The uAMPS project will involve designing integrated circuits that realize wireless sensor networks. There are students researching low power integrated circuits - both analog and digital. I'm doing the wireless stuff.
You have to be careful to separate the hype from reality regarding sensor networks, but there are definitely some cool applications. One thing that I think will definitely help things progress is the new 802.15.4 standard (Zigbee).
Having your most dedicated readers have to worry about reloading Slashdot is not a good idea.
There should be a flat-rate fee that allows your readers to view Slashdot an unlimited amount of times - the major ISPs have already found out that most people prefer this to hourly billing. Thus, I would suggest having a $5 fee entitle someone to 1000 page views, or a month of unlimited reading - whichever lasts longer.
The only problem with this is that people will likely start sharing user IDs. This must be why no such system has been proposed.
The information storage capacity of magnetic hard drives has expanded enormously in recent years, but is now nearing saturation point.
Not again! People have constantly been predicting that hard drives and processors would reach a limit in "a year or two", but has it ever happened? No!
In almost all situations, technologies do not just die but gradually evolve and lose the theoretical constraints that everyone was worried about. CDs have grown from storing 600 MB to 4 GB and soon 120 gigabytes.
And on a side note, doesn't this technology seem a lot like CD's? I'd much rather invest in the 120 GB multi-level CDs rather than this "microscopic Braille".
This relates back to the many messages on Slashdot saying "George Lucas sucks for charging us for so many version of the same star wars episode". Unfortunately, the issue isn't that simple.
The media companies have it wrong by not rewarding past customers who have already bought similar music/videos/you name it.
But then again, we have it wrong by assuming that once you buy a copy of something it should last forever. Houses need maintainance, food goes moldy over time, and yes, music needs a record company to keep the music in a high fidelity format so that it can be released later when new media formats are introduced.
Don't forget the cost of shipping/packaging/etc too!
Slashdot Mirror
There have also been rumors, however, that Braidwood has been canceled, at least in the near term:
http://www.dvhardware.net/article37368.html
Yes, security is an issue, but I don't buy your idea that this model can only work for less secure things like TV commercials.
With the proper encryption, I think these render farms could be used for applications where high security is needed.
Your argument is somewhat similar to saying that online commerce will never take off because the risk of snooping is too great.
Being a graduate student at MIT working on sensor networks, I have to mention our project. : )
A MPShome.html
http://www-mtl.mit.edu/research/icsystems/uamps/u
The uAMPS project will involve designing integrated circuits that realize wireless sensor networks. There are students researching low power integrated circuits - both analog and digital. I'm doing the wireless stuff.
You have to be careful to separate the hype from reality regarding sensor networks, but there are definitely some cool applications. One thing that I think will definitely help things progress is the new 802.15.4 standard (Zigbee).
doodles
There should be a flat-rate fee that allows your readers to view Slashdot an unlimited amount of times - the major ISPs have already found out that most people prefer this to hourly billing. Thus, I would suggest having a $5 fee entitle someone to 1000 page views, or a month of unlimited reading - whichever lasts longer.
The only problem with this is that people will likely start sharing user IDs. This must be why no such system has been proposed.
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Bboy doodles
Anyone remember the Tom and Jerry show? No matter how much Tom tried to kill (and eat) Jerry, that elusive mouse managed to escape unharmed.
Seems strinkingly similar to this, no? ; )
Check out this link for more information about the two animals that couldn't get along.
-BBoy doodles
C is for cookie
Not again! People have constantly been predicting that hard drives and processors would reach a limit in "a year or two", but has it ever happened? No!
In almost all situations, technologies do not just die but gradually evolve and lose the theoretical constraints that everyone was worried about. CDs have grown from storing 600 MB to 4 GB and soon 120 gigabytes.
And on a side note, doesn't this technology seem a lot like CD's? I'd much rather invest in the 120 GB multi-level CDs rather than this "microscopic Braille".
- BBoy doodles
C is for Cookie
The media companies have it wrong by not rewarding past customers who have already bought similar music/videos/you name it.
But then again, we have it wrong by assuming that once you buy a copy of something it should last forever. Houses need maintainance, food goes moldy over time, and yes, music needs a record company to keep the music in a high fidelity format so that it can be released later when new media formats are introduced.
Don't forget the cost of shipping/packaging/etc too!
-bboy doodles
"C is for Cookie"