PDD/NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not specified) IEP - individual *education* plan
And for the record, we got our services without shenanigans - my kids were far enough delayed and had such an obvious diagnosis (dyspraxia) that it was never an issue.
That's what I get for posting before my wife and friendly neighborhood fact-checker is awake.
My wife is a public school teacher (6th grade), and we're parents of two preschoolers (ages 2 and 3) with cognitive delays (dyspraxia). As a result, we've come in contact over the past few years with a *lot* of people who have children all over the developmental spectrum.
We've seen many cases where a parent sees a developmental delay in their child and takes them for testing. The doctor agrees that they may have a slight delay, but doesn't really have a name for it. This gets you no services from the school system. Often, the doctor will offer to diagnose with an "autism spectrum disorder" (usually PPD/NOS) so that the child can get services.
Why? Autism is *huge* right now. Funding is there. Services are there. A doctor attaching a finding of autism means your kid is guaranteed to get an IEP (individual instruction plan) which can be an incredible boost to a kid like mine. Believe me, I know - my daughter has made amazing strides since she started our county's developmental preschool program in September.
Other times I've seen cases where the first doctor refuses to diagnose autism. The parents then shop around doctors until they find someone who is willing to diagnose autism so they can get services for their kid. There's a university program near me that seems to basically be writing blank checks for whatever diagnosis you think your kid has.
Autism is real, and it's a terrible, terrible disease. But over the years they've expanded the definition to the point where it has become meaningless, and well-meaning doctors and parents who are just trying to get help for the kids in their care have been behind a lot of it.
The eyes came out a little cockeyed, but meh. The servo is supported with puddy and the whole works are held together with binary epoxy. You can also see the control box, which basically just takes RS232 via the DB9 and converts into signals for the servo. There are six total servo channels, only one of which is in use currently (I was ambitious once upon a time).
Before the kids came along, I built a number of fun electronics projects for Halloween. I built a flicker circuit I got off of Wolfstone (a great site for would-be haunters).
Along with a couple of friends, I built a coffin-leaper one year, too. I built the electronics (a pressure sensitive mat that activated a solenoid valve). Another fellow built the pneumatics and another built the actual coffin and dummy. When you'd step on the mat, the dummy would spring up and a loop tape with sounds effect and a strobe would go off.
I also built a lightning/thunder machine using a "color organ" (basically a device that causes different flood lights to flash in time to various sound frequencies) that came from a Velleman kit. I set up an old pair of PC speakers playing a loop CD of some thunder and use that to drive the color organ. I usually get a few good jumps from kids who aren't expecting it.
I have a commercial fog machine that I use with a timer to give my house a nice cloud of low-hanging fog. I built a fog-chiller out of a cheapo foam beer cooler by cutting two holes in either side and running a flexible piece of aluminum ducting through it (with a twist in the middle and holes punched in it to increase surface area). This keeps the fog hanging low. Another tip is to spray down the area with the fog using a garden hose.
I started working on animating a Bucky skull a while back, too. I added eyes attached to a servo and wrote a program in Windows that let you move them with sliders. I intended to animate the mouth, too, but my kids came along shortly after that. I still pull out my decorations every year, but my own little goblins have taken priority over my projects - so it goes.
I'd love to finish the Bucky skull and maybe build a bookshelf where the books pop out on their own (driven by a motor and series of cams). Maybe one day when I have some time to myself again...
Hope this gave everyone a few good ideas for projects to scare the neighborhood kids -- happy haunting!!
I thought the same thing recently when I watched a DVR'd TV show displaying an emergency announcement about a tornado from three days ago. Fat lot of good that did me, it just interrupted my show - if the tornado was going to get me, it would have done it three days ago.
I just simply had a difficult time buying Summer Glau as an unstoppable killing machine. It's the same way the T-X in Terminator 3 just didn't really work. It seemed like they were pandering to undersexed nerds.
I enjoy the Terminator films for the heebie-jeebies I still get from watching Arnold's terminator strafe Club Noire with robotic efficiency. Now that was some tasty sci-fi.
Completely OT, but I'm sure the moderation sharks are out of the waters here....
I've got an old Ibanez EX that I got when I was kid. I'd like to step up to real guitar, and want to get a Gibson Les Paul Custom. The best "store window" price I've gotten is around $2500. Any idea how far I can wheedle 'em down? I want the guy to make a reasonable profit, but I'd like to see a price a little closer to $2k.
Aside from anything else, it gives Google a revenue stream... they need to find a valid business model...
Google's "sponsored links" seem like a valid business model to me. Search on something generic like computers and you'll see pastel links pop up with advertisements. I imagine people pay a nice chunk of change for those.
What's preventing a targeted company from just deleting any pirated software and responding to the BSA with a big "Go fuck youself?"
I don't think anything's stopping them from doing that - although the GFY letter will result in a rather unpleasant raid from the sounds of things. Since the burden is on the company to prove that they're not pirating, a GFY to the BSA is like rolling out the red carpet for a butt-whuppin'.
I can't imagine the 'best and brightest' out there would really be interested in working on some of the most boring code available...
