"While I agree with you, there are also some things to be gained from having access to the internet. For example how many people would care about the situation in Iran if Iran had no internet?"
They'd care even less if cell-phones didn't come with cameras.
"My solution: Tax tires. It has a direct correlation to road usage and all vehicles use tires. If you drive hard you do more damage to the road and your tires, meaning you'll need to replace both sooner. If you drive like a granny your tires will last longer and so will the roads."
"People at Sothink decided to violate the GPL by stealing a piece of core code from FlashGot and using it without even the decency of covering their tracks."
"If the cell phone is the new tool of freedom, what would the best 'freedom handset' contain?"
All the phone is is the recorder of acts. The freedom comes from dissemination and in that regard the phone is ineffective. More could be accomplished with a flash card hand carried across the borders than relying on infrastructure that can be controlled by a hostile government.
"Intel also plans to introduce an even smaller, less power hungry version of the chip known as Medfield, which will be built on a 32nm process with a full solution comprising a PCB area of about half the size of a credit card."
"I know there's a ton of skill involved in vocational stuff, had to do enough of the stuff to know it's better left to someone trained for it. Personally I hate the whole "stick everyone in college" mentality 'cause I think it leads to a whole lot of people going to college who'd be much better off working/learning a trade."
Agreed, but that whole push for college instead of the trades is fueled in part because of outmoded knowledge of what the modern day trades actually are*, and two the perception not only of prestige but the money that goes with a college bound path. It's not fair but that's the way it is.
*There's also the layoffs to consider. The perception that a collage bound job is more resistant to that kind of thing.
Received this in my mailbox. It's just a peripheral but it is a demonstration of how the right tool can make the learning process easier. Part of the success of the California project will be matching the right tool with the right problem.
"There's also the long standing idea, not limited to the US, that a college education should be limited to a select few who are actually suited for it.(A person used to go to college 'cause they were smart enough, and high school's had college and vocational tracks.) This idea is changing 'cause the global economy is now so skills based, but policy takes longer (and again, coming up the money for it would be difficult.)"
And that's the way it should be as far as decision time. Should one take the college path or the vocational path? BTW there's a lot of skill involved in vocational jobs. Now as far as funding I believe one can get equal financing for either one.
"I'm confused by the subject line you wrote, "I'm participating in this as QA," versus the question asked in your post. Are you participating in QA? If so, then I'm not clear on why you're asking the question, rather than sharing your experiences. "
No I'm not in California QA. The title modification is an old tradition going back a number of years before I had an account. It makes my post distinctive (read easy to find). I also either make it humorous or related in some way to the subject of my post. In this case the matter of QA. It doesn't make "me" a member of QA. I'd put something like that in the subject if I was.
Well good job on all the above but an important question needs to be asked in all these E-initiatives. Who's in charge of making certain that quality standards are being upheld in the creation of educational material?
"While they are expensive and get outdated, one of the biggest problems is that people aren't held accountable for the books."
The problem I have with the "cake and eat it too" statement above is that one of the commonest complaints about publishers is that they make frequent, but trivial changes and release a new edition. Then someone usually asks, how often does math or science change? So really the question that should be asked is, how often does a given subject matter change, and is it applicable to a particular audience?
Agreed. I think the tech in everyone here is not going for the best solution, just the most complicated one. For the purposes at hand why does it need to be a computer? As for the costs? Aside from the charitable donation angle, California can pair with the newspaper industry, for both are trying to solve a similar problem with a similar solution. Hell they can pair with other states that are likewise having budget deficits. Why does the costs of ebooks have to be born just by California?
"Sure, nobody reads newspapers anymore but at least they are saved in the public library for just about all time. "
Only a geek would say that. A lot of people still read the newspaper, either their own or the libraries copy. If anything's to be hidden it's from those who don't have internet access.
"That works for every other business except monopolies. "
Well except for the fact that four-letter organizations don't have a monopoly on content.
There are independents that create everything from music, to books, to games. One can't blame four-letter organizations for the public's lack of will to step outside the mainstream. Even if these organizations believed as you think they do, that doesn't in any way, shape, or form take away your right to enter into a reciprocal agreement with anyone you want to.
Slashdot Mirror
"Good grief, who the hell wants to be a [code monkey]? what a dull occupation that must "
Fixed that for you.
"While I agree with you, there are also some things to be gained from having access to the internet. For example how many people would care about the situation in Iran if Iran had no internet?"
They'd care even less if cell-phones didn't come with cameras.
"My solution: Tax tires. It has a direct correlation to road usage and all vehicles use tires. If you drive hard you do more damage to the road and your tires, meaning you'll need to replace both sooner. If you drive like a granny your tires will last longer and so will the roads."
