The twins shared environments, means researchers can separate genetic and environmental factors.
This means that the subjects were in the same environments and makes genetics the dependent variable. This doesn't make any indication of environmental influence on intelligence. As I understand the article, they are stating that in this experiment, environment is not significant since both of the twins had the same basic environment.
"It's extraordinary how similar they are," he says. The finding suggests that environment - their own personal experiences, what they learned in life, who they knew - played a negligible role in shaping it.
According to this account, Apple is making it right. He offered to reimburse me for the purchase of nortan utilities, and to have it sent to DriveSavers (apparently a company that recovers data from harddrives) on Apple's dime.
While the whole situation sucks, at least steps are being taken in the right direction. Anyone have confirmation of the account? How about accounts of other companies taking similar steps. I am quite curious.
Upgradable firmware enables support for future audio formats
How many other players have that? Plus acts as a firewire data drive, (full data transfer in 10 min!), has 20 minute skip protection. I have been waiting to get a portable MP3 player. Guess it has payed off big time. My order is already in!
You want to know why they test older? It is because the world was created mature. The trees already had fruit on them, the animals were full-grown, not babies. In the same manner, oil and coal were in the ground. Even dinosaur bones existed at the creation of the world. Since the world was already mature, the rocks and everything that exists already had a history. So while a skull tests as 25,000 years old, it had just been made. Try to wrap your mind around that concept. It amazes me how many people can't fathom this idea.
This concept is an idea of my own concoction and doesn't represent anyone else.
Maybe someone with a better memory could correct me, but I believe that Geocities would count as prior art. Their old template driven design existed in '95-'96 IIRC.
I just started getting into Farscape. The first couple of times I watched it all I could think of was "WTF?" The plot arches feed on each other and it took a couple of shows for me to get an understanding of what was going on. Now Farscape is one of my favorites.
btw, I just watched the Buffy season opener and now understand why people are such big fans. Now all I need is a TIVO and my few last hours of free time will be gone.
And, the top-of-the-line modem connection at the time operated at a snail-like 300 baud, roughly one-twentieth of the speed of today's standard 56.6 kbps modem.
What percentage of dial-up accounts hit 56.6? In my experience the phone lines will rarely support anything over 33.6 or even as low as 28.8. Just because the modem is rated for 56.6 doesn't mean it is practicly standard.
OK, I need to weigh in here as this has been a topic of discussion among my friends and I for quite a few years.
First off, you have a choice. I graduated in 97, and I recall the torture of trying to decide where to go to college. The idea is that you choose the institution which fits you best. If you don't like the curriculum, then why did you choose to go there?
Secondly, a University is designed to expand your horizons and teach you how to think. If you want to learn how to do a job, then a Technical Institute is for you. They are designed to teach you how to do a job, not how to think and learn.
So enough of my ranting, you can see that I am a firm believer in the Liberal Arts. But don't get me wrong, I think computers/technology are great and I spend lots of my life involved with my geeky pursuits. However, it can be taken to an extreme. I am attending a highly regarded Engineering school. Graduates have great job placement, are recruited actively and make lots of money, blah, blah, blah. But let me tell you, they are some of the most boring people in the world. (Not all of them, mind you, but most of them.) Many people, and geeks in particular, can get so wrapped up in an interest or project that it consumes their whole life. This is dangerous in many respects. What a liberal education will do is let you experience other areas of knowledge. One interesting tidbit: a couple of years ago my school instituted a two classes that are required for all students. They call them Technical Communications and teach students how to write memos, do presentations, and other career-oriented writing skills. These classes were implemented because employers were saying that our graduates didn't have even the most basic communication skills. They had been concentrating so hard on their Engineering studies that they hadn't learned anything else.
One of the worst effects of computers (IMHO) was the extinction of the library card catalog. I loved that as I was hunting around for the card that I needed, I would stumble upon other cards/books of interest. This is something that computers just can't equal. When I was a grade-school student I was usually bored, and to pass the time I would read the Encyclopedia. You can't image the entertainment and education that this random browsing provided. If you only study a single subject, you might become very knowledgeable in that area, but at the price of expanding your vision and your concept of the world around you. So even if you are taking a very specialized curriculum, please take some classes that are not related. Ask around and see which classes/professors are well-regarded. Psychology and Sociology are always popular. I always try to take one "fun" class a semester, and this semester it's Cultural Anthropology. Whatever it is, it should make you read and think critically. Best of luck.
