Actually, it's more likely that the myopic state govt. will neuter it for any number of minor reasons ("can't be bothered" chief amongst them), the local building mafi- er, unions, will demand mind-buggering conditions to even think about it, then the Victorian government will steal the idea and it'll get built off of Melbourne.
Not that I'm pessimistic on a Monday or anything:|
foobar104, I hope you're still reading here a few hours after your initial post. I just wanted to add my voice to those who have already said that your original essay echoed my thoughts exactly. Nicely written.
I'd be interested in following any journal or blog you may care to write on the topic.
Funny (score 3) you should mention that! There is actually a geological interpretation technology called "worming" that uses gravity and magnetis readings to try and detect ore bodies.
Developed and used by the very same Fractal Graphics mentioned in the original article.
Fractal Graphics hardly "took a bath" on the exercise. Prior to the Challenge, the company was stuck between a faltering minerals market and a faltering IT market. Additionally, it's nigh-on impossible for small Australian firms (FG employed around 16 people at the time) to get publicity/recognition in the North American markets through traditional means.
FG got essentially free publicity in its largest target market, Goldcorp got just about the best possible modelling and analysis of its data. Both parties have had huge grins on their faces ever since. In particular, FG has gone from strength to strength.
Disclaimer: I work for FG and am one of the original developers of our key software systems.
You can see what it's all about here Yes, the website needs an overhaul, we're working on it!
Not so fast there
on
This is IT?
·
· Score: 2, Insightful
I was just nodding in agreement with all the "it's only a scooter" comments when my mobile phone (cell phone to you Yanks!) rang, and I started to think about possible parallels in technology. When the first portable phones were available, they were basically a normal telephone handset connected to a big clunky battery. Their usefulness was pretty limited - after all, they were "just phones," expensive ones at that. Now my mobile fits in my pocket, the battery lasts several days even with heavy use, it cost next-to-nothing, and I would seriously struggle to live without it (as would many/.ers, I would think)
The Segway technology has the potential to evolve, as portable phone technology has. From the individual's point of view, it may not solve an existing problem, but from society's point of view, a possible solution to the myriad problems of urban traffic (congestion, pollution, acres of real estate devoted to parking space,...) should be worthy of at least consideration.
I'm not saying in it's present form it will change the world, but don't write off the whole concept out of hand.
And as the Time article pointed out, marketing of course is the key, not the technology itself. To eventually crack the consumer market, the Segway must be painted as an indispensable lifestyle addition, complete with an array of eye-candy after-market accessories.
'course I could be wrong, and there's a worldwide market for maybe 5 of these things;)
Slashdot Mirror
Actually, it's more likely that the myopic state govt. will neuter it for any number of minor reasons ("can't be bothered" chief amongst them), the local building mafi- er, unions, will demand mind-buggering conditions to even think about it, then the Victorian government will steal the idea and it'll get built off of Melbourne.
:|
Not that I'm pessimistic on a Monday or anything
foobar104, I hope you're still reading here a few hours after your initial post. I just wanted to add my voice to those who have already said that your original essay echoed my thoughts exactly. Nicely written.
I'd be interested in following any journal or blog you may care to write on the topic.
Regards,
Glen.
gdownton@bigpond.net.au
The article focused mostly on Goldcorp's Redlake mine. Slashdotters might be more interested in the software technology behind the winning bid.
Have a look here but please let our servers come back up by Monday!!
(Yep, I work for them)
Funny (score 3) you should mention that! There is actually a geological interpretation technology called "worming" that uses gravity and magnetis readings to try and detect ore bodies.
;)
Developed and used by the very same Fractal Graphics mentioned in the original article.
Art, Life, Mirror, etc, etc
Fractal Graphics hardly "took a bath" on the exercise. Prior to the Challenge, the company was stuck between a faltering minerals market and a faltering IT market. Additionally, it's nigh-on impossible for small Australian firms (FG employed around 16 people at the time) to get publicity/recognition in the North American markets through traditional means.
FG got essentially free publicity in its largest target market, Goldcorp got just about the best possible modelling and analysis of its data. Both parties have had huge grins on their faces ever since. In particular, FG has gone from strength to strength.
Disclaimer: I work for FG and am one of the original developers of our key software systems.
You can see what it's all about here Yes, the website needs an overhaul, we're working on it!
I was just nodding in agreement with all the "it's only a scooter" comments when my mobile phone (cell phone to you Yanks!) rang, and I started to think about possible parallels in technology. When the first portable phones were available, they were basically a normal telephone handset connected to a big clunky battery. Their usefulness was pretty limited - after all, they were "just phones," expensive ones at that. Now my mobile fits in my pocket, the battery lasts several days even with heavy use, it cost next-to-nothing, and I would seriously struggle to live without it (as would many /.ers, I would think)
...) should be worthy of at least consideration.
;)
The Segway technology has the potential to evolve, as portable phone technology has. From the individual's point of view, it may not solve an existing problem, but from society's point of view, a possible solution to the myriad problems of urban traffic (congestion, pollution, acres of real estate devoted to parking space,
I'm not saying in it's present form it will change the world, but don't write off the whole concept out of hand.
And as the Time article pointed out, marketing of course is the key, not the technology itself. To eventually crack the consumer market, the Segway must be painted as an indispensable lifestyle addition, complete with an array of eye-candy after-market accessories.
'course I could be wrong, and there's a worldwide market for maybe 5 of these things