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User: fractoid

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Comments · 4,106

  1. Re:Lexx on Scientists Add Emotions To Robotic Head · · Score: 1

    I think the PP was saying that this robot doesn't look human enough to start showing uncanny valley effects. It looks more like one of those talking heads in sideshow 'read your palm' amusement machines... this story should have been titled "Researchers make robot head mimic human facial expressions from video".

  2. Re:However, the only emotions are hate and anger on Scientists Add Emotions To Robotic Head · · Score: 1

    You say that like it's a bad thing. O.o

  3. Re:However, the only emotions are hate and anger on Scientists Add Emotions To Robotic Head · · Score: 1

    I think you accidentally a verb there.

    I c wot u there.

  4. Re:Folding@Home- murdering the planet? on NRDC Rates Energy Efficiency of Video Game Consoles · · Score: 1

    This is something I've always tried to explain to people - a heater is inherently 100% efficient because the end result of any process is heat, which is what a heater does. In fact you could claim that something which produces useful heat as a byproduct of useful work is MORE efficient (in overall terms) than a heater that just whirrs a fan and blows air through an element.

    I usually get a response along the lines of "lol ur bad at physicz nothings 100% efficient". *sigh*

  5. Re:Obvious.... on Why the Widening Gender Gap In Computer Science? · · Score: 1

    You know what's funny? The closer you look at countries, the more you realise they're all full of people. And people are all pretty much the same. Cultures differ, but not by as much as you'd think.

  6. Re:Obvious.... on Why the Widening Gender Gap In Computer Science? · · Score: 1

    "Shouldn't you be out spreading religiosity to the fuzzy wuzzies or somethin'?"

  7. Re:Obvious.... on Why the Widening Gender Gap In Computer Science? · · Score: 1

    Yes, of course! That's called "tolerance" and it's very politically correct.

    I've always maintained that if I am to be required to respect other peoples' cultural backgrounds, then they should respect mine. My cultural background is, of course, to subjugate any people who are worse at military technology than myself, and either plunder, loot, rape and kill them, or use them as slaves pickin' cotton on my plantation while I relax in the shade.

    So immigrants get to keep their gang warfare, exclusive clubs, stonings and ritual killings, and whatever other stuff they want. And I get me plunder and me slaves. Deal?

  8. Re:Obvious.... on Why the Widening Gender Gap In Computer Science? · · Score: 1

    Deoderant? What's wrong with simply showering every day or two?

  9. Re:So Microsoft... on Microsoft, Blizzard Crack Down On Piracy, Cheating · · Score: 4, Funny

    Twilight Princess? Elf Loader? Am I the only one that finds this amusing? :P

    Or am I just that far behind the times... :P

  10. Re:Addicts indeed on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1

    Ice hockey and road racing are just as much like watching TV as WoW is.

    Hell, road racing (on bikes not cars, as the parent said) is VERY asocial, it's just you on your bike. Not like you're talking to people while you're riding or anything. I think you've artificially limited 'socializing'.

  11. Re:Addicts indeed on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1

    Because...? The other people in your group in WoW are real people and often real-life friends. It's just the venue that changes.

  12. Re:Be a teacher on Fun Things To Do With a Math Or Science Degree? · · Score: 1

    I hate tests like that. I lost out on the top-marks prize for my first year programming course by half a percent, to a guy who could hardly program - but by god could he study for exams. I think he went off to study Commerce or something.

  13. Re:Addicts indeed on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1

    "The death rate is the same for us as for anybody...one person, one death, sooner or later." - Heinlein

    Did you have fun? Did you lead an enjoyable existence, and help those around you and those you care for do the same? If so then you win at life. If not... well hopefully you still have time left to fix that.

  14. Re:Please keep me informed on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1

    When only a tiny percentage of players ever saw Naxxramas at 60 due to poor timing, it just makes sense to bring it back. I did about 1/3 of vanilla Naxx and I'm very keen to go back and see the rest of it.

  15. Re:Everyone who cares.... on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1
    Where are my mod points when I need them? This is an excellent post.

