Absolutely. If she's depressed, going to parties and taking a holiday is only going to get her healthy faster. Staying home and moping will only make her depression worse. Antidepressants and having fun are roughly equally effective, and work far better together.
(Not that plenty of people don't scam the system.)
There's very little demand for faster computers and flying cars... I mean, we want them, sure, but the value we put on incremental improvements now is a lot less.
The focus of R&D has shifted from big, visible, obvious everyday things like car engines, colour TVs, and transistor radios onto finicky, small, non-consumer items like nanotechnology, gene therapy, advanced surgical techniques, robotics, and new materials. I mean, I am blown away by something new practically every day. Haven't there been two different cures for two types of blindness reported in the past few weeks, one using lasers and one using gene therapy? Then there was that nanomaterial that is supposed to make windshield scrapers obsolete. Bring it on!
It's just that we've done most of the big obvious stuff. Even when we haven't fully deployed it (renewable power, for instance) we've pretty much got the technology down.
Robots and augmented reality are probably going to be the next big game-changers, but the complexity of technology they require means they are going to be slow to deploy and improve. I mean, many people already have a GPS and a Roomba.
Either that or we need to brainstorm and come up with something that not a single SF author has anticipated. And you know the odds of that at this point...
A Segway is also much heavier than a bike. I'd have an impossible time getting a 100+ lb machine up some stairs but I can drag a bike up with no problem.
They also look like they're going to fall over. I mean I know they're probably not, and the look is deceptive, but they look about as easy to ride as a unicycle.
I always thought they should turn their attention to manufacturing windmills. They have the workers with the skills. They have the factories, if not quite the right machinery. They have at least some of the right suppliers. I suppose there are lots of reasons why they don't, but it's an idea.
The problem with trying to make money off of cars in a recession is that cars aren't scarce. If you really need a car you can pick a used one up for $2000 easily. If everyone usually buys a new car every 5 years and suddenly decides to put it off a year, you've lost 20% of your income. It's an obvious problem that they should have been prepared for.
It seems like blocking at least some websites is necessary.
But that should be done at the server/router/whatever point. Put no restrictions on the laptops themselves.
If Facebook ends up causing problems, I'd recommend blocking it (while at school only!), but setting up a school forum (vBulletin or something) and allowing students to interact, collaborate, and plan events there. Moderate it to prevent bullying and bad behaviour, but not too harshly.
Metal in the context of the makeup of stars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity) is basically a quick way of distinguishing population I (at least some "metal") and population II (early, [almost] no "metal") (or III [very early, no "metal") stars. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal#Astronomy)
Different from metallic hydrogen, which is hydrogen that takes on properties of (chemical) metal at high pressure, i.e. conductivity, since it loses hold of its electrons.
(I'm actually not sure now about my definition of "metal" in terms of planets -- I know that "ice" is distinguished from something else but I can't remember what. Maybe "rock" or something. I believe "ice" refers to the substances themselves and not just in a solid state, so you can get "ice volcanoes" and stuff. It's important mainly because lighter elements make up ices, and ices make up much of the outer solar system.)
"Ice" and "metal" have different meanings in planetary science than regular old chemistry. "Ice" can refer to any solid "volatile" substance (water, ammonia, methane, hydrogen...) and "metal" (IIRC) refers to other solids (carbon, silicon, iron...). Since lots of carbon dioxide ice has been found on mars in the past, it's worth making the distinction.
Also, when you're talking about the makeup of stars, "metal" refers to everything other than hydrogen or helium.
If you're talking about a non-screen graphics tablet, then you're missing the point just a bit. You don't look at an Intuos or Graphire while you're using it. You put it where you'd put your mouse pad, or on your lap, or in front of you on your desk. If you had to hold your pen up all day and tap the monitor, you'd quickly find it uncomfortable.
A screen-type graphics tablet like a Cintiq also sits on your desk like a drawing board, not like a monitor.
GP was talking about eye-level screens that you touch with your hand.
I also used a graphics tablet as a mouse replacement for a while -- my only pet peeve was picking up the pen every time I wanted to do something, and putting it down to type. If there will be a near-term alternative to a mouse, it might be a finger-sensitive desktop pad, with or without a screen. But mice are so cheap, simple, precise, and ubiquitous that I think 5 years is pretty unrealistic.
If food is unsatisfactory at a restaurant, you don't refuse to pay -- you ask them to fix it or replace it before you've eaten it, and they usually do. If they refused, I'd absolutely leave without paying. That has never happened.
