I like the idea that, once we develop nanotechnology a goal should be to begin to develop DysonSpheres, so we can capture 100% of each star's output and save it in batteries to be rationed later. We can make the universe last longer that way (a year or two ago it was determined that we won't contract: we were sentenced to a heat death. So we might as well conserve as much as possible; think big.
So if that's a goal of ours, perhaps it's a goal of another race's. And perhaps they got a head start on us, and that large percentage of "dark matter" actually consists of DysonSpheres which capture everything, so are "undetectable" by us. That's pretty scary, to think that we just lost that much playground, and will eventually have to deal with the bully--on his own terms perhaps.
I mentioned this a year ago or so, and someone pointed me in the direction of MatrioshkaBrains, so I will include some links for that as well. And an excellent discussion.
I would add to the last part that the larger planets could be taken apart by space elevators as well. They'd just start with the upper atmosphere; then work their way down. All the time the mass is getting smaller, and the elevators are pulling mass out so they can make themselves bigger in order to reach deeper. I think it's workable, and appears to be the most efficient way to do it--get the mass all out into "orbit" first. Actually, when you're about halfway done you can then start shipping what you mine off to other locations, and taking that amount of mass out of the elevators as well since they won't need to counterbalance as the planet's now smaller. (I don't know what the mathematical "middle point" where you start dismantling the elevators actually is--it could be something other than 50%.)
We could have "planet splitter seeds" which we shoot off to other stars, and they start with a tiny, correctly-placed elevator and build more of them as fast as is physically possible; the seed would be smart enough to calculate all the masses and start with the most effective one that would lead to the earliest date at which the entire mass of the star system is being used for computation.
The only problem is if we encounter life. Will our machines just assimilate it? Are the ones out there programmed to preserve us? Have they already done so?
That was awesome how you worked the chickens into it.;-) And "which is where the bus goes" like, duh, driver, that many people wouldn't get on the bus with the wrong ticket. Great stuff.
I have several versions of the truth:
1. This is good for Linux and other open source projects because the Coast Guard can inspect the code before deploying it. And if something goes wrong they'll be able to fix it.
2. UK engineered this to hurt Microsoft.
3. The virus was written by a Microsoft competitor, to boost their own security. Watch who advertises tomorrow.
4. The virus was written by an ex-Microsoftie, "to get back at them because my stock options didn't rise dramatically these past few years".
5. The virus just evolved on its own.
6. There is no number 6.
7. The aliens are now on the UK beaches, having landed safely offshore.
It's not that admins don't know about linux, it's that they just don't know how to use it. You wouldn't want to install an OS as a server that you knew nothing about, now would you?
Our IT department said flat-out, "we're not implementing Linux as a solution because I lack expertise in that OS."
Hopefully we'll hire competent IT soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
What I'd like to see is Knoppix create sort of a framework DVD that you can use to remaster your own DVD. That's sort of the best of both worlds, I think.
Best of all world would be having both available for download. Whether that means multiple followers create their own special DVDs that they make available over BitTorrent (finally a valid use for it;-), or the more centralized approach where Klaus creates a CD, and a DVD which is the equivalent of that CD with a "few" more packages added.
Either it took me a while to get back here (could be the case, I've been working a lot lately) or I just missed it, but I got a +5 on 4 characters "1" "." "2" and "1". That's more than 1 karma per character. I don't think I've ever gotten that good a compression rating around here.
One of my favorite "real-world" compression jokes is two words and a gesture, but you have to understand the counter-culture in order to get it. It is: "Short term..." (snapping fingers).
The project to do this would probably take some clues from Captive, which captures Windows DLLs/Services/Kernel in order to provide NTFS read and write support on Linux.
Since it can't re-ship Windows binaries, it does a really neat trick of going to Microsoft's site and pulling out of the 30 MB (or so) XP SP1 installer, exactly the bytes it needs for the files it requires (something like 3 MB). Of course Microsoft could post a different installer, or change the URL, but for now it works and works very well.
and the other side of the coin, now it will be easier to create software that will install on ms, so why bother learning the complex and difficult rpm or deb formats, ms install is right there, complete with 10 different free guis to setup.
ms gets more software to install on it. good business.
