By Design, it might be nice if my car could be stopped (by me, once in a while) by a message analogous to an SMS - i.e. in case it should ever be stolen.
Also, I've often wondered if a cel.tel could be activated - on the sly - as a surveillance device... i.e. open the microphone in response to a (silent) incoming call/message... it doesn't ring, light up , vibrate or talk... but listens and sends what it hears to an unknown operator.
The front page of an IT section of today's Australian newspaper brought the above report of one Aussie e-tailer...
I wonder what future Australians will think when they discover that Australian e-tailer Harvey-Norman STOPPED TAKING CREDIT CARDS as a payment instrument... at a time when e-commerce was quickly taking market share from traditional points of sale.
It's an all too common pattern here...
Why trust technology? Why try to solve a business problem (like misuse of others' credit card details) with technology? "Too hard" (etc.)
Just limit your would-be clientele to whatever works for -you-... and make believe they don't -really- want to -use- credit cards!
In short, send your customers to [overseas] competitors who go the extra kilometer... even when there is some risk involved for the parties.
It's happening now... as the world begins to turn its eyes to the big Island continent down under, i.e. with the coming of Olympics 2K, too.
...which reminds me: the official Olympics 2K web site is said (in the same newspaper) to be in violation of Equal Opportunities Legislation because it is -inaccessible- to people with visual impairments.
I visited a 100-strong Engineers Firm in Stockholm, Sweden... located on a forested piece of land with a lake no more than 50 meters from one side of the company's main building...
The 2-story building had a Y shape with a central, rounded-corner triangular hub (in which steps were situated)...
Each arm of the Y (as well as its "trunk") had a central hallway and an office on each side, typically occupied by just one person. Exceptions included dep't heads and above, who seemed to get 2 such offices (enlarged into a single room supporting meetings, et al. by removal of one wall).
Offices were rectangular and equipped with two large tables and at least one full-height bookcase, as well as a simple (IKEA-class) office chair and the odd visitor chair.
Simple, unadorned, practical, quiet (with the door closed)...
Over half of the engineers had a view overlooking the lake, some from the 2nd floor, out their square, openable windows (one per office).
Those who missed out on a view over the lake got a view into the forrest... I often saw fine pheasants and large, slow-moving Swedish hares through those some of those windows...
Now, if that doesn't help you understand why Swedish technology has found its way into lots of places around the world... go there and partake of the simple elegance of design that's to be found there...
Don't let me forget to mention that one of ASEA's office buildings had elevators that don't stop for passengers... One must literally jump aboard a (relatively, slow-) moving one-person capsule (on a loop).
That should satisfy the environmentalists, as it would likely save energy in a busy building, albeit at the expense of the Occupational Health & Safety Reg's...;)
Some will remember that the author of "Goedel, Escher, Bach - An Eternal Golden Braid" wrote (with a philosopher) another book "The Mind's I" which - among other things - asks a question similar to:
If technology ever allows the remote control of one's body by one's brain (i.e. sitting miles away, in a vat of nutrients, et al. communicating via radio...), what are the implications of the body commiting a crime, under the [remote-]control of the brain-in-vat?
E.g. which laws apply? (E.g. the ones where the brains of the operation were at the time of the crime?...or where the body was? i.e. if they were in different states of USA)
Well, my question is: Suppose that, due to an unknown Program Bug, someone operating the Pistol-Packing Thai RogoGuard presses a button that leads directly to someone else getting shot dead?
Perhaps the button was to active a Safety (as on a gun), but the program misinterpretted the botton-press, so that the effect was to Fire.
Who is responsible for any damage and/or loss of Life, in the event that a firmware or software glitch produces unexpected results?
At which level of Artificial Intelligence do we let is suffice to put the RoboGuard into "prison"
or take it all apart, instead of hunting down the operator, who may be presumed to be innocent here?
For Au$ 20 (or so) I can buy a mobile frame set that lets me plugin (but -not- hot swap) a Hard Drive of my choice. I can buy extra "drawers" for the frame set (i.e. a frame installed in the case, any number of insertable drawers, each with a standard disk drive - IDE or SCSI2, depending on model of frame & drawers).
I suppose that loading & access times are quicker with this solution than with LS120's and [some] Zip drives.
So, equipped with a set of older hard disks - with FreeBSD, Linux, OpenBSD, Win xx[xx], et al. - on each one, I'm multi-op-sys capable with no chance of interference to one op sys's files by another, since only one is spinning at a time.
While it's possible to keep the computer case open and just keep plugging in the hard disk of choice... there are reasons NOT to do it this way: 1) IDE/SCSI cable assemblies live longer when I use mobile frames, 2) circuit boards don't need dust... and 3) my neighbour doesn't need any more RFI (= radio frequency interference).