If you go to a movie and it's terrible, you can usually leave within 30 minutes of start and get a refund. If the projector messes up, you can often get a refund or a pass.
If you buy software and it's buggy, you rarely have recourse. Opening or downloading it means no returns. You can ask for a fix or refund, but you probably won't get it.
(Example: bought a copy of WordPerfect Office 2002. Worked for about six months then started crashing regularly. Patches didn't fix it. Installed a while later on a fresh XP install. Still didn't work. Out $300 with no recourse.)
(Example: bought a copy of a custom ringtone program. Didn't work with my phone. Out $30 with no recourse.)
(Example: bought Final Fantasy VIII for PC. Played through 3 disks. Bug in game meant 4th disk would not work. No patch, no recourse.)
None of those led me to piracy, but they were pretty annoying.
You can use square brackets to indicate a change for grammar or spelling, can't you? "How is babby formed? How girl get pragnent?" becomes "How is [a baby] formed? How [does a] girl get [pregnant]?"
I would not change a written text without indicating so, ever. If it's reasonably clear and doesn't make the original look dumb or silly, don't change it.
A (sic) always seemed to me like "Sigh, yes, I know it's spelled wrong. Don't blame me. It's their fault." It seems vaguely rude.
It's a comparable price with a high-end Blackberry, Treo, or HTC, and those sell just fine in the US market. It's not riding coach, but it's not riding first class either. Expensive... but it's a smart phone, not a plain cell.
I don't use my cell much -- I could easily get away with 50 minutes a month. I don't text much. I don't need much data transfer since I'm usually have wi-fi access. But I love a PDA. Sticking the two together but letting me stay on a pay-as-you-go plan would be perfect -- it'd save a light user like me about a grand over 2 years ($70*12*2 + 199 vs. $15*12*2 + $599). They'd get one more hardware sale out of it. Win/Win.
Too bad Rogers isn't doing the same... yet. (Actually, I'm holding out for Android or the next OpenMoko... but still.)
Why shouldn't someone who had a 5 year felony conviction 30 years ago, served their time, reformed, got a job, and never did anything illegal ever again... never have the right to vote again?
Hypothetically speaking, what if the felony was committed in protest against an unjust law or corrupt political system? What if the felony was only a felony because corrupt politicians signed it to law? Shouldn't participation in the political process be an inviolable right, on par with freedom of speech or assembly?
This wouldn't be bad as a DIY project for a sun-facing wall that gets too much light, though. Or a porch, to power the porch lights (like a solar lantern, but bigger).
Obviously not the solution for everyone. I, for one, have a tree to the south, which would likely displease the new solar curtain overlords.
What would be a cool application for solar fabric is a canopy (say, for an outdoor market). That could provide shade while powering lights or electronics (like cash machines) in the stalls. Or self-lighting party tents.
It's possible to pay similar prices in North America.
The least expensive Prepaid service in Canada is $25/2 months (Bell), or $10/month (Fido), or $15/45 days (Virgin). If you don't use much airtime, that includes connection fees, an extra feature, a little data, a few texts...
Airtime is about $.30/minute (sometimes less after the first 2 minutes). Data is around $.05/kb (with caps), $.10/sms, $.50/mms.
Most people, though, go on plans. Plans cost about $10-20 more than the advertised price, but most people get them anyway because the phone is usually "free" or deeply discounted with a 2 or 3 year contract.
I'm with Bell. I once managed to burn through an entire $25 in a month, while roaming and calling long-distance while on vacation. Compare the contract I was on before that: $46 (nominally $35) plus data charges.
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Absolutely. If she's depressed, going to parties and taking a holiday is only going to get her healthy faster. Staying home and moping will only make her depression worse. Antidepressants and having fun are roughly equally effective, and work far better together.
(Not that plenty of people don't scam the system.)
That's what I was thinking. Unlinking it from his account is one thing, wanting it back is fair, but whoever ended up with it really didn't steal it.
If his address was on it there's a good chance they'd actually have sent it back to him.
That's it exactly -- it's about demand.
There's very little demand for faster computers and flying cars... I mean, we want them, sure, but the value we put on incremental improvements now is a lot less.
