Slashdot Mirror


User: RobertinXinyang

RobertinXinyang's activity in the archive.

Stories
0
Comments
203
First seen
Last seen
Profile
(view on slashdot.org)

Comments · 203

  1. Re:Some people.. on The $5,600 Tablet · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I found the one I went with, it was this one:
    http://www.runbowaterproofphon...

  2. Re:Some people.. on The $5,600 Tablet · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I ended up going with a ruggedized phone. Sure, its ugly; but it has lasted longer than my previous phones.

    http://www.runboruggedsmartpho...

  3. Re:Not a Bolo? on The Brief Rise and Long Fall of Russia's Robot Tank · · Score: 1

    The reference was to the Bolo was this on (from Wiipedia) "A Bolo is a fictional type of artificially intelligent superheavy tank. They were first imagined by Keith Laumer, and have since been featured in science fiction novels and short story anthologies by him and others."

    I doubt that the person I was responding to was thinking of the Douglas B-18 "Bolo" medium bomber.

  4. Re:Not a Bolo? on The Brief Rise and Long Fall of Russia's Robot Tank · · Score: 1

    Somehow I doubt that the T-26 Teletank was self aware.

  5. Dont bother on A Tech Entrepreneur's Guide To Visiting Shenzhen · · Score: 1

    I live in China and I have compared prices in China with the US. For almost any consumer electronic good, the prices are higher in China. There is a reason that the Chinese go on shopping sprees when they go to the US. The only way you can get prices that beat US prices of to get something several generations old or accept significantly lower quality. It does not matter if the product is made in China, it is more expensive in China.

    It is often cheaper to purchase made in China goods online and have them shipped to China.

  6. Re:nice... on College Board To Rethink the SAT, Partner With Khan Academy · · Score: 1

    From another Gen X'er, just face it, we're screwed. By the time the boomers die (because a small number of them cashed in on dismantling the pensions; so no one can afford to retire) employers will be wanting young millennials, fresh out of college.

  7. Re:Good on Oklahoma Schools Required To Teach Students Personal Finance · · Score: 1

    No, there was working at various jobs along the way. First, after my BA I returned to the industry I had been in, of course I had a BA a that point instead of just a Community College technical certificate, so I was paid less than I had been making before.

    Then I did some "professional" jobs that paid slightly more; but are much less secure. After getting laid off twice I returned to the original plan and finished my MBA. Total process, about ten years.

    I did have a clear plan when I started the process. I would still love to do it. However, I now realize the jobs are just not there. I wanted to be a teacher (which is why I am in China, I teach at, and direct, a small high-school). I chose the MBA because after talking to community college instructors and hiring personnel I saw the MBA as being the most versatile. I wanted to teach at the community college level and an MBA can teach in several departments.

    Every summer I do come back to the states to apply for jobs; but the only jobs available pay too low (and yes, it kills my years savings each time). In the last two years the only offers I have gotten were as a telemarketer ($10/hr), an entry level security guard and a dishwasher (both about 9/hr). Yes, I spend my spare time filling out applications, one is open on my computer in another tab right now. One problem with applying in America is that American employers will not skype interview. As such an applicant must have the money, and time, to travel to the interview and often to several other pre-offer meetings or activities. That puts a lot of jobs out of my price-range.

  8. Re:Good on Oklahoma Schools Required To Teach Students Personal Finance · · Score: 1

    I am in that program. I made the mistake of getting an MBA at a state college. I kid you not, after finishing my College degrees, which took about ten years, I make less in nominal, let alone real, dollars, than I made before I went to college.

    Yes, I got fooled.

  9. Re:Mismanagement, you say... on Former Second Largest Linux Distributor Red Flag Software Has Shut Down · · Score: 1

    And those State Owned Enterprises create yet another powerful faction in the government that make it even harder to direct the country. The SOEs have their own agendas that often differ from that of the central party leadership.

    Some online sources to make a habit of reading, that will improve your understanding of the real issues in China are, of course, The Economist and China daily; but I would add http://english.caixin.com/ I will add that I have years of China experience that I suspect you lack. I see many efforts to grasp power, such as the current anti-corruption campaign. It looks monolithic form the outside; but, unlike Americans and western Europeans, the Chinese have no culture of being law abiding. They place great value on appearing to be proper. But, appearances and reality are very different, it is a subtle difference that I really did not internalize until several years of China watching..

  10. Re:What a Joke on Former Second Largest Linux Distributor Red Flag Software Has Shut Down · · Score: 1

    Oh, I forgot to mention, qq doesn't work on Linux.

  11. Re:Mismanagement, you say... on Former Second Largest Linux Distributor Red Flag Software Has Shut Down · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    What you forget is that no one wanted it.

    Unlike in the US, n China the central government has very little control. As such it had no real way to "push" an OS.

    Second, red-flag had very little going for it. It was no cheaper, in fact, when you consider training costs, the cost is higher then XP, which is free in China. Keep in mind, you are in a culture with no meaningful understanding of free other than free beer. Linux is harder to use and there is less (user) software. Linux needs to be configured to individual machines instead of simply 'ghosting' a copy onto a drive and pluging it in as is done with XP (no, it doesn't work well; but it does work).