I also save $ (e.g. cost of yet -another- proprietary hardware gizmo) and can also put to use those old hard drives that always seem to be stacking up in a dusty corner.
This is a Call for Volunteers for an Open Source project or three.
Each project is intended to produce software and/or a turn-key system to make it easier for people, who are visually impaired, to use Internet e-mail and/or various BBS-specific chat-channels to improve their quality of Life and/or their social/business interactions with other people who use compatible communications tools.
On now, at an Open Source design center near you... maybe your own!:)
Radio Hams are -also- welcome, as one of the projects addresses the needs of users of QSO's connected via Amateur Packet Radio.
C.f. http://www.WRS.cx
Radio Hams might find http://www.ARA.cx of interest
In short, rather than coming up with a general system that "reads everything" (e.g. including pine's message sizes, in bytes), we intend to implement a minimal, but very useful, user interface, which incorporates multiple-voices to enhance both the realism & ease-of-use of e-mail and/or interactive chat channels.
Those who don't like Win32 target systems will -not- necessarily want to learn that one module in each project is a cost - if not space - effective replacement for another (expensive) multi-voice, text-to-speech TTS system (e.g. DECtalk).
We intend to use some of the growing flood of slower Pentium boxes (that now find their way to auction) as platforms on which to run our very simple, multi-voice, MS SAPI based TTS module.
We believe that cost & overall interface convenience can be factors in determining whether a visually impaired person ever gets to use a computer in the first place and whether they enjoy the experience enough to justify the continued use of a computer that can help keep them in touch with similarly equipped people.
Nothing in the project vision precludes use of a Linux, FreeBSD or OpenBSD box in the system, provided, of course, that the chosen system can be made as simple to start, use, maintain and shutdown as any other that might compete with it for acceptance by the team.
Interested? Reply to the project using e-mail links at your choice of (above) web-sites. We'd really like to grow the project team a bit.
Speaking of features we'd all like to see in our cel.tel's of the future...
When are we going to be able to do what we could do -before- cel.tel's came out?
Namely, talk -direct- to nearby wireless handsets, i.e. -without- having to schlepp along another gadget to supply this function. (Remember your first set of Lafayette or Radio Shack Walkie-Talkies?)
I think two parties have made investments here:
The cel.tel carriers (infrastructure) -and- the cel.tel owners (handset).
I don't see why -both- shouldn't win from their investments; I pay for air-time for my essential communications with those on POTS networks (and GSM, et al).
I'd like also to be able to use my handset for a private chat with a local handset (at least one)...
e.g. if we're both outside any coverage area and close enough to each other to establish direct handset-to-handset communications.
Perhaps the first company that builts this in will increase the cost of the handset so that I'm paying for it, but I like the once-off nature of the extra functionality that I'd be buying enough to part with a bit more $ to get it.
That's where I'd like to go next cel.tel makers of this planet... so, tell me: 'If not now, When' are you going to offer the means?
Urban Applications: a couple who goes shopping at a mall together or - at a park - have to search for a lost child (in either case, they decide to separate to increase their efficiency).
What did you expect from a government whose legislators recently voted 'Yes' to the renewal of the treaty for a spy base on Australian soil without being permitted to read the treaty document.
Now, that's what I call being under the thumb...
In fairness, there is now talk of Australia trying to do a bit more for themselves vis a vis defense, i.e. with less dependence on USA.
I wouldn't hold my breath, however, waiting for it to happen; I predict that it's going to be deemed "Too Hard" (expensive), and the latter idea will die.
I happened to be near a Australian Adult Training Centre (or "TAFE") when a speaker representing a UK Trade Union was giving a talk on uses of the Internet (it was supposed to be on -general- applications, but turned out to be on how trade unions - or his, in particular - might use the Internet & (when asked about it) SlashDot's forum style, in future).
Re: SlashDot's style of issue presentation & debate, he said he was quite aware of SlashDot (having visited it on occasion), but felt that the powers-that-be in unions (including his) would -not- want open debates to happen... I think he used the word "devisive" at that point (but it was a while ago, and memory fades...).
Needless to say, I was not impressed.
Although we hear of unions winning computers and Internet access for their members (e.g. I recall him saying that the UK's Telecomm Workers union had won ONE DAY OFF PER (5-day) WORK WEEK for Internet access), we also heard that some of the home-situated computer setups forced the browser's home page to be the union's own...
That's not my idea of freedom, folks!
Oh... a (belated) Happy Independence Day 2K to all of you!
From one perspective, I don't see what all the hoo-haw is about here...
