There was a post here recently from a teacher who was looking for inspiring SF books to give his students as a summer project.
As a result, I discovered "The Martian", (it's on Amazon for a buck), which, with expletives removed, would be perfect for young kids. This old kid enjoyed it "as is".
So, how hard would it be to encourage publishers to adapt SciFi classics for the younger audience?
It's bizarre, OK I suppose MS have done their homework, but why force this on consumers? Sure, I suppose nearly all of their target market has a connection, but even so, I can think of many use cases where that might not be available, including intentionally. For example, when my children were young, I was happy for them to be playing with consoles not connected to the internet, since I could control exactly what games they could use, (nice mix of fun & eductaion, all safe). Also, at home my internet connection goes down..a lot. So, agree with the major sentiment here; fuck 'em, do not buy. Build yourself a nice little PC instead.
Screw the nanny bit, but this integrated with decent navigation software could be cool. After a while, you could gain some useful insights into your regular trip; places where you often have to brake hard etc. Imagine one dark, rainy evening, after working late, your GPS says "hey, you're going too fast for the next bend..." Now THAT would be useful...
Come to think of it, you could do that without this device, methinks...
If you planted GMO anywhere in Europe you could argue, and win, that the technology was being applied incorrectly. EU farmers are being paid to not use their fields. For a variety of reasons, one of them being price of crops, another being that the soil cannot handle re-sowing of the same crop over and over again..
It's actually even worse than that. My local farmer has fields which are ploughed...but unseeded. I asked him why. It's so they can monitor, via satellite, that he is not growing crops on X% of his fields to get the EU subsidies. So, he has to expend energy to let weeds next to his crops, while accelerating soil erosion Great. He can't even plant something, like grass, which would be good for the environment, or crops that could be ploughed back into the soil to improve it. Totally fucking mad.
There are people who do this every day. Use them. At the very least:
1.An interior designer/architect. They'll point out the obvious mistakes you'll make, (like doors which, when open, obstruct switches, plugs etc.), plus ensure you comply with local regulations. 2. A 'lean' process guy. They wil ensure you design the workplace with optimum safety, efficiency and ergonomics. For example, have you thought about material flow? Mistake proofing?
Well, the guy is certainly 'pro' GM foods, as you would expect from his background, but 'OMG Europe won't be able to feed itself'? Hardly. We've been paying farmers a fortune for years to let good farmland stand idle... The problem is not with the crops, it's the crazy CAP which distorts everything, including world trade. For example:
"In the autumn of 2007 the European Commission was reported to be considering a proposal to limit subsidies to individual landowners and factory farms to around £300,000. Some factory farms and large estates would be affected in the UK, as there are over 20 farms/estates which receive £500,000 or more from the EU."
Anyway, back on topic, it seems to me that the GM debate is like the nuclear one. On one side, the promise of a bright, science-led future, (limitless clean energy, cheap disease-free crops) with real or potential problems often glossed over or ignored, on the other the NIMBYs and hand-wavers with a "we're all gonna die" reflex. Where's the reasoned debate?
People don't trust the nuclear industry for a good reason, (and I say this as a firm believer in the promise of nuclear power over alternatives). It's not just about Three Mile Island etc, it's about how too many people have systematically covered-up shoddy work over the years, often to save or make more money. These people should have been severly punished; none were. Seen any TEPCO Execs hanging from a tree recently? Nope.
It's the same with GM food. I'm sure the Scientists are sincere and have done great work, including field tests. But can we trust the agribusiness? Well, recent history (especially in Europe) says no. But it's too late anyway - even food advertsied as 'GM free' is not.
Remember, this is also the same industry that brought you horsemeat labelled as beef. Oh yeah, and even when it really is beef, remember BSE ('mad cow' disease?)
But at least, unlike Google and other services, you absolutely know you have no right to expect any kind of security and privacy. I wonder how they address this issue; anybody here looked into it?
Facebook is a community where people use their real identities. We require everyone to provide their real names, so you always know who you're connecting with. This helps keep our community safe.
So, when someone contacts them to complain that their real identiy has been hijacked, and also it could potentially have serious international diplomatic consequences, they do nothing?
You beat me to it. Plus, want to bet that even if the devices do claim to able to supply 100w simultaneously to 'n' ports this will be via a very inefficient power supply that will, for most people, most of the time, just be sitting there unused but wasting more power than it should have done if just designed to power the unit it was supplying...