Ballard Power Systems launches Nexa hydrogen fuel cell for consumer use.
STEVE ERWIN - Canadian Press
Thursday, September 27, 2001
TORONTO (CP) - Ballard Power Systems is starting commercial production Friday of emission-free fuel cells designed to power anything from home offices to lawn mowers in what it calls a "historic" move forward for alternative energy applications.
Ballard is optimistic the 1.2 kilowatt modules - a pollution-free, hydrogen fuel cell power source for industrial and consumer equipment - will be sought out by numerous manufacturers who want cleaner, quieter and lighter power alternatives in their products.
Analysts, meanwhile, say the release of Nexa's specifications show evidence that wide commercial revenues for Ballard are just around the corner. Until now, the company's sales have mostly come from fuel cell prototypes distributed to companies internationally, including to car and bus makers looking for cleaner running engines.
"They wanted to let the market know that they're ready," said Rich Morrow, a Toronto analyst for CIBC World Markets. "They've given us product specs - size, weight, power output, operating conditions - great detail that was missing before."
Investors also applauded the news, sending shares of Vancouver-based Ballard (TSE: BLD) shares up $2.58 to close at $30.98 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
But the lingering question for analysts is how quickly sales for the likely pricey technology will grow. Ballard has not said what it will charge companies that decide to use Nexa fuel cells in their mass-marketed products.
"That's a piece of the puzzle that's missing here," Morrow said. "In terms of operating efficiency, certainly it's efficient. But what is missing at this point is what's the product going to cost?"
"It will definitely be a premium price product and it will attract buyers who are willing to pay for these premium attributes of small, light, clean and quiet."
Ballard won't reveal the price or initial production volume of the Nexa fuel cell, which will provide power as long as it is supplied fuel.
Ballard's zero-emission fuel cells combine hydrogen - which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources - and oxygen from the air to generate electricity without combustion.
"As you can imagine with any new technology, the initial pricing would probably be a little bit higher than the conventional technology," said John Harris, Ballard's vice-president of marketing. "We expect that as volumes grow over the future those prices will come down significantly."
In the meantime, Ballard's new technology could bring down the price of conventional portable generators, said Marko Pencak, a Toronto analyst with CS First Boston.
"I suspect that at this early stage (Ballard is) going to be focusing on the higher-end consumer," Pencak said.
Consumers will first see the technology applied in a portable generator being introduced in the United States this year by Coleman Powermate.
Coleman - which has yet to announce a launch date - says the generators will be ideal for homes, camping and other applications that otherwise would use a conventional generator.
"You'll see it under Christmas trees or powering your Christmas trees by the end of the year," Ballard's Harris said.
The fuel cells are intended to be used as an extended backup or intermittent electrical power source that will run as long as it is refuelled with hydrogen.
"It's not like a battery that would run down and you'd need to go back and recharge it," Harris said.
Also, as opposed to a power source that uses an internal combustion engine, products with the Nexa fuel cells can be used indoors since they're powered by hydrogen and are free of toxic emissions - unlike gas-powered generators.
"There's lots and lots of portable generators out there that are used on construction sites, campgrounds, marine applications," Morrow said. "It could be anything from a guy at his construction site or a guy at his cottage powering power tools, anywhere where there's a power requirement without access to the electricity grid."
Harris said recent Ballard tests had the 1.2-kilowatt generators powering a desktop computer, monitor, printer, fax, stereo system and desktop lamp. He added that they can be easily stored under a desk or in a closet.
Ballard also has prototypes in Asia, Europe and the United States for 250-kilowatt units that could power a factory or residential block. Their wide commercial release could be at least three years away but the company sees a future for the products as the world looks for alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on oil and natural gas.
When I saw the video of the second plane crashing, the first thing that I thought of was one of Tom Clancy's books in which a 747 was crashed into the US Capital Building. I always wondered why someone didn't so something like that. Now, unfortulatly, someone has.
I am sure that it will be lots of fun, but I was hoping for something new! With the hints over the last couple of days, I wanted it to be a LOTR game. That would have been very cool! But I am sure I will loose lots of sleep over this new game anyway.
So battlebots.net is some sort of an ISP which is using this domain as a portal. If anyone is guilty of squatting, it would be.net! IMHO, Battlebots decided to go after the.net squatter and their laywers said they should go after.org while they were at it, or by going after both domains, they would strenghten their case. Anyone have any info on this idea?
