I'm sick of hearing over and over about how AIs will "inevitably" take over from humans, and how nothing could stop them, etc. But the often overlooked answer is simple: Aasimov them.
Isaac Aasimov created a handy set of rules known as the Laws of Robotics. These laws were created to allow humans to retain control over the robots, and for the robots to always work with humans' best interest in mind.
All we'd need to do is hardwire adherence to the Laws into anything we build that has sufficient intelligence. Also to hardwire adherence into anything that that robot produces. There you go. Problem solved.
First off, the major factor in getting a comfortable keyboard is getting a comfortable position. Maybe comfortable isn't the right word; ergonomically correct. When you're in a good position, your chance of developing something like carpal tunnel is substantially lowered.
Anyhow, a while back, perhaps a month ago, I saw a report on "@discovery.ca" (show on Canadian Discovery Channel thing) about someone who had done a lot of research into ergonomics and keyboard design. He pointed out that the natural position for hands to rest in is a more vertical than horizontal position. The MS-type ergo keyboards are actually worse for you, since they force your elbows way out unnaturally. The keyboard he had designed was split in two, each half seperate from the other and vertical, keys facing outwards. Everyone he and his staff tested it on said they loved it, it felt great.
It looks like the ergo keyboard/chair setup that CmdrTaco had is more or less this. I'm not sure if it goes fully vertically, but it looks close enough to make a difference.
I say stay with what you've got, Cmdr. As far as ergos go, it looks damn good. Ian
I agree with phwiff, but I don't mind it too too much. Yes, it's sexist. Yes, it's stupid. But the problem is, it works.
If it didn't, would the magazines sell as well? If it didn't, would advertisers from all different fields use sex to sell? I don't think so. The problem lies not with the gaming mags, but everywhere a picture of a scantily-clad woman can be slapped up to help sell something. Companies have been using sex to see for aeons, although it's more obvious to us now because cultural mores allow for much more skin to be shown/flaunted than ever before.
So yes, gaming magazines do have a big problem with it (as shown by the rather superfluous "Ten Ways to Get the Girl" article in the most recent incite PC gaming, featuring plenty of pictures of actress Kobe Tai). So do beer commercials. And car commercials. And just about everything else under the sun.
If there's to be a revolution, though, the gaming magazines would be a fine place to start.
Slashdot Mirror
I'm sick of hearing over and over about how AIs will "inevitably" take over from humans, and how nothing could stop them, etc. But the often overlooked answer is simple: Aasimov them.
Isaac Aasimov created a handy set of rules known as the Laws of Robotics. These laws were created to allow humans to retain control over the robots, and for the robots to always work with humans' best interest in mind.
All we'd need to do is hardwire adherence to the Laws into anything we build that has sufficient intelligence. Also to hardwire adherence into anything that that robot produces. There you go. Problem solved.
Ian
First off, the major factor in getting a comfortable keyboard is getting a comfortable position. Maybe comfortable isn't the right word; ergonomically correct. When you're in a good position, your chance of developing something like carpal tunnel is substantially lowered.
Anyhow, a while back, perhaps a month ago, I saw a report on "@discovery.ca" (show on Canadian Discovery Channel thing) about someone who had done a lot of research into ergonomics and keyboard design.
He pointed out that the natural position for hands to rest in is a more vertical than horizontal position. The MS-type ergo keyboards are actually worse for you, since they force your elbows way out unnaturally.
The keyboard he had designed was split in two, each half seperate from the other and vertical, keys facing outwards. Everyone he and his staff tested it on said they loved it, it felt great.
It looks like the ergo keyboard/chair setup that CmdrTaco had is more or less this. I'm not sure if it goes fully vertically, but it looks close enough to make a difference.
I say stay with what you've got, Cmdr. As far as ergos go, it looks damn good.
Ian
I agree with phwiff, but I don't mind it too too much. Yes, it's sexist. Yes, it's stupid. But the problem is, it works.
If it didn't, would the magazines sell as well? If it didn't, would advertisers from all different fields use sex to sell? I don't think so. The problem lies not with the gaming mags, but everywhere a picture of a scantily-clad woman can be slapped up to help sell something. Companies have been using sex to see for aeons, although it's more obvious to us now because cultural mores allow for much more skin to be shown/flaunted than ever before.
So yes, gaming magazines do have a big problem with it (as shown by the rather superfluous "Ten Ways to Get the Girl" article in the most recent incite PC gaming, featuring plenty of pictures of actress Kobe Tai). So do beer commercials. And car commercials. And just about everything else under the sun.
If there's to be a revolution, though, the gaming magazines would be a fine place to start.