If unnamed forces -did- go after publishers of Free &/or Open Source Software in the courts over warranty liability, I have no doubt that FS and OSS people would apply technologies (like the one mentioned recently in a/. article) that allow them to publish anonymously, at least until a new legal infra[sub]structure can be put into place that will allow them to express their technical prowess without any unwanted liability.
If you can't identify - let alone serve court papers on - a developer, who are you going to sue?
OTOH, a consultant providing & supporting FS or OSS - under contract to a third party - could conceivably feel like s/he's bearing the brunt of the burden (e.g. with each payment for public or professional liability insurance).
AFAIK, one can be nominated (and, presumably, win) a Nobel Prize, even if their discoveries, contributions and/or work was first published on the Internet, e.g. for comment, use or application by member in the corresponding scientific, literary or political arena and/or general public.
In fact, maybe we should start nominating people whose honorable contributions -were- first published on the Internet, to set a precedent.
Of course, in the case of the Oscar, we could just as well set up an -alternative- award, with a more general set of eligibility rules.
The risk would be that the alt.Oscar would "see" only 'net-based films as eligible.
That would be fine, as long as a -third- organization came to the rescue... being open to all films, from any (first-release) medium.
Too easy!;)
Why the -larger- Hard Disk req'ts (Linux v. Win)?
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Perhaps off-topic, but at least related to the general question of development of Linux targets...
What explains the difference in hard disk requirements - with Linux targets needing more than Windows - for large, comparable applications?
By way of example (from the StarOffice 5.2 datasheet):
"Disk Space
Solaris and Linux: Minimum 180 Mbytes; 240 Mbytes for full installation
Microsoft Windows: Minimum 110 Mbytes; 170 Mbytes for full installation"
Why should a Linux app. (in this case) need an additional 70 Mbytes on the Linux target system?
While, as hard disk sizes grow, a difference of less than 100 Mb begins to approach 0, but more code can still mean more places for errors to hide (assuming - a priori - that the extra 70 Mbytes holds code, mostly)...
So, what do you want to happen in the event that an ISP -falsely- (or simply -wrongly-) believes that a particular user's [unpopular] opinion(s) have been catalysts to a script kiddie's DoS attack(s)... and - on that basis alone - suspends / cancels that user's account?
I, for one, might like to see:
1. better technical response to DoS attacks... so that ISPs need not suspend good users' accounts,
2. better ways to post opinions (that, for reasons beyond me, seem to attract DoS attacks) anonymously... so that the attackers shouldn't know where to aim their arrows...),
3. independent means of determining that such DoS attacks (as may be claimed by an ISP) have actually occured and to which user(s)/account(s)... so that an ISP can't (whether inadvertantly or intentionally) just -say- "It's you" and suspend a user's account, and
4. legislation that protects users' rights when there is no evidence that they have "incited" DoS attacks (or the like)... so that ISPs use technologies hinted at in points 1 or 3 (above) -and- give DoS-attracting users an opportunity to use those in point 2, i.e. -before-pulling a good user's account.
Note: I intend there to be a great difference between "having been a catalyst to" and [having] "incited" a DoS (or other) attack.
OK, so campaigning candidates no longer need to take -one- pamphlet to the printers every time they want to do some literature drops before an election...
They could, instead, send voter-specific e-mails Since 2 voters aren't necessarily going to share their respective e-mails, there could be e-mails from the -same- candidate, in the -same- mail-out, to two -different- voters... in which the messages are -negations- of each other... while being consistent with its respective voter-recipients' position, on a particular issue.
Put more simply:
For Issue i, a candidate could send e-mails m(i,1) and m(i,2) to voters v1 and v2, where m(1,2) and m(i,2) are logical opposites, but m(i,j) would be consistent with the feelings (vis a vis Issue i) held by vj, for j = 1,2.
While this might appear bleak,it could also be an argument for people getting together a little oftener to discuss politics and share stories about the leading candidates and what they did (or didn't do), on an issue or in a recent vote...;)
Re your 2nd item: "SSB radio, but I've never heard of anyone running digital comms over it. And it depends on weather conditions how far it goes. But, it's nice to be able to hear real live crackly voices 1000 miles from land..."
These days, some of the "crackly" sounds are almost gone... thanks to DSP technology in either the IF or AF (audio) modules of amateur HF receivers.
It's nice to stay in touch (over voice radio links) with people while sailing, I just want to say that several of Amateur Radio's [Digital or] Packet Radio Modes -has- connected people over long distances, typically using HF radio wave (3-30 MHz).
(It's -great- to have an on-air Amateur Radio chat going while one is (e.g. surfing_ online, if only to make the latter feel "warmer".)
