At least the raw materials used for solar and wind power can be reused and replaced over time.
Nuclear is just another form of non-renewable energy source, like coal, oil and natural gas. Once it's gone, it's gone and we'll be even more S.O.L.'d than before, given our current increasing rate of energy use.
IMNSHO, the only place nuclear makes any sense is in space, where a few thousand years to decay doesn't matter so much and the space between stars is dark.
Now there's a statement devoid of context or references!;-) The average American farm probably isn't devoted primarily to the production of ethanol, so that could very well be true.
Got any relevant links?
The numbers vary, but current research indicates there is a net energy gain in the production of grown ethanol sources. There are a few related articles of interest up at this site.
If you have a more aggressive driving style then I suspect you'll find the civic hybrid (automatic; has cruise control by default) a little underpowered. I drive a 2003 though, so the 2004/2005 models may have been tweaked in favour of more power. I've never had any problems with maintaining climbing speed though. It's just a little weak in the acceleration department.
Check out the latest Toyota Prius too. I haven't so I can't help, but I've read that acceleration performance is better than previous years.
Only one way to find out for sure if they satisfy your driving appetites and that's to take them out for a spin! Make sure you get some passing tests in to a get a feel for the responsiveness; a matter of personal taste.
Before I forget, you can buy small quantities of ultracapacitors directly from Maxwell for US$25/each. Discounts kick in for quantities of 100 or more. Just fill out their form if you're interested. I've been playing around with a few as battery replacements in toys around the house.:-)
Here is an interesting related interview. Also check out the specs for these ultracapacitors. The key benefit of capacitors over batteries is in deep discharge, near instantaneous bursts of current. It takes the load off your bulk storage supply, allowing them to operate more efficiently.
I still can't buy a hybrid flexible fuel vehicle, so I can shift my usage over to a more renewable source. This system opens up some options though. I like!
Aside: The regenerative braking aspect of all hybrids is a hidden bonus for the wear on the mechanical systems too. I've had my hybrid for almost two years now and the brake pads aren't anywhere near their first 10% worn-down state.
That whole text searching, no-dialogs blurb sounds a lot like The Remembrance Agent, as it plugs into emacs.
I had started coding up a Java-based front-end which monitored the X clipboard buffer, but didn't get very far - lack of time. What little code I did write can be found here.
I get reasonable mileage out of my hybrid, but for my next car I think I'm going to get a flexible-fuel vehicle. That way I can cut my fossil fuel consumption 85% by using an Ethanolmix.
Could someone please come out with a Hybrid FFV? Anyone know of any manufacturers working on this?
So, the Linux drivers exist, and I know they have hardware-accelerated OpenGL support built in... Does anyone know if this machine+display combo will work "out of the box" without any tweaks to applications?
An option or two applied to XF86Config is OK by me, but per-application mods would be a little excessive... Anyone tried UT2K4 on one yet?
Based on my own experience, this follow-on article is a more accurate portrayal of hybrid performance.
For reference's sake, here is my own vehicle's performance. In my case, temperature seems to be the primary factor affecting my mileage; lower in the winter and higher in the summer.
Here is one example of a DC-input ATX power supply. It uses 24V in, so it's up to you how you want to mix'n'match utility AC and alternate DC sources. For more general info along those lines, check out Home Power.
Unless they come up with a darn good reason why they chose to block referring URLs from Linux Today, I'll have to decide whether or not to continue receiving the publications (url is http://www.cmp.com/publist) of theirs I currently subscribe to.
If I'm not allowed to point others at articles of theirs I find interesting and useful, they are of no more use to me, personally or professionally.
One of the core ideas he's getting across when he does that (or at least at the time when I saw him talk back in '92 or '93) is that analog is a lot more robust when it comes to failure modes and design considerations. If you have a more robust platform to start building upon, you can do more with less.
He's a fascinating guy to meet in person. You have to have your wits about you and be hard-core techie to track his conversations though.:-)
When everyone else was focused on computationally intensive approaches to trying to make things walk, he was doing it with a handful of transistors. And as you pointed out, he's not up here in Canada any more...
Since I can't even preorder a Robosapien to ship to a Canadian address, I'll be picking up a couple when they come out on my next State-side trip!
learn from the gaming industry
on
Practical C++
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
It's not a general-purpose book and not for the complete beginner, but it dives deeper into when and why to use different programming styles and structures.
Visio 2003 has SVG support. I didn't get a chance to beta test it though, so I can't comment on it's capabilities and integration into the rest of M$* 2003 applications.
