I can just see these folks who write these things sputtering, "but we are legitimate business men! Just ask any of our friends, like vinny here"
seriously, I wonder how long it is before they sue mcafee and others, just because of this point they want to make. Not that anyone will believe them.
I actually came across one that had an unistall utility, complete with a massive EULA for this uninstaller, and a license key for the uninstaller, which is emailed to you, if you decide to actuaslly trust them (description here, with company info) It's blackmail, of course, and probably not enforcable.
Inside the voting booth you'll find a ''touchscreen,'' which is a computer screen coated with a thin, invisible layer of germs left by all the people who voted ahead of you, many of whom use the sacred sanctity of the voting booth to pick their noses.
One person with a hankerchief filled with super nasty germs...
I can see someone sueing the state over the health issues.
Besides, I believe in the sanctity of something called a paper trail. I do not know if the Brazilian system supplies a paper trail, but somehow I do not think that American Officials would want to use something invented in Brazil, even if it is really really good. The horror of it all.
Not that the Diebold has a paper trail or is unreliable or anything.
On the other hand, optimistic visions of the future are routinely viewed as naive.
It is diffuclut to maintain an optimistic view of the potentials while keeping in mind and being wary of all the screwups that people can come up with. As an example:
Some people try to make the real world like that nevertheless."Either you're with us, or you are with the terrorists" ring any bells?
Probably is more of an example of a typical reaction to a novel political situation, Virtual States, using outmoded strategic thinking from past conflicts. See this 1996 doc on the topic, (slightly dated, probably some poor solutions, but with some useful insights)
Both Bush and Kerry show signs of not grasping the magnitude of what is going on, and how this differs from the past. (see some open source theory on this here) If Kerry were more familiar with this concept, he could use it to sandbag Bush in a debate. and vice versa.
Unfortunately, the solution requires a knowledge of calculus:
To do so, we express x as a powerseries of s, and calculate the first n-1 coefficients. We turn the polynomial equation into a differential equation that has the roots as solutions. Then we express the powerseries' coefficients in the first n-1 coefficients. Then the variable s is set to a0. A free parameter is
added to make the series convergent.
While not free, I would suggest something like Alpha Software. The wizards to generate the forms and gui's are really good, and it uses a relational model.
Their recent promotions are interesting:
Alpha Five makes it easy to access your data from the Web, from your desktop, or even via email, no matter where you are, no matter what format your data is in.
Build web applications easily and quickly using the Alpha Five.dbf engine, or with live data from MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, DB2 or even MS Access.
Any authorized user can access your Web database thanks to the built-in Web Application Server.
Create powerful applications without having to write tedious and intricate code.
Step-by-step genies assist in creating scripts without knowledge of programming.
We give you the tools to build sophisticated applications quickly and easily.
I used it a few years back, and was impressed then. I think I may go ahead and get the latest version. There is a free trial.
The original reference to Metric Years is a joke, in reference to the NASA mars probe fiasco a few years back which went off course due to a miscalculation in units of conversion. Thus the implied reference to NASA's habit of miscalculations, as cross-linked to the Internet via ArpaNet, etc.
That said, there really is a MetricYears.com, which is a bit daffy in it's own right. If you don't like that, you could always go for Decimal Birthdays, which is amusing in its own special way.
Good, now we need to unplug all of the wires from the machine.
very good. now wee need to open the case and unplug the widget x
very good, now turn on the machine.
Sorry, nothing happens
did you press the power button sir?
Etc for 5 or 10 minutes.
Notice that the script did not require re-plugging in the power cable, and that the "tech" did not pick up on this. Also note that the "tech" will likely get reprimanded for deviating from the script.
I have actually been paid cold hard cash at my usual computer onsite repair rates to call a tech support line for a company whose name shall remain undisclosed and which rhymes with hell. Not just to sort things out since the unit was under warranty and my customer just could not under the accents on the other side, but to put the people on the other end of the line through some torture as well. The people were well pleased with the value of the entertainment they received. I say, with tongue only slightly in cheek, that I may consider this a whole new line of business.
The company may be "saving money" by paying the people one fifth of what stateside would get, but I can say with confidence that the call took ten times longer than it would have if someone with competant computer knowledge was on the line. Rote reading from of a incomplete trouble shooting guide does not replace expert knowledge. The worse thing you can do to those folks is to follow there directions literally and exactly.
It's all in the problems sets, which they change slightly in each newer edition, so that you really can't use the old edition and get the homework right.
I have, on my wall, an earlier version, from when I was a kid. Comparing the two is actually sort of scary. On the other hand, it's time to update my earth at night graphics in Celestia
Welcome to the official website for the newly issued United States Patent concerning ethical artificial intelligence entitled: Inductive Inference Affective Language Analyzer Simulating Artificial Intelligence by John E. LaMuth - patent No. 6,587,846.
As its title implies, this new breakthrough represents the world's first affective language analyzer encompassing ethical/motivational behaviors, providing a convincing simulation of ethical artificial intelligence. It enables a computer to reason and speak employing ethical parameters, an innovation based upon a primary complement of instinctual behavioral terms (rewards-leniency-appetite-aversion). This elementary instinctual foundation, in turn, extends to a multi-level hierarchy of the traditional groupings of virtues, values, and ideals, collectively arranged as subsets within a hierarchy of metaperspectives - as depicted below.
etc.
