Re:How closely are the casino's being watched?
on
Net Vegas
·
· Score: 1
2% on blackjack ONLY if you play perfectly (e.g. according to the 'basic strategy' chart).
You can do even better than 2% if you count cards, but if you start varying your wagers wildly towards the end of a shoe the pit boss'll will probably kick you out for 'expert play'...I've actually had a buddy banned for this.
For what it's worth - although filtration is pretty important when you have a lot of CFM through your box, I highly recommend getting the computer off the floor as a first step to minimize dirt.
I used to be like most guys - tower case under the desk gives me back the most desktop space. However, room dust tends to settle to the ground, and if your computer is on the ground, it gets first dibs on hoovering up all the dirt in your room.
Even elevating your computer a foot or two is better than having it right against the floor.
Quote: >>(5) Think of how cool the name Squall would have been. Masculine, sea-related, implies a disruptive yet powerful force, has S,Q, and L in it...
He's starting to mix his metaphors like Opus...(my other favorite penguin)
"You can lead a yak to water, but you can't teach an old dog how to make a silk purse out of a pig in a poke"
-- Opus (Bloom County, by Berkeley Breathed)
You're right - there's not much point in having FPS exceed the refresh rate of your monitor. I think that quick spin-arounds may be slightly smoother, but it's pretty subjective - that's just the way it feels to me.
However, those refresh rates are an average over many different sorts of scenes and can drop much lower during intensive scenes - e.g. if you just walked into a rocket arena with 30 guys throwing rockets at each other with particles nice lighting and everything, that's when you probably won't be getting 150 FPS anymore. That's when you really need those FPS.
Also, most people want a bit of headroom for future games.
As well, some people want more quality - better lighting, more polys, etc. If your card can do 150 FPS without anti-aliasing, maybe it can do 85 FPS with funky lighting and AA on (just an example).
However, your original point is correct - excess frame rate beyond your monitor's refresh is not really visible, but the extra power comes in handy for other things.
Studio monitors are designed to have a flat frequency response at 'near-field' listening distances - usually only a couple of feet away from the engineer's head. This makes them VERY well suited for placement around a computer.
They're not quite as suited for 'room filling' though.
One anecdote about studio monitors - they don't necessary sound good with audio material - they're designed to be honest. Honesty is important with audio engineers because they are trying to get the best sound on the myriad types of systems out there. Sometimes audio material sounds 'better' when played on speakers that add a warm timbre to the sound, but that sort of thing is pretty subjective.
Well, at least that's what a couple of sound engineers have told me.
Failing that, 'The Anarchist's Cookbook' made for some interesting (if often incorrect) reading.
Oh, and make sure you get her one of those cool UV LED photonlights to go with her UV marking pen, you never know when you might want to check for forgeries, stains on the bedsheets (ugh!), etc...(just make sure she doesn't stare into it or point it at anyone).
But is it better than Cryptonomicon?
on
Enigma
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
I was hoping Neal (Stephenson) would have been able to get Crypto made into a movie...perhaps it would be redundant now.
I just wanted to see who they would cast as America Shaftoe! (and maybe Glory too, except for the leprosy...)
Another example is Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon-- all black with a sort of cryptic symbol. Imagine if the publishers decided to put a picture of US marines shooting at enemy planes.
I literally just finished reading it for the 2rd time before I logged into/. today, and I cringed when I imagined your hypothetical cover...
The TRAY design of the drive might help hold in exploding CD pieces. Some CD drives have those kinda flimsy flip-down tray covers that are pretty much just dust covers, they flip down when the 'real' tray comes out.
I believe this is the type of drive mentioned in the parent post.
Maybe this is not such a good design, if there is a real danger of exploding CDs.
Looks like X-box is a one-trick pony (Halo). Is it a surprise that consumers are reluctant to drop $300 to play ONE good game when other consoles offer many more?
But, I would hope that any sane person would refuse to put down their credit card number on a piece of mail as flimsy as a business reply card. Ignorance only extends so far, right?...right?
My PHB just did it. Now I have the hassle of transferring our friggin' domain back...
So is coal but that doesn't mean you can grow meat in coal.
It's funny you say this...since you are pointing out that coal is organic, yet you claim that you can't grow meat in it, did you know that petrochemical industry is the main source for fertilizers, which are in turn used to grow plants? Look it up.
Some animals (such as cows) use only plants (ie. grass, hay, etc) to make their proteins. 'Cow meat', in it's natural state (ie. a cow), only needs 'plant material' to grow.
So, logically, it should be possible to use only plant material to 'feed' a growing meat culture.
Slashdot Mirror
2% on blackjack ONLY if you play perfectly (e.g. according to the 'basic strategy' chart).
You can do even better than 2% if you count cards, but if you start varying your wagers wildly towards the end of a shoe the pit boss'll will probably kick you out for 'expert play'...I've actually had a buddy banned for this.
MeepMeep
This site has a longevity review of CD-Rs, but not DVD-R, sorry...
m l
http://www.silverace.com/dottyspotty/issue12.ht
For what it's worth - although filtration is pretty important when you have a lot of CFM through your box, I highly recommend getting the computer off the floor as a first step to minimize dirt.
I used to be like most guys - tower case under the desk gives me back the most desktop space. However, room dust tends to settle to the ground, and if your computer is on the ground, it gets first dibs on hoovering up all the dirt in your room.
Even elevating your computer a foot or two is better than having it right against the floor.
MeepMeep
Quote: >>(5) Think of how cool the name Squall would have been. Masculine, sea-related, implies a disruptive yet powerful force, has S,Q, and L in it...