Mind you, if I can throw out the dozens of power supplies I have plugged in around the house for just ONE standard, that's a big win...
Actually, as a non-USA resident I don't see why I should be denied access to a flight either, as long as I have a valid ticket, ID and visa etc. just because I shared a name with a suspected bad guy. Rights in the USA are only for citizens now? You don't think you should have rights when you come to Europe?
But rest assured, we have the same bullshit here too. Recently I was stopped while in transit in Switzerland because I have the same name as a guy who apparently did not pay his parking fines. The border guard said that they had to right to put me in prison until I paid. (I checked later; unbelievably this is true). Fortunately I was able to prove that I was not the same guy...
Actually, the rules surrounding private planes are pretty strict. They're trying to make them even more so: http://www.dhs.gov/general-aviation
Even as it is, there's a whole host of people who can turn up unannounced and check a number of things, including searching you and the airplane, without requiring a warrant, btw.
The only successful vectored thrust aircraft, the Harrier (in it's various guises), had severely-reduced range if its VTOL capabilities were used. That (and loading considerations) mean that normal takeoff procedure was STOL, optionally using a ski-ramp.
They complain it would open up businesses to an avalanche of requests from individuals
How hard would it be to set up a website where, on submitting details only you (should) know, you get back on email with the details of who has what information on you, and how it is being used. Would take someone like Google about a day and peanuts for a budget? Since these guys have already banded together to form 'TechAmerica', I'm sure this excellent umbrella organisation would be just the place to host the service:)
as well as costly lawsuits
Why? Because they are doing something illegal with our data?
"In the matter relating to Japanese prosecutors being extremely cautious, the paper found ample evidence for it. In Japan, 99.7% of all the cases brought to court resulted in conviction, while in the U.S. the figure is 88%. "
Not so fast; I contribute to Open Street Maps because I like the idea, but where I live, for the moment, it still sucks. Does for a lot of Europe, in fact. Nowhere near as complete and useful as Google maps, and of course no 'Street View'. Still, if we all contribute, one day it will be better...
Seems like the buzz has gone from Microsoft
on
Microsoft CFO Quits
·
· Score: 1
Well, I guess we all wish the guy the best, and hope he enjoys time with his family. I assume he has enough cash to do so; lucky for him.
Whilst a couple of high-level departures are hardly the "beginning of the end", (and financial people are easier to replace than tech gurus), I was thinking on a broader level here. If you were a senior exec, or a young graduate, where would you rather work. Google or Microsoft?
...More recently, it took the US to put an end to the active fighting in Bosnia in the 90's...
Quite true, to our (European) eternal shame and dishonour. This and other incidents, both prior and subsequently, have shown the myth that 'European integration' on difficult foreign policy matters really is.
-- as I recall, the Dutch troops there just stood around while the Bosnian Muslims got massacred in Srebrenica before the US got involved.
To be fair to them, it widely was reported at the time that they, and other forces, repeated warned about the upcoming slaughter and were fully ready to intervene, (despite being heavily outnumbered, and thus probably being slaughtered in their turn). The politicos said no. It's wrong to brand EU armed forces as 'useless' or 'cowardly'; they have fought well, and bravely, in many places since WW2, including alongside US-forces in Iraq, AfPak...
"Want a personalised answer to your email; sure, that's $50, or just upgrade to our 'business' option for only $25 per user, per year".
I suppose the counter-arguement could go that google's services are not really "free" for their consumers, since they are already 'paying' by viewing ads and supplying their personal data.
"The one you see in the gallery above is owned by a former Sega of America employee who somehow ended up with it on his desk at Sega. When he got laid off the Pluto was placed in a box and taken home."
So, it stole it when he was fired.
"[the guy] is also considering selling it due to the predicted high value of the unit."
Sounds like he's itching for a PM on that forum. Good luck with that dude; hope it's not a SEGA-sponsored sting.
Slashdot Mirror
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hky7wN2QGko
Alternatively...they could offer "Natalie Portman" service, naked and petrified.
Oh yeah, with hot grits...of course
In zero G.
For two weeks.
Sorry, gotta go and lie down on my lawn now.
There was a post here recently from a teacher who was looking for inspiring SF books to give his students as a summer project.
As a result, I discovered "The Martian", (it's on Amazon for a buck), which, with expletives removed, would be perfect for young kids.
This old kid enjoyed it "as is".
So, how hard would it be to encourage publishers to adapt SciFi classics for the younger audience?
