Because the modern television series relieves you of that entirely overrated thinking and imagination stuff. Besides - lethal rocks are no match for the other toys on the market.
First thing, the user has to be at least as smart as the tool they are wielding. No, actually just smart enough to follow directions and go beyond clicking on "help" to get help. Just another case of wannabe administrator arrogance: "If the tool doesn't configure itself or have cool looking icons, it must suck."
I wasn't suggesting it was good of them to do that, only that they own the archive and may do what they want with it. The fact that it's electronic media gives them the ability to delete. That's the only new thing. With paper magazines and books deleting is not possible, although it has been tried unsuccessfully.
Begs the question: if they're just now discovering missing articles, I wonder how many articles just change without disappearing? Checksum anyone?
Isn't it the prerogative of the private sector to publish at will? This is done all the time in print and television media. Should be no surprise that certain things get "omitted" on an Internet site.
Good points - I'd disagree about ramp signalling and acceleration lanes. When the signals are switching, traffic is slowed due to congestion anyway which reduces the speed required to merge. By regulating freeway entry, the traffic keeps moving, albeit slowly, versus coming to a gridlock stop. I've seen it in action in LA - even moving along at 5mph is better than dead stop. I will agree that during peak times it robs Peter to pay Paul - traffic on the feeder roads at busy interchanges will congest as a result. Signals, like any other strategy, are just one piece of a system and will work poorly by themselves.
OTOH I strongly agree with lane control. One of the best ideas I've seen along that line are the express lanes on the 401 thru Toronto. No exits in the most congested center section. It's still clogged but that's a function of volume. FWIW, it does a good job segregating thru traffic from locals. In a discussion with a retired highway engineer years ago, he suggested lane and speed-in-lane control. This would include not only tightly controlled lane access, but add narrow min/max speeds on each lane (+/- 5mph, progressively faster approaching the inside lanes). Too bad this isn't incredibly practical due to poorly designed road systems an earlier poster mentioned.
Intelligent nav systems would be no more effective than any other fix such as signal timing, on-ramp signals, or enforced HOV lanes.
The real trouble is these "fixes" are either never or partially implemented or so long after the fact that they're worthless. If municipalities or departments of transportation could get traffic management devices in place before there's a crisis, they would actually work.
Thankfully in Atlanta, we have none of those things, making any metro commute an exercise in misery. Signal timing is rare if ever found. On-ramp signals were "tried" on two or three ramps and deemed a failure. Well -DUH- you have to install them on all the ramps and coordinate them. HOV lanes have more violators than legal traffic, effectively negating any benefit. The state DOT system with cameras and message boards is helpful. You know where the wreck is that's going to make you an hour late. OF course nothing useful like alternate routes or the like. Last but not least, our local mass transit is a joke, and is the least convenient, most poorly managed transit system in the country.
The solution is to live closer to work or adjust your schedule to avoid congested traffic. Of course that's a far too lowbrow answer.
Geez, people, do all of you guys file as your own business? Personal taxes are not that hard. At least, not up here in Canada. Why are people so afraid of 'em? You get some slips in the mail, you copy the numbers over onto the forms, do a little math, and presto, you get some money back. They'll even double-check your numbers for you, and if you missed a deduction, they'll adjust for you, and you'll get more money back.
Everyone's beaten the drum about convoluted US tax codes. Personally, I don't care to waste an hour or two grinding thru a 1040 plus a couple schedules, then do it again for state taxes. I used the web version and had both fed and state returns complete and filed in about 15 minutes.
Immediate gratification would be the other reason not to use the pencil system. Tax software facilitates electronic filing. E-filing means I get my money returned from Uncle Slam a few weeks faster. The e-filing alone just about justifies the expense.
The concept goes beyond pencils vs. word processing software. It's all about a craftsman choosing a comfortable tool that gets the job done. That may be vi on a VT100 or could just as well be the latest, bloated version of Word. A great case can be made for a host of options. The value of each is in the eye of the user.
I have a similar contrast with my telephones at home. I have both a fairly new 2.4Ghz wireless model (hidden in a corner) and a few Western Electric Model 500s around the house. The wireless phone is great for checking voice mail or taking a call while remaining mobile. But there's nothing more satisfying than watching visitors grind out a 10 digit number on a dial phone. Or the satisfying chime of real, metal bells when you slam the reciever down after telemarketers call.