    The only real argument for Linux, to users, is that it is free; but, in China all software is free (just search on baidu). In worst case I can spend real money at a legitimate market and get a copy of XP or office for about $2 USD. The super configuration ability of Linux really isn't true; and where it is all it means is "easy to break and near impossible to ever get working in the first place." We have one guy here in the office using Linux (Ubuntu) but he is using it because his hobby is tinkering with his OS. I gave it a solid two week try; but, i was loosing too much productivity and had to stop once the work load picked back up.

    Oh, and the most popular IM program in China QQ does not work on Linux (yes, I know Tencent says it works; but it doesn't and no one can make it work. The instructions on the web are for old versions and no longer work).

  12. Re:What a Joke on Former Second Largest Linux Distributor Red Flag Software Has Shut Down · · Score: 2

    Yes, I have heard of QQ, in fact, it is running on my computer right now. I use it for daily chat with, and to pass files to, co-workers. However, I only ever saw red flag linux once. I was in a shop in Xian and I happened to see ti. i was looking at it because I was so surprised to actually see red flag.

    A salesman came over and the first thing he said was "If you buy it we will put windows on it for you." In over eight years in China, that was the only time I ever saw red flag. Everyone uses pirated copies of XP other then the people with Apple. Apple is well liked because of the reality that the Apple has a, near assured, minimum level of quality; whereas the XP boxes are often several generations behind and any part that could be swapped out for something cheaper has been. However, i am not going to pretend that Apple is even near common; but it is seen, unlike red flag.

  13. Re:Apple doesn't take gaming on computers seriousl on Ask Slashdot: Is Linux Set To Be PC Gaming's Number Two Platform? · · Score: 1

    I am a bit of an apple fan, all the way back to using Apple IIs' in High School, and I have to say it, Macs are no good for gaming. Yes, I know there are a few games; but, nothing near the PC quantity.

    I do not see that as a big problem, I probably should be reading a book rather than playing a game anyways; and, there are enough games, just not as many. It is just that, contrary to the popular misconception, the apple is much more of a business computer than the PC. No, I am not one of the "rich elite" I am embarrassed to say what I earn, other than I know I would make more if I went back to truck driving. I am also not an overly artsy type; I hold an MBA, not an MFA.

    I have to agree with others, the Mac is a well built business machine, if you want to play games, get a pc or a console.

  14. This used to be done in H.S Shops in the evenings on Public Libraries Tinker With Offering Makerspaces · · Score: 2

    In the past High Schools made shop space available in the evenings for evening adult "classes." Classes meant you got access to the shop and whatever advice the shop teachers could give for your project.

    In the 70s' my father turned a Fiat 500 into an electric car at Arroyo HS at the after school shop sessions. It involved ganging several motors and buildings a mount, and at the time a relay-relay logic controller. I knew people who spent the evenings at the HS wood shop making furniture.

    The idea of a public tinkering space is not new. Further, it creates an innovative atmosphere as groups of tinkering minded people gather together.

  15. Re:Rain on Building a Better Bike Helmet Out of Paper · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I actually thought about that. However, there are very few cost effective methods of waterproofing paper that work. Think of the waterproof corrugated paper packaging you have seen. It is fine for short exposure; but, it does not hold up to prolonged immersion and exposure.

    A bike helmet will sit in puddles; it will spend hours in downpours. If you waterproof for the exposure conditions that bicycle helmets see, at some point it ceases to be paper.

  16. Rain on Building a Better Bike Helmet Out of Paper · · Score: 1

    One word says it all, "rain."

  17. Re:Well lucky you on Oregon Signs Up Just 44 People For Obamacare Despite Spending $300 Million · · Score: 2

    Nonsense, you are an empowered individual. You are able to stand up for yourself and demand a fair compensation for your labor. If it isn't fair then you just need to enter the free market for labor and sell your efforts to a higher bidder. You have the power here, not the weak and besieged corporations. . .

    Isn't this what the republican party and its agents have told you when they were convincing you to fear labour unions?

  18. Re:They're already paying on FCC Chair: It's Ok For ISPs To Discriminate Traffic · · Score: 0

    Do you really think Netflix is paying for the proportion of the internet that it uses?

    "The report from Sandvine, a company that sells Internet traffic-management systems, finds that Netflix use accounts for 33 percent of all downstream traffic in North America during the peak hours between 9 p.m. and 12 a.m. By contrast, Amazon and Hulu only account for 1.8 percent and 1.4 percent of downstream traffic, respectively." http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57546405-93/netflix-gobbles-a-third-of-peak-internet-traffic-in-north-america/

    Very simply, netflix's business strategy is to shift the cost of business to other users. They are creating a negative externality. Not surprisingly, what results is exactly what economic theory says will happen; more of the good is produced than would be produced if the producer were paying the full costs of production. This effectively limits the potential for competitors to develop and it discourages netflix from pursuing more efficient means of production (more efficient transmission algorithms).

    One might make th e"public good" argument about the internet; however, the marginal cost of adding another 'netflix' (a full competitor) would not be 'effectively zero.' thus, large consumers, like netflix can not treat the internet as a public good. Even though a smaller user, whose marginal cost IS effectively zero, can.