Or the gripping side of the coin: open source embraces this installer and provides a wrapper for any program released using this installer to be installed as an.RPM,.DEB, Gentoo port, et al.
Look at the bright side: their grasp on the systems is slipping.
Hi there, I just noticed you had made me a friend and I enjoyed your posting history so I made it likewise. Just thought I'd let you know because Slashdot doesn't give as good feedback on this. Also I couldn't write in your journal so I'm attaching this to one of your posts. (Mods: ignore me, mod someone else up, please.)
the implication that an x86 is a better investment because it has stayed around for the past 10 years is a false one, as nothing of the original machine remains.
Nothing, that is, except that row of diodes down my left side that've been hurting for the past few millenia...
Ignorance of the law should never be accepted as an excuse to break it.
It would take you several lifetimes to read all the laws of your country, state, county, and city. You are probably violating one of those laws right now. I agree that there are some things that should be obvious, like following the 15 (crash) 10, 10 commandments, but not knowing that, for instance, radar detectors are illegal when you cross the state line and it's not posted shouldn't result in you having to drive over your "radio" but that's what happens.
The system is set up to keep us ignorant. They want there to be more laws than we can ever keep track of, so they can haul us in whenever they choose. A very apt quote which I've been discussing recently if you check my history:
"Did you really think that we want those laws to be observed? We want them broken.
You'd better get it straight that it's not a bunch of boy scouts you're up against . . .
We're after power and we mean it. You fellows were pikers, but we know the real trick,
and you'd better get wise to it. There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power
any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't
enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it
becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding
citizens? What's there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can
neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted - and you
create a nation of law-breakers - and then you cash in on guilt. Now that's the system,
Mr. Rearden, and once you understand it, you'll be much easier to deal with."
You made me a foe because I agreed with you? That's weird.
I'm not casting any aspersions; I never said the quote was not appropriate. What I said was whenever I use it, I get +5, so I've learned that it might be fun to seek out the opportunities to use it. That's all.
I got to 47 when they switched to "fuzzy logic" so I never actually saw a karma cap but I'm pretty sure I'm there now. Unless they changed the rules again.
I do say some Insightful, Interesting, and sometimes Funny things from time to time; I know I probably won't change your mind but check my history and perhaps reconsider your decision to publicly hate me. You just may find I'm worth beFriending.
Reviewing your post I think I may have actually hit the nail on the head, as you start it with "ohh ohhh a quotation contest!" -- but even so, I'm not trying to be unfriendly.
What if the magazine Consumer Reports was reviewing their product and found this defect? Could the magazine then be indicted? How does this bode for private entities doing public reviews of a product?
I think you've hit on a solution: find an exploit, report it to Consumer Reports.
Of course, if they don't act on it then you've gotta shout it from the rooftops, but perhaps Consumer Reports has a web forum...
Slashdot Mirror
So if that's a goal of ours, perhaps it's a goal of another race's. And perhaps they got a head start on us, and that large percentage of "dark matter" actually consists of Dyson Spheres which capture everything, so are "undetectable" by us. That's pretty scary, to think that we just lost that much playground, and will eventually have to deal with the bully--on his own terms perhaps.
I mentioned this a year ago or so, and someone pointed me in the direction of Matrioshka Brains, so I will include some links for that as well. And an excellent discussion.
I would add to the last part that the larger planets could be taken apart by space elevators as well. They'd just start with the upper atmosphere; then work their way down. All the time the mass is getting smaller, and the elevators are pulling mass out so they can make themselves bigger in order to reach deeper. I think it's workable, and appears to be the most efficient way to do it--get the mass all out into "orbit" first. Actually, when you're about halfway done you can then start shipping what you mine off to other locations, and taking that amount of mass out of the elevators as well since they won't need to counterbalance as the planet's now smaller. (I don't know what the mathematical "middle point" where you start dismantling the elevators actually is--it could be something other than 50%.)
We could have "planet splitter seeds" which we shoot off to other stars, and they start with a tiny, correctly-placed elevator and build more of them as fast as is physically possible; the seed would be smart enough to calculate all the masses and start with the most effective one that would lead to the earliest date at which the entire mass of the star system is being used for computation.