I've already posted so I can't mod this one up. If someone has some points to spare, please consider moderating this one up. There are some very good points made by this poster. I have a different perspective on things, but these are the right questions to be asking.
Disclaimer: these are my opinions, not necessarily those of my employer.
EDA vendors are not in the business of maintaining and supporting every flavour of Linux distribution out there. That's part of the motivation behind only officially supporting tools on the professionally supported (a.k.a costs real money) distros. There's nothing to stop the power users from building and using their own ultra-optimized version/flavour/distro of Linux, but if you run into problems, make sure you have verified that they exist on the supported platform.
In other words, invest in at least one machine with the supported and conventionally maintained, professional distro. No custom kernels, compilers or anything modified from the stock, "up2date maintained" install. Verify that the problem exists and can be replicated on that platform if you expect a problem to be addressed. It sounds like common sense, but you'd be surprised...
My IBM T30 Thinkpad out-performs my Tadpole UltraSPARC laptop for all my mobile EDA computing needs, so it's a moot point for me.:-)
Personally, now that the tools are on Linux I much prefer conducting workshops on a handful of Linux laptops over giving passive demos "at" customers. It's more hands-on and realistic. There's also no side-stepping new bugs; it helps exercise all the capabilities in context.:-)
Expect to see more of that "buy a car, not it's parts" metaphor that Scott used...
I'm currently averaging 4.5L/100km (52mpg) a tank (tank holds 50L). My most efficient run was from Ottawa to Kingston and back (360km) where I averaged 4.0L/100km (58mpg) for the whole trip.
I'm currently averaging 4.5L/100km (about 52mpg). My most efficient run was a 360km return trip from Ottawa to Kingston where I averaged 4.0L/100km (about 58mpg) for the trip.
If you're driving in colder climates, have a look at a review that I wrote that covers some of the cold-weather quirks I've encountered.
Slashdot Mirror
At least the raw materials used for solar and wind power can be reused and replaced over time.
Nuclear is just another form of non-renewable energy source, like coal, oil and natural gas. Once it's gone, it's gone and we'll be even more S.O.L.'d than before, given our current increasing rate of energy use.
IMNSHO, the only place nuclear makes any sense is in space, where a few thousand years to decay doesn't matter so much and the space between stars is dark.
Now there's a statement devoid of context or references! ;-)
The average American farm probably isn't devoted primarily to the production of ethanol, so that could very well be true.
Got any relevant links?
The numbers vary, but current research indicates there is a net energy gain in the production of grown ethanol sources. There are a few related articles of interest up at this site.
If you have a more aggressive driving style then I suspect you'll find the civic hybrid (automatic; has cruise control by default) a little underpowered. I drive a 2003 though, so the 2004/2005 models may have been tweaked in favour of more power. I've never had any problems with maintaining climbing speed though. It's just a little weak in the acceleration department.
Check out the latest Toyota Prius too. I haven't so I can't help, but I've read that acceleration performance is better than previous years.
Only one way to find out for sure if they satisfy your driving appetites and that's to take them out for a spin! Make sure you get some passing tests in to a get a feel for the responsiveness; a matter of personal taste.
With respect to real mileage numbers, check out http://greenhybrid.com/.
Before I forget, you can buy small quantities of ultracapacitors directly from Maxwell for US$25/each. Discounts kick in for quantities of 100 or more. Just fill out their form if you're interested. I've been playing around with a few as battery replacements in toys around the house. :-)
Here is an interesting related interview. Also check out the specs for these ultracapacitors. The key benefit of capacitors over batteries is in deep discharge, near instantaneous bursts of current. It takes the load off your bulk storage supply, allowing them to operate more efficiently.
I still can't buy a hybrid flexible fuel vehicle, so I can shift my usage over to a more renewable source. This system opens up some options though. I like!
Aside: The regenerative braking aspect of all hybrids is a hidden bonus for the wear on the mechanical systems too. I've had my hybrid for almost two years now and the brake pads aren't anywhere near their first 10% worn-down state.
That whole text searching, no-dialogs blurb sounds a lot like The Remembrance Agent, as it plugs into emacs.
I had started coding up a Java-based front-end which monitored the X clipboard buffer, but didn't get very far - lack of time. What little code I did write can be found here.
I get reasonable mileage out of my hybrid, but for my next car I think I'm going to get a flexible-fuel vehicle. That way I can cut my fossil fuel consumption 85% by using an Ethanol mix.
Could someone please come out with a Hybrid FFV? Anyone know of any manufacturers working on this?
There was an Autonomous Lawn Mower Competition going on earlier this month - saw it mentioned on robots.net
So, the Linux drivers exist, and I know they have hardware-accelerated OpenGL support built in... Does anyone know if this machine+display combo will work "out of the box" without any tweaks to applications?
