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User: swifticus

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  1. Model a Hackerspace on Ask Slashdot: Ideal High School Computer Lab? · · Score: 1

    Get a 3D printer, vinyl cutter, poster printer, and other fabrication tools so that the computers can be applied to a wider domain. Grab some arduinos and electronics to interface computers with sensors and motors. Consider getting some easily hackable gadgets like kinects, wii-motes, webcams. A couple DSLRs w/ fluorescent light kits & green screen?

    I'd include ubuntu, OS X, and windows in your network if you can; if you're creating a budget of some sort, don't forget creative software costs (Visual Studio, Adobe Suite, Autodesk).

    Make sure you will be able to grant administrator access without compromising the lab (you can use something like windows steady state, but I'd also keep backup images at a clean state). A local storage server with redundancy is a good idea to keep system images and other work safe.

    Go for the skylights and vegetation; there are a lot of shade loving vines and plants that thrive with only a little light.

  2. Arduino-based geiger counter shield on Ask Slashdot: Radiation Detection For Tokyo Resident? · · Score: 1

    Check out this project from Tokyo Hackerspace:
    http://tokyohackerspace.org/en/project/tokyo-hackerspace-netrad-geiger-shield

    "This is the project page for the Tokyo Hackerspace/RDTN Geiger project. This is an Arduino-based geiger counter shield that makes it easy to upload data to the internet and also interchange tubes. Since it's open source and Arduino-based, its also easy to hack this to other interesting applications."

  3. Related to IBM? on Is There Room for an IM only Device ? · · Score: 1, Interesting
    It's interesting that this comes from Motorola at a time when there's been recent confirmation that IBM's PowerPC 970's will be used by Apple.

    I believe Motorola is trying to expand its market after losing ground with apple.

  4. Not so scary on Washington State Restricts Anti-Cop Videogames · · Score: 4, Insightful
    I think Washington State will just provide an example of how censorship doesn't really statistically improve anything. With any luck, other states will notice and not follow suit.

    Also, who will be fining retail employees $500 for selling games like this to minors? It's not serious enough to put a cop in every corner of compUSA.

    How will this law affect online buying of games though? If it makes it more difficult for people in other states, game companies might have better grounds for a lawsuit (business negatively impacted).

  5. Dog with an IP address on AIBO Via E-mail · · Score: 5, Funny

    If this means I can finally get a dog that has an IP address, I'll take it.

  6. coolest screenshot on New G3-Based Platform Runs Mac OS X · · Score: 4, Informative

    here is a screenshot of virtual PC on Mac-on-Linux on KDE. Very cool.

  7. mac on linux on New G3-Based Platform Runs Mac OS X · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Mac-on-Linux makes it possible to run Mac OS (including OS X) under Linux/ppc.
    The Mac-On-Linux capabilities of this system with debian would make it a perfect solution for an avid linux user to access Mac new media software without having to purchase two systems. I bet if it was tested with the G4 dual processor systems they discussed, performace would be much enhanced in OS X, and even more enhanced in OS 9.

    I would definitely love to be able to run adobe products on my linux box.

  8. Technology and Poetry on Crazy/Nerdy Computer Art Installations · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I watched a lecture by Jim Andrews who is the author of Vispo.com. On Vispo, short for visual poetry, he explores the links between new media, technology, and the creative process of poetry.

    Another way technology plays into poetry is Aleatory Poetry. I experimented with this a bit in this dynamic poem, revelation to pi.

  9. Re:Get AI moving with open source on AI Going Nowhere? · · Score: 1

    Adding code-in-their-spare-time open-source developers having very little if any education or understanding of AI isn't going to help.

    I agree... What is most important is cooperation between the educated people that the AI field has. Hacking together a massive collaborative project wouldn't necessarily be of any benefit, but somehow networking interested college seniors in AI might be more productive.
    It's hurting because humans don't know how to develop AI systems. As I mentioned previously, we won't know until we know how humans are intelligent.

    The more people to figure it out, the better. If we are going to figure it out, it will be in steps that could be realized by different people. Let's get the technical schools linked up and aware of the others' progress even if we don't open the research to all.
  10. Get AI moving with open source on AI Going Nowhere? · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Maybe it's time to start encouraging open source projects and development in this field. Seniors could network with students from other universities to make more comprehensive and meaningful final projects.

    Using open source development, a project to establish a tool kit for AI programming fundamentals could be born. It'd definitely be cool to have something like that available. I'm not sure if MIT has anything like this going yet, but they could easily whip up the brain power to get it started (and started right).