Speeds are lower than the 1200 baud mentioned in another post on Amateur Radio... typically, more like 300 baud.
There's nothing to stop maritime Ham's from accessing any of the open store-and-forward Ham satellites, as they fly overhead (or even one in a geostationary earth orbit). Here, we're talking baud rates of 9600.
For more info on Amateur Radio -or- its various Digital Modes over HF, VHF or UHF radio links (local or over long distances), c f:
Source In USA (ARRL):
- http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/digital.html
Source In Australia (WIA):
- http://www.wia.org.au/links/Packet.html
(Packet Radio - apparently, a spin-off of X.25 - also has a place for TCP/IP over radio)
I am reminded of a guy who's built a high-tech bicycle + trailer combo... he has "all" flavors of computer (MacOS, UNIX-like, Windows, et al.) and radio (HF, VHF, UHF; voice, data, et al.) on board.
(For a fee - reportedly, US$ 5000, last time I read about him - he'll bring the thing to your science/technology fair or other event and explain it all to anyone who asks about it...)
For those who want more info on Australia's dealings with aboriginals, by way of understanding why there is good reason to put some time & energy into Reconciliation work, e.g. in the form of a SlashDot-clone for relavent discussions and suggestions towards improvement...
I would recomend having a read of Mick Dodson's analysis (from this past weekend's Corroboree 2000 presentation) at:
Other speakers' words are there as well, apparently in reverse-order of presentation (so that the Governor General's words come first...? if so, monarchy still rules here... which would explain both unresponsiveness in government -and- some of the censorship that we've been talking about down under... but I digress...).
Anyone interested in helping to mount such a SlashDot-clone (preferably in, but - why not? - maybe even outside Australia) can send e-mail to:
The hobby of Amateur (or Ham) Radio is a bit like the hobby of sailing.
Each is based on one or more mature technologies that are used in commerce & transport today.
Each uses only a tiny bit of its "medium" - frequency spectrum or seaways, resp.
Yet, one hobby seems to be under regulatory pressure, at least here in Australia (the land of censorship):
Just last week, we learned that in response to an individual complaint, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has informed the Wireless Institure of Australia (WIA) - Australia's national fraternal body of radio hams (like USA's ARRL), that some long-running practices (14 years, in one state) will no longer be tolerated.
You may ask: What are these evil practices?
Simply: the on-air listing of individuals' excess electronic parts & radio gear for sale, in WIA's weekly, on-air broadcast to hams.
It takes no more than 5 minutes of a typical 30-55 minute broadcast... but, now, it's been stopped... by a government edict.
Why...?
Well, in law, ham radio is (quite rightly, in many minds) to be "free of pecuniary interests" - like an amateur sailor who, I suppose, can't legally carry goods or people on his sail-boat
for money
.
However, here, nobody was paying money to get their gear listed on-air, just as nobody pays to post a 'for sale' ad on their Sailing Club's bulletin board.
There was -no- pecuniary interest; people were simply helping each other... by swapping, selling or buying - often just giving away - their excess items, whether homebuild or manufactured.
ACA's harsh interpretation of an old law was unduly heavy-handed and violates the rights of individuals.
It has lead to a ban on a practice that helped keep rural hams involved in the equipment recycle-loop with their city cousins.
Remember that, in many Australian bush areas, the Internet (which would make it easy to stay in touch) is practically unavailable, with connection rates as low as 2400 baud (if that), and unreliable at any speed.
(Satelite 'net connections still require a landline link, making that technology impractical for the bush.)
But there is more to it... and that is an government unresponsive to calls for fair play, at least where valuable radio spectrum is involved.
Our Citizens Band users actually managed to free themselves of license fees (like their US counterparts), by openly defying the law which, at the time, required them to pay an annual license fee to use their radios.
(Perhaps, in Australia, 'civil disobedience macht frei'...?)
Also, like most Internet users, CBer's have no restrictions on commercial use of CB frequencies.
It's very different for the Hams...
Our more law-abiding Radio Amateurs, unlike their US counterparts, have been paying $50 dollars / year to keep their licenses, and - with them - the age-old restriction on use.
While various other media & technologies (e.g., Internet) enjoy freedom of expression, this human endeavor is strapped down tighter without reason.
Isn't this the same multi-phase project that was recently reported to be at risk of being cancelled, due to interference caused by newly installed security lights at Woomera (the former hush-hush satellite monitoring facility, more recently used as a detention centre for illegal boat-people)?
The new security lights were installed - after several of the boat-people escaped from the detention centre - in a bid to preclude for future escape-attempts.
It seems that light from the security lights makes this bush location too much like any urban centre... defeating the purpose of being out there, i.e. so far from the bright cities...
