveniently placed about as far away as possible from any other people, people who could verify its existence. As far as I can tell the whole myth of WA started as an inside joke between cartographers. Soon many other professionals, publishers, politicians, journalists, photographers etc. took notice and they all created their own versions of the joke. Together they created a vast tapestry of "evidence" of its existence and culture. Over the years this myth grew and the various versions merged together. Today many people just assume the state exists. A good repository of false evidence can be found here. Unfortunately some people are so convinced of this preposterous notion they relentlessly revert my many edits to the site. Think about it people! A black swan? That doesn't make any sense at all, swans are white not black. OPEN YOUR EYES SHEEPLE!!
80 Australian CS lab computers - What's that in US computers?
Domestic spying is now "Benign Information Gathering"
Worry more about the roaming packs of isz, the mountains the breath fire, giants, trolls and air whales.
Drop bears... it's the drop bears you have to really worry about!
Off a stoplight my Dodge Neon would smoke this greenie weenie POS like it was standing still.
Mopar or No Car!
Right smack in the middle of the outback is the "city" of Alice Springs. There is a "river" going through it. They say that if you saw water in the river more than twice you're a local.
They have an annual boat race down the river. The boats don't have bottoms, and the team members grab the boat with their hands and run Flintstones-style.
boldly going forward, 'cause we can't find reverse