Well, not all americans are one dimensional. But your two party system only has two parties. So it is either Left... or Right.
Although, in other parts of the world, we view the americans as voting either Right... or More Right. (Even if 'more right' sometimes equals WAYYY wrong. Example? Bush.)
You know, when this article comes up on skews, it'll be politically neutral. Even though it has some verbal masturbation for the target audience, it isn't full of lies or politically skewed.
According to some sources (fox news) the wild wild 'net is full of left wing liberal tree huggers. Which means that the sample of the population which is 'skewing' things will be taken from the net, and not representative. For example, senator 'the internet is a series of tubes'. Old people generally don't understand and don't use the internet.. and old people also tend to be conservative.
Most people would agree that the internet is a place that many old people avoid (although there are some who embrace it, but they are not the norm) and the majority of web sites target people under 30... (or people looking for porn)- basically, the internet is liberal in composition, so how does skews bring anything to the table? It looks to me like a big self affirmation party.
If this is the case, then they don't 'want' the product as supplied by the company - they want it for cheaper (or free). Many people use itunes - why? because it is easy. It sure isn't cheap!
Yellow lights just tell me to go faster, or I'll hit the red. So when I see one, I speed up... and I usually make it through. Sometimes I don't make it before the red light, but thats okay - I havn't hit anyone yet!
If there were warnings at every intersection, then people would ONLY stop when they saw a warning. Ideally, people would be charged infrequently, but they'd never know the time or place - and so they'd drive responsibly all the time.
Its basic psychology - reinforcement schedules - the irregular ones are much much more effective in generating learning (studied in rats, dogs and children).
People always complain about traffic stops, speeding tickets, etc. Sure, they police make money off them, but if you're breaking the law, they're well within their right to ticket you - it is the law where you live. If you don't like it, then a) change the law, or b) move.
Red Light Cameras have drastically decreased the death toll through traffic collisions in toronto, canada.
On the other side, they increase rear end collisions, which is why the state of florida is avoiding them - rear end collisions tend to be very damaging to senior citizens.
If companies won't provide the goods the market (read:the population) desires, then someone will. And if necessity is the mother of invention... and the market isn't supplying what 'we' want - then someone will find it necessary to modify the offerings of various companies to fit our 'needs'.
Plain and simple, if you aren't supplying a product that people want... then don't complain when people use alternatives (legal or not!)
And JUST when I thought I was done with WoW. Honestly, a crack addiction would probably cost less - I might spend more money on it, but I'd also have more friends and more free time.
All the posts so far talk about the consumer vs. the provider - but the internet is becoming an essential service just like roads and telephone service. So, it should be the government who pays for it - through our tax dollars.
So yes, this means that the consumer pays - but businesses pay taxes too. Everyone pays - because everyone benefits - because everyone needs essential services (like roads).
Countries in which taxes are higher have better broadband coverage. It isn't by accident - the governments of those countries (canada, japan, etc) realize that connectivity (and broadband access) are essential to consumers, and to competition in the world market. Those governments understand that costs will be lowest when a government sanctioned monopoly is subsidized through taxes, and everyone benefits.
The internet is more vital (and more interesting) to many people than the highway system, so why doesn't the government step in and help?
Well, when student loans barely cover tuition, and I need a computer to take to class - these laptops are the key. I love to play games and all, but the games I **love** are older, they run fine on these lower spec'd laptops.
The selling point? They don't break the bank, and when I've already got a desktop, why do I need an equivalently powered laptop just to take notes and get lecture material online?
With all the technological convergence (Cell phones that have cameras, that are caledars, that are web browsers), it makes sense that software will follow.
The only problem, is that convergence is only beneficial if it is implemented well. If I had the choice between a site that will do everything (but only at a mediocre level) and being forced to use multiple sites that are all excellent... I'd choose the excellent sites.
I know not everyone feels this way - but one stop shopping works well for walmart, but not so much for shoppers drug mart (for example). And havn't we all had gadgets that suck simply because they try to do too much?
My fear is that flickr will soon fall prey to the same problems - it'll be okay, but no longer good at what it does.
"Nerds" don't want to be bothered.
"Nerds" are the ones who realize that it is a waste of time
"Nerds" don't need to be in constant communication to feel reassured
"Nerds" don't want to waste their money on these services, unless it comes with really really cool hardware. And even then, the hardware must have cool software, and all of it must be modifiable.
"Nerds" understand that being extroverted isn't the same as being popular, and don't care either way.