A decision is due shortly on whether to procede or not with an extention of the project...
'Un-Real Time' Nature of QNX's Web Site
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If the makers of QNX want to show that they understand and implement Real Time Solutions, why don't we find out whether or not we are among the "first 5000" to request the Free CD, i.e. just after we request it from their Web-site?;)
Speaking of monitoring "all" the traffic that flows across their boundaries, this is exactly what our Radio Ham SysOp's in Australia must do, i.e. if they wish to continue to operate their (X.25) Packet Radio BBS's.
Why? Because it's STILL forbidden to connect AX.25 Packet Radio networks to landline telephone networks. (Still crazy, after all these years!;)
So, it's -not- all happening "over there" in the (former) USSR.
There could, in principle, be those who want to provide -neither- FTP -nor- telnet services; for them, such a disabled domain name might be acceptible.
I personally wouldn't want to have to type any dinosaurs that have dashes at the end of a word between dots, if only because the '-' makes me feel more letters are needed.
BTW, why does this item merit inclusion in today's/. anyway?
Perhaps it's time to create a/. backpage for such trivia, eh?
"Please Consider" - Mitsubishi advert
PS the quote in the subject comes from Weinberg's excellent (if dated) book "Secrets of Consulting" which I recommend to all (if you can find one; has it ever been reprinted?)
Slashdot Mirror
Also, I've often wondered if a cel.tel could be activated - on the sly - as a surveillance device... i.e. open the microphone in response to a (silent) incoming call/message... it doesn't ring, light up , vibrate or talk... but listens and sends what it hears to an unknown operator.
If not now, then it's just a matter of time...
I wonder what future Australians will think when they discover that Australian e-tailer Harvey-Norman STOPPED TAKING CREDIT CARDS as a payment instrument... at a time when e-commerce was quickly taking market share from traditional points of sale.
It's an all too common pattern here...
Why trust technology? Why try to solve a business problem (like misuse of others' credit card details) with technology? "Too hard" (etc.)
Just limit your would-be clientele to whatever works for -you- ... and make believe they don't -really- want to -use- credit cards!
In short, send your customers to [overseas] competitors who go the extra kilometer... even when there is some risk involved for the parties.
It's happening now... as the world begins to turn its eyes to the big Island continent down under, i.e. with the coming of Olympics 2K, too.
...which reminds me: the official Olympics 2K web site is said (in the same newspaper) to be in violation of Equal Opportunities Legislation because it is -inaccessible- to people with visual impairments.
The 2-story building had a Y shape with a central, rounded-corner triangular hub (in which steps were situated)...
Each arm of the Y (as well as its "trunk") had a central hallway and an office on each side, typically occupied by just one person. Exceptions included dep't heads and above, who seemed to get 2 such offices (enlarged into a single room supporting meetings, et al. by removal of one wall).
Offices were rectangular and equipped with two large tables and at least one full-height bookcase, as well as a simple (IKEA-class) office chair and the odd visitor chair.
Simple, unadorned, practical, quiet (with the door closed)...
Over half of the engineers had a view overlooking the lake, some from the 2nd floor, out their square, openable windows (one per office).
Those who missed out on a view over the lake got a view into the forrest... I often saw fine pheasants and large, slow-moving Swedish hares through those some of those windows...
Now, if that doesn't help you understand why Swedish technology has found its way into lots of places around the world... go there and partake of the simple elegance of design that's to be found there...
Don't let me forget to mention that one of ASEA's office buildings had elevators that don't stop for passengers... One must literally jump aboard a (relatively, slow-) moving one-person capsule (on a loop).
That should satisfy the environmentalists, as it would likely save energy in a busy building, albeit at the expense of the Occupational Health & Safety Reg's... ;)
If technology ever allows the remote control of one's body by one's brain (i.e. sitting miles away, in a vat of nutrients, et al. communicating via radio...), what are the implications of the body commiting a crime, under the [remote-]control of the brain-in-vat?
E.g. which laws apply? (E.g. the ones where the brains of the operation were at the time of the crime? ...or where the body was? i.e. if they were in different states of USA)
Well, my question is: Suppose that, due to an unknown Program Bug, someone operating the Pistol-Packing Thai RogoGuard presses a button that leads directly to someone else getting shot dead?
Perhaps the button was to active a Safety (as on a gun), but the program misinterpretted the botton-press, so that the effect was to Fire.
Who is responsible for any damage and/or loss of Life, in the event that a firmware or software glitch produces unexpected results?
At which level of Artificial Intelligence do we let is suffice to put the RoboGuard into "prison" or take it all apart, instead of hunting down the operator, who may be presumed to be innocent here?
