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User: Kernel+Corndog

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  1. Best of Show IMHO. on SIGGRAPH 2000 Review · · Score: 2

    The Best of Show was Sony and their GS Cube. That baby was just absolutely bad a$$! For those who don't know, the GS Cube about 18" cube that holds 8 PS2 motherboards. They used this box to demo real-time interactive 3D rendering with a scene from the upcoming Final Fantasy movie. While the quality was not movie level, it was still amazingly awesome. They would let the scene play and then adjust the lighting and set different keyframes for the camera. This makes the infamous Matrix camera "frozen time move" look like child's play! Sony has really been impressing me lately as a company with a view...now if they would only give the VAIO PS2's colors...

    It's only a matter of time before realtime 3D rendering is going to hit something like the Net and then something like the Matrix or a Holodeck will be possible.

    ps for those wondering, the wooden mirror makes this peaceful wushing sounds that to me sounded like a gentle rush of water. The guide said it was pleasant side effect that came with the whirring of the motors that moves the wooden blocks.
  2. I think algebra might be a first step... on No Logo: Taking Aim At The Brand Bullies · · Score: 4

    I am not exactly sure what age level kids learn algebra these days but I think it is an important step. What I'm really trying to get at is the concept of variables. I know that was at first a hard concept to figure out. If your kids haven't learned algebra then hey maybe it would be a great time to kill two birds with one stone. Finally kids can see where that math pays off!

    Now I haven't looked at all the comments frankly since none of them were at the 4 or 5 level. So there is a chance that I could be saying something already said. So here it goes.

    Make sure that you give them a good lesson in computer history. A person must have good, strong roots in order to grow strong. Teach them binary. Let them know there is more than one way of counting things. Once they have a good foundation don't be afraid to teach them the 'hard' languages.

    How many times would we M$ converts be grateful it we had be taught a real operating system in the first place? I know you say your kids are primarily on windows and playing games but maybe it's time to introduce them to the greater powers of the computer. I started out playing games on the computer too. Then a game came a long named X-Wing. Awesome game. The only problem was when I died my pilot was gone. Everything I worked hard to achieve was gone. That's when I learn the copy command to save my pilot file somewhere else just in case. They've only just scratched the surface and now they are asking you to teach them more. Personally I would not look towards the 'easy' languages that's just seems like scratching a little bit harder at the surface. I rather just get to the root of it and then let the rest fall into place. They can handle it.

    I think C/C++ or Java would be a good place to start. But more importantly the underlying principles of programming is what should be concentrated on. Once you know what algorithms are and what variables are does it really matter what language you learned it in first?

    Which ever language you do choose I'm sure they'll thank you for it later. :)

  3. Change it into something for nerds! on Tech Stocks Tumble · · Score: 1

    I know that there are people out there that perform some high level math on stock charts and make quite a hefty amount of money.

    How many of you have seen Pi? Now besides going insane I sure would've liked to been able seen the pattern behind the market. To me that would be one awesome hack.

    then you just write a program. Get some lines direct into Wall Street and then let the computer analyze and trade for you (of course give the computer limited funds). As far as I know that's completely legal.

    i find it interesting that the results of one company (MSFT) could trigger the steep decline in totally unrelated industries. If you ask me this shows just how far MSFTs FUD tactics have gone. Hopefully investors will realize that MSFT doesn't control the tech market.

    sigh. if only I had money to invest right now while the prices are cheap.

  4. Alpha has similar plans for long while now. on IBM One-Chip Dual Processor Due Next Year · · Score: 2

    I just so happens I was visiting alphalinux.org today and saw Compaq has "just released" a document detailing the Alpha 21364 EV7 SMP on-chip processor. However this document has been out since I believe the October 1998(?) Microprocessor Forum. However, IBM's proposed 2 GHz at 500MHz FSB is quite intrigueing. I know... I know... Compaq seemes to be letting the Alpha wilt away on it's once strong vine but I'm still rooting for it. I remember when Alpha had reached 600MHz and Intel/x86 were sputtering along at half the speed. It wasn't until after the settlement between Digital and Intel did x86 start speeding up. Hmmm...anyone else smell fish? Well here's hoping that the Alpha can bring itself back to it's glory as speed king. And hopefully before the Merced/Itanium "Marchitecture" infects the corporate world.

  5. This looks expensive... on Helix Code Launched, Gnome Packages Available · · Score: 1

    Well from their screenshots page it looks like they are paying at least $10 per pancake in _profits_! So they could be paying $15 or higher! This can only mean that they'll shift the cost on to us to pay for "developer costs." With Miguel being a pancake eating machine, we could be in trouble. Now I don't know about you but where I'm from for $10 you should at least be getting 14 pancakes or so. :)