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User: TheStatsMan

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Comments · 79

  1. What exactly are they targeting? on Warships May Get Lasers For Close-In Defense · · Score: 1

    I watched the video. To me, it isn't completely clear what is being shot down. The craft could be made of wood or paper (or something even more flammable) for all I know. On the one hand it looks impressive and powerful. On the other hand, it's very unclear what we are actually watching.

  2. Klingon GPS on Catching Satnav Errors On Google Street View · · Score: 5, Funny

    Driver: Hm, where is my turn...
    Michael Dorn GPS: Prepare to turn right.
    Driver: But there's no exit here....
    GPS: Accelerate to ramming speed.
    Driver: Good thing I took the Prius...
    GPS: Today is a good day to die!

  3. Re:And so it goes.... on US Deploys 'Heat-Ray' In Afghanistan · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It's your contention that we're over there to free these people from their miserable lives? You are misinformed.

  4. Re:lolwut on Apple To Hold iPhone 4 Press Conference · · Score: 1

    Haven't not actually read up on Consumer Reports' review of the device (not getting an iPhone) I can't say for certain, but it seems to me like consumer reports is an organization dedicated to rigorously testing consumer goods. Performing scientific testing and then reporting on it isn't an anecdote.

  5. Re:lolwut on Apple To Hold iPhone 4 Press Conference · · Score: 1

    In light of yesterday's article about cognitive dissonance, it is not surprising they think that the 400 dollars they spent is well worth it. I think I will take Consumer Reports word for it over an engineers anecdotes.

  6. Saw this on ScyFy on Sun's Dark Companion 'Nemesis' Not So Likely · · Score: 1

    I was watching the Scyfy channel at my fiance's parent's house (why else?) and saw this idea represented in a ridiculous drama called Eureka. They even called it Nemesis. This article reads like it was ripped right from the show. Admittedly I don't know who took what from who, but I find the idea completely foolish.

  7. Re:Why? on Police Officers Seek Right Not To Be Recorded · · Score: 1

    Because no one is going to get a medal for being in the bystanders video, but they just might get prosecuted.

    That's the meme anyway.

  8. "Could you tell me, officer..." on Police Officers Seek Right Not To Be Recorded · · Score: 1

    "...how you're looking at it?"

    "Well, if you play the tape in reverse you see us help King up and send him on his way."

    Apologies, Mr. Hicks.

  9. Re:A few non-limiting examples on Microsoft Patents "Fonts With Feelings" · · Score: 1

    I think there is currently some space on my left testicle that is not under legal dispute.

  10. A few non-limiting examples on Microsoft Patents "Fonts With Feelings" · · Score: 1

    What a stupid concept. Just patent my ass already.

  11. Re:Wrong on iPad Bait and Switch — No More Unlimited Data Plan · · Score: 1

    How many large cell providers are there? 4? 5? Collusion is completely likely and probably the norm with so few companies.

  12. Re:"Faith Science Basis?" on Australian Schools To Teach Intelligent Design · · Score: 1

    I believe, therefor I am or not; it doesn't matter anyway.

  13. Re:Central tendancy on Pacific Northwest At Risk For Mega-Earthquake · · Score: 1

    In fact, these people are just abusing statistics to create panic. One way to look at this data is "37% chance in 50 years" the other way to look at it is, what's the time frame for a 99% probability. That is actually vastly more useful information. The reason they didn't report on this is because the time frame is probably somewhere between 1 and 10,000 years.

  14. Re:Central tendancy on Pacific Northwest At Risk For Mega-Earthquake · · Score: 1

    It's not contrafactual to assess the remarkably broad "37% chance in 50 years" prediction as unhelpful. It's basically no better than a soothe sayer. It was derived using relatively simple nonparametric statistics, and doesn't really help predict at all because we already know the pacific northwest is subject to seismic activity. There's also an off chance of another massive hurricane disaster, volcanic eruptions and massive flooding. Why do I know this? Because even being alive for as less than 30 years I have seen these more than one of these events happen. Yes the big one is coming. Tell me something I don't know.

  15. Re:Central tendancy on Pacific Northwest At Risk For Mega-Earthquake · · Score: 1

    It may be that the [editted] time between large earthquakes is not related to the mean. Ultimately we have no idea, the data is not good enough to say.

  16. Central tendancy on Pacific Northwest At Risk For Mega-Earthquake · · Score: 1

    It's unknown if large geological events like this occur according to any central tendency. It may be that the mean time between large earthquakes is not related to the mean. Ultimately we have no idea, the data is not good enough to say. Saying that an earthquake of magnitude X is likely in Y period of time is basically just a guess at this point.

  17. Re:Machiavellis indeed on Privacy Machiavellis · · Score: 1

    In other words, if you don't have a degree in corporate law, don't use a computer. Because no one understands the ramifications of EULAs, not even most lawyers I bet.

  18. I for one welcome... on Defense Chief Urges Big Cuts In Military Spending · · Score: 1

    our thrifty defense overlords. I really do.

  19. Re:always the loudest wins. on Climate Change and the Integrity of Science · · Score: 1

    It sounds like you know that AGW is real, but because people you don't like are putting the idea forth you're fighting it. Just relax, it only hurts the first time. You can always find some yahoo that has extreme(wrong) views, don't couch an entire group of people in with the yahoos just because it's easy.

  20. The only thing for certain... on US Air Force Launches Secret Flying Twinkie · · Score: 1

    That's no moon. It's a cream-filled space station.

  21. Re:What's the variance? on Chicago Debates Merits of ShotSpotter Technology · · Score: 1

    That's a neat trick. It's obvious to me now that 244 gunshots and 177 gunshots is a pretty good sample to determine the rate.

  22. Re:What's the variance? on Chicago Debates Merits of ShotSpotter Technology · · Score: 1

    I think it's a little dubious to assume one data point as the mean of a Poisson distribution.

  23. Not a "secret immunity" any more... on Do You Have a Secret Immunity To 3D Movies? · · Score: 1

    ...now that you've told everyone. I will have to be more careful about who I tell my secret immunities to in the future.

  24. Re:Tip for those wanting fee refunds on Warhammer Online Users Repeatedly Overbilled · · Score: 1

    (Disclaimer: YMMV of course. I left BofA because no one there gave a shit. I'd had luck with both WF and WaMu)

    Speaking of mileage, I also left BofA because no one there gave a shit.

  25. Re:Lawsuit on Warhammer Online Users Repeatedly Overbilled · · Score: 1

    Fuck that, just sign them up for Warcraft.