Actually, it is not instinctual. You can derive a very workable system just based on the survival instinct. You would just have to apply it across a spectrum of activity and calculate for balance.
self survival
survival through progeny
survival through friends and family
survival through tribe, country, etc.
survival through art, creativity, legacies
add more as you see fit.
You can divide it out any number of ways. Obviously, a narrow view point is less workable than the broader.
An ethical code for robots would have to include something that many humans do not have, a respect for the life and property of (other) people.
Slashdot Mirror
seriously, I wonder how long it is before they sue mcafee and others, just because of this point they want to make. Not that anyone will believe them.
I actually came across one that had an unistall utility, complete with a massive EULA for this uninstaller, and a license key for the uninstaller, which is emailed to you, if you decide to actuaslly trust them (description here, with company info) It's blackmail, of course, and probably not enforcable.
Legitiamte businessmen indeed.
It could be worse. Here come the Trouble Windows girls
You will be legally liable for the legal consequences of any attempt to break through this advanced encryption technology.
Those were the days. The kids these days, they have no style, no artistry, no sense of the absurd.....
not that they don't try to take advantadge of every situation.
Includes lots and lots of pretty pictures. Check out the galleries of Homes, for example, among others.
Of course, domes are exceptionally well suited for construction underground (link has lots of usefule tips)
One person with a hankerchief filled with super nasty germs...
I can see someone sueing the state over the health issues.
Besides, I believe in the sanctity of something called a paper trail. I do not know if the Brazilian system supplies a paper trail, but somehow I do not think that American Officials would want to use something invented in Brazil, even if it is really really good. The horror of it all.
Not that the Diebold has a paper trail or is unreliable or anything.
It is diffuclut to maintain an optimistic view of the potentials while keeping in mind and being wary of all the screwups that people can come up with. As an example:
Some people try to make the real world like that nevertheless."Either you're with us, or you are with the terrorists" ring any bells?
Probably is more of an example of a typical reaction to a novel political situation, Virtual States, using outmoded strategic thinking from past conflicts. See this 1996 doc on the topic, (slightly dated, probably some poor solutions, but with some useful insights)
Both Bush and Kerry show signs of not grasping the magnitude of what is going on, and how this differs from the past. (see some open source theory on this here) If Kerry were more familiar with this concept, he could use it to sandbag Bush in a debate. and vice versa.
To do so, we express x as a powerseries of s, and calculate the first n-1 coefficients. We turn the polynomial equation into a differential equation that has the roots as solutions. Then we express the powerseries' coefficients in the first n-1 coefficients. Then the variable s is set to a0. A free parameter is added to make the series convergent.
The short paper has more details.
Thems the breaks....
Their recent promotions are interesting:
Alpha Five makes it easy to access your data from the Web, from your desktop, or even via email, no matter where you are, no matter what format your data is in.
Build web applications easily and quickly using the Alpha Five .dbf engine, or with live data from MySQL, Oracle, MS SQL Server, DB2 or even MS Access.
Any authorized user can access your Web database thanks to the built-in Web Application Server.
Create powerful applications without having to write tedious and intricate code.
Step-by-step genies assist in creating scripts without knowledge of programming.
We give you the tools to build sophisticated applications quickly and easily.
I used it a few years back, and was impressed then. I think I may go ahead and get the latest version. There is a free trial.
Don't you hate having to explain a joke?
That said, there really is a MetricYears.com, which is a bit daffy in it's own right. If you don't like that, you could always go for Decimal Birthdays, which is amusing in its own special way.
No, Really.
Sir, we need to shut off the computer.
Good, now we need to unplug all of the wires from the machine.
very good. now wee need to open the case and unplug the widget x
very good, now turn on the machine.
Sorry, nothing happens
did you press the power button sir?
Etc for 5 or 10 minutes.
Notice that the script did not require re-plugging in the power cable, and that the "tech" did not pick up on this. Also note that the "tech" will likely get reprimanded for deviating from the script.
need more morning coffee. you all know how it is.
The company may be "saving money" by paying the people one fifth of what stateside would get, but I can say with confidence that the call took ten times longer than it would have if someone with competant computer knowledge was on the line. Rote reading from of a incomplete trouble shooting guide does not replace expert knowledge. The worse thing you can do to those folks is to follow there directions literally and exactly.
I personally favor putting the SCO logo inside a set of crosshairs.
Actually, it's satire of a vaguely eastern European accent. complete with mistakes in english grammar.
The sky, she is falling! The sky, she is falling!
Please contact the billing/support department as soon as possible.
Cue Music: Another One Bytes The Dust
No, really.
It's all in the problems sets, which they change slightly in each newer edition, so that you really can't use the old edition and get the homework right.
I have, on my wall, an earlier version, from when I was a kid. Comparing the two is actually sort of scary. On the other hand, it's time to update my earth at night graphics in Celestia
etc.
Actually, it is not instinctual. You can derive a very workable system just based on the survival instinct. You would just have to apply it across a spectrum of activity and calculate for balance.
self survival
survival through progeny
survival through friends and family
survival through tribe, country, etc.
survival through art, creativity, legacies
add more as you see fit.
You can divide it out any number of ways. Obviously, a narrow view point is less workable than the broader.
An ethical code for robots would have to include something that many humans do not have, a respect for the life and property of (other) people.