The only problem is if we encounter life. Will our machines just assimilate it? Are the ones out there programmed to preserve us? Have they already done so?
I have several versions of the truth:
1. This is good for Linux and other open source projects because the Coast Guard can inspect the code before deploying it. And if something goes wrong they'll be able to fix it.
2. UK engineered this to hurt Microsoft.
3. The virus was written by a Microsoft competitor, to boost their own security. Watch who advertises tomorrow.
4. The virus was written by an ex-Microsoftie, "to get back at them because my stock options didn't rise dramatically these past few years".
5. The virus just evolved on its own.
6. There is no number 6.
7. The aliens are now on the UK beaches, having landed safely offshore.
Our IT department said flat-out, "we're not implementing Linux as a solution because I lack expertise in that OS."
Hopefully we'll hire competent IT soon, but I'm not holding my breath.
What I'm wondering is, if it is done in all 3 does performance revert to what it was before?
RFNN? Read the Fine Neural Network?
Dude, it's too late -- your Terminator is already a "governing circuit."
Best of all world would be having both available for download. Whether that means multiple followers create their own special DVDs that they make available over BitTorrent (finally a valid use for it ;-), or the more centralized approach where Klaus creates a CD, and a DVD which is the equivalent of that CD with a "few" more packages added.
One of my favorite "real-world" compression jokes is two words and a gesture, but you have to understand the counter-culture in order to get it. It is: "Short term..." (snapping fingers).
1.21
Would that be Abe infromantive?
So not only do your wrists get RSI, but now your neck does as well? Count me out...
So let's get back to our roots: Cocaine-Cola...
No legislation is "necessary", especially not legislation which overrides the choices a parent should be making.
Laws should require a 90% majority to be passed, not a simple (50%) majority. Then we'd see a lot less "mob rule."
Since it can't re-ship Windows binaries, it does a really neat trick of going to Microsoft's site and pulling out of the 30 MB (or so) XP SP1 installer, exactly the bytes it needs for the files it requires (something like 3 MB). Of course Microsoft could post a different installer, or change the URL, but for now it works and works very well.
Imagine a twinkie the size of a football field...
Too many syllables. Anyway I *never* figured it out; I got it from googling "lyrics elton john rocket man", and it seems to fit.
One of the most obscure lyrics of all time: "Rocket man, burning out his fuse up here alone."
Or the gripping side of the coin: open source embraces this installer and provides a wrapper for any program released using this installer to be installed as an .RPM, .DEB, Gentoo port, et al.
Look at the bright side: their grasp on the systems is slipping.
Btw, I just used that quote in another thread and got (so far) a +1. ;-) (But I see you already saw that as you replied to a child.)
Yer a Friend now too. Enjoy!
Cheers!
Nothing, that is, except that row of diodes down my left side that've been hurting for the past few millenia...
I've tried the former but the latter sounds like an awkward delivery mechanism.
It would take you several lifetimes to read all the laws of your country, state, county, and city. You are probably violating one of those laws right now. I agree that there are some things that should be obvious, like following the 15 (crash) 10, 10 commandments, but not knowing that, for instance, radar detectors are illegal when you cross the state line and it's not posted shouldn't result in you having to drive over your "radio" but that's what happens.
The system is set up to keep us ignorant. They want there to be more laws than we can ever keep track of, so they can haul us in whenever they choose. A very apt quote which I've been discussing recently if you check my history:
I'm not casting any aspersions; I never said the quote was not appropriate. What I said was whenever I use it, I get +5, so I've learned that it might be fun to seek out the opportunities to use it. That's all.
I got to 47 when they switched to "fuzzy logic" so I never actually saw a karma cap but I'm pretty sure I'm there now. Unless they changed the rules again.
I do say some Insightful, Interesting, and sometimes Funny things from time to time; I know I probably won't change your mind but check my history and perhaps reconsider your decision to publicly hate me. You just may find I'm worth beFriending.
Reviewing your post I think I may have actually hit the nail on the head, as you start it with "ohh ohhh a quotation contest!" -- but even so, I'm not trying to be unfriendly.
I think you've hit on a solution: find an exploit, report it to Consumer Reports.
Of course, if they don't act on it then you've gotta shout it from the rooftops, but perhaps Consumer Reports has a web forum...