"Nerds" understand that twitter, constant IM'ing and such are appealing to control freaks and teenage girls who have to checkup on their boyfriends, constantly. Or want to talk on the phone non stop...
This isn't surprising. The UK has security cameras everywhere that anyone can watch through public tv. They use it to discourage violence, because you never know who's watching.
It isn't surprising to find out that their policies apply to the internet as well, and so does the mentality of voyeurism and big-brother-hood.
You can already get this level of speed almost anywhere in quebec (canada) for about $100/month. It doesn't seem to go this fast unless you're doing something p2p... but if comcast throttles p2p - what is the point?
Frustrating, but not really...
on
NXP RFID Cracked
·
· Score: 4, Funny
Since RFID needs close proximity to be read, I'm TOO concerned.
It'd be pretty noticeable if someone had a high powered RFID antenna/reader - if they were trying to move it.
But, since it would be easy to install a modified high power RFID reader in a convenience store stand, near a window or in a mailbox on a street corner, this could become a problem.
I guess it means that I'll be wearing tinfoil pants as well as a hat, to keep THEM from reading my mind, and my credit card. And password. And the chip in my dog.
Photons cannot be replicated, duplicated or pirated; it isn't simply the state of the photon that determines its configuration, but also the placement, and the receipt of said photon!
girls don't discriminate as much as men, when looking for other girls (not physically). There are also some differences in the behaviour traits they look for, like avoiding 'girly girls', etc... but nothing you couldn't guess.
So, was this a study to determine if the women were attractive to men? Or if they were attractive in general? And do men and queer women look for the same qualities in women? (hint: they don't)... so... I guess this computer is straight.
The big question, what if the computer doing the rating was a fruit?
Isn't this the same thing as saying that an large number of monkeys typing for a large period of time is more likely to properly re-create the complete works of tolkien... by accident?
Next thing you know, someone claiming to be part of Anonymous will be posting pictures of pizza on weightwatchers forums, and pictures of beer on the AA forums.
Sure, lack of internet sucks. But the intranet created with all these XO laptops would be neat... especially when someone gets a new piece of code (read:game). And... it would encourage innovation, right? RIGHT?
Further joint human-robot projects will "be a symbiotic relationship". I can't wait to see how this space exploration research and development is going to change the world as we know it! (skynet)
Slashdot Mirror
Well, not all americans are one dimensional. But your two party system only has two parties. So it is either Left ... or Right.
... or More Right. (Even if 'more right' sometimes equals WAYYY wrong. Example? Bush.)
Although, in other parts of the world, we view the americans as voting either Right
You know, when this article comes up on skews, it'll be politically neutral. Even though it has some verbal masturbation for the target audience, it isn't full of lies or politically skewed.
That being said, it still isn't newsworthy.
According to some sources (fox news) the wild wild 'net is full of left wing liberal tree huggers. Which means that the sample of the population which is 'skewing' things will be taken from the net, and not representative. For example, senator 'the internet is a series of tubes'. Old people generally don't understand and don't use the internet.. and old people also tend to be conservative.
Most people would agree that the internet is a place that many old people avoid (although there are some who embrace it, but they are not the norm) and the majority of web sites target people under 30... (or people looking for porn)- basically, the internet is liberal in composition, so how does skews bring anything to the table? It looks to me like a big self affirmation party.
If this is the case, then they don't 'want' the product as supplied by the company - they want it for cheaper (or free). Many people use itunes - why? because it is easy. It sure isn't cheap!
Yellow lights just tell me to go faster, or I'll hit the red. So when I see one, I speed up... and I usually make it through.
Sometimes I don't make it before the red light, but thats okay - I havn't hit anyone yet!
If there were warnings at every intersection, then people would ONLY stop when they saw a warning. Ideally, people would be charged infrequently, but they'd never know the time or place - and so they'd drive responsibly all the time.
Its basic psychology - reinforcement schedules - the irregular ones are much much more effective in generating learning (studied in rats, dogs and children).
People always complain about traffic stops, speeding tickets, etc. Sure, they police make money off them, but if you're breaking the law, they're well within their right to ticket you - it is the law where you live. If you don't like it, then a) change the law, or b) move.
Red Light Cameras have drastically decreased the death toll through traffic collisions in toronto, canada.
On the other side, they increase rear end collisions, which is why the state of florida is avoiding them - rear end collisions tend to be very damaging to senior citizens.
If companies won't provide the goods the market (read:the population) desires, then someone will. And if necessity is the mother of invention ... and the market isn't supplying what 'we' want - then someone will find it necessary to modify the offerings of various companies to fit our 'needs'.