Agriculture vehicles.
I suspect Superman/Clark Kent wouldn't have lasted long in the age of Google. :)
"The level of discourse is what keeps people coming back. Sometimes I just want to read a good debate. Is there a better place?"
Yes there is but that's my secret hiding place.
MEET-SPACE.
"People at Sothink decided to violate the GPL by stealing a piece of core code from FlashGot and using it without even the decency of covering their tracks."
Stealing? A digital artifact?
"If the cell phone is the new tool of freedom, what would the best 'freedom handset' contain?"
All the phone is is the recorder of acts. The freedom comes from dissemination and in that regard the phone is ineffective. More could be accomplished with a flash card hand carried across the borders than relying on infrastructure that can be controlled by a hostile government.
"Intel also plans to introduce an even smaller, less power hungry version of the chip known as Medfield, which will be built on a 32nm process with a full solution comprising a PCB area of about half the size of a credit card."
Selma, is that you?
A Sony PRS 505 can be had for $200.00
"I know there's a ton of skill involved in vocational stuff, had to do enough of the stuff to know it's better left to someone trained for it. Personally I hate the whole "stick everyone in college" mentality 'cause I think it leads to a whole lot of people going to college who'd be much better off working/learning a trade."
Agreed, but that whole push for college instead of the trades is fueled in part because of outmoded knowledge of what the modern day trades actually are*, and two the perception not only of prestige but the money that goes with a college bound path. It's not fair but that's the way it is.
*There's also the layoffs to consider. The perception that a collage bound job is more resistant to that kind of thing.
Received this in my mailbox. It's just a peripheral but it is a demonstration of how the right tool can make the learning process easier. Part of the success of the California project will be matching the right tool with the right problem.
"There's also the long standing idea, not limited to the US, that a college education should be limited to a select few who are actually suited for it.(A person used to go to college 'cause they were smart enough, and high school's had college and vocational tracks.) This idea is changing 'cause the global economy is now so skills based, but policy takes longer (and again, coming up the money for it would be difficult.)"
And that's the way it should be as far as decision time. Should one take the college path or the vocational path? BTW there's a lot of skill involved in vocational jobs. Now as far as funding I believe one can get equal financing for either one.
Something for the reading list. The Essential Sternberg:Essays on Intelligence, Psychology, and Education
"I'm confused by the subject line you wrote, "I'm participating in this as QA," versus the question asked in your post. Are you participating in QA? If so, then I'm not clear on why you're asking the question, rather than sharing your experiences. "
No I'm not in California QA. The title modification is an old tradition going back a number of years before I had an account. It makes my post distinctive (read easy to find). I also either make it humorous or related in some way to the subject of my post. In this case the matter of QA. It doesn't make "me" a member of QA. I'd put something like that in the subject if I was.
Down
Left
Right
Pixar makes a movie involving Tetris?
Well good job on all the above but an important question needs to be asked in all these E-initiatives. Who's in charge of making certain that quality standards are being upheld in the creation of educational material?
"While they are expensive and get outdated, one of the biggest problems is that people aren't held accountable for the books."
The problem I have with the "cake and eat it too" statement above is that one of the commonest complaints about publishers is that they make frequent, but trivial changes and release a new edition. Then someone usually asks, how often does math or science change? So really the question that should be asked is, how often does a given subject matter change, and is it applicable to a particular audience?
Agreed. I think the tech in everyone here is not going for the best solution, just the most complicated one. For the purposes at hand why does it need to be a computer? As for the costs? Aside from the charitable donation angle, California can pair with the newspaper industry, for both are trying to solve a similar problem with a similar solution. Hell they can pair with other states that are likewise having budget deficits. Why does the costs of ebooks have to be born just by California?
iCore Virtual Accounts Container based virtualization for Windows.
I'm thinking ground penetrating radar would help here.
Online porn* took care of the "don't have to leave home" aspect.
*That includes the "Jenny cam" as well.
"Sure, nobody reads newspapers anymore but at least they are saved in the public library for just about all time. "
Only a geek would say that. A lot of people still read the newspaper, either their own or the libraries copy. If anything's to be hidden it's from those who don't have internet access.
Coca Cola with real Coca.
"That works for every other business except monopolies. "
Well except for the fact that four-letter organizations don't have a monopoly on content.
There are independents that create everything from music, to books, to games. One can't blame four-letter organizations for the public's lack of will to step outside the mainstream. Even if these organizations believed as you think they do, that doesn't in any way, shape, or form take away your right to enter into a reciprocal agreement with anyone you want to.