It's bizarre, OK I suppose MS have done their homework, but why force this on consumers?
Sure, I suppose nearly all of their target market has a connection, but even so, I can think of many use cases where that might not be available, including intentionally.
For example, when my children were young, I was happy for them to be playing with consoles not connected to the internet, since I could control exactly what games they could use, (nice mix of fun & eductaion, all safe).
Also, at home my internet connection goes down..a lot.
So, agree with the major sentiment here; fuck 'em, do not buy.
Build yourself a nice little PC instead.
Screw the nanny bit, but this integrated with decent navigation software could be cool.
After a while, you could gain some useful insights into your regular trip; places where you often have to brake hard etc.
Imagine one dark, rainy evening, after working late, your GPS says "hey, you're going too fast for the next bend..."
Now THAT would be useful...
Come to think of it, you could do that without this device, methinks...
So you can feel *extra* dirty?
If you planted GMO anywhere in Europe you could argue, and win, that the technology was being applied incorrectly. EU farmers are being paid to not use their fields. For a variety of reasons, one of them being price of crops, another being that the soil cannot handle re-sowing of the same crop over and over again..
It's actually even worse than that. My local farmer has fields which are ploughed...but unseeded. I asked him why. It's so they can monitor, via satellite, that he is not growing crops on X% of his fields to get the EU subsidies. So, he has to expend energy to let weeds next to his crops, while accelerating soil erosion Great. He can't even plant something, like grass, which would be good for the environment, or crops that could be ploughed back into the soil to improve it. Totally fucking mad.
There are people who do this every day. Use them. At the very least:
1.An interior designer/architect. They'll point out the obvious mistakes you'll make, (like doors which, when open, obstruct switches, plugs etc.), plus ensure you comply with local regulations.
2. A 'lean' process guy. They wil ensure you design the workplace with optimum safety, efficiency and ergonomics. For example, have you thought about material flow? Mistake proofing?
All those rich Icelanders can now donate! Oh wait...
Well, the guy is certainly 'pro' GM foods, as you would expect from his background, but 'OMG Europe won't be able to feed itself'?
Hardly. We've been paying farmers a fortune for years to let good farmland stand idle... The problem is not with the crops, it's the crazy CAP which distorts everything, including world trade. For example:
"In the autumn of 2007 the European Commission was reported to be considering a proposal to limit subsidies to individual landowners and factory farms to around £300,000. Some factory farms and large estates would be affected in the UK, as there are over 20 farms/estates which receive £500,000 or more from the EU."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Agricultural_Policy
Anyway, back on topic, it seems to me that the GM debate is like the nuclear one. On one side, the promise of a bright, science-led future, (limitless clean energy, cheap disease-free crops) with real or potential problems often glossed over or ignored, on the other the NIMBYs and hand-wavers with a "we're all gonna die" reflex. Where's the reasoned debate?
People don't trust the nuclear industry for a good reason, (and I say this as a firm believer in the promise of nuclear power over alternatives). It's not just about Three Mile Island etc, it's about how too many people have systematically covered-up shoddy work over the years, often to save or make more money.
These people should have been severly punished; none were. Seen any TEPCO Execs hanging from a tree recently? Nope.
It's the same with GM food. I'm sure the Scientists are sincere and have done great work, including field tests. But can we trust the agribusiness? Well, recent history (especially in Europe) says no. But it's too late anyway - even food advertsied as 'GM free' is not.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_of_the_release_of_genetic_modified_organisms
Remember, this is also the same industry that brought you horsemeat labelled as beef. Oh yeah, and even when it really is beef, remember BSE ('mad cow' disease?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bovine_spongiform_encephalopathy
So, do I trust the technology? Yes. Do I trust the agribusiness? Hell no.
But at least, unlike Google and other services, you absolutely know you have no right to expect any kind of security and privacy.
I wonder how they address this issue; anybody here looked into it?
Me no understand. These people, along with Google et al, are pressurisng users to use their REAL names:
http://www.facebook.com/help/112146705538576/
Facebook is a community where people use their real identities. We require everyone to provide their real names, so you always know who you're connecting with. This helps keep our community safe.
So, when someone contacts them to complain that their real identiy has been hijacked, and also it could potentially have serious international diplomatic consequences, they do nothing?