Have you seen mine? It's so cool! I want one! It's all mine! It's not yours, it's mine. You mean it's yours? Yup, it's mine. But you can get one too, and then it will be your mine, and not my mine.
it trails an unwieldy thicket of cables and compressed-air lines
When I read the headline I though it was pretty sweet. I have spent the last 6 summers working at an ice plant and would have enjoyed the assistance of a suit (like in one of the Alien movies, don't recall which one). While I was in production at the ice plant, I would move 40 tons of ice a day, bag by bag. Then as a delivery driver, I delivered 6-10 tons of ice a day. So you can imagine my interest in a "power assist" suit! Guess I have to wait a while longer.
As a side note, I found this to be a wonderful addition to my geeky pursuits. Some people use sports or recreational activities to balance time in front of the screen, but I found that (should you hold a 9-5 type job), a simple and physical job keeps me in shape and is a nice change of pace. Whatever pays the old school bills. ----
It will cost a bundle to send an actor up to film but you don't need a crew, (I don't think). How many actors wouldn't give up their $20 million salary in exchange for a trip into space? I know if I was ever in that position I would do it in a heart beat. Space is one of the last places where celebrity still won't get you anywhere. Money may, but not fame. ----
I remeber reading about the new Indiana Jones movie 6 or 7 years ago. All the involved parties had stated that they wanted to do it and it was "in the works." But we will not see it any time soon as Ford only does one film a year and he is booked for the next two years. I would love to see it, as the first 3 were wonderful, but I no longer have my hopes up. ----
I appreciate the further info ( I was looking for this but did not find it.) However, I find these figures to be rather high.
By 1 A.D., the world may have held about 300 million people. One estimate of the population of the Roman Empire, from Spain to Asia Minor, in 14 A.D. is 45 million. However, other historians set the figure twice as high, suggesting how imprecise population estimates of early historical periods can be.
So where was the other 210-265 million? I find it hard to believe that Asia, Africa and the Americas would have such high populations at that time.
The largest issue in my mind is food. At this time, subsistance farming was the order of the day. For 300 million people to be farming would take a HUGE amount of land, as they did not have the yields that our farms produce today. While I may be off-base, this is what bothers me regarding population figures from that far back. Feel free to correct me. ----
Near as I can remember, during WW 2 the US made what they called "Liberty" ships for transport duty. The hulls were made out of cement because metal was in short supply.
They could produce an entire "Liberty" ship in 25 days and, in 1942, built and launched a 10,500-ton freighter in four days, 15 hours and 26 minutes. ----
Slashdot Mirror
The twins shared environments, means researchers can separate genetic and environmental factors.
This means that the subjects were in the same environments and makes genetics the dependent variable. This doesn't make any indication of environmental influence on intelligence. As I understand the article, they are stating that in this experiment, environment is not significant since both of the twins had the same basic environment.
"It's extraordinary how similar they are," he says. The finding suggests that environment - their own personal experiences, what they learned in life, who they knew - played a negligible role in shaping it.
I wouldn't sell my Grandma.........but I might lease her.
He offered to reimburse me for the purchase of nortan utilities, and to have it sent to DriveSavers (apparently a company that recovers data from harddrives) on Apple's dime.
While the whole situation sucks, at least steps are being taken in the right direction. Anyone have confirmation of the account? How about accounts of other companies taking similar steps. I am quite curious.
So you might not have to wait that long :-)
How many other players have that? Plus acts as a firewire data drive, (full data transfer in 10 min!), has 20 minute skip protection. I have been waiting to get a portable MP3 player. Guess it has payed off big time. My order is already in!
This certaintly deserves to be a front-page story, since it will foster intense discussion among all readers.
This concept is an idea of my own concoction and doesn't represent anyone else.
Maybe someone with a better memory could correct me, but I believe that Geocities would count as prior art. Their old template driven design existed in '95-'96 IIRC.
Apparently the RIAA has decided that two wrongs now make a right. Shame on them, guess their mothers never taught them.
You forgot plasma. Mmmm.... yummy plasma.
btw, I just watched the Buffy season opener and now understand why people are such big fans. Now all I need is a TIVO and my few last hours of free time will be gone.
What percentage of dial-up accounts hit 56.6? In my experience the phone lines will rarely support anything over 33.6 or even as low as 28.8. Just because the modem is rated for 56.6 doesn't mean it is practicly standard.
but it sure feels more like 50-55.