    If your life kinda sucks... you're in a stale marriage, your social skills suck, your job sucks... basically, if this virtual life is better than your real life... there's going to be a problem.

    Yes. And MMOs are just the latest thing that dissatisfied people use for an escape. They used to disappear off into movies, records, comic books, sci-fi, D&D, all of which have been demonized in the past. The fundamental difference is that MMOs are (a) interactive, and hence a lot more immersive, and (b) real-time, with no pause button. This leads to the classic case of the wife walking into the room, demanding your attention just as your raid has pulled boss X, and when they don't instantly get it (due to point (b)) complaining that you "care more" about "the computer" than about them.* Strangely, if it's the last segment of some crime drama on TV it's perfectly OK to just hold up a hand and say "shush, come back in 10 minutes". But I digress (and rant)...

    On a related topic, you'll find many mature aspects of the game. References to "controversial" subjects such as drugs, sex, rape, genocide etc as well as the arguably more damaging exploding corpses, violent sprays of blood and the odd tool shouting bigoted shit over a major channel.

    I spent about 10 minutes on Saturday feeding the corpses of freshly slain crusaders to a cageful of rats. I dunno if that's exactly "mature" but it's certainly not for kids.

    * Yes, I'm talking about a particular High King Maulgar pull here. I was meant to be tanking HKM, we would have wiped anyway though because the tank on Kiggler brought him over to me and got himself feared.

  16. Re:Everyone who cares.... on Second World of Warcraft Expansion Launched, Conquered · · Score: 1

    I think you mean "EVEN an imbecile could play WoW". And it's true - even a bear of very little brain could get to level cap and have fun in some of the dungeons. And yet there are entire forums dedicated to theorycraft which keep the more cerebral of us WoW players entertained. What makes WoW impressive is its incredibly wide appeal.

  17. Re:Yes, but what if on Rubber Duckies For Global Warming Research · · Score: 2, Funny

    See, if I found one of these I don't think I could restrain myself from doing one of either (a) sending the duckie to Switzerland and claiming it had washed up at the beach, or (b) giving it to my kids and telling them to keep it until THEY get old at which time they should report it found.

  18. Re:Environmental impact? on Plasma Plants Vaporize Trash While Creating Energy · · Score: 1

    Even better, hydrogen plus oxygen equals fuel cell food.

  19. Re:Zachary Quinto on First Trek Film Footage Unveiled · · Score: 1

    Well, if he had become perfect then I guess you could say he was pluperfect. ;)

  20. Re:Truly inspiring on Physically-Challenged Gamer Hacks Together Custom PS3 Controller · · Score: 1

    As opposed to all the other, more useful stuff he could be doing, like... um... theorizing about black hole physics? If this guy can have some fun for once in his life then good on him!

  21. Re:Yawn... on Physically-Challenged Gamer Hacks Together Custom PS3 Controller · · Score: 1

    Or maybe just at the fact that he now has to play Tony Hawk by modulating his breathing through a straw. :P

  22. Re:Cheap = Good for parents on Lego Loses Its Unique Right To Make Lego Blocks · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I can guarantee you that quality from one supplier who has an exclusive license costs a lot more money than quality amongst competition from different suppliers.

    Also, if it's protected by copyright then only cheap knockoff companies manufacturing in third world sweatshops will be willing to risk a lawsuit, whereas classier, higher-quality shops will shy away. Without IP encumbrance, you'll be able to get... more expensive knockoffs. ;)

  23. Re:What about TPG? on Largest Aussie ISP Agrees To "Ridiculous" Net-Filter Trial · · Score: 1

    I've heard horror stories about TPG too, specifically about a combination of very slow service and hideously punitive disconnection fees. Then again that was years ago so I can't really verify it myself. Best bet would be to head to whirlpool.net and search for your chosen ISP.

  24. Re:"/."liza. on Gadgets For a Budding Geek? · · Score: 3, Funny

    And how does hate to admit it make you feel?

  25. Re:iiNet on Largest Aussie ISP Agrees To "Ridiculous" Net-Filter Trial · · Score: 1

    Whereas you, sir, are a confirmed pedant.

    Not that that's a bad thing, nor unexpected, in present company. ;)