An option or two applied to XF86Config is OK by me, but per-application mods would be a little excessive... Anyone tried UT2K4 on one yet?
Based on my own experience, this follow-on article is a more accurate portrayal of hybrid performance.
For reference's sake, here is my own vehicle's performance. In my case, temperature seems to be the primary factor affecting my mileage; lower in the winter and higher in the summer.
Here is one example of a DC-input ATX power supply. It uses 24V in, so it's up to you how you want to mix'n'match utility AC and alternate DC sources. For more general info along those lines, check out Home Power.
Wired has an article up as well, with a bit more detail.
Note to self: make appointment with sex therapist to write off purchase as a medical expense.
Unless they come up with a darn good reason why they chose to block referring URLs from Linux Today, I'll have to decide whether or not to continue receiving the publications (url is http://www.cmp.com/publist) of theirs I currently subscribe to.
If I'm not allowed to point others at articles of theirs I find interesting and useful, they are of no more use to me, personally or professionally.
One of the core ideas he's getting across when he does that (or at least at the time when I saw him talk back in '92 or '93) is that analog is a lot more robust when it comes to failure modes and design considerations. If you have a more robust platform to start building upon, you can do more with less.
:-)
He's a fascinating guy to meet in person. You have to have your wits about you and be hard-core techie to track his conversations though.
When everyone else was focused on computationally intensive approaches to trying to make things walk, he was doing it with a handful of transistors. And as you pointed out, he's not up here in Canada any more...
Since I can't even preorder a Robosapien to ship to a Canadian address, I'll be picking up a couple when they come out on my next State-side trip!
My personal favorite is C++ for Game Programmers.
It's not a general-purpose book and not for the complete beginner, but it dives deeper into when and why to use different programming styles and structures.
Mobile Planet has listing for one by SanDisk and another by Socket.
...they also carry the Hagiwara Sys-Com card.
Visio 2003 has SVG support. I didn't get a chance to beta test it though, so I can't comment on it's capabilities and integration into the rest of M$* 2003 applications.
I just googled for some OpenGL-based options, and Amaya looks interesting.
Anyone used Amaya or have other recommendations for an open source, OpenGL based SVG rendering API?
I've already posted so I can't mod this one up. If someone has some points to spare, please consider moderating this one up. There are some very good points made by this poster. I have a different perspective on things, but these are the right questions to be asking.
:-)
Disclaimer: these are my opinions, not necessarily those of my employer.
EDA vendors are not in the business of maintaining and supporting every flavour of Linux distribution out there. That's part of the motivation behind only officially supporting tools on the professionally supported (a.k.a costs real money) distros. There's nothing to stop the power users from building and using their own ultra-optimized version/flavour/distro of Linux, but if you run into problems, make sure you have verified that they exist on the supported platform.
In other words, invest in at least one machine with the supported and conventionally maintained, professional distro. No custom kernels, compilers or anything modified from the stock, "up2date maintained" install. Verify that the problem exists and can be replicated on that platform if you expect a problem to be addressed. It sounds like common sense, but you'd be surprised...
My IBM T30 Thinkpad out-performs my Tadpole UltraSPARC laptop for all my mobile EDA computing needs, so it's a moot point for me.
Personally, now that the tools are on Linux I much prefer conducting workshops on a handful of Linux laptops over giving passive demos "at" customers. It's more hands-on and realistic. There's also no side-stepping new bugs; it helps exercise all the capabilities in context. :-)
Expect to see more of that "buy a car, not it's parts" metaphor that Scott used...
If you're interested in what "Execution" means in a business sense, a couple of interesting books to read are Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't and Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done.
The former is an interesting outside-looking-in study of what happened to turn an ok company into a really successful company with sustained growth.
The latter is inside-looking-back on what it takes to lead a company that can get things done.
I'm currently averaging 4.5L/100km (52mpg) a tank (tank holds 50L). My most efficient run was from Ottawa to Kingston and back (360km) where I averaged 4.0L/100km (58mpg) for the whole trip.
;-)
As the saying goes, YMMV.
I'm currently averaging 4.5L/100km (about 52mpg). My most efficient run was a 360km return trip from Ottawa to Kingston where I averaged 4.0L/100km (about 58mpg) for the trip.
If you're driving in colder climates, have a look at a review that I wrote that covers some of the cold-weather quirks I've encountered.
On a related note, the International Symposium on Wearable Computing is being held this October 21-23 in White Plains, NY.
One of these days I'll attend one...