I suppose that loading & access times are quicker with this solution than with LS120's and [some] Zip drives.
So, equipped with a set of older hard disks - with FreeBSD, Linux, OpenBSD, Win xx[xx], et al. - on each one, I'm multi-op-sys capable with no chance of interference to one op sys's files by another, since only one is spinning at a time.
While it's possible to keep the computer case open and just keep plugging in the hard disk of choice... there are reasons NOT to do it this way: 1) IDE/SCSI cable assemblies live longer when I use mobile frames, 2) circuit boards don't need dust... and 3) my neighbour doesn't need any more RFI (= radio frequency interference).
I also save $ (e.g. cost of yet -another- proprietary hardware gizmo) and can also put to use those old hard drives that always seem to be stacking up in a dusty corner.
My vote for K.I.S.S. Too easy! :)
Each project is intended to produce software and/or a turn-key system to make it easier for people, who are visually impaired, to use Internet e-mail and/or various BBS-specific chat-channels to improve their quality of Life and/or their social/business interactions with other people who use compatible communications tools.
On now, at an Open Source design center near you... maybe your own! :)
Radio Hams are -also- welcome, as one of the projects addresses the needs of users of QSO's connected via Amateur Packet Radio.
C.f. http://www.WRS.cx
Radio Hams might find http://www.ARA.cx of interest
In short, rather than coming up with a general system that "reads everything" (e.g. including pine's message sizes, in bytes), we intend to implement a minimal, but very useful, user interface, which incorporates multiple-voices to enhance both the realism & ease-of-use of e-mail and/or interactive chat channels.
Those who don't like Win32 target systems will -not- necessarily want to learn that one module in each project is a cost - if not space - effective replacement for another (expensive) multi-voice, text-to-speech TTS system (e.g. DECtalk).
We intend to use some of the growing flood of slower Pentium boxes (that now find their way to auction) as platforms on which to run our very simple, multi-voice, MS SAPI based TTS module.
We believe that cost & overall interface convenience can be factors in determining whether a visually impaired person ever gets to use a computer in the first place and whether they enjoy the experience enough to justify the continued use of a computer that can help keep them in touch with similarly equipped people.
Nothing in the project vision precludes use of a Linux, FreeBSD or OpenBSD box in the system, provided, of course, that the chosen system can be made as simple to start, use, maintain and shutdown as any other that might compete with it for acceptance by the team.
Interested? Reply to the project using e-mail links at your choice of (above) web-sites. We'd really like to grow the project team a bit.
When are we going to be able to do what we could do -before- cel.tel's came out?
Namely, talk -direct- to nearby wireless handsets, i.e. -without- having to schlepp along another gadget to supply this function. (Remember your first set of Lafayette or Radio Shack Walkie-Talkies?)
I think two parties have made investments here:
The cel.tel carriers (infrastructure) -and- the cel.tel owners (handset).
I don't see why -both- shouldn't win from their investments; I pay for air-time for my essential communications with those on POTS networks (and GSM, et al).
I'd like also to be able to use my handset for a private chat with a local handset (at least one)...
e.g. if we're both outside any coverage area and close enough to each other to establish direct handset-to-handset communications.
Perhaps the first company that builts this in will increase the cost of the handset so that I'm paying for it, but I like the once-off nature of the extra functionality that I'd be buying enough to part with a bit more $ to get it.
That's where I'd like to go next cel.tel makers of this planet... so, tell me: 'If not now, When' are you going to offer the means?
Urban Applications: a couple who goes shopping at a mall together or - at a park - have to search for a lost child (in either case, they decide to separate to increase their efficiency).
Now, that's what I call being under the thumb...
In fairness, there is now talk of Australia trying to do a bit more for themselves vis a vis defense, i.e. with less dependence on USA.
I wouldn't hold my breath, however, waiting for it to happen; I predict that it's going to be deemed "Too Hard" (expensive), and the latter idea will die.
Re: SlashDot's style of issue presentation & debate, he said he was quite aware of SlashDot (having visited it on occasion), but felt that the powers-that-be in unions (including his) would -not- want open debates to happen... I think he used the word "devisive" at that point (but it was a while ago, and memory fades...).
Needless to say, I was not impressed.
Although we hear of unions winning computers and Internet access for their members (e.g. I recall him saying that the UK's Telecomm Workers union had won ONE DAY OFF PER (5-day) WORK WEEK for Internet access), we also heard that some of the home-situated computer setups forced the browser's home page to be the union's own...
That's not my idea of freedom, folks!
Oh... a (belated) Happy Independence Day 2K to all of you!
