If memory serves, most 802.11b wireless card software allows the card to be put into Ad-Hoc Mode, which effectively eliminated the need for a base station. From what I remember, this significantly reduces your range, but it should work in the aforementioned subway car full of wifi users.
The possibility of making Beowulf cluster certianly should be raised, but the Slashdot Collective is probably more worried about it being driven by the Devil's software, so it seemed like the logical choice.
This... would seem somewhat obvions to anyone who's had to deal with overlapping systems sharing a rather small resource, I'd think. As soon as I read the description of the problem, my first reaction was, "build an auto-negotiating, ad-hoc type system that'd figure it out for itself". As an example, don't networks of SMB clients (with no servers present) already hold "elections" to see who should be the Browse Master?
On the other hand, the article wasn't to clear on whether BT was using the general idea from the fruit fly, or was using some algorythm derived directly from those cells.
In a desperate attempt to up the S/N ratio...
on
Tool Box PC
·
· Score: 1, Offtopic
... I'd just like to virtually shake your hand, and say, what you did not only shows that you're a real geek (and I mean that in the best possible way), but also that it's really fucking cool!
I was just telling a customer that I didn't know of any easy way (read: my grandma can do it way) to turn his PC into a TiVo-like device. Looks like this might be it -- shall have to do some more research when I get to work.
On the other hand, while I think that the price is great for what you get on this card, we've sold AIW cards for less than that before, so I'm not sure I'd mark it as "affordable" for someone who wanted just a "basic" AIW card. Still, a damn cool looking card.
From the gist of the article, it looks like this application is targeted more towards autonomous control networks; i.e. the example they cited of having these notes talk to each other in a building to control the environmental settings. Basically, these units sound like they'd be ideal in environments where there was limited or no power available, to transmit very small amounts of data in an un-supervised, and really un-maintained fashion, situations where 802.11b/Bluetooth would be overkill. Can anyone else think of other possible uses?
Building cheaply to afford your warranty is, in my experience, an oxymoron. Our computers are not always as cheap as the competors (like Dell, etc), but they are built well. That's one of the things we tell customers -- we wouldn't offer such a long warranty if we didn't think the computer would hold up for at least that long.
If you're really concerned about it, do some research. Ask what parts do they use. Get a quote in writing from them, detailing each part specifically. Then, go online and see what people think of the hardware. Check your prices on pricewatch. You know, do the things that consumers are supposed to do.
Part of the problem we've found with the "cool" cases is that they tend to be VERY cheap. All flash and no substance. So we stick with solid, uninpressive looking cases (like Enlight). They're built to last, and they're much easier to work with.
If you really want to have a flashy case, you can almost always buy one online, and then take it down to the local shop and have 'em stuff the guts for you. You can even buy one without a P/S, and they'll put one in for you. We do this all the time -- a customer can bring in any parts he wants (with a few notable exceptions) and we'll build him a complete computer around them.
Now, I have to admit, I'm biased, since I work for one of the little guys, but I wouldn't work for 'em if I didn't feel strongly about it.
Say what you will about the mom and pop shops, but I've seen customer after customer come to us utterly frustrated by their experience with a name-brand pre-built. Seriously, the next computer you get, don't just waddle down to Best Buy or Sears, check out the small shops.
In my opinion, you get better value, better support, and a better warranty from the smaller companies than you do from the big ones.
I'm pretty sure XP launched in late October of last year.
As for the EULA: Have you ever tried reading through one of those? I've seen a MS EULA make a laywer's head spin (anecdotal: My company does quite a lot of business with law firms, and I asked a lawyer at one of them once to actually interprit their EULA for (I think it was) Win98). It's entirely possible that the prohibition would be cloaked in so much obscure legal verbage that even after a year, it wouldn't be immediately... well, obvious.
Slashdot Mirror
If memory serves, most 802.11b wireless card software allows the card to be put into Ad-Hoc Mode, which effectively eliminated the need for a base station. From what I remember, this significantly reduces your range, but it should work in the aforementioned subway car full of wifi users.
The possibility of making Beowulf cluster certianly should be raised, but the Slashdot Collective is probably more worried about it being driven by the Devil's software, so it seemed like the logical choice.
... on how long it takes someone to get a Linux kernel hacked onto the thing :)
Was I the only one who read that as "Microsoft's $40B Hard On"?
Damn. It's too early. *goes to get his coffee*
Slashdotter #1: ANIME DVD GOOD!
Slashdotter #2: MPAA BAD!
Well... which one's it gonna be, boys?
This... would seem somewhat obvions to anyone who's had to deal with overlapping systems sharing a rather small resource, I'd think. As soon as I read the description of the problem, my first reaction was, "build an auto-negotiating, ad-hoc type system that'd figure it out for itself". As an example, don't networks of SMB clients (with no servers present) already hold "elections" to see who should be the Browse Master?
On the other hand, the article wasn't to clear on whether BT was using the general idea from the fruit fly, or was using some algorythm derived directly from those cells.
