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Google's Server Cooling Plan Produces 4ft Alligator

Posted by Unknown on from the who-doesn't-have-a-moat-dragon dept.

concealment writes "In addition to potentially keeping Google's search and email programs from overheating, the pond also has become home to plenty of algae, which meant Google had to stock it with fish. And since this is the Lowcountry, the food chain didn't stop there. 'So we now have a 4-foot alligator that has taken up residence in our pond as well,' Kava said, clearly amused. He added that government experts have said it'll have to be removed once it grows to six feet long."

13 of 79 comments (clear)

  1. Deeper by kriston · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Probably because deep water source cooling needs to be 217 feet deep to be effective or be a very large lake, or both.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_lake_water_cooling

    --

    Kriston

  2. new lawyer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just take it with you to the next patent negotiation meeting, throw it on the table and walk out.

    1. Re:new lawyer by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Or they just invite the lawyers to take a break from the negotiations and go for a refreshing "lunchtime" dip in the local pond?

    2. Re:new lawyer by Jeng · · Score: 4, Funny

      Ok, so live alligators for patent negotiations and dead doves for music contracts?

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy#Controversy

      --
      Don't know something? Look it up. Still don't know? Then ask.
    3. Re:new lawyer by Anubis+IV · · Score: 5, Interesting

      My father tells a story of being a campus radical at his university during the late '60s. At one point, he and a few of his compatriots had taken control of a campus building from the university. Members of the university staff had come to meet with them in the building in order to negotiate terms for the return of the building. As the meeting was going on, some other folks, clearly more radical than my father (and apparently looking rather ragged and worse for wear, for reasons I'll say in just a moment), opened up the door to the meeting room and pushed in an actual, living mountain lion. To say the least, my father's group and the university staff quickly discovered that they had more in common than they had thought as they all made a scramble for an exit.

      So, he can attest to the fact that dangerous animals can have a profound impact on negotiations. I'd imagine that a four-foot gator wouldn't be nearly as threatening, however. When I was growing up in south Florida, we used to visit Loxahatchee for field trips, and we'd routinely be within a few feet of gators that were much larger than the one in this pond, with no barriers or other protection keeping them from us. Granted, as a third or fourth grader I had little sense for what sorts of danger I might be in, but the adults always seemed to be fine with it and not consider the trip an actual hazard.

    4. Re:new lawyer by T.E.D. · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Of course the adults would be fine with it; they are bigger than you. This is exactly why park rangers in India always take a goat with them when visiting the tigers.

      Once the gator eats the kids, then the adults start to worry.

  3. Hosting? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Is google hosting Gator or is gator hosting google?

  4. Whoa, whoa, whoa...not a "resident" alligator by crazyjj · · Score: 4, Funny

    Look baby, I'm just visiting. I'm not *living* here. I thought we both understood that we were just having fun here. I'm a young gator, so let's not start talking commitment, okay?

    --
    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
  5. Taking your gator away? by GeekWithAKnife · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fear not, you can declare it a beta and chop off its' tail when it reaches 5'11.

    Problem solved.

    --
    A 'singular oddity' is an event that cannot be explained and only happens when you are alone.
  6. What about his work visa? by DavidClarkeHR · · Score: 4, Funny

    Florida, eh? I've got two questions for the alligator.

    First, is it legal to work in the state. Second, does it fit any of our affirmative action categories. I know it isn't easy being green ... but it feels wrong to hire an alligator when we can get a much more ambitious and qualified crocodile.

    --
    - Nec Impar Pluribus, or so I'm told.
  7. No cause for alarm here by nimbius · · Score: 4, Funny

    as alligators often times take up residence in unexpected places.

    the real concern is the alligator mount for an Nd:YAG laser being developed by Google Labs while the lead is on vacation.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
  8. Evil Lair by MyLongNickName · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am disappointed in you Slashdot, you have all missed the point. This is clearly part of an evil scheme from Google and you've let it pass as you normally do.

    Work with me here. Think evil geniuses. What do they have in common? That's right, a secret lair. Any anyone who has a secret lair needs its defenses. Clearly Google is developing their secret lair RIGHT OUT IN THE OPEN. My caps lock underscores the importance and urgency of what I am saying and is cruise control for cool.

    So, they have their "cooling water". Only an idiot would believe that. It is clearly a moat. Yes, a medieval moat. The alligator is just the first in their armada of beasts to protect their new evil lair. I have it ON HIGHEST AUTHORITY that they will next be buying some SHARKS and LASERS (more caps locks to convince you of my authority on the subject). You can only imagine what they will do next.

    An evil plot SO OBVIOUS BUT SLASHDOT IGNORES IT. Are you outraged? You should be. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be.Once I am back from taking my meds I will tell you more about Google and the trilateral commission. That is if "THEY" don't get me first.

    --
    See my journal for slashdot ID's by year. Mine created in 2005. http://slashdot.org/journal/289875/slashdot-ids-by-year
  9. TFA link sucks by sarysa · · Score: 4, Informative

    TFA has annoying "you won somthing but uh err really didn't" on Android devices that can't be bypassed. Here is a better TFA:

    http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/11/google_gator/

    --
    Charisma is the measure of someone's ability to lie with a straight face.