Actually, the government agencies (specifically, the "Alphabet Soup" agencies - you know who I mean) get some of the best and brightest specifically because they've got some of most exciting code to work on. Where else could you write code that deploys missiles, cracks encryption, and spies on people and not get arrested? If you're looking for the guys with the fun toys, that's who you wanna sign on with.
A couple of people here mentioned Petzold. That's where I got my first introduction to programming Windows. Most of his code is written in C (they call it "SDK-style").
For a good C++ reference, take a look at Jeff Prosise's Programming Windows with MFC. It's an absolutely awesome book.
I'm just running a SoundBlaster on a dedicated PC. I've got my old Digitech RP-1 preamp/multieffects running into a Behringer mixer (four mono and four stereo channels) which cost me about $200. If I ever get around to it, I intend to add a Line6 Bass POD to do my bass effects, and a Roland V-Club electric drum kit.
Oh, and of course, I've GOT to have a Gibson Les Paul Custom to replace my old Ibanez 350EX.
I've also got an old Peavey microphone that does a pretty decent job with vocals (maybe $80) - but since I don't sing, that hasn't been a problem.
I'm running Cool Edit Pro on the PC. Great for multitrack recording, but don't rely on it for effects.
All in all, it's a pretty decent setup for the almost-nothing it cost me to put together. It's certainly not a professional solution, but it's probably more along the lines of what you're looking for.
No, they did meet, as this story [geocities.com] shows.
Thanks for the link, it was an interesting read. I remembered seeing the scene at the end where he's trying to decide on whether to have coffee or tea, and it's interesting that Crowe tossed it into the film!
Slashdot Mirror
Since you asked.. We start with a cheese course, then wrap up with a chocolate course. Kickin' it old school.
A couple of minor corrections:
PDD/NOS (pervasive developmental disorder-not specified)
IEP - individual *education* plan
And for the record, we got our services without shenanigans - my kids were far enough delayed and had such an obvious diagnosis (dyspraxia) that it was never an issue.
That's what I get for posting before my wife and friendly neighborhood fact-checker is awake.
My wife is a public school teacher (6th grade), and we're parents of two preschoolers (ages 2 and 3) with cognitive delays (dyspraxia). As a result, we've come in contact over the past few years with a *lot* of people who have children all over the developmental spectrum.
We've seen many cases where a parent sees a developmental delay in their child and takes them for testing. The doctor agrees that they may have a slight delay, but doesn't really have a name for it. This gets you no services from the school system. Often, the doctor will offer to diagnose with an "autism spectrum disorder" (usually PPD/NOS) so that the child can get services.
Why? Autism is *huge* right now. Funding is there. Services are there. A doctor attaching a finding of autism means your kid is guaranteed to get an IEP (individual instruction plan) which can be an incredible boost to a kid like mine. Believe me, I know - my daughter has made amazing strides since she started our county's developmental preschool program in September.
Other times I've seen cases where the first doctor refuses to diagnose autism. The parents then shop around doctors until they find someone who is willing to diagnose autism so they can get services for their kid. There's a university program near me that seems to basically be writing blank checks for whatever diagnosis you think your kid has.
Autism is real, and it's a terrible, terrible disease. But over the years they've expanded the definition to the point where it has become meaningless, and well-meaning doctors and parents who are just trying to get help for the kids in their care have been behind a lot of it.
Sure thing, here ya go.
The eyes came out a little cockeyed, but meh. The servo is supported with puddy and the whole works are held together with binary epoxy. You can also see the control box, which basically just takes RS232 via the DB9 and converts into signals for the servo. There are six total servo channels, only one of which is in use currently (I was ambitious once upon a time).
Before the kids came along, I built a number of fun electronics projects for Halloween. I built a flicker circuit I got off of Wolfstone (a great site for would-be haunters).
Along with a couple of friends, I built a coffin-leaper one year, too. I built the electronics (a pressure sensitive mat that activated a solenoid valve). Another fellow built the pneumatics and another built the actual coffin and dummy. When you'd step on the mat, the dummy would spring up and a loop tape with sounds effect and a strobe would go off.
I also built a lightning/thunder machine using a "color organ" (basically a device that causes different flood lights to flash in time to various sound frequencies) that came from a Velleman kit. I set up an old pair of PC speakers playing a loop CD of some thunder and use that to drive the color organ. I usually get a few good jumps from kids who aren't expecting it.
I have a commercial fog machine that I use with a timer to give my house a nice cloud of low-hanging fog. I built a fog-chiller out of a cheapo foam beer cooler by cutting two holes in either side and running a flexible piece of aluminum ducting through it (with a twist in the middle and holes punched in it to increase surface area). This keeps the fog hanging low. Another tip is to spray down the area with the fog using a garden hose.
I started working on animating a Bucky skull a while back, too. I added eyes attached to a servo and wrote a program in Windows that let you move them with sliders. I intended to animate the mouth, too, but my kids came along shortly after that. I still pull out my decorations every year, but my own little goblins have taken priority over my projects - so it goes.