If unnamed forces -did- go after publishers of Free &/or Open Source Software in the courts over warranty liability, I have no doubt that FS and OSS people would apply technologies (like the one mentioned recently in a /. article) that allow them to publish anonymously, at least until a new legal infra[sub]structure can be put into place that will allow them to express their technical prowess without any unwanted liability.
If you can't identify - let alone serve court papers on - a developer, who are you going to sue?
OTOH, a consultant providing & supporting FS or OSS - under contract to a third party - could conceivably feel like s/he's bearing the brunt of the burden (e.g. with each payment for public or professional liability insurance).
The buck would seem to stop at the consultant.
Is this the fairest of possible schemes?
In fact, maybe we should start nominating people whose honorable contributions -were- first published on the Internet, to set a precedent.
Of course, in the case of the Oscar, we could just as well set up an -alternative- award, with a more general set of eligibility rules.
The risk would be that the alt.Oscar would "see" only 'net-based films as eligible.
That would be fine, as long as a -third- organization came to the rescue... being open to all films, from any (first-release) medium.
Too easy! ;)
What explains the difference in hard disk requirements - with Linux targets needing more than Windows - for large, comparable applications?
By way of example (from the StarOffice 5.2 datasheet):
Why should a Linux app. (in this case) need an additional 70 Mbytes on the Linux target system?
While, as hard disk sizes grow, a difference of less than 100 Mb begins to approach 0, but more code can still mean more places for errors to hide (assuming - a priori - that the extra 70 Mbytes holds code, mostly)...
I, for one, might like to see:
1. better technical response to DoS attacks... so that ISPs need not suspend good users' accounts,
2. better ways to post opinions (that, for reasons beyond me, seem to attract DoS attacks) anonymously... so that the attackers shouldn't know where to aim their arrows...),
3. independent means of determining that such DoS attacks (as may be claimed by an ISP) have actually occured and to which user(s)/account(s)... so that an ISP can't (whether inadvertantly or intentionally) just -say- "It's you" and suspend a user's account, and
4. legislation that protects users' rights when there is no evidence that they have "incited" DoS attacks (or the like)... so that ISPs use technologies hinted at in points 1 or 3 (above) -and- give DoS-attracting users an opportunity to use those in point 2, i.e. -before-pulling a good user's account.
Note: I intend there to be a great difference between "having been a catalyst to" and [having] "incited" a DoS (or other) attack.
They could, instead, send voter-specific e-mails Since 2 voters aren't necessarily going to share their respective e-mails, there could be e-mails from the -same- candidate, in the -same- mail-out, to two -different- voters... in which the messages are -negations- of each other... while being consistent with its respective voter-recipients' position, on a particular issue.
Put more simply:
For Issue i, a candidate could send e-mails m(i,1) and m(i,2) to voters v1 and v2, where m(1,2) and m(i,2) are logical opposites, but m(i,j) would be consistent with the feelings (vis a vis Issue i) held by vj, for j = 1,2.
While this might appear bleak,it could also be an argument for people getting together a little oftener to discuss politics and share stories about the leading candidates and what they did (or didn't do), on an issue or in a recent vote... ;)
These days, some of the "crackly" sounds are almost gone... thanks to DSP technology in either the IF or AF (audio) modules of amateur HF receivers.
It's nice to stay in touch (over voice radio links) with people while sailing, I just want to say that several of Amateur Radio's [Digital or] Packet Radio Modes -has- connected people over long distances, typically using HF radio wave (3-30 MHz).
(It's -great- to have an on-air Amateur Radio chat going while one is (e.g. surfing_ online, if only to make the latter feel "warmer".)
Speeds are lower than the 1200 baud mentioned in another post on Amateur Radio... typically, more like 300 baud.
There's nothing to stop maritime Ham's from accessing any of the open store-and-forward Ham satellites, as they fly overhead (or even one in a geostationary earth orbit). Here, we're talking baud rates of 9600.
For more info on Amateur Radio -or- its various Digital Modes over HF, VHF or UHF radio links (local or over long distances), c f:
Source In USA (ARRL):
- http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/digital.html
Source In Australia (WIA):
- http://www.wia.org.au/links/Packet.html
(Packet Radio - apparently, a spin-off of X.25 - also has a place for TCP/IP over radio)
I am reminded of a guy who's built a high-tech bicycle + trailer combo... he has "all" flavors of computer (MacOS, UNIX-like, Windows, et al.) and radio (HF, VHF, UHF; voice, data, et al.) on board.
(For a fee - reportedly, US$ 5000, last time I read about him - he'll bring the thing to your science/technology fair or other event and explain it all to anyone who asks about it...)