I would agree with the political posturing - something that hadn't occurred to me. I don't read Wired so I wouldn't have seen that column. Pretty insightful really. I'd have to say it was both posturing and weapons research, considering the cold war really accelerated during those years and I'm sure that the US and USSR space programs were pivotal with respect to weapons programs.
My whole point was that the linked article made out like the Chinese were embarking on some exciting space adventure. The US and it's allies are not the only soveriegn states who can and will use a space program and not for exciting adventures. Bragging rights and getting on the 1st world stage is just less sinister sounding than ICBM research but are both ends to the space program's means.
I won't jump on the tin hat bandwagon straight off, but this bugs me like similar sneaky shit that gets coded into my computer gear. It's the dishonesty that bugs me more than the invasion of privacy. At least with the computer crap there is some mention in the EULA that you agree to whether you read it or not. At least you know that you click "AGREE" at your own risk if you don't read the EULA, and you shouldn't be surprised to find spyware if you do. Especially on stuff that's free. I mean hey - if you aren't paying cash you should at least expect the software publisher to harvest some information in exchange for the freebie. Usually this isn't the case on a new car.
Most of the time these things really are innocuous. In the linked article, the bad guy was already clearly in the wrong and the data collected just firmed up the case. It's not like the cops were walking around a parking lot with a wireless device looking for trouble. But the technology for that exists and you'd never know it if they were.
Surely there is a great deal to be learned by collecting crash data like that. On the other hand, when I buy a new car, I'd like to at least know about any data collection like that. Better yet, have an opt-out option. Seems like if GM values that data from my new pickup, they ought to give me some money, maybe a nice fat rebate on a replacement (presuming it was crashed bad enough for them to want the data), in exchange for me letting them access the data. If it truly is my data then I should have the ability to erase it or not collect it in the first place.
I don't know what the original author was doing but I did have trouble like that. An install with the RH 8.0 ISOs put Mozilla (v0.9 if I recall) in a different default directory than the rpm downloaded from Mozilla for upgrade to the current version. The Gnome shortcuts (installed with RH) would launch the original version of Moz instead of the fresh upgrade. All my preferences and shortcuts were only loading with the old version. And Evolution would use the old version as well. I don't think there is a hard link between Evo and Moz, but if both are present something is there. At the time I did that install, my Linux skills were still rusty or absent (over two years since my last try) and it took me an hour or so to figure it out.
In hindsight, although it was a pain in the ass, it created a valuable and often used learning opportunity - querying an rpm package to figure out where everything went. To RH old timers that's a pretty simple trick but to a newbie quite a challenge. So between fixing shortcuts and creating a few links it wasn't terribly complex to fix. Just one more hassle that leads the non-geek masses to opt for non-free stuff that works pretty well out of the box.
Regular readers of the WSJ don't need this advice any more than/. readers.
Most have trancended to such an advanced state of slacking that they can appear/disappear at their desks at will. They can read e-mails via mind control, and need no lowly cheater devices. Mere mortals fear their omnipresence! Bwahahahaaahahaa!
That's what I thought too. The technology is similar wrt to the 64k channels, but that's where it ends. The difference is that ISDN is an end-to-end connection over the PSTN, only packet based instead of analog. This deal takes the data part off at the curb and distributes it to an ISP ala broadband. Only the broadband part isn't exactly all that broad (64/128k on this versus 1.5M+ on cable).
Yet another dot-com-esque internet solution. Provide a technology that carries n bandwidth. Then share it among 5,000 users who would use 1/10th of the available bandwidth at a "peak use moment". When n gets gobbled up (very quickly) then the advertised 128k or 64k doesn't happen even though it is theoretically possible. Someone who has used this has already mentioned that this doesn't work as advertised based on personal experience.
At least when I was using a Courier I-Modem doing dial on demand before the cable company brought in high-speed access, the telco part of my circuit was a full 128k or dropped to 64k if I used a channel for a voice call. Nothing was shared until I hit the ISP.
This Direct Internet Access System is a similar model that the broadband providers use - except it isn't broadband.
Slashdot Mirror
Because the modern television series relieves you of that entirely overrated thinking and imagination stuff. Besides - lethal rocks are no match for the other toys on the market.
First thing, the user has to be at least as smart as the tool they are wielding. No, actually just smart enough to follow directions and go beyond clicking on "help" to get help. Just another case of wannabe administrator arrogance: "If the tool doesn't configure itself or have cool looking icons, it must suck."