Let's just hope they don't try and patent it.
... a Beowulf cluster of these?
/.ers*
*ducks rotten tomatoes thrown by rabid
I'm sorry, but someone had to say it!
... I'd just like to virtually shake your hand, and say, what you did not only shows that you're a real geek (and I mean that in the best possible way), but also that it's really fucking cool!
:)
Cheers,
Akky
I was just telling a customer that I didn't know of any easy way (read: my grandma can do it way) to turn his PC into a TiVo-like device. Looks like this might be it -- shall have to do some more research when I get to work.
On the other hand, while I think that the price is great for what you get on this card, we've sold AIW cards for less than that before, so I'm not sure I'd mark it as "affordable" for someone who wanted just a "basic" AIW card. Still, a damn cool looking card.
From the gist of the article, it looks like this application is targeted more towards autonomous control networks; i.e. the example they cited of having these notes talk to each other in a building to control the environmental settings. Basically, these units sound like they'd be ideal in environments where there was limited or no power available, to transmit very small amounts of data in an un-supervised, and really un-maintained fashion, situations where 802.11b/Bluetooth would be overkill. Can anyone else think of other possible uses?
As if demanding our souls isn't enough! Now you want to take our keyboard, our mice, our joysticks!
What's that? Oh, the other kind of input?
To: webmaster@slashdot.org
Subject: Re: Re: Increase your hits!
Date: 03/23/2002
Dear Webmaster,
Have you heard about our wonderfull new marketing tool, the Slashdot Effect?
*snip*
I don't want more hits, already! You've given me enough! Fuck off!
I suppose that would depend on your definition of "Actual Research". It sure seems like it to me.
Clicking on the link above, one of the two Google Directory categories was Society > Religion and Spirituality > Opposing Views > Scientology. And, featuring promenantly on the top of that list, is Xenu.net.
Yes, it's a teensy bit obfuscated, but the fact that just one additional click can still get you there shouldn't be ignored.
I get that when I try and access the URL from the story. I would give the sysadmin more kudos if he could manage his includes in a better fashion.
Building cheaply to afford your warranty is, in my experience, an oxymoron. Our computers are not always as cheap as the competors (like Dell, etc), but they are built well. That's one of the things we tell customers -- we wouldn't offer such a long warranty if we didn't think the computer would hold up for at least that long.
If you're really concerned about it, do some research. Ask what parts do they use. Get a quote in writing from them, detailing each part specifically. Then, go online and see what people think of the hardware. Check your prices on pricewatch. You know, do the things that consumers are supposed to do.
Part of the problem we've found with the "cool" cases is that they tend to be VERY cheap. All flash and no substance. So we stick with solid, uninpressive looking cases (like Enlight). They're built to last, and they're much easier to work with.
If you really want to have a flashy case, you can almost always buy one online, and then take it down to the local shop and have 'em stuff the guts for you. You can even buy one without a P/S, and they'll put one in for you. We do this all the time -- a customer can bring in any parts he wants (with a few notable exceptions) and we'll build him a complete computer around them.
Now, I have to admit, I'm biased, since I work for one of the little guys, but I wouldn't work for 'em if I didn't feel strongly about it.
Say what you will about the mom and pop shops, but I've seen customer after customer come to us utterly frustrated by their experience with a name-brand pre-built. Seriously, the next computer you get, don't just waddle down to Best Buy or Sears, check out the small shops.
In my opinion, you get better value, better support, and a better warranty from the smaller companies than you do from the big ones.
Anyway, just my 2 bits.
http://shop.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInqu iry.asp?isbn=0201702711
Not trying to whore karma, but I do think it's silly to have to go through that stupid bfast link.
Speak for yourself. I'm running RH 7.2 on my production boxes, and am very happy with the overall performance.
:P
Of course, you have to compare the stock 2.4.18 kernel with the highly tweaked 2.4.9 kernel from RH.
P.S. I don't think that the kernel is at 4.x.x yet
I'm pretty sure XP launched in late October of last year.
As for the EULA: Have you ever tried reading through one of those? I've seen a MS EULA make a laywer's head spin (anecdotal: My company does quite a lot of business with law firms, and I asked a lawyer at one of them once to actually interprit their EULA for (I think it was) Win98). It's entirely possible that the prohibition would be cloaked in so much obscure legal verbage that even after a year, it wouldn't be immediately... well, obvious.
101. What do you think of the Slashdot effect?
When will Slashdot become P3P complaint?
(Specs here)
This thing has PS/2, video, audio, 2 USB, 2 firewire, an expantion slot (PCI), takes up to a 1100MHz S370 CPU, and a gig of ram.
Contrast this to the mobo from the story, which has an integrated CPU (yuck!, plus it's a Cyrix based, double-yuck!) and no firewire.
I'm using the FV-24 for a project of mine and am VERY happy with it. Plus, it was only about 150USD retail, and it's already out there, available.
They sure don't make 'em like they used to.
Hooray for Pioneer 10!