Maybe there's an idea for a /. article here. ;)
I would recomend having a read of Mick Dodson's analysis (from this past weekend's Corroboree 2000 presentation) at:
www.austlii.edu.au/au/orgs/car/media/C2K%20updates .htm#Mdodson
Other speakers' words are there as well, apparently in reverse-order of presentation (so that the Governor General's words come first...? if so, monarchy still rules here... which would explain both unresponsiveness in government -and- some of the censorship that we've been talking about down under... but I digress...).
Anyone interested in helping to mount such a SlashDot-clone (preferably in, but - why not? - maybe even outside Australia) can send e-mail to:
reconcile@ara.cx
Each is based on one or more mature technologies that are used in commerce & transport today.
Each uses only a tiny bit of its "medium" - frequency spectrum or seaways, resp.
Yet, one hobby seems to be under regulatory pressure, at least here in Australia (the land of censorship):
Just last week, we learned that in response to an individual complaint, the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) has informed the Wireless Institure of Australia (WIA) - Australia's national fraternal body of radio hams (like USA's ARRL), that some long-running practices (14 years, in one state) will no longer be tolerated.
You may ask: What are these evil practices?
Simply: the on-air listing of individuals' excess electronic parts & radio gear for sale, in WIA's weekly, on-air broadcast to hams.
It takes no more than 5 minutes of a typical 30-55 minute broadcast... but, now, it's been stopped... by a government edict.
Why...?
Well, in law, ham radio is (quite rightly, in many minds) to be "free of pecuniary interests" - like an amateur sailor who, I suppose, can't legally carry goods or people on his sail-boat
- for money
.However, here, nobody was paying money to get their gear listed on-air, just as nobody pays to post a 'for sale' ad on their Sailing Club's bulletin board.
There was -no- pecuniary interest; people were simply helping each other... by swapping, selling or buying - often just giving away - their excess items, whether homebuild or manufactured.
ACA's harsh interpretation of an old law was unduly heavy-handed and violates the rights of individuals.
It has lead to a ban on a practice that helped keep rural hams involved in the equipment recycle-loop with their city cousins.
Remember that, in many Australian bush areas, the Internet (which would make it easy to stay in touch) is practically unavailable, with connection rates as low as 2400 baud (if that), and unreliable at any speed.
(Satelite 'net connections still require a landline link, making that technology impractical for the bush.)
But there is more to it... and that is an government unresponsive to calls for fair play, at least where valuable radio spectrum is involved.
Our Citizens Band users actually managed to free themselves of license fees (like their US counterparts), by openly defying the law which, at the time, required them to pay an annual license fee to use their radios.
(Perhaps, in Australia, 'civil disobedience macht frei'...?)
Also, like most Internet users, CBer's have no restrictions on commercial use of CB frequencies.
It's very different for the Hams...
Our more law-abiding Radio Amateurs, unlike their US counterparts, have been paying $50 dollars / year to keep their licenses, and - with them - the age-old restriction on use.
While various other media & technologies (e.g., Internet) enjoy freedom of expression, this human endeavor is strapped down tighter without reason.
The new security lights were installed - after several of the boat-people escaped from the detention centre - in a bid to preclude for future escape-attempts.
It seems that light from the security lights makes this bush location too much like any urban centre... defeating the purpose of being out there, i.e. so far from the bright cities...
A decision is due shortly on whether to procede or not with an extention of the project...
If the makers of QNX want to show that they understand and implement Real Time Solutions, why don't we find out whether or not we are among the "first 5000" to request the Free CD, i.e. just after we request it from their Web-site? ;)
Speaking of monitoring "all" the traffic that flows across their boundaries, this is exactly what our Radio Ham SysOp's in Australia must do, i.e. if they wish to continue to operate their (X.25) Packet Radio BBS's.
Why? Because it's STILL forbidden to connect AX.25 Packet Radio networks to landline telephone networks. (Still crazy, after all these years! ;)
So, it's -not- all happening "over there" in the (former) USSR.
I personally wouldn't want to have to type any dinosaurs that have dashes at the end of a word between dots, if only because the '-' makes me feel more letters are needed.
BTW, why does this item merit inclusion in today's /. anyway?
Perhaps it's time to create a /. backpage for such trivia, eh?
"Please Consider" - Mitsubishi advert
PS the quote in the subject comes from Weinberg's excellent (if dated) book "Secrets of Consulting" which I recommend to all (if you can find one; has it ever been reprinted?)
integrate an exercise-bike into the implementation of an office chair that doesn't swivel, so that one can sit use a computer while peddling away.
This might also help one who's working in a cold room (e.g. during cold weather) to keep warm.
If such a product is available, I would like to know about it!