First off, you have a choice. I graduated in 97, and I recall the torture of trying to decide where to go to college. The idea is that you choose the institution which fits you best. If you don't like the curriculum, then why did you choose to go there?
Secondly, a University is designed to expand your horizons and teach you how to think. If you want to learn how to do a job, then a Technical Institute is for you. They are designed to teach you how to do a job, not how to think and learn.
So enough of my ranting, you can see that I am a firm believer in the Liberal Arts. But don't get me wrong, I think computers/technology are great and I spend lots of my life involved with my geeky pursuits. However, it can be taken to an extreme. I am attending a highly regarded Engineering school. Graduates have great job placement, are recruited actively and make lots of money, blah, blah, blah. But let me tell you, they are some of the most boring people in the world. (Not all of them, mind you, but most of them.) Many people, and geeks in particular, can get so wrapped up in an interest or project that it consumes their whole life. This is dangerous in many respects. What a liberal education will do is let you experience other areas of knowledge. One interesting tidbit: a couple of years ago my school instituted a two classes that are required for all students. They call them Technical Communications and teach students how to write memos, do presentations, and other career-oriented writing skills. These classes were implemented because employers were saying that our graduates didn't have even the most basic communication skills. They had been concentrating so hard on their Engineering studies that they hadn't learned anything else.
One of the worst effects of computers (IMHO) was the extinction of the library card catalog. I loved that as I was hunting around for the card that I needed, I would stumble upon other cards/books of interest. This is something that computers just can't equal. When I was a grade-school student I was usually bored, and to pass the time I would read the Encyclopedia. You can't image the entertainment and education that this random browsing provided. If you only study a single subject, you might become very knowledgeable in that area, but at the price of expanding your vision and your concept of the world around you. So even if you are taking a very specialized curriculum, please take some classes that are not related. Ask around and see which classes/professors are well-regarded. Psychology and Sociology are always popular. I always try to take one "fun" class a semester, and this semester it's Cultural Anthropology. Whatever it is, it should make you read and think critically. Best of luck.
Ballard Power Systems launches Nexa hydrogen fuel cell for consumer use.
STEVE ERWIN - Canadian Press
Thursday, September 27, 2001
TORONTO (CP) - Ballard Power Systems is starting commercial production Friday of emission-free fuel cells designed to power anything from home offices to lawn mowers in what it calls a "historic" move forward for alternative energy applications.
Ballard is optimistic the 1.2 kilowatt modules - a pollution-free, hydrogen fuel cell power source for industrial and consumer equipment - will be sought out by numerous manufacturers who want cleaner, quieter and lighter power alternatives in their products.
Analysts, meanwhile, say the release of Nexa's specifications show evidence that wide commercial revenues for Ballard are just around the corner. Until now, the company's sales have mostly come from fuel cell prototypes distributed to companies internationally, including to car and bus makers looking for cleaner running engines.
"They wanted to let the market know that they're ready," said Rich Morrow, a Toronto analyst for CIBC World Markets. "They've given us product specs - size, weight, power output, operating conditions - great detail that was missing before."
Investors also applauded the news, sending shares of Vancouver-based Ballard (TSE: BLD) shares up $2.58 to close at $30.98 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
But the lingering question for analysts is how quickly sales for the likely pricey technology will grow. Ballard has not said what it will charge companies that decide to use Nexa fuel cells in their mass-marketed products.
"That's a piece of the puzzle that's missing here," Morrow said. "In terms of operating efficiency, certainly it's efficient. But what is missing at this point is what's the product going to cost?"
"It will definitely be a premium price product and it will attract buyers who are willing to pay for these premium attributes of small, light, clean and quiet."
Ballard won't reveal the price or initial production volume of the Nexa fuel cell, which will provide power as long as it is supplied fuel.
Ballard's zero-emission fuel cells combine hydrogen - which can be obtained from methanol, natural gas, petroleum or renewable sources - and oxygen from the air to generate electricity without combustion.
"As you can imagine with any new technology, the initial pricing would probably be a little bit higher than the conventional technology," said John Harris, Ballard's vice-president of marketing. "We expect that as volumes grow over the future those prices will come down significantly."
In the meantime, Ballard's new technology could bring down the price of conventional portable generators, said Marko Pencak, a Toronto analyst with CS First Boston.
"I suspect that at this early stage (Ballard is) going to be focusing on the higher-end consumer," Pencak said.