I wasn't suggesting it was good of them to do that, only that they own the archive and may do what they want with it. The fact that it's electronic media gives them the ability to delete. That's the only new thing. With paper magazines and books deleting is not possible, although it has been tried unsuccessfully.
Begs the question: if they're just now discovering missing articles, I wonder how many articles just change without disappearing? Checksum anyone?
Isn't it the prerogative of the private sector to publish at will? This is done all the time in print and television media. Should be no surprise that certain things get "omitted" on an Internet site.
I quit looking at pr0n too. You have my word on it.
How am I to keep up this buff I/T professional 50+ inch waist with a music download? Keep the music and GIVE US FREE FRIES!!
Will Aahnold still be governor?
Just because you have freedom of speech doesn't mean it's always appropriate to exercise it.
What a dumbass.
Good points - I'd disagree about ramp signalling and acceleration lanes. When the signals are switching, traffic is slowed due to congestion anyway which reduces the speed required to merge. By regulating freeway entry, the traffic keeps moving, albeit slowly, versus coming to a gridlock stop. I've seen it in action in LA - even moving along at 5mph is better than dead stop. I will agree that during peak times it robs Peter to pay Paul - traffic on the feeder roads at busy interchanges will congest as a result. Signals, like any other strategy, are just one piece of a system and will work poorly by themselves.
OTOH I strongly agree with lane control. One of the best ideas I've seen along that line are the express lanes on the 401 thru Toronto. No exits in the most congested center section. It's still clogged but that's a function of volume. FWIW, it does a good job segregating thru traffic from locals. In a discussion with a retired highway engineer years ago, he suggested lane and speed-in-lane control. This would include not only tightly controlled lane access, but add narrow min/max speeds on each lane (+/- 5mph, progressively faster approaching the inside lanes). Too bad this isn't incredibly practical due to poorly designed road systems an earlier poster mentioned.
Intelligent nav systems would be no more effective than any other fix such as signal timing, on-ramp signals, or enforced HOV lanes.
The real trouble is these "fixes" are either never or partially implemented or so long after the fact that they're worthless. If municipalities or departments of transportation could get traffic management devices in place before there's a crisis, they would actually work.
Thankfully in Atlanta, we have none of those things, making any metro commute an exercise in misery. Signal timing is rare if ever found. On-ramp signals were "tried" on two or three ramps and deemed a failure. Well -DUH- you have to install them on all the ramps and coordinate them. HOV lanes have more violators than legal traffic, effectively negating any benefit. The state DOT system with cameras and message boards is helpful. You know where the wreck is that's going to make you an hour late. OF course nothing useful like alternate routes or the like. Last but not least, our local mass transit is a joke, and is the least convenient, most poorly managed transit system in the country.
The solution is to live closer to work or adjust your schedule to avoid congested traffic. Of course that's a far too lowbrow answer.
Nope. Works the same with operating systems as it does for tax software. If you don't like it, use a different product.
Geez, people, do all of you guys file as your own business? Personal taxes are not that hard. At least, not up here in Canada. Why are people so afraid of 'em? You get some slips in the mail, you copy the numbers over onto the forms, do a little math, and presto, you get some money back. They'll even double-check your numbers for you, and if you missed a deduction, they'll adjust for you, and you'll get more money back.
Everyone's beaten the drum about convoluted US tax codes. Personally, I don't care to waste an hour or two grinding thru a 1040 plus a couple schedules, then do it again for state taxes. I used the web version and had both fed and state returns complete and filed in about 15 minutes.
Immediate gratification would be the other reason not to use the pencil system. Tax software facilitates electronic filing. E-filing means I get my money returned from Uncle Slam a few weeks faster. The e-filing alone just about justifies the expense.
The concept goes beyond pencils vs. word processing software. It's all about a craftsman choosing a comfortable tool that gets the job done. That may be vi on a VT100 or could just as well be the latest, bloated version of Word. A great case can be made for a host of options. The value of each is in the eye of the user.
I have a similar contrast with my telephones at home. I have both a fairly new 2.4Ghz wireless model (hidden in a corner) and a few Western Electric Model 500s around the house. The wireless phone is great for checking voice mail or taking a call while remaining mobile. But there's nothing more satisfying than watching visitors grind out a 10 digit number on a dial phone. Or the satisfying chime of real, metal bells when you slam the reciever down after telemarketers call.
It's called a Tollway. HOV is supposed to reduce congestion and toll roads generate revenue on exclusive routes.
Sounds like Wash state needs to choose their priority - revenue versus clean air. I wonder what they'll pick?