The focus of R&D has shifted from big, visible, obvious everyday things like car engines, colour TVs, and transistor radios onto finicky, small, non-consumer items like nanotechnology, gene therapy, advanced surgical techniques, robotics, and new materials. I mean, I am blown away by something new practically every day. Haven't there been two different cures for two types of blindness reported in the past few weeks, one using lasers and one using gene therapy? Then there was that nanomaterial that is supposed to make windshield scrapers obsolete. Bring it on!
It's just that we've done most of the big obvious stuff. Even when we haven't fully deployed it (renewable power, for instance) we've pretty much got the technology down.
Robots and augmented reality are probably going to be the next big game-changers, but the complexity of technology they require means they are going to be slow to deploy and improve. I mean, many people already have a GPS and a Roomba.
Either that or we need to brainstorm and come up with something that not a single SF author has anticipated. And you know the odds of that at this point...
A Segway is also much heavier than a bike. I'd have an impossible time getting a 100+ lb machine up some stairs but I can drag a bike up with no problem.
They also look like they're going to fall over. I mean I know they're probably not, and the look is deceptive, but they look about as easy to ride as a unicycle.
And as it happens, the government, or at least parts of it, still use WordPerfect extensively.
I can't anymore for some reason, but my kingdom for Reveal Codes.
I always thought they should turn their attention to manufacturing windmills. They have the workers with the skills. They have the factories, if not quite the right machinery. They have at least some of the right suppliers. I suppose there are lots of reasons why they don't, but it's an idea.
The problem with trying to make money off of cars in a recession is that cars aren't scarce. If you really need a car you can pick a used one up for $2000 easily. If everyone usually buys a new car every 5 years and suddenly decides to put it off a year, you've lost 20% of your income. It's an obvious problem that they should have been prepared for.
Anyway. Windmills!
It seems like blocking at least some websites is necessary.
But that should be done at the server/router/whatever point. Put no restrictions on the laptops themselves.
If Facebook ends up causing problems, I'd recommend blocking it (while at school only!), but setting up a school forum (vBulletin or something) and allowing students to interact, collaborate, and plan events there. Moderate it to prevent bullying and bad behaviour, but not too harshly.
Metal in the context of the makeup of stars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallicity) is basically a quick way of distinguishing population I (at least some "metal") and population II (early, [almost] no "metal") (or III [very early, no "metal") stars. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal#Astronomy)
Different from metallic hydrogen, which is hydrogen that takes on properties of (chemical) metal at high pressure, i.e. conductivity, since it loses hold of its electrons.
(I'm actually not sure now about my definition of "metal" in terms of planets -- I know that "ice" is distinguished from something else but I can't remember what. Maybe "rock" or something. I believe "ice" refers to the substances themselves and not just in a solid state, so you can get "ice volcanoes" and stuff. It's important mainly because lighter elements make up ices, and ices make up much of the outer solar system.)
"Ice" and "metal" have different meanings in planetary science than regular old chemistry. "Ice" can refer to any solid "volatile" substance (water, ammonia, methane, hydrogen...) and "metal" (IIRC) refers to other solids (carbon, silicon, iron...). Since lots of carbon dioxide ice has been found on mars in the past, it's worth making the distinction.
Also, when you're talking about the makeup of stars, "metal" refers to everything other than hydrogen or helium.
IANA astronomer, planetary geologist, etc.
"In the 24th century, they wouldn't care."
I personally avoid hitting BMWs because I suspect they're really damn expensive to get fixed.
YMMV.
A lot of Samsung players support OGG. A bit picky about format otherwise, though they come with pretty good conversion software.
Rule #34: If it exists, there's porn of it.
Rule #35: If there's no porn of it, porn of it will be made.
If you're talking about a non-screen graphics tablet, then you're missing the point just a bit. You don't look at an Intuos or Graphire while you're using it. You put it where you'd put your mouse pad, or on your lap, or in front of you on your desk. If you had to hold your pen up all day and tap the monitor, you'd quickly find it uncomfortable.
A screen-type graphics tablet like a Cintiq also sits on your desk like a drawing board, not like a monitor.
GP was talking about eye-level screens that you touch with your hand.
I also used a graphics tablet as a mouse replacement for a while -- my only pet peeve was picking up the pen every time I wanted to do something, and putting it down to type. If there will be a near-term alternative to a mouse, it might be a finger-sensitive desktop pad, with or without a screen. But mice are so cheap, simple, precise, and ubiquitous that I think 5 years is pretty unrealistic.