Consumers will first see the technology applied in a portable generator being introduced in the United States this year by Coleman Powermate.
Coleman - which has yet to announce a launch date - says the generators will be ideal for homes, camping and other applications that otherwise would use a conventional generator.
"You'll see it under Christmas trees or powering your Christmas trees by the end of the year," Ballard's Harris said.
The fuel cells are intended to be used as an extended backup or intermittent electrical power source that will run as long as it is refuelled with hydrogen.
"It's not like a battery that would run down and you'd need to go back and recharge it," Harris said.
Also, as opposed to a power source that uses an internal combustion engine, products with the Nexa fuel cells can be used indoors since they're powered by hydrogen and are free of toxic emissions - unlike gas-powered generators.
"There's lots and lots of portable generators out there that are used on construction sites, campgrounds, marine applications," Morrow said. "It could be anything from a guy at his construction site or a guy at his cottage powering power tools, anywhere where there's a power requirement without access to the electricity grid."
Harris said recent Ballard tests had the 1.2-kilowatt generators powering a desktop computer, monitor, printer, fax, stereo system and desktop lamp. He added that they can be easily stored under a desk or in a closet.
Ballard also has prototypes in Asia, Europe and the United States for 250-kilowatt units that could power a factory or residential block. Their wide commercial release could be at least three years away but the company sees a future for the products as the world looks for alternative energy sources to reduce reliance on oil and natural gas.
©Copyright 2001The Canadian Press
At least! So only the rich nerds out there (what few are left) can afford them in the short term. Doh!
When I saw the video of the second plane crashing, the first thing that I thought of was one of Tom Clancy's books in which a 747 was crashed into the US Capital Building. I always wondered why someone didn't so something like that. Now, unfortulatly, someone has.
I am sure that it will be lots of fun, but I was hoping for something new! With the hints over the last couple of days, I wanted it to be a LOTR game. That would have been very cool! But I am sure I will loose lots of sleep over this new game anyway.
So battlebots.net is some sort of an ISP which is using this domain as a portal. If anyone is guilty of squatting, it would be .net! IMHO, Battlebots decided to go after the .net squatter and their laywers said they should go after .org while they were at it, or by going after both domains, they would strenghten their case. Anyone have any info on this idea?
Wondering who came up with the name......
it trails an unwieldy thicket of cables and compressed-air lines
When I read the headline I though it was pretty sweet. I have spent the last 6 summers working at an ice plant and would have enjoyed the assistance of a suit (like in one of the Alien movies, don't recall which one). While I was in production at the ice plant, I would move 40 tons of ice a day, bag by bag. Then as a delivery driver, I delivered 6-10 tons of ice a day. So you can imagine my interest in a "power assist" suit! Guess I have to wait a while longer.
As a side note, I found this to be a wonderful addition to my geeky pursuits. Some people use sports or recreational activities to balance time in front of the screen, but I found that (should you hold a 9-5 type job), a simple and physical job keeps me in shape and is a nice change of pace. Whatever pays the old school bills.
----
It will cost a bundle to send an actor up to film but you don't need a crew, (I don't think). How many actors wouldn't give up their $20 million salary in exchange for a trip into space? I know if I was ever in that position I would do it in a heart beat. Space is one of the last places where celebrity still won't get you anywhere. Money may, but not fame.
----
I remeber reading about the new Indiana Jones movie 6 or 7 years ago. All the involved parties had stated that they wanted to do it and it was "in the works." But we will not see it any time soon as Ford only does one film a year and he is booked for the next two years. I would love to see it, as the first 3 were wonderful, but I no longer have my hopes up.
----
By 1 A.D., the world may have held about 300 million people. One estimate of the population of the Roman Empire, from Spain to Asia Minor, in 14 A.D. is 45 million. However, other historians set the figure twice as high, suggesting how imprecise population estimates of early historical periods can be.
So where was the other 210-265 million? I find it hard to believe that Asia, Africa and the Americas would have such high populations at that time.
The largest issue in my mind is food. At this time, subsistance farming was the order of the day. For 300 million people to be farming would take a HUGE amount of land, as they did not have the yields that our farms produce today. While I may be off-base, this is what bothers me regarding population figures from that far back. Feel free to correct me.
----
They could produce an entire "Liberty" ship in 25 days and, in 1942, built and launched a 10,500-ton freighter in four days, 15 hours and 26 minutes.
----