Cool yes, but not exactly friendly...
Quote : >>I thought of Sakura which means "Cerisier en fleur" (how'd this translate in English ? "Cherry tree in flowers" ? :-)
Probably closer to 'Cherry Tree In Bloom', or maybe Cherry Blossoms?
MeepMeep
Um, this is already occuring with golf caddies, Gettig makes the 'Shedda' remote controlled golf caddy...Check it out.
They just need to make a version that rolls it's eyes when you dribble one up to the ladies tees...
He's starting to mix his metaphors like Opus...(my other favorite penguin)
"You can lead a yak to water, but you can't teach an old dog how to make a silk purse out of a pig in a poke"
-- Opus (Bloom County, by Berkeley Breathed)
MeepMeep
Um, you might have wanted to take a look at Terminal Services on W2k...just a thought.
MeepMeep
You're right - there's not much point in having FPS exceed the refresh rate of your monitor. I think that quick spin-arounds may be slightly smoother, but it's pretty subjective - that's just the way it feels to me.
However, those refresh rates are an average over many different sorts of scenes and can drop much lower during intensive scenes - e.g. if you just walked into a rocket arena with 30 guys throwing rockets at each other with particles nice lighting and everything, that's when you probably won't be getting 150 FPS anymore. That's when you really need those FPS.
Also, most people want a bit of headroom for future games.
As well, some people want more quality - better lighting, more polys, etc. If your card can do 150 FPS without anti-aliasing, maybe it can do 85 FPS with funky lighting and AA on (just an example).
However, your original point is correct - excess frame rate beyond your monitor's refresh is not really visible, but the extra power comes in handy for other things.
MeepMeep
Studio monitors are designed to have a flat frequency response at 'near-field' listening distances - usually only a couple of feet away from the engineer's head. This makes them VERY well suited for placement around a computer.
They're not quite as suited for 'room filling' though.
One anecdote about studio monitors - they don't necessary sound good with audio material - they're designed to be honest. Honesty is important with audio engineers because they are trying to get the best sound on the myriad types of systems out there. Sometimes audio material sounds 'better' when played on speakers that add a warm timbre to the sound, but that sort of thing is pretty subjective.
Well, at least that's what a couple of sound engineers have told me.
How about 'A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer?'
Failing that, 'The Anarchist's Cookbook' made for some interesting (if often incorrect) reading.
Oh, and make sure you get her one of those cool UV LED photonlights to go with her UV marking pen, you never know when you might want to check for forgeries, stains on the bedsheets (ugh!), etc...(just make sure she doesn't stare into it or point it at anyone).
I was hoping Neal (Stephenson) would have been able to get Crypto made into a movie...perhaps it would be redundant now.
I just wanted to see who they would cast as America Shaftoe! (and maybe Glory too, except for the leprosy...)
One of the most beautiful things I've ever read.
If that letter had been a fight, that poor Microsoft rep would have his pants around his ankles, his foot in his mouth, and his head up his ass.
I almost feel sorry for him.
Another example is Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon-- all black with a sort of cryptic symbol. Imagine if the publishers decided to put a picture of US marines shooting at enemy planes.
/. today, and I cringed when I imagined your hypothetical cover...
I literally just finished reading it for the 2rd time before I logged into
Brrr...
It doesn't matter what CDROM drive you are using.
The TRAY design of the drive might help hold in exploding CD pieces. Some CD drives have those kinda flimsy flip-down tray covers that are pretty much just dust covers, they flip down when the 'real' tray comes out.
I believe this is the type of drive mentioned in the parent post.
Maybe this is not such a good design, if there is a real danger of exploding CDs.
Yeah, Leah the BOMB back then...dunno what's happened to her now...
Looks like X-box is a one-trick pony (Halo). Is it a surprise that consumers are reluctant to drop $300 to play ONE good game when other consoles offer many more?
Re: Arsenic...
[Cringe]
Asking the US to give up it's nuclear weapon capability would be like asking someone to accept a penile reduction procedure.
It ain't gonna happen.
In case you were curious about 'locked slide for suppression shooting' this is one company's mod of the SOCOM...
http://www.awcsystech.com/nexus.htm
By the way, that's a 'handy' tip for zero distance shooting.
[Groan]
MeepMeep
But, I would hope that any sane person would refuse to put down their credit card number on a piece of mail as flimsy as a business reply card. Ignorance only extends so far, right? ...right?
My PHB just did it. Now I have the hassle of transferring our friggin' domain back...
I think some company could make a HUGE bundle of money if they wrote a solid groupware equivalent to Exchange Server for OSX...
:)
But I don't think it will be Microsoft.
What's wrong with curvy things? I can think of at least one system (organic) that is greatly impoved with 'curvy things...'
So is coal but that doesn't mean you can grow meat in coal.
It's funny you say this...since you are pointing out that coal is organic, yet you claim that you can't grow meat in it, did you know that petrochemical industry is the main source for fertilizers, which are in turn used to grow plants? Look it up.
Some animals (such as cows) use only plants (ie. grass, hay, etc) to make their proteins. 'Cow meat', in it's natural state (ie. a cow), only needs 'plant material' to grow.
So, logically, it should be possible to use only plant material to 'feed' a growing meat culture.
Wow. Maybe it wasn't so obvious.
I don't know about the whole vegan thing though, the culture has to be organic in some way so animals would still be killed probably...
Since plants are also organic, you might be able to make the culture out of soybeans or something.
Just pointing out the glaringly obvious...
MeepMeep