I'd love to finish the Bucky skull and maybe build a bookshelf where the books pop out on their own (driven by a motor and series of cams). Maybe one day when I have some time to myself again ...
Hope this gave everyone a few good ideas for projects to scare the neighborhood kids -- happy haunting!!
I thought the same thing recently when I watched a DVR'd TV show displaying an emergency announcement about a tornado from three days ago. Fat lot of good that did me, it just interrupted my show - if the tornado was going to get me, it would have done it three days ago.
I just simply had a difficult time buying Summer Glau as an unstoppable killing machine. It's the same way the T-X in Terminator 3 just didn't really work. It seemed like they were pandering to undersexed nerds.
I enjoy the Terminator films for the heebie-jeebies I still get from watching Arnold's terminator strafe Club Noire with robotic efficiency. Now that was some tasty sci-fi.
Completely OT, but I'm sure the moderation sharks are out of the waters here ....
I've got an old Ibanez EX that I got when I was kid. I'd like to step up to real guitar, and want to get a Gibson Les Paul Custom. The best "store window" price I've gotten is around $2500. Any idea how far I can wheedle 'em down? I want the guy to make a reasonable profit, but I'd like to see a price a little closer to $2k.
Here's a quick quote from the Dvorak piece ...
Thanks!! I remembered reading the Dvorak column earlier this week, and I was just on my way out to find it so I could post a link.
Somebody mod the parent up, please.
...the fretboard is too much...
Very much agreed. Why do they keep doing stuff like this??
Fort Knox's website.
Congrats! And on Valentine's Day, too - what a hopeless romantic.
:-)
Aside from anything else, it gives Google a revenue stream ... they need to find a valid business model ...
Google's "sponsored links" seem like a valid business model to me. Search on something generic like computers and you'll see pastel links pop up with advertisements. I imagine people pay a nice chunk of change for those.
Oookay, and what insulates them against a trespassing charge when they show up and won't leave?
It sounds like they go and get a court order before they do the gestapo-thing.
What's preventing a targeted company from just deleting any pirated software and responding to the BSA with a big "Go fuck youself?"
I don't think anything's stopping them from doing that - although the GFY letter will result in a rather unpleasant raid from the sounds of things. Since the burden is on the company to prove that they're not pirating, a GFY to the BSA is like rolling out the red carpet for a butt-whuppin'.
According to Blank and Kruger, the burden of proof is on the targeted company.
When did I stop living in America?
I can't imagine the 'best and brightest' out there would really be interested in working on some of the most boring code available...
Actually, the government agencies (specifically, the "Alphabet Soup" agencies - you know who I mean) get some of the best and brightest specifically because they've got some of most exciting code to work on. Where else could you write code that deploys missiles, cracks encryption, and spies on people and not get arrested? If you're looking for the guys with the fun toys, that's who you wanna sign on with.
A couple of people here mentioned Petzold. That's where I got my first introduction to programming Windows. Most of his code is written in C (they call it "SDK-style").
For a good C++ reference, take a look at Jeff Prosise's Programming Windows with MFC . It's an absolutely awesome book.
I'm just running a SoundBlaster on a dedicated PC. I've got my old Digitech RP-1 preamp/multieffects running into a Behringer mixer (four mono and four stereo channels) which cost me about $200. If I ever get around to it, I intend to add a Line6 Bass POD to do my bass effects, and a Roland V-Club electric drum kit.
Oh, and of course, I've GOT to have a Gibson Les Paul Custom to replace my old Ibanez 350EX.
I've also got an old Peavey microphone that does a pretty decent job with vocals (maybe $80) - but since I don't sing, that hasn't been a problem.
I'm running Cool Edit Pro on the PC. Great for multitrack recording, but don't rely on it for effects.
All in all, it's a pretty decent setup for the almost-nothing it cost me to put together. It's certainly not a professional solution, but it's probably more along the lines of what you're looking for.
Though they talk about Stallman a lot, the article tends to blur 'free software' and 'open source'. I could see RMS forking this article.
And also, from the article: "[Linux source code] contributions are reviewed by a panel and the best ones are added to Linux." (emphasis mine)
Yeah, reviewed by a panel of one?
Consider yourself skewered.
Oh, man. Posting at +1 in a nested comment, I thought I'd skate by without a skewering for sure!
:-P
Try your local library. If they have the book you've already "paid" for it...
Eh, I'll just wait for Adobe to put it out in e-book format, then I'll download it off the web.
:-P
I always wondered why they didn't just put three or four processors on a single chip and have instance multiprocessing.
I believe the original Pentium chips were basically two 486s packaged together.
Though I'm sure if I'm wrong, someone will be more than happy to skewer me.
:-)
No, they did meet, as this story [geocities.com] shows.
Thanks for the link, it was an interesting read. I remembered seeing the scene at the end where he's trying to decide on whether to have coffee or tea, and it's interesting that Crowe tossed it into the film!
Well, there is this book that's being reviewed in this story that you might be interested in... :-p
Yeah, but I was more interested in finding out about him for free!
:-P