You beat me to it. Plus, want to bet that even if the devices do claim to able to supply 100w simultaneously to 'n' ports this will be via a very inefficient power supply that will, for most people, most of the time, just be sitting there unused but wasting more power than it should have done if just designed to power the unit it was supplying...
Mind you, if I can throw out the dozens of power supplies I have plugged in around the house for just ONE standard, that's a big win...
Actually, as a non-USA resident I don't see why I should be denied access to a flight either, as long as I have a valid ticket, ID and visa etc. just because I shared a name with a suspected bad guy. Rights in the USA are only for citizens now? You don't think you should have rights when you come to Europe?
But rest assured, we have the same bullshit here too. Recently I was stopped while in transit in Switzerland because I have the same name as a guy who apparently did not pay his parking fines. The border guard said that they had to right to put me in prison until I paid. (I checked later; unbelievably this is true).
Fortunately I was able to prove that I was not the same guy...
Actually, the rules surrounding private planes are pretty strict.
They're trying to make them even more so:
http://www.dhs.gov/general-aviation
Even as it is, there's a whole host of people who can turn up unannounced and check a number of things, including searching you and the airplane, without requiring a warrant, btw.
Unfortunately, he's just made sure no POTUS will ever nominate him. Shame.
Probably less fuel consumption, (if it works).
The only successful vectored thrust aircraft, the Harrier (in it's various guises), had severely-reduced range if its VTOL capabilities were used.
That (and loading considerations) mean that normal takeoff procedure was STOL, optionally using a ski-ramp.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AV-8_Harrier_II
They complain it would open up businesses to an avalanche of requests from individuals
How hard would it be to set up a website where, on submitting details only you (should) know, you get back on email with the details of who has what information on you, and how it is being used. Would take someone like Google about a day and peanuts for a budget? Since these guys have already banded together to form 'TechAmerica', I'm sure this excellent umbrella organisation would be just the place to host the service :)
as well as costly lawsuits
Why? Because they are doing something illegal with our data?
Agree. But once you're in the system, you WILL be found guilty...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_justice_system_of_Japan#Conviction_rate
"In the matter relating to Japanese prosecutors being extremely cautious, the paper found ample evidence for it. In Japan, 99.7% of all the cases brought to court resulted in conviction, while in the U.S. the figure is 88%. "
Not so fast; I contribute to Open Street Maps because I like the idea, but where I live, for the moment, it still sucks. Does for a lot of Europe, in fact.
Nowhere near as complete and useful as Google maps, and of course no 'Street View'.
Still, if we all contribute, one day it will be better...
Well, I guess we all wish the guy the best, and hope he enjoys time with his family.
I assume he has enough cash to do so; lucky for him.
Whilst a couple of high-level departures are hardly the "beginning of the end", (and financial people are easier to replace than tech gurus), I was thinking on a broader level here. If you were a senior exec, or a young graduate, where would you rather work. Google or Microsoft?
Shame +5 is as high as it gets...
...More recently, it took the US to put an end to the active fighting in Bosnia in the 90's...
Quite true, to our (European) eternal shame and dishonour. This and other incidents, both prior and subsequently, have shown the myth that 'European integration' on difficult foreign policy matters really is.
-- as I recall, the Dutch troops there just stood around while the Bosnian Muslims got massacred in Srebrenica before the US got involved.
To be fair to them, it widely was reported at the time that they, and other forces, repeated warned about the upcoming slaughter and were fully ready to intervene, (despite being heavily outnumbered, and thus probably being slaughtered in their turn). The politicos said no.
It's wrong to brand EU armed forces as 'useless' or 'cowardly'; they have fought well, and bravely, in many places since WW2, including alongside US-forces in Iraq, AfPak...
Works for RHEL, Easyjet...
"Want a personalised answer to your email; sure, that's $50, or just upgrade to our 'business' option for only $25 per user, per year".
I suppose the counter-arguement could go that google's services are not really "free" for their consumers, since they are already 'paying' by viewing ads and supplying their personal data.
FTA:
"The one you see in the gallery above is owned by a former Sega of America employee who somehow ended up with it on his desk at Sega. When he got laid off the Pluto was placed in a box and taken home."
So, it stole it when he was fired.
"[the guy] is also considering selling it due to the predicted high value of the unit."
Sounds like he's itching for a PM on that forum. Good luck with that dude; hope it's not a SEGA-sponsored sting.
Nah mate, 'Max Skinner' played by Russell Crowe
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401445/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
But it's clearly something GD would be capable of saying ;)