If food is unsatisfactory at a restaurant, you don't refuse to pay -- you ask them to fix it or replace it before you've eaten it, and they usually do. If they refused, I'd absolutely leave without paying. That has never happened.
If you go to a movie and it's terrible, you can usually leave within 30 minutes of start and get a refund. If the projector messes up, you can often get a refund or a pass.
If you buy software and it's buggy, you rarely have recourse. Opening or downloading it means no returns. You can ask for a fix or refund, but you probably won't get it.
(Example: bought a copy of WordPerfect Office 2002. Worked for about six months then started crashing regularly. Patches didn't fix it. Installed a while later on a fresh XP install. Still didn't work. Out $300 with no recourse.)
(Example: bought a copy of a custom ringtone program. Didn't work with my phone. Out $30 with no recourse.)
(Example: bought Final Fantasy VIII for PC. Played through 3 disks. Bug in game meant 4th disk would not work. No patch, no recourse.)
None of those led me to piracy, but they were pretty annoying.
You can use square brackets to indicate a change for grammar or spelling, can't you? "How is babby formed? How girl get pragnent?" becomes "How is [a baby] formed? How [does a] girl get [pregnant]?"
I would not change a written text without indicating so, ever. If it's reasonably clear and doesn't make the original look dumb or silly, don't change it.
A (sic) always seemed to me like "Sigh, yes, I know it's spelled wrong. Don't blame me. It's their fault." It seems vaguely rude.
You're thinking "Inuk-chuk."
Apache Chief's secret identity is unknown. So who knows? He may in fact be in IT.
It's not always about money. Sometimes it's about power. And then women.
Or so I've heard.
I loved Diane Duane's "Young Wizards" series. It's technically fantasy but the worldview is much more scientific than you'd think.
My favourite for a long time was Monica Hughes' "Invitation to the Game" but she wrote many kids' SF books.
I loved John Wyndham's "The Chrysalids" though I haven't read it in many years.
They may also enjoy Osamu Tezuka's "Astro Boy". It's been out of print in English for a while so it's hard to find.
Especially when your tank is 65 litres instead of 18 gallons.
With a paisa?
It's a comparable price with a high-end Blackberry, Treo, or HTC, and those sell just fine in the US market. It's not riding coach, but it's not riding first class either. Expensive... but it's a smart phone, not a plain cell.
I don't use my cell much -- I could easily get away with 50 minutes a month. I don't text much. I don't need much data transfer since I'm usually have wi-fi access. But I love a PDA. Sticking the two together but letting me stay on a pay-as-you-go plan would be perfect -- it'd save a light user like me about a grand over 2 years ($70*12*2 + 199 vs. $15*12*2 + $599). They'd get one more hardware sale out of it. Win/Win.
Too bad Rogers isn't doing the same... yet. (Actually, I'm holding out for Android or the next OpenMoko... but still.)
Why shouldn't someone who had a 5 year felony conviction 30 years ago, served their time, reformed, got a job, and never did anything illegal ever again... never have the right to vote again?
Hypothetically speaking, what if the felony was committed in protest against an unjust law or corrupt political system? What if the felony was only a felony because corrupt politicians signed it to law? Shouldn't participation in the political process be an inviolable right, on par with freedom of speech or assembly?
I have to admit, solar shutters make more sense.
This wouldn't be bad as a DIY project for a sun-facing wall that gets too much light, though. Or a porch, to power the porch lights (like a solar lantern, but bigger).
Obviously not the solution for everyone. I, for one, have a tree to the south, which would likely displease the new solar curtain overlords.
What would be a cool application for solar fabric is a canopy (say, for an outdoor market). That could provide shade while powering lights or electronics (like cash machines) in the stalls. Or self-lighting party tents.
It's possible to pay similar prices in North America.
The least expensive Prepaid service in Canada is $25/2 months (Bell), or $10/month (Fido), or $15/45 days (Virgin). If you don't use much airtime, that includes connection fees, an extra feature, a little data, a few texts...
Airtime is about $.30/minute (sometimes less after the first 2 minutes). Data is around $.05/kb (with caps), $.10/sms, $.50/mms.
Most people, though, go on plans. Plans cost about $10-20 more than the advertised price, but most people get them anyway because the phone is usually "free" or deeply discounted with a 2 or 3 year contract.
I'm with Bell. I once managed to burn through an entire $25 in a month, while roaming and calling long-distance while on vacation. Compare the contract I was on before that: $46 (nominally $35) plus data charges.