  11. subtlety of the term "temp employee" on RIAA Apologizes for Incorrect Infringement Notice · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "We have withdrawn, and apologize for, the DMCA notice that had been sent to Penn State University in error. In order to safeguard against errors like this one, we have individuals look at each and every notice we send out. In this particular instance, a temp employee made a mistake and did not follow RIAA's established protocol, and we regret any inconvenience this may have caused. We are currently reviewing any other notices this temp may have sent."

    I think by "temp employee," they mean to say the person responsible is now fired. Doesn't sound like the RIAA really took responsibility for the incident either, but rather placed the blame on John Doe.

  12. Gabriel Knight: sins of the fathers on What Games Have Actually Affected You? · · Score: 1

    the first Gabriel Knight was amazing as well... i remember playing it hours upon hours on the good ol' 486. so that's why i'm so weird now.

  13. below the root (c64) on What Games Have Actually Affected You? · · Score: 1

    not sure if anyone's played it, but "below the root" for c64 was an amazing game for its time. i logged way too many hours playing it as a child.

  14. user-mode-linux on One-Machine Linux Cluster · · Score: 1

    user-mode-linux has been around for quite a while now. it allows you to run the linux kernel on top of linux with its own filesystem, etc. if you're interested, grab the patch or check out the alan cox branch of the kernel.

  15. Re:W2K NTFS Support? on Linux 2.4.13 · · Score: 1

    there is NTFS support in the kernel now. unfortunately it's read only.

  16. ext3 on Kernel 2.4.11 Released · · Score: 1
    it'd be nice to see the main kernel branch adopt ext3. the ac branch has had it a while and i'm quite pleased with it.

    redhat ext3 info

  17. hmmm on 1st Cup Of Coffee: Hardening Your Arteries · · Score: 1

    i'll just skip the first cup and start with my second.

  18. maxtor drives on Maxtor's "Sturdy" Hard Drive · · Score: 1

    i've had nothing but bad luck with maxtor drives... there are about 3 or 4 sitting around my house that have failed beyond repair. hopefully this new approach will yield different results, but i'll stick with western digital anyway (never had a WD fail).

  19. Maybe they're not all unique after all. on Are Fingerprints Unique? · · Score: 2

    kinda like Bush and Gore...

  20. self-defense? on Keyless Keyboard · · Score: 1

    maybe this will be a good way for geeks to develop some sort of self defense. we can exercise our arms and use the computer at the same time. i see a user typing in a style similar to the martial arts; a combination of speed, agility, and accuracy. too bad i can't actually see this thing... it sounds cool.

  21. the "evil empire" on Two-Way Satellite Internet Is Here! · · Score: 1

    when will microsoft go away? i don't think i'd want microsoft to have any of my info when they "let" hackers compromise their servers.

  22. Re:DIY on Desperately Seeking Secure and Reliable Email? · · Score: 1

    this is a very good idea. i started a mail/telnet/ssh server for my own use (mostly to play nethack), and it's reliable and fun. think 486 + linux, and you'll have a server; it's cheaper than several hundred a year by far.

  23. out of best of breed competition? on The Benefits Of Radiation On Linux · · Score: 1
    i tend to think that linux is a candidate for the "best breed" operating system because it's so flexible.
    The real import of the Linux wristwatch is ecological, though, rather than practical, because it illustrates Linux's unparalleled ability to take advantage of something called "adaptive radiation."
    to me, this shows the practicality of linux. he shows no faith in linux becoming a desktop os... however, he then goes on to write:
    There will always be a place for "Best of Breed" software, and Linux's use of open protocols means its advantage is always in ease of use, never in locking out the competition.

    ease of use and desktop environment are usually things that go together well. the section titled "where 'good' beats 'best'" doesn't make much sense either. if 'good' beats 'best', then 'best' is no longer 'best'... 'good' is now 'best'.

    maybe i'm just confused from too much nethack, and too little sleep.

  24. what was that? on NASA Tests Flying Scooter For Commercial Take-Off · · Score: 1
    imagine what would happen if a bird got caught up in the fans... the fans are aimed at your face.

    although these things sound dangerous, i'd probably be the first to buy one (if i had that kind of money). oh well, maybe someday.

  25. why would Hong Kong do this? on Hong Kong Smart Identity Cards In 2003 · · Score: 3
    this sounds like a way for Hong Kong to keep a closer eye on citizens. i can't see any reason why they would want to take on this challenge.

    "In addition, the implementation of a smart ID card scheme will be a significant step forward in enhancing our overall information infrastructure and in keeping Hong Kong in the forefront of world information technology development."

    who would want to deal with this stuff? is HK planning on educating the population about what they're carrying? think about your grandparents carrying smart ID cards.