... then don't complain when people use alternatives (legal or not!)
Plain and simple, if you aren't supplying a product that people want
And JUST when I thought I was done with WoW. Honestly, a crack addiction would probably cost less - I might spend more money on it, but I'd also have more friends and more free time.
All the posts so far talk about the consumer vs. the provider - but the internet is becoming an essential service just like roads and telephone service. So, it should be the government who pays for it - through our tax dollars.
So yes, this means that the consumer pays - but businesses pay taxes too. Everyone pays - because everyone benefits - because everyone needs essential services (like roads).
Countries in which taxes are higher have better broadband coverage. It isn't by accident - the governments of those countries (canada, japan, etc) realize that connectivity (and broadband access) are essential to consumers, and to competition in the world market. Those governments understand that costs will be lowest when a government sanctioned monopoly is subsidized through taxes, and everyone benefits.
The internet is more vital (and more interesting) to many people than the highway system, so why doesn't the government step in and help?
Well, when student loans barely cover tuition, and I need a computer to take to class - these laptops are the key. I love to play games and all, but the games I **love** are older, they run fine on these lower spec'd laptops.
The selling point? They don't break the bank, and when I've already got a desktop, why do I need an equivalently powered laptop just to take notes and get lecture material online?
With all the technological convergence (Cell phones that have cameras, that are caledars, that are web browsers), it makes sense that software will follow.
The only problem, is that convergence is only beneficial if it is implemented well. If I had the choice between a site that will do everything (but only at a mediocre level) and being forced to use multiple sites that are all excellent... I'd choose the excellent sites.
I know not everyone feels this way - but one stop shopping works well for walmart, but not so much for shoppers drug mart (for example). And havn't we all had gadgets that suck simply because they try to do too much?
My fear is that flickr will soon fall prey to the same problems - it'll be okay, but no longer good at what it does.
"Nerds" don't want to be bothered.
"Nerds" are the ones who realize that it is a waste of time
"Nerds" don't need to be in constant communication to feel reassured
"Nerds" don't want to waste their money on these services, unless it comes with really really cool hardware. And even then, the hardware must have cool software, and all of it must be modifiable.
"Nerds" understand that being extroverted isn't the same as being popular, and don't care either way.
"Nerds" understand that twitter, constant IM'ing and such are appealing to control freaks and teenage girls who have to checkup on their boyfriends, constantly. Or want to talk on the phone non stop...
This isn't surprising. The UK has security cameras everywhere that anyone can watch through public tv. They use it to discourage violence, because you never know who's watching.
It isn't surprising to find out that their policies apply to the internet as well, and so does the mentality of voyeurism and big-brother-hood.
You can already get this level of speed almost anywhere in quebec (canada) for about $100/month. It doesn't seem to go this fast unless you're doing something p2p... but if comcast throttles p2p - what is the point?
Since RFID needs close proximity to be read, I'm TOO concerned.
It'd be pretty noticeable if someone had a high powered RFID antenna/reader - if they were trying to move it.
But, since it would be easy to install a modified high power RFID reader in a convenience store stand, near a window or in a mailbox on a street corner, this could become a problem.
I guess it means that I'll be wearing tinfoil pants as well as a hat, to keep THEM from reading my mind, and my credit card. And password. And the chip in my dog.
Photons cannot be replicated, duplicated or pirated; it isn't simply the state of the photon that determines its configuration, but also the placement, and the receipt of said photon!
girls don't discriminate as much as men, when looking for other girls (not physically). There are also some differences in the behaviour traits they look for, like avoiding 'girly girls', etc... but nothing you couldn't guess.
... I wasn't aware that Dubya left any constitution for the next prez ...
... and somehow, I doubt it will be successful - if it is, it'll be due to some sort of freak accident with a bad guy turned good ...
So, was this a study to determine if the women were attractive to men? Or if they were attractive in general? And do men and queer women look for the same qualities in women? (hint: they don't) ... so ... I guess this computer is straight.
The big question, what if the computer doing the rating was a fruit?
Isn't this the same thing as saying that an large number of monkeys typing for a large period of time is more likely to properly re-create the complete works of tolkien ... by accident?
Next thing you know, someone claiming to be part of Anonymous will be posting pictures of pizza on weightwatchers forums, and pictures of beer on the AA forums.
Sure, lack of internet sucks. But the intranet created with all these XO laptops would be neat... especially when someone gets a new piece of code (read:game). And ... it would encourage innovation, right? RIGHT?
(skynet)