Or not.
I would agree with the political posturing - something that hadn't occurred to me. I don't read Wired so I wouldn't have seen that column. Pretty insightful really. I'd have to say it was both posturing and weapons research, considering the cold war really accelerated during those years and I'm sure that the US and USSR space programs were pivotal with respect to weapons programs.
My whole point was that the linked article made out like the Chinese were embarking on some exciting space adventure. The US and it's allies are not the only soveriegn states who can and will use a space program and not for exciting adventures. Bragging rights and getting on the 1st world stage is just less sinister sounding than ICBM research but are both ends to the space program's means.
So, other than a cover for long range (ICBM) weapons testing, why is China revisiting the manned trip to the moon?
I won't jump on the tin hat bandwagon straight off, but this bugs me like similar sneaky shit that gets coded into my computer gear. It's the dishonesty that bugs me more than the invasion of privacy. At least with the computer crap there is some mention in the EULA that you agree to whether you read it or not. At least you know that you click "AGREE" at your own risk if you don't read the EULA, and you shouldn't be surprised to find spyware if you do. Especially on stuff that's free. I mean hey - if you aren't paying cash you should at least expect the software publisher to harvest some information in exchange for the freebie. Usually this isn't the case on a new car.
Most of the time these things really are innocuous. In the linked article, the bad guy was already clearly in the wrong and the data collected just firmed up the case. It's not like the cops were walking around a parking lot with a wireless device looking for trouble. But the technology for that exists and you'd never know it if they were.
Surely there is a great deal to be learned by collecting crash data like that. On the other hand, when I buy a new car, I'd like to at least know about any data collection like that. Better yet, have an opt-out option. Seems like if GM values that data from my new pickup, they ought to give me some money, maybe a nice fat rebate on a replacement (presuming it was crashed bad enough for them to want the data), in exchange for me letting them access the data. If it truly is my data then I should have the ability to erase it or not collect it in the first place.
I don't know what the original author was doing but I did have trouble like that. An install with the RH 8.0 ISOs put Mozilla (v0.9 if I recall) in a different default directory than the rpm downloaded from Mozilla for upgrade to the current version. The Gnome shortcuts (installed with RH) would launch the original version of Moz instead of the fresh upgrade. All my preferences and shortcuts were only loading with the old version. And Evolution would use the old version as well. I don't think there is a hard link between Evo and Moz, but if both are present something is there. At the time I did that install, my Linux skills were still rusty or absent (over two years since my last try) and it took me an hour or so to figure it out.
In hindsight, although it was a pain in the ass, it created a valuable and often used learning opportunity - querying an rpm package to figure out where everything went. To RH old timers that's a pretty simple trick but to a newbie quite a challenge. So between fixing shortcuts and creating a few links it wasn't terribly complex to fix. Just one more hassle that leads the non-geek masses to opt for non-free stuff that works pretty well out of the box.
Regular readers of the WSJ don't need this advice any more than /. readers.
Most have trancended to such an advanced state of slacking that they can appear/disappear at their desks at will. They can read e-mails via mind control, and need no lowly cheater devices. Mere mortals fear their omnipresence! Bwahahahaaahahaa!
I don't know why I know that.
Now they come out with this $75 book after I spent all that money and time going to college to learn that shit.
That's what I thought too. The technology is similar wrt to the 64k channels, but that's where it ends. The difference is that ISDN is an end-to-end connection over the PSTN, only packet based instead of analog. This deal takes the data part off at the curb and distributes it to an ISP ala broadband. Only the broadband part isn't exactly all that broad (64/128k on this versus 1.5M+ on cable).
Yet another dot-com-esque internet solution. Provide a technology that carries n bandwidth. Then share it among 5,000 users who would use 1/10th of the available bandwidth at a "peak use moment". When n gets gobbled up (very quickly) then the advertised 128k or 64k doesn't happen even though it is theoretically possible. Someone who has used this has already mentioned that this doesn't work as advertised based on personal experience.
At least when I was using a Courier I-Modem doing dial on demand before the cable company brought in high-speed access, the telco part of my circuit was a full 128k or dropped to 64k if I used a channel for a voice call. Nothing was shared until I hit the ISP.
This Direct Internet Access System is a similar model that the broadband providers use - except it isn't broadband.
If only this gadget had HD output as well... it might make it worth the price if you already had a STB. Low budget, hi-def PVR anyone?
What? You mean you didn't buy the annual service contract? Bwahhahahahaha.