  19. Re:Ammo on Ask Slashdot: Top Black Friday Tech Picks? · · Score: 1

    You know, you sound like the kind of high strung nut that should make to choice to not own a gun.

  20. Re:They reversed the age numerals on 62% of 16 To 24-Year-Olds Prefer Printed Books Over eBooks · · Score: 1

    As another older Slashdot reader (47), it depends want I am reading. If I am reading a piece of fiction; or, something that is read in a linear fashion, e-books are ok (but not as good). However, for something that I want to flip back to a section or explanation several times they are just not as good. Further, the "notes" in eBooks are simply not easy to use.

    However, the real deal-breaker for me is the price to DRM. I give a lot of my old books away; I give them to friends, family, and co-workers. DRM makes it impossible for me to do that. Further, I do not value an ebook as much as a physical book; therefore, I am not willing to pay as much (or more) for one. As such, I get most of my ebooks form bit-torrent. Yes, there are exceptions; when the price/drm/value is appropriate I will purchase. Otherwise I will just download them.

  21. Re:Ammo on Ask Slashdot: Top Black Friday Tech Picks? · · Score: 3

    I suspect the poster you responded to was kidding. Yes, like thousands of others, I am a NRA Life Member and I saw it as kidding.

    We all know that any kind of criminal usage, particularly he type mentioned are the rare, and extremely rare, firearms usages. Further, mass shooters have not done their mis-deeds with 38 specials (yes, there is probably an exception out there). Gasoline still hold the title for the tool of most killers in America.

  22. Re:author isn't qualified, nice on Hammerhead System Offers a Better Way To Navigate While Cycling · · Score: 5, Informative

    Correct observation, this product has already been discussed on bicycle forums and has been dismissed as not very useful. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/917472-new-procuct-take-a-look?highlight=hammerhead

    When out on a multiday ride in an unfamiliar area I want more than a blinking light. Frequently the GPS picks, plain stupid, route detours. A look at the map or the map screen shows these obvious errors quickly. Even when routing my way back home form an unfamiliar location at night I need more than the hammerhead provides. About the only use for the hammerhead is when riding a, tested and proven, preloaded track. A GPS enabled bicycle speedometer will do the same and more.

    Because this thing still requires the smartphone to be present, just mount the smartphone and be done with it. At best it is an interesting gift for the cyclist who has everything. . . just don't let your feelings get hurt when that cyclist 're-gifts' it.

  23. Re:Take it from an MBA expert on Elon Musk Talks About the Importance of Physics, Criticizes the MBA · · Score: 1

    My MBA was also not obsessed with cost-cutting at the expense of future options. However, these people telling you what is included in an MBA program have, for the large part, never completed one. In simple terms, they don't know what they are talking about.

    An MBA is not a unique skill, it is the result of a program that involves a refinement of skill-sets.

  24. Re:Take it from an MBA expert on Elon Musk Talks About the Importance of Physics, Criticizes the MBA · · Score: 1

    First off, Manager v. MBA is a false dichotomy. There is no reason a person cannot be both. I am the Directer at a Small High School; I am also an MBA. My duties include management, planning, and teaching.

    The MBA is not a piece of magic; it is also not a discrete piece of knowledge. It is both a refinement of the application of knowledge and an opportunity to develop a more structured approach to thinking while retaining the necessary flexibility to consider, and choose from, several good, or bad, alternatives. The development of structured thinking also carries over into scheduling and planning activities.

    While the MBA programs discuss strategic thinking and, they do not leave out the process of seeing the tasks through.

    As Clausewitz reminds us, "Amateurs talk about strategy, professionals talk about logistics."

  25. Re:Education con game on Questions Raised By Education Dept's Road Show On College Value · · Score: 1

    You forget that over 75% of age eligible people are not eligible due to other factors http://www.missionreadiness.org/2009/ready_willing/

    The biggest factor is physical, there are also major issues with education (not meeting standards), and criminality. The physical factor isn't even just the weight. As the report states, even if the overweight candidates were to loose the weight, there are still underlying physical factors that would leave them ineligible for enlistment.

    The report I linked to is worth the read. Even if you are not interested in enlistment, it provides a view of America as seen by the bottom 50%.

    I am one of the many people in America who planned to do just what you suggest, I planned to join the military to pay for college; however, it turned out that I have one leg 1.5cm shorter than to other. This left me ineligible for enlistment.

    I still worked hard and eventually finished my MBA; however, I finished it in my 40s’. As such, I didn’t have it in my youth and I didn’t make the contacts that are needed along the way. As a result, it really is, essentially, worthless.

    On a national basis, not only has the nation lost my productive ability (chosen to operate inside of the production possibilities curve); but, working as a security guard and dishwasher, I am paying on the deferred payment program. This means that the nation is not even getting paid back. This story is repeated by people all over America.

    If not for a very minor medical issue my life, and my level of productiveness to society, would have been much different. But, no, enlistment is not the ‘simple’ solution to college woes for Americas poor; not until the enlistment standards are matched to the actual MOS.